There are a few facts connected with the story which, I think, will be interesting to some of its admirers.  My sister was in London in June 1879, and then made the acquaintance of Mr. Randolph Caldecott, for whose illustrations to Washington Irving’s “Bracebridge Hall” and “Old Christmas” she had an unbounded admiration, as well as for his Toy Books.  This introduction led us to ask him, when “Jackanapes” was still simmering in Julie’s brain, if he would supply a coloured illustration for it.  But as the tale was only written a very short time before it appeared, and as the illustration was wanted early, because colours take long to print, Julie could not send the story to be read, but asked Mr. Caldecott to draw her a picture to fit one of the scenes in it.  The one she suggested was a “fair-haired boy on a red-haired pony,” having noticed the artistic effect produced by this combination in one of her own nephews, a skilful seven-year-old rider who was accustomed to follow the hounds.

This coloured illustration was given in Aunt Judy’s Magazine, with the tale, but when it was republished as a book, in 1883, the scene was reproduced on a smaller scale in black and white only.

“Jackanapes” was much praised when it came out in the Magazine, but it was not until it had been re-issued as a book that it became really well known.  Even then its success was within a hair’s-breadth of failing.  The first copies were brought out in dull stone-coloured paper covers, and that powerful vehicle “the Trade,” unable to believe that a jewel could be concealed in so plain a casket, refused the work of J.H.E. and R.C. until they had stretched the paper cover on boards, and coloured the Union Jack which adorns it!  No doubt “the Trade” understands its fickle child “the Public” better than either authors or artists do, and knows by experience that it requires tempting with what is pretty to look at, before it will taste.  Certainly, if praise from the public were the chief aim that writers, or any other workers, strove after, their lives for the most part would consist of disappointment only, so seldom is “success” granted whilst the power to enjoy it is present.  They alone whose aims are pointed above earthly praise can stand unmoved amidst neglect or blame, filled with that peace of a good conscience which the world can neither give nor take away.

PART IV.

    I shall know by the gleam and glitter
      Of the golden chain you wear,
    By your heart’s calm strength in loving,
      Of the fire they have had to bear. 
    Beat on, true heart, for ever;
      Shine bright, strong golden chain;
    And bless the cleansing fire,
      And the furnace of living pain!

ADELAIDE A. PROCTER.

Towards the end of October 1879, Julie started for Malta, to join Major Ewing, but she became so very ill whilst travelling through France that her youngest sister, and her friend, Mrs. R.H.  Jelf (from whose house in Folkestone she had started on her journey), followed her to Paris, and brought her back to England as soon as she could be moved.