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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin
+West, Esq., by John Galt
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+Author: John Galt
+
+Posting Date: March 22, 2013 [EBook #8857]
+Release Date: September, 2005
+First Posted: August 14, 2003
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE, STUDIES, WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+President of the Royal Academy of London
+
+Composed from Materials Furnished by Himself
+
+By John Galt, Esq.
+
+Author of the Life and Administration of Cardinal Wolsey, &c.
+
+
+
+1820.
+
+
+
+Part I.
+
+
+
+To
+Alexander Gordon, Esq.
+This little work
+Is respectfully inscribed
+By the Author.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+
+The professional life of Mr. West constitutes an important part of an
+historical work, in which the matter of this volume could only have been
+introduced as an episode, and, perhaps, not with much propriety even in
+that form. It was my intention, at one time, to have prepared the whole of
+his memoirs, separately, for publication; but a careful review of the
+manuscript convinced me, that the transactions in which he has been
+engaged, subsequently to his arrival in England, are so much of a public
+nature, and belong so immediately to the history of the Arts, that such a
+separation could not be effected without essentially impairing the
+interest and unity of the main design; and that the particular nature of
+this portion of his memoirs admitted of being easily detached and arranged
+into a whole, complete within itself.
+
+I do not think that there can be two opinions with respect to the utility
+of a work of this kind. Mr. West, in relating the circumstances by which
+he was led to approximate, without the aid of an instructor, to those
+principles and rules of art, which it is the object of schools and
+academies to disseminate, has conferred a greater benefit on young Artists
+than he could possibly have done by the most ingenious and eloquent
+lectures on the theories of his profession; and it was necessary that the
+narrative should appear in his own time, in order that the authenticity of
+the incidents might not rest on the authority of any biographer.
+
+_April_ 25,1816.
+
+John Galt.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.
+
+Chap. II.
+
+    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross.--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.
+
+Chap. III.
+
+    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led
+    to the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place
+    him in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers.--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.
+
+Chap. V.
+
+    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--- He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvator
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+    Anecdote of a famous Improvisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of West's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequence of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies
+    Mr. Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to Rome.
+    --Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian Obelisk.
+    --Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an anecdote of a
+    Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote of a Scottish
+    Fanatic who arrived in Rome to convert the Pope.--Sequel of the
+    Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit England.--Having completed
+    his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous picture, he is elected an
+    Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and invited to Court.--He
+    proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--Reflections on the Stale
+    of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French frontiers.--State of
+    Taste in France.
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Studies of Benjamin West
+
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+
+
+    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.
+
+Benjamin West, the subject of the following Memoirs, was the youngest son
+of John West and Sarah Pearson, and was born near Springfield, in Chester
+County, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 10th of October, 1738.
+
+The branch of the West family, to which he belongs, has been traced in an
+unbroken series to the Lord Delawarre, who distinguished himself in the
+great wars of King Edward the Third, and particularly at the battle of
+Cressy, under the immediate command of the Black Prince. In the reign of
+Richard the Second, the ancestors of Mr. West settled at Long Crandon in
+Buckinghamshire. About the year 1667 they embraced the tenets of the
+Quakers; and Colonel James West, the friend and companion in arms of the
+celebrated Hampden, is said to have been the first proselyte of the
+family. In 1699 they emigrated to America.
+
+Thomas Pearson, the maternal grandfather of the Artist, was the
+confidential friend of William Penn, and accompanied him to America. On
+their first landing, the venerable Founder of the State of Pennsylvania
+said to him, "Providence has brought us safely hither; thou hast been the
+companion of my perils, what wilt thou that I should call this place?" Mr.
+Pearson replied, that "since he had honoured him so far as to desire him
+to give that part of the country a name, he would, in remembrance of his
+native City, call it Chester." The exact spot where these patriarchs of
+the new world first landed, is still pointed out with reverence by the
+inhabitants. Mr. Pearson built a house and formed a plantation in the
+neighbourhood, which he called Springfield, in consequence of discovering
+a large spring of water in the first field cleared for cultivation; and it
+was near this place that Benjamin West was born.
+
+When the West family emigrated, John, the father of Benjamin, was left to
+complete his education at the great school of the Quakers at Uxbridge, and
+did not join his relations in America till the year 1714. Soon after his
+arrival he married the mother of the Artist; and of the worth and piety of
+his character we have a remarkable proof in the following transactions,
+which, perhaps, reflect more real glory on his family than the
+achievements of all his heroic ancestors.
+
+As a part of the marriage portion of Mrs. West he received a negro slave,
+whose diligence and fidelity very soon obtained his full confidence.
+Being engaged in trade, he had occasion to make a voyage in the West
+Indies, and left this young black to superintend the plantation in his
+absence, During his residence in Barbadoes, his feelings were greatly
+molested, and his principles shocked, by the cruelties to which he saw the
+negroes subjected in that island; and the debasing effects were forcibly
+contrasted in his mind with the morals and intelligence of his own slave.
+Conversing on this subject with Doctor Gammon, who was then at the head of
+the community of Friends in Barbadoes, the Doctor convinced him that it
+was contrary to the laws of God and Nature that any man should retain his
+fellow-creatures in slavery. This conviction could not rest long inactive
+in a character framed like that of Mr. West. On his return to America he
+gave the negro his freedom, and retained him as a hired servant.
+
+Not content with doing good himself, he endeavoured to make others follow
+his example, and in a short time his arguments had such an effect on his
+neighbours, that it was agreed to discuss publicly the general question of
+Slavery. This was done accordingly; and, after debating it at many
+meetings, it was resolved by a considerable majority THAT IT WAS THE DUTY
+OF CHRISTIANS TO GIVE FREEDOM TO THEIR SLAVES. The result of this
+discussion was soon afterwards followed by a similar proposal to the head
+meeting of the Quakers in the township of Goshen in Chester County; and
+the cause of Humanity was again victorious. Finally, about the year 1753,
+the same question was agitated in the annual general assembly at
+Philadelphia, when it was ultimately established as one of the tenets of
+the Quakers, that no person could remain a member of their community who
+held a human creature in slavery. This transaction is perhaps the first
+example in the history of communities, of a great public sacrifice of
+individual interest, not originating from considerations of policy or the
+exigences of public danger, but purely from moral and religious
+principles.
+
+The benevolent work of restoring their natural rights to the unfortunate
+Negroes, did not rest even at this great pecuniary sacrifice. The Society
+of Friends went farther, and established Schools for the education of
+their children; and some of the first characters among themselves
+volunteered to superintend the course of instruction.
+
+In the autumn of 1738, Edmund Peckover, a celebrated Orator among the
+Quakers, came to the neighbourhood of Springfield, and on the 28th of
+September preached in a meeting-house erected by the father of Mrs. West
+at the distance of about a mile and a half from his residence. Mrs. West
+was then the mother of nine children, and far advanced in her pregnancy
+with Benjamin.--Peckover possessed the most essential qualities of an
+impressive speaker, and on this occasion the subject of his address was of
+extraordinary interest to his auditors. He reviewed the rise and progress
+of society in America, and with an enthusiastic eloquence which partook of
+the sublimity and vehemence of the prophetic spirit, he predicted the
+future greatness of the country. He described the condition of the
+European nations, decrepid in their institutions, and corrupt in their
+morality, and contrasted them with the young and flourishing
+establishments of the New World. He held up to their abhorrence the
+licentious manners and atheistical principles of the French, among whom
+God was disregarded or forgotten; and, elevated by the importance of his
+subject, he described the Almighty as mustering his wrath to descend on
+that nation, and disperse it as chaff in a whirlwind. He called on them to
+look towards their home of England, and to see with what eager devotion
+the inhabitants worshiped the golden image of Commerce, and laid the
+tribute of all their thoughts on its altars; believing that with the power
+of the idol alone, they should be able to withstand all calamities. "The
+day and the hour are, however, hastening on, when the image shall be
+shaken from its pedestal by the tempest of Jehovah's descending vengeance,
+its altars overturned, and the worshipers terribly convinced that without
+the favour of the Almighty God there is no wisdom in man! But," continued
+this impassioned orator, "from the woes and the crimes of Europe let us
+turn aside our eyes; let us turn from the worshipers of Commerce, clinging
+round their idols of gold and silver, and, amidst the wrath, the storm,
+and the thunder, endeavouring to hold them up; let us not look at the land
+of blasphemies; for in the crashing of engines, the gushing of blood, and
+the shrieking of witnesses more to be pitied than the victims, the
+activity of God's purifying displeasure will be heard; while turning our
+eyes towards the mountains of this New World, the forests shall be seen
+fading away, cities rising along the shores, and the terrified nations of
+Europe flying out of the smoke and the burning to find refuge here."--All
+his auditors were deeply affected, particularly Mrs. West, who was taken
+with the pains of labour on the spot. The meeting was broken up; the women
+made a circle round her as they carried her home, and such was the
+agitation into which she was thrown, that the consequences had nearly
+proved fatal both to the mother and the infant, of which she was
+prematurely delivered.
+
+This occurrence naturally excited much attention, and became the subject
+of general conversation. It made a deep impression on the mind of Mr.
+West, who could not divest himself of a feeling that it indicated
+something extraordinary in the future fortunes of his child; and when
+Peckover, soon afterwards, on his leaving that part of the country, paid
+him a farewell visit, he took an opportunity of introducing the subject.
+The warm imagination of the Preacher eagerly sympathised with the feelings
+of his friend. He took him by the hand, and, with emphatic solemnity, said
+that a child sent into the world under such remarkable circumstances would
+prove no ordinary man; and he charged him to watch over the boy's
+character with the utmost degree of paternal solicitude. It will appear in
+the sequel, that this singular admonition was not lost on Mr. West.
+
+The first six years of Benjamin's life passed away in calm uniformity;
+leaving only the placid remembrance of enjoyment. In the month of June
+1745, one of his sisters, who had been married some time before, and who
+had a daughter, came with her infant to spend a few days at her father's.
+When the child was asleep in the cradle, Mrs. West invited her daughter to
+gather flowers in the garden, and committed the infant to the care of
+Benjamin during their absence; giving him a fan to flap away the flies
+from molesting his little charge. After some time the child happened to
+smile in its sleep, and its beauty attracted his attention. He looked at
+it with a pleasure which he had never before experienced, and observing
+some paper on a table, together with pens and red and black ink, he seized
+them with agitation, and endeavoured to delineate a portrait: although at
+this period he had never seen an engraving or a picture, and was only in
+the seventh year of his age.
+
+Hearing the approach of his mother and sister, he endeavoured to conceal
+what he had been doing; but the old lady observing his confusion, enquired
+what he was about, and requested him to show her the paper. He obeyed,
+entreating her not to be angry. Mrs. West, after looking some time at the
+drawing with evident pleasure, said to her daughter, "I declare he has
+made a likeness of little Sally," and kissed him with much fondness and
+satisfaction. This encouraged him to say, that if it would give her any
+pleasure, he would make pictures of the flowers which she held in her
+hand; for the instinct of his genius was now awakened, and he felt that he
+could imitate the forms of those things which pleased his sight.
+
+This curious incident deserves consideration in two points of view. The
+sketch must have had some merit, since the likeness was so obvious,
+indicating how early the hand of the young artist possessed the power of
+representing the observations of his eye. But it is still more remarkable
+as the birth of the fine arts in the New World, and as one of the few
+instances in the history of art, in which the first inspiration of genius
+can be distinctly traced to a particular circumstance. The drawing was
+shown by Mrs. West to her husband, who, remembering the prediction of
+Peckover, was delighted with this early indication of talent in his son.
+But the fact, though in itself very curious, will appear still more
+remarkable, when the state of the country at that period, and the peculiar
+manners of the Quakers, are taken into consideration.
+
+The institutions of William Penn had been sacredly preserved by the
+descendants of the first settlers, with whom the remembrance of the causes
+which had led their ancestors to forsake their native country, was
+cherished like the traditions of religion, and became a motive to
+themselves, for indulging in the exercise of those blameless principles,
+which had been so obnoxious to the arrogant spirit of the Old World. The
+associates of the Wests and the Pearsons, considered the patriarchs of
+Pennsylvania as having been driven from England, because their endeavours
+to regulate their conduct by the example of Jesus Christ, mortified the
+temporal pretensions of those who satisfied themselves with attempting to
+repeat his doctrines; and they thought that the asylum in America was
+chosen, to facilitate the enjoyment of that affectionate intercourse which
+their tenets enjoined, free from the military predilections and political
+jealousies of Europe. The effect of this opinion tended to produce a state
+of society more peaceful and pleasing than the World had ever before
+exhibited. When the American Poets shall in future times celebrate the
+golden age of their country, they will draw their descriptions from the
+authentic history of Pennsylvania in the reign of King George the Second.
+
+From the first emigration in 1681, the colony had continued to thrive with
+a rapidity unknown to the other European Settlements. It was blessed in
+the maxims upon which it had been founded, and richly exhibited the fruits
+of their beneficent operation. At the birth of Benjamin West it had
+obtained great wealth, and the population was increasing much more
+vigorously than the ordinary reproduction of the human species in any
+other part of the world. In the houses of the principal families, the
+patricians of the country, unlimited hospitality formed a part of their
+regular economy. It was the custom among those who resided near the
+highways, after supper and the last religious exercise of the evening, to
+make a large fire in the hall, and to set out a table with refreshments
+for such travellers as might have occasion to pass during the night; and
+when the families assembled in the morning they seldom found that their
+tables had been unvisited. This was particularly the case at Springfield.
+Poverty was never heard of in the land. The disposition to common charity
+having no objects, was blended with the domestic affections, and rendered
+the ties of friendship and kindred stronger and dearer. Acts of liberality
+were frequently performed to an extent that would have beggared the
+munificence of the Old World. With all these delightful indications of a
+better order of things, society in Pennsylvania retained, at this time,
+many of those respectable prejudices which gave a venerable grace to
+manners, and are regarded by the practical philosopher as little inferior
+in dignity to the virtues. William Penn was proud of his distinguished
+parentage, and many of his friends traced their lineage to the antient
+and noble families of England. In their descendants the pride of ancestry
+was so tempered with the meekness of their religious tenets, that it lent
+a kind of patriarchal dignity to their benevolence.
+
+In beautiful contrast to the systematic morality of the new inhabitants,
+was the simplicity of the Indians, who mingled safe and harmless among the
+Friends. In the annual visits which they were in the practice of paying to
+the Plantations, they raised their huts in the fields and orchards without
+asking leave, nor were they ever molested. Voltaire has observed, that the
+treaty which was concluded between the Indians and William Penn was the
+first public contract which connected the inhabitants of the Old and New
+World together, and, though not ratified by oaths, and without invoking
+the Trinity, is still the only treaty that has never been broken. It may
+be further said, that Pennsylvania is the first country which has not been
+subdued by the sword, for the inhabitants were conquered by the force of
+Christian benevolence.
+
+When the great founder of the State marked out the site of Philadelphia in
+the woods, he allotted a piece of ground for a public library. It was his
+opinion, that although the labour of clearing the country would long
+employ the settlers, hours of relaxation would still be requisite; and,
+with his usual sagacity, he judged that the reading of books was more
+conducive to good morals and to the formation of just sentiments, than any
+other species of amusement. The different counties afterwards instituted
+libraries, which the townships have also imitated: where the population
+was insufficient to establish a large collection of books, the
+neighbouring families formed themselves into societies for procuring the
+popular publications. But in these arrangements for cultivating the powers
+of the understanding, no provision was made, during the reign of George
+the Second, for improving the faculties of taste. The works of which the
+libraries then consisted, treated of useful and practical subjects. It was
+the policy of the Quakers to make mankind wiser and better; and they
+thought that, as the passions are the springs of all moral evil when in a
+state of excitement, whatever tends to awaken them is unfavourable to that
+placid tenour of mind which they wished to see diffused throughout the
+world. This notion is prudent, perhaps judicious; but works of imagination
+may be rendered subservient to the same purpose. Every thing in
+Pennsylvania was thus unpropitious to the fine arts. There were no cares
+in the bosoms of individuals to require public diversions, nor any
+emulation in the expenditure of wealth to encourage the ornamental
+manufactures. In the whole Christian world no spot was apparently so
+unlikely to produce a painter as Pennsylvania. It might, indeed, be
+supposed, according to a popular opinion, that a youth, reared among the
+concentrating elements of a new state, in the midst of boundless forests,
+tremendous waterfalls, and mountains whose summits were inaccessible to
+"the lightest foot and wildest wing," was the most favourable situation
+to imbibe the enthusiasm either of poetry or of painting, if scenery and
+such accidental circumstances are to be regarded as every thing, and
+original character as nothing. But it may reasonably be doubted if ever
+natural scenery has any assignable influence on the productions of genius.
+The idea has probably arisen from the impression which the magnificence of
+nature makes on persons of cultivated minds, who fall into the mistake of
+considering the elevated emotions arising in reality from their own
+associations, as being naturally connected with the objects that excite
+them. Of all the nations of Europe the Swiss are the least poetical, and
+yet the scenery of no other country seems so well calculated as that of
+Switzerland to awaken the imagination; and Shakespeare, the greatest of
+all modern Poets, was brought up in one of the least picturesque districts
+of England.
+
+Soon after the occurrence of the incident which has given rise to these
+observations, the young Artist was sent to a school in the neighbourhood.
+During his hours of leisure he was permitted to draw with pen and ink; for
+it did not occur to any of the family to provide him with better
+materials. In the course of the summer a party of Indians came to pay
+their annual visit to Springfield, and being amused with the sketches of
+birds and flowers which Benjamin shewed them, they taught him to prepare
+the red and yellow colours with which they painted their ornaments. To
+these his mother added blue, by giving him a piece of indigo, so that he
+was thus put in possession of the three primary colours. The fancy is
+disposed to expatiate on this interesting fact; for the mythologies of
+antiquity furnish no allegory more beautiful; and a Painter who would
+embody the metaphor of an Artist instructed by Nature, could scarcely
+imagine any thing more picturesque than the real incident of the Indians
+instructing West to prepare the prismatic colours. The Indians also taught
+him to be an expert archer, and he was sometimes in the practice of
+shooting birds for models, when he thought that their plumage would look
+well in a picture.
+
+His drawings at length attracted the attention of the neighbours; and some
+of them happening to regret that the Artist had no pencils, he enquired
+what kind of things these were, and they were described to him as small
+brushes made of camels' hair fastened in a quill. As there were, however,
+no camels in America, he could not think of any substitute, till he
+happened to cast his eyes on a black cat, the favourite of his father;
+when, in the tapering fur of her tail, he discovered the means of
+supplying what he wanted. He immediately armed himself with his mother's
+scissors, and, laying hold of Grimalkin with all due caution, and a proper
+attention to her feelings, cut off the fur at the end of her tail, and
+with this made his first pencil. But the tail only furnished him with one,
+which did not last long, and he soon stood in need of a further supply. He
+then had recourse to the animal's back, his depredations upon which were
+so frequently repeated, that his father observed the altered appearance of
+his favourite, and lamented it as the effect of disease. The Artist, with
+suitable marks of contrition, informed him of the true cause; and the old
+gentleman was so much amused with his ingenuity, that if he rebuked him,
+it was certainly not in anger.
+
+Anecdotes of this kind, trifling as they may seem, have an interest
+independent of the insight they afford into the character to which they
+relate. It will often appear, upon a careful study of authentic biography,
+that the means of giving body and effect to their conceptions, are rarely
+withheld from men of genius. If the circumstances of Fortune are
+unfavourable, Nature instructs them to draw assistance immediately from
+herself, by endowing them with the faculty of perceiving a fitness and
+correspondence in things which no force of reasoning, founded on the
+experience of others, could enable them to discover. This aptness is,
+perhaps, the surest indication of the possession of original talent. There
+are minds of a high class to which the world, in the latitude of its
+expressions, often ascribes genius, but which possess only a superior
+capacity for the application of other men's notions, unconnected with any
+unusual portion of the inventive faculty.
+
+In the following year Mr. Pennington, a merchant of Philadelphia, who was
+related to the West family, came to pay a visit to Mr. West. This
+gentleman was also a member of the Society of Friends, and, though
+strictly attentive to the peculiar observances of the sect, was a man of
+pleasant temper and indulgent dispositions. He noticed the drawings of
+birds and flowers round the room, unusual ornaments in the house of a
+Quaker; and heard with surprise that they were the work of his little
+cousin. Of their merit as pictures he did not pretend to judge, but he
+thought them wonderful productions for a boy only entering on his eighth
+year, and being told with what imperfect materials they had been executed,
+he promised to send the young Artist a box of paints and pencils from the
+city. On his return home he fulfilled his engagement, and at the bottom of
+the box placed several pieces of canvass prepared for the easel, and six
+engravings by Grevling.
+
+The arrival of the box was an æra in the history of the Painter and his
+art. It was received with feelings of delight which only a similar mind
+can justly appreciate. He opened it, and in the colours, the oils, and
+the pencils, found all his wants supplied, even beyond his utmost
+conceptions. But who can describe the surprise with which he beheld the
+engravings; he who had never seen any picture but his own drawings, nor
+knew that such an art as the Engraver's existed! He sat over the box with
+enamoured eyes; his mind was in a flutter of joy; and he could not refrain
+from constantly touching the different articles, to ascertain that they
+were real. At night he placed the box on a chair near his bed, and as
+often as he was overpowered by sleep, he started suddenly and stretched
+out his hand to satisfy himself that the possession of such a treasure was
+not merely a pleasing dream. He rose at the dawn of day, and carried the
+box to a room in the garret, where he spread a canvass, prepared a pallet,
+and immediately began to imitate the figures in the engravings. Enchanted
+by his art he forgot the school hours, and joined the family at dinner
+without mentioning the employment in which he had been engaged. In the
+afternoon he again retired to his study in the garret; and for several
+days successively he thus withdrew and devoted himself to painting. The
+schoolmaster, observing his absence, sent to ask the cause of it. Mrs.
+West, affecting not to take any particular notice of the message,
+recollected that she had seen Benjamin going up stairs every morning, and
+suspecting that the box occasioned his neglect of the school, went to the
+garret, and found him employed on the picture. Her anger was appeased by
+the sight of his performance, and changed to a very different feeling. She
+saw, not a mere copy, but a composition from two of the engravings. With
+no other guide than that delicacy of sight which renders the Painter's
+eye, with respect to colours, what the Musician's ear is with respect to
+sounds, he had formed a picture as complete, in the scientific arrangement
+of the tints, notwithstanding the necessary imperfection of the
+pencilling, as the most skilful Artist could have painted, assisted by the
+precepts of Newton. She kissed him with transports of affection, and
+assured him that she would not only intercede with his father to pardon
+him for having absented himself from school, but would go herself to the
+master, and beg that he might not be punished. The delightful
+encouragement which this well-judged kindness afforded to the young
+Painter may be easily imagined; but who will not regret that the mother's
+over-anxious admiration would not suffer him to finish the picture, lest
+he should spoil what was already in her opinion perfect, even with half
+the canvass bare? Sixty-seven years afterwards the writer of these Memoirs
+had the gratification to see this piece in the same room with the sublime
+painting of "Christ Rejected," on which occasion the Painter declared to
+him that there were inventive touches of art in his first and juvenile
+essay, which, with all his subsequent knowledge and experience, he had not
+been able to surpass.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. II.
+
+
+
+    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross,--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.
+
+In the course of a few days after the affair of the painting, Mr.
+Pennington paid another visit to Mr. West; and was so highly pleased with
+the effect of his present, and the promising talents of his young
+relation, that he entreated the old gentleman to allow Benjamin to
+accompany him for a few days to Philadelphia. This was cheerfully agreed
+to, and the Artist felt himself almost, as much delighted with the journey
+as with the box of colours. Every thing in the town filled him with
+astonishment; but the view of the shipping, which was entirely new,
+particularly attracted his eye, and interested him like the imaginary
+spectacles of magic.
+
+When the first emotions of his pleasure and wonder had subsided, he
+applied to Mr. Pennington to procure him materials for painting. That
+gentleman was desirous of getting possession of the first picture, and had
+only resigned what he jocularly alleged were his just claims, in
+consideration of the mother's feelings, and on being assured that the next
+picture should be purposely painted for him. The materials were procured,
+and the Artist composed a landscape, which comprehended a picturesque view
+of a river, with vessels on the water, and cattle pasturing on the banks.
+While he was engaged in this picture, an incident occurred which, though
+trivial in itself, was so much in unison with the other circumstances that
+favoured the bent of his genius, that it ought not to be omitted.
+
+Samuel Shoemaker [Footnote: This gentleman was afterwards introduced by
+Mr. West to the King, at Windsor, as one of the American Loyalists.], an
+intimate friend of Mr. Pennington, one of the principal merchants of
+Philadelphia, happened to meet in the street with one Williams, a Painter,
+carrying home a picture. Struck by the beauty of the performance, he
+enquired if it was intended for sale, and being told that it was already
+disposed of, he ordered another to be painted for himself. When the
+painting was finished, he requested the Artist to carry it to Mr.
+Pennington's house, in order that it might be shewn to young West. It was
+very well executed, and the boy was so much astonished at the sight of it,
+that his emotion and surprise attracted the attention of Williams, who was
+a man of observation, and judged correctly in thinking that such an
+uncommon manifestation of sensibility in so young a boy, indicated
+something extraordinary in his character. He entered into conversation
+with him, and enquired if he had read any books, or the lives of great
+men, The little amateur told him that he had read the Bible, and was well
+acquainted with the history of Adam, Joseph, David, Solomon, and the other
+great and good men whose actions are recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
+Williams was much pleased with the simplicity of the answer; and it might
+have occurred to him that histories more interesting have never been
+written, or written so well. Turning to Mr. Pennington, who was present,
+he asked if Benjamin was his son; advising him at the same time to indulge
+him in whatever might appear to be the bent of his talents, assuring him
+that he was no common boy.
+
+This interview was afterwards much spoken of by Williams, who in the mean
+time lent him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson on Painting, and invited
+him to see his pictures and drawings. The impression which these books
+made on the imagination of West finally decided his destination. He was
+allowed to carry them with him into the country; and his father and
+mother, soon perceiving a great change in his conversation, were referred
+to the books for an explanation of the cause. They read them for the first
+time themselves, and treasuring in their minds those anecdotes of the
+indications of the early symptoms of talent with which both works abound,
+they remembered the prophetic injunction of Edmund Peckover.
+
+The effect of the enthusiasm inspired by Richardson and Fresnoy may be
+conceived from the following incident. Soon after the young Artist had
+returned to Springfield, one of his schoolfellows, on a Saturday's half
+holiday, engaged him to give up a party at trap-ball to ride with him to
+one of the neighbouring plantations. At the time appointed the boy came,
+with the horse saddled. West enquired how he was to ride; "Behind me,"
+said the boy; but Benjamin, full of the dignity of the profession to which
+he felt himself destined, answered, that he never would ride behind any
+body. "O! very well then," said the good-natured boy, "you may take the
+saddle, and I will get up behind you." Thus mounted, they proceeded on
+their excursion; and the boy began to inform his companion that his father
+intended to send him to be an apprentice. "In what business?" enquired
+West; "A taylor," answered the boy. "Surely," said West, "you will never
+follow that trade;" animadverting upon its feminine character. The other,
+however, was a shrewd, sound-headed lad, and defended the election very
+stoutly, saying that his father had made choice of it for him, and that
+the person with whom he was to learn the business was much respected by
+all his neighbours. "But what do you intend to be, Benjamin?" West
+answered, that he had not thought at all on the subject, but he should
+like to be a painter. "A painter!" exclaimed the boy, "what sort of a
+trade is a painter? I never heard of such a thing." "A painter," said
+West, "is a companion for Kings and Emperors." "Surely you are mad,"
+replied the boy, "for there are no such people in America." "Very true,"
+answered Benjamin, "but there are plenty in other parts of the world." The
+other, still more amazed at the apparent absurdity of this speech,
+reiterated in a tone of greater surprise, "You are surely quite mad." To
+this the enthusiast replied by asking him if he really intended to be a
+taylor. "Most certainly," answered the other. "Then you may ride by
+yourself, for I will no longer keep your company," said West, and,
+alighting, immediately returned home.
+
+The report of this incident, with the affair of the picture, which had
+occasioned his absence from school, and visit to Philadelphia, made a
+great impression on the boys in the neighbourhood of Springfield. All
+their accustomed sports were neglected, and their play-hours devoted to
+drawing with chalk and oker. The little president was confessedly the most
+expert among them, but he has often since declared, that, according to his
+recollection, many of his juvenile companions evinced a degree of taste
+and skill in this exercise, that would not have discredited the students
+of any regular academy.
+
+Not far from the residence of Mr. West a cabinet-maker had a shop, in
+which Benjamin sometimes amused himself with the tools of the workmen. One
+day several large and beautiful boards of poplar tree were brought to it;
+and he happening to observe that they would answer very well for drawing
+on, the owner gave him two or three of them for that purpose, and he drew
+figures and compositions on them with ink, chalk, and charcoal. Mr. Wayne,
+a gentleman of the neighbourhood, having soon after occasion to call at
+his father's, noticed the boards in the room, and was so much pleased with
+the drawings, that he begged the young Artist to allow him to take two or
+three of them home, which, as but little value was set on them, was
+thought no great favour, either by the painter or his father. Next day Mr.
+Wayne called again, and after complimenting Benjamin on his taste and
+proficiency, gave him a dollar for each of the boards which he had taken
+away, and was resolved to preserve. Doctor Jonathan Moris, another
+neighbour, soon after, also made him a present of a few dollars to buy
+materials to paint with. These were the first public patrons of the
+Artist; and it is at his own request that their names are thus
+particularly inserted.
+
+About twelve months after the visit to Philadelphia, Mr. Flower, one of
+the Justices of the county of Chester, who possessed some taste in
+painting, requested Mr. West to allow Benjamin to spend a few weeks at his
+house. A short time before, this gentleman had met with a severe domestic
+misfortune in the loss of a wife, to whom he was much attached; and he
+resolved to shew his respect to her memory by devoting his attention
+exclusively to the improvement of his children: for this purpose he had
+sent to England for a governess qualified to undertake the education of
+his daughters, and he had the good fortune to obtain a lady eminently
+fitted for the trust. She arrived a few days only before the young Artist,
+and her natural discernment enabled her to appreciate that original bias
+of mind which she had heard ascribed to him, and of which she soon
+perceived the determination and the strength. Finding him unacquainted
+with any other books than the Bible, and the works of Richardson and
+Fresnoy, she frequently invited him to sit with her pupils, and, during
+the intervals of their tasks, she read to him the most striking and
+picturesque passages from translations of the antient historians and
+poetry, of which Mr. Flower had a choice and extensive collection. It was
+from this intelligent woman that he heard, for the first time, of the
+Greeks and Romans; and the impression which the story of those illustrious
+nations made on his mind, was answerable to her expectations.
+
+Among the acquaintance of Mr. Flower was a Mr. Ross, a lawyer in the town
+of Lancaster, a place at that time remarkable for its wealth, and which
+had the reputation of possessing the best and most intelligent society to
+be then found in America. It was chiefly inhabited by Germans, who of all
+people in the practice of emigrating, carry along with them the greatest
+stock of knowledge and accomplishments. The society of Lancaster,
+therefore, though it could not boast of any very distinguished character,
+yet comprehended many individuals who were capable of appreciating the
+merit of essays in art, and of discriminating the rude efforts of real
+genius from the more complete productions of mere mechanical skill. It was
+exactly in such a place that such a youth as Benjamin West was likely to
+meet with that flattering attention which is the best stimulus of juvenile
+talent. The wife of Mr. Ross was greatly admired for her beauty, and she
+had several children who were so remarkable in this respect as to be
+objects of general notice. One day when Mr. Flower was dining with them,
+he advised his friend to have their portraits taken; and mentioned that
+they would be excellent subjects for young West. Application was in
+consequence made to old Mr. West, and permission obtained for the little
+Artist to go to Lancaster for the purpose of taking the likenesses of Mrs.
+Ross and her family. Such was the success with which he executed this
+task, that the sphere of his celebrity was greatly enlarged; and so
+numerous were the applications for portraits, that it was with difficulty
+he could find time to satisfy the demands of his admirers.
+
+Among those who sent to him in this early stage of his career, was a
+person of the name of William Henry. He was an able mechanic, and had
+acquired a handsome fortune by his profession of a gunsmith. Henry was,
+indeed, in several respects, an extraordinary man, and possessed the power
+generally attendant upon genius under all circumstances, that of
+interesting the imagination of those with whom he conversed. On examining
+the young Artist's performance, he observed to him, that, if he could
+paint as well, he would not waste his time on portraits, but would devote
+himself to historical subjects; and he mentioned the Death of Socrates as
+affording one of the best topics for illustrating the moral effect of the
+art of painting. The Painter knew nothing of the history of the
+Philosopher; and, upon confessing his ignorance, Mr. Henry went to his
+library, and, taking down a volume of the English translation of Plutarch,
+read to him the account given by that writer of this affecting story.
+
+The suggestion and description wrought upon the imagination of West, and
+induced him to make a drawing, which he shewed to Mr. Henry, who commended
+it as a perspicuous delineation of the probable circumstances of the
+event, and requested him to paint it. West said that he would be happy to
+undertake the task, but, having hitherto painted only faces and men
+cloathed, he should be unable to do justice to the figure of the slave who
+presented the poison, and which he thought ought to be naked. Henry had
+among his workmen a very handsome young man, and, without waiting to
+answer the objection, he sent for him into the room. On his entrance he
+pointed him out to West, and said, "There is your model." The appearance
+of the young man, whose arms and breast were naked, instantaneously
+convinced the Artist that he had only to look into nature for the models
+which would impart grace and energy to his delineation of forms.
+
+When the death of Socrates was finished, it attracted much attention, and
+led to one of those fortunate acquaintances by which the subsequent career
+of the Artist has been so happily facilitated. About this period the
+inhabitants of Lancaster had resolved to erect a public grammar-school;
+and Dr. Smith, the Provost of the College at Philadelphia, was invited by
+them to arrange the course of instruction, and to place the institution in
+the way best calculated to answer the intention of the founders. This
+gentleman was an excellent classical scholar, and combined with his
+knowledge and admiration of the merits of the antients that liberality of
+respect for the endeavours of modern talent, with which the same kind of
+feeling is but rarely found connected. After seeing the picture and
+conversing with the Artist, he offered to undertake to make him to a
+certain degree acquainted with classical literature; while at the same
+time he would give him such a sketch of the taste and character of the
+spirit of antiquity, as would have all the effect of the regular education
+requisite to a painter. When this liberal proposal was communicated to old
+Mr. West, he readily agreed that Benjamin should go for some time to
+Philadelphia, in order to take advantage of the Provost's instructions;
+and accordingly, after returning home for a few days, Benjamin went to the
+capital, and resided at the house of Mr. Clarkson, his brother-in-law, a
+gentleman who had been educated at Leyden, and was much respected for the
+intelligence of his conversation, and the propriety of his manners.
+
+Provost Smith introduced West, among other persons, to four young men,
+pupils of his own, whom he particularly recommended to his acquaintance,
+as possessing endowments of mind greatly superior to the common standard
+of mankind. One of these was Francis Hopkins, who afterwards highly
+distinguished himself in the early proceedings of the Congress of the
+United States. Thomas Godfrey, the second, died after having given the
+most promising indications of an elegant genius for pathetic and
+descriptive poetry. He was an apprentice to a watchmaker, and had secretly
+written a poem, which he published anonymously in the Philadelphia
+newspaper, under the title of "The Temple of Fame." The attention which it
+attracted, and the encomiums which the Provost in particular bestowed on
+it, induced West, who was in the Poet's confidence, to mention to him who
+was the author. The information excited the alert benevolence of Smith's
+character, and he lost no time until he had procured the release of
+Godfrey from his indenture, and a respectable employment for him in the
+government of the state; but this he did not live long to enjoy: being
+sent on some public business to Carolina, he fell a victim to the climate.
+
+It is pleasant to redeem from oblivion the memory of early talent thus
+prematurely withdrawn from the world. Many of Godfrey's verses were
+composed under a clump of pines which grew near the upper ferry of the
+river Schuylkill, to which spot he sometimes accompanied West and their
+mutual friends to angle. In the heat of the day he used to stretch himself
+beneath the shade of the trees, and repeat to them his verses as he
+composed them. Reid was the name of the other young man, and the same
+person who first opposed the British troops in their passing through
+Jersey, when the rebellion of the Provinces commenced. Previous to the
+revolution, he was bred to the bar, and practised with distinction in the
+courts of Philadelphia. He was afterwards elected a Member of Congress,
+and is the same person who was appointed to meet Lord Carlisle on his
+mission from the British Court.
+
+Provost Smith was himself possessed of a fluent vein of powerful
+eloquence, and it happened that many of his pupils who distinguished
+themselves in the great struggle of their country, appeared to have
+imbibed his talent; but none of them more than Jacob Duchey, another of
+the four youths whom he recommended to the Artist. He became a Clergyman,
+and was celebrated throughout the whole of the British Provinces in
+America as a most pathetic and persuasive preacher. The publicity of his
+character in the world was, however, chiefly owing to a letter which he
+addressed to General Washington, soon after the appointment of that chief
+to the command of the army. The purport of this letter was to persuade the
+General to go over to the British cause. It was carried to him by a Mrs.
+Ferguson, a daughter of Doctor Graham, a Scottish Physician in
+Philadelphia. Washington, with his army, at that time lay at Valley-forge,
+and this lady, on the pretext of paying him a visit, as they were
+previously acquainted, went to the camp. The General received her in his
+tent with much respect, for he greatly admired the masculine vigour of her
+mind. When she had delivered the letter he read it attentively, and,
+rising from his seat, walked backwards and forwards upwards of an hour,
+without speaking. He appeared to be much agitated during the greatest part
+of the time; but at length, having decided with himself, he stopped, and
+addressed her in nearly the following words: "Madam, I have always
+esteemed your character and endowments, and I am fully sensible of the
+noble principles by which you are actuated on this occasion; nor has any
+man in the whole continent more confidence in the integrity of his friend,
+than I have in the honour of Mr. Duchey. But I am here entrusted by the
+people of America with sovereign authority. They have placed their lives
+and fortunes at my disposal, because they believe me to be an honest man.
+Were I, therefore, to desert their cause, and consign them again to the
+British, what would be the consequence? to myself perpetual infamy; and to
+them endless calamity. The seeds of everlasting division are sown between
+the two countries; and, were the British again to become our masters, they
+would have to maintain their dominion by force, and would, after all,
+retain us in subjection only so long as they could hold their bayonets to
+our breasts. No, Madam, the proposal of Mr. Duchey, though conceived with
+the best intention, is not framed in wisdom. America and England must be
+separate states; but they may have common interests, for they are but one
+people. It will, therefore, be the object of my life and ambition to
+establish the independence of America in the first place; and in the
+second, to arrange such a community of interests between the two nations
+as shall indemnify them for the calamities which they now suffer, and form
+a new æra in the history of nations. But, Madam, you are aware that I
+have many enemies; Congress may hear of your visit, and of this letter,
+and I should be suspected were I to conceal it from them. I respect you
+truly, as I have said; and I esteem the probity and motives of Mr. Duchey,
+and therefore you are free to depart from the camp, but the letter will be
+transmitted without delay to Congress."
+
+Mrs. Ferguson herself communicated the circumstances of this interesting
+transaction to Mr. West, after she came to England; for she, as well as
+Mr. Duchey, were obliged to quit the country. It is painful to add, that
+Duchey came to England, and was allowed to pine unnoticed by the
+Government, and was heard of no more.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. III.
+
+
+
+    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led to
+    the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place him
+    in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers,--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.
+
+There was something so judicious in the plan of study which Provost
+Smith had formed for his pupil, that it deserves to be particularly
+considered. He regarded him as destined to be a Painter; and on this
+account did not impose upon him those grammatical exercises of language
+which are usually required from the young student of the classics, but
+directed his attention to those incidents which were likely to interest
+his fancy, and to furnish him at some future time with subjects for the
+easel. He carried him immediately to those passages of antient history
+which make the most lasting impression on the imagination of the
+regular-bred scholar, and described the picturesque circumstances of the
+transactions with a minuteness of detail that would have been
+superfluous to a general student.
+
+In the midst of this course of education the Artist happened to be taken
+ill of a slight fever, and when it had subsided, he was in so weak a state
+as to be obliged to keep his bed, and to have the room darkened. In this
+situation he remained several days, with no other light than what was
+admitted by the seams and fissures in the window-shutters, which had the
+usual effect of expanding the pupil of his eyes to such a degree that he
+could distinctly see every object in the room, which to others appeared in
+complete obscurity. While he was thus lying in bed, he observed the
+apparitional form of a white cow enter at the one side of the roof, and
+walking over the bed, gradually vanish at the other. The phenomenon
+surprised him exceedingly, and he feared that his mind was impaired by his
+disease, which his sister also suspected, when on entering to inquire how
+he felt himself, he related to her what he had seen. Without, however,
+saying any thing, she went immediately and informed her husband, who
+accompanied her back to the apartment; and as they were standing near the
+bed, West repeated the story, exclaiming in his discourse that he saw, at
+the very moment in which he was then speaking, several little pigs running
+along the roof. This confirmed them in the apprehension of his delirium,
+and they sent for a physician. But the doctor could discover no symptoms
+of fever; the pulse was regular, the skin moist and cool, the thirst was
+abated, and indeed every thing about the patient indicated convalescence.
+Still the Painter persisted in his story, and assured them that he then
+saw the figures of several of their mutual friends passing on the roof,
+over the bed; and that he even saw fowls pecking, and the very stones of
+the street. All this seemed to them very extraordinary, for their eyes,
+not accustomed to the gloom of the chamber, could discern nothing; and the
+learned physician himself, in despite of the symptoms, began to suspect
+that the convalescent was really delirious. Prescribing, therefore, a
+composing mixture, which the Painter submitted to swallow, he took his
+fee and leave, requesting Mrs. Clarkson and her husband to come away and
+not disturb the patient. After they had retired, curiosity overcame the
+influence of the drug, and the Artist got up, determined to find out the
+cause of the strange apparitions which had so alarmed them all. In a short
+time he discovered a diagonal knot-hole in one of the window-shutters, and
+upon placing his hand over it, the visionary paintings on the roof
+disappeared. This confirmed him in an opinion that he began to form, that
+there must be some simple natural cause for what he had seen; and, having
+thus ascertained the way in which it acted, he called his sister and her
+husband into the room and explained it to them. When able to go down
+stairs, Mr. Clarkson gave him permission to perforate one of the parlour
+window-shutters horizontally, in order to obtain a representation on the
+wall of the buildings of the opposite side of the street. The effect was
+as he expected, but, to his astonishment, the objects appeared inverted.
+Without attempting to remedy this with the aid of glasses, as a
+mathematical genius would perhaps have done, he was delighted to see in it
+the means of studying the pictural appearance of Nature, and he hailed
+the discovery as a revelation to promote his improvement in the art of
+painting. On his return soon after to his father's, he had a box made with
+one of the sides perforated; and, adverting to the reflective power of the
+mirror, he contrived, without ever having heard of the instrument, to
+invent the _Camera_. Thus furnishing another proof, that although the
+faculty which enables a man to excel in any particular art or science is a
+natural endowment, it is seldom unaccompanied with a general superiority
+of observation. It will, however, not be disputed, that a boy under
+sixteen, who had thus, by the guidance of his own unassisted judgment,
+found out a method of ascertaining the colour and outline of natural
+objects as they should appear in painting, possessed no ordinary mind.
+Observations of this nature mark the difference between innate talent and
+instructed habits; and, whether in painting, or in poetry, in art, or in
+science, constitute the source of that peculiarity of intellect which is
+discriminated from the effects of education by the name of original
+talent. The self-educated man of genius, when his mind is formed, differs
+but little in the method of expressing his notions, from the most
+mechanical disciple of the schools; but the process by which he attains
+that result, renders his history interesting by its incidents, and
+valuable by the hints which it furnishes for the study of human character.
+It is, perhaps, also, one great cause of his own distinguishing features
+of mind, as the very contrivances to which he has recourse have the effect
+of taking, as it were, something extraneous into the matter of his
+experiments which tinges the product with curious and singular
+effects.--West, on afterwards mentioning his discovery to Williams the
+painter, was surprised to find himself anticipated, that Artist having
+received a complete Camera some time before from England.
+
+In this favourable state of things he attained his sixteenth year, when
+his father became anxious to see him settled in some established business.
+For, though reluctant to thwart the bias of a genius at once so decided
+and original, and to which the injunction of Peckover had rendered him
+favourable and indulgent, the old gentleman was sensible that the
+profession of a painter was not only precarious, but regarded by the
+religious association to which he belonged, as adverse to their tenets, by
+being only ornamental; and he was anxious, on his son's account and on his
+own, to avoid those animadversions to which he was exposed by the freedom
+he had hitherto granted to the predilections of Benjamin. He, therefore,
+consulted several of his neighbours on the subject; and a meeting of the
+Society of Friends in the vicinity was called, to consider, publicly, what
+ought to be the destiny of his son.
+
+The assembly met in the Meeting-house near Springfield, and after much
+debate, approaching to altercation, a man of the name of John Williamson
+rose, and delivered a very extraordinary speech upon the subject. He was
+much respected by all present, for the purity and integrity of his life,
+and enjoyed great influence in his sphere on account of the superiority
+of his natural wisdom, and, as a public preacher among the Friends,
+possessed an astonishing gift of convincing eloquence. He pointed to old
+Mr. West and his wife, and expatiated on the blameless reputation which
+they had so long maintained, and merited so well. "They have had," said
+he, "ten children, whom they have carefully brought up in the fear of
+God, and in the Christian religion; and the youth, whose lot in life we
+are now convened to consider, is Benjamin, their youngest child. It is
+known to you all that God is pleased, from time to time, to bestow upon
+some men extraordinary gifts of mind, and you need not be told by how
+wonderful an inspiration their son has been led to cultivate the art of
+painting. It is true that our tenets deny the utility of that art to
+mankind. But God has bestowed on the youth a genius for the art, and can
+we believe that Omniscience bestows His gifts but for great purposes?
+What God has given, who shall dare to throw away? Let us not estimate
+Almighty wisdom by our notions; let us not presume to arraign His
+judgment by our ignorance, but in the evident propensity of the young
+man, be assured that we see an impulse of the Divine hand operating
+towards some high and beneficent end."
+
+The effect of this argument, and the lofty commanding manner in which it
+was delivered, induced the assembly to agree that the Artist should be
+allowed to indulge the predilections of his genius; and a private
+meeting of the Friends was appointed to be holden at his father's house,
+at which the youth himself was requested to be present, in order to
+receive, in form, the assent and blessing of the Society. On the day of
+meeting, the great room was put in order, and a numerous company of both
+sexes assembled. Benjamin was placed by his father, and the men and
+women took their respective forms on each side. After sitting some time
+in silence, one of the women rose and addressed the meeting on the
+wisdom of God, and the various occasions on which He selected from among
+His creatures the agents of His goodness. When she had concluded her
+exhortation, John Williamson also rose, and in a speech than which,
+perhaps, the porticos of Athens never resounded with a more impressive
+oratory, he resumed the topic which had been the subject of his former
+address. He began by observing that it was fixed as one of their
+indisputable maxims, that things merely ornamental were not necessary to
+the well-being of man, and that all superfluous things should be
+excluded from the usages and manners of their society. "In this
+proscription, we have included," said he, "the study of the fine arts,
+for we see them applied only to embellish pleasures, and to strengthen
+our inducements to gratify the senses at the expense of our immortal
+claims. But, because we have seen painting put to this derogatory use,
+and have, in consequence, prohibited the cultivation of it among us, are
+we sure that it is not one of those gracious gifts which God has
+bestowed on the world, not to add to the sensual pleasures of man, but
+to facilitate his improvement as a social and a moral being? The fine
+arts are called the offspring and the emblems of peace. The Christian
+religion itself is the doctrine of good will to man. Can those things
+which only prosper in peace be contrary to the Christian religion? But,
+it is said, that the fine arts soften and emasculate the mind. In what
+way? is it by withdrawing those who study them from the robust exercises
+which enable nations and people to make war with success? Is it by
+lessening the disposition of mankind to destroy one another, and by
+taming the audacity of their animal fierceness? Is it for such a reason
+as this, that we who profess to live in unison and friendship, not only
+among ourselves, but with all the world that we should object to the
+cultivation of the fine arts, of those arts which disarm the natural
+ferocity of man? We may as well be told that the doctrine of peace and
+life ought to be proscribed in the world because it is pernicious to the
+practice of war and slaughter, as that the arts which call on man to
+exercise his intellectual powers more than his physical strength, can be
+contrary to Christianity, and adverse to the benevolence of the Deity. I
+speak not, however, of the fine arts as the means of amusement, nor the
+study of them as pastime to fill up the vacant hours of business, though
+even as such, the taste for them deserves to be regarded as a
+manifestation of Divine favour, in as much as they dispose the heart to
+kind and gentle inclinations. For, I think them ordained by God for some
+great and holy purpose. Do we not know that the professors of the fine
+arts are commonly men greatly distinguished by special gifts of a
+creative and discerning spirit? If there be any thing in the usual
+course of human affairs which exhibits the immediate interposition of
+the Deity, it is in the progress of the fine arts, in which it would
+appear he often raises up those great characters, the spirit of whose
+imaginations have an interminable influence on posterity, and who are
+themselves separated and elevated among the generality of mankind, by
+the name of men of genius. Can we believe that all this is not for some
+useful purpose? What that purpose is, ought we to pretend to
+investigate? Let us rather reflect that the Almighty God has been
+pleased among us, and in this remote wilderness, to endow, with the rich
+gifts of a peculiar spirit, that youth who has now our common consent to
+cultivate his talents for an art, which, according to our humble and
+human judgment, was previously thought an unnecessary ministration to
+the sensual propensities of our nature. May it be demonstrated by the
+life and works of the Artist, that the gift of God has not been bestowed
+on him in vain, nor the motives of the beneficent inspiration which
+induces us to suspend our particular tenets, prove barren of religious
+or moral effect. On the contrary, let us confidently hope that this
+occurrence has been for good, and that the consequences which may arise
+in the society of this new world, from the example which Benjamin West
+will be enabled to give, will be such a love of the arts of peace as
+shall tend to draw the ties of affection closer, and diffuse over a
+wider extent of community the interests and blessing of fraternal love."
+
+At the conclusion of this address, the women rose and kissed the young
+Artist, and the men, one by one, laid their hands on his head and prayed
+that the Lord might verify in his life the value of the gift which had
+induced them, in despite of their religious tenets, to allow him to
+cultivate the faculties of his genius.
+
+The history of no other individual affords an incident so extraordinary.
+This could not be called a presentiment, but the result of a clear
+expectation, that some important consequence would ensue. It may be added
+that a more beautiful instance of liberality is not to be found in the
+records of any religious society. Hitherto, all sects, even of Christians,
+were disposed to regard, with jealousy and hatred, all those members who
+embraced any pursuit that might tend to alienate them from their
+particular modes of discipline. The Quakers have, therefore, the honour of
+having been the first to allow, by a public act, that their conception of
+the religious duties of man was liable to the errors of the human
+judgment, and was not to be maintained on the presumption of being
+actually according to the will of God. There is something at once simple
+and venerable in the humility with which they regarded their own peculiar
+principles, especially contrasted with the sublime view they appeared to
+take of the wisdom and providence of the Deity. But, with whatever
+delightful feelings strangers and posterity may contemplate this beautiful
+example of Christian magnanimity, it would be impossible to convey any
+idea of the sentiments with which it affected the youth who was the object
+of its exercise. He must have been less than man had he not endeavoured,
+without ceasing, to attain an honourable eminence in his profession; or,
+had he forgotten, in the honours which he has since received from all
+polished nations, that he was authorized by his friends and his religion,
+to cultivate the art by which he obtained such distinctions, not for his
+own sake, but as an instrument chosen by Providence to disseminate the
+arts of peace in the world.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+
+
+    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.
+
+There is a regardless independence about minds of superior endowment,
+which, in similar characters, manifests itself differently according to
+the circumstances in which they happen to be placed. Devoted to the
+contemplation of the means of future celebrity, the man of genius
+frequently finds himself little disposed to set a proper value on the
+common interests of of life. When bred in affluence, and exempted from
+the necessity of considering the importance of money to the attainment of
+his object, he is often found, to a blameful degree, negligent of
+pecuniary concerns; and, on the contrary, when his situation is such that
+he may only hope for distinction by the practice of the most parsimonious
+frugality, he will as often appear in the social and propelling season of
+youth enduring voluntary privations with an equanimity which the
+ostentatious fanatic or contrite penitent would in vain attempt to
+surpass. This peculiar feature of the self-sustained mind of genius has
+often been misunderstood, and seldom valued as it ought to be. The
+presumptuous weak who mistake the wish of distinction for the workings of
+talent, admire the eccentricities of the gifted youth who is reared in
+opulence, and, mistaking the prodigality which is only the effect of his
+fortune, for the attributes of his talents, imitate his errors, and
+imagine that, by copying the blemishes of his conduct, they possess what
+is illustrious in his mind. Such men are incapable of appreciating the
+self-denial which Benjamin West made it a duty to impose upon himself on
+entering the world; but to those who are truly conscious of possessing
+the means of attracting the admiration of their contemporaries and
+posterity, the voluntary abstinence of a youth of genius will afford them
+delight in the contemplation, even though they may be happily free from
+the obligation of practising it themselves.
+
+When it was determined among the Friends that Benjamin West should be
+allowed to cultivate the art of Painting, he went to Lancaster, but he was
+hastily recalled by a severe domestic misfortune. His mother was seized by
+a dangerous illness, and being conscious that she could not live long, she
+requested that he might be sent for home. Benjamin hastily obeyed the
+summons, but, before he reached the house, her strength was exhausted, and
+she was only able to express by her look the satisfaction with which she
+saw him approach the bed, before she expired. Her funeral, and the
+distress which the event naturally occasioned to her family, by all of
+whom she was very tenderly beloved, detained the young Artist some time at
+his father's. About the end of August, in 1756, however, he took his
+final departure, and went to Philadelphia. But, before proceeding with
+the narrative of his professional career, it is necessary to advert to
+some of the public transactions of that period, by which his sensibility
+was powerfully excited. Indeed it will appear throughout the whole of
+these singular memoirs, that the subject of them was, perhaps, more
+immediately affected by the developement of national events, than usually
+falls to the lot of any individual so little connected with public men,
+and so far remote from the great thoroughfare of political occurrences.
+
+After the destruction of General Bradock's army, the Pennsylvanians being
+alarmed at the defenceless state in which they were placed by that
+calamity, the Assembly of the Province resolved to embody a militia force;
+and Mr. Wayne, who has been already mentioned, was appointed Colonel of
+the Regiment raised in Chester County. This defensive measure announced
+that the golden age of the country was past, and the change felt by the
+peaceful Quakers indicated an alteration in their harmless manners. West,
+among others, went to view the first muster of the troops under the
+command of Colonel Wayne, and the sight of men in arms, their purpose and
+array, warmed his lively imagination with military enthusiasm. In
+conjunction with a son of the Colonel, a boy of his own age, with whom he
+had become acquainted, he procured a gun, and determined also to be a
+soldier. Young Wayne was drilled by the diciplinarians of his father's
+corps, and he, in turn, exercised West, who, being more alert and active,
+soon obtained a decided superiority; but what different destinies were
+attached to them! West has attained, in the intellectual discipline of the
+arts of peace, an enviable reputation; and Wayne, who was inferior to him
+in the manual of the soldier, became an illustrious commander, and
+partook, as the companion in arms of Washington, of the glory of having
+established the independence of America.
+
+The martial preparations inspired all the youths of Pennsylvania with the
+love of arms, and diffused the principles of that military spirit which
+was afterwards exerted with so much effect against the erroneous policy
+of the mother country. West, soon after his drilling under young Wayne,
+visited Lancaster; and the boys of that town having formed themselves
+into a little corps, made choice of him for their commandant. Among
+others who caught the spirit of the time, was his brother Samuel, who
+possessed a bold character and an enterprising disposition. He was about
+six years older than the Artist, and, being appointed a Captain in
+Colonel Wayne's regiment, joined the troops under the command of General
+Forbes, who was sent to repair the disasters which had happened to the
+unfortunate Bradock.
+
+After the taking of Fort Duane, to which the new name of Pittsburgh was
+given, in compliment to the minister of the day, General Forbes resolved
+to search for the relics of Bradock's army. As the European soldiers were
+not so well qualified to explore the forests, Captain West was appointed,
+with his company of American sharpshooters, to assist in the execution of
+this duty; and a party of Indian warriors, who had returned to the British
+interests, were requested to conduct him to the places where the bones of
+the slain were likely to be found. In this solemn and affecting duty
+several officers belonging to the 42d regiment accompanied the detachment,
+and with them Major Sir Peter Halket, who had lost his father and a
+brother in the fatal destruction of the army. It might have been thought a
+hopeless task that he should be able to discriminate their remains from
+the common relics of the other soldiers; but he was induced to think
+otherwise, as one of the Indian warriors assured him that he had seen an
+officer fall near a remarkable tree, which he thought he could still
+discover; informing him at the same time, that the incident was impressed
+on his memory by observing a young subaltern, who, in running to the
+officer's assistance, was also shot dead on his reaching the spot, and
+fell across the other's body. The Major had a mournful conviction in his
+own mind that the two officers were his father and brother, and, indeed,
+it was chiefly owing to his anxiety on the subject, that this pious
+expedition, the second of the kind that History records, was undertaken.
+
+Captain West and his companions proceeded through the woods and along the
+banks of the river towards the scene of the battle. The Indians regarded
+the expedition as a religious service, and guided the troops with awe, and
+in profound silence. The soldiers were affected with sentiments not less
+serious; and as they explored the bewildering labyrinths of those vast
+forests, their hearts were often melted with inexpressible sorrow; for
+they frequently found skeletons lying across the trunks of fallen trees, a
+mournful proof to their imaginations that the men who sat there, had
+perished of hunger, in vainly attempting to find their way to the
+plantations. Sometimes their feelings were raised to the utmost pitch of
+horror by the sight of sculls and bones scattered on the ground--a certain
+indication that the bodies had been devoured by wild beasts; and in other
+places they saw the blackness of ashes amidst the relics,--the tremendous
+evidence of atrocious rites.
+
+At length they reached a turn of the river not far from the principal
+scene of destruction, and the Indian who remembered the death of the two
+officers, stopped; the detachment also halted. He then looked around in
+quest of some object which might recall, distinctly, his recollection of
+the ground, and suddenly darted into the wood. The soldiers rested their
+arms without speaking. A shrill cry was soon after heard; and the other
+guides made signs for the troops to follow them towards the spot from
+which it came. In the course of a short time they reached the Indian
+warrior, who, by his cry, had announced to his companions that he had
+found the place where he was posted on the day of battle. As the troops
+approached, he pointed to the tree under which the officers had fallen.
+Captain West halted his men round the spot, and with Sir Peter Halket and
+the other officers, formed a circle, while the Indians removed the leaves
+which thickly covered the ground. The skeletons were found, as the Indian
+expected, lying across each other. The officers having looked at them some
+time, the Major said, that as his father had an artificial tooth, he
+thought he might be able to ascertain if they were indeed his bones and
+those of his brother. The Indians were, therefore, ordered to remove the
+skeleton of the youth, and to bring to view that of the old officer. This
+was immediately done, and after a short examination, Major Halket
+exclaimed, "It is my father!" and fell back into the arms of his
+companions. The pioneers then dug a grave, and the bones being laid in it
+together, a highland plaid was spread over them, and they were interred
+with the customary honours.
+
+When Lord Grosvenor bought the picture of the death of Wolfe, Mr. West
+mentioned to him the finding of the bones of Bradock's army as a pictorial
+subject capable of being managed with great effect. The gloom of the vast
+forest, the naked and simple Indians supporting the skeletons, the grief
+of the son on recognizing the relics of his father, the subdued melancholy
+of the spectators, and the picturesque garb of the Pennsylvanian
+sharpshooters, undoubtedly furnished topics capable of every effect which
+the pencil could bestow, or the imagination require in the treatment of so
+sublime a scene. His Lordship admitted, that in possessing so affecting an
+incident as the discovery of the bones of the Halkets, it was superior
+even to that of the search for the remains of the army of Varus; the
+transaction, however, being little known, and not recorded by any
+historian, he thought it would not be interesting to the public. Other
+engagements have since prevented Mr. West from attempting it on his own
+account. But it is necessary that the regular narrative should be resumed;
+for the military history of the Artist terminated when he was recalled
+home by the last illness of his mother, although the excitement which the
+events that led to it occasioned never lost its influence on his mind,
+especially that of the incident which has been described, and which has
+ever been present to his imagination as one of the most affecting
+occurrences, whether considered with respect to the feelings of the
+gentlemen most immediately interested in it, or with respect to the wild
+and solemn circumstances under which the service was performed.
+
+On his return to Philadelphia, he again resided with Mr. Clarkson, his
+brother-in-law; and Provost Smith, in the evenings, continued to direct
+his attention to those topics of literature which were most suitable to
+cherish the expansion of his mind, and to enrich his imagination with
+ideas useful to his profession. While his leisure hours were thus
+profitably employed, his reputation as a portrait painter was rapidly
+extended. His youth, and the peculiar incidents of his history, attracted
+many sitters, and his merits verified the recommendations of his friends.
+This constancy of employment, no doubt materially tended to his
+improvement in the manipulation of his art; for whatever may be the native
+force of talent, it is impossible that the possessor can attain excellence
+by any other means than practice. Facility to express the conceptions of
+the mind must be acquired before the pen or the pencil can embody them
+appropriately, and the author who does not execute much, however little he
+may exhibit, can never expect to do justice to the truth and beauty of his
+own ideas. West was very soon duly impressed with the justness of this
+observation; and, while in the execution of his portraits, he was
+assiduous to acquire a ready knowledge of those characteristic traits
+which have since enabled him to throw so much variety into his
+compositions; he felt conscious that, without seeing better pictures than
+his own, he could neither hope to attain distinction, nor to appreciate
+his own peculiar powers. It was this consideration that induced him to
+adopt a most rigid system of frugality. He looked forward to a period when
+he might be enabled, by the fruits of his own industry, to visit the great
+scenes of the fine arts in Europe; and the care with which he treasured
+the money that he received for his portraits was rewarded even at the time
+with the assurance of realizing his expectations. The prices which he
+first fixed for his portraits, were two guineas and a half for a head, and
+five guineas for a half length.
+
+After what has already been mentioned of the state of Society in
+Pennsylvania, it is needless to say that at the period to which these
+memoirs refer, there were but few pictures in the British Plantations;
+indeed, without any other explanation, all that should be contended for by
+any person who might imagine it necessary to advocate the pretensions of
+Benjamin West to be placed in the list of original and self-instructed
+artists, would be readily granted, upon stating the single fact, that he
+was born in Pennsylvania, and did not leave America till the year 1760. At
+the same time, it might be construed into an injudicious concealment, if
+it were not mentioned that Governor Hamilton, who at that period presided
+with so much popularity over the affairs of the province, possessed a few
+pictures, consisting, however, chiefly of family portraits. Among them was
+a St. Ignatius, which was found in the course of the preceding war on
+board a Spanish prize, and which Mr. Pennington obtained leave for West to
+copy. The Artist had made choice of it himself, without being aware of its
+merits as a work of art, for it was not until several years after that he
+discovered it to be a fine piece of the Morillo school, and in the best
+style of the master.
+
+This copy was greatly admired by all who saw it, and by none more than his
+valuable friend Provost Smith, to whom it suggested the notion that
+portrait-painting might be raised to something greatly above the
+exhibition of a mere physical likeness; and he in consequence endeavoured
+to impress upon the mind of his pupil, that characteristic painting opened
+a new line in the art, only inferior in dignity to that of history, but
+requiring, perhaps, a nicer discriminative tact of mind. This judicious
+reflection of Dr. Smith was however anticipated by Sir Joshua Reynolds,
+who had already made the discovery, and was carrying it into effect with
+admirable success. The Provost, however, was unacquainted with that
+circumstance, and induced West to make an experiment by drawing his
+portrait in the style and attitude of the St. Ignatius.
+
+While he was thus employed on portraits, a gentleman of the name of Cox
+called on him to agree for a likeness of his daughter; and the picture of
+Dr. Smith attracted his attention. It indeed appeared to him to evince
+such a capacity for historical composition, that, instead of then
+determining any thing respecting his daughter's portrait, he gave an order
+for an historical picture, allowing the Artist himself to choose the
+subject. This task had peculiar charms; for the Painter in the course of
+reading the Bible to his mother some time before, had been led to think
+that the Trial of Susannah was a fine subject, and he was thus enabled, by
+the liberality of Mr. Cox, to embody the conceptions of his imagination
+while they were yet in all the freshness and vigour of original
+formation. He made his canvas about the size of a half length portrait, on
+which he introduced not fewer than forty figures. In the execution he
+followed the rule which he had adopted in painting the Death of Socrates,
+and drew the principal figures from living models.--It is not known what
+has become of the Trial of Susannah. In the rebellion of the Colonies, Mr.
+Cox adhered to the British interest; and his daughter, the last person
+into whose possession the picture has been traced, having married a
+British officer, came to England during the war, and the Artist has not
+heard where she has since resided.
+
+In point of composition, Mr. West is of opinion that the Trial of Susannah
+was superior to the Death of Socrates. In this he is probably correct; for
+during the interval between the execution of the one and the other, his
+mind had been enlarged in knowledge by reading, his eye improved by the
+study of pictorial outline and perspective in the _Camera_, and his touch
+softened by the portraits which he painted, and particularly by his
+careful copy of the St. Ignatius. In point of drawing, both pictures were
+no doubt greatly inferior to many of his subsequent works; but his son,
+long after he had acquired much celebrity, saw the picture of the Death of
+Socrates; and was of opinion that it was not surpassed by any of them in
+variety of composition, and in that perspicuity of narrative which is the
+grand characteristic of the Artist's genius.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. V.
+
+
+
+    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvador
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.
+
+
+But although West found himself in possession of abundant employment in
+Philadelphia, he was sensible that he could not expect to increase his
+prices with effect, if he continued constantly in the same place. He also
+became sensible that to view life in various lights was as necessary to
+his improvement as to exercise his pencil on different subjects. And,
+beyond all, he was profoundly sensible, by this time, that he could not
+hope to attain eminence in his profession, without inspecting the great
+master-pieces of art in Europe, and comparing them with his own works in
+order to ascertain the extent of his powers. This philosophical view of
+his situation was doubtless partly owing to the excellent precepts of
+Provost Smith, but mainly to his own just perception of what was necessary
+to the successful career of an Artist: indeed the principle upon which the
+notion was formed is universal, and applies to all intellectual pursuits.
+Accordingly, impressed with these considerations, he frugally treasured
+the earnings of his pencil, that he might undertake, in the first place, a
+professional journey from Philadelphia, as preparatory to acquiring the
+means of afterwards visiting Europe, and particularly Rome. When he found
+that the state of his funds enabled him to undertake the journey, he went
+to New York.
+
+The Society of New York was much less intelligent in matters of taste and
+knowledge than that of Philadelphia. In the latter city the institutions
+of the college and library, and the strict moral and political
+respectability of the first settlers, had contributed to form a community,
+which, though inferior in the elegancies of living, and the etiquettes of
+intercourse, to what is commonly found in the European capitals, was
+little behind them in point of practical and historical information. Dr.
+Smith, the Provost of the college, had largely contributed to elevate the
+taste, the sentiment and the topics of conversation in Philadelphia. He
+was full of the best spirit of antiquity, and there was a classical purity
+of mind and splendour of imagination sometimes met with in the families
+which he frequented, that would have done honour to the best periods of
+polished society.
+
+It would be difficult to assign any reason why it has so happened that no
+literary author of any general celebrity, with the exception of Franklin,
+has yet arisen in America. That men of learning and extensive reading,
+capable of vying with the same description of persons in Europe, are to
+be found in the United States, particularly in Philadelphia, is not to be
+denied; but of that class, whose talents tend to augment the stock of
+intellectual enjoyment in the world, no one, with the single exception
+already alluded to, has yet appeared.
+
+Poetry is the art of connecting ideas of sensible objects with moral
+sentiments; and without the previous existence of local feelings, there
+can be no poetry. America to the first European settlers had no objects
+interesting to the imagination, at least of the description thus strictly
+considered as poetical; for although the vigour and stupendous appearances
+of Nature were calculated to fill the mind with awe, and to exalt the
+contemplations of enthusiasm, there was nothing connected with the
+circumstances of the scene susceptible of that colouring from the memory,
+which gives to the ideas of local resemblance the peculiar qualities of
+poetry. The forests, though interminable, were but composed of trees; the
+mountains and rivers, though on a larger scale, were not associated in the
+mind with the exertions of patriotic valour, and the achievements of
+individual enterprize, like the Alps or the Danube, the Grampians or the
+Tweed. It is impossible to tread the depopulated and exhausted soil of
+Greece without meeting with innumerable relics and objects, which, like
+magical talismans, call up the genius of departed ages with the
+long-enriched roll of those great transactions, that, in their moral
+effect, have raised the nature of man, occasioning trains of reflection
+which want only the rythm of language to be poetry. But in the
+unstoried solitudes of America, the traveller meets with nothing to awaken
+the sympathy of his recollective feelings. Even the very character of the
+trees, though interesting to scientific research, chills, beneath the
+spaciousness of their shade, every poetical disposition. They bear little
+resemblance to those which the stranger has left behind in his native
+country. To the descendants of the first settlers, they wanted even the
+charm of those accidental associations which their appearance might have
+recalled to the minds of their fathers. Poetry is, doubtless, the first of
+the intellectual arts which mankind cultivate. In its earliest form it is
+the mode of expressing affection and admiration; but, before it can be
+invented, there must be objects beloved and admired, associated with
+things in nature endowed with a local habitation and a name. In America,
+therefore, although there has been no lack of clever versifiers, nor of
+men who have respectably echoed the ideas current in the old world, the
+country has produced nothing of any value descriptive of the peculiar
+associations connected with its scenery. Among some of the Indian tribes a
+vein of original poetry has, indeed, been discovered; but the riches of
+the mine are unexplored, and the charge of sterility of fancy, which is
+made by the Europeans against the citizens of the United States, still
+remains unrefuted. Since the period, however, to which these memoirs
+chiefly refer, events of great importance have occurred, and the
+recollections connected with them, no doubt, tend to imbue the American
+climate with the elements of poetical thought; but they are of too recent
+occurrence for the purposes either of the epic or the tragic muse. The
+facts of history in America are still seen too much in detail for the
+imagination to combine them with her own creation. The fields of battle
+are almost too fresh for the farmer to break the surface; and years must
+elapse before the ploughshare shall turn up those eroded arms of which the
+sight will call into poetical existence the sad and dreadful incidents of
+the civil war.
+
+In New York Mr. West found the society wholly devoted to mercantile
+pursuits. A disposition to estimate the value of things, not by their
+utility, or by their beauty, but by the price which they would bring in
+the market, almost universally prevailed. Mercantile men are habituated by
+the nature of their transactions to overlook the intrinsic qualities of
+the very commodities in which they deal; and though of all the community
+they are the most liberal and the most munificent, they set the least
+value on intellectual productions. The population of New York was formed
+of adventurers from all parts of Europe, who had come thither for the
+express purpose of making money, in order, afterwards, to appear with
+distinction at home. Although West, therefore, found in that city much
+employment in taking likenesses destined to be transmitted to relations
+and friends, he met with but few in whom he found any disposition
+congenial to his own; and the eleven months which he passed there, in
+consequence, contributed less to the improvement of his mind than might
+have been expected from a city so flourishing. Still, the time was not
+altogether barren of occurrences which tended to advance his progress in
+his art, independent of the advantage arising from constant practice.
+
+He happened, during his residence there, to see a beautiful Flemish
+picture of a hermit praying before a lamp, and he was resolved to paint a
+companion to it, of a man reading by candle-light. But before he
+discovered a method of producing, in day-light, an effect on his model
+similar to what he wished to imitate, he was frequently baffled in his
+attempts. At length, he hit on the expedient of persuading his landlord to
+sit with an open book before a candle in a dark closet; and he found that,
+by looking in upon him from his study, the appearance was exactly what he
+wished for. In the schools and academies of Europe, tradition has
+preserved the methods by which all the magical effects of light and
+shadow have been produced, with the exception, however, of Rembrandt's
+method, and which the author of these sketches ventures to suggest was
+attained, in general, by observing the effect of sunshine passing through
+chinks into a dark room. But the American Artist was as yet unacquainted
+with any of them, and had no other guides to the essential principles of
+his art but the delicacy of his sight, and that ingenious observation of
+Nature to which allusion has been already so often made.
+
+The picture of the Student, or man reading by candle-light, was bought by
+a Mr. Myers, who, in the revolution, continued to adhere to the English
+cause. The same gentleman also bought a copy which West made about the
+same time of Belisarius, from the engraving by Strange, of Salvator Rosa's
+painting. It is not known what has now become of these pictures; but when
+the Artist long afterwards saw the original of Salvator Rosa, he was
+gratified to observe that he had instinctively coloured his copy almost as
+faithfully as if it had been painted from the picture instead of the
+engraving.
+
+In the year 1759 the harvest in Italy fell far short of what was
+requisite for the ordinary consumption of the population, and a great
+dearth being foreseen, Messrs. Rutherford and Jackson, of Leghorn, a house
+of the first consequence then in the Mediterranean trade, and well known
+to all travellers for the hospitality of the partners, wrote to their
+correspondent Mr. Allen, at Philadelphia, to send them a cargo of wheat
+and flour. Mr. Allen was anxious that his son, before finally embarking in
+business, should see something of the world; and Provost Smith, hearing
+his intention of sending him to Leghorn with the vessel, immediately
+waited on the old gentleman, and begged him to allow West to accompany
+him, which was cheerfully acceded to, and the Provost immediately wrote to
+his pupil at New York on the subject. In the mean time, West had heard
+that there was a vessel at Philadelphia loading for Italy, and had
+expressed to Mr. William Kelly, a merchant, who was then sitting to him
+for his portrait, a strong desire to avail himself of this opportunity to
+visit the fountain-head of the arts. Before this period, he had raised his
+terms for a half-length to ten guineas, by which he acquired a sum of
+money adequate to the expenses of a short excursion to Italy. When he had
+finished Mr. Kelly's portrait, that gentleman, in paying him, requested
+that he would take charge of a letter to his agents in Philadelphia, and
+deliver it to them himself on his return to that city, which he was
+induced to do immediately, on receiving Dr. Smith's letter, informing him
+of the arrangement made with Mr. Allen. When this letter was opened, an
+instance of delicate munificence appeared on the part of Mr. Kelly, which
+cannot be too highly applauded. It stated to the concern to which it was
+addressed, that it would be delivered by an ingenious young gentleman,
+who, he understood, intended to visit Rome for the purpose of studying the
+fine arts, and ordered them to pay him fifty guineas as a present from him
+towards furnishing his stores for the voyage.
