3-011-515 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Children Playing at Horses", by C. R. Leslie, in the late International Exhibition, 1862. 'We cannot seize and confine in words the delicate aroma of natural truth and beauty in this picture, nor construe its painted ode or idyl of child-life. Although, however, we cannot do this, we enjoy in this Journal the privilege, by the valuable aid of our draughtsmen and engravers, of transmitting to the reader some...of the nameless charm of such works. We leave, then, to our Engraving to tell of the subtlety and simplicity of the original...how, with the simplest and most familiar materials, the true artist will create a precious something which shall convey a new impression, impart a new pleasure -compelling us in this instance to sympathize with and almost share the fun of those little folks "playing at horses," or, at all events, recognize the consummate truth to nature in their several expressions of innocently-assumed grandeur in the fine lady, with her baby-doll and parasol, sitting so luxuriantly in the carriage; importance of office and dutiful solicitude in the coachman, and becoming docility in the high-stepping "horses," even though that restive little filly will not answer the reins quite satisfactorily'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.