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363 [[newspaper clipping]] Some of the paintings which Mr. G. F. Watts intends to bequeath to the English nation, "if the gift is likely to prove acceptable," are upon exhibition at the South Kensington Museum. this gift, the Pull Mall Gazette calls "the most remarkable of its kind in the art world since the Turner bequest." In an interview with a reporter of that journal Mr. Watts says: "In painting these pictures and others with the same destination I have a very special object in view. In the first place I have endeavored to oppose and correct the idea that 'Art for Art' is the only principle, or even the best. Art practicing for art alone may produce very admirable results, but certainly not the greatest. without a worthy subject, the most exquisite beauty of line, of quality of color cannot make a picture truly great, however valuable the execution of the work may be. And the same is true of a picture possessing these advantages, and a subject as well, if the former were out of harmony with the latter. At the present time art is in a time of descriptive poetry, which may be very fine, very true and very admirable in every respect-so far as it goes. But descriptive poetry is not the only kind we want, nor is it what has given poetry its high place. In truth, the art of England is not worthy of her literature. Not 'Art for Art' but - 'Art for Man,' is the one true principle. Now that any work of mine fulfills the conditions I have pointed out I do not for a moment claim. No one knows better than I do how defective are all my efforts; but I cannot give up the hope that in them a direction is indicated not unworthy, and that a vein of poetical and intellectual suggestion is laid bare which may be worked with more effect by some one who will come after... As the work of my life I set myself two definite missions or objects; the first, to prove that art should have that kind of elevation which should place it on a level with great poetry and the second to supply a better symbol of death than the proverbial *skull and crossbones' - in fact to show the *great marauder* (as in my *Love and Death,' Time, Death and Judgement.' and 'The Messenger of Death,*) not as the hideous and repulsive enemy, but as a kindly, if irresistible, messenger. I have wished to show that art should be employed to appeal to the spectator without directing his eye to the dexterity of execution;that he should be made to look into the picture,and there to find a subject and thought worthy of his contemplation, and not to have his attention drawn to the painting on the canvas's surface." [[/newspaper clipping]] Downing this evening and finished "Tartarin sur les Alpes" by Daudet, a most amusing book and admirably illustrated.- Dr. Kennedy has bought Edgar Newkirks place for $20,000 says the Freeman but I hear privately $17,000, a very good price. Privately I hear Elting Anderson is in negotiation for John McEntees place and also that Dr. Kennedy has intentions of getting it. All this is encouraging me in relation to our property and it gives me great hope that we will be able to sell lots advantageously. Saturday Dec. 11" 1886. Down town to the mail and to get material to line the old cutter at which I went directly to work and worked until near 4 o clock. I tore out the old ragged lining and all the old useless lumber with which it had been rudely tinkered by my father and Tom, mended the body and the guards and have it pretty well toward completion. Of course I cut and jammed my fingers so that they feel very sore tonight. I returned Marys "Tartarin" today and got a letter from Miss Nesmith and Sara one from Lucy. It has been a lovely mild day. I feel pretty tired tonight. Sunday 12" A grey, mild day. Down to the mail. When I returned went over to my Studio, built a fire and painted the drawing room window with the curtain in the night (having made first a pencil sketch looking over towards my house with the snow on the roof and on the ground, the apples trees, the old cherry tree in the foreground and the sweet brier with its red berries in front of the window. I made a very attractive little sketch. It is for a cover to some doilies Sara is going to send to Lucy for a Xmas present. On the other cover I painted Xmas. 1886. I know it will please Lucy and I was not more more than two or three hours doing it. Reading the "Art news and Comments" in todays Tribune I was so exasperated by the [[sneering?]] mention of the Academy that I sat down and wrote a sharp letter to Reid, but on reflection I think I wont send it. I shall have the opportunity some day to let Reid know what I think of his Art man. Visiting my father this evening I spoke encouragingly of the outlook for our property and real estate generally. He quite brightened with enthusiasm and said it made him feel good to hear that affairs were more encouraging. I said I wished I could buy the place. He said he wished I would, that he would let me have it cheaper than any one else and would like to have it kept in the family. He said I could buy it as well as not. I told him if I could I would buy and perhaps I might after a while. I wrote to Mary and a short note to Bowyer. Monday 13" Went down town and did many errands. It was raining a little and has been misty and rainy all day. Now at 10 o'clock the moon is shining and colder weather is looked for. Have been at work all day trimming the cutter which is all done except the cushion. The tax list is ready for 30 days from today. That with a bank note due Dec. 27 makes nearly $900 I have to raise within that time. I feel hopeful however and feel that it will be arranged somehow. Tuesday 14" I go down for the mail now every morning and thus get exercise which I might lack. Besides I come in contact with people and this is good for me. When I came back I went over to Chester St where Tom and Henry are at work. The tobogganists are at work on their slide and have begun a house opposite Mr. Woods. It was pretty cold and windy there this morning. A little after 10 I went over to my studio and finished a little decoration on the little present for Lucy and painted a small sketch besides. I also worked on a larger sketch I painted several days ago. The new arrangement for heating water on my stove came today and I put it in place. It is very satisfactory. Sade and I cracked some walnuts and picked out the meats for little cakes she is going to send Lucy. Wednesday 15: Snowing this morning when I went down town and has snowed at intervals through the day with S. wind. I went over to my
