scene--oh, I should get such a scold from Mr. Runciman (that is, if
he ever scolded)!"

After the next lesson he wrote, February 27, 1832:


"You know the beautiful model drawing that I gave you an account of
in my last. I showed it to Mr. Runciman. He contemplated it for a
moment in silence, and then, turning, asked me if I had copied. I
told him how I had patched it up; but he said that that was not
copying, and although he was not satisfied with the picture, he
said there was something in it that would make him totally change
the method he had hitherto pursued with me. He then asked Mary for
some gray paper, which was produced; then inquired if I had a
colour-box; I produced the one you gave me, and he then told me he
should begin with a few of the simplest colours, in order to teach
me better the effects of light and shade. He should then proceed
to teach me water-colour painting, but the latter only as a basis
for oil; this last, however, to use his own words, all in due
time.... Oh, if I could paint well before we went to Dover! I
should have such sea-pieces...."

In March 1834, Runciman was encouraging him in his oil-painting; but a
year later he wrote to his father:

"I cannot bear to paint in oil,
C. Fielding's tints alone for me!
The other costs me double toil,
And wants some fifty coats to be
Splashed on each spot successively.