+
+While waiting till the vessel was clear to sail, West had the
+gratification to see, in Philadelphia, his old friend Mr. Henry, for whom
+he had painted the Death of Socrates. Towards him he always cherished the
+most grateful affection. He was the first who urged him to attempt
+historical composition; and, above all, he was the first who had made him
+acquainted with the magnanimous tales of Plutarch; perhaps, the greatest
+favour which could be conferred on a youthful mind, susceptible of
+impressions from the sublime and beautiful of human actions, which no
+author has better illustrated than that celebrated Biographer, who may
+indeed be regarded, almost without hyperbole, as the recorder of
+antient worth, and the tutor of modern genius. In his peculiar class,
+Plutarch still stands alone, at least no author in any of the living
+languages appears to be yet truly sensible of the secret cause by which
+his sketches give that direct impulse to the elements of genius, by which
+the vague and wandering feelings of unappropriated strength are converted
+into an uniform energy, endowed with productive action. Plutarch, like the
+sculptors of antiquity, has selected only the great and elegant traits of
+character; and hence his lives, like those statues which are the models of
+art, possess, with all that is graceful and noble in human nature, the
+particular features of individuals. He had no taste for the blemishes of
+mankind. His mind delighted in the contemplation of moral vigour; and he
+seems justly to have thought that it was nearly allied to virtue: hence
+many of those characters whose portraitures in his works furnish the
+youthful mind with inspiring examples of true greatness, more authentic
+historians represent in a light far different. It is the aim of all
+dignified art to exalt the mind by exciting the feelings as well as the
+judgment; and the immortal lessons of Plutarch would never have awakened
+the first stirrings of ambition in the innumerable great men who date
+their career from reading his pages, had he been actuated by the minute
+and invidious spirit of modern biography. These reflections have occurred
+the more forcibly at this juncture, as the subject of this narrative was
+on the point of leaving a country in which were men destined to acquire
+glory in such achievements as Plutarch would have delighted to record; and
+of parting from early associates who afterwards attained a degree of
+eminence in the public service that places them high in the roll of those
+who have emulated the exploits and virtues of the Heroes of that great
+Biographer.
+
+The Artist having embarked with young Allen had a speedy and pleasant
+passage to Gibraltar; where, in consequence of the war then raging, the
+ship stopped for convoy. As soon as they came to anchor, Commodore Carney
+and another officer came on board to examine the vessel's papers. It
+happened that some time before, the British Government had, on account of
+political circumstances, prohibited the carrying of provisions into Italy,
+by which prohibition the ship and cargo would have been forfeited had she
+been arrested in attempting to enter an Italian port, or, indeed, in
+proceeding with such an intention. But Captain Carney had scarcely taken
+his pen to write the replies to the questions which he put to the Master,
+as to the owners of the vessel and her destination, when he again threw it
+down, and, looking the other officer full in the face, said, "I am much
+affected by the situation in which I am now placed. This valuable ship is
+the property of some of my nearest relations, and the best friends that I
+have ever had in the world!" and he refrained from asking any more
+questions. There was, undoubtedly, much generosity in this conduct, for
+by the indulgence of the crown, all prizes taken in war become the
+property of the captors; and Captain Carney, rather than enrich himself at
+the expence of his friends, chose to run the hazard of having his own
+conduct called in question for the non-performance of his official duty.
+It perhaps deserves also to be considered as affording a favourable
+example of that manly confidence in the gentlemanly honour of each other
+which has so long distinguished the British officers. On the mind of West
+it tended to confirm that agreeable impression by which so many previous
+incidents had made him cherish a liberal opinion of mankind. In other
+respects, Captain Carney happening to be the officer who came on board,
+was a fortunate circumstance; for on learning that young Allen was in the
+ship, he invited the passengers to dine on board his frigate; and the
+company, consisting of the Governor, his staff, and principal officers in
+the garrison, tended to raise the consideration of the Artist, and his
+companion in the estimation of the fleet with which their vessel was to
+proceed to Leghorn. Indeed, throughout his whole life, Mr. West was, in
+this respect, singularly fortunate; for although the condescensions of
+rank do not in themselves confer any power on talent, they have the effect
+of producing that complacency of mind in those who are the objects of
+them, which is at once the reward and the solace of intellectual exertion,
+at the same time that they tend to mollify the spirit of contemporary
+invidiousness. The day after, the fleet sailed; and when they had passed
+the rock, the captains of the two men of war [Footnote: The two
+frigates, the Shannon, Captain Meadow, since Lord Manvers, whose intimacy
+still continues with Mr. West, and the Favourite sloop of war, Captain
+Pownell.] who had charge of the convoy, came on board the American, and
+invited Mr. Allen and Mr. West to take their passage in one of the
+frigates; this, however, they declined, but every day, when the weather
+was favourable, they were taken on board the one ship or the other, to
+dine; and when the weather did not permit this to be done with pleasure to
+the strangers, the officers sent them presents from their stock.
+
+After touching at several parts of the coast of Spain, the ship arrived
+safely at Leghorn, where mercantile enquiries detained Mr. Allen some
+time, and West being impatient to proceed to Rome, bade him adieu. Prior
+to his departure from Philadelphia, he had paid into the hands of old Mr.
+Allen the money which he thought would be requisite for his expenses in
+Italy, and had received from him a letter of credit on Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford. When they were made acquainted with the object of his voyage,
+and heard his history, they showed him a degree of attention beyond even
+their general great hospitality, and presented him with letters to
+Cardinal Albani, and several of the most distinguished characters for
+erudition and taste in Rome; and as he was unacquainted with French or
+Italian, they recommended him to the care of a French Courier, who had
+occasion to pass that way.
+
+When the travellers had reached the last stage of their journey, while
+their horses were baiting, West walked on alone. It was a beautiful
+morning; the air was perfectly placid, not a speck of vapour in the sky,
+and a profound tranquillity seemed almost sensibly diffused over the
+landscape. The appearance of Nature was calculated to lighten and elevate
+the spirits; but the general silence and nakedness of the scene touched
+the feelings with solemnity approaching to awe. Filled with the idea of
+the metropolitan city, the Artist hastened forward till he reached an
+elevated part of the high road, which afforded him a view of a spacious
+champaign country, bounded by hills, and in the midst of it the sublime
+dome of St. Peter's. The magnificence of this view of the Campagna
+excited, in his imagination, an agitated train of reflections that partook
+more of the nature of feeling than of thought. He looked for a spot to
+rest on, that he might contemplate at leisure a scene at once so noble and
+so interesting; and, near a pile of ruins fringed and trellissed with ivy,
+he saw a stone that appeared to be part of a column. On going towards it,
+he perceived that it was a mile-stone, and that he was then only eight
+miles from the Capitol. In looking before him, where every object seemed
+by the transparency of the Italian atmosphere to be brought nearer than it
+was in reality, he could not but reflect on the contrast between the
+circumstances of that view and the scenery of America; and his thoughts
+naturally adverted to the progress of civilization. The sun seemed, to
+his fancy, the image of truth and knowledge, arising in the East,
+continuing to illuminate and adorn the whole earth, and withdrawing from
+the eyes of the old world to enlighten the uncultivated regions of the
+new. He thought of that remote antiquity when the site of Rome itself was
+covered with unexplored forests; and passing with a rapid reminiscence
+over her eventful story, he was touched with sorrow at the solitude of
+decay with which she appeared to be environed, till he adverted to the
+condition of his native country, and was cheered by the thought of the
+greatness which even the fate of Rome seemed to assure to America. For he
+reflected that, although the progress of knowledge appeared to intimate
+that there was some great cycle in human affairs, and that the procession
+of the arts and sciences from the East to the West demonstrated their
+course to be neither stationary nor retrograde; he could not but rejoice,
+in contemplating the skeleton of the mighty capital before him, that they
+had improved as they advanced, and that the splendour which would precede
+their setting on the shores of Europe, would be the gorgeous omen of the
+glory which they would attain in their passage over America.
+
+While he was rapt in these reflections, he heard the drowsy tinkle of a
+pastoral bell behind him, and on turning round, he saw a peasant dressed
+in shaggy skins, driving a few goats from the ruins. The appearance and
+physiognomy of this peasant struck him as something more wild and
+ferocious than any thing about the Indians; and, perhaps, the observation
+was correctly philosophical. In the Indian, Nature is seen in that
+primitive vigour and simplicity, in which the actions are regulated by
+those feelings that are the elements of the virtues; but in the Italian
+bandit, for such he had reason afterwards to think was the real character
+of the goat-herd, he saw man in that second state of barbarity, in which
+his actions are instigated by wants that have often a vicious origin.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+
+
+    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.
+
+During the pontificate of Pope Rezzonico, the society of Rome had attained
+a pitch of elegance and a liberality of sentiment superior to that of any
+other city of Christendom. The theocratic nature of the government induced
+an exterior decorum in the public form of politeness, which, to strangers
+who took no interest in the abuses of the state, was so highly agreeable,
+that it tended even to appease their indignation against the laxity of
+private morals. If the traveller would forget that the name of
+Christianity was employed in supporting a baneful administration to the
+vices, or could withdraw his thoughts from the penury and suffering which
+such an administration necessarily entailed on the people, he had
+opportunities of access at Rome to the most various and delightful
+exercises of the faculties of memory, taste, and judgment, in the company
+of persons distinguished for their knowledge and genius. For, with all the
+social intercourse for which Paris was celebrated in the reign of Louis
+XV. the local objects at Rome gave a higher and richer tone to
+conversation there; even the living vices were there less offensive than
+at Paris, the rumours of them being almost lost in the remembrance of
+departed virtue, constantly kept awake by the sight of its monuments and
+vouchers. Tyranny in Rome was exercised more intellectually than in the
+French Capital. Injustice and oppression were used more in the form of
+persuasion; and though the crosier was not less pernicious than the
+bayonet, it inflicted a less irritating injury. The virtuous endured with
+patience the wrongs that their misguided judgment led them to believe were
+salutary to their eternal welfare. But it ought to be observed, that the
+immorality of the Romans was greatly exaggerated. Individuals redeemed by
+their merits the reproach of universal profligacy; and strangers, by being
+on their guard against the moral contagion, suffered a less dangerous
+taint than in the Atheistical coteries of Paris. Many, in consequence, who
+came prepared to be disgusted with the degenerated Romans, often bade them
+adieu with sentiments of respect, and remembered their urbanity and
+accomplishments with delightful satisfaction.
+
+It was not, however, the native inhabitants of Rome who constituted the
+chief attractions of society there, but the number of accomplished
+strangers of all countries and religions, who, in constant succession,
+came in pilgrimage to the shrine of antiquity; and who, by the
+contemplation of the merits and glories of departed worth, often felt
+themselves, as it were, miraculously endowed with new qualities. The
+collision of minds fraught with learning, in that high state of excitement
+which the genius of the place produced on the coldest imaginations,
+together with those innumerable brilliant and transitory topics which were
+never elicited in any other city, made the Roman conversations a
+continual exercise of the understanding. The details of political
+intrigue, and the follies of individuals, excited but little interest
+among the strangers in Rome. It seemed as if by an universal tacit
+resolution, national and personal peculiarities and prejudices were
+forgotten, and that all strangers simultaneously turned their attention to
+the transactions and affairs of former ages, and of statesmen and authors
+now no more. Their mornings were spent in surveying the monuments raised
+to public virtue, and in giving local features in their minds to the
+knowledge which they had acquired by the perusal of those works that have
+perpetuated the dignity of the Roman character. Their evenings were often
+allotted to the comparison of their respective conjectures, and to
+ascertain the authenticity and history of the relics which they had
+collected of ancient art. Sometimes the day was consumed in the study of
+those inestimable ornaments of religion, by which the fraudulent
+disposition of the priesthood had, in the decay of its power, rendered
+itself venerable to the most enlightened minds; and the night was devoted
+to the consideration of the causes which contribute to the developement
+of genius, or of the events which tend to stifle and overwhelm its powers.
+Every recreation of the stranger in Rome was an effort of the memory, of
+abstraction, and of fancy.--Society, in this elevated state of enjoyment,
+surrounded by the greatest works of human creation, and placed amidst the
+monuments of the most illustrious of mankind,--and that of the Quakers of
+Pennsylvania, employed in the mechanical industry of felling timber, and
+amid the sobriety of rural and commercial oeconomy, were like the extremes
+of a long series of events, in which, though the former is the necessary
+consequence of the latter, no resemblance can be traced in their
+respective characteristics. In America all was young, vigorous, and
+growing,--the spring of a nation, frugal, active, and simple. In Rome all
+was old, infirm, and decaying,--the autumn of a people who had gathered
+their glory, and were sinking into sleep under the disgraceful excesses of
+the vintage. On the most inert mind, passing from the one continent to the
+other, the contrast was sufficient to excite great emotion; on such a
+character as that of Mr. West, who was naturally disposed to the
+contemplation of the sublime and beautiful, both as to their moral and
+visible effect, it made a deep and indelible impression. It confirmed him
+in the wisdom of those strict religious principles which denied the
+utility of art when solely employed as the medium of amusement; and
+impelled him to attempt what could be done to approximate the uses of the
+pencil to those of the pen, in order to render Painting, indeed, the
+sister of Eloquence and Poetry.
+
+But the course of study in the Roman schools was not calculated to enable
+him to carry this grand purpose into effect; for the principles by which
+Michael Angelo and Raphael had attained their excellence, were no longer
+regarded. The study of Nature was deserted for that of the antique; and
+pictures were composed according to rules derived from other paintings,
+without respect to what the subject required, or what the circumstances of
+the scene probably appeared to be. It was, therefore, not one of the least
+happy occurrences in his life that he went to Rome when society was not
+only in the most favourable state for the improvement of his mind, and for
+convincing him of the deleterious influence of the arts when employed as
+the embellishments of voluptuousness and luxury; but also when the state
+of the arts was so mean, that the full effect of studying the antique
+only, and of grouping characters by academical rules, should appear so
+striking as to satisfy him that he could never hope for any eminence, if
+he did not attend more to the phenomena of Nature, than to the productions
+of the greatest genius. The perusal of the works of other painters, he was
+sensible, would improve his taste; but he was convinced, that the design
+which he had formed for establishing his own fame, could not be realised,
+if, for a single moment, he forgot that their works, however exquisite,
+were but the imitations and forms of those eternal models to which he had
+been instinctively directed.
+
+It was on the 10th of July, 1760, that he arrived at Rome. The French
+Courier conducted him to a hotel, and, having mentioned in the house that
+he was an American, and a Quaker, come to study the fine arts, the
+circumstance seemed so extraordinary, that it reached the ears of Mr.
+Robinson, afterwards Lord Grantham, who immediately found himself
+possessed by an irresistible desire to see him; and who, before he had
+time to dress or refresh himself, paid him a visit, and insisted that he
+should dine with him. In the course of dinner, that gentleman inquired
+what letters of introduction the Artist had brought with him; and West
+having informed him, he observed it was somewhat remarkable that the whole
+of them should be addressed to his most particular friends, adding, that
+as he was engaged to meet them at a party in the evening, he expected West
+would accompany him. This attention and frankness was acknowledged as it
+deserved to be, and is remembered by the Artist among those fortunate
+incidents which have rendered the recollection of his past life so
+pleasant, as scarcely to leave a wish for any part of it to have been
+spent otherwise than it was. At the hour appointed, Mr. Robinson conducted
+him to the house of Mr. Crispigné, an English gentleman who had long
+resided at Rome, where the evening party was held.
+
+Among the distinguished persons whom Mr. West found in the company, was
+the celebrated Cardinal Albani. His eminence, although quite blind, had
+acquired, by the exquisite delicacy of his touch, and the combining powers
+of his mind, such a sense of antient beauty, that he excelled all the
+virtuosi then in Rome, in the correctness of his knowledge of the verity
+and peculiarities of the smallest medals and intaglios. Mr. Robinson
+conducted the Artist to the inner apartment, where the Cardinal was
+sitting, and said, "I have the honour to present a young American, who has
+a letter of introduction to your eminence, and who has come to Italy for
+the purpose of studying the fine arts." The Cardinal fancying that the
+American must be an Indian, exclaimed, "Is he black or white?" and on
+being told that he was very fair, "What as fair as I am?" cried the
+Cardinal still more surprised. This latter expression excited a good deal
+of mirth at the Cardinal's expence, for his complexion was of the darkest
+Italian olive, and West's was even of more than the usual degree of
+English fairness. For some time after, if it be not still in use, the
+expression of "as fair as the Cardinal" acquired proverbial currency in
+the Roman conversations, applied to persons who had any inordinate conceit
+of their own beauty.
+
+The Cardinal, after some other short questions, invited West to come near
+him, and running his hands over his features, still more attracted the
+attention of the company to the stranger, by the admiration which he
+expressed at the form of his head. This occasioned inquiries respecting
+the youth; and the Italians concluding that, as he was an American, he
+must, of course, have received the education of a savage, became curious
+to witness the effect which the works of Art in the Belvidere and Vatican
+would produce on him. The whole company, which consisted of the principal
+Roman nobility, and strangers of distinction then in Rome, were interested
+in the event; and it was arranged in the course of the evening that on the
+following morning they should accompany Mr. Robinson and his protegé to
+the palaces.
+
+At the hour appointed, the company assembled; and a procession, consisting
+of upwards of thirty of the most magnificent equipages in the capital of
+Christendom, and filled with some of the most erudite characters in
+Europe, conducted the young Quaker to view the master-pieces of art. It
+was agreed that the Apollo should be first submitted to his view, because
+it was the most perfect work among all the ornaments of Rome, and,
+consequently, the best calculated to produce that effect which the company
+were anxious to witness. The statue then stood in a case, enclosed with
+doors, which could be so opened as to disclose it at once to full view.
+West was placed in the situation where it was seen to the most advantage,
+and the spectators arranged themselves on each side. When the keeper threw
+open the doors, the Artist felt himself surprised with a sudden
+recollection altogether different from the gratification which he had
+expected; and without being aware of the force of what he said, exclaimed,
+"My God, how like it is to a young Mohawk warrior." The Italians,
+observing his surprise, and hearing the exclamation, requested Mr.
+Robinson to translate to them what he said; and they were excessively
+mortified to find that the god of their idolatry was compared to a
+savage. Mr. Robinson mentioned to West their chagrin, and asked him to
+give some more distinct explanation, by informing him what sort of people
+the Mohawk Indians were. He described to him their education; their
+dexterity with the bow and arrow; the admirable elasticity of their limbs;
+and how much their active life expands the chest, while the quick
+breathing of their speed in the chace, dilates the nostrils with that
+apparent consciousness of vigour which is so nobly depicted in the Apollo.
+"I have seen them often," added he, "standing in that very attitude, and
+pursuing, with an intense eye, the arrow which they had just discharged
+from the bow." This descriptive explanation did not lose by Mr. Robinson's
+translation. The Italians were delighted, and allowed that a better
+criticism had rarely been pronounced on the merits of the statue. The view
+of the other great works did not awaken the same vivid feelings. Those of
+Raphael, in the Vatican, did not at first particularly interest him; nor
+was it until he had often visited them alone, and studied them by himself,
+that he could appreciate the fulness of their excellence. His first view
+of the works of Michael Angelo, was still less satisfactory: indeed, he
+continued always to think, that, with the single exception of the Moses,
+that Artist had not succeeded in giving a probable character to any of his
+subjects, notwithstanding the masterly hand and mind which pervade the
+weakest of his productions.
+
+Among the first objects which particularly interested Mr. West, and which
+he never ceased to re-visit day after day with increasing pleasure, were
+the celebrated statues ascribed to Phidias, on the Monte Cavallo. The
+action of the human figure appeared to him so majestic, that it seemed to
+throw, as it were, a visible kind of awe into the very atmosphere, and
+over all the surrounding buildings. But the smallness of the horse struck
+him as exceedingly preposterous. He had often examined it before the idea
+occurred to him that it was probably reduced according to some unknown
+principle of antient art; and in this notion he was confirmed, by
+observing something of the same kind in the relative proportion of human
+figures and animals, on the different gems and bas-reliefs to which his
+attention was subsequently directed. The antient sculptors uniformly
+seemed to consider the human figure as the chief object, and sacrificed,
+to give it effect, the proportions of inferior parts. The author of the
+group on the Monte Cavallo, in the opinion of Mr. West, represented the
+horse smaller than the natural size, in order to augment the grandeur of
+the man. How far this notion, as the principle of a rule, may be sound, it
+would be unnecessary, perhaps impertinent, to inquire here; but its
+justness as applicable to the sculptures of antiquity, is abundantly
+verified by the bas-reliefs brought from the Parthenon of Athens. It is,
+indeed, so admitted a feature of antient art, as to be regarded by some
+critics as having for its object the same effect in sculpture, which is
+attained by light and shadow in painting.--In a picture, the Artist, by a
+judicious obscurity, so veils the magnitude of the car in which he places
+a victor, that notwithstanding its size, it may not appear the principal
+object; but this artifice is denied to the sculptor, who is necessitated
+to diminish the size of those things which are of least importance, in
+order to give dignity to the predominant figures. Raphael, in making the
+boat so small in the miraculous draught of fishes, is thought to have
+injudiciously applied this rule of antient sculpture; for he ought to have
+accomplished, by foreshortening, the same effect which he meant to produce
+by diminishing the size. It should, however, be observed, that great
+doubts are entertained if the statues on the Monte Cavallo were originally
+integral parts of the same group; but although this doubt may be well
+founded, it will not invalidate the supposed general principle of the
+antient sculptors, corroborated, as it is, by innumerable examples.
+
+In the evening, after visiting the palaces, Mr. Robinson carried Mr. West
+to see a grand religious ceremony in one of the churches. Hitherto he was
+acquainted only with the simple worship of the Quakers. The pomp of the
+papal ceremonies was as much beyond his comprehension, as the overpowering
+excellence of the music surpassed his utmost expectations. Undoubtedly, in
+all the spectacles and amusements of Rome, he possessed a keener sense of
+enjoyment, arising from the simplicity of his education, than most other
+travellers. That same sensibility to the beauty of forms and colours which
+had awakened his genius for painting, was, probably, accompanied with a
+general superior susceptibility of the other organs as well as the sight;
+for it is observed that a taste for any one of the fine arts is connected
+with a general predilection for them all. But neither the Apollo, the
+Vatican, nor the pomp of the Catholic ritual, excited his feelings to so
+great a degree as the spectacle which presented itself to his view around
+the portico of the church. Bred in the universal prosperity of
+Pennsylvania, where the benevolence of the human bosom was only employed
+in acts of hospitality and mutual kindness, he had never witnessed any
+spectacle of beggary, nor had he ever heard the name of God uttered to
+second an entreaty for alms. Here, however, all the lazars and the
+wretched in Rome were collected together; hundreds of young and old in
+that extreme of squalor, nakedness, and disease which affrights the
+English traveller in Italy, were seen on all sides; and their
+importunities and cries, for the love of God, and the mercy of Christ, to
+relieve them, thrilled in his ears, and smote upon his heart to such a
+degree, that his joints became as it were loosened, and his legs scarcely
+able to support him. Many of the beggars knew Mr. Robinson, and seeing him
+accompanied by a stranger, an Englishman, as they concluded the Artist to
+be from his appearance, surrounded them with confidence and clamours.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As they returned from the church, a woman somewhat advanced in life, and
+of a better appearance than the generality of the beggars, followed them,
+and Mr. West gave her a small piece of copper money, the first Roman coin
+which he had received in change, the relative value of which to the other
+coins of the country was unknown to him. Shortly afterwards they were
+joined by some of the Italians, whom they had seen in the morning, and
+while they were conversing together, he felt some one pull his coat, and
+turned round. It was the poor woman to whom he had given the piece of
+copper money. She held out in her hand several smaller pieces, and as he
+did not understand her language, he concluded that she was chiding him for
+having given her such a trifle, and coloured deeply with the idea. His
+English friend, observing his confusion, inquired what he had given her,
+and he answered that he did not know, but it was a piece of money which he
+had received in change. Robinson, after a short conversation with the
+beggar, told Mr. West that she had asked him to give her a farthing. "But
+as you gave her a two-penny piece," said he, "she has brought you the
+change." This instance of humble honesty, contrasted with the awful mass
+of misery with which it was united, gave him a favourable idea of the
+latent sentiments of the Italians. How much, indeed, is the character of
+that people traduced by the rest of Europe! How often is the traveller in
+Italy, when he dreads the approach of robbers, and prepares against
+murder, surprised at the bountiful disposition of the common Italians, and
+made to blush at having applied the charges against a few criminals to the
+character of a whole people--without reflecting that the nation is only
+weak because it is subdivided.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+
+    Anecdote of a famous Impoverisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of Wests's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequences of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies Mr.
+    Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
+
+It was not, however, the novelty, variety, and magnificence of the works
+of art and antiquity in Rome, that kept Mr. West in a constant state of
+high excitement; the vast difference in the manners of the people from
+those of the inhabitants of America, acted also as an incessant stimulus
+on his feelings and imagination: even that difference, great as it
+happened to be, was rendered particularly interesting to him by incidents
+arising out of his own peculiar situation. One night, soon after his
+arrival in Rome, Mr. Gavin Hamilton, the painter, to whom he had been
+introduced by Mr. Robinson, took him to a coffee-house, the usual resort
+of the British travellers. While they were sitting at one of the tables,
+a venerable old man, with a guitar suspended from his shoulder, entered
+the room, and coming immediately to their table, Mr. Hamilton addressed
+him by the name of Homer.--He was the most celebrated Improvisatore in
+all Italy, and the richness of expression, and nobleness of conception
+which he displayed in his effusions, had obtained for him that
+distinguished name. Those who once heard his poetry, never ceased to
+lament that it was lost in the same moment, affirming, that it often was
+so regular and dignified, as to equal the finest compositions of Tasso
+and Ariosto.--It will, perhaps, afford some gratification to the admirers
+of native genius to learn, that this old man, though led by the fine
+frenzy of his imagination to prefer a wild and wandering life to the
+offer of a settled independence, which had been often made to him in his
+youth, enjoyed in his old age, by the liberality of several Englishmen,
+who had raised a subscription for the purpose, a small pension,
+sufficient to keep him comfortable in his own way, when he became
+incapable of amusing the public.
+
+After some conversation, Homer requested Mr. Hamilton to give him a
+subject for a poem. In the mean time, a number of Italians had gathered
+round them to look at Mr. West, who they had heard was an American, and
+whom, like Cardinal Albani, they imagined to be an Indian. Some of them,
+on hearing Homer's request, observed, that he had exhausted his vein, and
+had already said and sung every subject over and over. Mr. Hamilton,
+however, remarked that he thought he could propose something new to the
+bard, and pointing to Mr. West, said, that he was an American come to
+study the fine arts in Rome; and that such an event furnished a new and
+magnificent theme. Homer took possession of the thought with the ardour of
+inspiration. He immediately unslung his guitar, and began to draw his
+fingers rapidly over the strings, swinging his body from side to side, and
+striking fine and impressive chords. When he had thus brought his motions
+and his feelings into unison with the instrument, he began an
+extemporaneous ode in a manner so dignified, so pathetic, and so
+enthusiastic, that Mr. West was scarcely less interested by his appearance
+than those who enjoyed the subject and melody of his numbers. He sung the
+darkness which for so many ages veiled America from the eyes of Science.
+He described the fulness of time when the purposes for which it had been
+raised from the deep were to be manifested. He painted the seraph of
+knowledge descending from heaven, and directing Columbus to undertake the
+discovery; and he related the leading incidents of the voyage. He invoked
+the fancy of his auditors to contemplate the wild magnificence of
+mountain, lake, and wood, in the new world; and he raised, as it were, in
+vivid perspective, the Indians in the chase, and at their horrible
+sacrifices. "But," he exclaimed, "the beneficent spririt of improvement is
+ever on the wing, and, like the ray from the throne of God which inspired
+the conception of the Virgin, it has descended on this youth, and the hope
+which ushered in its new miracle, like the star that guided the magi to
+Bethlehem, has led him to Rome. Methinks I behold in him an instrument
+chosen by heaven, to raise in America the taste for those arts which
+elevate the nature of man,--an assurance that his country will afford a
+refuge to science and knowledge, when in the old age of Europe they shall
+have forsaken her shores. But all things of heavenly origin, like the
+glorious sun, move Westward; and Truth and Art have their periods of
+shining, and of night. Rejoice then, O venerable Rome, in thy divine
+destiny, for though darkness overshadow thy seats, and though thy mitred
+head must descend into the dust, as deep as the earth that now covers thy
+antient helmet and imperial diadem, thy spirit, immortal and undecayed,
+already spreads towards a new world, where, like the soul of man in
+Paradise, it will be perfected in virtue and beauty more and more." The
+highest efforts of the greatest actors, even of Garrick himself delivering
+the poetry of Shakespeare, never produced a more immediate and inspiring
+effect than this rapid burst of genius. When the applause had abated, Mr.
+West being the stranger, and the party addressed, according to the common
+practice, made the bard a present. Mr. Hamilton explained the subject of
+the ode: though with the weakness of a verbal translation, and the
+imperfection of an indistinct echo, it was so connected with the
+appearance which the author made in the recital, that the incident has
+never been obliterated from Mr. West's recollection.
+
+While the Artist was gratifying himself with a cursory view of the works
+of art, and of the curiosities, Mr. Hope, of Amsterdam, the father of the
+gentlemen who have since become so well known in London for their taste in
+the arts, and their superb collections of pictures and marbles, arrived in
+Rome. Mr. West being introduced to him, accompanied him to Cardinal
+Albani, to whom he had letters of introduction, and witnessed a proof of
+the peculiar skill of his Eminence. The Cardinal requested Mr. Hope to
+come near him, and according to his usual custom with strangers, drew his
+hands over his face, observing that he was a German. In doing the same
+thing to Mr. West, he recognized him as the young American.
+
+At this time Mengs was in the zenith of his popularity, and West was
+introduced to him at the Cardinal's villa. He appeared to be as much
+struck as every other person, with the extraordinary circumstance of an
+American coming to study the fine arts; and begged that Mr. West would
+show him a speciman of his proficiency in drawing. In returning home, our
+Artist mentioned to Mr. Robinson that as he had never learnt to draw, he
+could not produce any sketch like those made by the other students; but
+that he could paint a little, and if Mr. Robinson would take the trouble
+to sit, he would execute his portrait to shew Mengs. The proposal was
+readily acceded to, and it was also agreed, that except to two of their
+most intimate acquaintances, the undertaking should be kept a profound
+secret. When the picture was finished, it was so advantageous to the
+Artist, that it tended to confirm the opinion which was entertained of his
+powers, founded only on the strength of the curiosity which had brought
+him from America. But, before shewing it to Mengs, it was resolved that
+the taste and judgment of the public with respect to its merits should be
+ascertained.
+
+Mr. Crespigné, one of the two friends in the secret, lived as a Roman
+gentleman, and twice a year gave a grand assembly at his house, to which
+all the nobility and strangers in Rome, the most eminent for rank, birth,
+and talents, were invited. It was agreed that the portrait should be
+exhibited at one of his parties, which happened to take place soon after
+it was finished. A suitable frame being provided, the painting was hung up
+in one of the rooms. The first guests who arrived, were Amateurs and
+Artists; and as it was known among them that Robinson was sitting to Mengs
+for his portrait, it was at once thought to be that picture, and they
+agreed that they had never seen any painting of the Artist so well
+coloured. As the guests assembled, the portrait became more and more the
+subject of attention, and Mr. West sat behind on a sofa equally agitated
+and delighted by their strictures, which Mr. Robinson reported to him from
+time to time. In the course of the evening Mr. Dance, an Englishman of
+great shrewdness, was observed looking with an eye of more than common
+scrutiny at the portrait, by Mr. Jenkins, another of the guests, who,
+congratulating Robinson in getting so good a portrait from Mengs, turned
+to Dance, and said, "The he must now acknowledge that Mengs could colour
+as well as he could draw." Dance confessed that he thought the picture
+much better coloured than those usually painted by Mengs, but added that
+he did not think the drawing either so firm or good as the usual style of
+that Artist. This remark occasioned some debate, in which Jenkins,
+attributing the strictures of Dance to some prejudice which he had early
+conceived against Mengs, drew the company around to take a part in the
+discussion. Mr. Crespigné seizing the proper moment in their conversation
+to produce the effect intended, said to Jenkins that he was mistaken, and
+that Dance was in the right, for, in truth, the picture was not painted by
+Mengs. By whom then, vociferated every one, "for there is no other painted
+now in Rome capable of executing any thing so?" "By that young gentleman
+there," said Mr. Crespigné, turning to West. At once all eyes were bent
+towards him, and the Italians, in their way, ran and embraced him. Thus
+did the best judges at once, by this picture, acknowledge him as only
+second in the executive department of the art to the first painter then in
+Rome. Mengs himself, on seeing the picture, expressed his opinion in terms
+that did great honour to his liberality, and gave the Artist an advice
+which he never forgot, nor remembered without gratitude. He told him that
+the portrait showed that he had no occasion to learn to paint at Rome.
+"You have already, sir," said he, "the mechanical part of your art: what I
+would, therefore, recommend to you, is to see and examine every thing
+deserving of your attention here, and after making a few drawings of about
+half a dozen of the best statues, go to Florence, and observe what has
+been done for Art in the collections there. Then proceed to Bologna, and
+study the works of the Caracci; afterwards visit Parma, and examine,
+attentively, the pictures of Corregio; and then go to Venice and view the
+productions of Tintoretti, Titian, and Paul Veronese. When you have made
+this tour, come back to Rome, and paint an historical composition to be
+exhibited to the Roman public; and the opinion which will then be formed
+of your talents should determine the line of our profession which you
+ought to follow." This judicious advice, so different from those absurd
+academical dogmas which would confine genius to the looking only to the
+works of art, for that perfection which they but dimly reflect from
+nature, West found accord so well with his own reflections and principles,
+that he resolved to follow it with care and attention. But the thought of
+being in Rome, and the constant excitement arising from extraordinary and
+interesting objects, so affected his mind, accustomed to the sober and
+uniform habits of the Quakers, that sleep deserted his pillow, and he
+became ill and constantly feverish. The public took an interest in his
+situation. A consultation of the best Physicians in Rome was held on his
+case, the result of which was a formal communication to Mr. Robinson, that
+his friend must immediately quit the capital, and seek relief from the
+irritated state of his sensibility in quiet and retirement. Accordingly,
+on the 20th of August he returned to Leghorn.
+
+Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, by whose most friendly recommendation he
+had obtained so much flattering distinction at Rome, received him into
+their own house, and treated him with a degree of hospitality that
+merits for them the honour of being considered among the number of his
+early patrons. Mr. (afterwards Sir John) Dick, then the British Consul
+at Leghorn, and his lady, also treated him with great partiality, and
+procured for him the use of the Imperial baths. His mind being thus
+relieved from the restless ecstasy which he had suffered in Rome, and
+the intensity of interest being diminished by the circumscribed nature
+of the society of Leghorn, together with the bracing effects of
+sea-bathing, he was soon again in a condition to resume his study in the
+capital. But the same overpowering attacks on his feelings and
+imagination soon produced a relapse of his former indisposition, and
+compelled him to return to Leghorn, where he was again speedily cured of
+his fever, but it left in its dregs a painful affection in the ancle,
+that threatened the loss of the limb. The well-known Nanoni, an eminent
+surgeon, who had introduced many improvements in the treatment of
+diseased joints, was at this period resident in Florence, and Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford wrote to Sir Horace Mann, then the British
+Minister at the Ducal Court, to consult him relative to the case of Mr.
+West: his answer induced them to advise the Artist to go to Florence.
+After a painful period of eleven months confinement to his couch and
+chamber, he was perfectly and radically cured.
+
+A state of pain and disease is adverse to mental improvement; but there
+were intervals in which Mr. West felt his anguish abate, and in which he
+could not only participate in the conversation of the gentlemen to whose
+kindness he had been recommended, but was able, occastionally, to exercise
+his pencil. The testimonies of friendship which he received at this
+perdiod from Sir Horace Mann, the Marquesses of Creni and Riccardi, the
+late Lord Cooper, and many others of the British nobility then travelling
+in Italy, made an indelible impression on his mind, and became a
+stimulating motive to his wishes to excel in his art, in order to
+demonstrate by his proficiency that he was not unworthy of their
+solicitude. He had a table constructed so as to enable him to draw while
+he lay in bed; and in that situation he amused and improved himself in
+delineating the picturesque conceptions which were constantly presenting
+themselves to his fancy.
+
+When he was so far recovered as to be able to take exercise, and to endure
+the fatigue of travelling, a circumstance happened which may be numbered
+among the many fortunate accidents of his professional career. Mr.
+Matthews, the manager of the important commercial concerns of Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford, was one of those singular men who are but rarely
+met with in mercantile life, combining the highest degree of literary and
+elegant accomplishments with the best talents for active business. He was
+not only confessedly one of the finest classical scholars in all Italy,
+but, out of all comparison, the best practical antiquary, perhaps, then in
+that country, uniting, along with the minutest accuracy of criticism, a
+delicacy of taste in the perception of the beauty and judgment of the
+antients, seldom found blended with an equal degree of classical
+erudition. Affairs connected with the business of the house, and a wish to
+see the principal cities of Italy, led Mr. Matthews, about the period of
+Mr. West's recovery, to visit Florence, and it was agreed between them
+that they should together make the tour recommended by Mengs.
+
+In the mean time, the good fortune of West was working to happy effects in
+another part of the world. The story of Mr. Robinson's portrait had made
+so great a noise among the travellers in Italy, that Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford, in sending back the ship to Philadelphia, in which the Artist
+had come passenger, mentioned it in their letters to Mr. Allen. It is
+seldom that commercial affairs are mingled with those of art, and it was
+only from the Italian shore that a mercantile house could introduce such a
+topic into their correspondence. It happened that on the very day this
+letter reached Mr. Allen, Mr. Hamilton, then Governor of Pennsylvania, and
+the principal members of the government, along with the most considerable
+citizens of Philadelphia, were dining with him. After dinner, Mr. Allen
+read the letter to the company, and mentioned the amount of the sum of
+money which West had paid into his hands at the period of his departure
+from America, adding that it must be pretty far reduced. But, said he with
+warmth, "I regard this young man as an honour to the country, and as he is
+the first that America has sent to cultivate the fine arts, he shall not
+be frustrated in his studies, for I have resolved to write to my
+correspondents at Leghorn, to give him, from myself, whatever money he may
+require." Mr. Hamilton felt the force of this generous declaration, and
+said, with equal animation, "I think exactly as you do, Sir, but you shall
+not have all the honour of it to yourself, and, therefore, I beg that you
+will consider me as joining you in the responsibility of the credit." The
+consequence of this was, that upon West going, previously to leaving
+Florence, to take a small sum of about ten pounds from the bankers to whom
+he had been recommended by Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, a letter was
+brought in, while he was waiting for his money, and the gentleman who
+opened it said to him, "that the contents of the letter would probably
+afford him unexpected pleasure, as it instructed them to give him
+unlimited credit." A more splendid instance of liberality is not to be
+found even in the records of Florence. The munificence of the Medici was
+excelled by that of the magistracy of Philadelphia.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+
+
+    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to
+    Rome.--Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian
+    Obelisk.--Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an
+    anecdote of a Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote
+    of a Scottish Fanatic who arrived in Rome, to convert the
+    Pope.--Sequel of the Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit
+    England.--Having completed his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous
+    picture, he is elected an Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and
+    invited to Court.--He proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--
+    Reflections on the State of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French
+    frontiers.--State of Taste in France.
+
+
+From Florence the Artist proceeded to Bologna, and having staid some time
+there, carefully inspecting every work of celebrity to which he could
+obtain access, he went on to Venice, visiting in his route all the objects
+which Mengs had recommended to his attention. The style of Titian, which
+in breadth and clearness of colouring so much excels that of almost every
+other painter, was the peculiar characteristic of the Venetian school
+which interested him the most, and seemed to him, at first, involved in
+inexplicable mystery. He was never satisfied with the explanations which
+the Italian amateurs attempted to give him of what they called the
+internal light of that master's productions. Repeated experiments,
+however, enabled him, at last, to make the discovery himself. Indeed, he
+was from the first persuaded that it was chiefly owing to the peculiar
+genius of the Artist himself,--to an exquisite delicacy of sight which
+enabled him to perceive the most approximate tints,--and not to any
+particular dexterity of pencilling, nor to any superiority in the
+materials of his colours. This notion led Mr. West to try the effect of
+painting in the first place with the pure primary colours, and softening
+them afterwards with the semi tints; and the result confirmed him in the
+notion that such was probably the peculiar method of Titian. But although
+this idea was suggested by his visits to the collections of Venice, he
+was not perfectly satisfied with its soundness as a rule, till many years
+after his arrival in London, and many unsuccessful experiments.
+
+Having completed his tour to the most celebrated repositories of art in
+Italy, and enriched his mind, and improved his taste, by the perusal
+rather than the imitation of their best pieces, he returned to Rome, and
+applied himself to a minute and assiduous study of the great ornaments of
+that capital, directing his principal attention to the works of Raphael,
+and improving his knowledge of the antient costume by the study of Cameos,
+in which he was assisted by Mr. Wilcox, the author of the Roman
+Conversations,--to whom he had been introduced by Mr. Robinson, at Mr.
+Crespigné's, on the occasion of the exhibition of the Portrait,--a man of
+singular attainments in learning, and of a serene and composed dignity of
+mind and manners that rendered him more remarkable to strangers than even
+his great classical knowledge.
+
+Of all the monuments of antient art in Rome, the Obelisk brought from
+Egypt, in the reign of Augustus, interested his curiosity the most, and
+even for a time affected him as much as those which so agitated him by
+their beauty. The hieroglyphics appeared to resemble so exactly the
+figures in the Wampum belts of the Indians, that it occurred to him, if
+ever the mysteries of Egypt were to be interpreted, it might be by the
+aborigines of America. This singular notion was not, however, the mere
+suggestion of fancy, but the effect of an opinion which his early friend
+and tutor Provost Smith conceived, in consequence of attending the grand
+meeting of the Indian chiefs, with the Governors of the British colonies,
+held at East town, in Pennsylvania, in the year following the disastrous
+fate of Bradock's army. The chiefs had requested this interview, in order
+to state to the officers the wrongs and injuries of which they complained;
+and at the meeting they evidently read the reports and circumstances of
+their grievances from the hieroglyphical chronicle of the Wampum belts,
+which they held in their hands, and by which, from the date of their grand
+alliance with William Penn, the man from the ocean, as they called him,
+they minutely related all the circumstances in which they conceived the
+terms and spirit of the treaty had been infringed by the British, defying
+the officers to show any one point in which the Indians had swerved from
+their engagements. It seemed to Dr. Smith that such a minute traditionary
+detail of facts could not have been preserved without some contemporary
+record; and he, therefore, imagined, that the constant reference made to
+the figures on the belts was a proof that they were chronicles. This
+notion was countenanced by another circumstance which Mr. West had himself
+often noticed. The course of some of the high roads through Pennsylvania
+lies along what were formerly the war tracks of the Indians; and he had
+frequently seen hieroglyphics engraved on the trees and rocks. He was told
+that they were inscriptions left by some of the tribes who had passed that
+way in order to apprize their friends of the route which they had taken,
+and of any other matter which it concerned them to know. He had also
+noticed among the Indians who annually visited Philadelphia, that there
+were certain old chiefs who occasionally instructed the young warriors to
+draw red and black figures, similar to those which are made on the belts,
+and who explained their signification with great emphasis, while the
+students listened to the recital with profound silence and attention. It
+was not, therefore, extraordinary, that, on seeing similar figures on the
+Egyptian trophy, he should have thought that they were intended to
+transmit the record of transactions like the Wampum belts.--A language of
+signs derived from natural objects, must have something universal in its
+very nature; for the qualities represented by the emblematic figure,
+would, doubtless, be those for which the original of the figure was most
+remarkable: and, therefore, if there be any resemblance between the
+Egyptian hieroglyphics and those used by the American Indians, the
+probability is, that there is also some similar intrinsic meaning in their
+signification. But the Wampum belts are probably not all chronicles; there
+is reason to believe that some of them partake of the nature of calendars,
+by which the Indians are regulated in proceedings dependant on the
+seasons; and that, in this respect, they answer to the household Gods of
+the patriarchal times, which are supposed to have been calendars, and the
+figure of each an emblem of some portion of the year, or sign of the
+Zodiac. It would be foreign to the nature of this work to investigate the
+evidence which may be adduced on this subject, or to collect those various
+and scattered hints which have given rise to the opinion, and with a
+faint, but not fallacious ray, have penetrated that obscure region of
+antient history, between the period when the devotion of mankind,
+withdrawn from the worship of the Deity, was transferred to the adoration
+of the stars, and prior to the still greater degradation of the human
+faculties when altars were raised to idols.
+
+The idea of the Indians being in possession of hieroglyphical writings, is
+calculated to lead us to form a very different opinion of them to that
+which is usually entertained by the world. Except in the mere enjoyments
+of sense, they do not appear to be inferior to the rest of mankind; and
+their notions of moral dignity are exactly those which are recommended to
+our imitation by the literature of all antiquity. But they have a
+systematic contempt for whatever either tends to increase their troubles,
+to encumber the freedom of their motions, or to fix them to settled
+habitations. In their unsheltered nakedness, they have a prouder
+consciousness of their importance in the scale of beings, than the
+philosophers of Europe, with all their multiplicity of sensual and
+intellectual gratifications, to supply which so many of the human race are
+degraded from their natural equality. The Indian, however, is not
+deficient in mental enjoyments, or a stranger to the exercise of the
+dignified faculties of our common nature. He delivers himself on suitable
+occasions with a majesty of eloquence that would beggar the oratory of the
+parliaments, and the pulpits of Christendom; and his poetry unfolds the
+loftiest imagery and sentiment of the epic and the hymn. He considers
+himself as the lord of the creation, and regards the starry heaven as his
+canopy, and the everlasting mountain as his throne. It would be absurd,
+however, to assert with Rousseau, that he is, therefore, better or happier
+than civilized man; but it would be equally so to deny him the same sense
+of dignity, the same feeling of dishonour, the same love of renown, or
+ascribe to his actions in war, and his recreations in peace, baser motives
+than to the luxurious warriors and statesmen of Europe. Before Mr. West
+left America, an attempt was made to educate three young Indians at New
+York; and their progress, notwithstanding that they still retained
+something of their original wildness of character, exceeded the utmost
+expectations of those who were interested in the experiment. Two of them,
+however, in the end, returned to their tribe, but they were rendered
+miserable by the contempt with which they were received; and the brother
+of the one who remained behind, was so affected with their degradation,
+that he came to the city determined to redeem his brother from the
+thraldom of civilization. On his arrival he found he had become an actor,
+and was fast rising into celebrity on the stage. On learning this
+circumstance, the resolute Indian went to the theatre, and seated himself
+in the pit. The moment that his brother appeared, he leapt upon the stage,
+and drawing his knife, threatened to sacrifice him on the spot unless he
+would immediately strip himself naked, and return with him to their home
+in the woods. He upbraided him with the meanness of his disposition, in
+consenting to make himself a slave. He demanded if he had forgotten that
+the Great Spirit had planted the Indian corn for their use, and filled the
+forests with game, the air with birds, and the waters with fish, that they
+might be free. He represented the institutions of civilized society as
+calculated to make him dependant on the labour of others, and subject to
+every chance that might interrupt their disposition to supply his wants.
+The actor obeyed his brother, and returning to the woods, was never seen
+again in the town. [A]
+
+It may, perhaps, not be an impertinent digression to contrast this
+singular occurrence in the theatre of New York with another truly
+European, to which Mr. West was a witness, in the Cathedral of St. Peter.
+Among other intelligent acquaintances which he formed in Rome was the
+Abaté Grant, one of the adherents of that unfortunate family, whom the
+baseness of their confidential servants, and the factions of ambitious
+demagogues, deprived, collectively, of their birthright. This priest,
+though a firm Jacobite in principle, was, like many others of the same
+political sentiments, liberal and enlightened, refuting, by his conduct,
+the false and fraudulent calumnies which have been so long alleged against
+the gallant men who supported the cause of the ill-fated Stuarts. On St.
+Peter's day, when the Pope in person performs high mass in the cathedral,
+the Abaté offered to take Mr. West to the church, as he could place him
+among the ecclesiastics, in an advantageous situation to witness the
+ceremony. Glad of such an offer, Mr. West willingly accompanied him. The
+vast edifice; the immense multitude of spectators; the sublimity of the
+music; and the effect of the pomp addressed to the sight, produced on the
+mind of the Painter feelings scarcely less enthusiastic than those which
+the devoutest of the worshippers experienced, or the craftiest inhabitant
+of the Vatican affected to feel. At the elevation of the host, and as he
+was kneeling beside the Abaté, to their equal astonishment he heard a
+voice, exclaiming behind them in a broad Scottish accent, "O Lord, cast
+not the church down on them for this abomination!" The surrounding Italian
+priests, not understanding what the enthusiast was saying, listened with
+great comfort to such a lively manifestation of a zeal, which they
+attributed to the blessed effects of the performance. The Abaté, however,
+with genuine Scottish partiality, was alarmed for his countryman, and
+endeavoured to persuade him to hold his tongue during the ceremony, as he
+ran the risk of being torn to pieces by the mob.
+
+It appeared that this zealous Presbyterian, without understanding a word
+of any civilized language, but only a dialect of his own, had come to Rome
+for the express purpose of attempting to convert the Pope, as the shortest
+way, in his opinion, of putting an end to the reign of Antichrist. When
+mass was over, the Abaté, anxious to avert from him the consequences which
+his extravagance would undoubtedly entail, if he continued to persevere in
+it, entered into conversation with him. It appeared he had only that
+morning arrived in Babylon, and being unable to rest until he had seen a
+glimpse of the gorgeous harlot, he had not then provided himself with
+lodgings. The Abaté conducted him to a house where he knew he would be
+carefully attended; and he also endeavoured to reason with him on the
+absurdity of his self-assumed mission, assuring him that unless he
+desisted, and behaved with circumspection, he would inevitably be seized
+by the Inquisition. But the prospect of Martyrdom augmented his zeal; and
+the representations of the benevolent Catholic only stimulated his
+enterprise; so that in the course of a few days, much to his own exceeding
+great joy, and with many comfortable salutations of the spirit, he was
+seized by the Inquisition, and lodged in a dungeon, On hearing this, the
+Abaté applied to King James in his behalf, and by his Majesty's influence
+he was released, and sent to the British Consul at Leghorn, on condition
+of being immediately conveyed to his friends in Scotland. It happened,
+however, that no vessel was then ready to sail, and the taste of
+persecution partaking more of the relish of adventure than the pungency of
+suffering, the missionary was not to be so easily frustrated in his
+meritorious design; and, therefore, he took the first opportunity of
+stealing silently back to Rome, where he was again arrested and confined.
+By this time the affair had made some noise, and it was universally
+thought by all the English travellers, that the best way of treating the
+ridiculous madman was to allow him to remain some time in solitary
+confinement in the dungeons of the Inquisition. When he had been
+imprisoned about three months, he was again liberated, sent to Leghorn,
+and embarked for England, radically cured of his inclination to convert
+the Pope, but still believing that the punishment which he had suffered
+for his folly would be recorded as a trial which he had endured in the
+service of the faith.
+
+In the mean time West was carefully furnishing his mind by an attentive
+study of the costume of antiquity, and the beauties of the great works of
+modern genius. In doing this, he regarded Rome only as an university, in
+which he should graduate; and, as a thesis preparatory to taking his
+degree among the students, he painted a picture of Cimon and Iphigenia,
+and, subsequently, another of Angelica and Madoro. The applause which they
+received justified the opinion which Mengs had so early expressed of his
+talent, and certainly answered every object for which they were composed.
+He was honoured, in consequence, with the marks of academical
+approbation, usually bestowed on fortunate Artists. He then proposed to
+return to America, with a view to cultivate in his native country that
+profession in which he had already acquired so much celebrity. At this
+juncture he received a letter from his father, advising him, as peace had
+been concluded between France and England, to go home for a short time
+before coming to America; for the mother country was at that period still
+regarded as the home of her American offspring. The advice of his father
+was in unison with his own wishes, and he mentioned his intention to Mr.
+Wilcox. That gentleman, conceiving that he spoke of America as his home,
+expressed himself with grief and surprise at a determination so different
+from what he had expected; but, upon being informed of the ambiguity in
+the phrase, he exclaimed that he could hardly have resolved, on quitting
+Italy, more opportunely, for Dr. Patoune, a Scotish gentleman, of
+considerable learning, and some taste in painting, was then returning
+homeward, and waiting at that time in Rome, until he should be able to
+meet with a companion. It was therefore agreed that West should be
+introduced to him; and it was soon after arranged that the Doctor should
+proceed to Florence, while the Artist went to take leave of his friends at
+Leghorn, to express to them his gratitude for the advantages he had
+derived from their constant and extraordinary kindness, which he estimated
+so highly, that he could not think of leaving Italy without performing
+this pleasing and honourable pilgrimage. It was also agreed between him
+and his companion, that the Doctor should stop a short time at Parma,
+until West should have completed a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio,
+which he had begun during his visit to that city with Mr. Matthews.
+
+During their stay at Parma, the Academy elected Mr. West a member, an
+honour which the Academies of Florence and Bologna had previously
+conferred on him; and it was mentioned to the Prince that a young American
+had made a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio in a style of excellence
+such as the oldest Academicians had not witnessed. The Prince expressed a
+wish to see this extraordinary Artist, particularly when he heard that he
+was from Pennsylvania, and a Quaker. Mr. West was, in consequence,
+informed that a visit from him would be acceptable at Court: and it was
+arranged that he should be introduced to His Highness by the chief
+Minister. Mr. West thought that, in a matter of this kind, he should
+regulate his behaviour by what he understood to be the practice in the
+court of London; and, accordingly, to the astonishment of the whole of the
+courtiers, he kept his hat on during the audience. This, however, instead
+of offending the Prince, was observed with evident pleasure, and made his
+reception more particular and distinguished; for His Highness had heard of
+the peculiar simplicity of the Quakers, and of the singularly Christian
+conduct of William Penn.
+
+From Parma he proceeded to Genoa, and thence to Turin. Considering this
+City as the last stage of his professional observations in Italy, his mind
+unconsciously took a retrospective view of the different objects he had
+seen, and the knowledge which he had acquired since his departure from
+America. Although his art was always uppermost in his thoughts, and
+although he could not reflect on the course of his observations without
+pleasure and hope, he was often led to advert to the lamentable state into
+which every thing, as well as Art, had fallen in Italy, in consequence of
+the general theocratical despotism which over-spread the whole country,
+like an unwholesome vapour, and of those minute subdivisions of territory,
+in which political tyranny exercised its baleful influence even where the
+ecclesiastical oppression seemed disposed to spare. He saw, in the
+infamous establishment of the cicisbeo, the settled effect of that general
+disposition to palliate vice, which is the first symptom of decay in
+nations; and he was convinced that, before vice could be thus exalted into
+custom, there must exist in the community which would tolerate such an
+institution, a disregard of all those obligations which it is the pride of
+virtue to incur, and the object of law to preserve. It seemed to him that
+every thing in Italy was in a state of disease; and that the moral energy
+was subsiding, as the vital flame diminishes with the progress of old age.
+For although the forms and graces of the human character were often seen
+in all their genuine dignity among the common people, still even the
+general population seemed to be defective in that detestation of vice
+found in all countries in a healthful state of morals, and which is often
+strongest among the lowest of the vulgar, especially in what respects the
+conduct of the great. He thought that the commonalty of Italy had lost the
+tact by which the good and evil of actions are discriminated; and that,
+whatever was good in their disposition, was constitutional, and
+unconnected with any principle of religion, or sense of right. In the
+Papal states, this appeared to be particularly the case. All the creative
+powers of the mind seemed there to be extinct. The country was covered
+with ruins, and the human character was in ashes. Sometimes, indeed, a few
+embers of intellect were seen among the clergy; but the brightness of
+their scintillation was owing to the blackness of death with which they
+were contrasted. The splendour of the nobility struck him only as a more
+conspicuous poverty than the beggary of the common people; and the perfect
+contempt with which they treated the feelings of their dependants, seemed
+to him scarcely less despicable than the apathy with which it was endured.
+The innumerable examples of the effects of this moral paralysis to which
+he was a witness on his arrival in Rome, filled him for some time with
+indescribable anxiety, and all his veneration for the Roman majesty was
+lost in reflections on the offences which mankind may be brought to commit
+on one another. But at Genoa, Leghorn, and Venice, the Italians were seen
+to less disadvantage. Commerce, by diffusring opulence, and interweaving
+the interests of all classes, preserved in those cities some community of
+feeling, which was manifested in an interchange of respect and
+consideration between the higher and the lower orders; and Lucca he
+thought afforded a perfect exception to the general degeneracy of the
+country. The inhabitants of that little republic presented the finest view
+of human nature that he had ever witnessed. With the manliness of the
+British character they appeared to blend the suavity of the Italian
+manners; and their private morals were not inferior to the celebrity of
+their public virtues. So true it is, that man, under the police and
+vigilance of despotism, becomes more and more vicious; while, in
+proportion to the extension of his freedom, is the vigour of his private
+virtue. When deprived of the right of exercising his own judgment, he
+feels, as it were, his moral responsibility at an end, and naturally
+blames the system by which he is oppressed, for the crimes which his own
+unresisted passions instigate him to commit. To an Englishman the
+remembrance of a journey in Italy is however often more delightful than
+that of any other country, for no where else is his arrogance more
+patiently endured, his eccentricities more humourously indulged, nor the
+generosity of his character more publicly acknowledged.
+
+In coming from Italy into France, Mr. West was particularly struck with
+the picturesque difference in the character of the peasantry of the two
+countries; and while he thought, as an Artist, that to give appropriate
+effect to a national landscape it would not only be necessary to introduce
+figures in the costume of the country, but in employments and recreations
+no less national, he was sensible of the truth of a remark which occurs to
+almost every traveller, that there are different races of the human
+species, and that the nature of the dog and horse do not vary more in
+different climates than man himself. In making the observation, he was
+not, however, disposed to agree with the continental philosophers, that
+this difference, arising from climate, at all narrowed the powers of the
+mind, though it influenced the choice of objects of taste. For whatever
+tends to make the mind more familiar with one class of agreeable
+sensations than another, will, undoubtedly, contribute to form the cause
+of that preference for particular qualities in objects by which the
+characteristics of the taste of different nations is discriminated.
+Although, of all the general circumstances which modify the opinions of
+mankind, climate is, perhaps, the most permanent, it does not, therefore,
+follow that, because the climate of France or Italy induces the
+inhabitants to prefer, in works of art, certain qualities of the
+excellence of which the people of England are not so sensible, the climate
+of Great Britain does not, in like manner, lead the inhabitants to
+discover other qualities equally valuable as sources of enjoyment. Thus,
+in sculpture for example, it would seem that in naked figures the
+inhabitants of a cold climate can never hope to attain that degree of
+eminence which we see exemplified in the productions of the Grecian and
+Italian sculptors; not that the Artists may not execute as well, but
+because they will not so readily find models; or, what is perhaps more to
+the point, they will not find a taste so capable of appreciating the
+merits of their performances. In Italy the eye is familiar with the human
+form in a state of almost complete nudity; and the beauty of muscular
+expression, and of the osteological proportions of man, is there as well
+known as that of the features and complexion of his countenance; but the
+same degree of nakedness could not be endured in the climate of England,
+for it is associated with sentiments of modesty and shame, which render
+even the accidental innocent exposure of so much of the body offensive to
+the feelings of decorum. It is not, therefore, just to allege, that,
+because the Italians are a calm, persuasive, and pensive people, and the
+French all stir, talk, and inconstancy, they are respectively actuated by
+different moral causes. It will not be asserted that, though the sources
+of their taste in art spring from different qualities in the same common
+objects, any innate incapacity for excellence in the fine arts is induced
+by the English climate, merely because that climate has the effect of
+producing a different moral temperament among the inhabitants.
+
+On the morning after arriving at the first frontier town, in coming from
+Savoy into France, and while breakfast was preparing, Mr. West and his
+companion heard the noise of a crowd assembled in the yard of the inn. The
+Doctor rose and went to the window to inquire the occasion: immediately on
+his appearance the mob became turbulent, and seemed to menace him with
+some outrage.--The Peace of 1763 had been but lately concluded, and
+without having any other cause for the thought, it occurred to the
+travellers that the turbulence must have originated in some political
+occurrence, and they hastily summoned the landlord, who informed them,
+"That the people had, indeed, assembled in a tumultuous manner round the
+inn on hearing that two Englishmen were in the house, but that they might
+make themselves easy, as he had sent to inform the magistrates of the
+riot." Soon after, one of the magistrates arrived, and on being introduced
+by the landlord to the travellers, expressed himself to the following
+effect: "I am sorry that this occurrence should have happened, because had
+I known in time, I should, on hearing that you were Englishmen, have come
+with the other magistrates to express to you the sentiments of respect
+which we feel towards your illustrious nation; but, since it has not been
+in our power to give you that testimony of our esteem; on the contrary,
+since we are necessitated by our duty to protect you, I assure you that I
+feel exceedingly mortified. I trust, however, that you will suffer no
+inconvenience, for the people are dispersing, and you will be able to
+leave the town in safety!" "This place," he continued, "is a manufacturing
+town, which has been almost ruined by the war. Our goods went to the ocean
+from Marseilles and Toulon; but the vigilance of your fleets ruined our
+trade, and these poor people, who have felt the consequence, consider not
+the real cause of their distress. However, although the populace do not
+look beyond the effects which immediately press upon themselves, there are
+many among us well acquainted with the fountain-head of the misfortunes
+which afflict France, and who know that it is less to you than to
+ourselves that we ought to ascribe the disgraces of the late war. You had
+a man at the head of your government (alluding to the first Lord Chatham),
+and your counsellors are men. But it is the curse of France that she is
+ruled by one who is, in fact, but the agent and organ of valets and
+strumpets. The Court of France is no longer the focus of the great men of
+the country, but a band of profligates that have driven away the great.
+This state of things, however, cannot last long, the reign of the
+Pompadours must draw to an end, and Frenchmen will one day take a terrible
+revenge for the insults which they suffer in being regarded only as the
+materials of those who pander to the prodigality of the Court." This
+singular address, made in the year 1763, requires no comment; but it is a
+curious historical instance of the commencement of that, moral re-action
+to oppression which subsequently has so fully realized the prediction of
+the magistrate, and which, in its violence, has done so much mischief, and
+occasioned so many misfortunes to Europe.
+
+The travellers remained no longer in Paris than was necessary to inspect
+the principal works of the French Artists, and the royal collections. Mr.
+West, however, continued long enough to be satisfied that the true feeling
+for the fine arts did not exist among the French to that degree which he
+had observed in Italy. On the contrary, it seemed to him that there was an
+inherent affectation in the general style of art among them, which
+demonstrated, not only a deficiency of native sensibility, but an anxious
+endeavour to conceal that defect. The characteristics of the French
+School, and they have not yet been redeemed by the introduction of any
+better manner, might, to a cursory observer, appear to have arisen from a
+corrupted taste, while, in fact, they are the consequences only of that
+inordinate national vanity which in so many different ways has retarded
+the prosperity of the world. In the opinion of a Frenchman, there is a
+quality of excellence in every thing belonging to France, merely because
+it is French, which gives at all times a certain degree of superiority to
+the actions and productions of his countrymen; and this delusive notion
+has infested not only the literature and the politicks of the nation, but
+also the principles of Art, to such a deep and inveterate extent, that the
+morality of painting is not yet either felt or understood in that country.
+In the mechanical execution, in drawing, and in the arrangement of parts,
+the great French painters are probably equal to the Italians; but in
+producing any other sentiment in the spectator than that of admiration at
+their mechanical skill, they are greatly behind the English. Painting has
+much of a common character with dramatic literature, and the very best
+pictures of the French Artists have the same kind of resemblance to the
+probability of Nature, that the tragedies of their great dramatic authors
+have to the characters and actions of men. But in rejecting the
+pretensions of the French to superiority either in the one species of art
+or in the other, the rejection ought not to be extended too far. They are
+wrong in their theory; but their practice so admirably accords with it,
+that it must be allowed, were it possible for a people so enchanted by
+self-conceit to discover that the true subjects of Art exist only in
+Nature, they evince a capacity sufficient to enable them to acquire the
+pre-eminence which they unfortunately believe they have already attained.
+But these opinions, with respect to the peculiarities of the French taste,
+though deduced from incidental remarks in conversations with Mr. West,
+must not be considered as his. The respect which he has always entertained
+towards the different members of his own profession never allows him to
+express himself in any terms that might possibly be construed by malice or
+by ignorance to imply any thing derogatory to a class which he naturally
+considers among the teachers of mankind. He may think, indeed he has
+expressed as much, that the style of the French Artists is not the most
+perspicuous; and that it is, if the expression may be allowed, more
+rhetorical than eloquent; but still he regards them as having done honour
+to their country, and, in furnishing objects of innocent interest to the
+minds of mankind, as having withdrawn so far the inclinations of the heart
+from mere sensual objects. The true use of painting, he early thought,
+must reside in assisting the reason to arrive at correct moral inferences,
+by furnishing a probable view of the effects of motives and of passions;
+and to the enforcement of this great argument his long life has been
+devoted, whether with complete success it would be presumptuous in any
+contemporary to determine, and injudicious in the author of these memoirs
+to assert.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[A] The following Extract from the Journal of a Friend, who has
+lately travelled through the principal parts of the United States, will
+probably be found interesting, as it tends to throw some degree of light
+on the sentiments of the Indians; of which the little that is known has
+hitherto never been well elucidated.
+
+"One of my fellow-passengers was a settler in the new state of Tenessee,
+who had come to Charleston with Horses for sale, and was going to
+Baltimore and Philadelphia for the purpose of investing his money in an
+assortment of goods suited to the western country. The ideas of civilized
+and savage life were so curiously blended in this man, that his
+conversation afforded me considerable amusement. Under the garb and
+appearance of a methodist preacher, I found him a hunter and a warrior;
+with no small portion of the adventurous spirit proper to both those
+characters. He had served as a militia-man or volunteer under General
+Jackson, in his memorable campaign against the Creek Indians in 1813; and
+he related to me some interesting particulars of the principal and final
+action which decided the fate of the war. The Indians had posted
+themselves at a place called, in their language, _Talapoosie_, and by the
+Americans, the Horse-shoe; a position of great natural strength, the
+advantages of which they had improved to the best of their skill, by a
+breast-work seven feet high, extending across the neck of land which
+formed the only approach to their encampment. This seems to have been
+viewed by the Creeks themselves as the last stand of their nation: for,
+contrary to the usual practice of the Indians, they made every preparation
+for defence, but none for retreat. Their resistance was proportionably
+desperate and bloody. For several hours they supported a continued fire of
+musketry and cannon without shrinking; till at length the American
+General, finding that he had lost a great number of men, and that he
+could not otherwise dislodge the enemy, gave orders for a general assault.
+The breast-work was carried by storm; and the Indians, broken at all
+points, and surrounded by superior numbers, were nearly all put to the
+sword. Out of one thousand warriors who composed the Creek Army, scarcely
+twenty made their escape. A body of Choctaw Indians, who attended the
+American Army as auxiliaries, were the chief actors in this massacre, and
+displayed their usual barbarous ferocity. It affords a remarkable
+illustration of the savage character, that the whole of this bloody scene
+passed in the most perfect silence on the part of the Indians: there was
+no outcry, no supplication for mercy: each man met his fate without
+uttering a word, singly defending himself to the last. The lives of the
+women and children were spared, but many of the boys were killed in the
+action, fighting bravely in the ranks with their fathers and elder
+brothers. My Tenessee friend received four arrows from the bows of these
+juvenile warriors, while in the act of mounting the breast-work.
+
+"In hearing such a story, it is impossible not to be touched with a
+feeling of sympathy for a high-minded but expiring people, thus gallantly
+but vainly contending, against an overwhelming force, for their native
+woods, and their name as a Nation; or to refrain from lamenting that the
+settlement of the New World cannot be accomplished at a less price than
+the destruction of the original and rightful proprietors of the soil."
+
+
+
+END OF PART I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+By John Galt, Esq.
+
+Part II.
+
+
+To Simon M'Gillivray, Esq.
+This Work
+Is inscribed, with every sentiment of esteem, by the Author.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+
+Nearly the whole of this work was printed during the last illness of Mr.
+West. The manuscript had long previously been read to him. My custom was,
+to note down those points which seemed, in our conversations, to bear on
+his biography, and, from time to time, to submit an entire chapter to his
+perusal; afterwards, when the whole narrative was formed, it was again
+carefully read over to him. Still, however, I am apprehensive that some
+mistakes in the orthography of names may have been committed; for although
+the same custom was strictly observed in preparing the manuscript of the
+first part of his Memoirs for the press, yet, in perusing the proofs, he
+found several errors of that kind. It was intended that he should have
+read the proofs of this part also, but the progress of his disease
+unfortunately rendered it impracticable.
+
+
+J.G.
+
+_30th March, 1820_.
+
+
+
+
+Introduction.
+
+
+
+Although Mr. West was, strictly speaking, a self-taught artist, yet it
+must be allowed that in his education he enjoyed great and singular
+advantages. A strong presentiment was cherished in his family, that he
+would prove an extraordinary man, and his first rude sketch in childhood
+was hailed as an assurance of the fulfilment of the prediction of
+Peckover. The very endeavours of his boyish years were applauded as
+successful attainments; no domestic prejudices were opposed to the
+cultivation of his genius; even the religious principles of the community
+in which he lived were bent in his favour, from a persuasion that he was
+endowed by Heaven with a peculiar gift; and whatever the defects of his
+early essays may have been, it was not one of the least advantageous
+circumstances of his youth, that they were seen only by persons, who,
+without being competent judges of them, as works of art, were yet
+possessed of such a decided superiority of intellect, that their
+approbation in any case would have been esteemed great praise.
+
+The incidents attending his voyage to Italy, and his introduction to the
+artists, virtuosi, and travellers at Rome, were still more auspicious.
+Taken in connection with his previous history, they form one of the most
+remarkable illustrations of the doctrine of fortune, or destiny, that is
+to be found in authentic biography. Without any knowledge of his abilities
+or acquirements, his arrival in the capital of Christendom, the seat of
+the arts, was regarded as an interesting event: his person was
+contemplated as an object of curiosity; and a strong disposition to
+applaud his productions, was excited by the mere accident of his having
+come from America to study the fine arts. A prepossession so extraordinary
+has no parallel. It would almost seem, as if there had been some
+arrangement in the order of things that would have placed Mr. West in the
+first class of artists, although he had himself mistaken the workings of
+ambition for the consciousness of talent. Many men of no inconsiderable
+fame have set out in their career with high expectations in their favour;
+but few, of whom such hopes were entertained, have, by a succession of
+works, in which the powers of the mind were seemingly unfolded with more
+and more energy, so long continued to justify the presentiments of his
+early friends. It is not, however, the object of this undertaking to form
+any estimate of the genius of Mr. West, or of the merits of his works;
+another opportunity, distinct from his memoirs, will be taken for that
+purpose; but only to resume the narrative of his progress, in his
+profession, by which it will appear that a series of circumstances no less
+curious than those which tended to make him an artist, facilitated his
+success, and placed him in that precise station in society, where, in this
+country, at the time, there was the only chance of profitable employment
+as an historical painter.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+Part II.
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen.--Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote of
+    a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--Mr. West's Marriage.
+
+Chap. II.
+
+    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The
+    Altar-piece of St. Stephen's Walbrook.--State of public Taste with
+    respect to the Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.
+
+Chap. III.
+
+    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen,--The
+    King employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater.--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+    The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.
+
+Chap. V.
+
+    The Opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius,--Of
+    Lachlan McLean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his Opinion.
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of
+    the American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.
+
+Chap. IX.
+
+    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.
+
+Chap. X.
+
+    Discourse to the Academy in 1797--- On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks
+    in Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Draiwing.--Of
+    Light and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.
+    --Illustration.--Of the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine
+    Pictures.--Of Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from
+    Sketching.--and of the Advantage of being familiar with the
+    Characteristics of Objects in Nature.
+
+Chap. XI.
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.
+
+Chap. XII.
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.
+
+Chap. XIII.
+
+    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin of
+    the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.
+
+Chap. XIV.
+
+    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Intrigues respecting
+    the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.
+
+Appendix.
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Works of Benjamin West
+
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+
+
+    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen,--- Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote
+    of a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--- Mr West's Marriage.
+
+Mr. West arrived in England on the 20th of August, 1763. The sentiments
+with which he approached the shores of this island, were those of a
+stranger visiting interesting scenes, mingled with something of the
+solicitude and affections of a traveller returning home. He had no
+intention of remaining in London: he was only desirous to see the country
+of his ancestors, and his mind, in consequence, was more disengaged from
+professional feelings than at any period from that in which his genius
+was first awakened. He considered his visit to England as devoted to
+social leisure, the best kind of repose after mental exertion; but the
+good fortune which had hitherto attended him in so remarkable a manner,
+still followed him, and frustrated the intentions with which he was at
+that time actuated.
+
+Those who have at all attended to what was then the state of the arts in
+this country, and more particularly to the relative condition of artists
+in society, and who can compare them with the state of both at the present
+period, will not hesitate to regard the arrival of Mr. West as an
+important event. In the sequel of this work, it may be necessary to allude
+to the moral and political causes which affect the progress of the fine
+arts, and opportunities will, in consequence, arise to show how meanly
+they were considered, how justly, indeed, it may be said, they were
+rejected, not only by the British public in general, but even by the
+nobility. A few eminent literary characters were sensible of their
+importance, and lamented the neglect to which they were consigned; but the
+great body of the intelligent part of the nation neither felt their
+influence, nor were aware of their importance to the commerce and renown
+of the kingdom. Artists stood, if possible, lower in the scale of society
+than actors; for Garrick had redeemed the profession of the latter from
+the degradation to which it had been consigned from the time of the
+Commonwealth; but Reynolds, although in high repute as a portrait-painter,
+and affecting a gentlemanly liberality in the style of his living, was not
+so eminently before the public eye as to induce any change of the same
+consequence towards his profession.
