Howard Pyle, a chronicle by Charles D. Abbott, with an introduction by N. C. Wyeth and many illustrations from Howard Pyle's works.

THE CRUCIBLE OF NEW YORK
"December 5, 18760
"I had an idea for a political cartoon, which though as
a general rule very hard to sell, I concluded to make and
see if I could dispose of it. It is to be called the 'Present
Political Aspect in the South,' and represents two wolves
fighting over the figure of a prostrate woman..0*
"At four o'clock I went down to the Sketch Club, taking
my picture of 'Despair' along. It was a complete success.
The folk were very expressive of their approbation. Mr.
Church said were I to make a watercolor study of it, I could
sell it without doubt; and said further that it was penhandled in a very masterful manner. Afterward in the life
class the students were very much interested and pleased
with it. This praise has commenced to set me thinking.
Would it be possible that I might make a success in Art.? If
I concluded to devote myself to' that there wouldn't be so
much present money-making in it, but opulence in future,
should I succeed. If I begin to take up with that vocation,
I should have to have a studio. Indeed, I feel the need of
it more and more. All the artists who illustrate for magazines here work from models, and in that lie's their superiority over artists in other cities; but I have no place to study
from models. Then, in case I turn my attention to art
proper, I shall have to resume my painting studies from
nature in the day class at the Art League. Some artists
here do work day and night and make a living by illustrating
beside. So why shouldn't I do the same? I shall think
seriously of it in future.
"After Sketch Class was over, a boy, Joe Evans by name,
came to me and invited me to come around to a sketch
class held at his house on Madison Avenue every Saturday
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