Fine Work of Art, Painted to a Duke's Order, on Offer in Shanghai Art lovers, particularly if they are of "xottish birth, or have interests in Scotland, have a chance to obtain a typically Scottish pic-ure of considerable merit and some history. It forms part of the estate of the late Mr. Douglas E. McGregor. Having the title "After the Foray," it was painted by the late R. A. Houston, in 1876, as the last of a series of 12 to the order of the Duke of Fife. Owing to a misunderstanding, Houston refused to let the Duke have it and it was then acquired by Mr. Me-Gregor, for £400, it beng understood that two of his brothers also secured one each.
Houston's work some 40 years or sO o was in high favour and though the fashion has changed, as it so frequently does in art circles, his merit cannot be denied. This particular example is of a romantic nature and is executed with great faith as to detail. It presents the death of a Highland chieftain. It is not possible to state definitely his clan, for, as he lies stretched out in death on his native heath, his long shirt of chain mail covers all but the very edge of his kilt, the tartan of which may be claimed by @ McGrigor or any other whose colours have a preponderance of red. His feet and legs are encased in the old deerskin cross-gartered brogues and leggings, fringed with fur at the top. Cast aside are the studded targe and the steel cap which did not avail to stay the death blow at his head. By his side lies also the blade of his great claymore, whilst in his right hand he still grasps the cross-handled -hilt with the drooping guards typical of the weapon the highlanders were unrivalled in using.
The head is a fine study. The face is not grizzled or fiery, after the type many profess to believe is Highland, but shows rather the ancient Norse type, which is likely to be more truly the original. The features are handsome and clear-cut, with the hair flowing back, long, drooping _moustaches and a small beard. By his side sits his wife, shrouded in her plaid and again the face is a fine study, presenting grief, but also the stoic cism of those ancient Highland women who knew that some time or other their husbands and sons must fall in battle—the spirit that sent Helen McGrigor into the field when her man was in danger, and that made Lady McDonald swing a claymore with deadly effect at her husband's side in the brief stand that was possible at the massacre of Glencoe.
The scenery also is faithfully Highland, withthe hills, rocks and heather in trio colours and over alla thin mist. The picture is now in the charge of Messrs. Lowe, Bingham & Matthews.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.