+
+Mr. West found, on his arrival in London, several American families who
+had come across the Atlantic after the peace to visit their relations,
+and he had the unexpected pleasure of hearing that Mr. William Allen,
+Governor Hamilton, and Dr. Smith, his earliest friends and patrons, were
+in this country.
+
+Mr. Allen, like many others in the colonies at that time, was both a
+professional man and a merchant. He held indeed the dignified office of
+chief justice in Pennsylvania, and was a person of powerful and extensive
+connections in the mother-country. Hamilton, who had been many years
+governor, was chiefly indebted to him for the rank which he enjoyed, in
+consequence of having married his sister.
+
+The naval and military officers who had occasion, during the war, to visit
+Philadelphia, found in the houses of the governor and Mr. Allen a cordial
+hospitality which they never forgot. Many of these officers were related
+to persons of distinction in London, and being anxious to testify to the
+Americans their grateful sense of the kindness which they had experienced,
+rendered the strangers objects of hospitable solicitude and marked respect
+in the first circles of the metropolis. Mr. West, accordingly, on his
+arrival, participated in the advantages of their favourable reception,
+and before he was known as an artist, frequented the parties of several of
+the highest characters in the state.
+
+His first excursion from London was to Hampton Court to see the Cartoons
+of Raphael. Soon after, he visited Oxford, Blenheim, and Corsham; whence
+he proceeded to Bath, where Mr. Allen was at that time residing. Here he
+remained about a month; and in returning to town made a short tour, in the
+course of which he inspected the collections of art at Storehead,
+Fonthill, Wilton House, the Cathedral of Salisbury, and the Earl of
+Radnor's seat at Longford. At Reading he staid some time with his
+half-brother, Mr. Thomas West, the eldest son of his father. When he
+returned to London he was introduced by Mr. Patoune, his travelling
+companion from Rome, to Reynolds, and a friendship commenced between them
+which was only broken by death. He also, much about the same time, formed
+an acquaintance with Mr. Richard Wilson, the landscape painter, to whom
+indeed he had brought very warm letters of introduction, from some of
+that great artist's friends and admirers in Italy.
+
+The first lodgings which Mr. West occupied, in his professional capacity,
+were in Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, where, when it was understood that
+he intended to practise, he was visited by all the artists of eminence
+then in London, and welcomed among them with a cordiality that reflected
+great honour on the generosity of their dispositions. In this house the
+first picture which he painted in England was executed. The subject was
+Angelica and Medora, which, with the Cymon and Iphiginia, painted at
+Rome, and a portrait of General Moncton, (who acquired so much celebrity
+by his heroic conduct as second in command under General Wolfe at
+Quebec,) by the advice of Reynolds and Wilson, he sent to the exhibition
+in Spring Gardens in 1764.
+
+While he was engaged on the picture of Angelica and Medora, Dr. Markham,
+then Master of Westminster-School, paid him a visit and invited him to a
+dinner, at which he introduced him to Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke; Mr.
+Chracheroide, and Mr. Dyer. On being introduced to Burke he was so much
+surprised by the resemblance which that gentleman bore to the chief of the
+Benedictine monks at Parma, that when he spoke he could scarcely persuade
+himself he was not the same person. This resemblance was not accidental;
+the Protestant orator was, indeed, the brother of the monk.
+
+It always appeared to Mr. West that there was about Mr. Burke a degree of
+mystery, connected with his early life, which their long intercourse,
+subsequent to the introduction at Dr. Markham's, never tended to explain.
+He never spoke of any companions of his boyhood, nor seemed to have any of
+those pleasing recollections of the heedless and harmless days of youth,
+which afford to most men of genius some of the finest lights and breaks of
+their fancy; and his writings corroborate the observation. For, although
+no prose writer ever wrote more like a poet than this celebrated man, his
+imagery is principally drawn from general nature or from art, and but
+rarely from any thing local or particular.
+
+The conversation after dinner chiefly turned, on American subjects, in
+which Mr. Burke, as may well be supposed, took a distinguished part, and
+not more delighted the Artist with the rich variety and affluence of his
+mind, than surprised him by the correct circumstantiality of his
+descriptions; so much so, that he was never able to divest himself of an
+impression received on this occasion, that Mr. Burke had actually been in
+America, and visited the scenes, and been familiar with many of the places
+which he so minutely seemed to recollect. Upon a circumstance so singular,
+and so much at variance with all that has hitherto been said respecting
+the early history of this eminent person, it is needless to dilate. The
+wonder which it may excite I have no means of allaying; but I should not
+omit to mention here, when Mr. Burke was informed that Mr. West was a
+Quaker, that he observed, he had always regarded it among the most
+fortunate circumstances of his life, that his first preceptor was a
+member of the Society of Friends.
+
+Dr. Markham in 1765 introduced Mr. West to Dr. Newton, Bishop of Bristol,
+Dr. Johnson, Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. Drummond, Archbishop of York.
+Dr. Newton engaged him to paint the Parting of Hector and Andromache, and
+afterwards sat to him for his portrait, in the back ground of which a
+sketch of this picture was introduced: and for the Bishop of Worcester he
+painted the Return of the Prodigal Son. The encouragement which he thus
+received from these eminent divines was highly creditable to their taste
+and liberality, and is in honourable contrast to the negligence with which
+all that concerned the fine arts were treated by the nobility and opulent
+gentry. It is, however, necessary to mention one illustrious exception.
+Lord Rockingham offered Mr. West a regular, permanent engagement of £700
+per annum to paint historical subjects for his mansion in Yorkshire: but
+the Artist on consulting his friends found them unanimously of opinion,
+that although the prospect of encouragement which had opened to him ought
+to make him resolve to remain in England, he should not confine himself to
+the service of one patron, but trust to the public. The result of this
+conversation was a communication to Dr. Smith and Mr. Allen, of the
+attachment he had formed for the lady whom he afterwards married, and that
+it was his intention to return to America in order to be united to her. In
+consequence of this, an arrangement took place, by which the father of Mr.
+West came over to this country with the bride, and the marriage was
+solemnised on the 2d of September, 1765, in the church of St. Martin in
+the Fields.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. II.
+
+
+
+    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The Altarpiece
+    of St. Stephens, Walbrook.--State of public Taste with respect to the
+    Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.
+
+In Archbishop Drummond Mr. West found one of the most active and efficient
+patrons that he had yet met with. This eminent prelate was esteemed, by
+all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance, for a peculiar dignity
+of mind, and a liberality of sentiment that reflected lustre on his
+exalted rank. He had in his youth travelled on the Continent, and
+possessing an innate sensibility to the moral influence of the fine arts,
+had improved his natural taste by a careful inspection of every celebrated
+work to which he could obtain access. He lamented that in this great,
+flourishing, and triumphant nation, no just notion of the value of the
+fine arts was entertained; and on all occasions, when a suitable
+opportunity presented itself, he never failed to state this opinion, and
+to endeavour to impress it on others. He frequently invited Mr. West to
+his table; and the Artist remarked that he seemed to turn the conversation
+on the celebrity which the patronage of the arts had in all ages reflected
+on the most illustrious persons and families, addressing himself with
+particular emphasis to his sons. In the course of one of these
+conversations, he engaged Mr. West to paint for him the story of Agrippina
+landing with the ashes of Germanicus, and sent one of the young gentlemen
+to the library for the volume in which Tacitus describes the
+circumstances. Having read the passage, he commented on it at some length,
+in order to convey to Mr. West an idea of the manner in which he was
+desirous the subject should be treated.
+
+The painter, on returning home, felt his imagination so much excited by
+the historian's description, and the remarks of the Archbishop, that he
+immediately began to compose a sketch for the picture, and finished it
+before going to bed. Next morning he carried it to His Grace, who, equally
+surprised and delighted to find his own conception so soon embodied in a
+visible form, requested the Artist to proceed without delay in the
+execution of the picture.
+
+In the interim, the Archbishop endeavoured, by all the means in his power,
+to procure encouragement for Mr. West to devote himself exclusively to
+historical composition; and with this view he set on foot a scheme to
+raise three thousand guineas to constitute a fund, which would be a
+sufficient inducement for the Artist, in the first instance, to forego, at
+least for a time, the drudgery of portrait painting. But the attempt
+failed: so little was the public disposed to patronise historical subjects
+from the pencil of a living artist, that after fifteen hundred pounds were
+subscribed, it was agreed to relinquish the undertaking. As this fact is
+important to the history of the progress of the arts in this country, I
+present my readers with a copy of the subscription-paper, with the names
+and amount of the sums attached to them, by the respective subscribers,
+
+In 1766 Mr. West made a proposal to his friend Bishop Newton, who was then
+Dean of St. Paul's, to present a gratuitous offering to the Cathedral, by
+painting a religious subject to fill one of the large spaces which the
+architect of the building had allotted for the reception of pictures; and
+speaking on the design one day after dinner at the Bishop's when Reynolds
+was present, he said that the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai would make
+an appropriate subject. Reynolds was delighted with the idea of decorating
+St. Paul's by the voluntary offerings of artists, and offered to paint a
+Nativity as his contribution. A formal proposal was in consequence made to
+the Dean and Chapter, who embraced it with much satisfaction. But Dr.
+Terrick, the Bishop, felt some degree of jealousy at the design being
+adopted, without consulting him, and set himself so decidedly against it
+that it was necessarily abandoned. Dr. Newtorn had, in his capacity of
+Dean, obtained (without reflecting that Terrick had a veto over all) the
+consent of the other curators of the Cathedral, namely, of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the King. "But," exclaimed Dr. Terrick,
+with the energy of an ancient martyr, "I have heard of the proposition,
+and as I am head of the Cathedral of the metropolis, I will not suffer the
+doors to be opened to introduce popery." It is to be hoped that the
+declaration proceeded from the fear implied, and not because Dr. Newton
+omitted to ask his consent before applying to the King and the Archbishop.
+
+Mr. West was, however, too deeply impressed with the advantage which would
+accrue to the arts by inducing the guardians of the Church to allow the
+introduction of pictures, to be discouraged by the illiberality of the
+Bishop of London. He therefore made a proposal to paint an Altar-piece for
+the beautiful church of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and it was accepted. In
+the same year his friend, Mr. Wilcox, gave him a commission to execute
+another sacred subject, which he presented to the Cathedral of Rochester,
+and it is placed over the communion-table. In these biographical sketches
+it cannot be expected that a history of all Mr. West's numerous works
+should be related. It is the history of the Artist, not of his works, that
+is here written; and, therefore, except where the incidents connected with
+them are illustrative of the state of public feeling towards the arts, it
+is unnecessary to be more particular. I have, however, prepared a complete
+catalogue of his designs, with such remarks concerning them as must
+satisfy any want that may be felt by this systematic omission in the
+narrative. I should, however, mention that, in this stage of his career,
+the two of his earliest pictures, which attracted the greatest share of
+public attention, were _the Orestes and Pylades_, and _the Continence of
+Scipio_. He had undertaken them on speculation, and the applause which
+they obtained, when finished, were an assurance of his success and reward.
+His house was daily thronged with the opulent and the curious to see them;
+statesmen sent for them to their offices; princes to their bedchambers,
+and all loudly expressed their approbation, but not one ever enquired the
+price; and his imagination, which had been elevated in Italy to emulate
+the conceptions of those celebrated men who have given a second existence
+to the great events of religion, history, and poetry, was allowed in
+England to languish over the unmeaning faces of portrait-customers. It
+seemed to be thought that the genius of the Artist could in no other way
+be encouraged, than by his friends sitting for their own likenesses, and
+paying liberally for them. The moral influence of the art was unfelt and
+unknown; nor can a more impressive instance of this historical truth be
+adduced, than the following anecdote of Hogarth, which Garrick himself
+related to Mr. West.
+
+When that artist had published the plates of the Election, he wished to
+dispose of the paintings, and proposed to do so by a raffle of two hundred
+chances, at two guineas the stake; to be determined on an appointed day.
+Among a small number of subscribers, not half what Hogarth expected,
+Garrick had put down his name; and when the day arrived he went to the
+artist's house to throw for his chance. After waiting a considerable time
+no other person appeared, and Hogarth felt this neglect not only as
+derogatory to his profession, but implying that the subscription had
+something in it of a mendicant character. Vexed by such a mortifying
+result of a plan which he had sanguinely hoped would prove, at least, a
+morning's amusement to the fashionable subscribers, he insisted that, as
+they had not attended, nor even sent any request to him to throw for them,
+that Garrick should go through the formality of throwing the dice; but
+only for himself. The actor for some time opposed the irritated artist;
+but at last consented. Instead, however, of allowing Hogarth to send them
+home, he begged that they might be carefully packed up, until his servant
+should call for them; and on returning to his house, he dispatched a note
+to the painter, stating that he could not persuade himself to remove works
+so valuable and admired, without acquitting his conscience of an
+obligation due to the author and to his own good fortune in obtaining
+them. And knowing the humour of the person he addressed, and that if he
+had sent a cheque for the money it would in all probability be returned,
+he informed him that he had transferred two hundred guineas at his
+bankers, which would remain at the disposal of Hogarth or his heirs,
+whether it was or was not then accepted. The charge of habitual parsimony
+against Garrick was not well founded; and this incident shows that he knew
+when to be properly munificent. In the acquisition and management of his
+affluent fortune, it would have been more correct to have praised him for
+a judicious system of economy, than to have censured him for meanness. It
+ought to have been considered, that he was professionally required to deal
+with a class of persons not famed for prudence in pecuniary concerns, and
+to whom the methodical disbursements of most private gentlemen would
+probably have appeared penurious.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. III.
+
+
+
+    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen.--The King
+    employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater,--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.
+
+The coldness with which Archbishop Drummond's scheme for raising three
+thousand guineas had been received by the persons to whom he had applied,
+and the prejudice which he found almost universally entertained against
+the efforts of living genius, chagrined him exceedingly. He regarded the
+failure as a stigma on the age, and on his country; and, as a public man,
+he thought it affected himself personally. With this feeling, he declared
+to the gentlemen who had exerted themselves in the business, that he saw
+no way of engrafting a taste for the fine arts on the British public,
+unless the King could be so far engaged in the attempt, as to make it
+fashionable to employ living artists, according to the bent of their
+respective talents. But, about this period, the affair of Wilkes agitated
+the nation; and the Duke of Portland and Lord Rockingham, who were among
+the most strenuous of Mr. West's friends, being both of the Whig party,
+undervalued the importance attached to His Majesty's influence and
+countenance. The Archbishop was not, however, discouraged by their
+political prejudices; on the contrary, he thought that His Majesty was one
+of those characters who require to be personally interested in what it is
+desired they should undertake; and he resolved to make the attempt. The
+address with which His Grace managed the business, evinced great knowledge
+of human nature, and affords a pleasing view of the ingenuousness of the
+King's disposition.
+
+When the picture of Agrippina was finished, the Archbishop invited the
+most distinguished artists and amateurs to give him their opinion of the
+work; and satisfied by the approbation which they all expressed, he went
+to court, and took an opportunity of speaking on the subject to the King,
+informing His Majesty, at the same time, of all the circumstances
+connected with the history of the composition; and on what principle he
+had always turned his conversations with Mr. West to excite an interest
+for the promotion of the arts in the minds of his family. The dexterity
+with which he recapitulated these details produced the desired effect. The
+curiosity of the King was roused, and he told the Archbishop that he would
+certainly send for the Artist and the picture.
+
+This conversation probably lasted longer than the usual little
+reciprocities of the drawing-room; for it occasioned a very amusing
+instance of female officiousness. A lady of distinguished rank, having
+overheard what passed, could not resist the delightful temptation of being
+the first to communicate to Mr. West the intelligence of the honour that
+awaited him. On quitting the palace, instead of returning home, she went
+directly to his house, and, without disclosing her name, informed him of
+the whole particulars of the conversation which had passed between the
+Archbishop and the King. In the evening, Barnard, who had been an
+attendant on the King from the cradle, and who was not more attached to
+His Majesty, than he was himself in return affectionately beloved, came to
+Mr. West, and requested him to be in attendance next morning at the
+Queen's house, with the picture of Agrippina. In delivering the message,
+this faithful servant was prompted by his own feelings to give the Artist
+some idea of His Majesty's real character, which at that time was very
+much misrepresented to the public; and Mr. West during the long term of
+forty years of free and confidential intercourse with the King, found the
+account of Barnard to be in every essential and particular point correct.
+
+The King was described to him as a young man of great simplicity and
+candour of disposition, sedate in his affections, and deeply impressed
+with the sanctity of principle; scrupulous in forming private friendships;
+but, when he had taken any attachment, not easily swayed from it, without
+being convinced of the necessity and propriety of so doing.
+
+At the time appointed, Mr. West was in attendance with the picture; and
+His Majesty came into the room where he was waiting. After looking at it
+some time with much apparent satisfaction, he enquired if it was in a
+proper light; and, on being told that the situation was certainly not the
+most advantageous, he conducted the Artist through several apartments
+himself, till a more satisfactory place was found. He then called several
+of the domestics into the room, and, indeed, assisted them himself to
+remove the picture. When the servants had retired, and he had satisfied
+himself with looking at it, he went out of the apartment and brought in
+the Queen, to whom he introduced the Artist with so much warmth, that Mr.
+West felt it at the moment as something that might be described as
+friendliness.
+
+The Queen, though at this period very young, possessed a natural
+graciousness of manner, which her good sense and the consciousness of her
+dignity rendered peculiarly pleasing; so that our Artist was not only
+highly gratified by the unexpected honour of this distinguished
+introduction, but delighted with the affability and sweetness of her
+disposition.
+
+When Their Majesties had examined the picture, the King observed that he
+understood the same subject had seldom been properly treated. Mr. West
+answered, that it was, indeed, surprising it should have been neglected by
+Poussin, who was so well qualified to have done it justice, and to whose
+genius it was in so many respects so well adapted. His Majesty then told
+the Queen the history of the picture before them, dwelling with some
+expressions of admiration on the circumstance of the sketch having been
+made in the course of one evening after the artist had taken coffee with
+the Archbishop of York, and shown to His Grace the next morning. Turning
+briskly round to Mr. West, he said, "There is another noble Roman subject
+which corresponds to this one, and I believe it also has never been well
+painted; I mean the final departure of Regulus from Rome. Don't you think
+it would make a fine picture?" The Artist replied, that it was undoubtedly
+a magnificent subject. "Then," said His Majesty, "you shall paint it for
+me;" and, ringing the bell in the same moment, ordered the attendant who
+answered to bring the volume of Livy in which the event is related,
+observing to the Queen, in a sprightly manner, that the Archbishop had
+made one of his sons read to Mr. West; but "I will read to him myself the
+subject of my picture;" which, on the return of the servant with the book,
+he did accordingly. And the Artist was commanded to come with the sketch
+as soon as possible.
+
+The Archbishop was highly delighted at the successful result of his
+scheme, and augured from the event the happiest influence to the progress
+of the arts; nor has his patriotic anticipations been unrewarded; for,
+without question, so great and so eminent a taste for the fine arts as
+that which has been diffused throughout the nation, during the reign of
+George the Third, was never before produced in the life-time of one
+monarch, in any age or country.
+
+But in relating the different incidents which contributed to bring Mr.
+West into favourable notice, there is one of a peculiar nature, which
+should not be omitted. During winter, at Philadelphia, skating was one of
+the favourite amusements of the youth of that city, and many of them
+excelled in that elegant exercise. Mr. West, when a boy, had, along with
+his companions, acquired considerable facility in the art; and having
+become exceedingly fond of it, made himself, as he grew up to manhood, one
+of the most accomplished skaters in America. Some of the officers at that
+time quartered there, also practised the amusement; and, among others,
+Colonel Howe, who afterwards succeeded to the title of his elder brother,
+and who, under the name of General Howe, is so well known in the
+disastrous transactions of the subsequent civil war, which ended in
+establishing the independence of the United States. In the course of the
+winter preceding Mr. West's departure for Italy, they had become
+acquainted on the ice.
+
+In Italy Mr. West had no opportunity of skating; but when he reached
+Lombardy, where he saw so much beautiful frozen water, he regretted that
+he had not brought his skates with him from America. The winter, however,
+which succeeded his arrival in England, proved unusually severe; and one
+morning, when he happened to take a walk in St. James's park, he was
+surprised to see a great concourse of the populace assembled on the canal.
+He stopped to look at them, and seeing a person who lent skates on hire,
+he made choice of a pair, and went on the ice. A gentleman who had
+observed his movements, came up to him as he retired to unbuckle the
+skates, and said, "I perceive, Sir, you are a stranger, and do not perhaps
+know that there are much better places than this for the exercise of
+skating. The Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, is far superior, and the
+basin in Kensington Gardens still more preferable. Here, only the populace
+assemble; on the Serpentine, the company, although better, is also
+promiscuous; but the persons who frequent the basin in the Gardens are
+generally of the rank of gentlemen, and you will be less annoyed among
+them than at either of the other two places."
+
+In consequence of this information, on the day following, Mr. West
+resolved to visit the Gardens; and, in going along Piccadilly with that
+intention, bought a pair of skates, which, on reaching the margin of the
+ice, he put on, After a few trial-movements on the skirts of the basin,
+like a musician tuning his violin before attempting a regular piece of
+composition, he dashed off into the middle of the company, and performed
+several rounds in the same style which he had often practised in America.
+While engaged in this manner, a gentleman called to him by name; and, on
+stopping, he found it was his old acquaintance Colonel Howe.
+
+The Colonel immediately came up, and exclaimed, "Mr. West, I am truly glad
+to see you in this country, and at this time. I have not heard of you
+since we parted on the wharf at Philadelphia, when you sailed for Italy;
+but I have often since had occasion to recollect you. I am, therefore,
+particularly glad to see you here, and on the ice; for you must know that,
+in speaking of the American skaters, it has been alleged, that I have
+learnt to draw the long bow among them; but you are come in a lucky moment
+to vindicate my veracity."
+
+He then called to him Lord Spencer Hamilton, and some of the Cavendishes,
+who were also on the ice, and introduced Mr. West to them as one of the
+American skaters, of whom they had heard him so often speak, and would not
+credit what he had said of their performance; and he requested Mr. West to
+show them what, in Philadelphia, was called the Salute. Mr. West had been
+so long out of practice, that he was at first diffident of attempting this
+difficult and graceful movement: but, after a few trials, and feeling
+confidence in himself, he at last performed it with complete success. Out
+of this trivial incident, an acquaintance arose between him and the young
+noblemen present. They spoke of his talents as a skater; and their praise,
+in all their usual haunts, had such an effect, that, in the course of a
+few days, prodigious crowds of the fashionable world, and of all
+descriptions of people, assembled to see the American skater. When it was
+afterwards known to the public that he was an artist, many of the
+spectators called at his rooms; and he, perhaps, received more
+encouragement as a portrait-painter on account of his accomplishment as a
+skater, than he could have hoped for by any ordinary means to obtain.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+
+
+    The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.
+
+The King, at the period when he was pleased to take Mr. West under his own
+particular patronage, possessed great conversational powers, and a
+considerable tincture of humour. He had read much, and his memory was
+singularly exact and tenacious: his education had, indeed, been conducted
+with great prudence, and, independent of a much larger stock of literary
+information than is commonly acquired by princes, he was fairly entitled
+to be regarded as an accomplished gentleman. For the fine arts he had not,
+perhaps, any natural taste; he had, however, been carefully instructed in
+the principles of architecture by Chambers, of delineation by Moser, and
+of perspective by Kirby; and he was fully aware of the lustre which the
+arts have, in all ages, reflected on the different countries in which the
+cultivation of them has been encouraged to perpetuate the memory of great
+events. His employment of Mr. West, although altogether in his private
+capacity, was therefore not wholly without a view to the public advantage,
+and it is the more deserving of applause, as it was rather the result of
+principle than of personal predilection.
+
+When Mr. West had made a sketch for the Regulus, and submitted it to His
+Majesty, after some conversation, as to the dimensions, the King fixed on
+an advantageous part of the walls in one of the principal apartments, and
+directed that the picture should be painted of a size sufficient to fill
+the whole space. During the time that the work was going on, the Artist
+was frequently invited to spend the evening at Buckingham-house, where he
+was often detained by the King as late as eleven o'clock, on topics
+connected with the best means of promoting the study of the fine arts in
+the kingdom. It was in these conversations that the plan of the Royal
+Academy was digested; but it is necessary to state more particularly the
+different circumstances which co-operated at this period to the formation
+of that valuable institution.
+
+At the annual exhibitions of the paintings and drawings, which obtained
+the premiums of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Agriculture,
+and Commerce, it was then customary with artists to send occasionally
+their works to be exhibited with those of the competitors, as a convenient
+method of making themselves known to the public. But the visitors hearing
+from the newspapers only of the pictures which had gained the prizes,
+concluded that they were the best in the exhibition; and the works of the
+matured artists were overlooked in the attention paid to the efforts of
+juvenile emulation. This neglect mortified the artists, and induced them
+to form themselves into an association for the exhibition of their own
+productions. The novelty of this plan attracted much attention, and
+answered the expectations of those with whom it originated. Such was the
+state of things with the artists when Mr. West came to England; and to the
+first exhibition, after his arrival, he sent, as I have already mentioned,
+three pictures. The approbation which these works obtained, induced the
+association to elect him one of the directors, and he held this situation
+till, the society beginning to grow rich by the receipts of the
+exhibitions, the management of its concerns became an object of ambition.
+This association was incorporated in 1765, under the designation of the
+Incorporated Artists.
+
+Chambers and Payne, who were leading members in the Society, being both
+architects, were equally desirous that the funds should be laid out in the
+decoration of some edifice adapted to the objects of the institution. This
+occasioned so much debate, division, and rivalry, among their respective
+partisans, that Mr. West was induced to resign the office of director, and
+to withdraw along with Mr. Reynolds (afterwards Sir Joshua) and others,
+disgusted with the bickering animosities which disgraced the proceedings
+at their meetings. This transaction made some noise at the time, and it
+happened on the very day when Mr. West waited on the King, with his sketch
+of the Departure of Regulus, that the newspapers contained some account of
+the matter. His Majesty enquired the cause and particulars of the schism,
+and Mr. West, in stating what they were, mentioned that the principles of
+his religion made him regard such proceedings as exceedingly derogatory to
+the professors of the arts of peace.
+
+This led the King to say that he would gladly patronise any association
+which might be formed more immediately calculated to improve the arts. Mr.
+West, after retiring from the palace, communicated this to Chambers and
+Moser, and, upon conferring on the subject with Mr. Coats, it was agreed
+that the four should constitute themselves a committee of the dissenting
+artists, to draw up the plan of an academy. When this was mentioned to His
+Majesty, he not only approved of their determination, but took a great
+personal interest in the scheme, and even drew up several of the laws
+himself with his own hand. Nor should one remarkable circumstance be
+omitted; he was particularly anxious that the whole design should be kept
+a profound secret, being apprehensive that it might be converted into some
+vehicle of political influence.
+
+In the mean time the picture of the Departure of Regulus was going
+forward, and it was finished about the time that the code of rules for the
+academy was completed. The incorporated artists were also busy, and had
+elected as their president Mr. Kirby, who had been preceptor in
+perspective to the King, and who had deservedly gained great celebrity by
+his treatise on the principles of that branch of art. Kirby, having free
+access to the royal presence, and never hearing from His Majesty any thing
+respecting the academy, was so satisfied in his own mind that the rumours,
+respecting such an institution being intended, were untrue, that, in his
+inaugural address from the chair, he assured the incorporated artists
+there was not the slightest intention entertained of establishing a Royal
+Academy of Art.
+
+When the Departure of Regulus was finished, the King appointed a time for
+Mr. West to bring the picture to Buckingham-house. The Artist having
+carried it there, His Majesty, after looking at it some time, went and
+brought in the Queen by the hand, and seated her in a chair, which Mr.
+West placed in the best situation for seeing the picture to advantage.
+While they were conversing on the subject, one of the pages announced Mr.
+Kirby; and the King consulted Her Majesty in German about the propriety of
+admitting him at that moment. Mr. West, by his residence among the German
+inhabitants of Lancaster in America, knew enough of the language to
+understand what they said, and the opinion of the Queen was that Kirby
+might certainly be admitted, but for His Majesty to take his own pleasure.
+The attendant was in consequence ordered to show him in, and Mr. West was
+the more pleased at this incident, as it afforded him an advantageous
+opportunity of becoming personally known to Kirby, with whom, on account
+of his excellent treatise, he had for some time been desirous to become
+acquainted.
+
+When Kirby looked at the picture he expressed himself with great warmth
+in its praise, enquiring by whom it had been painted; upon which the King
+introduced Mr. West to him. It would perhaps be doing injustice to say
+that the surprise with which he appeared to be affected on finding it the
+production of so young a man, had in it any mixture of sinister feeling;
+but it nevertheless betrayed him into a fatal indiscretion. As a preceptor
+to the King, he had been accustomed to take liberties which ought to have
+terminated with the duties of that office; he, however, inadvertently
+said, "Your Majesty never mentioned any thing of this work to me." The
+tone in which this was uttered evidently displeased the King, but the
+discretion of the unfortunate man was gone, and he enquired in a still
+more disagreeable manner, "Who made this frame?" Mr. West, anxious to turn
+the conversation, mentioned the maker's name; but this only served to
+precipitate Mr. Kirby into still greater imprudence, and he answered
+somewhat sharply, "That person is not Your Majesty's workman;" and naming
+the King's carver and gilder said, "It ought to have been made by him."
+The King appeared a good deal surprised at all this, but replied in an
+easy good-humoured way, "Kirby, whenever you are able to paint me a
+picture like this, your friend shall make the frame." The unhappy man,
+however, could not be restrained, and he turned round to Mr. West, and in
+a tone which greatly lessened the compliment the words would otherwise
+have conveyed, said, "I hope you intend to exhibit this picture." The
+Artist answered, that as it was painted for His Majesty, the exhibition
+must depend on his pleasure; but that, before retiring, it was his
+intention to ask permission for that purpose. The King immediately said,
+"Assuredly I shall be very happy to let the work be shown to the
+public."--"Then, Mr. West," added Kirby, "you will send it to my
+exhibition," (meaning to the exhibition of the Incorporated Artists).
+"No," interposed the King, firmly, "it must go to my exhibition,--to the
+Royal Academy." Poor Kirby was thunderstruck; but only two nights before,
+in the confidence of his intercourse with the King, he had declared that
+even the design of forming such an institution was not contemplated. His
+colour forsook him, and his countenance became yellow with mortification.
+He bowed with profound humility, and instantly retired, nor did he long
+survive the shock.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On the day following, a meeting of the artists who had separated
+themselves from the incorporated association, was to be holden in the
+evening at the house of Wilton the sculptor, in order to receive the code
+of laws, and to nominate the office-bearers of the Academy. In the course
+of the morning, Mr. Penny, who was intended to be appointed professor of
+painting, called on Mr. West and mentioned that he had been with Reynolds,
+and that he thought, for some unfathomable reason or another, that
+distinguished artist would not attend the meeting. Soon after, Moser
+likewise called, and stated the same thing. Mr. West was much perplexed at
+this information; for it had been arranged with the King that Reynolds,
+although not in the secret, nor at all consulted in the formation of the
+Academy, should be the president. He therefore went immediately to his
+house, and finding him disengaged, mentioned, without alluding to what he
+had heard, the arrangements formed for instituting an academy, and that a
+meeting of thirty artists named by the King, of the forty members of which
+it was intended the Academy should consist, was that evening to take place
+at Wilton's. Reynolds was much surprised to hear matters were so far
+advanced, and explained to Mr. West that Kirby had assured him in the most
+decided manner, that there was no truth whatever in the rumour of any such
+design being in agitation, and that he thought it would be derogatory to
+attend a meeting, constituted, as Kirby represented it, by persons who had
+no sanction or authority for doing what they had undertaken. To this Mr.
+West answered, "As you have been told by Mr. Kirby that there is no
+intention to form any institution of the kind, and by me that there is,
+that even the rules are framed, and the officers condescended on, yourself
+to be president, I must insist on your going with me to the meeting, where
+you will be satisfied which of us deserves to be credited in this
+business."
+
+In the evening, at the usual hour, Mr. West went to take tea with
+Reynolds, before going to the meeting, and it so fell out, either from
+design or accident, that it was not served till a full hour later than
+common, not indeed till the hour fixed for the artists to assemble at
+Wilton's, so that, by the time they arrived there, the meeting was on the
+point of breaking up, conceiving that as neither Reynolds nor West had
+come, something unexpected and extraordinary must have happened. But on
+their appearing, a burst of satisfaction manifested the anxiety that had
+been felt, and without any farther delay the company proceeded to carry
+into effect the wishes of the King. The code of laws was read, and the
+gentlemen recommended by the King to fill the different offices being
+declared the officers, the code of laws was accepted. Reynolds was
+declared president, Chambers treasurer, Newton secretary, Moser keeper,
+Penny professor of painting, Wale professor of perspective, and Dr.
+William Hunter professor of anatomy. A report of the proceedings was made
+to His Majesty next morning, who gave his sanction to the election, and
+the Academy was thus constituted. The academicians afterwards met and
+chose a council to assist the president, and visitors to superintend the
+schools in three branches of art, painting, sculpture, and architecture.
+Thus, on the 10th December, 1768, under the title of the Royal Academy of
+the Arts in London, that Institution, which has done more to excite a
+taste for the fine arts in this country, than any similar institution ever
+did in any other, was finally formed and established.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. V.
+
+
+
+    The opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.
+
+When the Academy was opened, the approbation which _the Regulus_ received
+at the exhibition gratified the King, and he resolved to give Mr. West
+still farther encouragement. Accordingly, he soon after sent for him, and
+mentioned that he wished him to paint another picture, and that the
+subject he had chosen was Hamilcar making his son Hannibal swear
+implacable enmity against the Romans. The painting being finished it was
+earned to Buckingham-house, and His Majesty, after looking at it with
+visible satisfaction, said, that he thought Mr. West could not do better
+than provide him with suitable subjects to fill the unoccupied pannels of
+the room in which the two pictures were then placed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+About this period, Mr. West had finished his Death of Wolfe, which excited
+a great sensation, both on account of its general merits as a work of art,
+and for representing the characters in the modern military costume. The
+King mentioned that he heard much of the picture, but he was informed that
+the dignity of the subject had been impaired by the latter circumstance;
+observing that it was thought very ridiculous to exhibit heroes in coats,
+breeches, and cock'd hats. The Artist replied, that he was quite aware of
+the objection, but that it was founded in prejudice, adding, with His
+Majesty's permission, he would relate an anecdote connected with that
+particular point.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"When it was understood that I intended to paint the characters as they had
+actually appeared in the scene, the Archbishop of York called on Reynolds
+and asked his opinion, the result of which was that they came together to
+my house. For His Grace was apprehensive that, by persevering in my
+intention, I might lose some portion of the reputation which he was
+pleased to think I had acquired by his picture of Agrippina, and Your
+Majesty's of Regulus; and he was anxious to avert the misfortune by his
+friendly interposition. He informed me of the object of their visit, and
+that Reynolds wished to dissuade me from running so great a risk. I could
+not but feel highly gratified by so much solicitude, and acknowledged
+myself ready to attend to whatever Reynolds had to say, and even to adopt
+his advice, if it appeared to me founded on any proper principles.
+Reynolds then began a very ingenious and elegant dissertation on the state
+of the public taste in this country, and the danger which every attempt at
+innovation necessarily incurred of repulse or ridicule; and he concluded
+with urging me earnestly to adopt the classic costume of antiquity, as
+much more becoming the inherent greatness of my subject than the modern
+garb of war. I listened to him with the utmost attention in my power to
+give, but could perceive no principle in what he had delivered; only a
+strain of persuasion to induce me to comply with an existing prejudice,--a
+prejudice which I thought could not be too soon removed. When he had
+finished his discourse, I begged him to hear what I had to state in reply,
+and I began by remarking that the event intended to be commemorated took
+place on the 13th of September, 1758, in a region of the world unknown to
+the Greeks and Romans, and at a period of time when no such nations, nor
+heroes in their costume, any longer existed. The subject I have to
+represent is the conquest of a great province of America by the British
+troops. It is a topic that history will proudly record, and the same truth
+that guides the pen of the historian should govern the pencil of the
+artist. I consider myself as undertaking to tell this great event to the
+eye of the world; but if, instead of the facts of the transaction, I
+represent classical fictions, how shall I be understood by posterity! The
+only reason for adopting the Greek and Roman dresses, is the picturesque
+forms of which their drapery is susceptible; but is this an advantage for
+which all the truth and propriety of the subject should be sacrificed? I
+want to mark the date, the place, and the parties engaged in the event;
+and if I am not able to dispose of the circumstances in a picturesque
+manner, no academical distribution of Greek or Roman costume will enable
+me to do justice to the subject. However, without insisting upon
+principles to which I intend to adhere, I feel myself so profoundly
+impressed with the friendship of this interference, that when the picture
+is finished, if you do not approve of it, I will consign it to the closet,
+whatever may be my own opinion of the execution. They soon after took
+their leave, and in due time I called on the Archbishop, and fixed a day
+with him to come with Reynolds to see the painting. They came accordingly,
+and the latter without speaking, after his first cursory glance, seated
+himself before the picture, and examined it with deep and minute attention
+for about half an hour. He then rose, and said to His Grace, Mr. West has
+conquered. He has treated his subject as it ought to be treated. I retract
+my objections against the introduction of any other circumstances into
+historical pictures than those which are requisite and appropriate; and I
+foresee that this picture will not only become one of the most popular,
+but occasion a revolution in the art."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On Mr. West pausing, the King said, "I wish that I had known all this
+before, for the objection has been the means of Lord Grosvenor getting the
+picture; but you shall make a copy for me." His Majesty then entered into
+some further conversation respecting subjects for paintings to adorn the
+apartment; and Mr. West suggested that the Death of Epaminondas would, as
+a classic subject, and with Grecian circumstances, make a suitable
+contrast with the Death of Wolfe. The King received this idea with
+avidity; and the conversation being pursued further on the same topic, the
+Artist also proposed the Death of the Chevalier Bayard for another
+picture, which would serve to illustrate the heroism and peculiarities of
+the middle ages. Two pannels were still unprovided; and Mr. West, with
+submission to His Majesty, begged that he might be allowed to take the
+incident of Cyrus liberating the Family of the King of Armenia for the
+one, and of Segestus, and his daughter, brought before Germanicus, for
+the other. The King was much pleased with the latter idea; a notion being
+entertained by some antiquaries that the Hanoverian family are the
+descendants of the daughter.
+
+During the time that our Artist was engaged in these works, he was
+frequently at the palace with the King; and His Majesty always turned the
+conversation on the means of promoting the fine arts, and upon the
+principles which should govern artists in the cultivation of their genius.
+In one of these conversations, Mr. West happened to remark, that he had
+been much disgusted in Italy at seeing the base use to which the talents
+of the painters in that country had been too often employed; many of their
+noblest efforts being devoted to illustrate monkish legends, in which no
+one took any interest, while the great events in the history of their
+country were but seldom touched. This led to some further reflections; and
+the King, recollecting that Windsor-Castle had, in its present form,
+been erected by Edward the Third, said, that he thought the achievements
+of his splendid reign were well calculated for pictures, and would prove
+very suitable ornaments to the halls and chambers of that venerable
+edifice. To this incident, the arts are indebted for the series of
+pictures which bring the victories of Cressy and Poictiers, with the other
+triumphal incidents of that time, again, as it were, into form and being,
+with a veracity of historical fact and circumstance which render the
+masquerades by Vario even a greater disgrace to St. George's Hall than
+they are to the taste of the age in which they were painted.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In the execution of these different historical subjects, the King took a
+great personal interests, and one piece became the cause of another, until
+he actually acquired a feeling like enthusiasm for the arts. When he had
+resolved to adorn Windsor-Castle with the achievements and great events of
+the reign of Edward the Third, he began to think that the tolerant temper
+of the age was favourable to the introduction of pictures into the
+churches: at the same time, his scrupulous respect for what was
+understood to be the usage, if not the law, relative to the case,
+prevented him for some time from taking any decisive step. In the course
+of different conversations with Mr. West, on this subject, he formed the
+design of erecting a magnificent oratory, or private chapel, in the Horns'
+Court of Windsor-Castle, for the purpose of displaying a pictorial
+illustration of the history of revealed religion. But, before engaging in
+this superb project, he thought it necessary to consult some eminent
+members of the Church, who enjoyed his confidence, as to the propriety of
+the design. Accordingly, he desired Mr. West to draw up a list of subjects
+from the Bible, susceptible of pictorial representation, which Christians,
+of all denominations, might contemplate without offence to their tenets;
+and he invited Dr. Hurd, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, Dr. Douglas,
+Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Windsor, and several other dignitaries,
+along with the Artist, to consider the business. He explained to the
+meeting his scruples, declaring that he did not, in a matter of this kind,
+owing to his high station in the state, feel himself a free agent; that he
+was certainly desirous of seeing the churches adorned with the endeavours
+of art, and would deem it the greatest glory of his reign to be
+distinguished, above all others in the annals of the kingdom, for the
+progress and successful cultivation of the arts of peace. "But, when I
+reflect," said His Majesty, "how the ornaments of art in the churches were
+condemned at the Reformation, and still more recently in the unhappy times
+of Charles the First, I am anxious to govern my own wishes not only by
+what is right, but by what is prudent, in this matter. If it is conceived
+that I am tacitly bound, as Head of the Church of England, to prevent any
+such ornaments from being introduced into places of worship; or if it be
+considered as at all savouring in any degree of a popish practice, however
+decidedly I may myself think it innocent, I will proceed no farther in the
+business. But, if the church may be adorned with pictures, illustrative of
+great events in the history of religion, as the Bible itself often is with
+engravings, I will gladly proceed with the execution of this design."
+Little else passed at this interview; but he requested the churchmen to
+examine the matter thoroughly; and appointed a particular day for them to
+report to him the result of their investigation: presenting to them, at
+the same time, a paper, containing a list of thirty-five subjects which he
+had formed with the Artist, for the decorations of the intended chapel.
+
+On the day appointed, Mr. West again met those eminent members of the
+hierarchy in the royal presence: when Dr. Hurd reported to His Majesty,
+that they had very seriously considered the important business which had
+been confided to them; that, having bestowed on it their gravest
+attention, they were unanimously of opinion, that the introduction of
+paintings into the chapel, which His Majesty intended to erect, would, in
+no respect whatever, violate the laws or usages of the Church of England;
+and that, having examined the list of subjects, which he proposed should
+constitute the decorations, there was not one of them, but, which properly
+treated, even a Quaker might contemplate with edification. This
+inadvertent observation attracted the King's attention; and he said, that
+the Quakers were a body of Christians for whom he entertained the very
+highest respect, and that he thought, but for the obligations of his
+birth, he should himself have been a Quaker; and he particularly enlarged
+on their peaceful demeanour and benevolence towards one another.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The result of this conference was, that Mr. West immediately received
+instructions to make designs from the list of subjects; and afterwards
+with the King himself, he assisted to form an architectural plan of the
+chapel, which it was proposed should be ninety feet in length by fifty in
+breadth. When some progress had been made in the paintings, Mr. Wyat, who
+had succeeded Sir William Chambers as the royal architect, received orders
+to carry this plan into execution; and the grand flight of steps in the
+great staircase, executed by that architect, was designed to lead
+immediately to a door which should open into the royal closet, in the new
+chapel of REVEALED RELIGION.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+
+
+    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius.--Of
+    Lachlan M'Lean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his opinion.
+
+By the eminent station which Mr. West has so long held among the artists,
+and admirers of the fine arts, in this country, he became personally
+acquainted with almost every literary man of celebrity; and being for many
+years a general visitor at the literary club, immortalised as the haunt of
+Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Goldsmith, and Reynolds, he acquired, without
+particularly attending to the literature of the day, an extensive
+acquaintance with the principal topics which, from time to time, engaged
+the attention of men of letters. An incident, however, of a curious
+nature, has brought him to be a party, in some degree, with the singular
+question respecting the mysterious author of the celebrated letters of
+Junius. On the morning that the first of these famous invectives appeared,
+his friend Governor Hamilton happened to call, and enquiring the news, Mr.
+West informed him of that bold and daring epistle: ringing for his servant
+at the same time, he desired the newspaper to be brought in. Hamilton read
+it over with great attention, and when he had done, laid it on his knees,
+in a manner that particularly attracted the notice of the painter, who was
+standing at his easel. "This letter," said Hamilton, in a tone of vehement
+feeling, "is by that damned scoundrel M'Lean."--"What M'Lean?" enquired
+Mr. West.--"The surgeon of Otway's regiment: the fellow who attacked me so
+virulently in the Philadelphian newspaper, on account of the part I felt
+it my duty to take, against one of the officers, a captain, for a
+scandalous breach of the privileges of hospitality, in seducing the wife
+of a very respectable man. This letter is by him. I know these very words:
+I may well remember them," and he read over several phrases and sentences
+which M'Lean had employed against him. Mr. West then informed the
+Governor, that M'Lean was in this country, and that he was personally
+acquainted with him. "He came over," said Mr. West, "with Colonel Barry,
+by whom he was introduced to Lord Shelburn, (afterwards Marquis of
+Lansdowne,) and is at present private secretary to His Lordship."
+
+Throughout the progress of the controversy with Junius, Hamilton remained
+firm in his opinion, that the author was no other than the same Lachlan
+M'Lean, but at the literary club the general opinion ascribed the letters
+for some time to Samuel Dyer. The sequel of this anecdote is curious.
+M'Lean, owing to a great impediment in his utterance, never made any
+figure in conversation; and passed with most people as a person of no
+particular attainments. But when Lord Shelburn came into office, he was
+appointed Under Secretary of State, and subsequently nominated to a
+Governorship in India: a rapidity of promotion to a man without family or
+parliamentary interest, that can only be explained by a profound
+conviction, on the part of his patron, of his superior talents, and
+perhaps, also, from a strong sense of some peculiar obligation. M'Lean
+sailed for India in the Aurora frigate, and was lost, in the wreck of
+that ship, on the coast of Africa. That the letters of Junius were not
+ascribed to him by any party is not surprising, for his literary talents
+were unknown to the public; but the general opinion of all men at the
+time was that they were the production of some person in connection with
+Lord Shelburn.
+
+Upon this subject, I hold no particular opinion of my own; nor, indeed,
+should I have perhaps noticed the circumstance at all, but for a recent
+most ingenious publication which has ascribed these celebrated letters to
+the late Sir Philip Francis. One thing, however, merits attention in this
+curious controversy. In the Monthly Magazine for July, 1813, there is an
+interesting account of a conversation between Sir Richard Phillips and the
+Marquis of Lansdowne on this subject; in which His Lordship speaks of the
+obligation to secrecy imposed on himself in the question as having been
+removed by death; an incidental expression that at once intimated a
+knowledge of the author, and that he was dead at the time when this
+conversation took place. The importance of the matter, as an object of
+literary curiosity, will excuse the introduction, in an abbreviated form,
+of what passed at that interview, as well as of some minor circumstances
+connected with the question.
+
+During the printing of Almon's edition of Junius, in which he endeavoured
+to show that the letters were written by a Mr. Walter Boyd, Sir Richard
+Phillips, the publisher of that work, sought opinions among the characters
+then surviving, whose names had been mixed with the writings of Junius;
+and he addressed himself particularly to the Duke of Grafton, the Marquis
+of Lansdowne, Mr. Horne Tooke, and Mr. Grattan. Through two friends of the
+Duke of Grafton he was informed, "that His Grace had endeavoured to live
+down the calumnies of Junius, and to forget the name of the author; and
+that, at the period of the publication, offers were made to him of legal
+evidence on which to convict the author of a libel; but that, as he had
+then treated the man with contempt, he should decline to disturb him after
+so great a lapse of time." From this communication it would seem, that the
+Duke believed that he knew the author, and also that he was still alive.
+
+Sir Richard, on calling upon the Marquis of Lansdowne, to whom he was
+personally known, found him in his sick chamber, suffering under a general
+breaking up of the constitution, but in his usual flow of spirits,
+anecdote, and conversation. On mentioning Almon's new edition of Junius,
+and that the editor had fixed on Boyd as the author, the Marquis
+exclaimed, "I thought Almon had known better: I gave him credit for more
+discernment: the world will, however, not be deceived by him; for there is
+higher evidence than his opinion. Look at Boyd's other writings: he never
+did write like Junius; and never could write like Junius. Internal
+evidence destroys the hypothesis of Almon." Sir Richard then said, that
+many persons had ascribed these letters to His Lordship; and that the
+world at large conceived that, at least, he was not unacquainted with the
+author. The Marquis smiled, and said, "No, no: I am not equal to Junius:
+I could not be the author; but the grounds of secrecy are now so far
+removed by death, and changes of circumstances, that it is unnecessary the
+author of Junius should much longer be unknown. The world are curious
+about him; and I could make a very interesting publication on the subject.
+I knew Junius; and I knew all about the writing and production of those
+letters. But look at my own condition now: I don't think I can live
+another week: my legs, my strength, tell me so; but the doctors, who
+always flatter sick men, assure me I am in no immediate danger. They order
+me into the country, and I am going there. If I live over the summer,
+which, however, I do not expect, I promise you a very interesting pamphlet
+about Junius. I will put my name to it: I will set that question at rest
+for ever."
+
+Sir Richard looked at the swollen limbs and other symptoms threatening
+the dissolution of this distinguished nobleman; and, convinced that he
+was, in truth, never likely to see him again, and that the secret of
+Junius might be lost with him, turned the conversation to the various
+persons who had, at different times, been named as the Junius; and, after
+mentioning five or six whose respective pretensions the Marquis treated
+as ridiculous, His Lordship said, "It is of no use to pursue the matter
+further at this time. I will, however, tell you this for your guide,
+Junius has never yet been publicly named. None of the parties ever
+guessed at as Junius were the true Junius. Nobody has ever suspected him.
+I knew him, and knew all about it; and I pledge myself, if these legs
+will permit me, to give you a pamphlet on the subject, as soon as I feel
+myself equal to the labour." Sir Richard soon after took his leave; and
+about a week after the Marquis expired.
+
+From Horne Tooke no information could be obtained: whenever Junius was
+mentioned, he lost the balance of his mind, and indulged himself in so
+much vanity, conceit, and ingenuity, that it was almost useless to speak
+with him on the subject.
+
+Mr. Grattan wrote a very candid denial of any knowledge of the matter, in
+a letter which was printed in the preface to Almon's edition.
+
+Of the pretension afterwards set forward for Dr. Wilmot, I believe it was
+never entertained or supported by any good evidence: Dr. Francis, the
+father of Sir Philip, had been long before mentioned, but for what reason
+I have never been able to ascertain. The answer of Sir Philip himself on
+the subject is, however, curiously equivocal, at least it so strikes me;
+although it is generally considered as a decided denial. It is as follows:
+"The great civility of your letter induces me to answer it, which, with
+reference merely to its subject-matter, I should have declined. Whether
+you will assist in giving currency to a silly, malignant falsehood, is a
+question for your own discretion: to me it is a matter of perfect
+indifference." But notwithstanding all this, an amusingly mysterious
+circumstance has, I am informed, transpired since the death of Sir Philip.
+In a box, it is said, which he carefully deposited with his banker's, and
+which was not to be opened till after his death, a copy of the
+publication, "Junius identified," with a common copy of the letters of
+Junius, were found. I shall offer no comment on this occurrence, for even
+granting that it was true, it might have been but a playful trick--if Sir
+Philip Francis was, in any respect, a humorist. But I have already
+digressed too far from the immediate object of my work; and I cannot make
+a better amends to my readers than by inserting here a short paper,
+written by that eminent person, and addressed to Mr. West. It is a
+critique on the Transfiguration by Raphael, in which Sir Philip evinces
+considerable ingenuity, by attempting not only to explain a defect in the
+composition, felt by every man of taste, in the midst of the delight
+which, in other respects, it never fails to produce, but to show that, so
+far from being any defect, it is in fact a great beauty.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Transfiguration by Raphael._
+
+The title of this picture is a misnomer. The picture itself tells you it
+is _the Ascension_. The Transfiguration is another incident, which
+happened long before the Ascension, and is recited in the ninth chapter of
+St. Luke:--"When the countenance of Jesus was changed, and he became
+[Greek: etethon] and his clothing was _white_, and lightened." The robe of
+the ascending Christ is BLUE.
+
+The painter brings different incidents together to constitute one plot.
+The picture consists of three separate groupes, combined and united in one
+scheme or action.
+
+I. Jesus ascending perpendicularly into the air, clothed in blue raiment,
+and attended by two other figures.
+
+II. Some of his disciples on the Mount, who see the ascent, and lie
+dazzled and confounded by the sight.
+
+III. A number of persons at the bottom of the Mount, who appear to look
+intently on a young man possessed by a devil, and convulsed. None of them
+see the Ascension but the young man, or rather the devil, who was in him,
+does see it. On all similar occasions, those fallen angels know the
+Christ, and acknowledge him. The other figures are agitated with
+astonishment and terror, variously and distinctly expressed in every one
+of them, at sight of the effect which they see is made upon him by some
+object which _they_ do not see.
+
+This is the sublime imagination, by which the lower part of the picture is
+connected with the upper.
+
+P. FRANCIS.
+
+_13th July, 1816._
+
+But although it must be confessed that this comment is exceedingly
+ingenious, in so far as it explains the painter's design in representing
+the demoniac boy, as the connecting link between the action on the Mount,
+and the groupe at the foot of it; yet, upon an examination of the picture,
+it will be found that it does not exhibit the Ascension, but the
+Transfiguration; and I beg leave to refer to a letter, from my friend Mr.
+M'Gillivray, in the Appendix which seems to me as perfectly satisfactory
+on the subject as any thing of the kind I ever met with. Mr. West was of
+the same opinion as Mr. M'Gillivray; but in conversing with him on the
+subject, he did not enter into so distinct an explanation of his reasons
+for dissenting from the speculation of Sir Philip Francis. In criticism,
+however, whether the matter in question be works of art, or of literature,
+the best opinion is exactly that which is the most reasonable; and the
+point at issue here, is not one in which an artist's judgment can be
+allowed greater weight than that of any other man.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+
+
+    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of the
+    American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.
+
+While Mr. West was engaged on the series of religious and historical works
+for the King, he had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with
+political incidents, that a man less intent on his art, and more ambitious
+of fortune, might have turned to great advantage. This was particularly
+the case during the American War, for His Majesty knowing the Artist's
+connections with that country, and acquaintance with some of the most
+distinguished of the rebels, often conversed with him on the subject; and
+on different occasions Mr. West was enabled to supply the King with more
+circumstantial information respecting some important events than was
+furnished by the official channels. I do not consider myself at liberty,
+nor this a fit place, to enter upon subjects so little in unison with the
+arts of peace, or the noiseless tenour of an artist's life; but, among
+other curious matters that may be thrown out for the investigation of the
+future historian, is an opinion which prevailed among some of the best
+informed in America, that when General Washington was appointed to the
+supreme command of the army, it was with the view and intention of
+effecting a reconciliation between the two countries. A communication to
+this purpose is said to have been made by that illustrious man, which
+communication was never answered, nor ever laid formally before the Privy
+Council, at least not until more than six weeks after it had been
+received, and then it was too late. America was lost; and millions spent,
+and thousands sacrificed afterwards in vain. Whether, indeed, the King
+ever did know the whole affair, may be doubted.
+
+The mind of Mr. West, however, had no enjoyment in political cabals, in
+the petty enmities of partizans, or the factious intrigues of party
+leaders. He was by his art wholly enchanted, and saw in the prospect
+before him an adequate recompense in fame for all his exertions, his days
+of labour, and his nights of study. The historical pictures for Windsor
+Castle cost him many a patient hour of midnight research; for the means to
+assist his composition, especially in architecture, and the costume of the
+time, were then far from being so easy of access as they are at present. A
+long period of preference for classic literature, and the illustration of
+the Greek and Roman story, had withdrawn the public taste from the no less
+glorious events of our own annals. To mark, therefore, the epoch, and
+manners of the age of Poictiers and Cressy, of the Institution of the
+Garter, and the other heroic and magnificent incidents of the reign of
+Edward the Third, with that historical truth which the artist thought
+essential to historical painting, required the inspection of many an
+ancient volume, and much antiquarian research. In the composition for the
+Institution of the Garter, the late Marquis of Buckingham offered several
+suggestions, which were adopted; and on His Lordship mentioning to the
+King, that Mr. West was descended of the Delawarre family, the head of
+which bore a distinguished part in the great events of that time, His
+Majesty ordered Mr. West to insert his own portrait among the spectators
+represented in the gallery, and immediately over the shield bearing the
+arms of the Earl of Delawarre. Mr. West himself was not, at that period,
+acquainted with the descent of his pedigree; but it happened in a
+conversation one day with Lord Buckingham, that His Lordship enquired from
+what part of England his family had been originally, and upon Mr. West
+telling him, His Lordship said, that the land which his ancestors had
+formerly possessed was become his by purchase; and that the Wests of Long
+Crandon were sprung from the ancient Earls of Delawarre.
+
+But, except the historical information required for his pictures, in which
+he was indefatigable, until master of all that could be obtained, Mr.
+West, following the early and wise advice of Dr. Smith of Philadelphia,
+wasted none of his time in other literary pursuits. Among his learned and
+ingenious cotemporaries, however, he acquired a general knowledge of the
+passing literature of the day, and in consequence, there are few authors
+of any celebrity, especially the cotemporaries of Johnson, of whom he does
+not possess interesting anecdotes, as well as an acquaintance with the
+merit which they were severally allowed to possess.
+
+One day at Sir Joshua Reynolds, after dinner when Dr. Johnson, Goldsmith,
+and Burke were present, the conversation turned on the degree of
+excellence which sculpture attained among the Greeks. It was observed
+incidentally, that there was something in the opinion of the ancients, on
+this subject, quite inexplicable; for, in the time of Alexander the Great,
+although painting was allowed to have been progressive, sculpture was said
+to have declined, and yet the finest examples of the art, the Apollo and
+Venus, were considered as the works of that period. Different theories
+were sported on this occasion, to explain this seeming contradiction;
+none of them, however, were satisfactory. But, on the arrival of the
+Athenian marbles, which Lord Elgin brought to this country, Mr. West was
+convinced, at the first sight of them, of the justness of ancient
+criticism, and remembered the conversation alluded to.
+
+Perhaps I may be allowed to mention here, without impropriety, that I was
+at Athens when the second cargo of these celebrated sculptures was
+dispatched; that I took some interest in getting the vessel away; and that
+I went with her myself to the island of Idra. Two circumstances occasioned
+this interference on my part;--an Italian artist, the agent of Lord Elgin,
+had quarrelled about the marbles with Monsieur Fauvelle, the French
+Consul, a man of research and taste, to whom every traveller that visited
+Athens, even during the revolutionary war, might have felt himself
+obliged. Fauvelle was, no doubt, ambitious to obtain these precious
+fragments for the Napoleon Museum at Paris; and, certainly, exerted all
+his influence to get the removal of them interdicted. On the eve of the
+departure of the vessel, he sent in a strong representation on the
+subject to the governor of the city, stating, what I believe was very
+true, that Lord Elgin had never any sufficient firman or authority for the
+dilapidations that he had committed on the temples. Luseri, the Italian
+alluded to, was alarmed, and called on me at the monastery of the Roman
+propaganda, where I then resided; and it was agreed between us, that if
+any detention was attempted, I should remonstrate with the governor, and
+represent to him that such an arrest of British property would be
+considered as an act of hostility. But our fears were happily removed. No
+notice was taken by the governor of Monsieur Fauvelle's remonstrance. In
+the evening I embarked on board the vessel at the Pireus, and next morning
+was safely landed on the island of Idra, where the vessel, after remaining
+a day or two, sailed for Malta.
+
+But to return to the biographical narrative. On the death of Sir Joshua
+Reynolds, in 1791, Mr. West was unanimously elected President of the Royal
+Academy. The choice was not more a debt of gratitude on the part of the
+Institution, to one who had essentially contributed to its formation, than
+a testimony of respect deservedly merited by the conduct and genius of the
+Artist who, when the compass, number, and variety of his pictures are
+considered, was, at that period, decidedly the greatest historical painter
+then living, who had been born a British subject. This event, at once so
+honourable to his associates and himself, was confirmed by the sanction of
+His Majesty on the 24th of March, 1792; on which occasion, on taking the
+chair, Mr. West addressed the Academicians to the following effect:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"GENTLEMEN,
+
+"The free and unsolicited choice with which you have called me to fill
+this chair, vacated by the death of that great character, Sir JOSHUA
+REYNOLDS, is so marked an instance of your friendship and good opinion,
+that it demands the immediate acknowledgment of my thanks, which I beg you
+to accept.
+
+"I feel more sensibly the dignity to which you have raised me, as I am
+placed in succession after so eminent a character, whose exalted
+professional abilities, and very excellent discourses delivered under this
+roof, have secured a lasting honor to this Institution and to the
+country; while his amiable dispositions, as a man, will make his loss to
+be long regretted by all who had the happiness to know him.
+
+"HIS MAJESTY having been graciously pleased to approve and confirm the
+choice which you have made of me as your President, it becomes my duty, as
+far as my humble abilities will permit, to study and pursue whatever may
+be the true interest, the prosperity, and the glory of this ACADEMY. In
+the prosecution of this duty, I can make no doubt of success, when I
+reflect that all the departments and classes of this Institution are
+filled with men of established professional reputation, selected from
+professors of the three great branches of art, which constitute the
+objects of your studies and, when I see this union of abilities
+strengthened by many ingenious productions of other able artists, who,
+although they have not as yet the honour of belonging to this body, will,
+nevertheless, enable us to maintain the accustomed brilliancy of our
+Exhibitions, and, consequently, to secure to us the approbation of a
+liberal and judicious public.
+
+"The Exhibitions are of the greatest importance to this Institution; and
+the Institution is become of great importance to the country. Here
+ingenious youth are instructed in the art of design; and the instruction
+acquired in this place, has spread itself through the various manufactures
+of this country, to which it has given a taste that is able to convert the
+most common and simple materials into rare and valuable articles of
+commerce. Those articles the British merchant sends forth into all the
+quarters of the world, where they stand preeminent over the productions of
+other nations.
+
+"But important as this is, there is another consequence of a more exalted
+kind; I mean, the cultivating of those higher excellences in refined art,
+which have never failed to secure to nations and to the individuals who
+have nourished them, an immortality of fame, which no other circumstances
+have been equally able to perpetuate. For it is by those higher and more
+refined excellences of painting, sculpture, and architecture, that Grecian
+and Roman greatness are transmitted down to the age in which we live, as
+if it was still in existence. Many centuries have elapsed since Greeks and
+Romans have been overthrown and dissolved as a people; but other nations,
+by whom similar refinements were not cultivated, are erased from the face
+of the earth, without leaving any monument or vestige to give the
+demonstration that they were ever great.
+
+"It may, therefore, be fairly assumed, that an ACADEMY, whose objects and
+effects are so enlightened and extensive as those which are prosecuted
+here, is highly worthy of the protection of a patriot-king, of a dignified
+nobility, and of a wise people.
+
+"Another circumstance, permit me, gentlemen, to mention, because I can
+speak of it with peculiar satisfaction, as important to the best
+interests of this Institution, and with the fullest assurance of its
+truth, from the personal knowledge I have had of you all, and the intimacy
+in which I have stood with most of you; it is this, that I have ever found
+you steadily determined to support the regulations under which this
+ACADEMY has been governed, and brought to its present conspicuous
+situation, and by an attention to which, we shall always be sure to go on
+with the greatest prudence and advantage.
+
+"It is a matter of no less satisfaction to me, when I say, that I have
+always observed your bosoms to glow with gratitude and loyal affection to
+our August Founder, Patron, and Benefactor. I am convinced, it is your
+wish to retain His friendship, and the friendship of every branch of His
+Illustrious Family. I know these to be your sentiments, and they are
+sentiments in which I participate with you. In every situation of my life
+it shall be my invariable study to demonstrate my duty to my sovereign, my
+love for this Institution, and my zeal for the cultivation of genius, and
+the growth of universal virtue."
+
+Mr. West having thus been raised to the head of an institution, embracing
+within itself the most distinguished artists at that time in the world, it
+might be proper to pause here to review the merits of the works and
+exertions by which he acquired this eminent honour, had he not, since that
+time, attained still more distinction in his profession. I shall, however,
+for the present, suspend the consideration of his progress, as an artist,
+to trace his efforts, in the situation of President of the Royal Academy,
+to promote the improvement of the pupils, by those occasional discourses,
+which, in imitation of the excellent example of Sir Joshua Reynolds, he
+deemed it an essential part of his duty to deliver.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+
+
+    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.
+
+Mr. West's first discourse to the students of the Royal Academy was
+delivered on the 10th of December, 1792, on the occasion of the
+distribution of the prizes. Without ostensibly differing in his views from
+Sir Joshua Reynolds, who by his lectures acquired, as an author, a degree
+of celebrity equal to his fame as an artist, the new President confined
+himself more strictly to professional topics. He recalled to the
+remembrance of his auditors the circumstances in which the Academy
+originated, and reminded them of the encouragement which the efforts of
+artists had received from the countenance which the King had given to the
+arts. "Let those," said he, "who have traced the progress of the fine
+arts, say among what people did the arts rise, from such a state as that
+in which they were in this country about forty years ago, to the height
+which they have attained here in so short a period. In ancient Greece,
+from the retreat of Xerxes, when they were in their infancy, to the age of
+Alexander the Great, when they reached their maturity, we find a period of
+no less than one hundred and fifty years elapsed. In Rome we can make no
+calculation directly applicable; for among the Romans the habit of
+employing Greek artists, and the rage of collecting, suffered no distinct
+traces to be left of the progress of the arts among them. Even in
+architecture, to which their claims were most obviously decided, we see
+not sufficiently the gradations of their own peculiar taste and genius.
+But in modern Italy, leaving out of view the age of Cimabue, and even that
+of Giotto, and dating from the institution of the Academy of St. Luke at
+Florence, it required a hundred and fifty years to produce a Michael
+Angelo, a Raphael, and a Bramante."
+
+Mr. West, after a few general observations on the necessary union between
+moral conduct and good taste, adverts to the alleged influence which such
+institutions as the Royal Academy have in producing mannerism in the
+students, than which nothing can be more obnoxious to the progress of
+refined art. "But," said he, "while I am urging the advantage of freedom
+and nature in study to genius, let me not be misunderstood. There is no
+untruth in the idea that great wits are allied to great eccentricity.
+Genius is apt to run wild if not brought under some regulation. It is a
+flood whose current will be dangerous if it is not kept within proper
+banks. But it is one thing to regulate its impetuosity, and another very
+different to direct its natural courses. In every branch of art there are
+certain laws by which genius may be chastened; but the corrections gained
+by attention to these laws amputate nothing that is legitimate, pure, and
+elegant. Leaving these graces untouched, the schools of art have dominion
+enough in curbing what is wild, irregular, and absurd.
+
+"A college of art founded in this part of the world cannot be expected,
+like a college of literature, to lay before its young members all that may
+be necessary to complete their knowledge and taste. What is to be had from
+books may be obtained almost every where; but the books of instruction by
+which the artist alone can be perfected, are those great works which still
+remain immoveable in that part of the world, where the fine arts in modern
+times have been carried to their highest degree of perfection. I trust a
+period will come, when this Academy will be able to send the young artist,
+not from one spot or one seminary to another, but to gather improvement
+from every celebrated work of art wherever situated. But the progress and
+all future success of the artist must depend upon himself. He must be in
+love with his art or he will never excel in it.
+
+"That the arts of design were among the first suggestions vouchsafed by
+Heaven to mankind, is not a proposition at which any man needs to start.
+This truth is indeed manifested by every little child, whose first essay
+is to make for itself the resemblance of some object to which it has been
+accustomed in the nursery.
+
+"In the arts of design were conveyed the original means of communicating
+ideas, which the discoverers of countries show us to have been seized
+upon, as it were involuntarily, by all the first stages of society.
+Although the people were rude in knowledge and in manners, yet they were
+possessed of the means by which they could draw figures of things, and
+they could make those figures speak their purposes to others as well as to
+themselves. The Mexicans conversed in that way when Cortes came among
+them; and the savages of North America still employ the same means of
+communicating intelligence.
+
+"When, therefore, you have taken up the arts of design as your profession,
+you have embraced that which has not only been sanctioned by the
+cultivation of the earliest antiquity, but to which their is no antiquity
+prior, except that of the visible creation.
+
+"Religion itself in the earlier days of the world, would probably have
+failed in its progress without the arts of design, for religion was then
+emblematic; and what could an emblematic theology do without the aid of
+the fine arts, and especially the art of sculpture? Religion and the arts,
+in fact, sprung up together, were introduced by the same people, and went
+hand in hand, first through the continent of Asia, then through Egypt,
+next through Greece and her colonies, and in process of time through every
+part of Italy, and even to the north of Europe. In the pagodas of India,
+in some caverns of Media, and among various ruins in Persia, are still to
+be seen the early monuments of emblematic art, and wrought in all the
+possible difficulties of skill.
+
+"When in the space of two thousand years, after the erection of some of
+those monuments, the fine arts came to be established in Greece in a
+better spirit as to taste, a higher estimation could not be annexed to any
+circumstance in society, than was given to the arts by the wise and
+elegant inhabitants of that country. They regarded them as their public
+records, as the means of perpetuating all public fame, all private
+honour, and all valuable instruction. The professors of them were
+considered as public characters who watched over the events that were
+passing, and who had in their hands the power of embodying them for ever.
+And is not this still the case with the artists of every country, how
+varied soever may be its maxims, or its system of action, from those of
+Greece? Is the artist indeed not that watchman who observes the great
+incidents of his time, and rescues them from oblivion?
+
+"When he turns from these views to contemplate the patronage which has
+been given to the fine arts, will he have less reason to esteem his
+profession,--a profession so richly cherished by all the greatest
+characters of the earth? and which in return has immortalised its patrons.
+Posterity has never ceased to venerate the names of the Cosmos and
+Lorenzos who sought art, and fostered to their full maturity the various
+talents of their countrymen. The palace of the Medici, still existing in
+Florence, exhibits not only in its treasures the proofs of their
+munificence, but also within its walls those apartments and offices for
+artists, in every branch which those great men considered requisite to the
+decoration of their residence. And history has immortalised the solicitude
+with which the vast fortune of the family, acquired originally in
+honourable commerce, and rising gloriously to sovereign power, was made
+contributory to the nourishing of the arts and literature; of every thing
+that was intellectual, liberal, and great."
+
+Mr. West then continued to enumerate the honour which the successive
+illustrious patrons of the fine arts have acquired, deducing from it
+motives of emulation to the young students to strive for similar
+distinction, that their names may be mingled with those illustrious races
+and families to whom Heaven is pleased to give superior eminence and
+influence in human affairs. In doing this he took occasion to animadvert
+on the base adulation of the artists of France in the age of Louis XIV.;
+or rather of the dishonour which the patronage of that monarch has drawn
+upon himself, by the unworthy manner in which he required the artists to
+gratify his personal vanity. He then proceeded to give some professional
+advice. "I wish," said he, "to leave this impression on the minds of all
+who hear me, that the great alphabet of our art is the human figure. By a
+competent knowledge of that figure the painter will be enabled to give a
+more just character and motion to that which he intends to delineate. When
+that motion is actuated by passion, and combined with other figures,
+groups are formed. These groups make words, and these words make
+sentences; by which the painter's tablet speaks a universal language;" and
+he concluded with saying, "Gentlemen, It is a great treasure and a great
+trust which is put into our hands. The fine arts were late before they
+crossed the British Channel, but now we may fairly pronounce that they
+have made their special abode with us. There is nothing in this climate
+unpropitious to their growth; and if the idea has been conceived in the
+world, enough has been done by the artists of Great Britain to disprove
+it. I know that I am speaking to the first professional characters in
+Europe in every branch of elegant art, as well as those who are most
+distinguished in taste and judgment. If there be diffused through this
+country a spirit of encouragement equal to the abilities which are ripe to
+meet it, I may venture to predict that the sun of our arts will have a
+long and glorious career."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IX.
+
+
+
+    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.
+
+The prizes in the Royal Academy being distributed every second year, on
+the 10th of December, 1794, Mr. West delivered another Discourse, in which
+he took a more scientific view of the principles of the fine arts, than in
+the desultory observations which constituted the substance of his first
+lecture. As it contained much valuable information, mixed up with remarks
+incidental to the occasion, I have taken the liberty of abstracting the
+professional instruction from the less important matter, in order to give
+what deserves to be preserved and generally known in a concise and an
+unbroken form.
+
+"It may be assumed," said Mr. West, "as an unquestionable principle, that
+the artist who has made himself master of the drawing of the human figure,
+in its moral and physical expression, will succeed not only in
+portrait-painting, but in the delineation of animals, and even of still
+life, much better than if he had directed his attention to inferior
+objects. For the human figure in that point of consideration, in which it
+becomes a model to art, is more beautiful than any other in nature; and is
+distinguished, above every other, by the variety of the phenomena which it
+exhibits, arising from the different modifications of feeling and passion.
+In my opinion, it would, therefore, be of incalculable advantage to the
+public, if the drawing of the human figure were taught as an elementary
+essential in education. It would do more than any other species of oral or
+written instruction, to implant among the youth of the noble and opulent
+classes that correctness of taste which is so ornamental to their rank in
+society; while it would guide the artizan in the improvement of his
+productions in such a manner, as greatly to enrich the stock of
+manufactures, and to increase the articles of commerce; and, as the sight
+is perhaps the most delightful of all our senses, this education of the
+eye would multiply the sources of enjoyment.
+
+"The value of the cultivated ear is well understood; and the time bestowed
+on the acquisition of the universal language of music, is abundantly
+repaid by the gratification which it affords, although not employed in the
+communication of knowledge, but merely as a source of agreeable sensation.
+Were the same attention paid to the improvement of the eye, which is given
+to that of the ear, should we not be rewarded with as great an increase of
+the blameless pleasures of life,--from the power of discriminating hues
+and forms,--as we derive from the knowledge of musical proportions and
+sounds? The cultivation of the sense of sight would have such an effect in
+improving even the faculty of executing those productions of mechanical
+labour which constitute so large a portion of the riches of a commercial
+and refined people, that it ought to be regarded among the mere operative
+classes of society as a primary object in the education of their
+apprentices. Indeed, it may be confidently asserted, that an artizan,
+accustomed to an accurate discrimination of outline, will, more readily
+than another not educated with equal care in that particular, perceive the
+fitness or defects of every species of mechanical contrivance; and, in
+consequence, be enabled to suggest expedients which would tend to enlarge
+the field of invention. We can form no idea to ourselves how many of the
+imperfections in the most ingenious of our machines and engines would have
+been obviated, had the inventors been accustomed to draw with accuracy.
