the shadowy, haunting forms of the men and women who dwell in that realm of spirits.

If it be a gain occasionally to escape from this matter-of-fact world, with its trivial rounds, its cares and troubles, and lose ourselves awhile in a purer air, perhaps even visit the fairyland we read of, and almost believed in when we were young, then must we be glad that art exists; that Matthew Maris lived; and that he painted those visions of an unseen world, in which we can let our thoughts wander at will, though we never fully realize the meaning of their wonderful mystery, which he only partially reveals, only imperfectly sees himself, yet indicates in such suggestive manner, with so evanescent a charm, and in colour tender, delicate, and rich.

The advent of one great artist is a rare enough occurrence, but that three brothers should all be painters of note is almost unheard of, if it be not a unique event in the annals of art. Yet it has happened in this remarkable family in the nineteenth century. James, Matthew, and William Maris have,

in different phases of art, attained to very high rank among the artists of Holland.

Matthew Maris seems to have acquired his knowledge of painting at an early age, and he became a great admirer of the old masters. He went with his brothers to Antwerp, and there first came under the Romantic influence, which later had such an effect on him. He afterwards went with them to Paris, where he stayed until some years after the Commune, and then he made his home in London. There he lives the life of a recluse, apart from his fellows, an enthusiast in art, yet unable to paint much, as he is ever seeking an ideal he finds it impossible to realize.

Before this a feeling of dissatisfaction had been growing on him, and he gradually gave up painting those charmingly realistic yet ideal pictures, like the works of the old masters in their careful attention to detail, and their strong and even quality, which he had produced from about 1860 until 1874. These were full of beautiful bright colour, and showed great delicacy of execution, like the well-known paintings called the "Butterflies," and "He