Let us not
seek to identify him as god or mortal, nor guess his character from
his form. Rather, let us take him as he is; for all time the perfect
type of fatness.
Lovely and excessive monster! Monster immensurable! What belt could
inclip you? What blade were long enough to prick the heart of you?
`THE VISIT'
A PAINTING BY GEORGE MORLAND, IN THE HERTFORD HOUSE COLLECTION
Never, I suppose, was a painter less maladif in his work than Morland,
that lover of simple and sun-bright English scenes. Probably, this
picture of his is all cheerful in intention. Yet the effect of it is
saddening.
Superficially, the scene is cheerful enough. Our first impression is
of a happy English home, of childish high-spirits and pretty manners.
We note how genial a lady is the visitor, and how eager the children
are to please. One of them trips respectfully forward--a wave of
yellow curls fresh and crisp from the brush, a rustle of white muslin
fresh and crisp from the wash. She is supported on one side by her
grown-up sister, on the other by her little brother, who displays the
nectarine already given to him by the kind lady. Splendid in far-
reaching furbelows, that kind lady holds out both her hands, beaming
encouragement. On her ample lap is a little open basket with other
ripe nectarines in it--one for every child.
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