+
+"But, to the student of the fine arts, this important branch of education
+will yield but few of the advantages which it is calculated to afford,
+unless his studies are directed by a philosophical spirit, and the
+observation of physical expression rendered conducive to some moral
+purpose. Without the guidance of such a spirit, painting and sculpture
+are but ornamental manufactures; and the works of Raphael and Michael
+Angelo, considered without reference to the manifestations which they
+exhibit of moral influence, possess no merit beyond the productions of the
+ordinary paper-hanger.
+
+"The first operation of this philosophical spirit will lead the student to
+contemplate the general form of the figure as an object of beauty; and
+thence instruct him to analyse the use and form of every separate part;
+the relation and mutual aid of the parts to each other; and the necessary
+effect of the whole in unison.
+
+"By an investigation of this kind, he will arrive at what constitutes
+character in art; and, in pursuing his analysis, he will discover that the
+general construction of the human figure in the male indicates strength
+and activity; and that the form of the individual man, in proportion to
+the power of being active, is more or less perfect. In the male, the
+degree of beauty depends on the degree of activity with which all the
+parts of the body are capable of performing their respective and mutual
+functions; but the characteristics of perfection of form in the female are
+very different; delicacy of frame and modesty of demeanour, with less
+capability to be active, constitute the peculiar graces of woman.
+
+"When the student has settled in his own mind the general and primary
+characteristics, in either sex, of the human figure, the next step will
+enable him to reduce the particular character of his subject into its
+proper class, whether it rank under the sublime or the beautiful, the
+heroic or the graceful, the masculine or the feminine, or in any of its
+other softer or more spirited distinctions. For the course of his studies
+will have made him acquainted with the moral operations of character, as
+they are expressed upon the external form; and the habit of
+discrimination, thus acquired, will have taught him the action or attitude
+by which all moral movements of character are usually accompanied. By this
+knowledge of the general figure, this habitual aptitude to perceive the
+beauty and fitness of its parts, and of the correspondence between the
+emotions of the mind and the actions of the body, he will find himself in
+possession of all that Zeuxis sought for in the graces of the different
+beautiful women whom he collected together, that he might be enabled to
+paint a proper picture of Helen; and it is the happy result of this
+knowledge which we see in the Apollo Belvidere and the Venus de Medici,
+that renders them so valuable as objects of study.
+
+"But the student must be always careful to distinguish between objects of
+study and objects of imitation; for the works which will best improve his
+taste and exalt his imagination, are precisely those which he should least
+endeavour to imitate; because, in proportion to their appropriate
+excellences, their beauties are limited in their application.
+
+"The Apollo is represented by the mythologists as a perfect man, in the
+vigour of life; tall, handsome and animated; his locks rising and floating
+on the wind; accomplished in mind and body; skilled in the benevolent art
+of alleviating pain; music his delight, and poetry and song his continual
+recreation. His activity was shown in dancing, running, and the manly
+exercises of the quoit, the sling, and the bow. He was swift in his
+pursuits, and terrible in his anger.--Such was the Pythian Apollo; and
+were a sculptor to think of forming the statue of such a character, would
+he not determine that his body, strong and vigorous from constant
+exercise, should be nobly erect; that, as his lungs were expanded by
+habits of swiftness in the chase, his chest should be large and full; that
+his thighs, as the source of movement in his legs, should have the
+appearance of enlarged vigour and solidity; and that his legs, in a
+similar manner, should also possess uncommon strength to induce and
+propagate the action of the feet? The nostrils ought to be elevated,
+because the quick respirations of running and dancing would naturally
+produce that effect; and, for the same reason, the mouth should appear to
+be habitually a little open. While his arms, firm and nervous by the
+exercise of the quoit, the sling, and the bow, should participate in the
+general vigour and agility of the other members;--and would not this be
+the Apollo Belvidere?
+
+"Were the young artist, in like manner, to propose to himself a subject in
+which he would endeavour to represent the peculiar excellences of woman,
+would he not say, that these excellences consist in a virtuous mind, a
+modest mien, a tranquil deportment, and a gracefulness in motion? And, in
+embodying the combined beauty of these qualities, would he not bestow on
+the figure a general, smooth, and round fulness of form, to indicate the
+softness of character; bend the head gently forward, in the common
+attitude of modesty; and awaken our ideas of the slow and graceful
+movements peculiar to the sex, by limbs free from that masculine and
+sinewy expression which is the consequence of active exercise?--and such
+is the Venus de Medici. It would be utterly impossible to place a person
+so formed in the attitude of the Apollo, without destroying all those
+amiable and gentle associations of the mind which are inspired by
+contemplating 'the statue which enchants the world.'
+
+"Art affords no finer specimens of the successful application of the
+principles which I have laid down than in those two noble productions."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. X.
+
+
+
+    Discourse to the Academy in 1797.--On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks in
+    Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Drawing.--Of Light
+    and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.--Illustration.--Of
+    the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine Pictures.--Of
+    Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from Sketching;--and of
+    the Advantage of being familiar with the Characteristics of Objects
+    in Nature.
+
+In the discourse which Mr. West delivered from the chair of the Academy in
+1797, he resumed the subject which he had but slightly opened, in that of
+which the foregoing chapter contains the substance. I shall therefore
+endeavour in the same manner, and as correctly as I can, to present a view
+of the mode in which he treated his argument, and as nearly as possible in
+his own language.
+
+"As the foundation of those philosophical principles," said Mr. West, "on
+which the whole power of art must rest, I wish to direct the attention of
+the student, especially in painting and sculpture, to an early study of
+the human figure, with reference to proportion, expression, and character.
+
+"When I speak of painting and sculpture, it is not my intention to pass
+over architecture, as if it were less dependent on philosophical
+principles, although what I have chiefly to observe with respect to it
+relates to embellishment;--a branch of art which artists are too apt to
+regard as not under the control of any principle, but subject only to
+their own taste and fancy. If the young architect commences his career
+with this erroneous notion, he will be undone, if there is any just
+notions of his art in the country.
+
+"It is, therefore, necessary, as he derives his models from the ancients,
+that he should enquire into the origin of those embellishments with which
+the architects of antiquity decorated their various edifices. In the
+prosecution of his enquiries, he will find that the ornaments of temples
+and mausolea, may be traced back to the periods of emblematic art, and
+become convinced that the spoils of victims, and instruments of sacrifice,
+were appropriate ornaments of the temple; while urns, containing the ashes
+of the dead, and the tears of the surviving friends, were the invariable
+decorations of the mausoleum. The good taste of the classic ancients
+prevented them from ever intermixing the respective emblems of different
+buildings, or rather, in their minds custom preserved them from falling
+into such an incongruous error, as to place the ornaments belonging to the
+depositaries of the dead on triumphal arches, palaces, and public offices.
+They considered in the ornaments the character and purpose of the edifice;
+and they would have been ashamed to have thought it possible that their
+palaces might be mistaken for mausolea, or their tombs for the mansions of
+festivity.
+
+"Is the country in which we live free from the absurdities which confound
+these necessary distinctions? Have we never beheld on the porticoes of
+palaces, public halls, or places of amusement, the skins of animals
+devoted to the rites of the pagan religion, or vases consecrated to the
+ashes of the dead, or the tears of the living? Violations of sense and
+character, in this respect, are daily committed. We might, with as much
+propriety, adorn the friezes of our palaces and theatres with the skulls
+and cross thigh-bones of the human figure, which are the emblems of death
+in every country throughout modern Europe!
+
+"I do not here allude to any particular work, nor do I speak of this want
+of principle as general. It is indeed impossible that I can be supposed to
+mean the latter; for we have among us men distinguished in the profession
+of architecture, who would do honour to the most refined periods of
+antiquity. But all are not equally chaste; and in addressing myself to the
+young, it is my duty to guard them against those deviations from good
+taste, which, without such a caution, they might conceive to be sanctioned
+by some degree of example. It is my wish to preserve them from the
+innovations of caprice and fashion, to which the public is always prone;
+and to assure the youth of genius, that while he continues to found the
+merit of his works on true principles, he will always find,
+notwithstanding the apparent generality of any fashion, that there is no
+surer way, either to fame or fortune, than by acting in art, as well as
+life, on those principles which have received the sanction of experience,
+and the approbation of the wise of all ages.
+
+"I shall now return to the consideration of painting and sculpture.
+
+"The Greeks, above all others, afford us the best and most decided proofs
+of the beauty arising from the philosophical consideration of the subject
+intended to be represented. To all their deities a fixed and appropriate
+character was given, from which it would have perhaps been profanity to
+depart. This character was the result of a careful consideration of the
+ideal beauty suitable to the respective attributes of the different
+deities. Thus in their Jupiter, Neptune, Hercules, Vulcan, Mars, and
+Pluto; the Apollo, Mercury, Hymen, and Cupid, and also in the goddesses
+Juno, Minerva, Venus, Hebe, the Nymphs and Graces; appeared a vast
+discrimination of character, at the same time as true an individuality as
+if the different forms had been the works of Nature herself.
+
+"In your progress through that mechanical part of your professional
+education, which is directed to the acquisition of a perfect knowledge of
+the human figure, I recommend to you a scrupulous exactness in imitating
+what is immediately before you, in order that you may acquire the habit of
+observing with precision every object that presents itself to your sight.
+Accustom yourselves to draw all the deviations of the figure, till you are
+as much acquainted with them as with the alphabet of your own language,
+and can make them with as much facility as your letters; for they are
+indeed the letters and alphabet of your profession, whether it be painting
+or sculpture.
+
+"These divisions consist of the head, with its features taken in three
+points of view, front, back, and profile; the neck in like manner, also
+the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis; thigh, knee, leg, ankle, the carpus,
+metacarpus, and toes; the clavicula, arm, fore-arm, wrist, carpus,
+metacarpus, and fingers. While you are employed on these, it would be
+highly proper to have before you the osteology of the part on which you
+are engaged, as in that consists the foundation of your pursuit. And, in
+this period of your studies, I recommend that your drawings be
+geometrical, as when you draw and study a column with its base and
+capital. At the same time you should not neglect to gain a few points in
+perspective, particularly so far as to give effect to the square and
+cylinder, in order to know what constitutes the vanishing point, and point
+of distance, in the subject you are going to draw.
+
+"After you have perfected yourselves in the parts of the figure, begin to
+draw the Greek figures entire, with the same attention to correctness as
+when you drew the divisions in your earlier lessons. Attend to the
+perspective according to the vanishing point opposite to your eye. You
+will naturally seek to possess your mind with the special character of the
+figure before you;--and of all the Grecian figures, I would advise you to
+make from the Apollo and Venus a general measurement or standard for man
+and woman, taking the head and its features, as the part by which you
+measure the divisions of those figures.
+
+"Light and shade must not be neglected; for what you effect in drawing by
+the contour of the figure, light and shade must effect with the
+projections of those parts which front you in the figure. Light and shade
+there produce what becomes outline to another drawing of the same object
+in a right angle to the place where you sit.
+
+"It seems not impossible to reduce to the simplicity of rule or principle,
+what may have appeared difficult in this branch of art to young students,
+and may have been too often pursued at random by others. All forms in
+nature, both animate and inanimate, partake of the round form more than
+of any other shape; and when lighted, whether by the sun or flame, or by
+apertures admitting light, must have two relative extremes of light and
+shadow, two balancing tints, the illuminated and the reflected, divided by
+a middle tint or the aerial. The effect of illumination by flame or
+aperture, differs from that of the sun in this respect; the sun
+illuminates with parallel rays, which fall over all parts of the
+enlightened side of the subject, while the light of a flame or an aperture
+only strikes directly on the nearest point of the object, producing an
+effect which more or less resembles the illumination of the sun in
+proportion to the distance and dimensions of the object.
+
+"Let us then suppose a ball to be the object on which the light falls, in
+a direction of forty-five degrees or the diagonal of a square, and at a
+right angle from the ball to the place where you stand. One half of the
+ball will appear illuminated, and the other dark. This state of the two
+hemispheres constitutes the two masses of light and shadow. In the centre
+of the mass of light falls the focus of the illumination in the ball;
+between the centre of the illumination and the circle of the ball, where
+the illumination, reaches its extremity, lies what may be called the
+transparent tint; and between it and the dark side of the ball lies the
+serial or middle tint. The point of darkness, the extreme of shade, is
+diametrically opposite to the focus of illumination, between which and
+the aerial tint lies the tint of reflection. If the ball rests on a
+plain, it will throw a shadow equal in length to one diameter and a
+quarter of the ball. That shadow will be darker than the shade on the
+ball, and the darkest part will be where the plain and ball come in
+contact with each other.
+
+"This simple experiment, whether performed in the open sun-shine, or with
+artificial illumination, will lead you to the true principles of light and
+shade over all objects in nature, whether mountains, clouds, rocks, trees,
+single figures, or groups of figures. It would therefore be of great use,
+when you are going to give light and shade to any object, first to make
+the experiment of the ball, and in giving that light and shade, follow the
+lessons with which it will furnish you.
+
+"You will find that this experiment will instruct you, not only in the
+principles of light and shade, but also of colours; for that there is a
+corresponding hue with respect to colours is not to be disputed. In order
+to demonstrate this, place in the ball which you have illuminated, the
+prismatic colours, suiting their hues to those of the tints. Yellow will
+answer to the focus of illumination, and the other secondary and primary
+hues will fall into their proper places. Hence, on the enlightened side of
+a group or figure, you may lay yellow, orange, red, and then violet, but
+never on the side where the light recedes. On that side must come the
+other prismatic colours in their natural order. Yellow must pass to green,
+the green to blue, and the blue to purple. The primary colours of yellow,
+orange, and red, are the warm colours, and belong to the illuminated side
+of objects; the violet is the intermediate, and green, blue, and purple
+are the cold colours, and belong to the retiring parts of your
+composition.
+
+"On the same principle, and in the same order, must be placed the tints
+which compose the fleshy bodies of men and women, but so blended with
+each other, as to give the softness appropriate to the luminous quality
+and texture of flesh; paying attention, at the same time, to reflections
+on its surface from other objects, and to its participation of their
+colours. The latter is a distinct circumstance arising from accident.
+
+"When the sun illuminates a human body, in the same manner as the ball,
+the focus of the illumination in that body will partake of the yellow; and
+the luminous or transparent tint, will have the orange and the red. These
+produce, what is called, the carnation. The pure red, occasioned by the
+blood, lies in the lips, cheeks, joints, and extremities of the figure,
+and no where else. On the receding side of the focus is the local colour
+of the flesh, and on the receding side of that is the greenish tint; in
+the shade will fall the cold or bluish, and in the reflection will fall
+the tint of purple. The most perfect tint of ground, from which to relieve
+this arrangement of colours, is either blue, grey, or purple, for those
+colours partake of the complexion of the watery sky in which the rainbow
+appears, or the ground which best exhibits the prismatic colours.
+
+"In acquiring a practical knowledge of the happiest manner of distributing
+your colours according to nature, it will assist you, if you will copy
+with attention some pieces of Titian, Correggio, Reubens, and Vandyke; the
+masters in whose works you will most eminently find the system pursued,
+which I have endeavoured to illustrate by the simple image of the ball.
+
+"Having passed from the antique school, to that in which you draw after
+the living figure, still adhere to that scrupulous exactness of drawing
+with which you first set out; marking with precision the divisions of the
+figure. After you have made yourselves acquainted with the drawing of the
+living figure, you must then begin to enlarge your lines, and to give
+softness and breadth, to direct your attention to what constitutes style
+and character, and to discriminate these from what constitutes manner.
+
+"To assist you in this nice discrimination, consult the prints and works
+of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Hannibal Carracci. In them you will find
+the strongest and purest evidence of style and character, yet all
+differing from each other, and all equally brought out of nature. I do not
+recommend them with a view that you should adopt the style and character
+of any of them; but to show from those great examples, that style and
+character, although ever founded in nature, are as various as the
+individual genius of every artist; that they are as free to you as they
+were to those masters; that if you will consult your own mind, you will
+draw forth a style and character of your own, and therefore no man can
+ever be excused for sinking into a mannerist.
+
+"And I cannot omit to observe here, that in the order of your studies,
+your mental powers should be cherished and brought into action by reading
+and reflection, but not until you have acquired practical facility in your
+art. Too often it happens, and I have seen it with concern, that the
+presumption of youth, or the errors of instruction, have reversed this
+order, and have carried many to attempt essays of research and learning,
+before they were well grounded in the principles of professional practice.
+What other consequences can follow from such a course, but that the
+student will turn in discontent from his own productions, because they
+fall short of the ideas in his mind; and induce him, perhaps, to abandon,
+with disgust, a profession in which he might have shone with distinction,
+had he taken a right method of cultivating his own powers!
+
+"The great masters were all at an early age great in the mechanical
+department of their art, before they established any name by their
+philosophical style and character. Michael Angelo, when a mere youth,
+modelled and drew in a manner which astonished his own master. Raphael, at
+not more than nineteen years of age, rivalled his instructor, Pietro
+Perugino, in his executive talent; and, owing to this, he was enabled, at
+the age of only twenty-five, to send forth his two great works, _the
+Dispute on the Sacrament_, and _the School of Athens_. Guido, Bernini, and
+many others of the first class, pursued the same course of study, and
+were in the full possession of their powers very young. Vandyke, before he
+was twenty years old, assisted Reubens in his greatest works; and on a
+certain occasion, when the pupils of Reubens were amusing themselves in
+the absence of their master, one of them happened to fall against 'the
+Mother,' in the Descent from the Cross, which Vandyke repaired in a manner
+so admirable, that when the painter came next to the picture, he expressed
+himself surprised at the excellence of his own work, and said, that he
+thought he had not done that arm so well. In a word, wherever we find the
+executive power high at an early age, whether in painting or sculpture, we
+have an assurance of future excellence, which nothing but indolence can
+prevent. And, to give that early facility correctness of execution,
+remember and pursue the great maxim of Apelles:--
+
+  "'_Nulla dies, sine linea._'
+
+"The young artist may, indeed, draw lines every day and every hour with
+advantage, whether it be to amuse himself in society or in the fields. He
+should accustom himself to sketch every thing, especially what is rare and
+singular in nature. Let nothing of the animate creation on the earth, or
+in the air, or in the water, pass you unnoticed; especially those which
+are distinguished for their picturesque beauty, or remarkable for dignity
+of form or elegance of colour. Fix them distinctly in your sketch-book and
+in your memory. Observe, with the same contemplative eye, the landscape,
+the appearance of trees, figures dispersed around, and their aerial
+distance, as well as lineal forms. In this class of observations, omit not
+to observe the light and shade, in consequence of the sun's rays being
+intercepted by clouds or other accidents. Besides this, let your mind be
+familiar with the characteristics of the ocean; mark its calm dignity when
+undisturbed by the winds, and all its various states between that and its
+terrible sublimity when agitated by the tempest. Sketch with attention its
+foaming and winding coasts with distant land, and that awful line which
+separates it from the Heavens. Replenished with these stores, your
+imagination will then come forth as a river, collected from little
+springs, spreads into might and majesty. The hand will then readily
+execute what it has been so practised in acquiring; while the mind will
+embrace its subjects with confidence, by being so well accustomed to
+observe their picturesque effect."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XI.
+
+
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.
+
+It is not my intention to give all the discourses which Mr. West addressed
+to the students of the Academy, but only those which contain, what may be
+called, illustrations of the principles of his art. The following,
+however, is so interesting and so various in its matter, that it would be
+improper in me to make any attempt to garble or abridge it, beyond
+omitting the mere incidental notice of temporary circumstances.
+
+"The discourse which I am about to deliver, according to usual custom on
+the return of this day, must be considered as addressed more immediately
+to those among the students, who have made so much progress in art, as to
+be masters of the human figure, of perspective, and of those other parts
+of study, which I have heretofore recommended as the elements of painting
+and sculpture; and who are therefore about to enter on the higher paths of
+professional excellence. It will consequently be my object, now, to show
+how that excellence is to be attained; and this will best be done, as I
+conceive, by showing how it has been attained by others, in whom that
+excellence has been most distinguished in the ancient and modern world. By
+pursuing the principles on which they moved, you have the best
+encouragement in their illustrious example, while, by neglecting those
+principles, you can have no more reason to hope for such success as they
+met with, than you can think of reaching a distant land, without road or
+compass to direct your steps.
+
+"The ground which I shall propose for your attention is this--to
+investigate those philosophical principles on which all truth of character
+is founded, and by which that sublime attainment, the highest refinement
+in art, and without which every thing else is merely mechanical, may be
+brought to a decided point, in all the variety by which it is
+distinguished through the animated world.
+
+"On this ground, and on this alone, rose Phidias and Apelles to the
+celebrity which they held among the Greeks; and among the Italians,
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, and some
+others, who became the completest models in sculpture and painting. Their
+predecessors, indeed, in both countries, had for a considerable time been
+preparing the way, but not having equally studied the best means, or those
+means not having been equally before them, it was reserved of course for
+the great characters I have mentioned, to unite philosophical with
+professional truth, and to exhibit to the world in their works the
+standards of style. From the same source arose another consequence, ever
+worthy and pleasing to be mentioned;--the exhibition of those perfections
+was always accompanied by that ardent patronage, which not only cheered
+their minds, and invigorated their powers, but has left a glory on their
+country, which no subsequent events have been able to obliterate, and
+which never will be obliterated in any country where the sublimity of art,
+involving the most refined embellishments of civilized life, is cherished
+by those who are in a capacity to cherish it.
+
+"In a very early period of the arts in Greece, we meet with a circumstance
+which shows the advantages derived from consulting with philosophy, if it
+does not also show the origin and outset of those advantages. The
+circumstance to which I allude is, that in the period when the sculptors
+contented themselves with the stationary forms and appearance of figures,
+in imitation of their predecessors, the Egyptians; at that time they began
+to submit their works to the judgment of philosophers, one of whom, being
+called in to survey a statue, which a sculptor, then eminent, was going to
+expose to public view, remarked, that the human figure before him wanted
+motion, or that expression of intellect and will, from which motion and
+character too must arise; for man had a soul and mind, which put him at
+the head of the animal creation, and, therefore, without that soul and
+mind, the form of man was degraded.
+
+"This observation touched the point, then, necessary to be obviated, in
+order to overcome the primitive rudeness which still attached to
+sculpture; and without the application of the principle contained in the
+observation, sculpture and painting too might have stood still for ages.
+And from what other source than the principles of philosophic study, or,
+in other words, from reflection on the moral powers or passions of man,
+their several effects, as produced in their workings on the human figure,
+could that improvement be obtained? It was the constant employment of the
+philosophic mind, to study those causes and effects, and to reduce them to
+a more distinct display for the truth and utility of their own writings.
+The philosophers were, therefore, the most likely to assist the artist in
+those displays of character which tended to illustrate the truth of his
+own works. Nor on this account is it any disparagement to the artists of
+those days, when philosophic studies were confined to particular classes
+of men, that this moral view of art was not sufficiently taken up by the
+more mechanical part of the profession.
+
+"Thus, however, the opening was made to the important expression of
+character. And the lesson suggested by the philosopher alluded to, is not
+confined to the Greeks alone. I wish, young gentlemen, to leave it in all
+its force upon your minds. For if the figures you design, whether singly
+or in groups, have not their actions correspondent to what their minds
+appear to be pursuing, they will suit any other subject as well as that in
+which they are placed. This remark is the more worthy of attention, as it
+does not apply to any of the figures of the Grecian masters whom I have
+mentioned. The figure by Phidias on Monte Cavallo at Rome, the Apollo, the
+Laocoon, the Venus, the Hercules, and the fighting gladiator, are all
+perfect on the just principles I have mentioned. There is no room for
+amendment; their propriety is unquestionable; their truth eternal. And so
+in the works of modern art, we see the same truth and perfection in the
+Capella Sestina by Michael Angelo, in the Supper by Leonardo da Vinci at
+Milan, in the Cartoons by Raphael, the St. Peter Martyr by Titian, and the
+Note by Correggio.
+
+"Having mentioned the figure on Monte Cavallo, representing, as you all
+know, a young man curbing a horse, I cannot help stopping to remark, that
+if any work of sculpture ever demonstrated more strongly the value of
+uniting philosophic science with that of art, for the production of
+character, it is that work by Phidias. Never did the power of art express
+more evidently than is done in the head of the young man, that every
+feature is moved by an internal mental power, and corresponds in the most
+perfect truth with what we see to be the labouring passion. When we view
+it in front we are astonished that the mouth does not speak. No observer
+ever thinks that the head is a block of stone. But the whole group is
+masterly on the most refined principles of science. It was intended to be
+seen at an elevated point, as well as at a distant one. All its forms,
+therefore, are grand without the minutiae of parts; its effects are
+striking and momentary; and in every circumstance considered, it is
+plainly the work of consummate genius and science united.
+
+"Was it possible that in an age which gave a Phidias to the Greeks,
+there should not have been a Pericles to reward, by his patronage, merit
+so exalted?
+
+"We may carry the same reflections into the progress of the pencil. As the
+Greeks became refined in their minds, they gained an Apelles to paint, and
+an Alexander to patronise. We are not enabled now to speak of the works of
+that great master. His figure of Alexander, in the character of young
+Ammon, is described as his master-piece. Such was the expression with
+which the hand grasped the thunder-bolt, that it seemed actually to start
+from the pannel. The expression and force of character given to the whole,
+was equally marvellous. And when we consider the refinement to which the
+human mind had then arrived among the Greeks, the immense value which
+they put upon the works of that artist, and that they were too wise to
+devote their applause to things which fell short of consummate excellence,
+we cannot doubt but it was by the cultivation of the public mind that the
+arts reached such attainments among them. What must have been their
+exquisite state when the simple line drawn by Protogenes,--in the
+consciousness of his acknowledged perfection, and which was intended to
+announce the man who drew it, as much as if he had told his name,--was so
+far excelled by another simple line over it by Apelles, that the former at
+once confessed himself outdone? Those two lines, simple as they were, were
+by no means trifling in their instruction. They gave us, as it were, an
+epitome of the progress which the arts had long been making in Greece. For
+if the drawing of a simple line, of such a master as Protogenes, who was
+conceived by many to hold the first pencil in the world, was surpassed, to
+his great surprise, by another, how high must refinement have been raised
+by the exertions of the artists in a period so emulous of perfection!
+
+"The stages in the progress of modern art, have been frequently
+distinguished by ages similar to those which succeed one another in the
+human growth. We may safely assert, that in the infantine and youthful
+period of modern art, literature and science were only seen in their
+infancy and growth. The opening of nature displayed in the works of
+Massaccio; the graces exhibited in those of Lorenzo Ghiberti; and the
+advancement in perspective made by one or two others, kept pace nearly
+with that progress in philosophy which appeared in the best writings of
+those days. As the one took a larger step in the next stage or period, the
+other stepped forth in a like degree at the same time; so that in Leonardo
+da Vinci we see the great painter and the great philosopher: his painting
+most clearly refined in its principles, and enlarged in its powers by his
+philosophical studies. As a philosopher, and especially in those parts of
+knowledge which were most interesting to his profession, he laid that
+foundation of science which has ever since been adopted and admired. As a
+painter, he not only went far beyond his predecessors, but laid down those
+principles of science in the expression of individual character, and of a
+soul and figure specifically and completely appropriated to each other,
+which opened the way to the greatness acquired by those who followed him
+in his studies. In that point of excellence, Leonardo da Vinci was
+original; and it was the natural result of a mind like his, formed to
+philosophical investigation, and deeply attentive to all the variety of
+appearances by which the passions are marked in the human countenance and
+frame. These he traced to their sources: he found them in their radical
+principles, and by his knowledge of these principles, his expression of
+character became perfected.
+
+"The _nature_ exhibited by Massaccio had not gone to that extent of
+expression. It however spoke a soul: he drew forth an inward mind on the
+outward countenance: he gave a character; but that character was not so
+discriminated as to become the index of one particular passion more than
+another; or to decide, for instance, the head of Jupiter from that of a
+Minerva: so at with the aid, of different types, it should not befit a
+Saviour or a Magdalene.
+
+"We must take along with us in this review, that the splendid patronage of
+the house of Medici came forward, to meet, and to cherish the happy
+advancements made by the masters of those days; so that Florence, which
+was then the greatest seat of the arts, was no less brilliant and
+illustrious in the generosity which strove to perpetuate them, than in the
+genius by which they had been cultivated.
+
+"Leonardo da Vinci, by the principles which he so effectually realised,
+has always been considered as having established the manly as well as the
+graceful age of modern art. But manhood is never so fixed as to be
+incapable of progress. The manhood then attained in art was capable of
+farther advancement beyond the growth which the powers of Da Vinci had
+given it. This was eminently illustrated by the sublimity of style which
+was attained by the genius of Michael Angelo and of Raphael;--quality
+equally original in both, although issuing from different principles. In
+the former, it was founded on that force and grandeur, allied to poetic
+spirit, which rises above all that is common, and leaves behind it all
+that is tame and simply correct; which, not content with engaging the
+senses, seizes on the imagination, while it never departs from truth. In
+the latter, it was made up of the beautiful and graceful, which attracts
+by the assemblage of whatever is most perfect and elevated in the
+character or subject.
+
+"Raphael coming somewhat later than Michael Angelo on the theatre of art,
+had the advantage of many of that master's works, as well as of all the
+improvements which had been made before. His life was a short one, and the
+first studies of it were almost lost in the dry school of Pietro Perugino.
+But he soon found his way to the philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci, and to
+the profound principles on which his admirable expression of character is
+founded. The dignity of drapery, and of light and shade, opened by
+Bartolomeo, invited his studies; and the sublimity of the human figure in
+the sculptures of his cotemporary, Michael Angelo, fastened on his
+contemplation. Thus he entered at once, as it were, into the inheritance
+of whatever excellencies had been produced before him. With these
+advantages he was called to adorn the apartments of the Vatican. And can
+we wonder that his first works there, at the age of seven-and-twenty, were
+the Dispute on the Sacrament, and the School of Athens?
+
+"But what was it that contributed very much to the production of those
+works? It was not the profound studies of Raphael's mind, but the spirit
+of the age which warmed those studies.--It was a great age, in which
+learning and science were become diffused, at least throughout Europe:--a
+great age replete with characters studious of philosophy; and, therefore,
+fond of the instruction conveyed by the arts;--fond of those high and
+more profound compositions which entered into the spirit of superior
+character, and made some study and research necessary to develope their
+beauties. To meet the taste of such an age, the two first public works of
+Raphael, above mentioned, were well suited, inasmuch as they were
+intended to convey the comparative views of theology and human science,
+or, in other words, the improvement of the human mind arising from the
+two great sources of national wisdom and revealed light. It must not also
+be forgotten, that while the spirit of the age was warming his mind to
+the peculiar dignity of theme and style which marks his works, the
+generous and noble patronage of the papal court was exerting its utmost
+power to immortalise him, and every other great master that arose within
+the circle of its influence. Their merit and their fame found as animated
+a protector in Leo X. as Phidias experienced in Pericles, or Apelles in
+Alexander the Great.
+
+"As the Florentine and Roman schools were thus gradually refined in the
+excellence of design and character, by the aid of philosophical studies;
+so the Venetian masters were equally indebted to the like studies, without
+which, they would never have reached their admirable system of colouring.
+If any have conceived otherwise, they have taken a very superficial view
+of their system. Where is there greater science concerned than in the
+whole theory of colours? It employed the investigation of Newton; and
+shall that pass for a common or easy attainment which took up so much of
+his profound studies? The Venetian masters had been long working their way
+to the radical principles of this science, not only for a just and perfect
+arrangement of their colouring, but for that clear and transparent system
+in the use of it, which have equally marked that school in the days of its
+maturity under Titian. He it was who established, on unerring principles,
+founded on nature and truth, that accomplished system which John Bellini
+had first laboured to discover, and in which Giorgioni had made further
+advancements. Besides his zeal in his profession, Titian was born in that
+higher rank of life which might be supposed to give him an easier access
+to the elegant studies of philosophic science; and he had prosecuted, with
+great ardour, the science of chemisty, the better to understand the
+properties of colour, their homogeneous blendings, purity, and duration;
+as well as the properties of oils, gums, and other fluids, which might
+form the fittest vehicles to convey his colours upon canvass.
+
+"The elegant Charles V. was to Titian in liberal pratronage what Leo X.
+was to Raphael. That munificent prince carried him into Spain, where his
+works laid the foundation of the Spanish school in painting, and gave a
+relish for that art to all the succeeding monarchs.
+
+"What has been remarked respecting Titian and the Venetian school, is
+equally true of that of Correggio among the Lombard painters. The mind of
+Correggio appears evidently, by his works, to have been profoundly
+enlightened; and especially in the philosophical arrangement and general
+doctrine of colours. What has been said by some concerning the low
+circumstances of his fortune, (which is not true,) neither proves the
+obscurity of his birth, nor that philosophical researches were out of his
+reach, or beside his emulation. The truth is, that he was born of a very
+honourable family, and was accomplished in the elegancies of life; not
+that it is necessary for any man to have the advantages of birth, in
+order to become enlightened by science in any way whatever. The patronage
+which attended him was of the most elevated kind, being dispensed by the
+illustrious houses of Mantua and Modena, as well as by the institution of
+the Doma of Parma. But what is by no means less worthy of our notice is,
+that of all the masters who have risen up in any of the schools of Italy,
+not one has been the means of giving success and reputation to those who
+have followed any of their respective styles equally with Correggio. The
+ineffable softness, sweetness, and grace in his paintings, have never
+varied in their effects with the course of time. And they who have since
+partaken of these powers in his style, have very generally become great
+masters, (distinguished by none of the excesses which have sometimes
+attended the imitation of other models,) and successful in gainng the
+approbation and favour of the world.
+
+"The paths pursued by those great examples must become yours, young
+gentlemen, or you can neither be eminent in colouring, nor sure in the
+execution of your art. It is possible, that by habits of practice, handed
+over from one to another, or by little managements in laying colours on
+the canvass, where little or nothing of the general science has been
+studied and attained, many may so far succeed as to avoid glaring errors,
+and a violation of those first principles which have their foundation in
+nature. But that success is at all times extremely hazardous and dependent
+on chance. More frequently it has introduced invincible conflicts between
+the primary and secondary colours, to the ruin of harmony and aerial
+perspective, and to the overthrow of the artist, whenever the picture is
+glanced upon by the eye of scientific discernment. Contemptible are the
+best of such managements, ever in the hands of those that know them best,
+compared with a full and masterly possession of the philosophy by which
+this part of your art must be guided. If the ordonnance of colour, on each
+figure and on the whole, is not disposed according to the immutable laws
+of the science, no fine effect, or accordant tones of colours, can
+possibly be produced. There is, therefore, but one way to make sure of
+success, and to raise your characters in this point, and that is by making
+yourselves masters of the whole philosophy of colours, as Titian and
+Correggio did, and some others, in whose works, from first to last, the
+minutest scrutiny will never find a colour misplaced or prejudiced by its
+disposition with others.
+
+"To be perfect, is the emulation which belongs to those arts in which you
+are engaged, and the anxious hope of the country in which you live. To
+animate you to that perfection, is the object of what I have now addressed
+to you. I am persuaded it is your ambition to be perfect. This Academy
+looks with pleasure on the progress of your studies, as it may look with
+pride on the high and cultivated state to which the arts have been raised
+among us ever since they have had the establishment of a regular school.
+It is no flattery to the present æra in Britain to say, that in no age of
+the world have the arts been carried in any country to such a summit as
+they now hold among us, in so short a period as half a century at most.
+Among the Greeks some centuries had elapsed, amidst no little emulation
+in the arts, before they obtained an Apelles. In modern Italy, without
+going as far back as we might, it took up a century from the appearance of
+Massaccio to the perfection of a Raphael. If, then, the British school has
+risen so much more speedily to that celebrity in art, which it is too well
+known and established to need any illustration here, what should hinder
+her professors from becoming the most distinguished rivals of the fame
+acquired by the Greeks and Italians, with a due perseverance in the
+studies which lead to perfection, and with those encouragements and
+support of patronage which are due to genius?
+
+"As the source of that patronage, we look up with affectionate gratitude
+to the benign and flattering attention of our most gracious Sovereign, to
+whose regard for the elegant arts, and munificent disposition to cherish
+every enlargement of science, and improvement of the human mind, his
+people are indebted for this public seminary, his own favoured
+Institution, and the first which this country has ever been so fortunate
+as to see established. Under his royal patronage and support, this Academy
+has risen to its present strength and flourishing condition. His
+patronage, which would be improperly estimated by mere expenditure, in a
+country not similar in the latitude of government, or in the controul over
+revenue, to ancient Greece or modern Italy, but properly by its diffusive
+influence, has been the source of every other patronage in the country;
+has inspired that refined taste and ardour for elegant arts, which have
+given in fact a new character to the people, and has raised within and
+without this Academy that body of distinguished men, whose works have
+contributed to immortalise his reign, as his love for the arts has become
+the means of immortalising them.
+
+"The patronage which has flowed from other quarters, deserves very
+honourable mention; and is of so much importance, that without it the
+spirit of art must droop, and the very profession of it be contracted in
+every situation whatever. It is not by the influence and support of any
+individual character, how elevated soever, or how warm soever in his
+attachment to taste and elegance, that the extent of professional talents
+spread through a country, can be effectually sustained with adequate
+encouragements. It is the wealthy and the great, who are commonly trained
+by their situations to the perception of what is elegant and refined, that
+must come forward in such an illustrious undertaking. It is only they who
+can meet every where the merit, let it be disseminated as it may, which is
+entitled, to distinction. Without the patronage of such, the arts could
+never have obtained their high meridian in Greece and Italy. Had not the
+communities and rich individuals in Greece taken the arts under their
+protection, not all the encouragement of Pericles, or of Alexander the
+Great, could have drawn forth that immense body of painting and sculpture
+which filled the country. Had the patronage of Italy rested with the popes
+and princes, unaccompanied by those munificent supports which flowed from
+the churches and convents, as well as from private individuals of rank and
+wealth, the galleries of that country could never have been so superbly
+filled as they were, nor could those collections have been made from
+thence, which have filled so many galleries and cabinets elsewhere.
+
+"These facts are not to be denied; but they also lead us to another
+lesson, which is, that the patronage so generally dispensed was for the
+protection of living genius, and that they by whom it was so dispensed
+sought no other collections than the works of native and living artists.
+On any other ground there can be no such thing as patronage. Nothing else
+is worthy of that name. The true and generous patron of great works
+selects those which are produced by the talents existing around him. By
+collecting from other countries, he may greatly enrich himself, but can
+never give celebrity to the country in which he lives. The encouragement
+extended to the genius of a single artist, though it may produce but one
+original work, adds more to the celebrity of a people, and is a higher
+proof of true patriotic ardour, and of a generous love for the progress of
+art, than all the collections that ever were made by the productions of
+other countries, and all the expenditures that ever were bestowed in
+making them. Did the habits of our domestic circumstances, like those of
+Italy, permit the ingenious student to have access to those works of
+established masters, procured by the spirit of their noble and wealthy
+possessors, and of many distinguished amateurs on the most liberal terms,
+and with the honourable purpose of forming the taste, as well as enriching
+the treasures, of the country, every thing would then be done, which is
+wanting to complete the public benefit of such collections, and the
+general gratitude to which they who have made them would be entitled. So
+abundant are the accomplished examples in art already introduced among us,
+that there would then be no necessity for students to run to other
+countries for those improvements which their own can furnish.
+
+"It cannot be improper at any time to make these remarks; while it must
+also be observed, that the patronage held forth by many great and noble
+characters needs no spur; and the means projected by other spirited
+individuals in opulent stations, for extending and perpetuating the works
+of British masters, fall short in no degree of the most fervid energies
+and examples, of which any country has been able to boast.
+
+"It is your duty, young gentlemen, to become accomplished in your
+professions, that you may keep alive those energies and examples of
+patronage, when you come to draw the attention of the world to your own
+works. It is by your success that the arts must be carried on and
+preserved here. Patronage can only be expected to follow what is eminently
+meritorious, and more especially that general patronage diffused through
+the more respectable ranks of society, which is to professional merit,
+what the ocean is to the earth;--the great fund from whence it must ever
+be refreshed, and without whose abundance, conveyed through innumerable
+channels, every thing must presently become dry, and all productions cease
+to exist."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XII.
+
+
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.
+
+After a careful examination of all the remaining notes of Mr. West, it
+appeared to me, that the discourse which he delivered on the 10th of
+December, 1811, was the only one that required particular notice, after
+those which I have already introduced. In some respects it will, perhaps,
+be deemed the most interesting of the whole.
+
+"The few points," said the President, "upon which I mean to touch in the
+present Discourse, are those which more immediately apply to the
+students, who are generously striving to attain excellence in the first
+class of refined art,--historical painting.
+
+"Whether their exertions are directed to painting, or the sister arts,
+architecture and sculpture, the first thing they must impress upon their
+minds, and engraft upon every shoot of their fancy, is that of the
+appropriate character, by which the subject they are about to treat, is
+distinguished from all other subjects. On this foundation, all the points
+of refined art which are, in the truest sense, intellectual, invariably
+rest; for without justness of character the works of the pencil can have
+but little value, and can never entitle the artist to the praise of a
+well-governed genius, or of possessing that philosophical precision of
+judgment, which is the source of excellence in the superior walk of his
+profession. At the same time, let it be indelibly fixed in your minds,
+that when decided character is to be given, that character must be
+accompanied by correctness of outline, whether it be in painting or in
+sculpture. Any representation of the human figure, in the higher
+department of art, wanting these requisites, is, to the feelings of the
+educated artist, deficient in that, for the loss of which no other
+excellency can compensate.
+
+"Architecture.--This department of art received its decided character from
+the Greeks. They distinctly fixed the embellishments to the several
+orders; and, by their adaptation of these embellishments and orders, their
+buildings obtained a distinct and appropriate character, which declared
+the uses for which they were erected.
+
+"The Romans, in their best era of taste, copied their Grecian instructors
+in that appropriate character of embellishment which explained, at a
+glance, the use of their respective buildings; but, in their latter ages,
+they declined from this original purity; and it is the fragments of that
+corruption, in which they lost the characteristic precision of the Greeks,
+that we have seen of late years employed upon many of our buildings. The
+want of mental reflection in employing the orders of architectures with a
+rational precision as to character, produces the same sort of deficiency
+which we find in an historical picture; where, although each figure, in
+correct proportion, be well drawn, with drapery elegantly folded, yet, not
+being employed appropriately to the subject, affords no satisfaction to
+the spectator.
+
+"The Greeks were in architecture what they were in sculpture; and it is to
+them you must look for the original purity of both. We feel rejoiced, that
+the exertions recently made by a noble personage to enrich our studies in
+both of these departments of art are such, that we may say, London has
+become the Athens for study. It is the mental power displayed in the Elgin
+marbles that I wish the juvenile artist to notice. Look at the equestrian
+groups of the young Athenians in this collection, and you will find in
+them that momentary motion which life gives on the occasion to the riders
+and their horses. The horse we perceive feels that power which the impulse
+of life has given to his rider; we see in him the animation of his whole
+frame; in the fire of his eyes, the distention of his nostrils, and in the
+rapid motion of his feet, yielding to the guidance of his rider, or in the
+speeding of his course: they are, therefore, in perfect unison with the
+life in each. At this moment of their animation, they appear to have been
+turned into stone by some majestic power, and not created by the human
+hand. The single head of the horse, in the same collection, seems as if it
+had, by the same influence, been struck into marble, when he was exerting
+all the energy of his motion.
+
+"These admirable sculptures, which now adorn our city, are the union of
+Athenian genius and philosophy, and illustrate my meaning respecting the
+mental impression which is so essentially to be given to works of refined
+art. It was this point which the Grecian philosophers wished to impress on
+the minds of their sculptors, not to follow their predecessors the
+Egyptians in sculpture, who represented their figures without motion,
+although nearly perfect in giving to them the external form. 'It is the
+passions,' said they, 'with which man is endowed, that we wish to see in
+the movements of your figures.' This advice of the philosophers was felt
+by the sculptors, and the Athenian marbles are the faithful records of the
+efficacy of that advice.
+
+"That you may distinctly perceive and invariably distinguish what we mean
+by appropriate character in art, particularly in sculpture, I would class
+with these sculptures, the Hercules, the Apollo, the Venus, the Laocoon,
+and the Gladiator. In these examples you will find what is appropriate in
+character to subject, united with correctness of outline; and it is this
+combination of truths which has arrested the attention of an admiring
+world, ever since they were produced; and which will attract to them the
+admiration of after ages, so long as the workings of the mind on the
+external form can be contemplated and understood.
+
+"Now let us see what works there are since the revival of art in the
+modern world, which rest on the same basis of appropriate character and
+correctness of outline, with those of the ancient Greeks.
+
+"The Moses which the powers of Michael Angelo's mind has presented to our
+view, claims our first attention. In this statue the points of character,
+in every mode of precise, determinate, and elevated expression, have been
+carried to a pitch of grandeur which modern art has not since excelled. In
+this figure of Moses, Michael Angelo has fixed the unalterable standard of
+the Jewish lawgiver,--a character delineated and justified by the text in
+inspired sculpture. The character of Moses was well suited to the grandeur
+of the artist's conceptions, and to the dreadful energy of his feelings.
+Accordingly, in mental character, this figure holds the first station in
+modern art; and I believe we may venture to say, had no competitor in
+ancient, except those of the Jupiter and Minerva by Phidias. But the
+Saviour, all meekness and benevolence, which Michael Angelo made to
+accompany the Moses, was not in unison with his genius. The figure is
+mean, but slightly removed from an academical figure, and in no point
+appropriate to the subject: so are most of the single figures of the
+artist, in his great work on the Day of Judgment; but his groups in that
+composition are every where in character, and have not their rivals
+either in painting or sculpture. His Bacchus claims our admiration, as
+being appropriate to the subject, by the same excellence in delineation
+which distinguish the groups in the Day of Judgment. No person can have a
+higher veneration than I have for that grandeur of character impressed on
+the figures by Michael Angelo; but it is the fitness of the characters and
+of the action to the subject, to which I wish to draw your attention, and
+not to pour out praise on those points, in which he and other eminent
+masters are deficient. On this occasion, I must therefore be permitted to
+repeat, that most of the single figures in his great work of the Day of
+Judgment, are deficient in the fitness of appropriate character, and in
+the fitness of appropriate action to the subject; although as single
+figures they demand our admiration. But excellent as they are, they are
+but the ingenious adaptation of legs, arms, and heads, to the celebrated
+Torso, which bears his name, and which served as the model to most of his
+figures. All figures in composition, however excellent they may be in
+delineation, which have not their actions and expressions springing from
+the subject in which they are the actors, can only be considered as
+academical efforts, without the impress of mental power, and without any
+philosophical attention to the truth of the subject which the artist
+intended to illustrate.
+
+"Leonardo da Vinci is the first who had a full and right conception of the
+principle which I wish to inculcate, and he has shown it in his picture of
+the Last Supper. But it is necessary to distinguish what parts of the
+picture deserve consideration. It is the decision, the appropriate
+character of the apostles to the subject; the significance of expression
+in their several countenances, and the diversity of action in each figure;
+their actions seemingly in perfect unison with their minds, and their
+figures individually in unison with their respective situations; some are
+confused at the words spoken by our Saviour: "There is one amongst you who
+shall betray me;" others are thrown under impressions of a different
+feeling. In this respect the picture has left us without an appeal,
+either to nature or to art. But Da Vinci failed in the head of our
+Saviour. He has failed in his attempt to combine the almost incompatible
+qualities of dignity and meekness which are demanded in the countenance of
+the Saviour. He had exhausted his powers of characteristic discrimination
+in the heads of the apostles; and in his attempt to give meekness to the
+countenance of Jesus, he sank into insipience. He had the prudence,
+therefore, to leave the face unfinished, that the imagination of the
+beholder might not be disappointed by an imperfect image, but form one in
+his mind more appropriate to his feelings and to the subject. The ruin of
+this picture, the report of which I understand is true, has deprived the
+world and the arts of one of the mental eyes of painting. But pleasing as
+the works of Leonardo da Vinci are in general, had he not produced this
+picture of the Last Supper, and the cartoon of the equestrian combatants
+for the standard of victory, he would scarcely have emerged, as a painter
+of strong character, above mediocrity. Indeed the back-ground, and general
+distribution of this picture, sufficiently mark their Gothic origin. But
+his pictures, generally speaking, are more characterised by their
+laborious finishing, gentleness, and sweetness of character, than by the
+energies of a lively imagination.
+
+"Fra. Bartolomeo di St. Marco, of Florence, was one of the first who
+became enamoured of that superiority which grandeur and decision of
+character gives to art; and, indeed, of all those higher excellences which
+the philosophical mind of Da Vinci had accomplished. In the pictures of
+Bartolomeo we behold, for the first time, that breadth of the
+clair-obscure--the deep tones of colour, with their philosophical
+arrangement, united to that noble folding of drapery appropriate to, and
+significant of, every character it covered; a point of excellence in this
+master, from which Raphael caught his first conception of that noble
+simplicity which distinguishes the dignity of his draperies, and which it
+became his pride through life to imitate.
+
+"Bartolomeo, in his figure of St. Mark, has convinced us how important and
+indispensable is the union of mental conception with truth of
+observation, in order to give a decided and appropriate character to an
+Evangelist of the Gospel. None of the pictures of this artist possess the
+excellence of his St. Mark except one, which is in the city of Lucca, the
+capital of the republic of that name; and, as that picture is but little
+known to travellers, and almost unknown to many artists who have visited
+Italy, a description of it may not be unacceptable.
+
+"The picture is on pannel, and its dimensions somewhat about twenty feet
+in height by fourteen in width. The subject is the Assumption of the
+Virgin Mary. The composition is divided into three groups; the Apostles
+and the sepulchre form the centre group, from the midst of which the
+Virgin ascends; her body-drapery is of a deep ruby colour, which is the
+only decided red in the picture, and her mantle blue, but in depth of tone
+approaching to black, and extended by angels to nearly each side of the
+picture. This mantle is relieved by a light, in tone resembling that of
+the break of day, seen over the summit of a dark mountain, which gives an
+awful grandeur to the effect of the picture on entering the chapel, in
+which it is placed over the altar. That awful light of the morning is
+contrasted with the golden effulgence above; in the midst of which, our
+Saviour is seen with extended arms, to receive and welcome his mother.
+
+"From the sepulchre, and the Apostles in the centre, to the fore-ground,
+the third group of figures partly lies in shade, occasioned by the
+over-shadowing of the Virgin's deep-toned mantle extended by angels. On
+the other part of the group, on the side where the light enters, the
+figures are seen in the broad blaze of day; and amongst them is the
+portrait of the artist.
+
+"When I first saw this picture, my sensations were in unison with its
+awful character; and I confess that I was touched with the same kind of
+sensibility as when I heard the inexpressibly harmonious blendings of
+vocal sounds in the solemn notes of _Non nobis Domine_. I never felt more
+forcibly the dignity of music and the dignity of painting, than from
+these two compositions of art.
+
+"When we consider the combination of excellence requisite to produce the
+sublime in painting; the union of propriety with dignity of character; the
+graceful grouping; the noble folding of drapery, and the deep sombrous
+tones of the clair-obscure, with appropriate colours harmoniously blending
+into one whole;--if there is a picture entitled to the appellation of
+_sublime_, from the union of all these excellences, It is that which I
+have described: considered in all its parts, it is, perhaps, superior to
+any work in painting, which has fallen under my observation.
+
+"When these powerful essays in art by Da Vinci, Bartolomeo di St. Marco,
+and Michael Angelo became celebrated, Raphael, having attained his adult
+age, made his appearance at Florence; where the influence of the works of
+those three great artists pervaded all the avenues to excellence in art.
+
+"The gentle sensibility of Raphael's mind was like the softened wax
+which makes more visible and distinct the form of the engraving with
+which it is touched. Blest by Nature with this endowment, he became like
+the heir to the treasured wealth of many families. Enriched by the
+accumulated experience which was then in Florence, united to the early
+tuition of delineating from nature under Pietro Perugino, and the
+subsequent discoveries of the Grecian relics, Raphael's mind became
+stored with all that was excellent; and he possessed a practised hand, to
+make his conceptions visible on his tablets. Possessing these powers, he
+was invited to Rome, and began his picture of _The Dispute on the
+Sacrament_. This picture he finished, together with _The School of
+Athens_, before he had attained his twenty-eighth year. At Rome he found
+himself amidst the splendour of a refined court, and in the focus of
+human endowment. He became sensible of the rare advantages of his
+situation; he had industry and ardour to combine and to embrace them all;
+and the effect is visible in his works. The theological arrangement of
+the disputants on the Sacrament, and the scholastic controversies at
+Athens, convince us of this truth. In the upper part of the Dispute on
+the Sacrament, something may be observed of that taste of Bartolomeo in
+drapery, and of the dryness and hardness of his first master Pietro
+Perugino; but in the parts which make the aggregate of that work, he has
+blended the result of his own observations. In his School of Athens, this
+is still more strikingly the case; and in his Heliodorus we see
+additional dignity and an enlargement of style.
+
+"At this period of his life, such was the desire of his society by the
+great, and such the ambition of standing forward amongst his patrons by
+all who were eminent for rank and taste, that he was seduced into courtly
+habits, and relaxed from that studious industry, with which he had
+formerly laboured; and there are evident marks in many of his works in the
+Vatican, of a decline of excellence, and that he was suffering pleasure
+and indolence to rob him of his fame. Sensible of this decline in his
+compositions, the powers of his mind re-assumed their energies; and that
+re-animation stands marked in his unrivalled compositions of the Cartoons
+which are in this country, and in the picture of the Transfiguration.
+
+"The transcendant excellence in composition, and in appropriate
+character to subject, in the cartoon of Paul preaching at Athens, has
+left us to desire or expect nothing farther to be done in telling this
+incident of history.
+
+"In the composition of the death of Ananias, and in the single figure of
+Elymas the sorcerer struck blind, we have the same example of excellence.
+We have indeed in many of the characters and groups in the cartoons, the
+various modes of reasoning, speaking, and feeling; but so blended with
+nature and truth, and so precise and determined in character, that
+criticism has nothing wherewith in that respect to ask for amendment.
+
+"Had the life of this illustrious painter, which closed on his birth-day
+in his thirty-seventh year, been prolonged to the period of that of
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, or Titian, when in the space of
+seventeen years at Rome he has given the world more unrivalled works of
+art, than has fallen to the lot of any other painter, what an additional
+excellence might we not have expected in his works for subsequent
+generations to admire.
+
+"The next distinguished artist who comes under our consideration is
+Titian. The grandeur which Michael Angelo gave to the human figure, Titian
+has rivalled in colour, and both were dignified during their lives with
+the appellation of The Divine.
+
+"I will pass over the many appropriate portraits which he painted of men,
+and the portraits of women, though not the most distinguished for beauty,
+in the character of Venus, to meet the fashion of the age in which he
+lived; and notice only those works of mental power, which have raised him
+to eminence in the class of refined artists. On this point, you will find
+that his picture of St. Peter Martyr will justify the claim he has to
+that rank.
+
+"St. Peter the Martyr was the head of a religious sect: when on his way
+from the confines of Germany to Milan with a companion, he was attacked by
+one in opposition to his religious principles while passing through a
+wood, and murdered. This is the subject of the picture. The prostrate
+figure of the Saint, just fallen by a blow from the assassin, raises one
+of his hands towards heaven, with a countenance of confidence in eternal
+reward for the firmness of his faith; while the assassin grasps with his
+left hand the mantle of his victim, the better to enable him, by his
+uplifted sword in the other hand, to give the fatal blow to the fallen
+saint. The companion is flying off in frantic dismay, and has received a
+wound in the head from the assassin.
+
+"The ferocious and determined action of the murderer bestriding the body
+of the fallen saint, completes a group of figures which have not a rival
+in art. The majestic trees, as well as the sable and rugged furze, form an
+awful back-ground to this tragical scene, every way appropriate to the
+subject. The heavenly messengers seen in the glory above, bearing the
+palm branches as the emblem of reward for martyrdom, form the second
+light; the first being the sky and cloud, which gives relief to the black
+drapery of the wounded companion; while the rays of light from the
+emanation above, sparkling on the dark branches of the trees as so many
+diamonds, tie together by their light all the others from the top to the
+bottom of the picture. The terror which the act of the murderer has
+spread, is denoted by the speed of the horseman passing into the gloomy
+recesses of a distant part of the forest.
+
+"This picture, taken in the aggregate, is the first work in art in which
+the human figure and landscape are combined as an historical landscape,
+and where all the objects are the full size of nature.
+
+"When I saw this picture at Venice in 1761, it was then in the same state
+of purity as when the Bologna artists saw and studied it; and it is
+recorded that Caracci declared this picture to be without fault. But we
+have to lament the fatal effects which the goddess Bellona has ever
+occasioned to the fine arts when she mounts her iron chariot of
+destruction. When this picture fell under her rapacious power, on board a
+French vessel passing down the Adriatic sea from Venice, one of our
+cruisers chased the vessel into the port of Ancona, and a cannon-shot
+pierced the pannel on which the picture was painted, and shivered a
+portion of it into pieces.
+
+"On its arrival at Paris, the committee of the fine arts found it
+necessary to remove the painting from the pannel, and place it on canvass;
+but the picture has lost the principal light.
+
+"But to sum up Titian's powers of conception, no one has equalled him in
+the propriety and fitness of colour. His pictures of St. Peter Martyr; the
+David and Goliah; and the Last Supper, which is in the Escurial, stand in
+the very highest rank in art. On the latter of these pictures being
+finished, Titian in his letter to the King, announcing the circumstance,
+says that it had been the labour of seven years. But by his original
+sketch in oil colours, which I have the good fortune to possess, and by
+which we may form an estimate, although the general effect and composition
+are unrivalled, the characters of the heads of the apostles are not equal
+to those of Leonardo da Vinci on the same subject.
+
+"Antonio Allegri da Correggio is the sixth source, whose emanating powers
+have illuminated the fine arts in the modern world. A superstitious mind,
+on seeing his works, would suppose that he had received his tuition in
+painting from the angels; as his figures seem to belong to another race of
+being than man, and to have something too celestial for the forms of earth
+to have presented to his view. Such have been the sayings of many on
+seeing his works at Parma, but, to my conception, he painted from the
+nature with which he was surrounded. His pictures of the Note, St.
+Gierolimo, and the St. George, are evident proofs of the observation. In
+the first of these pictures his mental conception shines supreme. It is
+the idea of illuminating the child in the subject of our Saviour's
+nativity. This splendid thought of giving light to the infant Christ,
+whose divine mission was to illuminate the human mind from Pagan darkness,
+no painter has since been so bold as to omit in any composition on the
+same subject. The two latter pictures have all the beauties seen in the
+paintings of this master, but they are deficient in appropriate character.
+
+"The inspiring power of Correggio's works illuminated the genius of
+Parmegiano, the energetic movements of whose graceful figures have never
+been equalled, nor are they deficient in the moral influence of the art.
+His Moses breaking the tables in a church at Parma, and his picture of the
+vision of St. Gierolimo, now in England, are filled with the impress of
+his intellectual powers, and stand pre-eminent over all his works.
+
+"I have thus taken a survey of the works of art, which stand supreme among
+the productions of Grecian and Italian genius, and which are the sources
+from which the subsequent schools have derived most of the principles of
+their celebrity.
+
+"The papal vortex drew into it nearly all the various powers of human
+refinement, and the inspiring influence of the first school in art having
+centered in Rome gave it superiority, till the Constable Bourbon, by
+sacking that city, obliged the fine arts to fly from their place, like
+doves from the vultures: they never re-appeared at Rome but with
+secondary power.
+
+"About a century subsequent to their flight from Rome they were
+re-animated, and formed the second school of art in Italy at the city of
+Bologna under the Carracci, at the head of which was Ludovico. He and his
+two relatives, Hanibal and Augustin Carracci, derived their principles
+from the Venetian School, from Titian, Paul Veronese, and Tintoret, and
+from the Lombard School of Correggio and Parmegiano. But the good sense of
+Ludovico raised by them and himself a school of their own, which excelled
+in the power of delineating the human figure, but which power gave to that
+school more academical taste than mental character.
+
+"Their great work was that in the convent of St. Michael in Boresco, near
+Bologna; but this work has perished by damp, and the only remains on
+record of what it was, are in the coarse prints which were done from
+copies executed when it was in good condition. But grand as it must have
+been according to the evidence of these prints, it was but an academical
+composition.
+
+"The picture by Ludovico, however, of our Saviour's Transfiguration on the
+Mount, consisting of six figures double the size of life, has embraced
+nearly all the points of art, and has placed the artist high in the first
+class of painters.
+
+"The masters of the Bolognese school going to Rome and other parts of
+Italy, their successors at Bologna contented themselves by retailing the
+several manners of the three Carracci--Guido, Domenichino and Guercino.
+This system of retailing continued to descend from master to pupil, until
+the school of Bologna sunk into irrecoverable imbecility.
+
+"The most esteemed work in painting by Augustine Carracci is the Communion
+of St. Jerom. It possesses grandeur of style, is bold in execution, and
+the faces are not deficient in the appropriate expression of sensibility
+towards the object before them. It was on the composition of this picture,
+that Domenichino formed his on the same subject, so much celebrated as to
+be considered next in merit to Raphael's Transfiguration. But fine as it
+is admitted to be, we must say, as a borrowed idea, it lessens the merit
+of the artist's originality of mind.
+
+"The finest picture by Guido is in a church at Genoa, where he has brought
+to a focus all the force of his powers in grace and beauty, with an
+expression and execution of pencil rarely to be met with in art. The
+subject is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The angels, who surround the
+Virgin, have something in their faces so celestial, that they seem as if
+they had really descended from Heaven, and sat to the artist while he
+painted them. The Virgin herself seems to have had the same complacency.
+The characters of the Apostles' heads are so exquisitely drawn and
+painted, as to be without competition in the works of any other painter.
+
+"The most esteemed picture by Guercino is is that of Santa Petranella,
+which he painted for St. Peter's Church, at Rome.
+
+"But, Gentlemen, if you aspire to excellence in your profession, you must
+not rest your future studies on the excellence of any individual, however
+exalted his name or genius; but, like the industrious bee, survey the
+whole face of nature, and sip the sweets from every flower. When thus
+enriched, lay up your acquisitions for future use; and with that
+enrichment from Nature's inexhaustible source, examine the great works of
+art to animate your feelings, and to excite your emulation. When you are
+thus mentally enriched, and your hand practised to obey the powers of
+your will, you will then find your pencils, or your chisels, as magic
+wands, calling into view creations of your own, to adorn your name and
+your country.
+
+"I cannot, however, close this Discourse, without acknowledging a debt due
+from this Academy, as well as that which is due to the Academy itself.
+Soon after His present Majesty had ascended the throne, his benign regard
+for the prosperity of the fine arts in these realms was manifested by his
+gracious commands to establish this favoured Institution.
+
+"The heart of every artist, and of the friend of art, glowed with mutual
+congratulation to see a British King, for the first time, at the head of
+the fine arts. His Majesty nominated forty members guardians to his infant
+academy; and that they have been faithful to the trust which he graciously
+reposed in them, the several apartments under this roof sufficiently
+testify. The professors are highly endowed with accomplishments and
+scientific knowledge in the several branches to which they are
+respectively appointed; and the funds able to render relief to the
+indigent and decayed artists, their widows and children.
+
+"Who can reflect for a moment on the rare advantages here held out for
+the instruction of youthful genius, and the aid given to the decayed,
+their widows and helpless offspring, without feeling the grateful emotions
+of the heart rise towards a patriot King, for giving to the arts this home
+within the walls of a stately mansion, and towards the members of this
+Academy, who, as his faithful guardians, have so ably fulfilled the
+purposes for which the Institution was formed.
+
+"United to what the Academicians have done, and are doing, another
+honourable establishment, sanctioned by His Majesty for promoting the fine
+arts, has been created and composed of noblemen and gentlemen whose known
+zeal for the success of refined art is so conspicuous and honourable to
+themselves.
+
+"Such have been the efforts to give splendour to the fine arts in this
+country, and such are the results which have attended these exertions;
+that knowing, as we do, the movements of the arts on the Continent, I may
+confidently say, that our annual exhibitions, both as to number and
+taste, engrafted on nature and the fruit of mental conception, are such
+that all the combined efforts in art on the continent of Europe in the
+same time have not been able to equal. To such attainments, were those in
+power but to bestow the crumbs from the national table to cherish the fine
+arts, we might pledge ourselves, that the genius of Britain would, in a
+few years, dispute the prize with the proudest periods of Grecian or
+Italian art. But, Gentlemen, let us not despair; we have heard from this
+place, the promise of patronage from the Prince Regent, the propitious
+light of a morning that will open into perfect day, invigorating the
+growth of all around--the assurance of a new era to the elevation of the
+fine arts, in the United Kingdom."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XIII.
+
+
+
+    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin
+    of the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.
+
+During the Peace of Amiens, Mr. West, like every other person who
+entertained any feeling of admiration for the fine arts, was desirous of
+seeing that magnificent assemblage of paintings and sculptures, which
+constituted the glory and the shame of Buonaparte's administration. He
+accordingly furnished himself with letters from Lord Hawkesbury, then
+Secretary of State, to Mr. Merry, the British representative at the
+consular court; and also with introductions from Monsieur Otto, the French
+minister in London, to the most distinguished members of his government.
+
+On delivering Lord Hawkesbury's letters to Mr. Merry, that gentleman
+informed him that one of the French ministers had, the preceding evening,
+mentioned that Monsieur Otto had written in such terms respecting him,
+that he and his colleagues were resolved to pay him every mark of the most
+distinguished attention. Mr. Merry, therefore, advised Mr. West to call on
+the several ministers himself with the letters, and leave them with his
+card. As the object for which the Artist had procured these introductions
+was only to obtain, with more facility, access to the different galleries,
+he was rather embarrassed by this information; and would have declined
+delivering the letters altogether; but Mr. Merry said, that, as his
+arrival in Paris was already known to the government, he could not with
+any propriety avoid paying his respects to the ministers.
+
+After delivering his letters and card accordingly, the hotel where he
+resided was, in the course of the week, visited by all the most
+distinguished of the French statesmen; and he had the honour of being
+invited to dine with them successively. At these parties, the
+conversation turned very much on the importance of the arts to all nations
+aspiring to fame and eminence; and he very soon perceived, that the vast
+collection of trophies which adorned the Louvre, had not been formed so
+much for ostentatious exhibition, as with a view to furnish models of
+study for artists; constituting, in fact, but the elementary part of a
+grand system of national decoration designed by Buonaparte, and by which
+he expected to leave such memorials to posterity as would convince the
+world that his magnificence was worthy of his military achievements.
+
+It happened at this particular period, that the galleries of the Louvre
+were closed to the public for some time, but a deputation from the Central
+Administration of the Arts, under whose care the collections were
+particularly placed, waited on Mr. West, and informed him, that orders
+were given to admit him and his friends at all times. Denon was at the
+head of this deputation; and in the course of the conversation which then
+took place, that accomplished enthusiast explained to Mr. West more
+circumstantially the extensive views entertained by the French government
+with respect to the arts, mentioning several of the superb schemes which
+were formed by the First Consul for the decoration of the capital.
+
+This information made a very deep impression on the mind of Mr. West, and
+he felt extremely sorrowful when he reflected, that hitherto the British
+government had done nothing decidedly with a view to promote the
+cultivation of those arts, which may justly be said to constitute the
+olive wreath on the brows of every great nation. Mr. Fox and Sir Francis
+Baring, who were at this same time in Paris, happened soon after the
+departure of Monsieur Denon to call, and they went with Mr. West to the
+Louvre, where, as they were walking in the gallery, he explained to them
+what he had heard. An interesting discussion took place in consequence;
+and Mr. West endeavoured to explain in what manner he considered the
+cultivation of the fine arts of the utmost importance even in a commercial
+point of view to England.
+
+Mr. Fox paid great attention to what he said, and observed, in a tone of
+regret, "I have been rocked in the cradle of politics from my infancy, and
+never before was so much struck with the advantage, even in a political
+bearing, of the fine arts to the prosperity, as well as the renown, of a
+kingdom; and I do assure you, Mr. West, that if ever I have it in my power
+to influence our government to promote the arts, the conversation that we
+have had to-day shall not be forgotten." Sir Francis Baring also concurred
+in opinion, that it was really become an imperious duty, on the part of
+the British nation, to do something for a class of art that, undoubtedly,
+tended to improve the beauty, and multiply the variety of manufactures,
+independent of all monumental considerations.
+
+When Mr. West had returned home, the subject was renewed with Sir Francis
+Baring; and he endeavoured to set on foot the formation of a society,
+which should have the encouragement of the line arts for its object, and
+thought that government might be induced to give it pecuniary assistance.
+Sir Thomas Barnard took up the idea with great zeal; and several meetings
+took place at Mr. West's house, at which Mr. Charles Long and Sir Abraham
+Hume were present, which terminated in the formation of that association
+that now constitutes the British Institution, in Pall Mall. Mr. Long
+undertook to confer with Mr. Pitt, who was then again in power, on the
+subject, and the proposal was received by him with much apparent
+sincerity. But a disastrous series of public events about the same time
+commenced: the attention of the Minister was absorbed in the immediate
+peril of the state; and he fell a victim to his anxieties, without having
+had it in his power to further the objects of the association.
+
+At the death of his great rival, Mr. Fox came into office; and he soon
+after called on Mr. West, and, reminding him of the conversation in the
+gallery of the Louvre, said, "It is my earnest intention, as soon as I am
+firmly seated on the saddle, to redeem the promise that I then made." But
+he also was frustrated in his intentions, and fell a sacrifice to disease,
+without being able to take any step in the business. In the mean time,
+the Shaksperian Gallery was offered for sale; and the gentlemen interested
+in this project raised a sum of money, by subscription, and purchased that
+building with the intention of making it the approach to a proposed
+national gallery.
+
+From Mr. Percival the scheme met with a far different reception. He
+listened to the representations which Mr. West made to him with a
+repressive coldness, it might almost be said with indifference, had it not
+been marked with a decided feeling; for he seemed to consider the whole
+objects of the British Institution, and the reasons adduced in support of
+the claims which the interests of the arts had on government, as the
+visionary purposes of vain enthusiasts. It was not within the small
+compass of that respectable individual's capacity to consider any generous
+maxim as founded in what _he_ deemed wisdom, or to comprehend, that the
+welfare of nations could be promoted by any other means than precedents of
+office, decisions of courts, and Acts of Parliament. An incident,
+however, occurred, which induced him to change his opinion of the utility
+of the fine arts.
+
+At the anniversary dinner, in 1812, before the opening of the Academy, he
+was present, with other public characters. On the right hand of the
+President was seated the Lord Chancellor Eldon, on his left Lord
+Liverpool, and on the right of the Chancellor Mr. Percival. A conversation
+took place, naturally inspired by the circumstances of the meeting, in
+which Mr. West recapitulated what he had formerly so often urged; and Mr.
+Percival, perceiving the impression which his observations made on those
+to whom they were particularly addressed, requested him to put his ideas
+on the subject in writing, and he would lay it before the Prince Regent.
+This took place on Saturday; on Wednesday Mr. West delivered his memorial;
+on the Friday following Mr. Percival was assassinated; and since that time
+nothing farther has been done in the business.
+
+It is perhaps necessary to notice here, that when it was first proposed to
+the King to sanction the establishment of the British Institution with
+his patronage, he made some objection, conceiving that it was likely to
+interfere with the Royal Academy, which he justly considered with the
+partiality of a parent. But on Mr. West explaining to him that the two
+institutions were very different in their objects, the Academy being
+formed for the instruction of pupils, and the other for the encouragement
+of artists arrived at maturity in their profession, His Majesty readily
+consented to receive the deputation of the association appointed to wait
+on him in form to solicit his patronage. Except, however, the honour of
+the King's name, the British Institution, formed expressly for the
+improvement of the public taste with a view to the encouragement of the
+arts, has received neither aid nor countenance as yet from the state.
+
+Before concluding this summary account of the origin and establishment of
+the British Institution, it may be expected of me to take some notice of
+the circumstances connected with the purchase and exhibition of Mr. West's
+picture of Christ Healing the Sick in the Temple; an event which formed
+an era in the history of the arts in Britain, and contributed in no small
+degree to promote the interests of the Institution. Perhaps the exhibition
+of no work of art ever attracted so much attention, or was attended with
+so much pecuniary advantage to the proprietors; independent of which, the
+history of the picture is itself interesting.
+
+Some years before, a number of gentlemen, of the society of Quakers in
+Philadelphia, set on foot a subscription for the purpose of erecting an
+hospital for the sick poor in that city. Among others to whom they applied
+for contributions in this country, they addressed themselves to Mr. West.
+He informed them, however, that his circumstances did not permit him to
+give so liberal a sum as he could wish, but that if they would provide a
+proper place in the building, he would paint a picture for it as his
+subscription, which perhaps would prove of more advantage than all the
+money he could afford to bestow, and with this intention he began the
+_Christ Healing the Sick_. While the work was going forward, it attracted
+a great deal of notice in his rooms, and finally had the effect of
+inducing the association of the British Institution to make him an offer
+of three thousand guineas for the picture. Mr. West accepted the offer,
+but on condition that he should be at liberty to make a copy for the
+hospital at Philadelphia, and to introduce into the copy such alterations
+and improvements as he might think fit. This copy he also executed, and
+the success which attended the exhibition of it in America was so
+extraordinary, that the proceeds have enabled the committee of the
+hospital to enlarge the building for the reception of no less than thirty
+additional patients.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XIV.
+
+
+
+    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Proceedings
+    respecting the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.
+
+
+Hitherto it has been my pleasant task to record the series of prosperous
+incidents by which Mr. West was raised to the highest honours of his
+profession; and had he survived the publication of this volume, I should
+have closed the narrative with the last chapter. But his death, which
+took place after the proof was sent to me for his inspection, has
+removed an obligation which I had promised to respect during his life,
+while it was understood between us that the circumstances to which it
+related were to be carefully preserved for a posthumous publication. The
+topics are painful, and calculated to afford a far different view of
+human nature from that which I have ever desired to contemplate: I do
+not allude to those things, connected with political matters, in which
+Mr. West was only by accident a witness, but of transactions which
+personally affected himself.
+
+During the time that he was engaged in the series of great pictures for
+Windsor Castle, he enjoyed, as I have already mentioned, an easy and
+confidential intercourse with the King, and I ought, perhaps, to have
+stated earlier, that when he was chosen President of the Royal Academy,
+the late Duke of Gloucester called on him, and mentioned that His Majesty
+was desirous to know if the honour of knighthood would be acceptable. Mr.
