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OUR ISLAND STORY 149

‘ under the direction of the famous French artist Bonnatt, and

had the satisfaction of seeing his pictures hung 1n The Salon of Paris and 1n the Royal Academy of London.

. Upon his return to Canada he proceeded to Montreal, where he opened a studio. There his ability asa portrait painter was soon recognized; and there he painted in succeeding years the portraits of many 'of the citizens most prominent in the education- al, commercial and political circles of our metropolitan city.

In the year 1880, the Marquis of Lorne, then Governor Gen— eral of Canada, with his wife the Princess Louise, founded the Royal Canadian Academy of Art. Harris was, from they first a leading Spirit in its Directorate; and, not long afterwards, he was elected its President. In that high office he remained fOr thirteen years. Recognition and appreciation of his services were shown when in 1902, he was created (C.M.G.) Commander of the Noble Order of St. Michael and St. George. A i

In the meantime, his reputation as an artist increased and

extended. He painted portraits of sitters in Toronto, Ottawa,

New York and, indeed, in all the principal cities of Canada and the United States. One of his chief works was a large picture.

. of the Fathers of Confederation, engaged in their deliberations

at the Convention in Quebec. It was painted by request of the Government. of Canada and hung in the Railway Committee Room of the House of Commons. Its size was about ,10x15 feet, and in it were portrayed the faces and figures of all the most dis- tinguished statesmen and politicians of the Confederation period. Unfortunately this great historic picture was burned in the fire by which the Parliament Building was destroyed; and unfortunate- ly the smaller lithographed copies of it now. extant are very im- perfect representations of it. Several portraits painted by him hang in the art galleries at Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. Of these a picture of the Countess of ,Minto, hung in the gallery at Montreal, attracts the attention of every visitor, The portraits of the Mayors of Charlottetown and the first Recorder of the

_City, hung on the walls of the City Council Chamber, are examples .

of his earlier work. His frequent visits to the best art galleries of Great Britain,

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