Note 35 — Chapter XI · 1882. ‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’—AMERICAN VISIT ARRANGED.

Where it now hangs over the chimneypiece in the Guests’ Room. It is not so successful as many others of Millais’ works; it is rather sketchily painted, and lacks force and expression. The late Mr. Long painted the actor as Hamlet and Richard III. These are not very striking performances, but they are refined and interesting portraits. Mr. Whistler produced an extraordinary one of him as Philip II., strangely “shadowy” but powerful, and of preternatural length. A number of artists of less pretension have also essayed to limn the actor; but all have failed to sketch the mobile, delicate expression of the lips. Boldly daring, I myself have fashioned a bust of him in terra-cotta.