+West immediately replied, that no man had a greater respect for political
+honours and distinctions than himself, but that he really thought he had
+already earned by his pencil more eminence than could be conferred on him
+by that rank. "The chief value," said he, "of titles are, that they serve
+to preserve in families a respect for those principles by which such
+distinctions were originally obtained. But simple knighthood, to a man who
+is at least already as well known as he could ever hope to be from that
+honour, is not a legitimate object of ambition. To myself, then, Your
+Royal Highness must perceive the title could add no dignity, and as it
+would perish with myself, it could add none to my family. But were I
+possessed of a fortune, independent of my profession, sufficient to enable
+my posterity to maintain the rank, I think that with my hereditary
+descent, and the station I occupy among artists, a more permanent title
+than that of knighthood might become a desirable object. As it is,
+however, that cannot be, and I have been thus explicit with Your Royal
+Highness that no misconception may exist on the subject." The Duke was not
+only pleased with the answer, but took Mr. West cordially by both the
+hands, and said, "You have justified the opinion which the King has of
+you, and His Majesty will be delighted with your answer;" and when Mr.
+West next saw the King his reception was unusually warm and friendly.
+
+But notwithstanding all these enviable circumstances, Mr. West was doomed
+to share some of the consequences which naturally attach to all persons
+in immediate connection with the great. After his return from Paris, it
+was alleged, that the honourable reception which he allowed himself to
+receive from the French statesmen had offended the King. The result of
+this was the temporary elevation of the late Mr. Wyatt to the President's
+chair, merely, as I think, because that gentleman was then the royal
+architect; for it would be difficult to point out the merits which, as an
+artist, entitled him to that honour. But the election, so far from giving
+satisfaction in the quarter where it was expected to be the most
+acceptable, only excited displeasure; and Mr. West was, in due time,
+restored to his proper seat in the Academy.
+
+This, as a public affair, attracted a good deal of notice at the time; but
+it was, in its effects, of far less consequence to Mr. West than a private
+occurrence, originating in circumstances that tend to throw a light on
+some of the proceedings that were deemed expedient to be adopted during
+the occasional eclipses of the King's understanding.
+
+For upwards of twenty years Mr. West had received all his orders from the
+King in person: the prices of the pictures which he painted were adjusted
+with His Majesty; and the whole embellishment of Windsor Castle, in what
+related to the scriptural and historical pictures, was concerted between
+them, without the interference of any third party. But, in the summer of
+1801, when the Court was at Weymouth, Mr. Wyatt called on Mr. West, and
+said, that he was requested by authority to inform him, that the pictures
+painting for His Majesty's chapel at Windsor should be suspended till
+further orders.
+
+Mr. West was much surprised at this communication: but, upon interrogating
+Mr. Wyatt as to his authority, he found that it was not from the King; and
+he afterwards discovered that the orders were given at Weymouth by the
+Queen, the late Earl of Roslyn being present. What was the state of His
+Majesty's health at that time is now a matter of historical curiosity; but
+this extraordinary proceeding deserves particular notice. It rendered the
+studies of the best part of the Artist's life useless, and deprived him
+of that honourable provision, the fruit of his talents and industry, on
+which he had counted for the repose of his declining years. For some time
+it affected him deeply, and he was at a loss what steps to take; at last,
+however, in reflecting on the marked friendship and favour which the King
+had always shown him, he addressed to His Majesty a letter, of which the
+following is a copy of the rough draft, being the only one preserved: I
+give it verbatim:--
+
+"_The following is the Substance of a Letter I had the honour of writing
+to His Majesty, taken at Weymouth, by the conveyance of Mr. James Wyatt._
+
+"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
+
+"Gracious Sire, Newman St. Sept. 26. 1801.
+
+"On the fifteenth of last month Mr. Wyatt signified to me Your Majesty's
+pleasure,--'That the pictures by me now painting for His Majesty's chapel
+at Windsor, should be suspended until further orders.' I feel it a duty I
+owe to that communication, to lay before Your Majesty, by the return of
+Mr. Wyatt to Weymouth, a statement of those pictures which I have painted
+to add to those for the chapel, mentioned in the account I had the honour
+to transmit to Your Majesty in 1797 by the hands of Mr. Gabriel Mathias.
+Since that period I have finished three pictures, began several others,
+and composed the remainder of the subjects for the chapel, on the progress
+of Revealed Religion, from its commencement to its completion; and the
+whole arranged with that circumspection from the Four Dispensations, into
+five-and-thirty compositions, that the most scrupulous amongst the various
+religious sects in this country, about admitting pictures into churches,
+must acknowledge them as truths, or the Scriptures fabulous. Those are
+subjects so replete with dignity, character, and expression, as demanded
+the historian, the commentator, and the accomplished painter, to bring
+them into view. Your Majesty's gracious complacency and commands for my
+pencil on that extensive subject stimulated my humble abilities, and I
+commenced the work with zeal and enthusiasm. Animated by your commands,
+gracious Sire, I renewed my professional studies, and burnt my midnight
+lamp to attain and give that polish at the close of Your Majesty's chapel,
+which has since marked my subsequent scriptural pictures. Your Majesty's
+known zeal for promoting religion, and the elegant arts, had enrolled your
+virtues with all the civilized world; and your gracious protection of my
+pencil had given to it a celebrity throughout Europe, and spread a
+knowledge of the great work on Revealed Religion, which my pencil was
+engaged on, under Your Majesty's patronage: it is that work which all
+Christendom looks with a complacency for its completion.
+
+"Being distinguished by Your Majesty's benignity at an early period as a
+painter, and chosen by those professors highly endowed in the three
+branches of the fine arts to fill their highest station, and sanctioned by
+Your Majesty's signature in their choice;--in that station, I have been,
+for more than ten years, zealous in promoting merit in those three
+branches of art, which constitutes the views of Your Majesty's
+establishment for cultivating their growth. The ingenious artists have
+received my professional aid, and my galleries and my purse have been open
+to their studies and their distresses. The breath of envy, nor the whisper
+of detraction, never defiled my lips, nor the want of morality my
+character, and, through life, a strict adherer to truth; a zealous admirer
+of Your Majesty's virtues and goodness of heart, the exalted virtues of
+Her Majesty the Queen, and the high accomplishments of others of Your
+Majesty's illustrious family, have been the theme of my delight; and their
+gracious complacency my greatest pleasure and consolation for many years,
+with which I was honoured by many instances of friendly notice, and their
+warm attachment to the fine arts.
+
+"With these feelings of high sensibility, with which my breast has ever
+been inspired, I feel with great concern the suspension given by Mr. Wyatt
+to the work on Revealed Religion, my pencil had advanced to adorn
+Windsor-Castle. If, gracious Sire, this suspension is meant to be
+permanent, myself and the fine arts have to lament. For to me it will be
+ruinous, and, to the energetic artist, in the highest branches of his
+professional pursuits--a damp in the hope of more exalted minds, of
+patronage in the refined departments in painting. But I have this in
+store, for the grateful feeling of my heart, that, in the thirty-five
+years by which my pencil has been honoured by Your Majesty's commands, a
+great body of historical and scriptural compositions will be found in Your
+Majesty's possession, in the churches, and in the country. Their
+professional claims may be humble, but they have been produced by a loyal
+subject of Your Majesty, which may give them some claim to respect,
+similar works not having been attained before in this country by a
+subject; and this I will assert as my claim, that Your Majesty did not
+bestow your patronage and commands on an ungrateful and a lazy man, but on
+him who had a high sense of Your Majesty's honours and Your Majesty's
+interests in all cases, as a loyal and dutiful subject, as well as
+servant, to Your Majesty's gracious commands; and I humbly beg Your
+Majesty to be assured that
+
+"I am,
+"With profound duty,
+"Your Majesty's grateful
+"BENJAMIN WEST."
+
+
+To this letter Mr. West received no answer; but on the return of the Court
+to Windsor, he went to the Castle, and obtained a private audience of the
+King on the subject, by which it appeared that His Majesty was not at all
+acquainted with the communication of which Mr. Wyatt was the bearer, nor
+had he received Mr. West's letter. However, the result of the interview
+was, that the King said, "Go on with your work, West: go on with the
+pictures, and I will take care of you."
+
+This was the last interview that Mr. West was permitted to enjoy with his
+early, constant, and to him truly royal patron; but he continued to
+execute the pictures, and in the usual quarterly payments received the
+thousand pounds _per ann._. till His Majesty's final superannuation,
+when, without any intimation whatever, on calling to receive it, he was
+informed that it had been stopped, and that the intended design of the
+chapel of Revealed Religion was suspended.
+
+This was a severe stroke of misfortune to the Artist, now far advanced in
+life, but he submitted to it with resignation. He took no measures, nor
+employed any influence, either to procure the renewal of the quarterly
+allowance, or the payment of the balance of his account. But being thus
+cast off from his best anchor in his old age, he still possessed firmness
+of mind to think calmly of his situation. He considered that a taste for
+the fine arts had been greatly diffused by means of the exhibitions of the
+Royal Academy, and the eclat which the French had given to pictures and
+statues by making them objects of national conquest; and having thus lost
+the patronage of the King, he determined to appeal to the public. With
+this view he resolved to paint several large pictures; and in the
+prosecution of this determination, he has been amply indemnified for the
+effects of that poor economy that frustrated the nation from obtaining an
+honourable monument of the taste of the age, and the liberality of a
+popular king.
+
+Without imputing motives to any party concerned, or indeed without being
+at all acquainted with the circumstances that gave rise to it, I should
+mention that a paper was circulated among the higher classes of society,
+in which an account was stated of the amount of the money paid by His
+Majesty, in the course of more than thirty years, to Mr. West. In that
+paper the interval of time was not at all considered, nor the expense of
+living, nor the exclusive preference which Mr. West had given to His
+Majesty's orders, but the total sum;--which, shown by itself, and taken
+into view without any of these explanatory circumstances, was very
+large, and calculated to show that Mr. West might really indeed _do_
+without the thousand pounds a-year. In order, however, to place this
+proceeding in its true light, I have inserted in the Appendix an account
+of the works executed and designed by Mr. West for the King, and the
+prices allowed for them as charged in the audited account, of which the
+King himself had approved.
+
+Independent of the relation which this paper bears to the subject of these
+memoirs, it is a curious document, and will be interesting as such, as
+long as the history of the progress of the arts in this country excites
+the attention of posterity.
+
+I have now but little to add to these memoirs. But they would be deficient
+in an important event, were I to omit noticing the death of Mrs. West,
+which took place on the 6th of December, 1817. The malady with which she
+had been afflicted for several years smoothed the way for her relief from
+suffering, and softened the pang of sorrow for her loss. She was in many
+respects a woman of an elevated character; and her death, after a union of
+more than half a century, was to her husband one of those irreparable
+changes in life, for which no equivalent can ever be obtained.
+
+The last illness of Mr. West himself was slow and languishing. It was
+rather a general decay of nature, than any specific malady; and he
+continued to enjoy his mental faculties in perfect distinctness upon all
+subjects as long as the powers of articulation could be exercised. To his
+merits as an artist and a man I may be deemed partial, nor do I wish to be
+thought otherwise. I have enjoyed his frankest confidence for many years,
+and received from his conversation the advantages of a more valuable
+species of instruction, relative to the arts, than books alone can supply
+to one who is not an artist. While I therefore admit that the partiality
+of friendship may tincture my opinion of his character, I am yet confident
+that the general truth of the estimate will be admitted by all who knew
+the man, or are capable to appreciate the merits of his works.
+
+In his deportment, Mr. West was mild and considerate: his eye was keen,
+and his mind apt; but he was slow and methodical in his reflections, and
+the sedateness of his remarks must often in his younger years have seemed
+to strangers singularly at variance with the vivacity of his look. That
+vivacity, however, was not the result of any peculiar animation of
+temperament; it was rather the illumination of his genius; for when his
+features were studiously considered, they appeared to resemble those
+which we find associated with dignity of character in the best
+productions of art.
+
+As an artist, he will stand in the first rank. His name will be classed
+with those of Michael Angelo and Raphael; but he possessed little in
+common with either. As the former has been compared to Homer, and the
+latter to Virgil, in Shakspeare we shall perhaps find the best likeness to
+the genius of Mr. West. He undoubtedly possessed, but in a slight degree,
+that peculiar energy and physical expression of character in which Michael
+Angelo excelled, and in a still less that serene sublimity which
+constitutes the charm of Raphael's great productions. But he was their
+equal in the fulness, the perspicuity, and the propriety of his
+compositions. In all his great works the scene intended to be brought
+before the spectator is represented in such a manner that the imagination
+has nothing to supply. The incident, the time and the place, are there as
+we think they must have been; and it is this wonderful force of conception
+which renders the sketches of Mr. West so much more extraordinary than his
+finished pictures. In the finished pictures we naturally institute
+comparisons in colouring, and in beauty of figure, and in a thousand
+details which are never noticed in the sketches of this illustrious
+artist. But although his powers of conception were so superior,--equal in
+their excellence to Michael Angelo's energy, or Raphael's grandeur,--still
+in the inferior departments of drawing and colouring, he was one of the
+greatest artists of his age; it was not, however, till late in life that
+he executed any of those works in which he thought the splendour of the
+Venetian school might be judiciously imitated.
+
+At one time he intended to collect his works together, and to form a
+general exhibition of them all. Had he accomplished this, the greatness
+and versatility of his talents would have been established beyond all
+controversy; for unquestionably he was one of those great men, whose
+genius cannot be justly estimated by particular works, but only by a
+collective inspection of the variety, the extent, and the number of their
+productions.
+
+On the 10th of March Mr. West expired without a struggle, at his house
+in Newman Street, and on the 29th he was interred with great funeral
+pomp in St. Paul's Cathedral. An account of the ceremony is inserted in
+the Appendix.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix
+
+No. I.
+
+
+
+_The Account: of Pictures painted by Benjamin West for His Majesty, by his
+Gracious Commands, from 1768 to 1780. A True Copy from Mr. West's Account
+Books, with their several Charges and Dates_.
+
+
+When painted.       SUBJECTS.                     £.   s.
+
+1769.  1. Regulus, his Departure from Rome        420  0
+       2. Hamilcar swearing his Son
+          Hannibal at the Altar                   420  0
+1771   3. Bayard at the moment of his death
+          receiving the Constable Bourbon         315  0
+       4. The Death of Epaminondas                315  0
+       5. The Death of General Wolfe              315  0
+1772.  6. Cyrus receiving the King of
+          Armenia and family prisoners            157 10
+       7. Germanicus receiving Sagastis
+          and his Daughter prisoners              157 10
+       8. The portrait of Her Majesty,
+          the Kit-cat size.
+       9. The portrait of His Majesty,
+          the same size, (companion,)              84  0
+      10. Six of the Royal Children in one
+          picture, size of life                   315  0
+      11. Her Majesty and Princess Royal,
+          in one picture                          157  0
+      12. His R. H. the Prince of Wales
+          and Prince Frederic (Duke of
+          York), in one picture whole
+          length                                  210  0
+      13. A second picture of Ditto, for
+          the Empress of Russia, sent by
+          His Majesty                             210  0
+      14. A whole-length portrait of His
+          Majesty,--Lord Amherst and
+          the Marquis of Lothian in the
+          back-ground.                            262 10
+      15. A whole-length portrait of Her
+          Majesty, with all the Royal
+          Children in the back-ground             262 10
+      16. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          William (Duke of Clarence) and
+          Prince Edward (Duke of Kent),
+          in one picture                          262 10
+1779. 17. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          Adolphus and his sisters, in one
+          picture                                 262 10
+
+
+From the year 1769 the whole of the above pictures to 1779 were painted
+and paid for by His Majesty through the hands of Mr. R. Daulton and Mr.
+G. Mathias.
+
+1780. At this period His Majesty was graciously pleased to sanction my
+pencil with his commands for a great work on Revealed Religion, from its
+commencement to its completion, for pictures to embellish his intended New
+Chapel in Windsor Castle. I arranged the several subjects from the four
+Dispensations. His Majesty was pleased to approve the arrangement
+selected, as did several of the Bishops in whose hands he placed them for
+their consideration, and they highly approved the same.
+
+His Majesty then honoured me with his commands, and did at that time, the
+better to enable me to carry it into effect, order his deputy privy-purse,
+Mr. G. Mathias, to pay me one thousand a year by quarterly payments, which
+was regularly paid as commanded; and the following are the subjects which
+I have painted from the Four Dispensations, for the Chapel, of various
+dimensions.
+
+
+ANTIDELUVIAN DISPENSATION.
+
+When painted.           SUBJECTS.                £. s.
+
+1780.      1. The expulsion of Adam and Eve
+              from Paradise                      535  0
+           2. The Deluge                         525  0
+           3. Noah and his Family sacrificing    525  0
+
+PATRIARCHAL DISPENSATION.
+
+           4. The Call of Abraham going to
+              sacrifice his son Isaac            600  0
+           5. The Birth of Jacob and Esau        525  0
+           6. Joseph and his brothers in Egypt,
+              composed, not painted.
+           7. The Death of Jacob surrounded
+              by his sons in Egypt, ditto.
+
+THE MOSAICAL DISPENSATION.
+
+           8. The Call of Moses, his Rod
+              turned into a Serpent before the
+              Burning Bush, composed, but not
+              painted.
+           9. Moses and his brother Aaron
+              before Pharaoh, their Rods turned
+              into Serpents                     1050  0
+          10. Moses destroying Pharaoh said
+              his host in the Red Sea           1050  0
+          11. Moses receiving the Laws on
+              Mount Sinai                       1260  0
+          12. Moses consecrating Aaron and
+              his sons to the priesthood        1050  0
+          13. Moses showing the Brazen Serpent
+              to the infirm to be healed        1050  0
+          14. The Death of Aaron on Mount
+              Hor, composed, but not painted.
+          15. Moses presenting Joshua to
+              Eleazar the priest, and Congregation,
+              as commanded, composed,
+              but not painted.
+          16. Moses sees the Promised Land
+              from the top of Mount Abarim,
+              and Death, a sketch in oil colours.
+          17. Joshua commanding the Ark
+              and Congregation to pass the
+              river into the Promised Land, a
+              sketch in oil colour.
+THE PROPHETS.
+
+      18. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah       525  0
+      19. The prophet Samuel anointing
+          David the son of Jesse, a sketch.
+      20. The prophesying of Zacharias at
+          the birth of John his son              525  0
+      21. The Angels announcing the Birth
+          of our Saviour, a cartoon for a
+          painted-glass window, by Mr.
+          Forrest                                525  0
+      22. The Birth of our Saviour, ditto,
+          for painted glass, by ditto            525  0
+      23. The Wise Man's Offering, a
+          cartoon for ditto                      525  0
+      24. John the Baptist baptizing our
+          Saviour, on whom the Holy
+          Ghost descends                        1050  0
+      25. Christ's Temptation and Victory
+          in the Wilderness, a sketch.
+      26. Christ beginneth to preach at
+          Nazareth, his native place, a
+          sketch.
+      27. Christ healeth the Sick and
+          Blind; &c. in the Temple              1050  0
+      28. The Last Supper; which picture
+          His Majesty presented to St.
+          George's Chapel at Windsor             735  0
+      29. A Last Supper, painted for the
+          King's Chapel                          735  0
+      30. The Crucifixion, a study in oil
+          colour, for the glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from, and the cartoon the
+          size of the window                    1050  0
+      31. The west end window of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, for them to draw the
+          figures from on the glass             1050  0
+      32. The Resurrection, a study in
+          oil colour, for glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from                            525  0
+      33. And the cartoon the size of the
+          window at the east end of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, to draw from on the glass    1050  0
+             And two side pictures               525  0
+     34. The Assumption of our Saviour,
+         for the King's Chapel                  1050  0
+     35. Peter's first Sermon, or the
+         Apostles receiving the Cloven
+         Tongues                                1050  0
+     36. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the
+         Jews, and receiving the Gentiles       1050  0
+                                             -----------
+                                    [Total]  £21,705  0
+                                             -----------
+
+_Painted for His Majesty's State Rooms in Windsor Castle the following
+Pictures from the History of Edward III_.
+
+      1. Edward III. embracing his Son on
+         the field of battle at Cressy          1365  0
+      2. The Installation of the most noble
+         Order of the Garter                    1365  0
+      3. Edward the Black Prince receiving
+         John King of France and his
+         son as prisoners                       1365  0
+      4. St. George destroying the Dragon        630  0
+      5. Queen Philippa defeats David
+         King of Scotland, at Nevil's
+         Cross, and takes him prisoner           525  0
+      6. Queen Philippa soliciting Edward
+         III. to save St. Pierre and the
+         brave burgesses of Calais               525  0
+      7. Edward III. forcing the passage of
+         the river Somme in France               630  0
+      8. Edward III. crowning Ribemont
+         at Calais                               525  0
+                                             -----------
+                                     [Total]   £6930  0
+                                             -----------
+
+      By His Majesty's commands I made
+      nine designs for the ceiling in the
+      Queen's Lodge, Windsor, for Mr.
+      Haas to work the ceilings from.
+      Viz. 1. Genius inspiring the fine arts
+      to adorn the useful arts and sciences.
+      2. Agriculture. 3. Manufactures.
+      4. Commerce. 5. Botany. 6. Chemistry.
+      7. Celestial Science. 8. Terrestrial
+      Science; and 9. To adorn
+      Empire                                     525  0
+
+      Myself and son, with Mr. Rebecca,
+      for painting transparent and water
+      coloured pictures to adorn the marble
+      gallery at a great evening entertainment
+      in the Castle given by Their
+      Majesties to the nobility                  250  0
+
+      Painted for His Majesty a whole-length
+      portrait of Prince Octavius
+      holding the King's sword                    73 10
+
+      Painted for His Majesty the Apotheosis
+      of Prince Octavius and Prince
+      Alfred, in one picture, the size of life   315  0
+
+      A portrait of Prince Augustus, half
+      length, for the Queen.
+
+      A second whole length of Her
+      Majesty, with all the Royal children
+      in the back-ground, which was placed
+      in Windsor Castle, but at present in
+      the Queen's Palace, London                 262 10
+
+      A picture of Peter denying our,
+      Saviour, of which His Majesty honoured
+      me by accepting, two half-length
+      figures, the size of life.
+                                             -----------
+                                      [Total]  £1426  0
+                                             -----------
+
+This is a true statement of the numbers of pictures, cartoons, and
+drawings of designs, and sketches of scripture subjects, as well as
+historical events, British as well as Greek, Roman, and other nations,
+with which I had been honoured by the King's commands, from 1768, to 5th
+January 1801, to paint for His Majesty; and the charges I made for each
+was by him most graciously acknowledged, when my account was audited and
+allowed by Mr. G. Mathias, His Majesty's privy purse, who settled for
+debtor and creditor the whole amount between the above dates.
+
+
+Benjamin West.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix No. II.
+
+
+
+_A Catalogue of thee Works of Mr. West_.
+
+Regulus.
+
+Hanibal.
+
+Epaminondas.
+
+Bayard.
+
+Wolfe, the first and second.
+
+Cyrus and the King of Armenia with his Family, captives.
+
+Germanicus and Segestus with his Daughter, captives.
+
+The Apotheosis of Prince Alfred and Prince Octavius.
+
+The picture of the Damsel accusing Peter.
+
+The Queen, with the Princess Royal, in one picture.
+
+Prince Ernest and Prince Augustus; Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, and
+Mary, in one picture.
+
+Prince William and Prince Edward, in one picture.
+
+Prince Octavius.
+
+The whole-length portrait of His Majesty in Regimentals, with Lord Amherst
+and the Marquis of Lothian on Horseback, in the back-ground.
+
+The whole-length portrait of Her Majesty, with the fourteen Royal
+Children.
+
+The same repeated.
+
+The Battle of Cressy, when Edward III. embraced his son.
+
+The Battle of Poitiers, when John King of France is brought prisoner to
+the Prince.
+
+The Institution of the Order of the Garter.
+
+The Battle of Nevil's Cross.
+
+The Burgesses of Calais before Edward III.
+
+Edward III. crossing the Somme.
+
+Edward III. crowning Ribemont, at Calais.
+
+St. George destroying the Dragon.
+
+The design of our Saviour's Resurrection, painted in colours, with the
+Women going to the Sepulchre; also Peter and John.
+
+The cartoon from the above design, for the east window, painted in the
+Collegiate Church of Windsor, on glass, 36 feet high by 28 wide.
+
+The design of our Saviour's Crucifixion, painted in colours.
+
+The cartoon from the above design, for the west window in the Collegiate
+Church, painting on glass, 36 feet by 28.
+
+The cartoon of the Angels appearing to the Shepherds, ditto for ditto.
+
+The cartoon of the Nativity of our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.
+
+The cartoon of the Magi presenting Gifts to our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.
+
+The picture, in water-colours, representing Hymen leading and dancing with
+the Hours before Peace and and Plenty.
+
+The picture, in water-colours, of Boys with the Insignia of Riches.
+
+The companion, with Boys, and the Insignia of the Fine Arts.
+
+Genius calling forth the Fine Arts to adorn Manufactures and Commerce, and
+recording the names of eminent men in those pursuits.
+
+Husbandry aided by Arts and Commerce.
+
+Peace and Riches cherishing the Fine Arts.
+
+Manufactory giving support to Industry, in Boys and Girls.
+
+Marine and inland Navigation enriching Britannia.
+
+Printing aided by the Fine Arts.
+
+Astronomy making new discoveries in the Heavens.
+
+The Four Quarters of the World bringing Treasures to the Lap of Britannia.
+
+Civil and Military Architecture defending and adorning Empire.
+
+The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
+
+The Deluge.
+
+Noah sacrificing.
+
+Abraham and his son Isaac going to sacrifice.
+
+The Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+The Death of Jacob in Egypt, surrounded by his Twelve Sons.
+
+Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh; their Rods turned into Serpents.
+
+Pharaoh and his Host lost in the Red Sea, while Moses stretches his Rod
+over them.
+
+Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.
+
+Moses consecrateth Aaron and his Sons to the Priesthood.
+
+Moses showeth the Brazen Serpent to the People to be healed.
+
+Moses shown the Promised Land from the top of Mount Pisgah.
+
+Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.
+
+The Twelve Tribes drawing Lots for the Lands of their Inheritance, 6
+feet by 10.
+
+The Call of Isaiah and Jeremiah, each 5 by 14.
+
+David anointed King, 6 by 10.
+
+Christ's Birth, 6 by 10.
+
+The naming of John; or, the Prophecies of Zacharias, ditto.
+
+The Kings bringing Presents to Christ, 6 by 12.
+
+Christ among the Doctors, 6 by 10.
+
+The Descent of the Holy Ghost on our Saviour at the River Jordan, 10 by
+14.
+
+Christ healing the Sick in the Temple, ditto.
+
+Christ's Last Supper, 6 by 10.
+
+Christ's Crucifixion, 16 by 28.
+
+Christ's Ascension, 12 by 18.
+
+The Inspiration of St. Peter, 10 by 14.
+
+Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and receiving the Gentiles, ditto.
+
+John called to write the Revelation, 6 by 10.
+
+Saints prostrating themselves before the Throne of God.
+
+The opening of the Seven Seals; or, Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The overthrowing the Old Beast and False Prophet.
+
+The Last Judgment.
+
+The New Jerusalem.
+
+The picture of St. Michael and his Angels fighting and casting out the Red
+Dragon and his Angels.
+
+Do. of the Women clothed in the Sun.
+
+Do. of John called to write the Revelation.
+
+Do. of the Beast rising out of the Sea.
+
+Do. of the Mighty Angel, one Foot upon Sea and the other on Earth.
+
+Do. of St. Anthony of Padua.
+
+Do. of the Madra Dolo Roso.
+
+Do. of Simeon, with the Child in his arms.
+
+A picture of a small Landscape, with a Hunt passing In the back-ground.
+
+Do. of Abraham and Isaac going to sacrifice,
+
+Do. of a whole-length figure of Thomas à Becket, larger than life.
+
+Do. of the Angel in the Sun assembling the Birds of the Air, before the
+destruction of the Old Beast.
+
+Four half-lengths.
+
+The small picture of the Order of the Garter, differing in composition
+from the great picture at Windsor.
+
+The picture of the Shunamite's Son raised to Life by the Prophet Elisha.
+
+Do. of Jacob blessing Joseph's Sons.
+
+Do. of the Death of Wolfe, the third picture.
+
+Do. of the Battle of La Hogue.
+
+Do. of the Boyne.
+
+Do. of the Restoration of Charles II.
+
+Do. of Cromwell dissolving the Long Parliament.
+
+A small portrait of General Wolfe, when a Boy.
+
+The Picture of the Golden Age.
+
+The picture of St. Michael chaining the Dragon, in Trinity College,
+Cambridge, 15 by 8.
+
+Do. of the Angels announcing the Birth of our Saviour, in the Cathedral
+Church at Rochester, 10 by 6.
+
+Do. of the Death of St. Stephen, in the church of St. Stephen,
+Walbrook, 10 by 18.
+
+Do. of the Raising of Lazarus, in the Cathedral of Winchester, 10 by 14.
+
+Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper off his Finger, in the chapel at
+Greenwich, 27 by 15.
+
+The Supper, over the communion-table in the Collegiate Church at
+Windsor, 8 by 13.
+
+The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the east window of the Collegiate
+Church at Windsor, 28 by 32.
+
+The Crucifixion, in the window of ditto, 28 by 36.
+
+The Angel announcing our Saviour's Birth, in ditto, 10 by 14.
+
+The Birth of our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.
+
+The Kings presenting Gifts to our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.
+
+The picture of Peter denying our Saviour, in the chapel of Lord Newark.
+
+The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the church of Barbadoes, 10 by 6.
+
+The picture of Moses with the Law, and John the Baptist, in ditto, as
+large as life.
+
+The picture of Telemachus and Calypso.
+
+Do. of Angelica and Madora.
+
+Do. of the Damsel and Orlando.
+
+Do. of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.
+
+Do. of St. Paul's Conversion; his Persecution of the Christians; and the
+Restoration of his Sight, under the hands of Ananias, in one frame,
+divided in three parts.
+
+Do. of Mr. Hope's Family, containing nine figures as large as life.
+
+Large figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, Innocence, St. Matthew, St. Mark,
+St. Luke, St. John, St. Matthias, St. Thomas, St. Jude, St. Simon, St
+James the Major, St. Philip, St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St.
+James the Minor, Malachi, Micah, Zachariah, and Daniel.
+
+Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.
+
+Paul preaching at Athens.
+
+Elimas the Sorcerer struck blind.
+
+Cornelius and the Angel.
+
+Peter delivered from Prison.
+
+The Conversion of St. Paul.
+
+Paul before Felix.
+
+Two whole-lengths of the late Archbishop of York's two eldest Sons.
+
+A whole-length portrait of the late Lord Grosvenor.
+
+The picture of Jacob drawing Water at the Well for Rachael and her Flock,
+in the possession of Mrs. Evans.
+
+The picture of the Citizens of London offering the Crown to William the
+Conqueror.
+
+The Queen soliciting the King to pardon her son John.
+
+Moses showing the brazen Serpent.
+
+John showing the Lamb of God.
+
+Three of the Children of the late Archbishop of York, with the portrait of
+the Archbishop, half-lengths, in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Drummond.
+
+The Family-picture, half-lengths, of Mrs. Cartwright's Children.
+
+Do. of Sir Edmund Baker, Nephew and Niece, half-length.
+
+Do. of--Lunis, Esq.'s Children, half-lengths.
+
+A Lady leading three Children along the Path of Virtue to the Temple.
+
+A picture of Madora.
+
+The picture of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great
+Mogul, for Lord Clive.
+
+Christ receiving the Sick and Lame in the Temple, in the Pennsylvanian
+Hospital, Philadelphia, 11 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Pylades and Orestes, for Sir George Beaumont.
+
+The original sketch of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes, for ditto.
+
+The picture of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotas into Banishment, with his
+Wife and Children, for W. Smith, Esq.
+
+Do. of the Marys at the Sepulchre, for General Stibert.
+
+Do. of Alexander and his Physician, for ditto.
+
+Do. of Julius Caesar reading the Life of Alexander.
+
+Do. of the Return of the Prodigal Son, for Sir James Earle.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis, for--Knight, Esq. Portland Place.
+
+Do. of the Continence of Scipio, ditto.
+
+Do. of Venus and Cupid, oval, for Mr. Steers Temple.
+
+Do. of Alfred dividing his Loaf, presented to Stationers' Hall by
+Alderman Boydell.
+
+Do. of Helen brought to Paris, in the possession of a family in Kent.
+
+A small sketch of the Shunamite's Son restored, &c.
+
+Cupid stung by a Bee, oval, for--Vesey, Esq. in Ireland.
+
+Agrippina surrounded by her Children, and reclining her Head on the Urn
+containing the Ashes of Germanicus, ditto.
+
+The Death of Wolfe, the fourth picture, for Lord Bristol.
+
+A do. of do. the fourth picture, in the possession of the Prince of
+Waldeck.
+
+A small do. of do. the fifth picture, ditto Moncton family.
+
+A small picture of Romeo and Juliet, for the Duke of Courland.
+
+A small picture of King Lear and his Daughters, ditto.
+
+Do. of Belisarius and the Boy, for Sir Francis Baring.
+
+Do. of Sir Francis Baring and part of his Family, containing six figures
+as large as life, ditto.
+
+Do. of Simeon and the Child, as large as life, for the Provost of Eton.
+
+Do. of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great Mogul, a
+second picture, for Madras.
+
+The second picture of Philippa soliciting of Edward III. the pardon of the
+Burgesses of Calais, in the possession of--Willet, Esq.
+
+Do. of Europa on the back of the Bull, at Calcutta.
+
+Do. of the Death of Hyacinthus, painted for Lord Kerry, but now in the
+National Gallery at Paris.
+
+The picture of Venus presenting the Girdle to Juno, painted for
+Lord Kerry, and in the National Gallery; figures as large as life
+in both pictures.
+
+Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, for Caleb Whitford, Esq.
+
+Do. of Pharaoh's Daughter with the Child Moses, for--Park, Esq.: the
+original painted for General Lawrence.
+
+Do. of the Stolen Kiss, painted for ditto, and in the possession of ditto.
+
+Do. of Angelica and Madora, for ditto, ditto.
+
+Do. of the Woman of Samaria at the Well with Christ, ditto.
+
+Do. of Paetus and Arria, in the possession of Col. Smith, at the Tower.
+
+Do. of Rebecca coming to David, for Sir J. Ashley.
+
+The Drawing respecting Christ's Nativity, for Mr. Tomkins, Doctors'
+Commons.
+
+Do. of Rebecca receiving the Bracelets at the Well, for the late Lord
+Buckinghamshire.
+
+The drawing of the Stolen Kiss, ditto.
+
+Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, ditto.
+
+Do. of a Mother and Child, ditto.
+
+The whole-length portrait of Sir Thomas Strange, in the Town-hall
+of Halifax.
+
+Do. of Sir John Sinclair.
+
+The picture of Agrippina landing at Brundusium, (the first picture,) in
+the possession of Lord Kinnoul.
+
+Do. of do. for the Earl of Exeter, at Burleigh, second picture.
+
+Do. of do. (third picture,) in the possession of---- Hatch, Esq., in
+Essex.
+
+A small picture of Jupiter and Semele: the large picture lost at sea.
+
+Hector parting with his Wife and Child at the Sun Gate.
+
+The prophet Elisha raising the Shunamite's son.
+
+The raising of Lazarus.
+
+Edward III. crossing the River Somme.
+
+Queen Philippa at the Battle of Nevil's Cuoss.
+
+The Angels announcing to the Shepherds the Birth of our Saviour.
+
+The Magi bringing Presents to our Saviour.
+
+A view on the River Thames at Hammersmith.
+
+A do. on the banks of the River Susquehanna, in America.
+
+The picture of Tangire Mill, at Eton.
+
+Do. of Chrysëis returned to her father Chyses.
+
+Venus and Adonis, large as life.
+
+The sixth picture of the Death of Wolfe.
+
+The first and second picture of the Battle of La Hogue.
+
+The sketch, of Macbeth and the Witches.
+
+The small picture of the Return of Tobias.
+
+The small picture of the Return of the Prodigal Son.
+
+Do. of Ariadne on the Sea-shore.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis.
+
+Do. of John King of France brought to the Black Prince.
+
+Do. of Antiochus and Stratonice.
+
+Do, of King Lear and his Daughter.
+
+The picture of Chryses on the Sea-shore.
+
+Do. of Nathan and David:--"Thou art the Man!" as large as life,
+
+Do. of Elijah raising the Widow's Son to Life.
+
+Do. of the Choice of Hercules.
+
+Do. of Venus and Europa.
+
+Do. of Daniel interpreting the Hand-writing on the Wall.
+
+Do. of the Ambassador from Tunis, with his Attendant, as he appeared in
+England in 1781.
+
+The drawing of Marius on the Ruins of Carthage.
+
+Do. of Cato giving his Daughter in Marriage on his Death, both in the
+possession of the Archduke Joseph.
+
+Do. of Belisarius brought to his Family.
+
+The large picture of the Stag, or the rescuing of Alexander the Third, for
+Lord Seaforth, 12 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Endymion and Diana, at Wentworth
+Castle, Yorkshire.
+
+Do. of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Angelica and Madora, in the possession of
+Mr. Mitton, of Shropshire, painted at Rome.
+
+Small picture of the Battle of Cressy.
+
+Small sketch of the Order of the Garter.
+
+Mr. West's small picture of his Family.
+
+The sketch of Edward the Third with his Queen, and the Citizens of
+Calais.
+
+Mr. West's small copy from Vandyke's picture of Cardinal Bentivoglio, now
+in the National Gallery at Paris.
+
+Mr. West's copy from Correggio's celebrated picture at Parma, viz. the St.
+Girolemo, now in the National Gallery.
+
+The large Landscape from Windsor Forest.
+
+The picture of Mark Antony showing the Robe and Will of Julius Caesar to
+the People.
+
+Do. of Ægistus viewing the Body of Clytemnestra.
+
+The large sketch of the window at Windsor, of the Magi presenting Gifts to
+the Infant Christ.
+
+The small sketch of the Battle of Nevil's Cross.
+
+The second small sketch of the Order of the Garter.
+
+The small picture of Ophelia before the King and Queen, with her
+brother Laertes.
+
+Do. of the Recovery of His Majesty in the year 1789.
+
+Do. from Thomson's Seasons, of Miranda and her Two Companions.
+
+Do. of Edward the Third crowning Ribemont at Calais, a sketch.
+
+The picture of Leonidas taking leave of his Family on his going to
+Thermopylæ.
+
+Do. of a Bacchanté, as large as life, half-length.
+
+First sketch of the Battle of Cressy.
+
+The picture of Phaëton soliciting Apollo for the Chariot of the Sun.
+
+The second picture of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.
+
+The small picture of Belisarius and the Boy, different from that in the
+possession of Sir Francis Baring.
+
+The small picture of the Eagle giving the Vase of Water to Psyche.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis, from Anacreon.
+
+Do. of Moonlight and the "Beckoning Ghost," from Pope's Elegy.
+
+Do. of the Angel sitting on the Stone at the Sepulchre.
+
+Second picture of the same, but differing in composition.
+
+A small sketch of ditto.
+
+A sketch of King Lear and his Daughter.
+
+The second picture of Angelica and Madora.
+
+Do. of a Damsel and Orlando.
+
+Mr. West's portrait, half-length.
+
+Sketch of his two Sons, when Children.
+
+Do. when Boys.
+
+Do. when young Men.
+
+Portrait of the Rev.---- Preston.
+
+Picture of the Bacchanté Boys.
+
+Do. of the Good Samaritan.
+
+Picture of the Destruction of the Old Beast and False
+Prophet:--Revelation.
+
+Do. of Christ healing the Sick, Lame, and Blind, in the Tenrple.
+
+Do. of Tintern Abbey.
+
+Do. of Death on the Pale Horse; or, the Opening of the Seals.
+
+Do. of Jason and the Dragon, in imitation of Salvator Rosa.
+
+Do. of Venus and Adonis looking at Cupids bathing.
+
+Do. of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.
+
+Do. of the Uxbridge Passage-boat on the Canal.
+
+Do. of St. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and turning to the
+Gentiles.
+
+Picture of the Falling of Trees in the Great Park at Windsor.
+
+Do. of Diomed and his Chariot-horses struck by the Lightning of Jupiter.
+
+Do. of the Milk-woman in St. James's Park.
+
+Do. of King Lear in the Storm at the Hovel.
+
+Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
+
+Do. of the Order of the Garter.
+
+Do. of Orion on the Dolphin's back.
+
+Do. of Cupid complaining to Venus of a Bee having stung his finger.
+
+Do. of the Deluge.
+
+Do. of Queen Elizabeth's Procession to St. Paul's.
+
+Do. of Christ showing a Little Child as the Emblem of Heaven.
+
+Do. of Harvest-home.
+
+Do. of a View from the east end of Windsor Castle, looking over Datchet.
+
+Do. of Washing of Sheep.
+
+Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.
+
+Do. of the Sun setting behind a group of Trees on the banks of the Thames
+at Twickenham.
+
+Do. of the driving of Sheep and Cows to water.
+
+Do. of Cattle drinking at a Watering-place in the Great Park, Windsor,
+with Mr. West drawing.
+
+Do. of Pharaoh and his Host drowned in the Red Sea.
+
+Do. of Calypso and Telemachus on the Sea-shore; second picture.
+
+Do. of Gentlemen fishing in the Water at Dagenham Breach.
+
+Do. of Moses consecrating Aaron and his Sons to the priesthood.
+
+Picture of the View of Windsor-Castle from Snow-Hill, in the Great Park.
+
+Do. of a Mother inviting her little Boy to come to her through a small
+Stream of Water.
+
+Do. of the naming of Samuel, and the prophesying of Zacharias.
+
+Do. of the Ascension of our Saviour.
+
+Do of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+Do. of the Brewer's Porter and Hod Carrier.
+
+Do. of Venus attended by the Graces.
+
+Do. of Samuel, when a Boy, presented to Eli.
+
+Do. of Christ's Last Supper. (In brown colour.)
+
+Do. of the Reaping of Harvest, with Windsor in the back-ground.
+
+Do. of Adonis and his Dog going to the Chace.
+
+Do. of Christ among the Doctors in the Temple.
+
+Do. of Moses shown the Promised Land.
+
+Do. of Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.
+
+Do. of Christ's Nativity.
+
+Do. of Mothers with their Children, in water,
+
+Do. of Cranford Bridge.
+
+Do, of the sketch of Pyrrhus when a Child, before King Glaucus.
+
+Do. of the Traveller laying his Piece of Bread on the Bridle of the dead
+Ass. From Sterne.
+
+Do. of the Captivity. From ditto.
+
+Do. of Cupid letting loose Two Pigeons.
+
+Do. of Cupid asleep.
+
+Do. of Children eating Cherries.
+
+Sketch of a Mother and her Child on her Lap.
+
+The small picture of the Eagle bringing the Cup to
+Psyche.
+
+The picture of St. Anthony of Padua and the Child.
+
+Do. of Jacob, and Laban with his Two Daughters.
+
+Do. of the Women looking into the Sepulchre, and beholding Two Angels
+where the Lord lay.
+
+Do. of the Angel loosening the Chains of St. Peter in Prison.
+
+Do. of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.
+
+Do. of the Death of Epaminondas.
+
+Do. of the Death of Bayard.
+
+The small sketch of Christ's Ascension.
+
+The sketch of a Group of Legendary Saints. In imitation of Reubens.
+
+The picture of Kosciusco on a Couch, as he appeared in London, 1797.
+
+Do. of the Death of Cephalus.
+
+Do. of Abraham and Isaac:--"Here is the Wood and Fire, but where is the
+Lamb for Sacrifice."
+
+The sketch of the Bard. From Gray.
+
+Do. of the Pardoning of John by his brother King Henry, at the
+Solicitation of his Mother.
+
+Do. of St. George and the Dragon.
+
+The picture of Eponina with her Children, giving Bread to her Husband when
+in Concealment.
+
+The sketch on paper of Christ's Last Supper.
+
+The picture of the Pardoning of John, at his Mother's Solicitation.
+
+Do. of the Death of Lord Chatham.
+
+Do. of the Presentation of the Crown to William the Conqueror.
+
+Do. of Europa crowning the Bull with Flowers.
+
+Do. of Mr. West's Garden, Gallery, and Painting-Room.
+
+Do. of the Cave of Despair. From Spenser.
+
+The picture of Christ's Resurrection.
+
+The sketch of the Destruction of the Spanish Armada.
+
+The picture of Arethusa bathing.
+
+The sketch of Priam soliciting of Achilles the Body of Hector.
+
+The picture of Moonlight. (Small.)
+
+The small sketch of Cupid showing Venus his Finger stung by a Bee.
+
+The drawings of the Two Sides of the intended Chapel at Windsor, with the
+Arrangement of the Pictures, &c.
+
+The drawing of St. Matthew, with the Angel.
+
+Do. of Alcibiades and Timon of Athens.
+
+Do. of Penn's Treaty.
+
+Do. of Regulus.
+
+Do. of Mark Antony, showing the Robe and Will of Cæsar.
+
+Do. of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+Do. of the Death of Dido.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Moses receiving the Laws on
+Mount Sinai.
+
+The large drawing of the Death of Hippolytus.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, of the Death of St. Stephen. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Cæsar.
+
+Do. of the Swearing of Hannibal.
+
+Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve.
+
+Do. of the Deluge.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Landing of Agrippina. On paper.
+
+Do. of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotus into Banishment. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Epaminondas.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Death of Aaron. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.
+
+The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of David prostrate, whilst the destroying
+Angel sheathes the Sword.
+
+The drawing of the Women looking into the Sepulchre.
+
+Do. of St. John Preaching.
+
+Do. of the Golden Age.
+
+Do. of Antinous and Stratonice.
+
+Do. of the Death of Demosthenes.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The drawing of King John and the Barons with Magna Charta.
+
+Do. of La Hogue.
+
+Do. of Jacob and Laban.
+
+The large ditto of the Destruction of the Assyrian Camp by the
+destroying Angel.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Christ raising the Widow's Son.
+
+Do. in ditto, (on paper,) of the Water gushing from the Rock, when
+struck by Moses.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Socrates.
+
+Do. of the Boyne.
+
+Do. of the Death of Eustace St. Celaine.
+
+The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of the Procession of Agrippina with her
+Children and the Roman Ladies through the Roman Camp, when in Mutiny.
+
+The drawing of the Rescue of Alexander III. of Scotland from the Fury
+of the Stag.
+
+Do. of the Death of Wolfe.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of King Alfred dividing his Loaf with a Pilgrim.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Raising of Lazarus.
+
+The small whole-length of Thomas à Becket, in oil, on canvass.
+
+The small picture of the Death of the Stag.
+
+The drawing of ditto.
+
+Do. of Nathan and David.
+
+Do. of Joseph making himself known to his Brethren.
+
+The drawing of Narcissus in the Fountain.
+
+Do. sketch, in small, of the Duannic received by Lord Clive.
+
+Do. of the Continence of Scipio.
+
+Do. of the Last Judgment, and the Sea giving up its Dead.
+
+Do. of the Bard. From Gray;
+
+Do. of Belisarius and his Family.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of Aaron standing between the Dead and Living to stop
+the Plague.
+
+Do. on paper, of the Messenger announcing to Samuel the Loss of the
+Battle.
+
+The drawing of Sir Philip Sydney ordering the Water to be given to the
+wounded Soldier.
+
+The sketch of Christ Rejected.
+
+The great picture of Christ Rejected.
+
+Do. of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The second picture of Christ healing the Sick.
+
+The third great picture of Lord Clive receiving the Duannie.
+
+Portrait of the Duke of Portland.
+
+Portrait of Himself, left unfinished.
+
+
+N.B. Besides these productions, Mr. West has, in his portfolios, drawings
+and sketches exceeding two hundred in number.
+
+
+
+
+NATIONAL MONUMENT.
+
+
+
+[The following letter on an interesting subject is curious, and is
+inserted here to be preserved.]
+
+_Mr. West's Letter to Sir George Beaumont, Bart._
+
+East Cowes Castle, Isle of Wight,
+
+Sept. 30. 1815.
+
+"DEAR SIR GEORGE,
+
+"Your letter to me from Keswick of the thirty-first of last month I have
+received at this place: in that letter you have honoured me with the
+communication of 'the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having
+done you the honour, among others, to inform you of the commands of His
+Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that measures be forthwith taken for the
+erection of a monument to commemorate the victory of Waterloo, in
+pursuance of an address of the House of Commons; and to request you to
+apply to such artists as you think fit, for designs for this national
+column;' and you are pleased to say, that you believe at this distance you
+cannot better forward their views than by applying to me.
+
+"The honourable way in which you have noticed my humble abilities in the
+arts, by calling on them for a design for a monument, to perpetuate an
+occurrence of such high military glory and national greatness as that of
+the victory of Waterloo, demands my warmest acknowledgments, and I also
+feel a duty and profound respect for the sources of your instructions to
+procure appropriate designs from the artists. When a monument is to be
+raised by a great and victorious nation (such as England) in memory of her
+departed as well as her living heroes, I feel it of the highest importance
+to her national character, when her arts and her arms stand so high, that
+they should bear a proud record to posterity of both their powers in such
+a building as that now under consideration.
+
+"To raise a record to departed virtue in an individual, an obelisk, a
+column, or a statue, may bear an honourable name to posterity; but a
+record when thousands have devoted their lives to save their country from
+a rapacious enemy, as in those victories gained by the Greeks at
+Thermopylæ and Marathon; the English at Blenheim and Trafalgar; and,
+lastly, that greatest of all, gained by the unsubdued valour and heroism
+of the armies of the United Kingdom at Waterloo, demands a building of
+greater magnitude and more national consequence than that of a column.
+
+"Such a design as I have conceived to record that victory I will give to
+yourself and others for your consideration; but not as a competitor
+presenting a drawing or model for a decision to be made on it as offered
+for competition: I therefore give you the following ideas on friendly
+motives for a dignified building.
+
+"All records to be transmitted, must be by the three means which have
+been established for that purpose; namely, the pen, the pencil, and the
+chisel. I therefore propose a building wherein these three may be
+employed to express the various incidents, and to mark that victory
+distinct from all others, by applying the several spoils and trophies
+taken; and to have the building of considerable magnitude. For as the
+subject is great, so should be its representative: nothing little or mean
+should be accepted, or permitted to appear in such a work, nothing but
+what will mark the great features of that event: all of which by dates,
+names, and sculptured trophies, as well as paintings, may be proclaimed
+and recorded to distant times.
+
+"The basis of such an erection being intended solely to commemorate the
+battle of Waterloo, its name should be in capital letters on the four
+faces, and the trophies of that victory should enrich the sides of the
+same; and the characters of the various military in British armies made
+conspicuous by their numbers shown; and on the summit of the lofty pile
+the sovereign's figure then in power should be placed.
+
+"The plan and dimensions of the building I present to you are as
+follows:--Its base a square of sixty feet, and its height thirty: this
+will make each of the four faces of the base a double square on its
+measurement. From the centre of this base a building to be erected in
+diameter thirty feet, and in height one hundred and twenty, formed out of
+the spoils of victory, and diminishing as it rises, and to be surmounted
+by a figure twelve feet in height, including the pedestal on which it
+stands, In the centre, over the front face of the great case, to be the
+equestrian group of the Duke of Wellington, under which, in large letters,
+WATERLOO to be inscribed; and the four angles of the great base
+perpendicular tablets, ornamented with military insignia expressive of the
+British armies, and inscribed on the four tablets the number of each
+regiment who shared in the glories of that day, and by the four tablets be
+placed the statues of distinguished generals. Thus I have presented you
+with the external appearance of my imaginary building in honour of the
+victory of Waterloo; and the interior of this building to be considered as
+the place of deposit for preserving the powers of the pen, the pencil, and
+other gems from perishing by water or by fire: to be built of stone, and
+all its ornaments to be made of durable metals: all of which to be
+illustrative of the victory for which such a building was erected.
+
+"The situation of this building should be a populous one, and that within
+a circus or square of a diameter not less than six hundred and fifty-eight
+feet. This size of space will give the spectator an opportunity of viewing
+the erection at double the distance of its elevation, which is the optical
+distance that pictures, statues, and buildings should always be seen at.
+
+"Should my ideas of a building to commemorate the military achievements of
+Waterloo be viewed with complacency by yourself and others, I shall feel a
+satisfaction, as President of the Royal Academy, to have done my duty; and
+should His Royal Highness the Prince Regent be pleased to signify his
+approbation, I shall be gratified and honoured. With the sincerity of
+profound respect,
+
+"I am,
+"My dear Sir George,
+"Your obliged and obedient Servant,
+"BENJAMIN WEST."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Suffolk Lane, 28th Jan,
+
+"MY DEAR SIR,
+
+"Sir Philip Francis's critique on the _Transfiguration_ appears very
+ingenious, so far as it explains the painter's design in representing the
+Demoniac Boy as the connecting link between the action _on the Mount_ and
+the groupe at the foot of it; but I cannot agree with Sir Philip in
+supposing the picture to represent the _Ascension_ and as you request
+me to state my reasons for this dissent, I shall briefly endeavour to
+specify them.
+
+"I have _not_ seen the original picture; but in the copy of it by Harlow,
+which was much admired in Rome, and which one would think must be
+accurate, at least in regard to so important a point, since it was
+exhibited beside the original--I say in Harlow's copy the raiment of our
+Saviour is _white,_ not _blue_. The white has, indeed, in the shaded part,
+a bluish tinge, but the colour is decidedly a _white_, and, therefore, Sir
+Philip's assumption that it is _blue_ appears contrary to the fact.
+
+"The _Transfiguration_ was witnessed by _only three_ of the Apostles,
+Peter, James, and John, (see St. Matthew, chap. xvii, v. 1, 2, and 3.)
+exactly as represented In the picture, 'and (see v. 9.) as they came down
+from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man,
+until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead."'
+
+"It maybe as well, to prevent the trouble of an reference, to quote at
+once from the Evangelist, the description of the subject which it appears
+to me the painter meant to represent.
+
+
+Chap. xvii. as before.
+
+1. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
+bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
+
+2. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
+and his raiment was white as the light.
+
+3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
+
+6. And when the disciples heard, they fell on their faces, and were
+sore afraid.
+
+14. And when they were come to the multitudes there came to him a man,
+kneeling down to him, and saying,
+
+15. Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic and sore vexed: and
+oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
+
+16. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him, &c.
+
+"Now this is exactly the scene delineated in the picture. There are _on
+the Mount_ the three disciples, fallen on the ground, and shading their
+faces from the '_bright cloud_' which _overshadows_ the transfigured
+Saviour; and Moses and Elias are the two figures of old men attending the
+Saviour, or '_talking with him._'
+
+"At the _foot of the Mount_, there are _the multitude_, the lunatic boy,
+_his father_ holding him, the _disciples_ who _could not cure him_; and
+one of whom appears in the act of attempting to cure him, by addressing or
+exorcising the demon who is in him. There are also _several women_ in the
+groupe; and it seems that instead of bringing 'different incidents
+together to constitute one plot,' the painter, on the contrary, has
+exactly followed the Evangelist, and represented the same instant of time
+in the action _on_ the Mount, among the _multitude_ at the foot of it.
+
+"I cannot imagine how Sir Philip Francis could have supposed the picture
+to represent the _Ascension_, which took place in the presence of the
+_Eleven Apostles_ and of them only, (see St. Luke, last chapter and last
+paragraph,) as follows:
+
+"And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and he
+blessed them. And it came to pass, when he blessed them, he was parted
+from them, and carried up into Heaven."
+
+"This bears no resemblance whatever to the scene represented in the
+picture, and the opinion given by Sir Philip can only have arisen from an
+imperfect recollection of the Sacred Writings, and from having neglected
+to refer to the text.
+
+"I am,
+"My dear Sir,
+"Yours truly,
+S.M'G-------."
+
+_John Galt, Esq._
+
+
+
+
+The Funeral of Mr. West.
+
+
+
+It would be improper to close this appendix without giving some account of
+the funeral of Mr. West.
+
+Soon after Mr. West's decease, a deputation from the Council of the Royal
+Academy waited on his sons and the executors, to apprise them of the
+intention of that body to honour the remains of their late President., by
+attending them to his grave, according to the ceremonial adopted on the
+public interment of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, in St. Paul's
+Cathedral. His Majesty having, as Patron of the Royal Academy, given his
+gracious sanction that similar honours should be paid to the late
+venerable President, his sons and executors adopted active preparations
+to carry the arrangement into effect. As the schools of the Royal Academy
+were closed, and all its functions suspended, by the death of the late
+President, it was of material importance on this account, and with the
+view to the usual preparatory arrangements for the annual exhibition,
+that the funeral should not be delayed; and as early a day as practicable
+was therefore fixed for the public interment in St. Paul's Cathedral. The
+obvious consequence, however, of this has been, that owing to the absence
+from town, at this particular season, of so many noblemen and gentlemen
+of the highest rank, and the indisposition of several others, many warm
+admirers and friends of this celebrated artist and amiable man, who
+have, during his long life, honoured him with their friendship, and who
+have been particularly desirous of paying their last tribute of respect
+to his remains, have been precluded attending the funeral. The corpse was
+privately brought to the Royal Academy on Tuesday evening, attended by
+the sons and grandson of the deceased, and two intimate friends, Mr.
+Henderson (one of the trustees and executors of the deceased) and Mr.
+Hayes (for many years his medical attendant), and was received by the
+council and officers of the Royal Academy, and their undertaker and his
+attendants, with every mark of respect. The body was then deposited in
+the smaller Exhibition-room, on the ground-floor, which was hung on the
+occasion with black.
+
+About half-past ten yesterday morning, the Academicians, Associates, and
+Students, assembled in the Great Exhibition-room, and the nobility,
+gentry, and the deceased's private friends, soon after arrived, and joined
+the mournful band. The chief mourners were in seclusion in the library of
+the Academy. About half-past twelve o'clock, the whole of the arrangements
+having been effected, the Procession moved from Somerset House to St.
+Paul's Cathedral in the following order:
+
+  Six Constables, by threes.
+  Four Marshalmen, two and two.
+  City Marshal on horseback.
+  Undertaker on horseback.
+  Six Cloakmen on horseback, by twos.
+  Four Mutes on horseback, by twos.
+  Lid of Feathers, with attendant Pages.
+
+Hearse and Six, with rich trappings, feathers, and velvets, attended by
+Eight Pages.
+
+Two Mourning Coaches and four, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Pall-bearers.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Sons and
+Grandson of the deceased, as CHIEF MOURNERS.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Family
+Trustees and Executors of the deceased.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Reverends the
+Vicar of Mary-la-bonne, the Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, and the Medical
+Attendant of the deceased.
+
+Then followed Sixteen Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with Attendant Pages,
+conveying the Right Rev. the Chaplain, the Secretary for Foreign
+Correspondence, and the Members of the Royal Academy and Students.
+
+Twenty Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Mourners and Private Friends of the deceased.
+
+The Procession was closed by above sixty carriages, arranged in rank by
+the junior City Marshal and Marshalmen--the servants wearing hat-bands
+and gloves.
+
+The Procession was attended on each side by fifty Constables, to preserve
+order; and the accesses from Bridge-street, Chancery-lane, the Old Bailey,
+&c. were stopped. On reaching St. Paul's Cathedral, where the senior City
+Marshal was in wailing, with several assistants, to arrange the
+Procession, it entered at the great Western Gate, and was met at the
+entrance of the Cathedral by the Church Dignitaries, &c. the whole then
+proceeded to the Choir in the following order:
+
+
+  The two junior Vergers.
+  The Marshals.
+  The young Gentlemen of the Choir, two by two.
+  Their Almoner, or Master.
+  The Vicars Choral, two by two.
+  The Sub-Dean and Junior Canons, two by two.
+  The Feathers, with Attendant Pages and Mutes.
+  The two Senior Vergers.
+  Honourable and Rev. Dr. Wellesley.
+  The Canon residentiary, and the Rev. the Prebendary.
+
+                       [THE CORPSE]
+  Pall-bearers.                  Pall-bearers.
+  The Earl of Aberdeen,          Right Honourable Sir
+  His Excellency the American    William Scott,
+  Ambassador,                    Honourable Gen. Phipps,
+  Hon. Augustus Phipps,          Sir George Beaumont,
+  Sir Thomas Baring.             Sir Robert Wilson.
+
+
+CHIEF MOURNERS.
+
+  The Sons and Grandson of deceased, namely,
+  Raphael Lamar West, Esq.
+  Benjamin West, Esq.
+  and
+  Mr. Benjamin West, jun.
+  followed by
+  Robert Brunning (the old Servant of deceased)
+  Henry Fauntleroy, Esq. and James Henry Henderson, Esq.
+  (the Family Trustees and Executors of deceased.)
+  and
+  The Rev. Dr. Heslop, Vicar of St. Mary-la-Bonne; the Rev.
+  Mr. Borrodaile, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor; and Joseph
+  Hayes, Esq. Medical Attendant on deceased (Dr. Baillie being unavoidably
+    absent).
+
+Then followed
+
+The Bishop of Salisbury, (As Chaplain to the Royal Academy; and an
+Honorary Member).
+
+Prince Hoare, Esq. (Secretary for Foreign Correspondence to the
+Royal Academy.)
+
+The body of Academicians and Associates of the Royal Academy, according to
+seniority, two by two, Students, two by two.
+
+And the private mourners of the deceased, consisting of--Aldermen Wood
+and Birch, Rev. ---- Est, Rev. Holt Oakes, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P.,
+William Smith, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq. M.P., George Watson
+Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P., Archibald Hamilton,
+Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Richard Payne Knight,
+Esq., Thomas Lister Parker, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Nash, Esq.,
+John Edwards, Esq., Major Payne, Captain Henry Wolseley, Captain Francis
+Halliday, James St. Aubyn, Esq., Henry Sansom, Esq., ---- Magniac, Esq.,
+George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., N. Ogle,
+Esq., George Repton, Esq., William Wadd, Esq., Henry Woodthorpe, jun.
+Esq., Christ. Hodgson, Esq., ---- Cockerell, sen. Esq., ---- Cockerell,
+jun. Esq., Leigh Hunt, Esq., P. Turnerelli, Esq., J. Holloway, Esq.,
+Charles Heath, Esq., Henry Eddridge, Esq., A. Robertson, Esq., W. J.
+Newton, Esq., John Taylor, Esq., T. Bonney, Esq., ---- Muss, Esq., ----
+Martin, Esq., J. Green, Esq., John Gait, Esq., William Carey, Esq., ----
+Leslie Esq., ---- Behnes, Esq., George Samuel, Esq., John Young, Esq.,
+Christopher Pack, Esq., W, Delamotte, Esq., E. Scriven Esq., J. M. Davis,
+Esq., C. Smart, Esq., &c.
+
+It being Passion Week, the usual chanting and performance of music in the
+Cathedral-service could not take place, but an Anthem was, by special
+permission, allowed to be sung; and the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley,
+assisted by the Rev. the Prebendary, performed the solemn service in a
+very impressive manner. The body was placed in the choir, and at the head
+were arranged, on chairs, the chief mourners and executors. The
+pall-bearers were seated on each side of the corpse, and the Members of
+the Royal Academy, and other mourners, were arranged on each side of the
+choir. After the Anthem, the body was attended to the vault-door by the
+pall-bearers, followed by the chief mourners and executors, and was
+conveyed into the crypt, and placed immediately beneath the perforated
+brass plate, under the centre of the dome. Dr. Wellesley, with the other
+canons, and the whole choir, then came under the dome, and the
+pall-bearers, chief mourners, and executors, stood by them. The Members
+of the Royal Academy were ranged on the right, and the other mourners on
+the left, forming a circle, the outside of which was protected by the
+Marshals and undertaker's attendants. Here the remainder of the service
+was completed, and the sexton, placed in the crypt below, at the proper
+period, let fall some earth, as usual, on the coffin. After the
+funeral-service was ended, the chief mourners and executors, accompanied
+by most of the other mourners, went into the crypt, and attended the
+corpse to its grave, which was sunk with brick-work under the pavement at
+the head of the grave of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, and adjoining to
+that of the late Mr. West's intimate and highly-valued friend, Dr.
+Newton, formerly Bishop of Bristol, and Dean of St. Paul's, the
+brick-work of whose grave forms one side of Mr. West's; thus uniting
+their remains in the silent tomb. Sir Christopher Wren, the great
+architect, lies interred close by, as well as those eminent artists, the
+late Mr. Opie and Mr. Barry.
+
+The Members of the Royal Academy, and all the mourners, then returned to
+Somerset-House, in the like order of procession (with the exception of the
+hearse and feathers,) where refreshments were provided for them.
+
+The whole of this affecting ceremony was conducted with great solemnity
+and respect, and was witnessed by an immense concourse of people.
+
+The carriages attending in the Procession were those of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of York, the Dukes of Norfolk, Northumberland, and Argyll;
+the Marquisses of Lansdowne and Stafford; the Earls of Liverpool, Essex,
+Aberdeen, Carlisle, Dartmouth, Powis, Mulgrave, Darnley, and Carysfort;
+Viscount Sidmouth; the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Carlisle, and
+Chester; Admiral Lord Radstock; the Right Honourables Sir William Scott,
+Charles Manners Sutton, and Charles Long; the American Ambassador; the
+Hon. General Phipps, Augustus Phipps; Sirs George Beaumont, J. Fleming
+Leicester, Thomas Baring, and Henry Fletcher; the Solicitor General, Sir
+Robert Wilson, Dr. Heslop, Dr. Baillie, Aldermen Birch and Wood, Mr.
+Chamberlain Clarke, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq.
+M.P., George Watson Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P.,
+Henry Fauntleroy, Esq., Archibald Hamilton, Esq., Thomas Courts, Esq.,
+John Penn, Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Walter
+Fawkes, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Yenn, Esq., John Soane, Esq.,
+Francis Chantry, Esq., Henry Sanson, Esq., John Nash, Esq., John Edwards,
+Esq., George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., Henry
+Meux, Esq. &c. &c.
+
+The following is the Inscription upon the Tombstone over the deceased:--
+
+Here lie the Remains of BENJAMIN WEST, Esq., President of the Royal
+Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture: born 10th Oct. 1738,
+at Springfield, in Pennsylvania, in America: died in London, 11th
+March, 1820.
+
+END OF PART II.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of
+Benjamin West, Esq., by John Galt
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE, STUDIES, WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST ***
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin
+West, Esq., by John Galt
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+Author: John Galt
+
+Posting Date: March 22, 2013 [EBook #8857]
+Release Date: September, 2005
+First Posted: August 14, 2003
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE, STUDIES, WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
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+</pre>
+
+
+
+<h1>The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.</h1>
+
+<h2>President of the Royal Academy of London</h2>
+
+<h3>Composed from Materials Furnished by Himself</h3>
+
+<h2>By John Galt, Esq.</h2>
+
+<h3>Author of the Life and Administration of Cardinal Wolsey, &amp;c.</h3>
+
+
+
+<h4>1820.</h4>
+
+
+<h2>Part I.</h2>
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">To<br />
+Alexander Gordon, Esq.<br />
+This little work<br />
+Is respectfully inscribed<br />
+By the Author.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Preface.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p>The professional life of Mr. West constitutes an important part of an
+historical work, in which the matter of this volume could only have been
+introduced as an episode, and, perhaps, not with much propriety even in
+that form. It was my intention, at one time, to have prepared the whole of
+his memoirs, separately, for publication; but a careful review of the
+manuscript convinced me, that the transactions in which he has been
+engaged, subsequently to his arrival in England, are so much of a public
+nature, and belong so immediately to the history of the Arts, that such a
+separation could not be effected without essentially impairing the
+interest and unity of the main design; and that the particular nature of
+this portion of his memoirs admitted of being easily detached and arranged
+into a whole, complete within itself.</p>
+
+<p>I do not think that there can be two opinions with respect to the utility
+of a work of this kind. Mr. West, in relating the circumstances by which
+he was led to approximate, without the aid of an instructor, to those
+principles and rules of art, which it is the object of schools and
+academies to disseminate, has conferred a greater benefit on young Artists
+than he could possibly have done by the most ingenious and eloquent
+lectures on the theories of his profession; and it was necessary that the
+narrative should appear in his own time, in order that the authenticity of
+the incidents might not rest on the authority of any biographer.</p>
+
+<p><i>April</i> 25,1816.</p>
+
+<p class="smallcaps">John Galt.</p>
+
+
+<h2>Part I.</h2>
+
+<h1>Contents.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p><a href="#1-1">Chap. I.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-2">Chap. II.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross.--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-3">Chap. III.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led
+    to the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place
+    him in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers.--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-4">Chap. IV.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-5">Chap. V.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--- He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvator
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-6">Chap. VI.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-7">Chap. VII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Anecdote of a famous Improvisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of West's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequence of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies
+    Mr. Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-8">Chap. VIII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to Rome.--Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian Obelisk.--Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an anecdote of a
+    Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote of a Scottish
+    Fanatic who arrived in Rome to convert the Pope.--Sequel of the
+    Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit England.--Having completed
+    his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous picture, he is elected an
+    Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and invited to Court.--He
+    proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--Reflections on the Stale
+    of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French frontiers.--State of
+    Taste in France.</blockquote>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>The Life and Studies of Benjamin West</h1>
+
+<h2>Part I.</h2>
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-1"></a>Chap. I.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.</blockquote>
+
+<p>Benjamin West, the subject of the following Memoirs, was the youngest son
+of John West and Sarah Pearson, and was born near Springfield, in Chester
+County, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 10th of October, 1738.</p>
+
+<p>The branch of the West family, to which he belongs, has been traced in an
+unbroken series to the Lord Delawarre, who distinguished himself in the
+great wars of King Edward the Third, and particularly at the battle of
+Cressy, under the immediate command of the Black Prince. In the reign of
+Richard the Second, the ancestors of Mr. West settled at Long Crandon in
+Buckinghamshire. About the year 1667 they embraced the tenets of the
+Quakers; and Colonel James West, the friend and companion in arms of the
+celebrated Hampden, is said to have been the first proselyte of the
+family. In 1699 they emigrated to America.</p>
+
+<p>Thomas Pearson, the maternal grandfather of the Artist, was the
+confidential friend of William Penn, and accompanied him to America. On
+their first landing, the venerable Founder of the State of Pennsylvania
+said to him, "Providence has brought us safely hither; thou hast been the
+companion of my perils, what wilt thou that I should call this place?" Mr.
+Pearson replied, that "since he had honoured him so far as to desire him
+to give that part of the country a name, he would, in remembrance of his
+native City, call it Chester." The exact spot where these patriarchs of
+the new world first landed, is still pointed out with reverence by the
+inhabitants. Mr. Pearson built a house and formed a plantation in the
+neighbourhood, which he called Springfield, in consequence of discovering
+a large spring of water in the first field cleared for cultivation; and it
+was near this place that Benjamin West was born.</p>
+
+<p>When the West family emigrated, John, the father of Benjamin, was left to
+complete his education at the great school of the Quakers at Uxbridge, and
+did not join his relations in America till the year 1714. Soon after his
+arrival he married the mother of the Artist; and of the worth and piety of
+his character we have a remarkable proof in the following transactions,
+which, perhaps, reflect more real glory on his family than the
+achievements of all his heroic ancestors.</p>
+
+<p>As a part of the marriage portion of Mrs. West he received a negro slave,
+whose diligence and fidelity very soon obtained his full confidence.
+Being engaged in trade, he had occasion to make a voyage in the West
+Indies, and left this young black to superintend the plantation in his
+absence, During his residence in Barbadoes, his feelings were greatly
+molested, and his principles shocked, by the cruelties to which he saw the
+negroes subjected in that island; and the debasing effects were forcibly
+contrasted in his mind with the morals and intelligence of his own slave.
+Conversing on this subject with Doctor Gammon, who was then at the head of
+the community of Friends in Barbadoes, the Doctor convinced him that it
+was contrary to the laws of God and Nature that any man should retain his
+fellow-creatures in slavery. This conviction could not rest long inactive
+in a character framed like that of Mr. West. On his return to America he
+gave the negro his freedom, and retained him as a hired servant.</p>
+
+<p>Not content with doing good himself, he endeavoured to make others follow
+his example, and in a short time his arguments had such an effect on his
+neighbours, that it was agreed to discuss publicly the general question of
+Slavery. This was done accordingly; and, after debating it at many
+meetings, it was resolved by a considerable majority THAT IT WAS THE DUTY
+OF CHRISTIANS TO GIVE FREEDOM TO THEIR SLAVES. The result of this
+discussion was soon afterwards followed by a similar proposal to the head
+meeting of the Quakers in the township of Goshen in Chester County; and
+the cause of Humanity was again victorious. Finally, about the year 1753,
+the same question was agitated in the annual general assembly at
+Philadelphia, when it was ultimately established as one of the tenets of
+the Quakers, that no person could remain a member of their community who
+held a human creature in slavery. This transaction is perhaps the first
+example in the history of communities, of a great public sacrifice of
+individual interest, not originating from considerations of policy or the
+exigences of public danger, but purely from moral and religious
+principles.</p>
+
+<p>The benevolent work of restoring their natural rights to the unfortunate
+Negroes, did not rest even at this great pecuniary sacrifice. The Society
+of Friends went farther, and established Schools for the education of
+their children; and some of the first characters among themselves
+volunteered to superintend the course of instruction.</p>
+
+<p>In the autumn of 1738, Edmund Peckover, a celebrated Orator among the
+Quakers, came to the neighbourhood of Springfield, and on the 28th of
+September preached in a meeting-house erected by the father of Mrs. West
+at the distance of about a mile and a half from his residence. Mrs. West
+was then the mother of nine children, and far advanced in her pregnancy
+with Benjamin.--Peckover possessed the most essential qualities of an
+impressive speaker, and on this occasion the subject of his address was of
+extraordinary interest to his auditors. He reviewed the rise and progress
+of society in America, and with an enthusiastic eloquence which partook of
+the sublimity and vehemence of the prophetic spirit, he predicted the
+future greatness of the country. He described the condition of the
+European nations, decrepid in their institutions, and corrupt in their
+morality, and contrasted them with the young and flourishing
+establishments of the New World. He held up to their abhorrence the
+licentious manners and atheistical principles of the French, among whom
+God was disregarded or forgotten; and, elevated by the importance of his
+subject, he described the Almighty as mustering his wrath to descend on
+that nation, and disperse it as chaff in a whirlwind. He called on them to
+look towards their home of England, and to see with what eager devotion
+the inhabitants worshiped the golden image of Commerce, and laid the
+tribute of all their thoughts on its altars; believing that with the power
+of the idol alone, they should be able to withstand all calamities. "The
+day and the hour are, however, hastening on, when the image shall be
+shaken from its pedestal by the tempest of Jehovah's descending vengeance,
+its altars overturned, and the worshipers terribly convinced that without
+the favour of the Almighty God there is no wisdom in man! But," continued
+this impassioned orator, "from the woes and the crimes of Europe let us
+turn aside our eyes; let us turn from the worshipers of Commerce, clinging
+round their idols of gold and silver, and, amidst the wrath, the storm,
+and the thunder, endeavouring to hold them up; let us not look at the land
+of blasphemies; for in the crashing of engines, the gushing of blood, and
+the shrieking of witnesses more to be pitied than the victims, the
+activity of God's purifying displeasure will be heard; while turning our
+eyes towards the mountains of this New World, the forests shall be seen
+fading away, cities rising along the shores, and the terrified nations of
+Europe flying out of the smoke and the burning to find refuge here."--All
+his auditors were deeply affected, particularly Mrs. West, who was taken
+with the pains of labour on the spot. The meeting was broken up; the women
+made a circle round her as they carried her home, and such was the
+agitation into which she was thrown, that the consequences had nearly
+proved fatal both to the mother and the infant, of which she was
+prematurely delivered.</p>
+
+<p>This occurrence naturally excited much attention, and became the subject
+of general conversation. It made a deep impression on the mind of Mr.
