“My first published drawing represented the demolition of the Vendome
Column in Paris by the French Commune, and I shall never forget my
pleasure at seeing it in ‘Harper’s Weekly.’ It doesn’t matter how old
we get, we’re sure to remember our first appearance. I received many
congratulations for my effort and continued my work with enthusiasm.
“The young artists in Harper’s offices were given all sorts of subjects
to do, pictorial, illustrative and reportorial, and this variety has
been of the utmost value to me. There was one sort of work, however,
that I preferred above all others. When only a lad I fell in love
with the classic literature of England; Goldsmith was always one of
my favorite authors, and whenever I had spare time I devoted it to
illustrating some of the stories that I had read. I was especially fond
of English history, so you can imagine my delight when it was decided
that I was to illustrate the works of Herrick for ‘Harper’s Monthly,’
with a view to ultimate publication in book form.
“It was then that I first came to England. I thought it advisable to
live for a time in the English country, and I settled for two years in
one of the most picturesque districts of Worcestershire. I need not
tell you that I enjoyed that visit, and, when I returned to America, in
1880, it was only to remain eight months and to arrange my affairs so
that I could return here. Although I had lost none of my regard for the
land of my birth, I felt that, if I was to draw pictures from English
history, England was the place for me to live in, so here I have been
ever since, save for occasional journeys to America and the Continent.”
Mr. Abbey breathed a sigh of relief as he finished the narrative of his
early days. “But this doesn’t bring you up to date,” I said, “and the
most interesting story is about what you’ve done since.” But the artist
shook his head. “It’s simply a record of steady work,” he said; “you
already know about the chief paintings I have done in late years.”
“Of course,” I said, “you are doing nothing now but painting in oils?”
“That’s all,” replied Mr. Abbey, “and my contracts will prevent me
from doing any other kind of work in the near future. I didn’t begin
painting in oils until I had been working many years; the ‘Mayday
Morn,’ my first exhibit, was not shown until 1890. It seems quite the
usual thing for artists to take up oils after they are known chiefly by
black and white or water colors.”