or, The Silver Skates 93

This museum is, in fact, a picture-gallery, where some of
the finest works of the Dutch masters are to be seen, besides
nearly two hundred portfolios of rare engravings.

Ben noticed at once that some of the pictures were hung on
panels fastened to the wall with hinges. “These could be swung
forward, like a window-shutter, thus enabling the subject to be
seen in the best light. The plan served them well in viewing
a small group by Gerard Douw, called “ The Evening School :”
enabling them to observe its exquisite finish, and the wonderful
way in which the picture seemed to be lit through its own.
windows. Peter pointed out the beauties of another picture by
Douw, called “* The Hermit;” and he also told them some
interesting anecdotes of the artist, who was born at Leyden,
in 1613.

“ Three days painting a broom-handle!” echoed Carl, in
astonishment, while the captain was giving some instances of
Douw’s extreme slowness of execution.

“ Yes, sir, three days; and it is said that he spent five in
finishing one hand in a lady’s portrait. You see how very
bright and minute everything is in this picture. His unfinished
works were kept carefully covered ; and his painting-materials
were put away in air-tight boxes, as soon as he had finished
using them for the day. According to all accounts, the studio
itself must have been as close as a bandbox. The artist
always entered it on tiptoe, besides sitting still, before he
commenced work, until the slight dust caused by his en-
trance had settled. I have read somewhere that his paintings
are improved by being viewed through a magnifying-glass.
He strained his eyes so badly with this extra finishing that
he was forced to wear spectacles before he was thirty. At
forty he could scarcely see to paint; and he couldn’t find a