+West, who could not divest himself of a feeling that it indicated
+something extraordinary in the future fortunes of his child; and when
+Peckover, soon afterwards, on his leaving that part of the country, paid
+him a farewell visit, he took an opportunity of introducing the subject.
+The warm imagination of the Preacher eagerly sympathised with the feelings
+of his friend. He took him by the hand, and, with emphatic solemnity, said
+that a child sent into the world under such remarkable circumstances would
+prove no ordinary man; and he charged him to watch over the boy's
+character with the utmost degree of paternal solicitude. It will appear in
+the sequel, that this singular admonition was not lost on Mr. West.</p>
+
+<p>The first six years of Benjamin's life passed away in calm uniformity;
+leaving only the placid remembrance of enjoyment. In the month of June
+1745, one of his sisters, who had been married some time before, and who
+had a daughter, came with her infant to spend a few days at her father's.
+When the child was asleep in the cradle, Mrs. West invited her daughter to
+gather flowers in the garden, and committed the infant to the care of
+Benjamin during their absence; giving him a fan to flap away the flies
+from molesting his little charge. After some time the child happened to
+smile in its sleep, and its beauty attracted his attention. He looked at
+it with a pleasure which he had never before experienced, and observing
+some paper on a table, together with pens and red and black ink, he seized
+them with agitation, and endeavoured to delineate a portrait: although at
+this period he had never seen an engraving or a picture, and was only in
+the seventh year of his age.</p>
+
+<p>Hearing the approach of his mother and sister, he endeavoured to conceal
+what he had been doing; but the old lady observing his confusion, enquired
+what he was about, and requested him to show her the paper. He obeyed,
+entreating her not to be angry. Mrs. West, after looking some time at the
+drawing with evident pleasure, said to her daughter, "I declare he has
+made a likeness of little Sally," and kissed him with much fondness and
+satisfaction. This encouraged him to say, that if it would give her any
+pleasure, he would make pictures of the flowers which she held in her
+hand; for the instinct of his genius was now awakened, and he felt that he
+could imitate the forms of those things which pleased his sight.</p>
+
+<p>This curious incident deserves consideration in two points of view. The
+sketch must have had some merit, since the likeness was so obvious,
+indicating how early the hand of the young artist possessed the power of
+representing the observations of his eye. But it is still more remarkable
+as the birth of the fine arts in the New World, and as one of the few
+instances in the history of art, in which the first inspiration of genius
+can be distinctly traced to a particular circumstance. The drawing was
+shown by Mrs. West to her husband, who, remembering the prediction of
+Peckover, was delighted with this early indication of talent in his son.
+But the fact, though in itself very curious, will appear still more
+remarkable, when the state of the country at that period, and the peculiar
+manners of the Quakers, are taken into consideration.</p>
+
+<p>The institutions of William Penn had been sacredly preserved by the
+descendants of the first settlers, with whom the remembrance of the causes
+which had led their ancestors to forsake their native country, was
+cherished like the traditions of religion, and became a motive to
+themselves, for indulging in the exercise of those blameless principles,
+which had been so obnoxious to the arrogant spirit of the Old World. The
+associates of the Wests and the Pearsons, considered the patriarchs of
+Pennsylvania as having been driven from England, because their endeavours
+to regulate their conduct by the example of Jesus Christ, mortified the
+temporal pretensions of those who satisfied themselves with attempting to
+repeat his doctrines; and they thought that the asylum in America was
+chosen, to facilitate the enjoyment of that affectionate intercourse which
+their tenets enjoined, free from the military predilections and political
+jealousies of Europe. The effect of this opinion tended to produce a state
+of society more peaceful and pleasing than the World had ever before
+exhibited. When the American Poets shall in future times celebrate the
+golden age of their country, they will draw their descriptions from the
+authentic history of Pennsylvania in the reign of King George the Second.</p>
+
+<p>From the first emigration in 1681, the colony had continued to thrive with
+a rapidity unknown to the other European Settlements. It was blessed in
+the maxims upon which it had been founded, and richly exhibited the fruits
+of their beneficent operation. At the birth of Benjamin West it had
+obtained great wealth, and the population was increasing much more
+vigorously than the ordinary reproduction of the human species in any
+other part of the world. In the houses of the principal families, the
+patricians of the country, unlimited hospitality formed a part of their
+regular economy. It was the custom among those who resided near the
+highways, after supper and the last religious exercise of the evening, to
+make a large fire in the hall, and to set out a table with refreshments
+for such travellers as might have occasion to pass during the night; and
+when the families assembled in the morning they seldom found that their
+tables had been unvisited. This was particularly the case at Springfield.
+Poverty was never heard of in the land. The disposition to common charity
+having no objects, was blended with the domestic affections, and rendered
+the ties of friendship and kindred stronger and dearer. Acts of liberality
+were frequently performed to an extent that would have beggared the
+munificence of the Old World. With all these delightful indications of a
+better order of things, society in Pennsylvania retained, at this time,
+many of those respectable prejudices which gave a venerable grace to
+manners, and are regarded by the practical philosopher as little inferior
+in dignity to the virtues. William Penn was proud of his distinguished
+parentage, and many of his friends traced their lineage to the antient
+and noble families of England. In their descendants the pride of ancestry
+was so tempered with the meekness of their religious tenets, that it lent
+a kind of patriarchal dignity to their benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>In beautiful contrast to the systematic morality of the new inhabitants,
+was the simplicity of the Indians, who mingled safe and harmless among the
+Friends. In the annual visits which they were in the practice of paying to
+the Plantations, they raised their huts in the fields and orchards without
+asking leave, nor were they ever molested. Voltaire has observed, that the
+treaty which was concluded between the Indians and William Penn was the
+first public contract which connected the inhabitants of the Old and New
+World together, and, though not ratified by oaths, and without invoking
+the Trinity, is still the only treaty that has never been broken. It may
+be further said, that Pennsylvania is the first country which has not been
+subdued by the sword, for the inhabitants were conquered by the force of
+Christian benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>When the great founder of the State marked out the site of Philadelphia in
+the woods, he allotted a piece of ground for a public library. It was his
+opinion, that although the labour of clearing the country would long
+employ the settlers, hours of relaxation would still be requisite; and,
+with his usual sagacity, he judged that the reading of books was more
+conducive to good morals and to the formation of just sentiments, than any
+other species of amusement. The different counties afterwards instituted
+libraries, which the townships have also imitated: where the population
+was insufficient to establish a large collection of books, the
+neighbouring families formed themselves into societies for procuring the
+popular publications. But in these arrangements for cultivating the powers
+of the understanding, no provision was made, during the reign of George
+the Second, for improving the faculties of taste. The works of which the
+libraries then consisted, treated of useful and practical subjects. It was
+the policy of the Quakers to make mankind wiser and better; and they
+thought that, as the passions are the springs of all moral evil when in a
+state of excitement, whatever tends to awaken them is unfavourable to that
+placid tenour of mind which they wished to see diffused throughout the
+world. This notion is prudent, perhaps judicious; but works of imagination
+may be rendered subservient to the same purpose. Every thing in
+Pennsylvania was thus unpropitious to the fine arts. There were no cares
+in the bosoms of individuals to require public diversions, nor any
+emulation in the expenditure of wealth to encourage the ornamental
+manufactures. In the whole Christian world no spot was apparently so
+unlikely to produce a painter as Pennsylvania. It might, indeed, be
+supposed, according to a popular opinion, that a youth, reared among the
+concentrating elements of a new state, in the midst of boundless forests,
+tremendous waterfalls, and mountains whose summits were inaccessible to
+"the lightest foot and wildest wing," was the most favourable situation
+to imbibe the enthusiasm either of poetry or of painting, if scenery and
+such accidental circumstances are to be regarded as every thing, and
+original character as nothing. But it may reasonably be doubted if ever
+natural scenery has any assignable influence on the productions of genius.
+The idea has probably arisen from the impression which the magnificence of
+nature makes on persons of cultivated minds, who fall into the mistake of
+considering the elevated emotions arising in reality from their own
+associations, as being naturally connected with the objects that excite
+them. Of all the nations of Europe the Swiss are the least poetical, and
+yet the scenery of no other country seems so well calculated as that of
+Switzerland to awaken the imagination; and Shakespeare, the greatest of
+all modern Poets, was brought up in one of the least picturesque districts
+of England.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the occurrence of the incident which has given rise to these
+observations, the young Artist was sent to a school in the neighbourhood.
+During his hours of leisure he was permitted to draw with pen and ink; for
+it did not occur to any of the family to provide him with better
+materials. In the course of the summer a party of Indians came to pay
+their annual visit to Springfield, and being amused with the sketches of
+birds and flowers which Benjamin shewed them, they taught him to prepare
+the red and yellow colours with which they painted their ornaments. To
+these his mother added blue, by giving him a piece of indigo, so that he
+was thus put in possession of the three primary colours. The fancy is
+disposed to expatiate on this interesting fact; for the mythologies of
+antiquity furnish no allegory more beautiful; and a Painter who would
+embody the metaphor of an Artist instructed by Nature, could scarcely
+imagine any thing more picturesque than the real incident of the Indians
+instructing West to prepare the prismatic colours. The Indians also taught
+him to be an expert archer, and he was sometimes in the practice of
+shooting birds for models, when he thought that their plumage would look
+well in a picture.</p>
+
+<p>His drawings at length attracted the attention of the neighbours; and some
+of them happening to regret that the Artist had no pencils, he enquired
+what kind of things these were, and they were described to him as small
+brushes made of camels' hair fastened in a quill. As there were, however,
+no camels in America, he could not think of any substitute, till he
+happened to cast his eyes on a black cat, the favourite of his father;
+when, in the tapering fur of her tail, he discovered the means of
+supplying what he wanted. He immediately armed himself with his mother's
+scissors, and, laying hold of Grimalkin with all due caution, and a proper
+attention to her feelings, cut off the fur at the end of her tail, and
+with this made his first pencil. But the tail only furnished him with one,
+which did not last long, and he soon stood in need of a further supply. He
+then had recourse to the animal's back, his depredations upon which were
+so frequently repeated, that his father observed the altered appearance of
+his favourite, and lamented it as the effect of disease. The Artist, with
+suitable marks of contrition, informed him of the true cause; and the old
+gentleman was so much amused with his ingenuity, that if he rebuked him,
+it was certainly not in anger.</p>
+
+<p>Anecdotes of this kind, trifling as they may seem, have an interest
+independent of the insight they afford into the character to which they
+relate. It will often appear, upon a careful study of authentic biography,
+that the means of giving body and effect to their conceptions, are rarely
+withheld from men of genius. If the circumstances of Fortune are
+unfavourable, Nature instructs them to draw assistance immediately from
+herself, by endowing them with the faculty of perceiving a fitness and
+correspondence in things which no force of reasoning, founded on the
+experience of others, could enable them to discover. This aptness is,
+perhaps, the surest indication of the possession of original talent. There
+are minds of a high class to which the world, in the latitude of its
+expressions, often ascribes genius, but which possess only a superior
+capacity for the application of other men's notions, unconnected with any
+unusual portion of the inventive faculty.</p>
+
+<p>In the following year Mr. Pennington, a merchant of Philadelphia, who was
+related to the West family, came to pay a visit to Mr. West. This
+gentleman was also a member of the Society of Friends, and, though
+strictly attentive to the peculiar observances of the sect, was a man of
+pleasant temper and indulgent dispositions. He noticed the drawings of
+birds and flowers round the room, unusual ornaments in the house of a
+Quaker; and heard with surprise that they were the work of his little
+cousin. Of their merit as pictures he did not pretend to judge, but he
+thought them wonderful productions for a boy only entering on his eighth
+year, and being told with what imperfect materials they had been executed,
+he promised to send the young Artist a box of paints and pencils from the
+city. On his return home he fulfilled his engagement, and at the bottom of
+the box placed several pieces of canvass prepared for the easel, and six
+engravings by Grevling.</p>
+
+<p>The arrival of the box was an &aelig;ra in the history of the Painter and his
+art. It was received with feelings of delight which only a similar mind
+can justly appreciate. He opened it, and in the colours, the oils, and
+the pencils, found all his wants supplied, even beyond his utmost
+conceptions. But who can describe the surprise with which he beheld the
+engravings; he who had never seen any picture but his own drawings, nor
+knew that such an art as the Engraver's existed! He sat over the box with
+enamoured eyes; his mind was in a flutter of joy; and he could not refrain
+from constantly touching the different articles, to ascertain that they
+were real. At night he placed the box on a chair near his bed, and as
+often as he was overpowered by sleep, he started suddenly and stretched
+out his hand to satisfy himself that the possession of such a treasure was
+not merely a pleasing dream. He rose at the dawn of day, and carried the
+box to a room in the garret, where he spread a canvass, prepared a pallet,
+and immediately began to imitate the figures in the engravings. Enchanted
+by his art he forgot the school hours, and joined the family at dinner
+without mentioning the employment in which he had been engaged. In the
+afternoon he again retired to his study in the garret; and for several
+days successively he thus withdrew and devoted himself to painting. The
+schoolmaster, observing his absence, sent to ask the cause of it. Mrs.
+West, affecting not to take any particular notice of the message,
+recollected that she had seen Benjamin going up stairs every morning, and
+suspecting that the box occasioned his neglect of the school, went to the
+garret, and found him employed on the picture. Her anger was appeased by
+the sight of his performance, and changed to a very different feeling. She
+saw, not a mere copy, but a composition from two of the engravings. With
+no other guide than that delicacy of sight which renders the Painter's
+eye, with respect to colours, what the Musician's ear is with respect to
+sounds, he had formed a picture as complete, in the scientific arrangement
+of the tints, notwithstanding the necessary imperfection of the
+pencilling, as the most skilful Artist could have painted, assisted by the
+precepts of Newton. She kissed him with transports of affection, and
+assured him that she would not only intercede with his father to pardon
+him for having absented himself from school, but would go herself to the
+master, and beg that he might not be punished. The delightful
+encouragement which this well-judged kindness afforded to the young
+Painter may be easily imagined; but who will not regret that the mother's
+over-anxious admiration would not suffer him to finish the picture, lest
+he should spoil what was already in her opinion perfect, even with half
+the canvass bare? Sixty-seven years afterwards the writer of these Memoirs
+had the gratification to see this piece in the same room with the sublime
+painting of "Christ Rejected," on which occasion the Painter declared to
+him that there were inventive touches of art in his first and juvenile
+essay, which, with all his subsequent knowledge and experience, he had not
+been able to surpass.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-2"></a>Chap. II.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross,--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.</blockquote>
+
+<p>In the course of a few days after the affair of the painting, Mr.
+Pennington paid another visit to Mr. West; and was so highly pleased with
+the effect of his present, and the promising talents of his young
+relation, that he entreated the old gentleman to allow Benjamin to
+accompany him for a few days to Philadelphia. This was cheerfully agreed
+to, and the Artist felt himself almost, as much delighted with the journey
+as with the box of colours. Every thing in the town filled him with
+astonishment; but the view of the shipping, which was entirely new,
+particularly attracted his eye, and interested him like the imaginary
+spectacles of magic.</p>
+
+<p>When the first emotions of his pleasure and wonder had subsided, he
+applied to Mr. Pennington to procure him materials for painting. That
+gentleman was desirous of getting possession of the first picture, and had
+only resigned what he jocularly alleged were his just claims, in
+consideration of the mother's feelings, and on being assured that the next
+picture should be purposely painted for him. The materials were procured,
+and the Artist composed a landscape, which comprehended a picturesque view
+of a river, with vessels on the water, and cattle pasturing on the banks.
+While he was engaged in this picture, an incident occurred which, though
+trivial in itself, was so much in unison with the other circumstances that
+favoured the bent of his genius, that it ought not to be omitted.</p>
+
+<p>Samuel Shoemaker [Footnote: This gentleman was afterwards introduced by
+Mr. West to the King, at Windsor, as one of the American Loyalists.], an
+intimate friend of Mr. Pennington, one of the principal merchants of
+Philadelphia, happened to meet in the street with one Williams, a Painter,
+carrying home a picture. Struck by the beauty of the performance, he
+enquired if it was intended for sale, and being told that it was already
+disposed of, he ordered another to be painted for himself. When the
+painting was finished, he requested the Artist to carry it to Mr.
+Pennington's house, in order that it might be shewn to young West. It was
+very well executed, and the boy was so much astonished at the sight of it,
+that his emotion and surprise attracted the attention of Williams, who was
+a man of observation, and judged correctly in thinking that such an
+uncommon manifestation of sensibility in so young a boy, indicated
+something extraordinary in his character. He entered into conversation
+with him, and enquired if he had read any books, or the lives of great
+men, The little amateur told him that he had read the Bible, and was well
+acquainted with the history of Adam, Joseph, David, Solomon, and the other
+great and good men whose actions are recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
+Williams was much pleased with the simplicity of the answer; and it might
+have occurred to him that histories more interesting have never been
+written, or written so well. Turning to Mr. Pennington, who was present,
+he asked if Benjamin was his son; advising him at the same time to indulge
+him in whatever might appear to be the bent of his talents, assuring him
+that he was no common boy.</p>
+
+<p>This interview was afterwards much spoken of by Williams, who in the mean
+time lent him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson on Painting, and invited
+him to see his pictures and drawings. The impression which these books
+made on the imagination of West finally decided his destination. He was
+allowed to carry them with him into the country; and his father and
+mother, soon perceiving a great change in his conversation, were referred
+to the books for an explanation of the cause. They read them for the first
+time themselves, and treasuring in their minds those anecdotes of the
+indications of the early symptoms of talent with which both works abound,
+they remembered the prophetic injunction of Edmund Peckover.</p>
+
+<p>The effect of the enthusiasm inspired by Richardson and Fresnoy may be
+conceived from the following incident. Soon after the young Artist had
+returned to Springfield, one of his schoolfellows, on a Saturday's half
+holiday, engaged him to give up a party at trap-ball to ride with him to
+one of the neighbouring plantations. At the time appointed the boy came,
+with the horse saddled. West enquired how he was to ride; "Behind me,"
+said the boy; but Benjamin, full of the dignity of the profession to which
+he felt himself destined, answered, that he never would ride behind any
+body. "O! very well then," said the good-natured boy, "you may take the
+saddle, and I will get up behind you." Thus mounted, they proceeded on
+their excursion; and the boy began to inform his companion that his father
+intended to send him to be an apprentice. "In what business?" enquired
+West; "A taylor," answered the boy. "Surely," said West, "you will never
+follow that trade;" animadverting upon its feminine character. The other,
+however, was a shrewd, sound-headed lad, and defended the election very
+stoutly, saying that his father had made choice of it for him, and that
+the person with whom he was to learn the business was much respected by
+all his neighbours. "But what do you intend to be, Benjamin?" West
+answered, that he had not thought at all on the subject, but he should
+like to be a painter. "A painter!" exclaimed the boy, "what sort of a
+trade is a painter? I never heard of such a thing." "A painter," said
+West, "is a companion for Kings and Emperors." "Surely you are mad,"
+replied the boy, "for there are no such people in America." "Very true,"
+answered Benjamin, "but there are plenty in other parts of the world." The
+other, still more amazed at the apparent absurdity of this speech,
+reiterated in a tone of greater surprise, "You are surely quite mad." To
+this the enthusiast replied by asking him if he really intended to be a
+taylor. "Most certainly," answered the other. "Then you may ride by
+yourself, for I will no longer keep your company," said West, and,
+alighting, immediately returned home.</p>
+
+<p>The report of this incident, with the affair of the picture, which had
+occasioned his absence from school, and visit to Philadelphia, made a
+great impression on the boys in the neighbourhood of Springfield. All
+their accustomed sports were neglected, and their play-hours devoted to
+drawing with chalk and oker. The little president was confessedly the most
+expert among them, but he has often since declared, that, according to his
+recollection, many of his juvenile companions evinced a degree of taste
+and skill in this exercise, that would not have discredited the students
+of any regular academy.</p>
+
+<p>Not far from the residence of Mr. West a cabinet-maker had a shop, in
+which Benjamin sometimes amused himself with the tools of the workmen. One
+day several large and beautiful boards of poplar tree were brought to it;
+and he happening to observe that they would answer very well for drawing
+on, the owner gave him two or three of them for that purpose, and he drew
+figures and compositions on them with ink, chalk, and charcoal. Mr. Wayne,
+a gentleman of the neighbourhood, having soon after occasion to call at
+his father's, noticed the boards in the room, and was so much pleased with
+the drawings, that he begged the young Artist to allow him to take two or
+three of them home, which, as but little value was set on them, was
+thought no great favour, either by the painter or his father. Next day Mr.
+Wayne called again, and after complimenting Benjamin on his taste and
+proficiency, gave him a dollar for each of the boards which he had taken
+away, and was resolved to preserve. Doctor Jonathan Moris, another
+neighbour, soon after, also made him a present of a few dollars to buy
+materials to paint with. These were the first public patrons of the
+Artist; and it is at his own request that their names are thus
+particularly inserted.</p>
+
+<p>About twelve months after the visit to Philadelphia, Mr. Flower, one of
+the Justices of the county of Chester, who possessed some taste in
+painting, requested Mr. West to allow Benjamin to spend a few weeks at his
+house. A short time before, this gentleman had met with a severe domestic
+misfortune in the loss of a wife, to whom he was much attached; and he
+resolved to shew his respect to her memory by devoting his attention
+exclusively to the improvement of his children: for this purpose he had
+sent to England for a governess qualified to undertake the education of
+his daughters, and he had the good fortune to obtain a lady eminently
+fitted for the trust. She arrived a few days only before the young Artist,
+and her natural discernment enabled her to appreciate that original bias
+of mind which she had heard ascribed to him, and of which she soon
+perceived the determination and the strength. Finding him unacquainted
+with any other books than the Bible, and the works of Richardson and
+Fresnoy, she frequently invited him to sit with her pupils, and, during
+the intervals of their tasks, she read to him the most striking and
+picturesque passages from translations of the antient historians and
+poetry, of which Mr. Flower had a choice and extensive collection. It was
+from this intelligent woman that he heard, for the first time, of the
+Greeks and Romans; and the impression which the story of those illustrious
+nations made on his mind, was answerable to her expectations.</p>
+
+<p>Among the acquaintance of Mr. Flower was a Mr. Ross, a lawyer in the town
+of Lancaster, a place at that time remarkable for its wealth, and which
+had the reputation of possessing the best and most intelligent society to
+be then found in America. It was chiefly inhabited by Germans, who of all
+people in the practice of emigrating, carry along with them the greatest
+stock of knowledge and accomplishments. The society of Lancaster,
+therefore, though it could not boast of any very distinguished character,
+yet comprehended many individuals who were capable of appreciating the
+merit of essays in art, and of discriminating the rude efforts of real
+genius from the more complete productions of mere mechanical skill. It was
+exactly in such a place that such a youth as Benjamin West was likely to
+meet with that flattering attention which is the best stimulus of juvenile
+talent. The wife of Mr. Ross was greatly admired for her beauty, and she
+had several children who were so remarkable in this respect as to be
+objects of general notice. One day when Mr. Flower was dining with them,
+he advised his friend to have their portraits taken; and mentioned that
+they would be excellent subjects for young West. Application was in
+consequence made to old Mr. West, and permission obtained for the little
+Artist to go to Lancaster for the purpose of taking the likenesses of Mrs.
+Ross and her family. Such was the success with which he executed this
+task, that the sphere of his celebrity was greatly enlarged; and so
+numerous were the applications for portraits, that it was with difficulty
+he could find time to satisfy the demands of his admirers.</p>
+
+<p>Among those who sent to him in this early stage of his career, was a
+person of the name of William Henry. He was an able mechanic, and had
+acquired a handsome fortune by his profession of a gunsmith. Henry was,
+indeed, in several respects, an extraordinary man, and possessed the power
+generally attendant upon genius under all circumstances, that of
+interesting the imagination of those with whom he conversed. On examining
+the young Artist's performance, he observed to him, that, if he could
+paint as well, he would not waste his time on portraits, but would devote
+himself to historical subjects; and he mentioned the Death of Socrates as
+affording one of the best topics for illustrating the moral effect of the
+art of painting. The Painter knew nothing of the history of the
+Philosopher; and, upon confessing his ignorance, Mr. Henry went to his
+library, and, taking down a volume of the English translation of Plutarch,
+read to him the account given by that writer of this affecting story.</p>
+
+<p>The suggestion and description wrought upon the imagination of West, and
+induced him to make a drawing, which he shewed to Mr. Henry, who commended
+it as a perspicuous delineation of the probable circumstances of the
+event, and requested him to paint it. West said that he would be happy to
+undertake the task, but, having hitherto painted only faces and men
+cloathed, he should be unable to do justice to the figure of the slave who
+presented the poison, and which he thought ought to be naked. Henry had
+among his workmen a very handsome young man, and, without waiting to
+answer the objection, he sent for him into the room. On his entrance he
+pointed him out to West, and said, "There is your model." The appearance
+of the young man, whose arms and breast were naked, instantaneously
+convinced the Artist that he had only to look into nature for the models
+which would impart grace and energy to his delineation of forms.</p>
+
+<p>When the death of Socrates was finished, it attracted much attention, and
+led to one of those fortunate acquaintances by which the subsequent career
+of the Artist has been so happily facilitated. About this period the
+inhabitants of Lancaster had resolved to erect a public grammar-school;
+and Dr. Smith, the Provost of the College at Philadelphia, was invited by
+them to arrange the course of instruction, and to place the institution in
+the way best calculated to answer the intention of the founders. This
+gentleman was an excellent classical scholar, and combined with his
+knowledge and admiration of the merits of the antients that liberality of
+respect for the endeavours of modern talent, with which the same kind of
+feeling is but rarely found connected. After seeing the picture and
+conversing with the Artist, he offered to undertake to make him to a
+certain degree acquainted with classical literature; while at the same
+time he would give him such a sketch of the taste and character of the
+spirit of antiquity, as would have all the effect of the regular education
+requisite to a painter. When this liberal proposal was communicated to old
+Mr. West, he readily agreed that Benjamin should go for some time to
+Philadelphia, in order to take advantage of the Provost's instructions;
+and accordingly, after returning home for a few days, Benjamin went to the
+capital, and resided at the house of Mr. Clarkson, his brother-in-law, a
+gentleman who had been educated at Leyden, and was much respected for the
+intelligence of his conversation, and the propriety of his manners.</p>
+
+<p>Provost Smith introduced West, among other persons, to four young men,
+pupils of his own, whom he particularly recommended to his acquaintance,
+as possessing endowments of mind greatly superior to the common standard
+of mankind. One of these was Francis Hopkins, who afterwards highly
+distinguished himself in the early proceedings of the Congress of the
+United States. Thomas Godfrey, the second, died after having given the
+most promising indications of an elegant genius for pathetic and
+descriptive poetry. He was an apprentice to a watchmaker, and had secretly
+written a poem, which he published anonymously in the Philadelphia
+newspaper, under the title of "The Temple of Fame." The attention which it
+attracted, and the encomiums which the Provost in particular bestowed on
+it, induced West, who was in the Poet's confidence, to mention to him who
+was the author. The information excited the alert benevolence of Smith's
+character, and he lost no time until he had procured the release of
+Godfrey from his indenture, and a respectable employment for him in the
+government of the state; but this he did not live long to enjoy: being
+sent on some public business to Carolina, he fell a victim to the climate.</p>
+
+<p>It is pleasant to redeem from oblivion the memory of early talent thus
+prematurely withdrawn from the world. Many of Godfrey's verses were
+composed under a clump of pines which grew near the upper ferry of the
+river Schuylkill, to which spot he sometimes accompanied West and their
+mutual friends to angle. In the heat of the day he used to stretch himself
+beneath the shade of the trees, and repeat to them his verses as he
+composed them. Reid was the name of the other young man, and the same
+person who first opposed the British troops in their passing through
+Jersey, when the rebellion of the Provinces commenced. Previous to the
+revolution, he was bred to the bar, and practised with distinction in the
+courts of Philadelphia. He was afterwards elected a Member of Congress,
+and is the same person who was appointed to meet Lord Carlisle on his
+mission from the British Court.</p>
+
+<p>Provost Smith was himself possessed of a fluent vein of powerful
+eloquence, and it happened that many of his pupils who distinguished
+themselves in the great struggle of their country, appeared to have
+imbibed his talent; but none of them more than Jacob Duchey, another of
+the four youths whom he recommended to the Artist. He became a Clergyman,
+and was celebrated throughout the whole of the British Provinces in
+America as a most pathetic and persuasive preacher. The publicity of his
+character in the world was, however, chiefly owing to a letter which he
+addressed to General Washington, soon after the appointment of that chief
+to the command of the army. The purport of this letter was to persuade the
+General to go over to the British cause. It was carried to him by a Mrs.
+Ferguson, a daughter of Doctor Graham, a Scottish Physician in
+Philadelphia. Washington, with his army, at that time lay at Valley-forge,
+and this lady, on the pretext of paying him a visit, as they were
+previously acquainted, went to the camp. The General received her in his
+tent with much respect, for he greatly admired the masculine vigour of her
+mind. When she had delivered the letter he read it attentively, and,
+rising from his seat, walked backwards and forwards upwards of an hour,
+without speaking. He appeared to be much agitated during the greatest part
+of the time; but at length, having decided with himself, he stopped, and
+addressed her in nearly the following words: "Madam, I have always
+esteemed your character and endowments, and I am fully sensible of the
+noble principles by which you are actuated on this occasion; nor has any
+man in the whole continent more confidence in the integrity of his friend,
+than I have in the honour of Mr. Duchey. But I am here entrusted by the
+people of America with sovereign authority. They have placed their lives
+and fortunes at my disposal, because they believe me to be an honest man.
+Were I, therefore, to desert their cause, and consign them again to the
+British, what would be the consequence? to myself perpetual infamy; and to
+them endless calamity. The seeds of everlasting division are sown between
+the two countries; and, were the British again to become our masters, they
+would have to maintain their dominion by force, and would, after all,
+retain us in subjection only so long as they could hold their bayonets to
+our breasts. No, Madam, the proposal of Mr. Duchey, though conceived with
+the best intention, is not framed in wisdom. America and England must be
+separate states; but they may have common interests, for they are but one
+people. It will, therefore, be the object of my life and ambition to
+establish the independence of America in the first place; and in the
+second, to arrange such a community of interests between the two nations
+as shall indemnify them for the calamities which they now suffer, and form
+a new &aelig;ra in the history of nations. But, Madam, you are aware that I
+have many enemies; Congress may hear of your visit, and of this letter,
+and I should be suspected were I to conceal it from them. I respect you
+truly, as I have said; and I esteem the probity and motives of Mr. Duchey,
+and therefore you are free to depart from the camp, but the letter will be
+transmitted without delay to Congress."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ferguson herself communicated the circumstances of this interesting
+transaction to Mr. West, after she came to England; for she, as well as
+Mr. Duchey, were obliged to quit the country. It is painful to add, that
+Duchey came to England, and was allowed to pine unnoticed by the
+Government, and was heard of no more.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-3"></a>Chap. III.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led to
+    the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place him
+    in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers,--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.</blockquote>
+
+<p>There was something so judicious in the plan of study which Provost
+Smith had formed for his pupil, that it deserves to be particularly
+considered. He regarded him as destined to be a Painter; and on this
+account did not impose upon him those grammatical exercises of language
+which are usually required from the young student of the classics, but
+directed his attention to those incidents which were likely to interest
+his fancy, and to furnish him at some future time with subjects for the
+easel. He carried him immediately to those passages of antient history
+which make the most lasting impression on the imagination of the
+regular-bred scholar, and described the picturesque circumstances of the
+transactions with a minuteness of detail that would have been
+superfluous to a general student.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of this course of education the Artist happened to be taken
+ill of a slight fever, and when it had subsided, he was in so weak a state
+as to be obliged to keep his bed, and to have the room darkened. In this
+situation he remained several days, with no other light than what was
+admitted by the seams and fissures in the window-shutters, which had the
+usual effect of expanding the pupil of his eyes to such a degree that he
+could distinctly see every object in the room, which to others appeared in
+complete obscurity. While he was thus lying in bed, he observed the
+apparitional form of a white cow enter at the one side of the roof, and
+walking over the bed, gradually vanish at the other. The phenomenon
+surprised him exceedingly, and he feared that his mind was impaired by his
+disease, which his sister also suspected, when on entering to inquire how
+he felt himself, he related to her what he had seen. Without, however,
+saying any thing, she went immediately and informed her husband, who
+accompanied her back to the apartment; and as they were standing near the
+bed, West repeated the story, exclaiming in his discourse that he saw, at
+the very moment in which he was then speaking, several little pigs running
+along the roof. This confirmed them in the apprehension of his delirium,
+and they sent for a physician. But the doctor could discover no symptoms
+of fever; the pulse was regular, the skin moist and cool, the thirst was
+abated, and indeed every thing about the patient indicated convalescence.
+Still the Painter persisted in his story, and assured them that he then
+saw the figures of several of their mutual friends passing on the roof,
+over the bed; and that he even saw fowls pecking, and the very stones of
+the street. All this seemed to them very extraordinary, for their eyes,
+not accustomed to the gloom of the chamber, could discern nothing; and the
+learned physician himself, in despite of the symptoms, began to suspect
+that the convalescent was really delirious. Prescribing, therefore, a
+composing mixture, which the Painter submitted to swallow, he took his
+fee and leave, requesting Mrs. Clarkson and her husband to come away and
+not disturb the patient. After they had retired, curiosity overcame the
+influence of the drug, and the Artist got up, determined to find out the
+cause of the strange apparitions which had so alarmed them all. In a short
+time he discovered a diagonal knot-hole in one of the window-shutters, and
+upon placing his hand over it, the visionary paintings on the roof
+disappeared. This confirmed him in an opinion that he began to form, that
+there must be some simple natural cause for what he had seen; and, having
+thus ascertained the way in which it acted, he called his sister and her
+husband into the room and explained it to them. When able to go down
+stairs, Mr. Clarkson gave him permission to perforate one of the parlour
+window-shutters horizontally, in order to obtain a representation on the
+wall of the buildings of the opposite side of the street. The effect was
+as he expected, but, to his astonishment, the objects appeared inverted.
+Without attempting to remedy this with the aid of glasses, as a
+mathematical genius would perhaps have done, he was delighted to see in it
+the means of studying the pictural appearance of Nature, and he hailed
+the discovery as a revelation to promote his improvement in the art of
+painting. On his return soon after to his father's, he had a box made with
+one of the sides perforated; and, adverting to the reflective power of the
+mirror, he contrived, without ever having heard of the instrument, to
+invent the <i>Camera</i>. Thus furnishing another proof, that although the
+faculty which enables a man to excel in any particular art or science is a
+natural endowment, it is seldom unaccompanied with a general superiority
+of observation. It will, however, not be disputed, that a boy under
+sixteen, who had thus, by the guidance of his own unassisted judgment,
+found out a method of ascertaining the colour and outline of natural
+objects as they should appear in painting, possessed no ordinary mind.
+Observations of this nature mark the difference between innate talent and
+instructed habits; and, whether in painting, or in poetry, in art, or in
+science, constitute the source of that peculiarity of intellect which is
+discriminated from the effects of education by the name of original
+talent. The self-educated man of genius, when his mind is formed, differs
+but little in the method of expressing his notions, from the most
+mechanical disciple of the schools; but the process by which he attains
+that result, renders his history interesting by its incidents, and
+valuable by the hints which it furnishes for the study of human character.
+It is, perhaps, also, one great cause of his own distinguishing features
+of mind, as the very contrivances to which he has recourse have the effect
+of taking, as it were, something extraneous into the matter of his
+experiments which tinges the product with curious and singular
+effects.--West, on afterwards mentioning his discovery to Williams the
+painter, was surprised to find himself anticipated, that Artist having
+received a complete Camera some time before from England.</p>
+
+<p>In this favourable state of things he attained his sixteenth year, when
+his father became anxious to see him settled in some established business.
+For, though reluctant to thwart the bias of a genius at once so decided
+and original, and to which the injunction of Peckover had rendered him
+favourable and indulgent, the old gentleman was sensible that the
+profession of a painter was not only precarious, but regarded by the
+religious association to which he belonged, as adverse to their tenets, by
+being only ornamental; and he was anxious, on his son's account and on his
+own, to avoid those animadversions to which he was exposed by the freedom
+he had hitherto granted to the predilections of Benjamin. He, therefore,
+consulted several of his neighbours on the subject; and a meeting of the
+Society of Friends in the vicinity was called, to consider, publicly, what
+ought to be the destiny of his son.</p>
+
+<p>The assembly met in the Meeting-house near Springfield, and after much
+debate, approaching to altercation, a man of the name of John Williamson
+rose, and delivered a very extraordinary speech upon the subject. He was
+much respected by all present, for the purity and integrity of his life,
+and enjoyed great influence in his sphere on account of the superiority
+of his natural wisdom, and, as a public preacher among the Friends,
+possessed an astonishing gift of convincing eloquence. He pointed to old
+Mr. West and his wife, and expatiated on the blameless reputation which
+they had so long maintained, and merited so well. "They have had," said
+he, "ten children, whom they have carefully brought up in the fear of
+God, and in the Christian religion; and the youth, whose lot in life we
+are now convened to consider, is Benjamin, their youngest child. It is
+known to you all that God is pleased, from time to time, to bestow upon
+some men extraordinary gifts of mind, and you need not be told by how
+wonderful an inspiration their son has been led to cultivate the art of
+painting. It is true that our tenets deny the utility of that art to
+mankind. But God has bestowed on the youth a genius for the art, and can
+we believe that Omniscience bestows His gifts but for great purposes?
+What God has given, who shall dare to throw away? Let us not estimate
+Almighty wisdom by our notions; let us not presume to arraign His
+judgment by our ignorance, but in the evident propensity of the young
+man, be assured that we see an impulse of the Divine hand operating
+towards some high and beneficent end."</p>
+
+<p>The effect of this argument, and the lofty commanding manner in which it
+was delivered, induced the assembly to agree that the Artist should be
+allowed to indulge the predilections of his genius; and a private
+meeting of the Friends was appointed to be holden at his father's house,
+at which the youth himself was requested to be present, in order to
+receive, in form, the assent and blessing of the Society. On the day of
+meeting, the great room was put in order, and a numerous company of both
+sexes assembled. Benjamin was placed by his father, and the men and
+women took their respective forms on each side. After sitting some time
+in silence, one of the women rose and addressed the meeting on the
+wisdom of God, and the various occasions on which He selected from among
+His creatures the agents of His goodness. When she had concluded her
+exhortation, John Williamson also rose, and in a speech than which,
+perhaps, the porticos of Athens never resounded with a more impressive
+oratory, he resumed the topic which had been the subject of his former
+address. He began by observing that it was fixed as one of their
+indisputable maxims, that things merely ornamental were not necessary to
+the well-being of man, and that all superfluous things should be
+excluded from the usages and manners of their society. "In this
+proscription, we have included," said he, "the study of the fine arts,
+for we see them applied only to embellish pleasures, and to strengthen
+our inducements to gratify the senses at the expense of our immortal
+claims. But, because we have seen painting put to this derogatory use,
+and have, in consequence, prohibited the cultivation of it among us, are
+we sure that it is not one of those gracious gifts which God has
+bestowed on the world, not to add to the sensual pleasures of man, but
+to facilitate his improvement as a social and a moral being? The fine
+arts are called the offspring and the emblems of peace. The Christian
+religion itself is the doctrine of good will to man. Can those things
+which only prosper in peace be contrary to the Christian religion? But,
+it is said, that the fine arts soften and emasculate the mind. In what
+way? is it by withdrawing those who study them from the robust exercises
+which enable nations and people to make war with success? Is it by
+lessening the disposition of mankind to destroy one another, and by
+taming the audacity of their animal fierceness? Is it for such a reason
+as this, that we who profess to live in unison and friendship, not only
+among ourselves, but with all the world that we should object to the
+cultivation of the fine arts, of those arts which disarm the natural
+ferocity of man? We may as well be told that the doctrine of peace and
+life ought to be proscribed in the world because it is pernicious to the
+practice of war and slaughter, as that the arts which call on man to
+exercise his intellectual powers more than his physical strength, can be
+contrary to Christianity, and adverse to the benevolence of the Deity. I
+speak not, however, of the fine arts as the means of amusement, nor the
+study of them as pastime to fill up the vacant hours of business, though
+even as such, the taste for them deserves to be regarded as a
+manifestation of Divine favour, in as much as they dispose the heart to
+kind and gentle inclinations. For, I think them ordained by God for some
+great and holy purpose. Do we not know that the professors of the fine
+arts are commonly men greatly distinguished by special gifts of a
+creative and discerning spirit? If there be any thing in the usual
+course of human affairs which exhibits the immediate interposition of
+the Deity, it is in the progress of the fine arts, in which it would
+appear he often raises up those great characters, the spirit of whose
+imaginations have an interminable influence on posterity, and who are
+themselves separated and elevated among the generality of mankind, by
+the name of men of genius. Can we believe that all this is not for some
+useful purpose? What that purpose is, ought we to pretend to
+investigate? Let us rather reflect that the Almighty God has been
+pleased among us, and in this remote wilderness, to endow, with the rich
+gifts of a peculiar spirit, that youth who has now our common consent to
+cultivate his talents for an art, which, according to our humble and
+human judgment, was previously thought an unnecessary ministration to
+the sensual propensities of our nature. May it be demonstrated by the
+life and works of the Artist, that the gift of God has not been bestowed
+on him in vain, nor the motives of the beneficent inspiration which
+induces us to suspend our particular tenets, prove barren of religious
+or moral effect. On the contrary, let us confidently hope that this
+occurrence has been for good, and that the consequences which may arise
+in the society of this new world, from the example which Benjamin West
+will be enabled to give, will be such a love of the arts of peace as
+shall tend to draw the ties of affection closer, and diffuse over a
+wider extent of community the interests and blessing of fraternal love."</p>
+
+<p>At the conclusion of this address, the women rose and kissed the young
+Artist, and the men, one by one, laid their hands on his head and prayed
+that the Lord might verify in his life the value of the gift which had
+induced them, in despite of their religious tenets, to allow him to
+cultivate the faculties of his genius.</p>
+
+<p>The history of no other individual affords an incident so extraordinary.
+This could not be called a presentiment, but the result of a clear
+expectation, that some important consequence would ensue. It may be added
+that a more beautiful instance of liberality is not to be found in the
+records of any religious society. Hitherto, all sects, even of Christians,
+were disposed to regard, with jealousy and hatred, all those members who
+embraced any pursuit that might tend to alienate them from their
+particular modes of discipline. The Quakers have, therefore, the honour of
+having been the first to allow, by a public act, that their conception of
+the religious duties of man was liable to the errors of the human
+judgment, and was not to be maintained on the presumption of being
+actually according to the will of God. There is something at once simple
+and venerable in the humility with which they regarded their own peculiar
+principles, especially contrasted with the sublime view they appeared to
+take of the wisdom and providence of the Deity. But, with whatever
+delightful feelings strangers and posterity may contemplate this beautiful
+example of Christian magnanimity, it would be impossible to convey any
+idea of the sentiments with which it affected the youth who was the object
+of its exercise. He must have been less than man had he not endeavoured,
+without ceasing, to attain an honourable eminence in his profession; or,
+had he forgotten, in the honours which he has since received from all
+polished nations, that he was authorized by his friends and his religion,
+to cultivate the art by which he obtained such distinctions, not for his
+own sake, but as an instrument chosen by Providence to disseminate the
+arts of peace in the world.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-4"></a>Chap. IV.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.</blockquote>
+
+<p>There is a regardless independence about minds of superior endowment,
+which, in similar characters, manifests itself differently according to
+the circumstances in which they happen to be placed. Devoted to the
+contemplation of the means of future celebrity, the man of genius
+frequently finds himself little disposed to set a proper value on the
+common interests of of life. When bred in affluence, and exempted from
+the necessity of considering the importance of money to the attainment of
+his object, he is often found, to a blameful degree, negligent of
+pecuniary concerns; and, on the contrary, when his situation is such that
+he may only hope for distinction by the practice of the most parsimonious
+frugality, he will as often appear in the social and propelling season of
+youth enduring voluntary privations with an equanimity which the
+ostentatious fanatic or contrite penitent would in vain attempt to
+surpass. This peculiar feature of the self-sustained mind of genius has
+often been misunderstood, and seldom valued as it ought to be. The
+presumptuous weak who mistake the wish of distinction for the workings of
+talent, admire the eccentricities of the gifted youth who is reared in
+opulence, and, mistaking the prodigality which is only the effect of his
+fortune, for the attributes of his talents, imitate his errors, and
+imagine that, by copying the blemishes of his conduct, they possess what
+is illustrious in his mind. Such men are incapable of appreciating the
+self-denial which Benjamin West made it a duty to impose upon himself on
+entering the world; but to those who are truly conscious of possessing
+the means of attracting the admiration of their contemporaries and
+posterity, the voluntary abstinence of a youth of genius will afford them
+delight in the contemplation, even though they may be happily free from
+the obligation of practising it themselves.</p>
+
+<p>When it was determined among the Friends that Benjamin West should be
+allowed to cultivate the art of Painting, he went to Lancaster, but he was
+hastily recalled by a severe domestic misfortune. His mother was seized by
+a dangerous illness, and being conscious that she could not live long, she
+requested that he might be sent for home. Benjamin hastily obeyed the
+summons, but, before he reached the house, her strength was exhausted, and
+she was only able to express by her look the satisfaction with which she
+saw him approach the bed, before she expired. Her funeral, and the
+distress which the event naturally occasioned to her family, by all of
+whom she was very tenderly beloved, detained the young Artist some time at
+his father's. About the end of August, in 1756, however, he took his
+final departure, and went to Philadelphia. But, before proceeding with
+the narrative of his professional career, it is necessary to advert to
+some of the public transactions of that period, by which his sensibility
+was powerfully excited. Indeed it will appear throughout the whole of
+these singular memoirs, that the subject of them was, perhaps, more
+immediately affected by the developement of national events, than usually
+falls to the lot of any individual so little connected with public men,
+and so far remote from the great thoroughfare of political occurrences.</p>
+
+<p>After the destruction of General Bradock's army, the Pennsylvanians being
+alarmed at the defenceless state in which they were placed by that
+calamity, the Assembly of the Province resolved to embody a militia force;
+and Mr. Wayne, who has been already mentioned, was appointed Colonel of
+the Regiment raised in Chester County. This defensive measure announced
+that the golden age of the country was past, and the change felt by the
+peaceful Quakers indicated an alteration in their harmless manners. West,
+among others, went to view the first muster of the troops under the
+command of Colonel Wayne, and the sight of men in arms, their purpose and
+array, warmed his lively imagination with military enthusiasm. In
+conjunction with a son of the Colonel, a boy of his own age, with whom he
+had become acquainted, he procured a gun, and determined also to be a
+soldier. Young Wayne was drilled by the diciplinarians of his father's
+corps, and he, in turn, exercised West, who, being more alert and active,
+soon obtained a decided superiority; but what different destinies were
+attached to them! West has attained, in the intellectual discipline of the
+arts of peace, an enviable reputation; and Wayne, who was inferior to him
+in the manual of the soldier, became an illustrious commander, and
+partook, as the companion in arms of Washington, of the glory of having
+established the independence of America.</p>
+
+<p>The martial preparations inspired all the youths of Pennsylvania with the
+love of arms, and diffused the principles of that military spirit which
+was afterwards exerted with so much effect against the erroneous policy
+of the mother country. West, soon after his drilling under young Wayne,
+visited Lancaster; and the boys of that town having formed themselves
+into a little corps, made choice of him for their commandant. Among
+others who caught the spirit of the time, was his brother Samuel, who
+possessed a bold character and an enterprising disposition. He was about
+six years older than the Artist, and, being appointed a Captain in
+Colonel Wayne's regiment, joined the troops under the command of General
+Forbes, who was sent to repair the disasters which had happened to the
+unfortunate Bradock.</p>
+
+<p>After the taking of Fort Duane, to which the new name of Pittsburgh was
+given, in compliment to the minister of the day, General Forbes resolved
+to search for the relics of Bradock's army. As the European soldiers were
+not so well qualified to explore the forests, Captain West was appointed,
+with his company of American sharpshooters, to assist in the execution of
+this duty; and a party of Indian warriors, who had returned to the British
+interests, were requested to conduct him to the places where the bones of
+the slain were likely to be found. In this solemn and affecting duty
+several officers belonging to the 42d regiment accompanied the detachment,
+and with them Major Sir Peter Halket, who had lost his father and a
+brother in the fatal destruction of the army. It might have been thought a
+hopeless task that he should be able to discriminate their remains from
+the common relics of the other soldiers; but he was induced to think
+otherwise, as one of the Indian warriors assured him that he had seen an
+officer fall near a remarkable tree, which he thought he could still
+discover; informing him at the same time, that the incident was impressed
+on his memory by observing a young subaltern, who, in running to the
+officer's assistance, was also shot dead on his reaching the spot, and
+fell across the other's body. The Major had a mournful conviction in his
+own mind that the two officers were his father and brother, and, indeed,
+it was chiefly owing to his anxiety on the subject, that this pious
+expedition, the second of the kind that History records, was undertaken.</p>
+
+<p>Captain West and his companions proceeded through the woods and along the
+banks of the river towards the scene of the battle. The Indians regarded
+the expedition as a religious service, and guided the troops with awe, and
+in profound silence. The soldiers were affected with sentiments not less
+serious; and as they explored the bewildering labyrinths of those vast
+forests, their hearts were often melted with inexpressible sorrow; for
+they frequently found skeletons lying across the trunks of fallen trees, a
+mournful proof to their imaginations that the men who sat there, had
+perished of hunger, in vainly attempting to find their way to the
+plantations. Sometimes their feelings were raised to the utmost pitch of
+horror by the sight of sculls and bones scattered on the ground--a certain
+indication that the bodies had been devoured by wild beasts; and in other
+places they saw the blackness of ashes amidst the relics,--the tremendous
+evidence of atrocious rites.</p>
+
+<p>At length they reached a turn of the river not far from the principal
+scene of destruction, and the Indian who remembered the death of the two
+officers, stopped; the detachment also halted. He then looked around in
+quest of some object which might recall, distinctly, his recollection of
+the ground, and suddenly darted into the wood. The soldiers rested their
+arms without speaking. A shrill cry was soon after heard; and the other
+guides made signs for the troops to follow them towards the spot from
+which it came. In the course of a short time they reached the Indian
+warrior, who, by his cry, had announced to his companions that he had
+found the place where he was posted on the day of battle. As the troops
+approached, he pointed to the tree under which the officers had fallen.
+Captain West halted his men round the spot, and with Sir Peter Halket and
+the other officers, formed a circle, while the Indians removed the leaves
+which thickly covered the ground. The skeletons were found, as the Indian
+expected, lying across each other. The officers having looked at them some
+time, the Major said, that as his father had an artificial tooth, he
+thought he might be able to ascertain if they were indeed his bones and
+those of his brother. The Indians were, therefore, ordered to remove the
+skeleton of the youth, and to bring to view that of the old officer. This
+was immediately done, and after a short examination, Major Halket
+exclaimed, "It is my father!" and fell back into the arms of his
+companions. The pioneers then dug a grave, and the bones being laid in it
+together, a highland plaid was spread over them, and they were interred
+with the customary honours.</p>
+
+<p>When Lord Grosvenor bought the picture of the death of Wolfe, Mr. West
+mentioned to him the finding of the bones of Bradock's army as a pictorial
+subject capable of being managed with great effect. The gloom of the vast
+forest, the naked and simple Indians supporting the skeletons, the grief
+of the son on recognizing the relics of his father, the subdued melancholy
+of the spectators, and the picturesque garb of the Pennsylvanian
+sharpshooters, undoubtedly furnished topics capable of every effect which
+the pencil could bestow, or the imagination require in the treatment of so
+sublime a scene. His Lordship admitted, that in possessing so affecting an
+incident as the discovery of the bones of the Halkets, it was superior
+even to that of the search for the remains of the army of Varus; the
+transaction, however, being little known, and not recorded by any
+historian, he thought it would not be interesting to the public. Other
+engagements have since prevented Mr. West from attempting it on his own
+account. But it is necessary that the regular narrative should be resumed;
+for the military history of the Artist terminated when he was recalled
+home by the last illness of his mother, although the excitement which the
+events that led to it occasioned never lost its influence on his mind,
+especially that of the incident which has been described, and which has
+ever been present to his imagination as one of the most affecting
+occurrences, whether considered with respect to the feelings of the
+gentlemen most immediately interested in it, or with respect to the wild
+and solemn circumstances under which the service was performed.</p>
+
+<p>On his return to Philadelphia, he again resided with Mr. Clarkson, his
+brother-in-law; and Provost Smith, in the evenings, continued to direct
+his attention to those topics of literature which were most suitable to
+cherish the expansion of his mind, and to enrich his imagination with
+ideas useful to his profession. While his leisure hours were thus
+profitably employed, his reputation as a portrait painter was rapidly
+extended. His youth, and the peculiar incidents of his history, attracted
+many sitters, and his merits verified the recommendations of his friends.
+This constancy of employment, no doubt materially tended to his
+improvement in the manipulation of his art; for whatever may be the native
+force of talent, it is impossible that the possessor can attain excellence
+by any other means than practice. Facility to express the conceptions of
+the mind must be acquired before the pen or the pencil can embody them
+appropriately, and the author who does not execute much, however little he
+may exhibit, can never expect to do justice to the truth and beauty of his
+own ideas. West was very soon duly impressed with the justness of this
+observation; and, while in the execution of his portraits, he was
+assiduous to acquire a ready knowledge of those characteristic traits
+which have since enabled him to throw so much variety into his
+compositions; he felt conscious that, without seeing better pictures than
+his own, he could neither hope to attain distinction, nor to appreciate
+his own peculiar powers. It was this consideration that induced him to
+adopt a most rigid system of frugality. He looked forward to a period when
+he might be enabled, by the fruits of his own industry, to visit the great
+scenes of the fine arts in Europe; and the care with which he treasured
+the money that he received for his portraits was rewarded even at the time
+with the assurance of realizing his expectations. The prices which he
+first fixed for his portraits, were two guineas and a half for a head, and
+five guineas for a half length.</p>
+
+<p>After what has already been mentioned of the state of Society in
+Pennsylvania, it is needless to say that at the period to which these
+memoirs refer, there were but few pictures in the British Plantations;
+indeed, without any other explanation, all that should be contended for by
+any person who might imagine it necessary to advocate the pretensions of
+Benjamin West to be placed in the list of original and self-instructed
+artists, would be readily granted, upon stating the single fact, that he
+was born in Pennsylvania, and did not leave America till the year 1760. At
+the same time, it might be construed into an injudicious concealment, if
+it were not mentioned that Governor Hamilton, who at that period presided
+with so much popularity over the affairs of the province, possessed a few
+pictures, consisting, however, chiefly of family portraits. Among them was
+a St. Ignatius, which was found in the course of the preceding war on
+board a Spanish prize, and which Mr. Pennington obtained leave for West to
+copy. The Artist had made choice of it himself, without being aware of its
+merits as a work of art, for it was not until several years after that he
+discovered it to be a fine piece of the Morillo school, and in the best
+style of the master.</p>
+
+<p>This copy was greatly admired by all who saw it, and by none more than his
+valuable friend Provost Smith, to whom it suggested the notion that
+portrait-painting might be raised to something greatly above the
+exhibition of a mere physical likeness; and he in consequence endeavoured
+to impress upon the mind of his pupil, that characteristic painting opened
+a new line in the art, only inferior in dignity to that of history, but
+requiring, perhaps, a nicer discriminative tact of mind. This judicious
+reflection of Dr. Smith was however anticipated by Sir Joshua Reynolds,
+who had already made the discovery, and was carrying it into effect with
+admirable success. The Provost, however, was unacquainted with that
+circumstance, and induced West to make an experiment by drawing his
+portrait in the style and attitude of the St. Ignatius.</p>
+
+<p>While he was thus employed on portraits, a gentleman of the name of Cox
+called on him to agree for a likeness of his daughter; and the picture of
+Dr. Smith attracted his attention. It indeed appeared to him to evince
+such a capacity for historical composition, that, instead of then
+determining any thing respecting his daughter's portrait, he gave an order
+for an historical picture, allowing the Artist himself to choose the
+subject. This task had peculiar charms; for the Painter in the course of
+reading the Bible to his mother some time before, had been led to think
+that the Trial of Susannah was a fine subject, and he was thus enabled, by
+the liberality of Mr. Cox, to embody the conceptions of his imagination
+while they were yet in all the freshness and vigour of original
+formation. He made his canvas about the size of a half length portrait, on
+which he introduced not fewer than forty figures. In the execution he
+followed the rule which he had adopted in painting the Death of Socrates,
+and drew the principal figures from living models.--It is not known what
+has become of the Trial of Susannah. In the rebellion of the Colonies, Mr.
+Cox adhered to the British interest; and his daughter, the last person
+into whose possession the picture has been traced, having married a
+British officer, came to England during the war, and the Artist has not
+heard where she has since resided.</p>
+
+<p>In point of composition, Mr. West is of opinion that the Trial of Susannah
+was superior to the Death of Socrates. In this he is probably correct; for
+during the interval between the execution of the one and the other, his
+mind had been enlarged in knowledge by reading, his eye improved by the
+study of pictorial outline and perspective in the <i>Camera</i>, and his touch
+softened by the portraits which he painted, and particularly by his
+careful copy of the St. Ignatius. In point of drawing, both pictures were
+no doubt greatly inferior to many of his subsequent works; but his son,
+long after he had acquired much celebrity, saw the picture of the Death of
+Socrates; and was of opinion that it was not surpassed by any of them in
+variety of composition, and in that perspicuity of narrative which is the
+grand characteristic of the Artist's genius.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-5"></a>Chap. V.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvador
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.</blockquote>
+
+<p>But although West found himself in possession of abundant employment in
+Philadelphia, he was sensible that he could not expect to increase his
+prices with effect, if he continued constantly in the same place. He also
+became sensible that to view life in various lights was as necessary to
+his improvement as to exercise his pencil on different subjects. And,
+beyond all, he was profoundly sensible, by this time, that he could not
+hope to attain eminence in his profession, without inspecting the great
+master-pieces of art in Europe, and comparing them with his own works in
+order to ascertain the extent of his powers. This philosophical view of
+his situation was doubtless partly owing to the excellent precepts of
+Provost Smith, but mainly to his own just perception of what was necessary
+to the successful career of an Artist: indeed the principle upon which the
+notion was formed is universal, and applies to all intellectual pursuits.
+Accordingly, impressed with these considerations, he frugally treasured
+the earnings of his pencil, that he might undertake, in the first place, a
+professional journey from Philadelphia, as preparatory to acquiring the
+means of afterwards visiting Europe, and particularly Rome. When he found
+that the state of his funds enabled him to undertake the journey, he went
+to New York.</p>
+
+<p>The Society of New York was much less intelligent in matters of taste and
+knowledge than that of Philadelphia. In the latter city the institutions
+of the college and library, and the strict moral and political
+respectability of the first settlers, had contributed to form a community,
+which, though inferior in the elegancies of living, and the etiquettes of
+intercourse, to what is commonly found in the European capitals, was
+little behind them in point of practical and historical information. Dr.
+Smith, the Provost of the college, had largely contributed to elevate the
+taste, the sentiment and the topics of conversation in Philadelphia. He
+was full of the best spirit of antiquity, and there was a classical purity
+of mind and splendour of imagination sometimes met with in the families
+which he frequented, that would have done honour to the best periods of
+polished society.</p>
+
+<p>It would be difficult to assign any reason why it has so happened that no
+literary author of any general celebrity, with the exception of Franklin,
+has yet arisen in America. That men of learning and extensive reading,
+capable of vying with the same description of persons in Europe, are to
+be found in the United States, particularly in Philadelphia, is not to be
+denied; but of that class, whose talents tend to augment the stock of
+intellectual enjoyment in the world, no one, with the single exception
+already alluded to, has yet appeared.</p>
+
+<p>Poetry is the art of connecting ideas of sensible objects with moral
+sentiments; and without the previous existence of local feelings, there
+can be no poetry. America to the first European settlers had no objects
+interesting to the imagination, at least of the description thus strictly
+considered as poetical; for although the vigour and stupendous appearances
+of Nature were calculated to fill the mind with awe, and to exalt the
+contemplations of enthusiasm, there was nothing connected with the
+circumstances of the scene susceptible of that colouring from the memory,
+which gives to the ideas of local resemblance the peculiar qualities of
+poetry. The forests, though interminable, were but composed of trees; the
+mountains and rivers, though on a larger scale, were not associated in the
+mind with the exertions of patriotic valour, and the achievements of
+individual enterprize, like the Alps or the Danube, the Grampians or the
+Tweed. It is impossible to tread the depopulated and exhausted soil of
+Greece without meeting with innumerable relics and objects, which, like
+magical talismans, call up the genius of departed ages with the
+long-enriched roll of those great transactions, that, in their moral
+effect, have raised the nature of man, occasioning trains of reflection
+which want only the rythm of language to be poetry. But in the
+unstoried solitudes of America, the traveller meets with nothing to awaken
+the sympathy of his recollective feelings. Even the very character of the
+trees, though interesting to scientific research, chills, beneath the
+spaciousness of their shade, every poetical disposition. They bear little
+resemblance to those which the stranger has left behind in his native
+country. To the descendants of the first settlers, they wanted even the
+charm of those accidental associations which their appearance might have
+recalled to the minds of their fathers. Poetry is, doubtless, the first of
+the intellectual arts which mankind cultivate. In its earliest form it is
+the mode of expressing affection and admiration; but, before it can be
+invented, there must be objects beloved and admired, associated with
+things in nature endowed with a local habitation and a name. In America,
+therefore, although there has been no lack of clever versifiers, nor of
+men who have respectably echoed the ideas current in the old world, the
+country has produced nothing of any value descriptive of the peculiar
+associations connected with its scenery. Among some of the Indian tribes a
+vein of original poetry has, indeed, been discovered; but the riches of
+the mine are unexplored, and the charge of sterility of fancy, which is
+made by the Europeans against the citizens of the United States, still
+remains unrefuted. Since the period, however, to which these memoirs
+chiefly refer, events of great importance have occurred, and the
+recollections connected with them, no doubt, tend to imbue the American
+climate with the elements of poetical thought; but they are of too recent
+occurrence for the purposes either of the epic or the tragic muse. The
+facts of history in America are still seen too much in detail for the
+imagination to combine them with her own creation. The fields of battle
+are almost too fresh for the farmer to break the surface; and years must
+elapse before the ploughshare shall turn up those eroded arms of which the
+sight will call into poetical existence the sad and dreadful incidents of
+the civil war.</p>
+
+<p>In New York Mr. West found the society wholly devoted to mercantile
+pursuits. A disposition to estimate the value of things, not by their
+utility, or by their beauty, but by the price which they would bring in
+the market, almost universally prevailed. Mercantile men are habituated by
+the nature of their transactions to overlook the intrinsic qualities of
+the very commodities in which they deal; and though of all the community
+they are the most liberal and the most munificent, they set the least
+value on intellectual productions. The population of New York was formed
+of adventurers from all parts of Europe, who had come thither for the
+express purpose of making money, in order, afterwards, to appear with
+distinction at home. Although West, therefore, found in that city much
+employment in taking likenesses destined to be transmitted to relations
+and friends, he met with but few in whom he found any disposition
+congenial to his own; and the eleven months which he passed there, in
+consequence, contributed less to the improvement of his mind than might
+have been expected from a city so flourishing. Still, the time was not
+altogether barren of occurrences which tended to advance his progress in
+his art, independent of the advantage arising from constant practice.</p>
+
+<p>He happened, during his residence there, to see a beautiful Flemish
+picture of a hermit praying before a lamp, and he was resolved to paint a
+companion to it, of a man reading by candle-light. But before he
+discovered a method of producing, in day-light, an effect on his model
+similar to what he wished to imitate, he was frequently baffled in his
+attempts. At length, he hit on the expedient of persuading his landlord to
+sit with an open book before a candle in a dark closet; and he found that,
+by looking in upon him from his study, the appearance was exactly what he
+wished for. In the schools and academies of Europe, tradition has
+preserved the methods by which all the magical effects of light and
+shadow have been produced, with the exception, however, of Rembrandt's
+method, and which the author of these sketches ventures to suggest was
+attained, in general, by observing the effect of sunshine passing through
+chinks into a dark room. But the American Artist was as yet unacquainted
+with any of them, and had no other guides to the essential principles of
+his art but the delicacy of his sight, and that ingenious observation of
+Nature to which allusion has been already so often made.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Student, or man reading by candle-light, was bought by
+a Mr. Myers, who, in the revolution, continued to adhere to the English
+cause. The same gentleman also bought a copy which West made about the
+same time of Belisarius, from the engraving by Strange, of Salvator Rosa's
+painting. It is not known what has now become of these pictures; but when
+the Artist long afterwards saw the original of Salvator Rosa, he was
+gratified to observe that he had instinctively coloured his copy almost as
+faithfully as if it had been painted from the picture instead of the
+engraving.</p>
+
+<p>In the year 1759 the harvest in Italy fell far short of what was
+requisite for the ordinary consumption of the population, and a great
+dearth being foreseen, Messrs. Rutherford and Jackson, of Leghorn, a house
+of the first consequence then in the Mediterranean trade, and well known
+to all travellers for the hospitality of the partners, wrote to their
+correspondent Mr. Allen, at Philadelphia, to send them a cargo of wheat
+and flour. Mr. Allen was anxious that his son, before finally embarking in
+business, should see something of the world; and Provost Smith, hearing
+his intention of sending him to Leghorn with the vessel, immediately
+waited on the old gentleman, and begged him to allow West to accompany
+him, which was cheerfully acceded to, and the Provost immediately wrote to
+his pupil at New York on the subject. In the mean time, West had heard
+that there was a vessel at Philadelphia loading for Italy, and had
+expressed to Mr. William Kelly, a merchant, who was then sitting to him
+for his portrait, a strong desire to avail himself of this opportunity to
+visit the fountain-head of the arts. Before this period, he had raised his
+terms for a half-length to ten guineas, by which he acquired a sum of
+money adequate to the expenses of a short excursion to Italy. When he had
+finished Mr. Kelly's portrait, that gentleman, in paying him, requested
+that he would take charge of a letter to his agents in Philadelphia, and
+deliver it to them himself on his return to that city, which he was
+induced to do immediately, on receiving Dr. Smith's letter, informing him
+of the arrangement made with Mr. Allen. When this letter was opened, an
+instance of delicate munificence appeared on the part of Mr. Kelly, which
+cannot be too highly applauded. It stated to the concern to which it was
+addressed, that it would be delivered by an ingenious young gentleman,
+who, he understood, intended to visit Rome for the purpose of studying the
+fine arts, and ordered them to pay him fifty guineas as a present from him
+towards furnishing his stores for the voyage.</p>
+
+<p>While waiting till the vessel was clear to sail, West had the
+gratification to see, in Philadelphia, his old friend Mr. Henry, for whom
+he had painted the Death of Socrates. Towards him he always cherished the
+most grateful affection. He was the first who urged him to attempt
+historical composition; and, above all, he was the first who had made him
+acquainted with the magnanimous tales of Plutarch; perhaps, the greatest
+favour which could be conferred on a youthful mind, susceptible of
+impressions from the sublime and beautiful of human actions, which no
+author has better illustrated than that celebrated Biographer, who may
+indeed be regarded, almost without hyperbole, as the recorder of
+antient worth, and the tutor of modern genius. In his peculiar class,
+Plutarch still stands alone, at least no author in any of the living
+languages appears to be yet truly sensible of the secret cause by which
+his sketches give that direct impulse to the elements of genius, by which
+the vague and wandering feelings of unappropriated strength are converted
+into an uniform energy, endowed with productive action. Plutarch, like the
+sculptors of antiquity, has selected only the great and elegant traits of
+character; and hence his lives, like those statues which are the models of
+art, possess, with all that is graceful and noble in human nature, the
+particular features of individuals. He had no taste for the blemishes of
+mankind. His mind delighted in the contemplation of moral vigour; and he
+seems justly to have thought that it was nearly allied to virtue: hence
+many of those characters whose portraitures in his works furnish the
+youthful mind with inspiring examples of true greatness, more authentic
+historians represent in a light far different. It is the aim of all
+dignified art to exalt the mind by exciting the feelings as well as the
+judgment; and the immortal lessons of Plutarch would never have awakened
+the first stirrings of ambition in the innumerable great men who date
+their career from reading his pages, had he been actuated by the minute
+and invidious spirit of modern biography. These reflections have occurred
+the more forcibly at this juncture, as the subject of this narrative was
+on the point of leaving a country in which were men destined to acquire
+glory in such achievements as Plutarch would have delighted to record; and
+of parting from early associates who afterwards attained a degree of
+eminence in the public service that places them high in the roll of those
+who have emulated the exploits and virtues of the Heroes of that great
+Biographer.</p>
+
+<p>The Artist having embarked with young Allen had a speedy and pleasant
+passage to Gibraltar; where, in consequence of the war then raging, the
+ship stopped for convoy. As soon as they came to anchor, Commodore Carney
+and another officer came on board to examine the vessel's papers. It
+happened that some time before, the British Government had, on account of
+political circumstances, prohibited the carrying of provisions into Italy,
+by which prohibition the ship and cargo would have been forfeited had she
+been arrested in attempting to enter an Italian port, or, indeed, in
+proceeding with such an intention. But Captain Carney had scarcely taken
+his pen to write the replies to the questions which he put to the Master,
+as to the owners of the vessel and her destination, when he again threw it
+down, and, looking the other officer full in the face, said, "I am much
+affected by the situation in which I am now placed. This valuable ship is
+the property of some of my nearest relations, and the best friends that I
+have ever had in the world!" and he refrained from asking any more
+questions. There was, undoubtedly, much generosity in this conduct, for
+by the indulgence of the crown, all prizes taken in war become the
+property of the captors; and Captain Carney, rather than enrich himself at
+the expence of his friends, chose to run the hazard of having his own
+conduct called in question for the non-performance of his official duty.
+It perhaps deserves also to be considered as affording a favourable
+example of that manly confidence in the gentlemanly honour of each other
+which has so long distinguished the British officers. On the mind of West
+it tended to confirm that agreeable impression by which so many previous
+incidents had made him cherish a liberal opinion of mankind. In other
+respects, Captain Carney happening to be the officer who came on board,
+was a fortunate circumstance; for on learning that young Allen was in the
+ship, he invited the passengers to dine on board his frigate; and the
+company, consisting of the Governor, his staff, and principal officers in
+the garrison, tended to raise the consideration of the Artist, and his
+companion in the estimation of the fleet with which their vessel was to
+proceed to Leghorn. Indeed, throughout his whole life, Mr. West was, in
+this respect, singularly fortunate; for although the condescensions of
+rank do not in themselves confer any power on talent, they have the effect
+of producing that complacency of mind in those who are the objects of
+them, which is at once the reward and the solace of intellectual exertion,
+at the same time that they tend to mollify the spirit of contemporary
+invidiousness. The day after, the fleet sailed; and when they had passed
+the rock, the captains of the two men of war [Footnote: The two
+frigates, the Shannon, Captain Meadow, since Lord Manvers, whose intimacy
+still continues with Mr. West, and the Favourite sloop of war, Captain
+Pownell.] who had charge of the convoy, came on board the American, and
+invited Mr. Allen and Mr. West to take their passage in one of the
+frigates; this, however, they declined, but every day, when the weather
+was favourable, they were taken on board the one ship or the other, to
+dine; and when the weather did not permit this to be done with pleasure to
+the strangers, the officers sent them presents from their stock.</p>
+
+<p>After touching at several parts of the coast of Spain, the ship arrived
+safely at Leghorn, where mercantile enquiries detained Mr. Allen some
+time, and West being impatient to proceed to Rome, bade him adieu. Prior
+to his departure from Philadelphia, he had paid into the hands of old Mr.
