When I had finished, Admiral Seymour said he thought Commander's conduct was so strange and inexplicable that he requested me to sit down and write him a full report. This I did, stating carefully all that had occurred.

I then told the admiral of the negative I had just taken, and said that if he would let me do so in half an hour's time I would bring him an unfixed print of it. This was done, and the admiral was good enough to express his satisfaction. with it. He said further that he was sure that the captain of the Duke of Wellington would be glad to see it, and recommended me to take it to him.

I therefore went off to the Duke, little dreaming that my photograph would get three sailors into trouble. The captain examined it critically and with interest, and at last discovered that three men on one of the yards were standing in negligent and unsailor-like positions.

The proper officer being sent for, the three men were found and brought before the captain, and I felt heartily sorry to have so unintentionally contributed to the discomfiture of these poor fellows.

The captain pointed out to them the position in which they were standing, especially as to their bent legs and separated feet. One man declared that it could not be him, it being impossible he could have so stood; but, unfortunately, the evidence was far too strong, and with a reprimand the men were dismissed.

I thought then, as I have done since, that in their own quarters, when talking over their interview with their captain, they would not speak in terms of affection of photography and photographers.

CHAPTER XVII.

Miss Coutts' Garden Party: An inquisitive Crowd-A practical Joke— How Miss Coutts' Guests were Puzzled-The Way a Crowd can be dispersed-A practical Joke played on a Jockey.

I

FOR Some years previous to 1867 I had known Lady Burdett Coutts-at that time Miss Coutts-and was frequently at Holly Lodge. In the summer of the year named she had issued cards for a garden party, and had consulted me as to taking photographs on the occasion. had, though, but little faith in being able to do anything that would be deemed satisfactory; for a considerable experience had taught me that, as a rule, guests do not, on the whole, behave perfectly. Everyone covets the best position; everyone seeks to be in front, and being there, looks straight into the camera.

On this account we had almost abandoned the idea of the photographs, when one day I discovered that one of the windows of Holly

Lodge on the ground floor, facing the lawn, was nearly wholly screened by pendent ivy. I at once conceived the plan of placing my camera behind that ivy screen, where, by a little care, it. would not be seen from the lawn.

I told my plan to Miss Coutts, and obtained. her consent to have cards engraved, similar in size to her own invitation cards, and worded, as nearly as I can remember thus:

"Mr. Vernon Heath has been requested by Miss Coutts to take two photographs of her garden party; one at 5.30, the other at 6 o'clock. Three minutes before the times mentioned a bugle will be sounded as a warning; and in each case will be sounded again at the expiration of three minutes, when everyone present is asked to remain motionless and steady. A third bugle call will signify that the photograph has been taken." *

My scheme succeeded admirably, Miss Coutts and her immediate friends being alone aware of Mr. Godfrey placed and it was but too

the position of the camera. at my command a bugler,

interesting and amusing to see, from my coign

*

Each guest on arrival received one of these cards.

of vantage, the excitement the first bugle-call occasioned all over the lawn. People rushed about looking in every direction for the camera, but failed to discover it. At the second buglecall there was nothing for it but to stand still ; the consequence being that I obtained two negatives which were artistic and satisfactory, because the bulk of those who were photographed had stood in natural attitudes.

Upon other occasions, though by no means similar ones, I adopted a plan whereby my purpose was carried out effectively.

A few years ago I devoted most of one summer to photographing the royal and public parks. At first I was greatly interfered with and pestered by curious people, who would follow me from spot to spot, and in spite of my expostulations, take up a position between my camera and the subject to be photographed.

I at last hit upon a plan which was quite successful. Wherever I went, supposing it was a public place, I took two cameras with me, one of them being in charge of an assistant. I then placed the one I intended to use in the exact position I required, and carefully focussed my

M