As an illustrator of current fiction, Mr. Townsend has also a
considerable amount of dexterous work to his name, but a record of
drawings contributed to the illustrated journals cannot even be
attempted within present limits of space.
Mr. Shepperson in his book-illustrations generally represents affairs
with picturesqueness, and with a nervous energy that takes the least
mechanical way of expressing forms and substances. Illustrating the
modern novel of adventure, he is happy in his intrigues and
conspiracies, while in books of more weight, such as 'The Heart of
Midlothian' or 'Lavengro,' he expresses graver issues of life with
un-elaborate and suggestive effect. The energy of his line, the
dramatic quality of his imagination, render him in his element as an
illustrator of events, but the vigour that projects itself into
subjects such as the murder of Sir George Staunton, or the fight with
the Flaming Tinman, or the alarms and stratagems of Mr. Stanley Weyman,
informs also his representation of moments when there is no action.
Technically Mr. Shepperson represents very little that is traditional
in English black and white, though the tradition seems likely to be
there for future generations of English illustrators.
[Illustration: "Ye are ill, Effie," were the first words Jeanie could
utter; "ye are very ill."