+Allen the money which he thought would be requisite for his expenses in
+Italy, and had received from him a letter of credit on Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford. When they were made acquainted with the object of his voyage,
+and heard his history, they showed him a degree of attention beyond even
+their general great hospitality, and presented him with letters to
+Cardinal Albani, and several of the most distinguished characters for
+erudition and taste in Rome; and as he was unacquainted with French or
+Italian, they recommended him to the care of a French Courier, who had
+occasion to pass that way.</p>
+
+<p>When the travellers had reached the last stage of their journey, while
+their horses were baiting, West walked on alone. It was a beautiful
+morning; the air was perfectly placid, not a speck of vapour in the sky,
+and a profound tranquillity seemed almost sensibly diffused over the
+landscape. The appearance of Nature was calculated to lighten and elevate
+the spirits; but the general silence and nakedness of the scene touched
+the feelings with solemnity approaching to awe. Filled with the idea of
+the metropolitan city, the Artist hastened forward till he reached an
+elevated part of the high road, which afforded him a view of a spacious
+champaign country, bounded by hills, and in the midst of it the sublime
+dome of St. Peter's. The magnificence of this view of the Campagna
+excited, in his imagination, an agitated train of reflections that partook
+more of the nature of feeling than of thought. He looked for a spot to
+rest on, that he might contemplate at leisure a scene at once so noble and
+so interesting; and, near a pile of ruins fringed and trellissed with ivy,
+he saw a stone that appeared to be part of a column. On going towards it,
+he perceived that it was a mile-stone, and that he was then only eight
+miles from the Capitol. In looking before him, where every object seemed
+by the transparency of the Italian atmosphere to be brought nearer than it
+was in reality, he could not but reflect on the contrast between the
+circumstances of that view and the scenery of America; and his thoughts
+naturally adverted to the progress of civilization. The sun seemed, to
+his fancy, the image of truth and knowledge, arising in the East,
+continuing to illuminate and adorn the whole earth, and withdrawing from
+the eyes of the old world to enlighten the uncultivated regions of the
+new. He thought of that remote antiquity when the site of Rome itself was
+covered with unexplored forests; and passing with a rapid reminiscence
+over her eventful story, he was touched with sorrow at the solitude of
+decay with which she appeared to be environed, till he adverted to the
+condition of his native country, and was cheered by the thought of the
+greatness which even the fate of Rome seemed to assure to America. For he
+reflected that, although the progress of knowledge appeared to intimate
+that there was some great cycle in human affairs, and that the procession
+of the arts and sciences from the East to the West demonstrated their
+course to be neither stationary nor retrograde; he could not but rejoice,
+in contemplating the skeleton of the mighty capital before him, that they
+had improved as they advanced, and that the splendour which would precede
+their setting on the shores of Europe, would be the gorgeous omen of the
+glory which they would attain in their passage over America.</p>
+
+<p>While he was rapt in these reflections, he heard the drowsy tinkle of a
+pastoral bell behind him, and on turning round, he saw a peasant dressed
+in shaggy skins, driving a few goats from the ruins. The appearance and
+physiognomy of this peasant struck him as something more wild and
+ferocious than any thing about the Indians; and, perhaps, the observation
+was correctly philosophical. In the Indian, Nature is seen in that
+primitive vigour and simplicity, in which the actions are regulated by
+those feelings that are the elements of the virtues; but in the Italian
+bandit, for such he had reason afterwards to think was the real character
+of the goat-herd, he saw man in that second state of barbarity, in which
+his actions are instigated by wants that have often a vicious origin.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-6"></a>Chap. VI.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.</blockquote>
+
+<p>During the pontificate of Pope Rezzonico, the society of Rome had attained
+a pitch of elegance and a liberality of sentiment superior to that of any
+other city of Christendom. The theocratic nature of the government induced
+an exterior decorum in the public form of politeness, which, to strangers
+who took no interest in the abuses of the state, was so highly agreeable,
+that it tended even to appease their indignation against the laxity of
+private morals. If the traveller would forget that the name of
+Christianity was employed in supporting a baneful administration to the
+vices, or could withdraw his thoughts from the penury and suffering which
+such an administration necessarily entailed on the people, he had
+opportunities of access at Rome to the most various and delightful
+exercises of the faculties of memory, taste, and judgment, in the company
+of persons distinguished for their knowledge and genius. For, with all the
+social intercourse for which Paris was celebrated in the reign of Louis
+XV. the local objects at Rome gave a higher and richer tone to
+conversation there; even the living vices were there less offensive than
+at Paris, the rumours of them being almost lost in the remembrance of
+departed virtue, constantly kept awake by the sight of its monuments and
+vouchers. Tyranny in Rome was exercised more intellectually than in the
+French Capital. Injustice and oppression were used more in the form of
+persuasion; and though the crosier was not less pernicious than the
+bayonet, it inflicted a less irritating injury. The virtuous endured with
+patience the wrongs that their misguided judgment led them to believe were
+salutary to their eternal welfare. But it ought to be observed, that the
+immorality of the Romans was greatly exaggerated. Individuals redeemed by
+their merits the reproach of universal profligacy; and strangers, by being
+on their guard against the moral contagion, suffered a less dangerous
+taint than in the Atheistical coteries of Paris. Many, in consequence, who
+came prepared to be disgusted with the degenerated Romans, often bade them
+adieu with sentiments of respect, and remembered their urbanity and
+accomplishments with delightful satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>It was not, however, the native inhabitants of Rome who constituted the
+chief attractions of society there, but the number of accomplished
+strangers of all countries and religions, who, in constant succession,
+came in pilgrimage to the shrine of antiquity; and who, by the
+contemplation of the merits and glories of departed worth, often felt
+themselves, as it were, miraculously endowed with new qualities. The
+collision of minds fraught with learning, in that high state of excitement
+which the genius of the place produced on the coldest imaginations,
+together with those innumerable brilliant and transitory topics which were
+never elicited in any other city, made the Roman conversations a
+continual exercise of the understanding. The details of political
+intrigue, and the follies of individuals, excited but little interest
+among the strangers in Rome. It seemed as if by an universal tacit
+resolution, national and personal peculiarities and prejudices were
+forgotten, and that all strangers simultaneously turned their attention to
+the transactions and affairs of former ages, and of statesmen and authors
+now no more. Their mornings were spent in surveying the monuments raised
+to public virtue, and in giving local features in their minds to the
+knowledge which they had acquired by the perusal of those works that have
+perpetuated the dignity of the Roman character. Their evenings were often
+allotted to the comparison of their respective conjectures, and to
+ascertain the authenticity and history of the relics which they had
+collected of ancient art. Sometimes the day was consumed in the study of
+those inestimable ornaments of religion, by which the fraudulent
+disposition of the priesthood had, in the decay of its power, rendered
+itself venerable to the most enlightened minds; and the night was devoted
+to the consideration of the causes which contribute to the developement
+of genius, or of the events which tend to stifle and overwhelm its powers.
+Every recreation of the stranger in Rome was an effort of the memory, of
+abstraction, and of fancy.--Society, in this elevated state of enjoyment,
+surrounded by the greatest works of human creation, and placed amidst the
+monuments of the most illustrious of mankind,--and that of the Quakers of
+Pennsylvania, employed in the mechanical industry of felling timber, and
+amid the sobriety of rural and commercial &oelig;conomy, were like the extremes
+of a long series of events, in which, though the former is the necessary
+consequence of the latter, no resemblance can be traced in their
+respective characteristics. In America all was young, vigorous, and
+growing,--the spring of a nation, frugal, active, and simple. In Rome all
+was old, infirm, and decaying,--the autumn of a people who had gathered
+their glory, and were sinking into sleep under the disgraceful excesses of
+the vintage. On the most inert mind, passing from the one continent to the
+other, the contrast was sufficient to excite great emotion; on such a
+character as that of Mr. West, who was naturally disposed to the
+contemplation of the sublime and beautiful, both as to their moral and
+visible effect, it made a deep and indelible impression. It confirmed him
+in the wisdom of those strict religious principles which denied the
+utility of art when solely employed as the medium of amusement; and
+impelled him to attempt what could be done to approximate the uses of the
+pencil to those of the pen, in order to render Painting, indeed, the
+sister of Eloquence and Poetry.</p>
+
+<p>But the course of study in the Roman schools was not calculated to enable
+him to carry this grand purpose into effect; for the principles by which
+Michael Angelo and Raphael had attained their excellence, were no longer
+regarded. The study of Nature was deserted for that of the antique; and
+pictures were composed according to rules derived from other paintings,
+without respect to what the subject required, or what the circumstances of
+the scene probably appeared to be. It was, therefore, not one of the least
+happy occurrences in his life that he went to Rome when society was not
+only in the most favourable state for the improvement of his mind, and for
+convincing him of the deleterious influence of the arts when employed as
+the embellishments of voluptuousness and luxury; but also when the state
+of the arts was so mean, that the full effect of studying the antique
+only, and of grouping characters by academical rules, should appear so
+striking as to satisfy him that he could never hope for any eminence, if
+he did not attend more to the phenomena of Nature, than to the productions
+of the greatest genius. The perusal of the works of other painters, he was
+sensible, would improve his taste; but he was convinced, that the design
+which he had formed for establishing his own fame, could not be realised,
+if, for a single moment, he forgot that their works, however exquisite,
+were but the imitations and forms of those eternal models to which he had
+been instinctively directed.</p>
+
+<p>It was on the 10th of July, 1760, that he arrived at Rome. The French
+Courier conducted him to a hotel, and, having mentioned in the house that
+he was an American, and a Quaker, come to study the fine arts, the
+circumstance seemed so extraordinary, that it reached the ears of Mr.
+Robinson, afterwards Lord Grantham, who immediately found himself
+possessed by an irresistible desire to see him; and who, before he had
+time to dress or refresh himself, paid him a visit, and insisted that he
+should dine with him. In the course of dinner, that gentleman inquired
+what letters of introduction the Artist had brought with him; and West
+having informed him, he observed it was somewhat remarkable that the whole
+of them should be addressed to his most particular friends, adding, that
+as he was engaged to meet them at a party in the evening, he expected West
+would accompany him. This attention and frankness was acknowledged as it
+deserved to be, and is remembered by the Artist among those fortunate
+incidents which have rendered the recollection of his past life so
+pleasant, as scarcely to leave a wish for any part of it to have been
+spent otherwise than it was. At the hour appointed, Mr. Robinson conducted
+him to the house of Mr. Crispign&eacute;, an English gentleman who had long
+resided at Rome, where the evening party was held.</p>
+
+<p>Among the distinguished persons whom Mr. West found in the company, was
+the celebrated Cardinal Albani. His eminence, although quite blind, had
+acquired, by the exquisite delicacy of his touch, and the combining powers
+of his mind, such a sense of antient beauty, that he excelled all the
+virtuosi then in Rome, in the correctness of his knowledge of the verity
+and peculiarities of the smallest medals and intaglios. Mr. Robinson
+conducted the Artist to the inner apartment, where the Cardinal was
+sitting, and said, "I have the honour to present a young American, who has
+a letter of introduction to your eminence, and who has come to Italy for
+the purpose of studying the fine arts." The Cardinal fancying that the
+American must be an Indian, exclaimed, "Is he black or white?" and on
+being told that he was very fair, "What as fair as I am?" cried the
+Cardinal still more surprised. This latter expression excited a good deal
+of mirth at the Cardinal's expence, for his complexion was of the darkest
+Italian olive, and West's was even of more than the usual degree of
+English fairness. For some time after, if it be not still in use, the
+expression of "as fair as the Cardinal" acquired proverbial currency in
+the Roman conversations, applied to persons who had any inordinate conceit
+of their own beauty.</p>
+
+<p>The Cardinal, after some other short questions, invited West to come near
+him, and running his hands over his features, still more attracted the
+attention of the company to the stranger, by the admiration which he
+expressed at the form of his head. This occasioned inquiries respecting
+the youth; and the Italians concluding that, as he was an American, he
+must, of course, have received the education of a savage, became curious
+to witness the effect which the works of Art in the Belvidere and Vatican
+would produce on him. The whole company, which consisted of the principal
+Roman nobility, and strangers of distinction then in Rome, were interested
+in the event; and it was arranged in the course of the evening that on the
+following morning they should accompany Mr. Robinson and his proteg&eacute; to
+the palaces.</p>
+
+<p>At the hour appointed, the company assembled; and a procession, consisting
+of upwards of thirty of the most magnificent equipages in the capital of
+Christendom, and filled with some of the most erudite characters in
+Europe, conducted the young Quaker to view the master-pieces of art. It
+was agreed that the Apollo should be first submitted to his view, because
+it was the most perfect work among all the ornaments of Rome, and,
+consequently, the best calculated to produce that effect which the company
+were anxious to witness. The statue then stood in a case, enclosed with
+doors, which could be so opened as to disclose it at once to full view.
+West was placed in the situation where it was seen to the most advantage,
+and the spectators arranged themselves on each side. When the keeper threw
+open the doors, the Artist felt himself surprised with a sudden
+recollection altogether different from the gratification which he had
+expected; and without being aware of the force of what he said, exclaimed,
+"My God, how like it is to a young Mohawk warrior." The Italians,
+observing his surprise, and hearing the exclamation, requested Mr.
+Robinson to translate to them what he said; and they were excessively
+mortified to find that the god of their idolatry was compared to a
+savage. Mr. Robinson mentioned to West their chagrin, and asked him to
+give some more distinct explanation, by informing him what sort of people
+the Mohawk Indians were. He described to him their education; their
+dexterity with the bow and arrow; the admirable elasticity of their limbs;
+and how much their active life expands the chest, while the quick
+breathing of their speed in the chace, dilates the nostrils with that
+apparent consciousness of vigour which is so nobly depicted in the Apollo.
+"I have seen them often," added he, "standing in that very attitude, and
+pursuing, with an intense eye, the arrow which they had just discharged
+from the bow." This descriptive explanation did not lose by Mr. Robinson's
+translation. The Italians were delighted, and allowed that a better
+criticism had rarely been pronounced on the merits of the statue. The view
+of the other great works did not awaken the same vivid feelings. Those of
+Raphael, in the Vatican, did not at first particularly interest him; nor
+was it until he had often visited them alone, and studied them by himself,
+that he could appreciate the fulness of their excellence. His first view
+of the works of Michael Angelo, was still less satisfactory: indeed, he
+continued always to think, that, with the single exception of the Moses,
+that Artist had not succeeded in giving a probable character to any of his
+subjects, notwithstanding the masterly hand and mind which pervade the
+weakest of his productions.</p>
+
+<p>Among the first objects which particularly interested Mr. West, and which
+he never ceased to re-visit day after day with increasing pleasure, were
+the celebrated statues ascribed to Phidias, on the Monte Cavallo. The
+action of the human figure appeared to him so majestic, that it seemed to
+throw, as it were, a visible kind of awe into the very atmosphere, and
+over all the surrounding buildings. But the smallness of the horse struck
+him as exceedingly preposterous. He had often examined it before the idea
+occurred to him that it was probably reduced according to some unknown
+principle of antient art; and in this notion he was confirmed, by
+observing something of the same kind in the relative proportion of human
+figures and animals, on the different gems and bas-reliefs to which his
+attention was subsequently directed. The antient sculptors uniformly
+seemed to consider the human figure as the chief object, and sacrificed,
+to give it effect, the proportions of inferior parts. The author of the
+group on the Monte Cavallo, in the opinion of Mr. West, represented the
+horse smaller than the natural size, in order to augment the grandeur of
+the man. How far this notion, as the principle of a rule, may be sound, it
+would be unnecessary, perhaps impertinent, to inquire here; but its
+justness as applicable to the sculptures of antiquity, is abundantly
+verified by the bas-reliefs brought from the Parthenon of Athens. It is,
+indeed, so admitted a feature of antient art, as to be regarded by some
+critics as having for its object the same effect in sculpture, which is
+attained by light and shadow in painting.--In a picture, the Artist, by a
+judicious obscurity, so veils the magnitude of the car in which he places
+a victor, that notwithstanding its size, it may not appear the principal
+object; but this artifice is denied to the sculptor, who is necessitated
+to diminish the size of those things which are of least importance, in
+order to give dignity to the predominant figures. Raphael, in making the
+boat so small in the miraculous draught of fishes, is thought to have
+injudiciously applied this rule of antient sculpture; for he ought to have
+accomplished, by foreshortening, the same effect which he meant to produce
+by diminishing the size. It should, however, be observed, that great
+doubts are entertained if the statues on the Monte Cavallo were originally
+integral parts of the same group; but although this doubt may be well
+founded, it will not invalidate the supposed general principle of the
+antient sculptors, corroborated, as it is, by innumerable examples.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, after visiting the palaces, Mr. Robinson carried Mr. West
+to see a grand religious ceremony in one of the churches. Hitherto he was
+acquainted only with the simple worship of the Quakers. The pomp of the
+papal ceremonies was as much beyond his comprehension, as the overpowering
+excellence of the music surpassed his utmost expectations. Undoubtedly, in
+all the spectacles and amusements of Rome, he possessed a keener sense of
+enjoyment, arising from the simplicity of his education, than most other
+travellers. That same sensibility to the beauty of forms and colours which
+had awakened his genius for painting, was, probably, accompanied with a
+general superior susceptibility of the other organs as well as the sight;
+for it is observed that a taste for any one of the fine arts is connected
+with a general predilection for them all. But neither the Apollo, the
+Vatican, nor the pomp of the Catholic ritual, excited his feelings to so
+great a degree as the spectacle which presented itself to his view around
+the portico of the church. Bred in the universal prosperity of
+Pennsylvania, where the benevolence of the human bosom was only employed
+in acts of hospitality and mutual kindness, he had never witnessed any
+spectacle of beggary, nor had he ever heard the name of God uttered to
+second an entreaty for alms. Here, however, all the lazars and the
+wretched in Rome were collected together; hundreds of young and old in
+that extreme of squalor, nakedness, and disease which affrights the
+English traveller in Italy, were seen on all sides; and their
+importunities and cries, for the love of God, and the mercy of Christ, to
+relieve them, thrilled in his ears, and smote upon his heart to such a
+degree, that his joints became as it were loosened, and his legs scarcely
+able to support him. Many of the beggars knew Mr. Robinson, and seeing him
+accompanied by a stranger, an Englishman, as they concluded the Artist to
+be from his appearance, surrounded them with confidence and clamours.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>As they returned from the church, a woman somewhat advanced in life, and
+of a better appearance than the generality of the beggars, followed them,
+and Mr. West gave her a small piece of copper money, the first Roman coin
+which he had received in change, the relative value of which to the other
+coins of the country was unknown to him. Shortly afterwards they were
+joined by some of the Italians, whom they had seen in the morning, and
+while they were conversing together, he felt some one pull his coat, and
+turned round. It was the poor woman to whom he had given the piece of
+copper money. She held out in her hand several smaller pieces, and as he
+did not understand her language, he concluded that she was chiding him for
+having given her such a trifle, and coloured deeply with the idea. His
+English friend, observing his confusion, inquired what he had given her,
+and he answered that he did not know, but it was a piece of money which he
+had received in change. Robinson, after a short conversation with the
+beggar, told Mr. West that she had asked him to give her a farthing. "But
+as you gave her a two-penny piece," said he, "she has brought you the
+change." This instance of humble honesty, contrasted with the awful mass
+of misery with which it was united, gave him a favourable idea of the
+latent sentiments of the Italians. How much, indeed, is the character of
+that people traduced by the rest of Europe! How often is the traveller in
+Italy, when he dreads the approach of robbers, and prepares against
+murder, surprised at the bountiful disposition of the common Italians, and
+made to blush at having applied the charges against a few criminals to the
+character of a whole people--without reflecting that the nation is only
+weak because it is subdivided.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-7"></a>Chap. VII.</h1>
+
+
+
+<blockquote>    Anecdote of a famous Impoverisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of Wests's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequences of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies Mr.
+    Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.</blockquote>
+
+<p>It was not, however, the novelty, variety, and magnificence of the works
+of art and antiquity in Rome, that kept Mr. West in a constant state of
+high excitement; the vast difference in the manners of the people from
+those of the inhabitants of America, acted also as an incessant stimulus
+on his feelings and imagination: even that difference, great as it
+happened to be, was rendered particularly interesting to him by incidents
+arising out of his own peculiar situation. One night, soon after his
+arrival in Rome, Mr. Gavin Hamilton, the painter, to whom he had been
+introduced by Mr. Robinson, took him to a coffee-house, the usual resort
+of the British travellers. While they were sitting at one of the tables,
+a venerable old man, with a guitar suspended from his shoulder, entered
+the room, and coming immediately to their table, Mr. Hamilton addressed
+him by the name of Homer.--He was the most celebrated Improvisatore in
+all Italy, and the richness of expression, and nobleness of conception
+which he displayed in his effusions, had obtained for him that
+distinguished name. Those who once heard his poetry, never ceased to
+lament that it was lost in the same moment, affirming, that it often was
+so regular and dignified, as to equal the finest compositions of Tasso
+and Ariosto.--It will, perhaps, afford some gratification to the admirers
+of native genius to learn, that this old man, though led by the fine
+frenzy of his imagination to prefer a wild and wandering life to the
+offer of a settled independence, which had been often made to him in his
+youth, enjoyed in his old age, by the liberality of several Englishmen,
+who had raised a subscription for the purpose, a small pension,
+sufficient to keep him comfortable in his own way, when he became
+incapable of amusing the public.</p>
+
+<p>After some conversation, Homer requested Mr. Hamilton to give him a
+subject for a poem. In the mean time, a number of Italians had gathered
+round them to look at Mr. West, who they had heard was an American, and
+whom, like Cardinal Albani, they imagined to be an Indian. Some of them,
+on hearing Homer's request, observed, that he had exhausted his vein, and
+had already said and sung every subject over and over. Mr. Hamilton,
+however, remarked that he thought he could propose something new to the
+bard, and pointing to Mr. West, said, that he was an American come to
+study the fine arts in Rome; and that such an event furnished a new and
+magnificent theme. Homer took possession of the thought with the ardour of
+inspiration. He immediately unslung his guitar, and began to draw his
+fingers rapidly over the strings, swinging his body from side to side, and
+striking fine and impressive chords. When he had thus brought his motions
+and his feelings into unison with the instrument, he began an
+extemporaneous ode in a manner so dignified, so pathetic, and so
+enthusiastic, that Mr. West was scarcely less interested by his appearance
+than those who enjoyed the subject and melody of his numbers. He sung the
+darkness which for so many ages veiled America from the eyes of Science.
+He described the fulness of time when the purposes for which it had been
+raised from the deep were to be manifested. He painted the seraph of
+knowledge descending from heaven, and directing Columbus to undertake the
+discovery; and he related the leading incidents of the voyage. He invoked
+the fancy of his auditors to contemplate the wild magnificence of
+mountain, lake, and wood, in the new world; and he raised, as it were, in
+vivid perspective, the Indians in the chase, and at their horrible
+sacrifices. "But," he exclaimed, "the beneficent spririt of improvement is
+ever on the wing, and, like the ray from the throne of God which inspired
+the conception of the Virgin, it has descended on this youth, and the hope
+which ushered in its new miracle, like the star that guided the magi to
+Bethlehem, has led him to Rome. Methinks I behold in him an instrument
+chosen by heaven, to raise in America the taste for those arts which
+elevate the nature of man,--an assurance that his country will afford a
+refuge to science and knowledge, when in the old age of Europe they shall
+have forsaken her shores. But all things of heavenly origin, like the
+glorious sun, move Westward; and Truth and Art have their periods of
+shining, and of night. Rejoice then, O venerable Rome, in thy divine
+destiny, for though darkness overshadow thy seats, and though thy mitred
+head must descend into the dust, as deep as the earth that now covers thy
+antient helmet and imperial diadem, thy spirit, immortal and undecayed,
+already spreads towards a new world, where, like the soul of man in
+Paradise, it will be perfected in virtue and beauty more and more." The
+highest efforts of the greatest actors, even of Garrick himself delivering
+the poetry of Shakespeare, never produced a more immediate and inspiring
+effect than this rapid burst of genius. When the applause had abated, Mr.
+West being the stranger, and the party addressed, according to the common
+practice, made the bard a present. Mr. Hamilton explained the subject of
+the ode: though with the weakness of a verbal translation, and the
+imperfection of an indistinct echo, it was so connected with the
+appearance which the author made in the recital, that the incident has
+never been obliterated from Mr. West's recollection.</p>
+
+<p>While the Artist was gratifying himself with a cursory view of the works
+of art, and of the curiosities, Mr. Hope, of Amsterdam, the father of the
+gentlemen who have since become so well known in London for their taste in
+the arts, and their superb collections of pictures and marbles, arrived in
+Rome. Mr. West being introduced to him, accompanied him to Cardinal
+Albani, to whom he had letters of introduction, and witnessed a proof of
+the peculiar skill of his Eminence. The Cardinal requested Mr. Hope to
+come near him, and according to his usual custom with strangers, drew his
+hands over his face, observing that he was a German. In doing the same
+thing to Mr. West, he recognized him as the young American.</p>
+
+<p>At this time Mengs was in the zenith of his popularity, and West was
+introduced to him at the Cardinal's villa. He appeared to be as much
+struck as every other person, with the extraordinary circumstance of an
+American coming to study the fine arts; and begged that Mr. West would
+show him a speciman of his proficiency in drawing. In returning home, our
+Artist mentioned to Mr. Robinson that as he had never learnt to draw, he
+could not produce any sketch like those made by the other students; but
+that he could paint a little, and if Mr. Robinson would take the trouble
+to sit, he would execute his portrait to shew Mengs. The proposal was
+readily acceded to, and it was also agreed, that except to two of their
+most intimate acquaintances, the undertaking should be kept a profound
+secret. When the picture was finished, it was so advantageous to the
+Artist, that it tended to confirm the opinion which was entertained of his
+powers, founded only on the strength of the curiosity which had brought
+him from America. But, before shewing it to Mengs, it was resolved that
+the taste and judgment of the public with respect to its merits should be
+ascertained.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Crespign&eacute;, one of the two friends in the secret, lived as a Roman
+gentleman, and twice a year gave a grand assembly at his house, to which
+all the nobility and strangers in Rome, the most eminent for rank, birth,
+and talents, were invited. It was agreed that the portrait should be
+exhibited at one of his parties, which happened to take place soon after
+it was finished. A suitable frame being provided, the painting was hung up
+in one of the rooms. The first guests who arrived, were Amateurs and
+Artists; and as it was known among them that Robinson was sitting to Mengs
+for his portrait, it was at once thought to be that picture, and they
+agreed that they had never seen any painting of the Artist so well
+coloured. As the guests assembled, the portrait became more and more the
+subject of attention, and Mr. West sat behind on a sofa equally agitated
+and delighted by their strictures, which Mr. Robinson reported to him from
+time to time. In the course of the evening Mr. Dance, an Englishman of
+great shrewdness, was observed looking with an eye of more than common
+scrutiny at the portrait, by Mr. Jenkins, another of the guests, who,
+congratulating Robinson in getting so good a portrait from Mengs, turned
+to Dance, and said, "The he must now acknowledge that Mengs could colour
+as well as he could draw." Dance confessed that he thought the picture
+much better coloured than those usually painted by Mengs, but added that
+he did not think the drawing either so firm or good as the usual style of
+that Artist. This remark occasioned some debate, in which Jenkins,
+attributing the strictures of Dance to some prejudice which he had early
+conceived against Mengs, drew the company around to take a part in the
+discussion. Mr. Crespign&eacute; seizing the proper moment in their conversation
+to produce the effect intended, said to Jenkins that he was mistaken, and
+that Dance was in the right, for, in truth, the picture was not painted by
+Mengs. By whom then, vociferated every one, "for there is no other painted
+now in Rome capable of executing any thing so?" "By that young gentleman
+there," said Mr. Crespign&eacute;, turning to West. At once all eyes were bent
+towards him, and the Italians, in their way, ran and embraced him. Thus
+did the best judges at once, by this picture, acknowledge him as only
+second in the executive department of the art to the first painter then in
+Rome. Mengs himself, on seeing the picture, expressed his opinion in terms
+that did great honour to his liberality, and gave the Artist an advice
+which he never forgot, nor remembered without gratitude. He told him that
+the portrait showed that he had no occasion to learn to paint at Rome.
+"You have already, sir," said he, "the mechanical part of your art: what I
+would, therefore, recommend to you, is to see and examine every thing
+deserving of your attention here, and after making a few drawings of about
+half a dozen of the best statues, go to Florence, and observe what has
+been done for Art in the collections there. Then proceed to Bologna, and
+study the works of the Caracci; afterwards visit Parma, and examine,
+attentively, the pictures of Corregio; and then go to Venice and view the
+productions of Tintoretti, Titian, and Paul Veronese. When you have made
+this tour, come back to Rome, and paint an historical composition to be
+exhibited to the Roman public; and the opinion which will then be formed
+of your talents should determine the line of our profession which you
+ought to follow." This judicious advice, so different from those absurd
+academical dogmas which would confine genius to the looking only to the
+works of art, for that perfection which they but dimly reflect from
+nature, West found accord so well with his own reflections and principles,
+that he resolved to follow it with care and attention. But the thought of
+being in Rome, and the constant excitement arising from extraordinary and
+interesting objects, so affected his mind, accustomed to the sober and
+uniform habits of the Quakers, that sleep deserted his pillow, and he
+became ill and constantly feverish. The public took an interest in his
+situation. A consultation of the best Physicians in Rome was held on his
+case, the result of which was a formal communication to Mr. Robinson, that
+his friend must immediately quit the capital, and seek relief from the
+irritated state of his sensibility in quiet and retirement. Accordingly,
+on the 20th of August he returned to Leghorn.</p>
+
+<p>Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, by whose most friendly recommendation he
+had obtained so much flattering distinction at Rome, received him into
+their own house, and treated him with a degree of hospitality that
+merits for them the honour of being considered among the number of his
+early patrons. Mr. (afterwards Sir John) Dick, then the British Consul
+at Leghorn, and his lady, also treated him with great partiality, and
+procured for him the use of the Imperial baths. His mind being thus
+relieved from the restless ecstasy which he had suffered in Rome, and
+the intensity of interest being diminished by the circumscribed nature
+of the society of Leghorn, together with the bracing effects of
+sea-bathing, he was soon again in a condition to resume his study in the
+capital. But the same overpowering attacks on his feelings and
+imagination soon produced a relapse of his former indisposition, and
+compelled him to return to Leghorn, where he was again speedily cured of
+his fever, but it left in its dregs a painful affection in the ancle,
+that threatened the loss of the limb. The well-known Nanoni, an eminent
+surgeon, who had introduced many improvements in the treatment of
+diseased joints, was at this period resident in Florence, and Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford wrote to Sir Horace Mann, then the British
+Minister at the Ducal Court, to consult him relative to the case of Mr.
+West: his answer induced them to advise the Artist to go to Florence.
+After a painful period of eleven months confinement to his couch and
+chamber, he was perfectly and radically cured.</p>
+
+<p>A state of pain and disease is adverse to mental improvement; but there
+were intervals in which Mr. West felt his anguish abate, and in which he
+could not only participate in the conversation of the gentlemen to whose
+kindness he had been recommended, but was able, occastionally, to exercise
+his pencil. The testimonies of friendship which he received at this
+perdiod from Sir Horace Mann, the Marquesses of Creni and Riccardi, the
+late Lord Cooper, and many others of the British nobility then travelling
+in Italy, made an indelible impression on his mind, and became a
+stimulating motive to his wishes to excel in his art, in order to
+demonstrate by his proficiency that he was not unworthy of their
+solicitude. He had a table constructed so as to enable him to draw while
+he lay in bed; and in that situation he amused and improved himself in
+delineating the picturesque conceptions which were constantly presenting
+themselves to his fancy.</p>
+
+<p>When he was so far recovered as to be able to take exercise, and to endure
+the fatigue of travelling, a circumstance happened which may be numbered
+among the many fortunate accidents of his professional career. Mr.
+Matthews, the manager of the important commercial concerns of Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford, was one of those singular men who are but rarely
+met with in mercantile life, combining the highest degree of literary and
+elegant accomplishments with the best talents for active business. He was
+not only confessedly one of the finest classical scholars in all Italy,
+but, out of all comparison, the best practical antiquary, perhaps, then in
+that country, uniting, along with the minutest accuracy of criticism, a
+delicacy of taste in the perception of the beauty and judgment of the
+antients, seldom found blended with an equal degree of classical
+erudition. Affairs connected with the business of the house, and a wish to
+see the principal cities of Italy, led Mr. Matthews, about the period of
+Mr. West's recovery, to visit Florence, and it was agreed between them
+that they should together make the tour recommended by Mengs.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time, the good fortune of West was working to happy effects in
+another part of the world. The story of Mr. Robinson's portrait had made
+so great a noise among the travellers in Italy, that Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford, in sending back the ship to Philadelphia, in which the Artist
+had come passenger, mentioned it in their letters to Mr. Allen. It is
+seldom that commercial affairs are mingled with those of art, and it was
+only from the Italian shore that a mercantile house could introduce such a
+topic into their correspondence. It happened that on the very day this
+letter reached Mr. Allen, Mr. Hamilton, then Governor of Pennsylvania, and
+the principal members of the government, along with the most considerable
+citizens of Philadelphia, were dining with him. After dinner, Mr. Allen
+read the letter to the company, and mentioned the amount of the sum of
+money which West had paid into his hands at the period of his departure
+from America, adding that it must be pretty far reduced. But, said he with
+warmth, "I regard this young man as an honour to the country, and as he is
+the first that America has sent to cultivate the fine arts, he shall not
+be frustrated in his studies, for I have resolved to write to my
+correspondents at Leghorn, to give him, from myself, whatever money he may
+require." Mr. Hamilton felt the force of this generous declaration, and
+said, with equal animation, "I think exactly as you do, Sir, but you shall
+not have all the honour of it to yourself, and, therefore, I beg that you
+will consider me as joining you in the responsibility of the credit." The
+consequence of this was, that upon West going, previously to leaving
+Florence, to take a small sum of about ten pounds from the bankers to whom
+he had been recommended by Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, a letter was
+brought in, while he was waiting for his money, and the gentleman who
+opened it said to him, "that the contents of the letter would probably
+afford him unexpected pleasure, as it instructed them to give him
+unlimited credit." A more splendid instance of liberality is not to be
+found even in the records of Florence. The munificence of the Medici was
+excelled by that of the magistracy of Philadelphia.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-8"></a>Chap. VIII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to
+    Rome.--Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian
+    Obelisk.--Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an
+    anecdote of a Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote
+    of a Scottish Fanatic who arrived in Rome, to convert the
+    Pope.--Sequel of the Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit
+    England.--Having completed his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous
+    picture, he is elected an Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and
+    invited to Court.--He proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--
+    Reflections on the State of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French
+    frontiers.--State of Taste in France.</blockquote>
+
+<p>From Florence the Artist proceeded to Bologna, and having staid some time
+there, carefully inspecting every work of celebrity to which he could
+obtain access, he went on to Venice, visiting in his route all the objects
+which Mengs had recommended to his attention. The style of Titian, which
+in breadth and clearness of colouring so much excels that of almost every
+other painter, was the peculiar characteristic of the Venetian school
+which interested him the most, and seemed to him, at first, involved in
+inexplicable mystery. He was never satisfied with the explanations which
+the Italian amateurs attempted to give him of what they called the
+internal light of that master's productions. Repeated experiments,
+however, enabled him, at last, to make the discovery himself. Indeed, he
+was from the first persuaded that it was chiefly owing to the peculiar
+genius of the Artist himself,--to an exquisite delicacy of sight which
+enabled him to perceive the most approximate tints,--and not to any
+particular dexterity of pencilling, nor to any superiority in the
+materials of his colours. This notion led Mr. West to try the effect of
+painting in the first place with the pure primary colours, and softening
+them afterwards with the semi tints; and the result confirmed him in the
+notion that such was probably the peculiar method of Titian. But although
+this idea was suggested by his visits to the collections of Venice, he
+was not perfectly satisfied with its soundness as a rule, till many years
+after his arrival in London, and many unsuccessful experiments.</p>
+
+<p>Having completed his tour to the most celebrated repositories of art in
+Italy, and enriched his mind, and improved his taste, by the perusal
+rather than the imitation of their best pieces, he returned to Rome, and
+applied himself to a minute and assiduous study of the great ornaments of
+that capital, directing his principal attention to the works of Raphael,
+and improving his knowledge of the antient costume by the study of Cameos,
+in which he was assisted by Mr. Wilcox, the author of the Roman
+Conversations,--to whom he had been introduced by Mr. Robinson, at Mr.
+Crespign&eacute;'s, on the occasion of the exhibition of the Portrait,--a man of
+singular attainments in learning, and of a serene and composed dignity of
+mind and manners that rendered him more remarkable to strangers than even
+his great classical knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>Of all the monuments of antient art in Rome, the Obelisk brought from
+Egypt, in the reign of Augustus, interested his curiosity the most, and
+even for a time affected him as much as those which so agitated him by
+their beauty. The hieroglyphics appeared to resemble so exactly the
+figures in the Wampum belts of the Indians, that it occurred to him, if
+ever the mysteries of Egypt were to be interpreted, it might be by the
+aborigines of America. This singular notion was not, however, the mere
+suggestion of fancy, but the effect of an opinion which his early friend
+and tutor Provost Smith conceived, in consequence of attending the grand
+meeting of the Indian chiefs, with the Governors of the British colonies,
+held at East town, in Pennsylvania, in the year following the disastrous
+fate of Bradock's army. The chiefs had requested this interview, in order
+to state to the officers the wrongs and injuries of which they complained;
+and at the meeting they evidently read the reports and circumstances of
+their grievances from the hieroglyphical chronicle of the Wampum belts,
+which they held in their hands, and by which, from the date of their grand
+alliance with William Penn, the man from the ocean, as they called him,
+they minutely related all the circumstances in which they conceived the
+terms and spirit of the treaty had been infringed by the British, defying
+the officers to show any one point in which the Indians had swerved from
+their engagements. It seemed to Dr. Smith that such a minute traditionary
+detail of facts could not have been preserved without some contemporary
+record; and he, therefore, imagined, that the constant reference made to
+the figures on the belts was a proof that they were chronicles. This
+notion was countenanced by another circumstance which Mr. West had himself
+often noticed. The course of some of the high roads through Pennsylvania
+lies along what were formerly the war tracks of the Indians; and he had
+frequently seen hieroglyphics engraved on the trees and rocks. He was told
+that they were inscriptions left by some of the tribes who had passed that
+way in order to apprize their friends of the route which they had taken,
+and of any other matter which it concerned them to know. He had also
+noticed among the Indians who annually visited Philadelphia, that there
+were certain old chiefs who occasionally instructed the young warriors to
+draw red and black figures, similar to those which are made on the belts,
+and who explained their signification with great emphasis, while the
+students listened to the recital with profound silence and attention. It
+was not, therefore, extraordinary, that, on seeing similar figures on the
+Egyptian trophy, he should have thought that they were intended to
+transmit the record of transactions like the Wampum belts.--A language of
+signs derived from natural objects, must have something universal in its
+very nature; for the qualities represented by the emblematic figure,
+would, doubtless, be those for which the original of the figure was most
+remarkable: and, therefore, if there be any resemblance between the
+Egyptian hieroglyphics and those used by the American Indians, the
+probability is, that there is also some similar intrinsic meaning in their
+signification. But the Wampum belts are probably not all chronicles; there
+is reason to believe that some of them partake of the nature of calendars,
+by which the Indians are regulated in proceedings dependant on the
+seasons; and that, in this respect, they answer to the household Gods of
+the patriarchal times, which are supposed to have been calendars, and the
+figure of each an emblem of some portion of the year, or sign of the
+Zodiac. It would be foreign to the nature of this work to investigate the
+evidence which may be adduced on this subject, or to collect those various
+and scattered hints which have given rise to the opinion, and with a
+faint, but not fallacious ray, have penetrated that obscure region of
+antient history, between the period when the devotion of mankind,
+withdrawn from the worship of the Deity, was transferred to the adoration
+of the stars, and prior to the still greater degradation of the human
+faculties when altars were raised to idols.</p>
+
+<p>The idea of the Indians being in possession of hieroglyphical writings, is
+calculated to lead us to form a very different opinion of them to that
+which is usually entertained by the world. Except in the mere enjoyments
+of sense, they do not appear to be inferior to the rest of mankind; and
+their notions of moral dignity are exactly those which are recommended to
+our imitation by the literature of all antiquity. But they have a
+systematic contempt for whatever either tends to increase their troubles,
+to encumber the freedom of their motions, or to fix them to settled
+habitations. In their unsheltered nakedness, they have a prouder
+consciousness of their importance in the scale of beings, than the
+philosophers of Europe, with all their multiplicity of sensual and
+intellectual gratifications, to supply which so many of the human race are
+degraded from their natural equality. The Indian, however, is not
+deficient in mental enjoyments, or a stranger to the exercise of the
+dignified faculties of our common nature. He delivers himself on suitable
+occasions with a majesty of eloquence that would beggar the oratory of the
+parliaments, and the pulpits of Christendom; and his poetry unfolds the
+loftiest imagery and sentiment of the epic and the hymn. He considers
+himself as the lord of the creation, and regards the starry heaven as his
+canopy, and the everlasting mountain as his throne. It would be absurd,
+however, to assert with Rousseau, that he is, therefore, better or happier
+than civilized man; but it would be equally so to deny him the same sense
+of dignity, the same feeling of dishonour, the same love of renown, or
+ascribe to his actions in war, and his recreations in peace, baser motives
+than to the luxurious warriors and statesmen of Europe. Before Mr. West
+left America, an attempt was made to educate three young Indians at New
+York; and their progress, notwithstanding that they still retained
+something of their original wildness of character, exceeded the utmost
+expectations of those who were interested in the experiment. Two of them,
+however, in the end, returned to their tribe, but they were rendered
+miserable by the contempt with which they were received; and the brother
+of the one who remained behind, was so affected with their degradation,
+that he came to the city determined to redeem his brother from the
+thraldom of civilization. On his arrival he found he had become an actor,
+and was fast rising into celebrity on the stage. On learning this
+circumstance, the resolute Indian went to the theatre, and seated himself
+in the pit. The moment that his brother appeared, he leapt upon the stage,
+and drawing his knife, threatened to sacrifice him on the spot unless he
+would immediately strip himself naked, and return with him to their home
+in the woods. He upbraided him with the meanness of his disposition, in
+consenting to make himself a slave. He demanded if he had forgotten that
+the Great Spirit had planted the Indian corn for their use, and filled the
+forests with game, the air with birds, and the waters with fish, that they
+might be free. He represented the institutions of civilized society as
+calculated to make him dependant on the labour of others, and subject to
+every chance that might interrupt their disposition to supply his wants.
+The actor obeyed his brother, and returning to the woods, was never seen
+again in the town. [<a href="#a">A</a>]</p>
+
+<p>It may, perhaps, not be an impertinent digression to contrast this
+singular occurrence in the theatre of New York with another truly
+European, to which Mr. West was a witness, in the Cathedral of St. Peter.
+Among other intelligent acquaintances which he formed in Rome was the
+Abat&eacute; Grant, one of the adherents of that unfortunate family, whom the
+baseness of their confidential servants, and the factions of ambitious
+demagogues, deprived, collectively, of their birthright. This priest,
+though a firm Jacobite in principle, was, like many others of the same
+political sentiments, liberal and enlightened, refuting, by his conduct,
+the false and fraudulent calumnies which have been so long alleged against
+the gallant men who supported the cause of the ill-fated Stuarts. On St.
+Peter's day, when the Pope in person performs high mass in the cathedral,
+the Abat&eacute; offered to take Mr. West to the church, as he could place him
+among the ecclesiastics, in an advantageous situation to witness the
+ceremony. Glad of such an offer, Mr. West willingly accompanied him. The
+vast edifice; the immense multitude of spectators; the sublimity of the
+music; and the effect of the pomp addressed to the sight, produced on the
+mind of the Painter feelings scarcely less enthusiastic than those which
+the devoutest of the worshippers experienced, or the craftiest inhabitant
+of the Vatican affected to feel. At the elevation of the host, and as he
+was kneeling beside the Abat&eacute;, to their equal astonishment he heard a
+voice, exclaiming behind them in a broad Scottish accent, "O Lord, cast
+not the church down on them for this abomination!" The surrounding Italian
+priests, not understanding what the enthusiast was saying, listened with
+great comfort to such a lively manifestation of a zeal, which they
+attributed to the blessed effects of the performance. The Abat&eacute;, however,
+with genuine Scottish partiality, was alarmed for his countryman, and
+endeavoured to persuade him to hold his tongue during the ceremony, as he
+ran the risk of being torn to pieces by the mob.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared that this zealous Presbyterian, without understanding a word
+of any civilized language, but only a dialect of his own, had come to Rome
+for the express purpose of attempting to convert the Pope, as the shortest
+way, in his opinion, of putting an end to the reign of Antichrist. When
+mass was over, the Abat&eacute;, anxious to avert from him the consequences which
+his extravagance would undoubtedly entail, if he continued to persevere in
+it, entered into conversation with him. It appeared he had only that
+morning arrived in Babylon, and being unable to rest until he had seen a
+glimpse of the gorgeous harlot, he had not then provided himself with
+lodgings. The Abat&eacute; conducted him to a house where he knew he would be
+carefully attended; and he also endeavoured to reason with him on the
+absurdity of his self-assumed mission, assuring him that unless he
+desisted, and behaved with circumspection, he would inevitably be seized
+by the Inquisition. But the prospect of Martyrdom augmented his zeal; and
+the representations of the benevolent Catholic only stimulated his
+enterprise; so that in the course of a few days, much to his own exceeding
+great joy, and with many comfortable salutations of the spirit, he was
+seized by the Inquisition, and lodged in a dungeon, On hearing this, the
+Abat&eacute; applied to King James in his behalf, and by his Majesty's influence
+he was released, and sent to the British Consul at Leghorn, on condition
+of being immediately conveyed to his friends in Scotland. It happened,
+however, that no vessel was then ready to sail, and the taste of
+persecution partaking more of the relish of adventure than the pungency of
+suffering, the missionary was not to be so easily frustrated in his
+meritorious design; and, therefore, he took the first opportunity of
+stealing silently back to Rome, where he was again arrested and confined.
+By this time the affair had made some noise, and it was universally
+thought by all the English travellers, that the best way of treating the
+ridiculous madman was to allow him to remain some time in solitary
+confinement in the dungeons of the Inquisition. When he had been
+imprisoned about three months, he was again liberated, sent to Leghorn,
+and embarked for England, radically cured of his inclination to convert
+the Pope, but still believing that the punishment which he had suffered
+for his folly would be recorded as a trial which he had endured in the
+service of the faith.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time West was carefully furnishing his mind by an attentive
+study of the costume of antiquity, and the beauties of the great works of
+modern genius. In doing this, he regarded Rome only as an university, in
+which he should graduate; and, as a thesis preparatory to taking his
+degree among the students, he painted a picture of Cimon and Iphigenia,
+and, subsequently, another of Angelica and Madoro. The applause which they
+received justified the opinion which Mengs had so early expressed of his
+talent, and certainly answered every object for which they were composed.
+He was honoured, in consequence, with the marks of academical
+approbation, usually bestowed on fortunate Artists. He then proposed to
+return to America, with a view to cultivate in his native country that
+profession in which he had already acquired so much celebrity. At this
+juncture he received a letter from his father, advising him, as peace had
+been concluded between France and England, to go home for a short time
+before coming to America; for the mother country was at that period still
+regarded as the home of her American offspring. The advice of his father
+was in unison with his own wishes, and he mentioned his intention to Mr.
+Wilcox. That gentleman, conceiving that he spoke of America as his home,
+expressed himself with grief and surprise at a determination so different
+from what he had expected; but, upon being informed of the ambiguity in
+the phrase, he exclaimed that he could hardly have resolved, on quitting
+Italy, more opportunely, for Dr. Patoune, a Scotish gentleman, of
+considerable learning, and some taste in painting, was then returning
+homeward, and waiting at that time in Rome, until he should be able to
+meet with a companion. It was therefore agreed that West should be
+introduced to him; and it was soon after arranged that the Doctor should
+proceed to Florence, while the Artist went to take leave of his friends at
+Leghorn, to express to them his gratitude for the advantages he had
+derived from their constant and extraordinary kindness, which he estimated
+so highly, that he could not think of leaving Italy without performing
+this pleasing and honourable pilgrimage. It was also agreed between him
+and his companion, that the Doctor should stop a short time at Parma,
+until West should have completed a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio,
+which he had begun during his visit to that city with Mr. Matthews.</p>
+
+<p>During their stay at Parma, the Academy elected Mr. West a member, an
+honour which the Academies of Florence and Bologna had previously
+conferred on him; and it was mentioned to the Prince that a young American
+had made a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio in a style of excellence
+such as the oldest Academicians had not witnessed. The Prince expressed a
+wish to see this extraordinary Artist, particularly when he heard that he
+was from Pennsylvania, and a Quaker. Mr. West was, in consequence,
+informed that a visit from him would be acceptable at Court: and it was
+arranged that he should be introduced to His Highness by the chief
+Minister. Mr. West thought that, in a matter of this kind, he should
+regulate his behaviour by what he understood to be the practice in the
+court of London; and, accordingly, to the astonishment of the whole of the
+courtiers, he kept his hat on during the audience. This, however, instead
+of offending the Prince, was observed with evident pleasure, and made his
+reception more particular and distinguished; for His Highness had heard of
+the peculiar simplicity of the Quakers, and of the singularly Christian
+conduct of William Penn.</p>
+
+<p>From Parma he proceeded to Genoa, and thence to Turin. Considering this
+City as the last stage of his professional observations in Italy, his mind
+unconsciously took a retrospective view of the different objects he had
+seen, and the knowledge which he had acquired since his departure from
+America. Although his art was always uppermost in his thoughts, and
+although he could not reflect on the course of his observations without
+pleasure and hope, he was often led to advert to the lamentable state into
+which every thing, as well as Art, had fallen in Italy, in consequence of
+the general theocratical despotism which over-spread the whole country,
+like an unwholesome vapour, and of those minute subdivisions of territory,
+in which political tyranny exercised its baleful influence even where the
+ecclesiastical oppression seemed disposed to spare. He saw, in the
+infamous establishment of the cicisbeo, the settled effect of that general
+disposition to palliate vice, which is the first symptom of decay in
+nations; and he was convinced that, before vice could be thus exalted into
+custom, there must exist in the community which would tolerate such an
+institution, a disregard of all those obligations which it is the pride of
+virtue to incur, and the object of law to preserve. It seemed to him that
+every thing in Italy was in a state of disease; and that the moral energy
+was subsiding, as the vital flame diminishes with the progress of old age.
+For although the forms and graces of the human character were often seen
+in all their genuine dignity among the common people, still even the
+general population seemed to be defective in that detestation of vice
+found in all countries in a healthful state of morals, and which is often
+strongest among the lowest of the vulgar, especially in what respects the
+conduct of the great. He thought that the commonalty of Italy had lost the
+tact by which the good and evil of actions are discriminated; and that,
+whatever was good in their disposition, was constitutional, and
+unconnected with any principle of religion, or sense of right. In the
+Papal states, this appeared to be particularly the case. All the creative
+powers of the mind seemed there to be extinct. The country was covered
+with ruins, and the human character was in ashes. Sometimes, indeed, a few
+embers of intellect were seen among the clergy; but the brightness of
+their scintillation was owing to the blackness of death with which they
+were contrasted. The splendour of the nobility struck him only as a more
+conspicuous poverty than the beggary of the common people; and the perfect
+contempt with which they treated the feelings of their dependants, seemed
+to him scarcely less despicable than the apathy with which it was endured.
+The innumerable examples of the effects of this moral paralysis to which
+he was a witness on his arrival in Rome, filled him for some time with
+indescribable anxiety, and all his veneration for the Roman majesty was
+lost in reflections on the offences which mankind may be brought to commit
+on one another. But at Genoa, Leghorn, and Venice, the Italians were seen
+to less disadvantage. Commerce, by diffusring opulence, and interweaving
+the interests of all classes, preserved in those cities some community of
+feeling, which was manifested in an interchange of respect and
+consideration between the higher and the lower orders; and Lucca he
+thought afforded a perfect exception to the general degeneracy of the
+country. The inhabitants of that little republic presented the finest view
+of human nature that he had ever witnessed. With the manliness of the
+British character they appeared to blend the suavity of the Italian
+manners; and their private morals were not inferior to the celebrity of
+their public virtues. So true it is, that man, under the police and
+vigilance of despotism, becomes more and more vicious; while, in
+proportion to the extension of his freedom, is the vigour of his private
+virtue. When deprived of the right of exercising his own judgment, he
+feels, as it were, his moral responsibility at an end, and naturally
+blames the system by which he is oppressed, for the crimes which his own
+unresisted passions instigate him to commit. To an Englishman the
+remembrance of a journey in Italy is however often more delightful than
+that of any other country, for no where else is his arrogance more
+patiently endured, his eccentricities more humourously indulged, nor the
+generosity of his character more publicly acknowledged.</p>
+
+<p>In coming from Italy into France, Mr. West was particularly struck with
+the picturesque difference in the character of the peasantry of the two
+countries; and while he thought, as an Artist, that to give appropriate
+effect to a national landscape it would not only be necessary to introduce
+figures in the costume of the country, but in employments and recreations
+no less national, he was sensible of the truth of a remark which occurs to
+almost every traveller, that there are different races of the human
+species, and that the nature of the dog and horse do not vary more in
+different climates than man himself. In making the observation, he was
+not, however, disposed to agree with the continental philosophers, that
+this difference, arising from climate, at all narrowed the powers of the
+mind, though it influenced the choice of objects of taste. For whatever
+tends to make the mind more familiar with one class of agreeable
+sensations than another, will, undoubtedly, contribute to form the cause
+of that preference for particular qualities in objects by which the
+characteristics of the taste of different nations is discriminated.
+Although, of all the general circumstances which modify the opinions of
+mankind, climate is, perhaps, the most permanent, it does not, therefore,
+follow that, because the climate of France or Italy induces the
+inhabitants to prefer, in works of art, certain qualities of the
+excellence of which the people of England are not so sensible, the climate
+of Great Britain does not, in like manner, lead the inhabitants to
+discover other qualities equally valuable as sources of enjoyment. Thus,
+in sculpture for example, it would seem that in naked figures the
+inhabitants of a cold climate can never hope to attain that degree of
+eminence which we see exemplified in the productions of the Grecian and
+Italian sculptors; not that the Artists may not execute as well, but
+because they will not so readily find models; or, what is perhaps more to
+the point, they will not find a taste so capable of appreciating the
+merits of their performances. In Italy the eye is familiar with the human
+form in a state of almost complete nudity; and the beauty of muscular
+expression, and of the osteological proportions of man, is there as well
+known as that of the features and complexion of his countenance; but the
+same degree of nakedness could not be endured in the climate of England,
+for it is associated with sentiments of modesty and shame, which render
+even the accidental innocent exposure of so much of the body offensive to
+the feelings of decorum. It is not, therefore, just to allege, that,
+because the Italians are a calm, persuasive, and pensive people, and the
+French all stir, talk, and inconstancy, they are respectively actuated by
+different moral causes. It will not be asserted that, though the sources
+of their taste in art spring from different qualities in the same common
+objects, any innate incapacity for excellence in the fine arts is induced
+by the English climate, merely because that climate has the effect of
+producing a different moral temperament among the inhabitants.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning after arriving at the first frontier town, in coming from
+Savoy into France, and while breakfast was preparing, Mr. West and his
+companion heard the noise of a crowd assembled in the yard of the inn. The
+Doctor rose and went to the window to inquire the occasion: immediately on
+his appearance the mob became turbulent, and seemed to menace him with
+some outrage.--The Peace of 1763 had been but lately concluded, and
+without having any other cause for the thought, it occurred to the
+travellers that the turbulence must have originated in some political
+occurrence, and they hastily summoned the landlord, who informed them,
+"That the people had, indeed, assembled in a tumultuous manner round the
+inn on hearing that two Englishmen were in the house, but that they might
+make themselves easy, as he had sent to inform the magistrates of the
+riot." Soon after, one of the magistrates arrived, and on being introduced
+by the landlord to the travellers, expressed himself to the following
+effect: "I am sorry that this occurrence should have happened, because had
+I known in time, I should, on hearing that you were Englishmen, have come
+with the other magistrates to express to you the sentiments of respect
+which we feel towards your illustrious nation; but, since it has not been
+in our power to give you that testimony of our esteem; on the contrary,
+since we are necessitated by our duty to protect you, I assure you that I
+feel exceedingly mortified. I trust, however, that you will suffer no
+inconvenience, for the people are dispersing, and you will be able to
+leave the town in safety!" "This place," he continued, "is a manufacturing
+town, which has been almost ruined by the war. Our goods went to the ocean
+from Marseilles and Toulon; but the vigilance of your fleets ruined our
+trade, and these poor people, who have felt the consequence, consider not
+the real cause of their distress. However, although the populace do not
+look beyond the effects which immediately press upon themselves, there are
+many among us well acquainted with the fountain-head of the misfortunes
+which afflict France, and who know that it is less to you than to
+ourselves that we ought to ascribe the disgraces of the late war. You had
+a man at the head of your government (alluding to the first Lord Chatham),
+and your counsellors are men. But it is the curse of France that she is
+ruled by one who is, in fact, but the agent and organ of valets and
+strumpets. The Court of France is no longer the focus of the great men of
+the country, but a band of profligates that have driven away the great.
+This state of things, however, cannot last long, the reign of the
+Pompadours must draw to an end, and Frenchmen will one day take a terrible
+revenge for the insults which they suffer in being regarded only as the
+materials of those who pander to the prodigality of the Court." This
+singular address, made in the year 1763, requires no comment; but it is a
+curious historical instance of the commencement of that, moral re-action
+to oppression which subsequently has so fully realized the prediction of
+the magistrate, and which, in its violence, has done so much mischief, and
+occasioned so many misfortunes to Europe.</p>
+
+<p>The travellers remained no longer in Paris than was necessary to inspect
+the principal works of the French Artists, and the royal collections. Mr.
+West, however, continued long enough to be satisfied that the true feeling
+for the fine arts did not exist among the French to that degree which he
+had observed in Italy. On the contrary, it seemed to him that there was an
+inherent affectation in the general style of art among them, which
+demonstrated, not only a deficiency of native sensibility, but an anxious
+endeavour to conceal that defect. The characteristics of the French
+School, and they have not yet been redeemed by the introduction of any
+better manner, might, to a cursory observer, appear to have arisen from a
+corrupted taste, while, in fact, they are the consequences only of that
+inordinate national vanity which in so many different ways has retarded
+the prosperity of the world. In the opinion of a Frenchman, there is a
+quality of excellence in every thing belonging to France, merely because
+it is French, which gives at all times a certain degree of superiority to
+the actions and productions of his countrymen; and this delusive notion
+has infested not only the literature and the politicks of the nation, but
+also the principles of Art, to such a deep and inveterate extent, that the
+morality of painting is not yet either felt or understood in that country.
+In the mechanical execution, in drawing, and in the arrangement of parts,
+the great French painters are probably equal to the Italians; but in
+producing any other sentiment in the spectator than that of admiration at
+their mechanical skill, they are greatly behind the English. Painting has
+much of a common character with dramatic literature, and the very best
+pictures of the French Artists have the same kind of resemblance to the
+probability of Nature, that the tragedies of their great dramatic authors
+have to the characters and actions of men. But in rejecting the
+pretensions of the French to superiority either in the one species of art
+or in the other, the rejection ought not to be extended too far. They are
+wrong in their theory; but their practice so admirably accords with it,
+that it must be allowed, were it possible for a people so enchanted by
+self-conceit to discover that the true subjects of Art exist only in
+Nature, they evince a capacity sufficient to enable them to acquire the
+pre-eminence which they unfortunately believe they have already attained.
+But these opinions, with respect to the peculiarities of the French taste,
+though deduced from incidental remarks in conversations with Mr. West,
+must not be considered as his. The respect which he has always entertained
+towards the different members of his own profession never allows him to
+express himself in any terms that might possibly be construed by malice or
+by ignorance to imply any thing derogatory to a class which he naturally
+considers among the teachers of mankind. He may think, indeed he has
+expressed as much, that the style of the French Artists is not the most
+perspicuous; and that it is, if the expression may be allowed, more
+rhetorical than eloquent; but still he regards them as having done honour
+to their country, and, in furnishing objects of innocent interest to the
+minds of mankind, as having withdrawn so far the inclinations of the heart
+from mere sensual objects. The true use of painting, he early thought,
+must reside in assisting the reason to arrive at correct moral inferences,
+by furnishing a probable view of the effects of motives and of passions;
+and to the enforcement of this great argument his long life has been
+devoted, whether with complete success it would be presumptuous in any
+contemporary to determine, and injudicious in the author of these memoirs
+to assert.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p><a name="a"></a>[A] The following Extract from the Journal of a Friend, who has
+lately travelled through the principal parts of the United States, will
+probably be found interesting, as it tends to throw some degree of light
+on the sentiments of the Indians; of which the little that is known has
+hitherto never been well elucidated.</p>
+
+<p>"One of my fellow-passengers was a settler in the new state of Tenessee,
+who had come to Charleston with Horses for sale, and was going to
+Baltimore and Philadelphia for the purpose of investing his money in an
+assortment of goods suited to the western country. The ideas of civilized
+and savage life were so curiously blended in this man, that his
+conversation afforded me considerable amusement. Under the garb and
+appearance of a methodist preacher, I found him a hunter and a warrior;
+with no small portion of the adventurous spirit proper to both those
+characters. He had served as a militia-man or volunteer under General
+Jackson, in his memorable campaign against the Creek Indians in 1813; and
+he related to me some interesting particulars of the principal and final
+action which decided the fate of the war. The Indians had posted
+themselves at a place called, in their language, <i>Talapoosie</i>, and by the
+Americans, the Horse-shoe; a position of great natural strength, the
+advantages of which they had improved to the best of their skill, by a
+breast-work seven feet high, extending across the neck of land which
+formed the only approach to their encampment. This seems to have been
+viewed by the Creeks themselves as the last stand of their nation: for,
+contrary to the usual practice of the Indians, they made every preparation
+for defence, but none for retreat. Their resistance was proportionably
+desperate and bloody. For several hours they supported a continued fire of
+musketry and cannon without shrinking; till at length the American
+General, finding that he had lost a great number of men, and that he
+could not otherwise dislodge the enemy, gave orders for a general assault.
+The breast-work was carried by storm; and the Indians, broken at all
+points, and surrounded by superior numbers, were nearly all put to the
+sword. Out of one thousand warriors who composed the Creek Army, scarcely
+twenty made their escape. A body of Choctaw Indians, who attended the
+American Army as auxiliaries, were the chief actors in this massacre, and
+displayed their usual barbarous ferocity. It affords a remarkable
+illustration of the savage character, that the whole of this bloody scene
+passed in the most perfect silence on the part of the Indians: there was
+no outcry, no supplication for mercy: each man met his fate without
+uttering a word, singly defending himself to the last. The lives of the
+women and children were spared, but many of the boys were killed in the
+action, fighting bravely in the ranks with their fathers and elder
+brothers. My Tenessee friend received four arrows from the bows of these
+juvenile warriors, while in the act of mounting the breast-work.</p>
+
+<p>"In hearing such a story, it is impossible not to be touched with a
+feeling of sympathy for a high-minded but expiring people, thus gallantly
+but vainly contending, against an overwhelming force, for their native
+woods, and their name as a Nation; or to refrain from lamenting that the
+settlement of the New World cannot be accomplished at a less price than
+the destruction of the original and rightful proprietors of the soil."</p>
+
+
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">The End of Part I.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>The Life and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.</h1>
+
+<h2>Part II.</h2>
+
+<h3>By John Galt, Esq.</h3>
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">To Simon M'Gillivray, Esq.<br />
+This Work<br />
+Is inscribed, with every sentiment of esteem, by the Author.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Preface.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p>Nearly the whole of this work was printed during the last illness of Mr.
+West. The manuscript had long previously been read to him. My custom was,
+to note down those points which seemed, in our conversations, to bear on
+his biography, and, from time to time, to submit an entire chapter to his
+perusal; afterwards, when the whole narrative was formed, it was again
+carefully read over to him. Still, however, I am apprehensive that some
+mistakes in the orthography of names may have been committed; for although
+the same custom was strictly observed in preparing the manuscript of the
+first part of his Memoirs for the press, yet, in perusing the proofs, he
+found several errors of that kind. It was intended that he should have
+read the proofs of this part also, but the progress of his disease
+unfortunately rendered it impracticable.</p>
+
+<p>
+J.G.</p>
+
+<p><i>30th March, 1820</i>.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Introduction.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p>Although Mr. West was, strictly speaking, a self-taught artist, yet it
+must be allowed that in his education he enjoyed great and singular
+advantages. A strong presentiment was cherished in his family, that he
+would prove an extraordinary man, and his first rude sketch in childhood
+was hailed as an assurance of the fulfilment of the prediction of
+Peckover. The very endeavours of his boyish years were applauded as
+successful attainments; no domestic prejudices were opposed to the
+cultivation of his genius; even the religious principles of the community
+in which he lived were bent in his favour, from a persuasion that he was
+endowed by Heaven with a peculiar gift; and whatever the defects of his
+early essays may have been, it was not one of the least advantageous
+circumstances of his youth, that they were seen only by persons, who,
+without being competent judges of them, as works of art, were yet
+possessed of such a decided superiority of intellect, that their
+approbation in any case would have been esteemed great praise.</p>
+
+<p>The incidents attending his voyage to Italy, and his introduction to the
+artists, virtuosi, and travellers at Rome, were still more auspicious.
+Taken in connection with his previous history, they form one of the most
+remarkable illustrations of the doctrine of fortune, or destiny, that is
+to be found in authentic biography. Without any knowledge of his abilities
+or acquirements, his arrival in the capital of Christendom, the seat of
+the arts, was regarded as an interesting event: his person was
+contemplated as an object of curiosity; and a strong disposition to
+applaud his productions, was excited by the mere accident of his having
+come from America to study the fine arts. A prepossession so extraordinary
+has no parallel. It would almost seem, as if there had been some
+arrangement in the order of things that would have placed Mr. West in the
+first class of artists, although he had himself mistaken the workings of
+ambition for the consciousness of talent. Many men of no inconsiderable
+fame have set out in their career with high expectations in their favour;
+but few, of whom such hopes were entertained, have, by a succession of
+works, in which the powers of the mind were seemingly unfolded with more
+and more energy, so long continued to justify the presentiments of his
+early friends. It is not, however, the object of this undertaking to form
+any estimate of the genius of Mr. West, or of the merits of his works;
+another opportunity, distinct from his memoirs, will be taken for that
+purpose; but only to resume the narrative of his progress, in his
+profession, by which it will appear that a series of circumstances no less
+curious than those which tended to make him an artist, facilitated his
+success, and placed him in that precise station in society, where, in this
+country, at the time, there was the only chance of profitable employment
+as an historical painter.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Contents.</h1>
+
+<h2>Part II.</h2>
+
+
+
+<p><a href="#2-1">Chap. I.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen.--Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote of
+    a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--Mr. West's Marriage.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-2">Chap. II.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The
+    Altar-piece of St. Stephen's Walbrook.--State of public Taste with
+    respect to the Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-3">Chap. III.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen,--The
+    King employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater.--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-4">Chap. IV.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-5">Chap. V.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The Opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-6">Chap. VI.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius,--Of
+    Lachlan McLean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his Opinion.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-7">Chap. VII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of
+    the American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-8">Chap. VIII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-9">Chap. IX.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-10">Chap. X.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Discourse to the Academy in 1797--- On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks
+    in Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Draiwing.--Of
+    Light and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.--Illustration.--Of the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine
+    Pictures.--Of Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from
+    Sketching.--and of the Advantage of being familiar with the
+    Characteristics of Objects in Nature.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-11">Chap. XI.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-12">Chap. XII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-13">Chap. XIII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin of
+    the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-14">Chap. XIV.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Intrigues respecting
+    the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#append">Appendix.</a></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>The Life and Works of Benjamin West</h1>
+
+<h2>Part II.</h2>
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-1"></a>Chap. I.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen,--- Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote
+    of a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--- Mr West's Marriage.</blockquote>
+
+<p>Mr. West arrived in England on the 20th of August, 1763. The sentiments
+with which he approached the shores of this island, were those of a
+stranger visiting interesting scenes, mingled with something of the
+solicitude and affections of a traveller returning home. He had no
+intention of remaining in London: he was only desirous to see the country
+of his ancestors, and his mind, in consequence, was more disengaged from
+professional feelings than at any period from that in which his genius
+was first awakened. He considered his visit to England as devoted to
+social leisure, the best kind of repose after mental exertion; but the
+good fortune which had hitherto attended him in so remarkable a manner,
+still followed him, and frustrated the intentions with which he was at
+that time actuated.</p>
+
+<p>Those who have at all attended to what was then the state of the arts in
+this country, and more particularly to the relative condition of artists
+in society, and who can compare them with the state of both at the present
+period, will not hesitate to regard the arrival of Mr. West as an
+important event. In the sequel of this work, it may be necessary to allude
+to the moral and political causes which affect the progress of the fine
+arts, and opportunities will, in consequence, arise to show how meanly
+they were considered, how justly, indeed, it may be said, they were
+rejected, not only by the British public in general, but even by the
+nobility. A few eminent literary characters were sensible of their
+importance, and lamented the neglect to which they were consigned; but the
+great body of the intelligent part of the nation neither felt their
+influence, nor were aware of their importance to the commerce and renown
+of the kingdom. Artists stood, if possible, lower in the scale of society
+than actors; for Garrick had redeemed the profession of the latter from
+the degradation to which it had been consigned from the time of the
+Commonwealth; but Reynolds, although in high repute as a portrait-painter,
+and affecting a gentlemanly liberality in the style of his living, was not
+so eminently before the public eye as to induce any change of the same
+consequence towards his profession.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West found, on his arrival in London, several American families who
+had come across the Atlantic after the peace to visit their relations,
+and he had the unexpected pleasure of hearing that Mr. William Allen,
+Governor Hamilton, and Dr. Smith, his earliest friends and patrons, were
+in this country.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Allen, like many others in the colonies at that time, was both a
+professional man and a merchant. He held indeed the dignified office of
+chief justice in Pennsylvania, and was a person of powerful and extensive
+connections in the mother-country. Hamilton, who had been many years
+governor, was chiefly indebted to him for the rank which he enjoyed, in
+consequence of having married his sister.</p>
+
+<p>The naval and military officers who had occasion, during the war, to visit
+Philadelphia, found in the houses of the governor and Mr. Allen a cordial
+hospitality which they never forgot. Many of these officers were related
+to persons of distinction in London, and being anxious to testify to the
+Americans their grateful sense of the kindness which they had experienced,
+rendered the strangers objects of hospitable solicitude and marked respect
+in the first circles of the metropolis. Mr. West, accordingly, on his
+arrival, participated in the advantages of their favourable reception,
+and before he was known as an artist, frequented the parties of several of
+the highest characters in the state.</p>
+
+<p>His first excursion from London was to Hampton Court to see the Cartoons
+of Raphael. Soon after, he visited Oxford, Blenheim, and Corsham; whence
+he proceeded to Bath, where Mr. Allen was at that time residing. Here he
+remained about a month; and in returning to town made a short tour, in the
+course of which he inspected the collections of art at Storehead,
+Fonthill, Wilton House, the Cathedral of Salisbury, and the Earl of
+Radnor's seat at Longford. At Reading he staid some time with his
+half-brother, Mr. Thomas West, the eldest son of his father. When he
+returned to London he was introduced by Mr. Patoune, his travelling
+companion from Rome, to Reynolds, and a friendship commenced between them
+which was only broken by death. He also, much about the same time, formed
+an acquaintance with Mr. Richard Wilson, the landscape painter, to whom
+indeed he had brought very warm letters of introduction, from some of
+that great artist's friends and admirers in Italy.</p>
+
+<p>The first lodgings which Mr. West occupied, in his professional capacity,
+were in Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, where, when it was understood that
+he intended to practise, he was visited by all the artists of eminence
+then in London, and welcomed among them with a cordiality that reflected
+great honour on the generosity of their dispositions. In this house the
+first picture which he painted in England was executed. The subject was
+Angelica and Medora, which, with the Cymon and Iphiginia, painted at
+Rome, and a portrait of General Moncton, (who acquired so much celebrity
+by his heroic conduct as second in command under General Wolfe at
+Quebec,) by the advice of Reynolds and Wilson, he sent to the exhibition
+in Spring Gardens in 1764.</p>
+
+<p>While he was engaged on the picture of Angelica and Medora, Dr. Markham,
+then Master of Westminster-School, paid him a visit and invited him to a
+dinner, at which he introduced him to Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke; Mr.
+Chracheroide, and Mr. Dyer. On being introduced to Burke he was so much
+surprised by the resemblance which that gentleman bore to the chief of the
+Benedictine monks at Parma, that when he spoke he could scarcely persuade
+himself he was not the same person. This resemblance was not accidental;
+the Protestant orator was, indeed, the brother of the monk.</p>
+
+<p>It always appeared to Mr. West that there was about Mr. Burke a degree of
+mystery, connected with his early life, which their long intercourse,
+subsequent to the introduction at Dr. Markham's, never tended to explain.
+He never spoke of any companions of his boyhood, nor seemed to have any of
+those pleasing recollections of the heedless and harmless days of youth,
+which afford to most men of genius some of the finest lights and breaks of
+their fancy; and his writings corroborate the observation. For, although
+no prose writer ever wrote more like a poet than this celebrated man, his
+imagery is principally drawn from general nature or from art, and but
+rarely from any thing local or particular.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation after dinner chiefly turned, on American subjects, in
+which Mr. Burke, as may well be supposed, took a distinguished part, and
+not more delighted the Artist with the rich variety and affluence of his
+mind, than surprised him by the correct circumstantiality of his
+descriptions; so much so, that he was never able to divest himself of an
+impression received on this occasion, that Mr. Burke had actually been in
+America, and visited the scenes, and been familiar with many of the places
+which he so minutely seemed to recollect. Upon a circumstance so singular,
+and so much at variance with all that has hitherto been said respecting
+the early history of this eminent person, it is needless to dilate. The
+wonder which it may excite I have no means of allaying; but I should not
+omit to mention here, when Mr. Burke was informed that Mr. West was a
+Quaker, that he observed, he had always regarded it among the most
+fortunate circumstances of his life, that his first preceptor was a
+member of the Society of Friends.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Markham in 1765 introduced Mr. West to Dr. Newton, Bishop of Bristol,
+Dr. Johnson, Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. Drummond, Archbishop of York.
+Dr. Newton engaged him to paint the Parting of Hector and Andromache, and
+afterwards sat to him for his portrait, in the back ground of which a
+sketch of this picture was introduced: and for the Bishop of Worcester he
+painted the Return of the Prodigal Son. The encouragement which he thus
+received from these eminent divines was highly creditable to their taste
+and liberality, and is in honourable contrast to the negligence with which
+all that concerned the fine arts were treated by the nobility and opulent
+gentry. It is, however, necessary to mention one illustrious exception.
+Lord Rockingham offered Mr. West a regular, permanent engagement of &pound;700
+per annum to paint historical subjects for his mansion in Yorkshire: but
+the Artist on consulting his friends found them unanimously of opinion,
+that although the prospect of encouragement which had opened to him ought
+to make him resolve to remain in England, he should not confine himself to
+the service of one patron, but trust to the public. The result of this
+conversation was a communication to Dr. Smith and Mr. Allen, of the
+attachment he had formed for the lady whom he afterwards married, and that
+it was his intention to return to America in order to be united to her. In
+consequence of this, an arrangement took place, by which the father of Mr.
+West came over to this country with the bride, and the marriage was
+solemnised on the 2d of September, 1765, in the church of St. Martin in
+the Fields.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-2"></a>Chap. II.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The Altarpiece
+    of St. Stephens, Walbrook.--State of public Taste with respect to the
+    Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.</blockquote>
+
+<p>In Archbishop Drummond Mr. West found one of the most active and efficient
+patrons that he had yet met with. This eminent prelate was esteemed, by
+all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance, for a peculiar dignity
+of mind, and a liberality of sentiment that reflected lustre on his
+exalted rank. He had in his youth travelled on the Continent, and
+possessing an innate sensibility to the moral influence of the fine arts,
+had improved his natural taste by a careful inspection of every celebrated
+work to which he could obtain access. He lamented that in this great,
+flourishing, and triumphant nation, no just notion of the value of the
+fine arts was entertained; and on all occasions, when a suitable
+opportunity presented itself, he never failed to state this opinion, and
+to endeavour to impress it on others. He frequently invited Mr. West to
+his table; and the Artist remarked that he seemed to turn the conversation
+on the celebrity which the patronage of the arts had in all ages reflected
+on the most illustrious persons and families, addressing himself with
+particular emphasis to his sons. In the course of one of these
+conversations, he engaged Mr. West to paint for him the story of Agrippina
+landing with the ashes of Germanicus, and sent one of the young gentlemen
+to the library for the volume in which Tacitus describes the
+circumstances. Having read the passage, he commented on it at some length,
+in order to convey to Mr. West an idea of the manner in which he was
+desirous the subject should be treated.</p>
+
+<p>The painter, on returning home, felt his imagination so much excited by
+the historian's description, and the remarks of the Archbishop, that he
+immediately began to compose a sketch for the picture, and finished it
+before going to bed. Next morning he carried it to His Grace, who, equally
+surprised and delighted to find his own conception so soon embodied in a
+visible form, requested the Artist to proceed without delay in the
+execution of the picture.</p>
+
+<p>In the interim, the Archbishop endeavoured, by all the means in his power,
+to procure encouragement for Mr. West to devote himself exclusively to
+historical composition; and with this view he set on foot a scheme to
+raise three thousand guineas to constitute a fund, which would be a
+sufficient inducement for the Artist, in the first instance, to forego, at
+least for a time, the drudgery of portrait painting. But the attempt
+failed: so little was the public disposed to patronise historical subjects
+from the pencil of a living artist, that after fifteen hundred pounds were
+subscribed, it was agreed to relinquish the undertaking. As this fact is
+important to the history of the progress of the arts in this country, I
+present my readers with a copy of the subscription-paper, with the names
+and amount of the sums attached to them, by the respective subscribers,</p>
+
+<p>In 1766 Mr. West made a proposal to his friend Bishop Newton, who was then
+Dean of St. Paul's, to present a gratuitous offering to the Cathedral, by
+painting a religious subject to fill one of the large spaces which the
+architect of the building had allotted for the reception of pictures; and
+speaking on the design one day after dinner at the Bishop's when Reynolds
+was present, he said that the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai would make
+an appropriate subject. Reynolds was delighted with the idea of decorating
+St. Paul's by the voluntary offerings of artists, and offered to paint a
+Nativity as his contribution. A formal proposal was in consequence made to
+the Dean and Chapter, who embraced it with much satisfaction. But Dr.
+Terrick, the Bishop, felt some degree of jealousy at the design being
+adopted, without consulting him, and set himself so decidedly against it
+that it was necessarily abandoned. Dr. Newtorn had, in his capacity of
+Dean, obtained (without reflecting that Terrick had a veto over all) the
+consent of the other curators of the Cathedral, namely, of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the King. "But," exclaimed Dr. Terrick,
+with the energy of an ancient martyr, "I have heard of the proposition,
+and as I am head of the Cathedral of the metropolis, I will not suffer the
+doors to be opened to introduce popery." It is to be hoped that the
+declaration proceeded from the fear implied, and not because Dr. Newton
+omitted to ask his consent before applying to the King and the Archbishop.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West was, however, too deeply impressed with the advantage which would
+accrue to the arts by inducing the guardians of the Church to allow the
+introduction of pictures, to be discouraged by the illiberality of the
+Bishop of London. He therefore made a proposal to paint an Altar-piece for
+the beautiful church of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and it was accepted. In
+the same year his friend, Mr. Wilcox, gave him a commission to execute
+another sacred subject, which he presented to the Cathedral of Rochester,
+and it is placed over the communion-table. In these biographical sketches
+it cannot be expected that a history of all Mr. West's numerous works
+should be related. It is the history of the Artist, not of his works, that
+is here written; and, therefore, except where the incidents connected with
+them are illustrative of the state of public feeling towards the arts, it
+is unnecessary to be more particular. I have, however, prepared a complete
+catalogue of his designs, with such remarks concerning them as must
+satisfy any want that may be felt by this systematic omission in the
+narrative. I should, however, mention that, in this stage of his career,
+the two of his earliest pictures, which attracted the greatest share of
+public attention, were <i>the Orestes and Pylades</i>, and <i>the Continence of
+Scipio</i>. He had undertaken them on speculation, and the applause which
+they obtained, when finished, were an assurance of his success and reward.
+His house was daily thronged with the opulent and the curious to see them;
+statesmen sent for them to their offices; princes to their bedchambers,
+and all loudly expressed their approbation, but not one ever enquired the
+price; and his imagination, which had been elevated in Italy to emulate
+the conceptions of those celebrated men who have given a second existence
+to the great events of religion, history, and poetry, was allowed in
+England to languish over the unmeaning faces of portrait-customers. It
+seemed to be thought that the genius of the Artist could in no other way
+be encouraged, than by his friends sitting for their own likenesses, and
+paying liberally for them. The moral influence of the art was unfelt and
+unknown; nor can a more impressive instance of this historical truth be
+adduced, than the following anecdote of Hogarth, which Garrick himself
+related to Mr. West.</p>
+
+<p>When that artist had published the plates of the Election, he wished to
+dispose of the paintings, and proposed to do so by a raffle of two hundred
+chances, at two guineas the stake; to be determined on an appointed day.
+Among a small number of subscribers, not half what Hogarth expected,
+Garrick had put down his name; and when the day arrived he went to the
+artist's house to throw for his chance. After waiting a considerable time
+no other person appeared, and Hogarth felt this neglect not only as
+derogatory to his profession, but implying that the subscription had
+something in it of a mendicant character. Vexed by such a mortifying
+result of a plan which he had sanguinely hoped would prove, at least, a
+morning's amusement to the fashionable subscribers, he insisted that, as
+they had not attended, nor even sent any request to him to throw for them,
+that Garrick should go through the formality of throwing the dice; but
+only for himself. The actor for some time opposed the irritated artist;
+but at last consented. Instead, however, of allowing Hogarth to send them
+home, he begged that they might be carefully packed up, until his servant
+should call for them; and on returning to his house, he dispatched a note
+to the painter, stating that he could not persuade himself to remove works
+so valuable and admired, without acquitting his conscience of an
+obligation due to the author and to his own good fortune in obtaining
+them. And knowing the humour of the person he addressed, and that if he
+had sent a cheque for the money it would in all probability be returned,
+he informed him that he had transferred two hundred guineas at his
+bankers, which would remain at the disposal of Hogarth or his heirs,
+whether it was or was not then accepted. The charge of habitual parsimony
+against Garrick was not well founded; and this incident shows that he knew
+when to be properly munificent. In the acquisition and management of his
+affluent fortune, it would have been more correct to have praised him for
+a judicious system of economy, than to have censured him for meanness. It
+ought to have been considered, that he was professionally required to deal
+with a class of persons not famed for prudence in pecuniary concerns, and
+to whom the methodical disbursements of most private gentlemen would
+probably have appeared penurious.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-3"></a>Chap. III.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen.--The King
+    employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater,--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.</blockquote>
+
+<p>The coldness with which Archbishop Drummond's scheme for raising three
+thousand guineas had been received by the persons to whom he had applied,
+and the prejudice which he found almost universally entertained against
+the efforts of living genius, chagrined him exceedingly. He regarded the
+failure as a stigma on the age, and on his country; and, as a public man,
+he thought it affected himself personally. With this feeling, he declared
+to the gentlemen who had exerted themselves in the business, that he saw
+no way of engrafting a taste for the fine arts on the British public,
+unless the King could be so far engaged in the attempt, as to make it
+fashionable to employ living artists, according to the bent of their
+respective talents. But, about this period, the affair of Wilkes agitated
+the nation; and the Duke of Portland and Lord Rockingham, who were among
+the most strenuous of Mr. West's friends, being both of the Whig party,
+undervalued the importance attached to His Majesty's influence and
+countenance. The Archbishop was not, however, discouraged by their
+political prejudices; on the contrary, he thought that His Majesty was one
+of those characters who require to be personally interested in what it is
+desired they should undertake; and he resolved to make the attempt. The
+address with which His Grace managed the business, evinced great knowledge
+of human nature, and affords a pleasing view of the ingenuousness of the
+King's disposition.</p>
+
+<p>When the picture of Agrippina was finished, the Archbishop invited the
+most distinguished artists and amateurs to give him their opinion of the
+work; and satisfied by the approbation which they all expressed, he went
+to court, and took an opportunity of speaking on the subject to the King,
+informing His Majesty, at the same time, of all the circumstances
+connected with the history of the composition; and on what principle he
+had always turned his conversations with Mr. West to excite an interest
+for the promotion of the arts in the minds of his family. The dexterity
+with which he recapitulated these details produced the desired effect. The
+curiosity of the King was roused, and he told the Archbishop that he would
+certainly send for the Artist and the picture.</p>
+
+<p>This conversation probably lasted longer than the usual little
+reciprocities of the drawing-room; for it occasioned a very amusing
+instance of female officiousness. A lady of distinguished rank, having
+overheard what passed, could not resist the delightful temptation of being
+the first to communicate to Mr. West the intelligence of the honour that
+awaited him. On quitting the palace, instead of returning home, she went
+directly to his house, and, without disclosing her name, informed him of
+the whole particulars of the conversation which had passed between the
+Archbishop and the King. In the evening, Barnard, who had been an
+attendant on the King from the cradle, and who was not more attached to
+His Majesty, than he was himself in return affectionately beloved, came to
+Mr. West, and requested him to be in attendance next morning at the
+Queen's house, with the picture of Agrippina. In delivering the message,
+this faithful servant was prompted by his own feelings to give the Artist
+some idea of His Majesty's real character, which at that time was very
+much misrepresented to the public; and Mr. West during the long term of
+forty years of free and confidential intercourse with the King, found the
+account of Barnard to be in every essential and particular point correct.</p>
+
+<p>The King was described to him as a young man of great simplicity and
+candour of disposition, sedate in his affections, and deeply impressed
+with the sanctity of principle; scrupulous in forming private friendships;
+but, when he had taken any attachment, not easily swayed from it, without
+being convinced of the necessity and propriety of so doing.</p>
+
+<p>At the time appointed, Mr. West was in attendance with the picture; and
+His Majesty came into the room where he was waiting. After looking at it
+some time with much apparent satisfaction, he enquired if it was in a
+proper light; and, on being told that the situation was certainly not the
+most advantageous, he conducted the Artist through several apartments
+himself, till a more satisfactory place was found. He then called several
+of the domestics into the room, and, indeed, assisted them himself to
+remove the picture. When the servants had retired, and he had satisfied
+himself with looking at it, he went out of the apartment and brought in
+the Queen, to whom he introduced the Artist with so much warmth, that Mr.
+West felt it at the moment as something that might be described as
+friendliness.</p>
+
+<p>The Queen, though at this period very young, possessed a natural
+graciousness of manner, which her good sense and the consciousness of her
+dignity rendered peculiarly pleasing; so that our Artist was not only
+highly gratified by the unexpected honour of this distinguished
+introduction, but delighted with the affability and sweetness of her
+disposition.</p>
+
+<p>When Their Majesties had examined the picture, the King observed that he
+understood the same subject had seldom been properly treated. Mr. West
+answered, that it was, indeed, surprising it should have been neglected by
+Poussin, who was so well qualified to have done it justice, and to whose
+genius it was in so many respects so well adapted. His Majesty then told
+the Queen the history of the picture before them, dwelling with some
+expressions of admiration on the circumstance of the sketch having been
+made in the course of one evening after the artist had taken coffee with
+the Archbishop of York, and shown to His Grace the next morning. Turning
+briskly round to Mr. West, he said, "There is another noble Roman subject
+which corresponds to this one, and I believe it also has never been well
+painted; I mean the final departure of Regulus from Rome. Don't you think
+it would make a fine picture?" The Artist replied, that it was undoubtedly
+a magnificent subject. "Then," said His Majesty, "you shall paint it for
+me;" and, ringing the bell in the same moment, ordered the attendant who
+answered to bring the volume of Livy in which the event is related,
+observing to the Queen, in a sprightly manner, that the Archbishop had
+made one of his sons read to Mr. West; but "I will read to him myself the
+subject of my picture;" which, on the return of the servant with the book,
+he did accordingly. And the Artist was commanded to come with the sketch
+as soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p>The Archbishop was highly delighted at the successful result of his
+scheme, and augured from the event the happiest influence to the progress
+of the arts; nor has his patriotic anticipations been unrewarded; for,
+without question, so great and so eminent a taste for the fine arts as
+that which has been diffused throughout the nation, during the reign of
+George the Third, was never before produced in the life-time of one
+monarch, in any age or country.</p>
+
+<p>But in relating the different incidents which contributed to bring Mr.
+West into favourable notice, there is one of a peculiar nature, which
+should not be omitted. During winter, at Philadelphia, skating was one of
+the favourite amusements of the youth of that city, and many of them
+excelled in that elegant exercise. Mr. West, when a boy, had, along with
+his companions, acquired considerable facility in the art; and having
+become exceedingly fond of it, made himself, as he grew up to manhood, one
+of the most accomplished skaters in America. Some of the officers at that
+time quartered there, also practised the amusement; and, among others,
+Colonel Howe, who afterwards succeeded to the title of his elder brother,
+and who, under the name of General Howe, is so well known in the
+disastrous transactions of the subsequent civil war, which ended in
+establishing the independence of the United States. In the course of the
+winter preceding Mr. West's departure for Italy, they had become
+acquainted on the ice.
+
+In Italy Mr. West had no opportunity of skating; but when he reached
+Lombardy, where he saw so much beautiful frozen water, he regretted that
+he had not brought his skates with him from America. The winter, however,
+which succeeded his arrival in England, proved unusually severe; and one
+morning, when he happened to take a walk in St. James's park, he was
+surprised to see a great concourse of the populace assembled on the canal.
+He stopped to look at them, and seeing a person who lent skates on hire,
+he made choice of a pair, and went on the ice. A gentleman who had
+observed his movements, came up to him as he retired to unbuckle the
+skates, and said, "I perceive, Sir, you are a stranger, and do not perhaps
+know that there are much better places than this for the exercise of
+skating. The Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, is far superior, and the
+basin in Kensington Gardens still more preferable. Here, only the populace
+assemble; on the Serpentine, the company, although better, is also
+promiscuous; but the persons who frequent the basin in the Gardens are
+generally of the rank of gentlemen, and you will be less annoyed among
+them than at either of the other two places."</p>
+
+<p>In consequence of this information, on the day following, Mr. West
+resolved to visit the Gardens; and, in going along Piccadilly with that
+intention, bought a pair of skates, which, on reaching the margin of the
+ice, he put on, After a few trial-movements on the skirts of the basin,
+like a musician tuning his violin before attempting a regular piece of
+composition, he dashed off into the middle of the company, and performed
+several rounds in the same style which he had often practised in America.
+While engaged in this manner, a gentleman called to him by name; and, on
+stopping, he found it was his old acquaintance Colonel Howe.</p>
+
+<p>The Colonel immediately came up, and exclaimed, "Mr. West, I am truly glad
+to see you in this country, and at this time. I have not heard of you
+since we parted on the wharf at Philadelphia, when you sailed for Italy;
+but I have often since had occasion to recollect you. I am, therefore,
+particularly glad to see you here, and on the ice; for you must know that,
+in speaking of the American skaters, it has been alleged, that I have
+learnt to draw the long bow among them; but you are come in a lucky moment
+to vindicate my veracity."</p>
+
+<p>He then called to him Lord Spencer Hamilton, and some of the Cavendishes,
+who were also on the ice, and introduced Mr. West to them as one of the
+American skaters, of whom they had heard him so often speak, and would not
+credit what he had said of their performance; and he requested Mr. West to
+show them what, in Philadelphia, was called the Salute. Mr. West had been
+so long out of practice, that he was at first diffident of attempting this
+difficult and graceful movement: but, after a few trials, and feeling
+confidence in himself, he at last performed it with complete success. Out
+of this trivial incident, an acquaintance arose between him and the young
+noblemen present. They spoke of his talents as a skater; and their praise,
+in all their usual haunts, had such an effect, that, in the course of a
+few days, prodigious crowds of the fashionable world, and of all
+descriptions of people, assembled to see the American skater. When it was
+afterwards known to the public that he was an artist, many of the
+spectators called at his rooms; and he, perhaps, received more
+encouragement as a portrait-painter on account of his accomplishment as a
+skater, than he could have hoped for by any ordinary means to obtain.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-4"></a>Chap. IV.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.</blockquote>
+
+<p>The King, at the period when he was pleased to take Mr. West under his own
+particular patronage, possessed great conversational powers, and a
+considerable tincture of humour. He had read much, and his memory was
+singularly exact and tenacious: his education had, indeed, been conducted
+with great prudence, and, independent of a much larger stock of literary
+information than is commonly acquired by princes, he was fairly entitled
+to be regarded as an accomplished gentleman. For the fine arts he had not,
+perhaps, any natural taste; he had, however, been carefully instructed in
+the principles of architecture by Chambers, of delineation by Moser, and
+of perspective by Kirby; and he was fully aware of the lustre which the
+arts have, in all ages, reflected on the different countries in which the
+cultivation of them has been encouraged to perpetuate the memory of great
+events. His employment of Mr. West, although altogether in his private
+capacity, was therefore not wholly without a view to the public advantage,
+and it is the more deserving of applause, as it was rather the result of
+principle than of personal predilection.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. West had made a sketch for the Regulus, and submitted it to His
+Majesty, after some conversation, as to the dimensions, the King fixed on
+an advantageous part of the walls in one of the principal apartments, and
+directed that the picture should be painted of a size sufficient to fill
+the whole space. During the time that the work was going on, the Artist
+was frequently invited to spend the evening at Buckingham-house, where he
+was often detained by the King as late as eleven o'clock, on topics
+connected with the best means of promoting the study of the fine arts in
+the kingdom. It was in these conversations that the plan of the Royal
+Academy was digested; but it is necessary to state more particularly the
+different circumstances which co-operated at this period to the formation
+of that valuable institution.</p>
+
+<p>At the annual exhibitions of the paintings and drawings, which obtained
+the premiums of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Agriculture,
+and Commerce, it was then customary with artists to send occasionally
+their works to be exhibited with those of the competitors, as a convenient
+method of making themselves known to the public. But the visitors hearing
+from the newspapers only of the pictures which had gained the prizes,
+concluded that they were the best in the exhibition; and the works of the
+matured artists were overlooked in the attention paid to the efforts of
+juvenile emulation. This neglect mortified the artists, and induced them
+to form themselves into an association for the exhibition of their own
+productions. The novelty of this plan attracted much attention, and
+answered the expectations of those with whom it originated. Such was the
+state of things with the artists when Mr. West came to England; and to the
+first exhibition, after his arrival, he sent, as I have already mentioned,
+three pictures. The approbation which these works obtained, induced the
+association to elect him one of the directors, and he held this situation
+till, the society beginning to grow rich by the receipts of the
+exhibitions, the management of its concerns became an object of ambition.
+This association was incorporated in 1765, under the designation of the
+Incorporated Artists.</p>
+
+<p>Chambers and Payne, who were leading members in the Society, being both
+architects, were equally desirous that the funds should be laid out in the
+decoration of some edifice adapted to the objects of the institution. This
+occasioned so much debate, division, and rivalry, among their respective
+partisans, that Mr. West was induced to resign the office of director, and
+to withdraw along with Mr. Reynolds (afterwards Sir Joshua) and others,
+disgusted with the bickering animosities which disgraced the proceedings
+at their meetings. This transaction made some noise at the time, and it
+happened on the very day when Mr. West waited on the King, with his sketch
+of the Departure of Regulus, that the newspapers contained some account of
+the matter. His Majesty enquired the cause and particulars of the schism,
+and Mr. West, in stating what they were, mentioned that the principles of
+his religion made him regard such proceedings as exceedingly derogatory to
+the professors of the arts of peace.</p>
+
+<p>This led the King to say that he would gladly patronise any association
+which might be formed more immediately calculated to improve the arts. Mr.
+West, after retiring from the palace, communicated this to Chambers and
+Moser, and, upon conferring on the subject with Mr. Coats, it was agreed
+that the four should constitute themselves a committee of the dissenting
+artists, to draw up the plan of an academy. When this was mentioned to His
+Majesty, he not only approved of their determination, but took a great
+personal interest in the scheme, and even drew up several of the laws
+himself with his own hand. Nor should one remarkable circumstance be
+omitted; he was particularly anxious that the whole design should be kept
+a profound secret, being apprehensive that it might be converted into some
+vehicle of political influence.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time the picture of the Departure of Regulus was going
+forward, and it was finished about the time that the code of rules for the
+academy was completed. The incorporated artists were also busy, and had
+elected as their president Mr. Kirby, who had been preceptor in
+perspective to the King, and who had deservedly gained great celebrity by
+his treatise on the principles of that branch of art. Kirby, having free
+access to the royal presence, and never hearing from His Majesty any thing
+respecting the academy, was so satisfied in his own mind that the rumours,
+respecting such an institution being intended, were untrue, that, in his
+inaugural address from the chair, he assured the incorporated artists
+there was not the slightest intention entertained of establishing a Royal
+Academy of Art.</p>
+
+<p>When the Departure of Regulus was finished, the King appointed a time for
+Mr. West to bring the picture to Buckingham-house. The Artist having
+carried it there, His Majesty, after looking at it some time, went and
+brought in the Queen by the hand, and seated her in a chair, which Mr.
+West placed in the best situation for seeing the picture to advantage.
+While they were conversing on the subject, one of the pages announced Mr.
+Kirby; and the King consulted Her Majesty in German about the propriety of
+admitting him at that moment. Mr. West, by his residence among the German
+inhabitants of Lancaster in America, knew enough of the language to
+understand what they said, and the opinion of the Queen was that Kirby
+might certainly be admitted, but for His Majesty to take his own pleasure.
+The attendant was in consequence ordered to show him in, and Mr. West was
+the more pleased at this incident, as it afforded him an advantageous
+opportunity of becoming personally known to Kirby, with whom, on account
+of his excellent treatise, he had for some time been desirous to become
+acquainted.</p>
+
+<p>When Kirby looked at the picture he expressed himself with great warmth
+in its praise, enquiring by whom it had been painted; upon which the King
+introduced Mr. West to him. It would perhaps be doing injustice to say
+that the surprise with which he appeared to be affected on finding it the
+production of so young a man, had in it any mixture of sinister feeling;
+but it nevertheless betrayed him into a fatal indiscretion. As a preceptor
+to the King, he had been accustomed to take liberties which ought to have
+terminated with the duties of that office; he, however, inadvertently
+said, "Your Majesty never mentioned any thing of this work to me." The
+tone in which this was uttered evidently displeased the King, but the
+discretion of the unfortunate man was gone, and he enquired in a still
+more disagreeable manner, "Who made this frame?" Mr. West, anxious to turn
+the conversation, mentioned the maker's name; but this only served to
+precipitate Mr. Kirby into still greater imprudence, and he answered
+somewhat sharply, "That person is not Your Majesty's workman;" and naming
+the King's carver and gilder said, "It ought to have been made by him."
+The King appeared a good deal surprised at all this, but replied in an
+easy good-humoured way, "Kirby, whenever you are able to paint me a
+picture like this, your friend shall make the frame." The unhappy man,
+however, could not be restrained, and he turned round to Mr. West, and in
+a tone which greatly lessened the compliment the words would otherwise
+have conveyed, said, "I hope you intend to exhibit this picture." The
+Artist answered, that as it was painted for His Majesty, the exhibition
+must depend on his pleasure; but that, before retiring, it was his
+intention to ask permission for that purpose. The King immediately said,
+"Assuredly I shall be very happy to let the work be shown to the
+public."--"Then, Mr. West," added Kirby, "you will send it to my
+exhibition," (meaning to the exhibition of the Incorporated Artists).
+"No," interposed the King, firmly, "it must go to my exhibition,--to the
+Royal Academy." Poor Kirby was thunderstruck; but only two nights before,
+in the confidence of his intercourse with the King, he had declared that
+even the design of forming such an institution was not contemplated. His
+colour forsook him, and his countenance became yellow with mortification.
+He bowed with profound humility, and instantly retired, nor did he long
+survive the shock.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>On the day following, a meeting of the artists who had separated
+themselves from the incorporated association, was to be holden in the
+evening at the house of Wilton the sculptor, in order to receive the code
+of laws, and to nominate the office-bearers of the Academy. In the course
+of the morning, Mr. Penny, who was intended to be appointed professor of
+painting, called on Mr. West and mentioned that he had been with Reynolds,
+and that he thought, for some unfathomable reason or another, that
+distinguished artist would not attend the meeting. Soon after, Moser
+likewise called, and stated the same thing. Mr. West was much perplexed at
+this information; for it had been arranged with the King that Reynolds,
+although not in the secret, nor at all consulted in the formation of the
+Academy, should be the president. He therefore went immediately to his
+house, and finding him disengaged, mentioned, without alluding to what he
+had heard, the arrangements formed for instituting an academy, and that a
+meeting of thirty artists named by the King, of the forty members of which
+it was intended the Academy should consist, was that evening to take place
+at Wilton's. Reynolds was much surprised to hear matters were so far
+advanced, and explained to Mr. West that Kirby had assured him in the most
+decided manner, that there was no truth whatever in the rumour of any such
+design being in agitation, and that he thought it would be derogatory to
+attend a meeting, constituted, as Kirby represented it, by persons who had
+no sanction or authority for doing what they had undertaken. To this Mr.
+West answered, "As you have been told by Mr. Kirby that there is no
+intention to form any institution of the kind, and by me that there is,
+that even the rules are framed, and the officers condescended on, yourself
+to be president, I must insist on your going with me to the meeting, where
+you will be satisfied which of us deserves to be credited in this
+business."</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, at the usual hour, Mr. West went to take tea with
+Reynolds, before going to the meeting, and it so fell out, either from
+design or accident, that it was not served till a full hour later than
+common, not indeed till the hour fixed for the artists to assemble at
+Wilton's, so that, by the time they arrived there, the meeting was on the
+point of breaking up, conceiving that as neither Reynolds nor West had
+come, something unexpected and extraordinary must have happened. But on
+their appearing, a burst of satisfaction manifested the anxiety that had
+been felt, and without any farther delay the company proceeded to carry
+into effect the wishes of the King. The code of laws was read, and the
+gentlemen recommended by the King to fill the different offices being
+declared the officers, the code of laws was accepted. Reynolds was
+declared president, Chambers treasurer, Newton secretary, Moser keeper,
+Penny professor of painting, Wale professor of perspective, and Dr.
+William Hunter professor of anatomy. A report of the proceedings was made
+to His Majesty next morning, who gave his sanction to the election, and
+the Academy was thus constituted. The academicians afterwards met and
+chose a council to assist the president, and visitors to superintend the
+schools in three branches of art, painting, sculpture, and architecture.
+Thus, on the 10th December, 1768, under the title of the Royal Academy of
+the Arts in London, that Institution, which has done more to excite a
+taste for the fine arts in this country, than any similar institution ever
+did in any other, was finally formed and established.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-5"></a>Chap. V.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.</blockquote>
+
+<p>When the Academy was opened, the approbation which <i>the Regulus</i> received
+at the exhibition gratified the King, and he resolved to give Mr. West
+still farther encouragement. Accordingly, he soon after sent for him, and
+mentioned that he wished him to paint another picture, and that the
+subject he had chosen was Hamilcar making his son Hannibal swear
+implacable enmity against the Romans. The painting being finished it was
+earned to Buckingham-house, and His Majesty, after looking at it with
+visible satisfaction, said, that he thought Mr. West could not do better
+than provide him with suitable subjects to fill the unoccupied pannels of
+the room in which the two pictures were then placed.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>About this period, Mr. West had finished his Death of Wolfe, which excited
+a great sensation, both on account of its general merits as a work of art,
+and for representing the characters in the modern military costume. The
+King mentioned that he heard much of the picture, but he was informed that
+the dignity of the subject had been impaired by the latter circumstance;
+observing that it was thought very ridiculous to exhibit heroes in coats,
+breeches, and cock'd hats. The Artist replied, that he was quite aware of
+the objection, but that it was founded in prejudice, adding, with His
+Majesty's permission, he would relate an anecdote connected with that
+particular point.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>"When it was understood that I intended to paint the characters as they had
+actually appeared in the scene, the Archbishop of York called on Reynolds
+and asked his opinion, the result of which was that they came together to
+my house. For His Grace was apprehensive that, by persevering in my
+intention, I might lose some portion of the reputation which he was
+pleased to think I had acquired by his picture of Agrippina, and Your
+Majesty's of Regulus; and he was anxious to avert the misfortune by his
+friendly interposition. He informed me of the object of their visit, and
+that Reynolds wished to dissuade me from running so great a risk. I could
+not but feel highly gratified by so much solicitude, and acknowledged
+myself ready to attend to whatever Reynolds had to say, and even to adopt
+his advice, if it appeared to me founded on any proper principles.
+Reynolds then began a very ingenious and elegant dissertation on the state
+of the public taste in this country, and the danger which every attempt at
+innovation necessarily incurred of repulse or ridicule; and he concluded
+with urging me earnestly to adopt the classic costume of antiquity, as
+much more becoming the inherent greatness of my subject than the modern
+garb of war. I listened to him with the utmost attention in my power to
+give, but could perceive no principle in what he had delivered; only a
+strain of persuasion to induce me to comply with an existing prejudice,--a
+prejudice which I thought could not be too soon removed. When he had
+finished his discourse, I begged him to hear what I had to state in reply,
+and I began by remarking that the event intended to be commemorated took
+place on the 13th of September, 1758, in a region of the world unknown to
+the Greeks and Romans, and at a period of time when no such nations, nor
+heroes in their costume, any longer existed. The subject I have to
+represent is the conquest of a great province of America by the British
+troops. It is a topic that history will proudly record, and the same truth
+that guides the pen of the historian should govern the pencil of the
+artist. I consider myself as undertaking to tell this great event to the
+eye of the world; but if, instead of the facts of the transaction, I
+represent classical fictions, how shall I be understood by posterity! The
+only reason for adopting the Greek and Roman dresses, is the picturesque
+forms of which their drapery is susceptible; but is this an advantage for
+which all the truth and propriety of the subject should be sacrificed? I
+want to mark the date, the place, and the parties engaged in the event;
+and if I am not able to dispose of the circumstances in a picturesque
+manner, no academical distribution of Greek or Roman costume will enable
+me to do justice to the subject. However, without insisting upon
+principles to which I intend to adhere, I feel myself so profoundly
+impressed with the friendship of this interference, that when the picture
+is finished, if you do not approve of it, I will consign it to the closet,
+whatever may be my own opinion of the execution. They soon after took
+their leave, and in due time I called on the Archbishop, and fixed a day
+with him to come with Reynolds to see the painting. They came accordingly,
+and the latter without speaking, after his first cursory glance, seated
+himself before the picture, and examined it with deep and minute attention
+for about half an hour. He then rose, and said to His Grace, Mr. West has
+conquered. He has treated his subject as it ought to be treated. I retract
+my objections against the introduction of any other circumstances into
+historical pictures than those which are requisite and appropriate; and I
+foresee that this picture will not only become one of the most popular,
+but occasion a revolution in the art."</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>On Mr. West pausing, the King said, "I wish that I had known all this
+before, for the objection has been the means of Lord Grosvenor getting the
+picture; but you shall make a copy for me." His Majesty then entered into
+some further conversation respecting subjects for paintings to adorn the
+apartment; and Mr. West suggested that the Death of Epaminondas would, as
+a classic subject, and with Grecian circumstances, make a suitable
+contrast with the Death of Wolfe. The King received this idea with
+avidity; and the conversation being pursued further on the same topic, the
+Artist also proposed the Death of the Chevalier Bayard for another
+picture, which would serve to illustrate the heroism and peculiarities of
+the middle ages. Two pannels were still unprovided; and Mr. West, with
+submission to His Majesty, begged that he might be allowed to take the
+incident of Cyrus liberating the Family of the King of Armenia for the
+one, and of Segestus, and his daughter, brought before Germanicus, for
+the other. The King was much pleased with the latter idea; a notion being
+entertained by some antiquaries that the Hanoverian family are the
+descendants of the daughter.</p>
+
+<p>During the time that our Artist was engaged in these works, he was
+frequently at the palace with the King; and His Majesty always turned the
+conversation on the means of promoting the fine arts, and upon the
+principles which should govern artists in the cultivation of their genius.
+In one of these conversations, Mr. West happened to remark, that he had
+been much disgusted in Italy at seeing the base use to which the talents
+of the painters in that country had been too often employed; many of their
+noblest efforts being devoted to illustrate monkish legends, in which no
+one took any interest, while the great events in the history of their
+country were but seldom touched. This led to some further reflections; and
+the King, recollecting that Windsor-Castle had, in its present form,
+been erected by Edward the Third, said, that he thought the achievements
+of his splendid reign were well calculated for pictures, and would prove
+very suitable ornaments to the halls and chambers of that venerable
+edifice. To this incident, the arts are indebted for the series of
+pictures which bring the victories of Cressy and Poictiers, with the other
+triumphal incidents of that time, again, as it were, into form and being,
+with a veracity of historical fact and circumstance which render the
+masquerades by Vario even a greater disgrace to St. George's Hall than
+they are to the taste of the age in which they were painted.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>In the execution of these different historical subjects, the King took a
+great personal interests, and one piece became the cause of another, until
+he actually acquired a feeling like enthusiasm for the arts. When he had
+resolved to adorn Windsor-Castle with the achievements and great events of
+the reign of Edward the Third, he began to think that the tolerant temper
+of the age was favourable to the introduction of pictures into the
+churches: at the same time, his scrupulous respect for what was
+understood to be the usage, if not the law, relative to the case,
+prevented him for some time from taking any decisive step. In the course
+of different conversations with Mr. West, on this subject, he formed the
+design of erecting a magnificent oratory, or private chapel, in the Horns'
+Court of Windsor-Castle, for the purpose of displaying a pictorial
+illustration of the history of revealed religion. But, before engaging in
+this superb project, he thought it necessary to consult some eminent
+members of the Church, who enjoyed his confidence, as to the propriety of
+the design. Accordingly, he desired Mr. West to draw up a list of subjects
+from the Bible, susceptible of pictorial representation, which Christians,
+of all denominations, might contemplate without offence to their tenets;
+and he invited Dr. Hurd, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, Dr. Douglas,
+Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Windsor, and several other dignitaries,
+along with the Artist, to consider the business. He explained to the
+meeting his scruples, declaring that he did not, in a matter of this kind,
+owing to his high station in the state, feel himself a free agent; that he
+was certainly desirous of seeing the churches adorned with the endeavours
+of art, and would deem it the greatest glory of his reign to be
+distinguished, above all others in the annals of the kingdom, for the
+progress and successful cultivation of the arts of peace. "But, when I
+reflect," said His Majesty, "how the ornaments of art in the churches were
+condemned at the Reformation, and still more recently in the unhappy times
+of Charles the First, I am anxious to govern my own wishes not only by
+what is right, but by what is prudent, in this matter. If it is conceived
+that I am tacitly bound, as Head of the Church of England, to prevent any
+such ornaments from being introduced into places of worship; or if it be
+considered as at all savouring in any degree of a popish practice, however
+decidedly I may myself think it innocent, I will proceed no farther in the
+business. But, if the church may be adorned with pictures, illustrative of
+great events in the history of religion, as the Bible itself often is with
+engravings, I will gladly proceed with the execution of this design."
+Little else passed at this interview; but he requested the churchmen to
+examine the matter thoroughly; and appointed a particular day for them to
+report to him the result of their investigation: presenting to them, at
+the same time, a paper, containing a list of thirty-five subjects which he
+had formed with the Artist, for the decorations of the intended chapel.</p>
+
+<p>On the day appointed, Mr. West again met those eminent members of the
+hierarchy in the royal presence: when Dr. Hurd reported to His Majesty,
+that they had very seriously considered the important business which had
+been confided to them; that, having bestowed on it their gravest
+attention, they were unanimously of opinion, that the introduction of
+paintings into the chapel, which His Majesty intended to erect, would, in
+no respect whatever, violate the laws or usages of the Church of England;
+and that, having examined the list of subjects, which he proposed should
+constitute the decorations, there was not one of them, but, which properly
+treated, even a Quaker might contemplate with edification. This
+inadvertent observation attracted the King's attention; and he said, that
+the Quakers were a body of Christians for whom he entertained the very
+highest respect, and that he thought, but for the obligations of his
+birth, he should himself have been a Quaker; and he particularly enlarged
+on their peaceful demeanour and benevolence towards one another.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>The result of this conference was, that Mr. West immediately received
+instructions to make designs from the list of subjects; and afterwards
+with the King himself, he assisted to form an architectural plan of the
+chapel, which it was proposed should be ninety feet in length by fifty in
+breadth. When some progress had been made in the paintings, Mr. Wyat, who
+had succeeded Sir William Chambers as the royal architect, received orders
+to carry this plan into execution; and the grand flight of steps in the
+great staircase, executed by that architect, was designed to lead
+immediately to a door which should open into the royal closet, in the new
+chapel of REVEALED RELIGION.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-6"></a>Chap. VI.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius.--Of
+    Lachlan M'Lean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his opinion.</blockquote>
+
+<p>By the eminent station which Mr. West has so long held among the artists,
+and admirers of the fine arts, in this country, he became personally
+acquainted with almost every literary man of celebrity; and being for many
+years a general visitor at the literary club, immortalised as the haunt of
+Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Goldsmith, and Reynolds, he acquired, without
+particularly attending to the literature of the day, an extensive
+acquaintance with the principal topics which, from time to time, engaged
+the attention of men of letters. An incident, however, of a curious
+nature, has brought him to be a party, in some degree, with the singular
+question respecting the mysterious author of the celebrated letters of
+Junius. On the morning that the first of these famous invectives appeared,
+his friend Governor Hamilton happened to call, and enquiring the news, Mr.
+West informed him of that bold and daring epistle: ringing for his servant
+at the same time, he desired the newspaper to be brought in. Hamilton read
+it over with great attention, and when he had done, laid it on his knees,
+in a manner that particularly attracted the notice of the painter, who was
+standing at his easel. "This letter," said Hamilton, in a tone of vehement
+feeling, "is by that damned scoundrel M'Lean."--"What M'Lean?" enquired
+Mr. West.--"The surgeon of Otway's regiment: the fellow who attacked me so
+virulently in the Philadelphian newspaper, on account of the part I felt
+it my duty to take, against one of the officers, a captain, for a
+scandalous breach of the privileges of hospitality, in seducing the wife
+of a very respectable man. This letter is by him. I know these very words:
+I may well remember them," and he read over several phrases and sentences
+which M'Lean had employed against him. Mr. West then informed the
+Governor, that M'Lean was in this country, and that he was personally
+acquainted with him. "He came over," said Mr. West, "with Colonel Barry,
+by whom he was introduced to Lord Shelburn, (afterwards Marquis of
+Lansdowne,) and is at present private secretary to His Lordship."</p>
+
+<p>Throughout the progress of the controversy with Junius, Hamilton remained
+firm in his opinion, that the author was no other than the same Lachlan
+M'Lean, but at the literary club the general opinion ascribed the letters
+for some time to Samuel Dyer. The sequel of this anecdote is curious.
+M'Lean, owing to a great impediment in his utterance, never made any
+figure in conversation; and passed with most people as a person of no
+particular attainments. But when Lord Shelburn came into office, he was
+appointed Under Secretary of State, and subsequently nominated to a
+Governorship in India: a rapidity of promotion to a man without family or
+parliamentary interest, that can only be explained by a profound
+conviction, on the part of his patron, of his superior talents, and
+perhaps, also, from a strong sense of some peculiar obligation. M'Lean
+sailed for India in the Aurora frigate, and was lost, in the wreck of
+that ship, on the coast of Africa. That the letters of Junius were not
+ascribed to him by any party is not surprising, for his literary talents
+were unknown to the public; but the general opinion of all men at the
+time was that they were the production of some person in connection with
+Lord Shelburn.</p>
+
+<p>Upon this subject, I hold no particular opinion of my own; nor, indeed,
+should I have perhaps noticed the circumstance at all, but for a recent
+most ingenious publication which has ascribed these celebrated letters to
+the late Sir Philip Francis. One thing, however, merits attention in this
+curious controversy. In the Monthly Magazine for July, 1813, there is an
+interesting account of a conversation between Sir Richard Phillips and the
+Marquis of Lansdowne on this subject; in which His Lordship speaks of the
+obligation to secrecy imposed on himself in the question as having been
+removed by death; an incidental expression that at once intimated a
+knowledge of the author, and that he was dead at the time when this
+conversation took place. The importance of the matter, as an object of
+literary curiosity, will excuse the introduction, in an abbreviated form,
+of what passed at that interview, as well as of some minor circumstances
+connected with the question.</p>
+
+<p>During the printing of Almon's edition of Junius, in which he endeavoured
+to show that the letters were written by a Mr. Walter Boyd, Sir Richard
+Phillips, the publisher of that work, sought opinions among the characters
+then surviving, whose names had been mixed with the writings of Junius;
+and he addressed himself particularly to the Duke of Grafton, the Marquis
+of Lansdowne, Mr. Horne Tooke, and Mr. Grattan. Through two friends of the
+Duke of Grafton he was informed, "that His Grace had endeavoured to live
+down the calumnies of Junius, and to forget the name of the author; and
+that, at the period of the publication, offers were made to him of legal
+evidence on which to convict the author of a libel; but that, as he had
+then treated the man with contempt, he should decline to disturb him after
+so great a lapse of time." From this communication it would seem, that the
+Duke believed that he knew the author, and also that he was still alive.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Richard, on calling upon the Marquis of Lansdowne, to whom he was
+personally known, found him in his sick chamber, suffering under a general
+breaking up of the constitution, but in his usual flow of spirits,
+anecdote, and conversation. On mentioning Almon's new edition of Junius,
+and that the editor had fixed on Boyd as the author, the Marquis
+exclaimed, "I thought Almon had known better: I gave him credit for more
+discernment: the world will, however, not be deceived by him; for there is
+higher evidence than his opinion. Look at Boyd's other writings: he never
+did write like Junius; and never could write like Junius. Internal
+evidence destroys the hypothesis of Almon." Sir Richard then said, that
+many persons had ascribed these letters to His Lordship; and that the
+world at large conceived that, at least, he was not unacquainted with the
+author. The Marquis smiled, and said, "No, no: I am not equal to Junius:
+I could not be the author; but the grounds of secrecy are now so far
+removed by death, and changes of circumstances, that it is unnecessary the
+author of Junius should much longer be unknown. The world are curious
+about him; and I could make a very interesting publication on the subject.
+I knew Junius; and I knew all about the writing and production of those
+letters. But look at my own condition now: I don't think I can live
+another week: my legs, my strength, tell me so; but the doctors, who
+always flatter sick men, assure me I am in no immediate danger. They order
+me into the country, and I am going there. If I live over the summer,
+which, however, I do not expect, I promise you a very interesting pamphlet
+about Junius. I will put my name to it: I will set that question at rest
+for ever."</p>
+
+<p>Sir Richard looked at the swollen limbs and other symptoms threatening
+the dissolution of this distinguished nobleman; and, convinced that he
+was, in truth, never likely to see him again, and that the secret of
+Junius might be lost with him, turned the conversation to the various
+persons who had, at different times, been named as the Junius; and, after
+mentioning five or six whose respective pretensions the Marquis treated
+as ridiculous, His Lordship said, "It is of no use to pursue the matter
+further at this time. I will, however, tell you this for your guide,
+Junius has never yet been publicly named. None of the parties ever
+guessed at as Junius were the true Junius. Nobody has ever suspected him.
+I knew him, and knew all about it; and I pledge myself, if these legs
+will permit me, to give you a pamphlet on the subject, as soon as I feel
+myself equal to the labour." Sir Richard soon after took his leave; and
+about a week after the Marquis expired.</p>
+
+<p>From Horne Tooke no information could be obtained: whenever Junius was
+mentioned, he lost the balance of his mind, and indulged himself in so
+much vanity, conceit, and ingenuity, that it was almost useless to speak
+with him on the subject.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Grattan wrote a very candid denial of any knowledge of the matter, in
+a letter which was printed in the preface to Almon's edition.</p>
+
+<p>Of the pretension afterwards set forward for Dr. Wilmot, I believe it was
+never entertained or supported by any good evidence: Dr. Francis, the
+father of Sir Philip, had been long before mentioned, but for what reason
+I have never been able to ascertain. The answer of Sir Philip himself on
+the subject is, however, curiously equivocal, at least it so strikes me;
+although it is generally considered as a decided denial. It is as follows:
+"The great civility of your letter induces me to answer it, which, with
+reference merely to its subject-matter, I should have declined. Whether
+you will assist in giving currency to a silly, malignant falsehood, is a
+question for your own discretion: to me it is a matter of perfect
+indifference." But notwithstanding all this, an amusingly mysterious
+circumstance has, I am informed, transpired since the death of Sir Philip.
+In a box, it is said, which he carefully deposited with his banker's, and
+which was not to be opened till after his death, a copy of the
+publication, "Junius identified," with a common copy of the letters of
+Junius, were found. I shall offer no comment on this occurrence, for even
+granting that it was true, it might have been but a playful trick--if Sir
+Philip Francis was, in any respect, a humorist. But I have already
+digressed too far from the immediate object of my work; and I cannot make
+a better amends to my readers than by inserting here a short paper,
+written by that eminent person, and addressed to Mr. West. It is a
+critique on the Transfiguration by Raphael, in which Sir Philip evinces
+considerable ingenuity, by attempting not only to explain a defect in the
+composition, felt by every man of taste, in the midst of the delight
+which, in other respects, it never fails to produce, but to show that, so
+far from being any defect, it is in fact a great beauty.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p align="center"><i>Transfiguration by Raphael.</i></p>
+
+<p>The title of this picture is a misnomer. The picture itself tells you it
+is <i>the Ascension</i>. The Transfiguration is another incident, which
+happened long before the Ascension, and is recited in the ninth chapter of
+St. Luke:--"When the countenance of Jesus was changed, and he became
+&epsilon;&tau;&epsilon;&thetasym;&omicron;&nu; and his clothing was <i>white</i>, and lightened." The robe of
+the ascending Christ is <span class="smallcaps">blue</span>.</p>
+
+<p>The painter brings different incidents together to constitute one plot.
+The picture consists of three separate groupes, combined and united in one
+scheme or action.</p>
+
+<p>I. Jesus ascending perpendicularly into the air, clothed in blue raiment,
+and attended by two other figures.</p>
+
+<p>II. Some of his disciples on the Mount, who see the ascent, and lie
+dazzled and confounded by the sight.</p>
+
+<p>III. A number of persons at the bottom of the Mount, who appear to look
+intently on a young man possessed by a devil, and convulsed. None of them
+see the Ascension but the young man, or rather the devil, who was in him,
+does see it. On all similar occasions, those fallen angels know the
+Christ, and acknowledge him. The other figures are agitated with
+astonishment and terror, variously and distinctly expressed in every one
+of them, at sight of the effect which they see is made upon him by some
+object which <i>they</i> do not see.</p>
+
+<p>This is the sublime imagination, by which the lower part of the picture is
+connected with the upper.</p>
+
+<p>P. FRANCIS.</p>
+
+<p><i>13th July, 1816.</i></p>
+
+<p>But although it must be confessed that this comment is exceedingly
+ingenious, in so far as it explains the painter's design in representing
+the demoniac boy, as the connecting link between the action on the Mount,
+and the groupe at the foot of it; yet, upon an examination of the picture,
+it will be found that it does not exhibit the Ascension, but the
+Transfiguration; and I beg leave to refer to a letter, from my friend Mr.
+M'Gillivray, in the Appendix which seems to me as perfectly satisfactory
+on the subject as any thing of the kind I ever met with. Mr. West was of
+the same opinion as Mr. M'Gillivray; but in conversing with him on the
+subject, he did not enter into so distinct an explanation of his reasons
+for dissenting from the speculation of Sir Philip Francis. In criticism,
+however, whether the matter in question be works of art, or of literature,
+the best opinion is exactly that which is the most reasonable; and the
+point at issue here, is not one in which an artist's judgment can be
+allowed greater weight than that of any other man.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-7"></a>Chap. VII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of the
+    American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.</blockquote>
+
+<p>While Mr. West was engaged on the series of religious and historical works
+for the King, he had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with
+political incidents, that a man less intent on his art, and more ambitious
+of fortune, might have turned to great advantage. This was particularly
+the case during the American War, for His Majesty knowing the Artist's
+connections with that country, and acquaintance with some of the most
+distinguished of the rebels, often conversed with him on the subject; and
+on different occasions Mr. West was enabled to supply the King with more
+circumstantial information respecting some important events than was
+furnished by the official channels. I do not consider myself at liberty,
+nor this a fit place, to enter upon subjects so little in unison with the
+arts of peace, or the noiseless tenour of an artist's life; but, among
+other curious matters that may be thrown out for the investigation of the
+future historian, is an opinion which prevailed among some of the best
+informed in America, that when General Washington was appointed to the
+supreme command of the army, it was with the view and intention of
+effecting a reconciliation between the two countries. A communication to
+this purpose is said to have been made by that illustrious man, which
+communication was never answered, nor ever laid formally before the Privy
+Council, at least not until more than six weeks after it had been
+received, and then it was too late. America was lost; and millions spent,
+and thousands sacrificed afterwards in vain. Whether, indeed, the King
+ever did know the whole affair, may be doubted.</p>
+
+<p>The mind of Mr. West, however, had no enjoyment in political cabals, in
+the petty enmities of partizans, or the factious intrigues of party
+leaders. He was by his art wholly enchanted, and saw in the prospect
+before him an adequate recompense in fame for all his exertions, his days
+of labour, and his nights of study. The historical pictures for Windsor
+Castle cost him many a patient hour of midnight research; for the means to
+assist his composition, especially in architecture, and the costume of the
+time, were then far from being so easy of access as they are at present. A
+long period of preference for classic literature, and the illustration of
+the Greek and Roman story, had withdrawn the public taste from the no less
+glorious events of our own annals. To mark, therefore, the epoch, and
+manners of the age of Poictiers and Cressy, of the Institution of the
+Garter, and the other heroic and magnificent incidents of the reign of
+Edward the Third, with that historical truth which the artist thought
+essential to historical painting, required the inspection of many an
+ancient volume, and much antiquarian research. In the composition for the
+Institution of the Garter, the late Marquis of Buckingham offered several
+suggestions, which were adopted; and on His Lordship mentioning to the
+King, that Mr. West was descended of the Delawarre family, the head of
+which bore a distinguished part in the great events of that time, His
+Majesty ordered Mr. West to insert his own portrait among the spectators
+represented in the gallery, and immediately over the shield bearing the
+arms of the Earl of Delawarre. Mr. West himself was not, at that period,
+acquainted with the descent of his pedigree; but it happened in a
+conversation one day with Lord Buckingham, that His Lordship enquired from
+what part of England his family had been originally, and upon Mr. West
+telling him, His Lordship said, that the land which his ancestors had
+formerly possessed was become his by purchase; and that the Wests of Long
+Crandon were sprung from the ancient Earls of Delawarre.</p>
+
+<p>But, except the historical information required for his pictures, in which
+he was indefatigable, until master of all that could be obtained, Mr.
+West, following the early and wise advice of Dr. Smith of Philadelphia,
+wasted none of his time in other literary pursuits. Among his learned and
+ingenious cotemporaries, however, he acquired a general knowledge of the
+passing literature of the day, and in consequence, there are few authors
+of any celebrity, especially the cotemporaries of Johnson, of whom he does
+not possess interesting anecdotes, as well as an acquaintance with the
+merit which they were severally allowed to possess.</p>
+
+<p>One day at Sir Joshua Reynolds, after dinner when Dr. Johnson, Goldsmith,
+and Burke were present, the conversation turned on the degree of
+excellence which sculpture attained among the Greeks. It was observed
+incidentally, that there was something in the opinion of the ancients, on
+this subject, quite inexplicable; for, in the time of Alexander the Great,
+although painting was allowed to have been progressive, sculpture was said
+to have declined, and yet the finest examples of the art, the Apollo and
+Venus, were considered as the works of that period. Different theories
+were sported on this occasion, to explain this seeming contradiction;
+none of them, however, were satisfactory. But, on the arrival of the
+Athenian marbles, which Lord Elgin brought to this country, Mr. West was
+convinced, at the first sight of them, of the justness of ancient
+criticism, and remembered the conversation alluded to.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps I may be allowed to mention here, without impropriety, that I was
+at Athens when the second cargo of these celebrated sculptures was
+dispatched; that I took some interest in getting the vessel away; and that
+I went with her myself to the island of Idra. Two circumstances occasioned
+this interference on my part;--an Italian artist, the agent of Lord Elgin,
+had quarrelled about the marbles with Monsieur Fauvelle, the French
+Consul, a man of research and taste, to whom every traveller that visited
+Athens, even during the revolutionary war, might have felt himself
+obliged. Fauvelle was, no doubt, ambitious to obtain these precious
+fragments for the Napoleon Museum at Paris; and, certainly, exerted all
+his influence to get the removal of them interdicted. On the eve of the
+departure of the vessel, he sent in a strong representation on the
+subject to the governor of the city, stating, what I believe was very
+true, that Lord Elgin had never any sufficient firman or authority for the
+dilapidations that he had committed on the temples. Luseri, the Italian
+alluded to, was alarmed, and called on me at the monastery of the Roman
+propaganda, where I then resided; and it was agreed between us, that if
+any detention was attempted, I should remonstrate with the governor, and
+represent to him that such an arrest of British property would be
+considered as an act of hostility. But our fears were happily removed. No
+notice was taken by the governor of Monsieur Fauvelle's remonstrance. In
+the evening I embarked on board the vessel at the Pireus, and next morning
+was safely landed on the island of Idra, where the vessel, after remaining
+a day or two, sailed for Malta.</p>
+
+<p>But to return to the biographical narrative. On the death of Sir Joshua
+Reynolds, in 1791, Mr. West was unanimously elected President of the Royal
+Academy. The choice was not more a debt of gratitude on the part of the
+Institution, to one who had essentially contributed to its formation, than
+a testimony of respect deservedly merited by the conduct and genius of the
+Artist who, when the compass, number, and variety of his pictures are
+considered, was, at that period, decidedly the greatest historical painter
+then living, who had been born a British subject. This event, at once so
+honourable to his associates and himself, was confirmed by the sanction of
+His Majesty on the 24th of March, 1792; on which occasion, on taking the
+chair, Mr. West addressed the Academicians to the following effect:--</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>"GENTLEMEN,</p>
+
+<p>"The free and unsolicited choice with which you have called me to fill
+this chair, vacated by the death of that great character, Sir JOSHUA
+REYNOLDS, is so marked an instance of your friendship and good opinion,
+that it demands the immediate acknowledgment of my thanks, which I beg you
+to accept.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel more sensibly the dignity to which you have raised me, as I am
+placed in succession after so eminent a character, whose exalted
+professional abilities, and very excellent discourses delivered under this
+roof, have secured a lasting honor to this Institution and to the
+country; while his amiable dispositions, as a man, will make his loss to
+be long regretted by all who had the happiness to know him.</p>
+
+<p>"HIS MAJESTY having been graciously pleased to approve and confirm the
+choice which you have made of me as your President, it becomes my duty, as
+far as my humble abilities will permit, to study and pursue whatever may
+be the true interest, the prosperity, and the glory of this ACADEMY. In
+the prosecution of this duty, I can make no doubt of success, when I
+reflect that all the departments and classes of this Institution are
+filled with men of established professional reputation, selected from
+professors of the three great branches of art, which constitute the
+objects of your studies and, when I see this union of abilities
+strengthened by many ingenious productions of other able artists, who,
+although they have not as yet the honour of belonging to this body, will,
+nevertheless, enable us to maintain the accustomed brilliancy of our
+Exhibitions, and, consequently, to secure to us the approbation of a
+liberal and judicious public.</p>
+
+<p>"The Exhibitions are of the greatest importance to this Institution; and
+the Institution is become of great importance to the country. Here
+ingenious youth are instructed in the art of design; and the instruction
+acquired in this place, has spread itself through the various manufactures
+of this country, to which it has given a taste that is able to convert the
+most common and simple materials into rare and valuable articles of
+commerce. Those articles the British merchant sends forth into all the
+quarters of the world, where they stand preeminent over the productions of
+other nations.</p>
+
+<p>"But important as this is, there is another consequence of a more exalted
+kind; I mean, the cultivating of those higher excellences in refined art,
+which have never failed to secure to nations and to the individuals who
+have nourished them, an immortality of fame, which no other circumstances
+have been equally able to perpetuate. For it is by those higher and more
+refined excellences of painting, sculpture, and architecture, that Grecian
+and Roman greatness are transmitted down to the age in which we live, as
+if it was still in existence. Many centuries have elapsed since Greeks and
+Romans have been overthrown and dissolved as a people; but other nations,
+by whom similar refinements were not cultivated, are erased from the face
+of the earth, without leaving any monument or vestige to give the
+demonstration that they were ever great.</p>
+
+<p>"It may, therefore, be fairly assumed, that an ACADEMY, whose objects and
+effects are so enlightened and extensive as those which are prosecuted
+here, is highly worthy of the protection of a patriot-king, of a dignified
+nobility, and of a wise people.</p>
+
+<p>"Another circumstance, permit me, gentlemen, to mention, because I can
+speak of it with peculiar satisfaction, as important to the best
+interests of this Institution, and with the fullest assurance of its
+truth, from the personal knowledge I have had of you all, and the intimacy
+in which I have stood with most of you; it is this, that I have ever found
+you steadily determined to support the regulations under which this
+ACADEMY has been governed, and brought to its present conspicuous
+situation, and by an attention to which, we shall always be sure to go on
+with the greatest prudence and advantage.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a matter of no less satisfaction to me, when I say, that I have
+always observed your bosoms to glow with gratitude and loyal affection to
+our August Founder, Patron, and Benefactor. I am convinced, it is your
+wish to retain His friendship, and the friendship of every branch of His
+Illustrious Family. I know these to be your sentiments, and they are
+sentiments in which I participate with you. In every situation of my life
+it shall be my invariable study to demonstrate my duty to my sovereign, my
+love for this Institution, and my zeal for the cultivation of genius, and
+the growth of universal virtue."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West having thus been raised to the head of an institution, embracing
+within itself the most distinguished artists at that time in the world, it
+might be proper to pause here to review the merits of the works and
+exertions by which he acquired this eminent honour, had he not, since that
+time, attained still more distinction in his profession. I shall, however,
+for the present, suspend the consideration of his progress, as an artist,
+to trace his efforts, in the situation of President of the Royal Academy,
+to promote the improvement of the pupils, by those occasional discourses,
+which, in imitation of the excellent example of Sir Joshua Reynolds, he
+deemed it an essential part of his duty to deliver.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-8"></a>Chap. VIII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.</blockquote>
+
+<p>Mr. West's first discourse to the students of the Royal Academy was
+delivered on the 10th of December, 1792, on the occasion of the
+distribution of the prizes. Without ostensibly differing in his views from
+Sir Joshua Reynolds, who by his lectures acquired, as an author, a degree
+of celebrity equal to his fame as an artist, the new President confined
+himself more strictly to professional topics. He recalled to the
+remembrance of his auditors the circumstances in which the Academy
+originated, and reminded them of the encouragement which the efforts of
+artists had received from the countenance which the King had given to the
+arts. "Let those," said he, "who have traced the progress of the fine
+arts, say among what people did the arts rise, from such a state as that
+in which they were in this country about forty years ago, to the height
+which they have attained here in so short a period. In ancient Greece,
+from the retreat of Xerxes, when they were in their infancy, to the age of
+Alexander the Great, when they reached their maturity, we find a period of
+no less than one hundred and fifty years elapsed. In Rome we can make no
+calculation directly applicable; for among the Romans the habit of
+employing Greek artists, and the rage of collecting, suffered no distinct
+traces to be left of the progress of the arts among them. Even in
+architecture, to which their claims were most obviously decided, we see
+not sufficiently the gradations of their own peculiar taste and genius.
+But in modern Italy, leaving out of view the age of Cimabue, and even that
+of Giotto, and dating from the institution of the Academy of St. Luke at
+Florence, it required a hundred and fifty years to produce a Michael
+Angelo, a Raphael, and a Bramante."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West, after a few general observations on the necessary union between
+moral conduct and good taste, adverts to the alleged influence which such
+institutions as the Royal Academy have in producing mannerism in the
+students, than which nothing can be more obnoxious to the progress of
+refined art. "But," said he, "while I am urging the advantage of freedom
+and nature in study to genius, let me not be misunderstood. There is no
+untruth in the idea that great wits are allied to great eccentricity.
+Genius is apt to run wild if not brought under some regulation. It is a
+flood whose current will be dangerous if it is not kept within proper
+banks. But it is one thing to regulate its impetuosity, and another very
+different to direct its natural courses. In every branch of art there are
+certain laws by which genius may be chastened; but the corrections gained
+by attention to these laws amputate nothing that is legitimate, pure, and
+elegant. Leaving these graces untouched, the schools of art have dominion
+enough in curbing what is wild, irregular, and absurd.</p>
+
+<p>"A college of art founded in this part of the world cannot be expected,
+like a college of literature, to lay before its young members all that may
+be necessary to complete their knowledge and taste. What is to be had from
+books may be obtained almost every where; but the books of instruction by
+which the artist alone can be perfected, are those great works which still
+remain immoveable in that part of the world, where the fine arts in modern
+times have been carried to their highest degree of perfection. I trust a
+period will come, when this Academy will be able to send the young artist,
+not from one spot or one seminary to another, but to gather improvement
+from every celebrated work of art wherever situated. But the progress and
+all future success of the artist must depend upon himself. He must be in
+love with his art or he will never excel in it.</p>
+
+<p>"That the arts of design were among the first suggestions vouchsafed by
+Heaven to mankind, is not a proposition at which any man needs to start.
+This truth is indeed manifested by every little child, whose first essay
+is to make for itself the resemblance of some object to which it has been
+accustomed in the nursery.</p>
+
+<p>"In the arts of design were conveyed the original means of communicating
+ideas, which the discoverers of countries show us to have been seized
+upon, as it were involuntarily, by all the first stages of society.
+Although the people were rude in knowledge and in manners, yet they were
+possessed of the means by which they could draw figures of things, and
+they could make those figures speak their purposes to others as well as to
+themselves. The Mexicans conversed in that way when Cortes came among
+them; and the savages of North America still employ the same means of
+communicating intelligence.</p>
+
+<p>"When, therefore, you have taken up the arts of design as your profession,
+you have embraced that which has not only been sanctioned by the
+cultivation of the earliest antiquity, but to which their is no antiquity
+prior, except that of the visible creation.</p>
+
+<p>"Religion itself in the earlier days of the world, would probably have
+failed in its progress without the arts of design, for religion was then
+emblematic; and what could an emblematic theology do without the aid of
+the fine arts, and especially the art of sculpture? Religion and the arts,
+in fact, sprung up together, were introduced by the same people, and went
+hand in hand, first through the continent of Asia, then through Egypt,
+next through Greece and her colonies, and in process of time through every
+part of Italy, and even to the north of Europe. In the pagodas of India,
+in some caverns of Media, and among various ruins in Persia, are still to
+be seen the early monuments of emblematic art, and wrought in all the
+possible difficulties of skill.</p>
+
+<p>"When in the space of two thousand years, after the erection of some of
+those monuments, the fine arts came to be established in Greece in a
+better spirit as to taste, a higher estimation could not be annexed to any
+circumstance in society, than was given to the arts by the wise and
+elegant inhabitants of that country. They regarded them as their public
+records, as the means of perpetuating all public fame, all private
+honour, and all valuable instruction. The professors of them were
+considered as public characters who watched over the events that were
+passing, and who had in their hands the power of embodying them for ever.
+And is not this still the case with the artists of every country, how
+varied soever may be its maxims, or its system of action, from those of
+Greece? Is the artist indeed not that watchman who observes the great
+incidents of his time, and rescues them from oblivion?</p>
+
+<p>"When he turns from these views to contemplate the patronage which has
+been given to the fine arts, will he have less reason to esteem his
+profession,--a profession so richly cherished by all the greatest
+characters of the earth? and which in return has immortalised its patrons.
+Posterity has never ceased to venerate the names of the Cosmos and
+Lorenzos who sought art, and fostered to their full maturity the various
+talents of their countrymen. The palace of the Medici, still existing in
+Florence, exhibits not only in its treasures the proofs of their
+munificence, but also within its walls those apartments and offices for
+artists, in every branch which those great men considered requisite to the
+decoration of their residence. And history has immortalised the solicitude
+with which the vast fortune of the family, acquired originally in
+honourable commerce, and rising gloriously to sovereign power, was made
+contributory to the nourishing of the arts and literature; of every thing
+that was intellectual, liberal, and great."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West then continued to enumerate the honour which the successive
+illustrious patrons of the fine arts have acquired, deducing from it
+motives of emulation to the young students to strive for similar
+distinction, that their names may be mingled with those illustrious races
+and families to whom Heaven is pleased to give superior eminence and
+influence in human affairs. In doing this he took occasion to animadvert
+on the base adulation of the artists of France in the age of Louis XIV.;
+or rather of the dishonour which the patronage of that monarch has drawn
+upon himself, by the unworthy manner in which he required the artists to
+gratify his personal vanity. He then proceeded to give some professional
+advice. "I wish," said he, "to leave this impression on the minds of all
+who hear me, that the great alphabet of our art is the human figure. By a
+competent knowledge of that figure the painter will be enabled to give a
+more just character and motion to that which he intends to delineate. When
+that motion is actuated by passion, and combined with other figures,
+groups are formed. These groups make words, and these words make
+sentences; by which the painter's tablet speaks a universal language;" and
+he concluded with saying, "Gentlemen, It is a great treasure and a great
+trust which is put into our hands. The fine arts were late before they
+crossed the British Channel, but now we may fairly pronounce that they
+have made their special abode with us. There is nothing in this climate
+unpropitious to their growth; and if the idea has been conceived in the
+world, enough has been done by the artists of Great Britain to disprove
+it. I know that I am speaking to the first professional characters in
+Europe in every branch of elegant art, as well as those who are most
+distinguished in taste and judgment. If there be diffused through this
+country a spirit of encouragement equal to the abilities which are ripe to
+meet it, I may venture to predict that the sun of our arts will have a
+long and glorious career."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-9"></a>Chap. IX.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.</blockquote>
+
+<p>The prizes in the Royal Academy being distributed every second year, on
+the 10th of December, 1794, Mr. West delivered another Discourse, in which
+he took a more scientific view of the principles of the fine arts, than in
+the desultory observations which constituted the substance of his first
+lecture. As it contained much valuable information, mixed up with remarks
+incidental to the occasion, I have taken the liberty of abstracting the
+professional instruction from the less important matter, in order to give
+what deserves to be preserved and generally known in a concise and an
+unbroken form.</p>
+
+<p>"It may be assumed," said Mr. West, "as an unquestionable principle, that
+the artist who has made himself master of the drawing of the human figure,
+in its moral and physical expression, will succeed not only in
+portrait-painting, but in the delineation of animals, and even of still
+life, much better than if he had directed his attention to inferior
+objects. For the human figure in that point of consideration, in which it
+becomes a model to art, is more beautiful than any other in nature; and is
+distinguished, above every other, by the variety of the phenomena which it
+exhibits, arising from the different modifications of feeling and passion.
+In my opinion, it would, therefore, be of incalculable advantage to the
+public, if the drawing of the human figure were taught as an elementary
+essential in education. It would do more than any other species of oral or
+written instruction, to implant among the youth of the noble and opulent
+classes that correctness of taste which is so ornamental to their rank in
+society; while it would guide the artizan in the improvement of his
+productions in such a manner, as greatly to enrich the stock of
+manufactures, and to increase the articles of commerce; and, as the sight
+is perhaps the most delightful of all our senses, this education of the
+eye would multiply the sources of enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>"The value of the cultivated ear is well understood; and the time bestowed
+on the acquisition of the universal language of music, is abundantly
+repaid by the gratification which it affords, although not employed in the
+communication of knowledge, but merely as a source of agreeable sensation.
+Were the same attention paid to the improvement of the eye, which is given
+to that of the ear, should we not be rewarded with as great an increase of
+the blameless pleasures of life,--from the power of discriminating hues
+and forms,--as we derive from the knowledge of musical proportions and
+sounds? The cultivation of the sense of sight would have such an effect in
+improving even the faculty of executing those productions of mechanical
+labour which constitute so large a portion of the riches of a commercial
+and refined people, that it ought to be regarded among the mere operative
+classes of society as a primary object in the education of their
+apprentices. Indeed, it may be confidently asserted, that an artizan,
+accustomed to an accurate discrimination of outline, will, more readily
+than another not educated with equal care in that particular, perceive the
+fitness or defects of every species of mechanical contrivance; and, in
+consequence, be enabled to suggest expedients which would tend to enlarge
+the field of invention. We can form no idea to ourselves how many of the
+imperfections in the most ingenious of our machines and engines would have
+been obviated, had the inventors been accustomed to draw with accuracy.</p>
+
+<p>"But, to the student of the fine arts, this important branch of education
+will yield but few of the advantages which it is calculated to afford,
+unless his studies are directed by a philosophical spirit, and the
+observation of physical expression rendered conducive to some moral
+purpose. Without the guidance of such a spirit, painting and sculpture
+are but ornamental manufactures; and the works of Raphael and Michael
+Angelo, considered without reference to the manifestations which they
+exhibit of moral influence, possess no merit beyond the productions of the
+ordinary paper-hanger.</p>
+
+<p>"The first operation of this philosophical spirit will lead the student to
+contemplate the general form of the figure as an object of beauty; and
+thence instruct him to analyse the use and form of every separate part;
+the relation and mutual aid of the parts to each other; and the necessary
+effect of the whole in unison.</p>
+
+<p>"By an investigation of this kind, he will arrive at what constitutes
+character in art; and, in pursuing his analysis, he will discover that the
+general construction of the human figure in the male indicates strength
+and activity; and that the form of the individual man, in proportion to
+the power of being active, is more or less perfect. In the male, the
+degree of beauty depends on the degree of activity with which all the
+parts of the body are capable of performing their respective and mutual
+functions; but the characteristics of perfection of form in the female are
+very different; delicacy of frame and modesty of demeanour, with less
+capability to be active, constitute the peculiar graces of woman.</p>
+
+<p>"When the student has settled in his own mind the general and primary
+characteristics, in either sex, of the human figure, the next step will
+enable him to reduce the particular character of his subject into its
+proper class, whether it rank under the sublime or the beautiful, the
+heroic or the graceful, the masculine or the feminine, or in any of its
+other softer or more spirited distinctions. For the course of his studies
+will have made him acquainted with the moral operations of character, as
+they are expressed upon the external form; and the habit of
+discrimination, thus acquired, will have taught him the action or attitude
+by which all moral movements of character are usually accompanied. By this
+knowledge of the general figure, this habitual aptitude to perceive the
+beauty and fitness of its parts, and of the correspondence between the
+emotions of the mind and the actions of the body, he will find himself in
+possession of all that Zeuxis sought for in the graces of the different
+beautiful women whom he collected together, that he might be enabled to
+paint a proper picture of Helen; and it is the happy result of this
+knowledge which we see in the Apollo Belvidere and the Venus de Medici,
+that renders them so valuable as objects of study.</p>
+
+<p>"But the student must be always careful to distinguish between objects of
+study and objects of imitation; for the works which will best improve his
+taste and exalt his imagination, are precisely those which he should least
+endeavour to imitate; because, in proportion to their appropriate
+excellences, their beauties are limited in their application.</p>
+
+<p>"The Apollo is represented by the mythologists as a perfect man, in the
+vigour of life; tall, handsome and animated; his locks rising and floating
+on the wind; accomplished in mind and body; skilled in the benevolent art
+of alleviating pain; music his delight, and poetry and song his continual
+recreation. His activity was shown in dancing, running, and the manly
+exercises of the quoit, the sling, and the bow. He was swift in his
+pursuits, and terrible in his anger.--Such was the Pythian Apollo; and
+were a sculptor to think of forming the statue of such a character, would
+he not determine that his body, strong and vigorous from constant
+exercise, should be nobly erect; that, as his lungs were expanded by
+habits of swiftness in the chase, his chest should be large and full; that
+his thighs, as the source of movement in his legs, should have the
+appearance of enlarged vigour and solidity; and that his legs, in a
+similar manner, should also possess uncommon strength to induce and
+propagate the action of the feet? The nostrils ought to be elevated,
+because the quick respirations of running and dancing would naturally
+produce that effect; and, for the same reason, the mouth should appear to
+be habitually a little open. While his arms, firm and nervous by the
+exercise of the quoit, the sling, and the bow, should participate in the
+general vigour and agility of the other members;--and would not this be
+the Apollo Belvidere?</p>
+
+<p>"Were the young artist, in like manner, to propose to himself a subject in
+which he would endeavour to represent the peculiar excellences of woman,
+would he not say, that these excellences consist in a virtuous mind, a
+modest mien, a tranquil deportment, and a gracefulness in motion? And, in
+embodying the combined beauty of these qualities, would he not bestow on
+the figure a general, smooth, and round fulness of form, to indicate the
+softness of character; bend the head gently forward, in the common
+attitude of modesty; and awaken our ideas of the slow and graceful
+movements peculiar to the sex, by limbs free from that masculine and
+sinewy expression which is the consequence of active exercise?--and such
+is the Venus de Medici. It would be utterly impossible to place a person
+so formed in the attitude of the Apollo, without destroying all those
+amiable and gentle associations of the mind which are inspired by
+contemplating 'the statue which enchants the world.'</p>
+
+<p>"Art affords no finer specimens of the successful application of the
+principles which I have laid down than in those two noble productions."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-10"></a>Chap. X.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Discourse to the Academy in 1797.--On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks in
+    Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Drawing.--Of Light
+    and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.--Illustration.--Of
+    the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine Pictures.--Of
+    Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from Sketching;--and of
+    the Advantage of being familiar with the Characteristics of Objects
+    in Nature.</blockquote>
+
+<p>In the discourse which Mr. West delivered from the chair of the Academy in
+1797, he resumed the subject which he had but slightly opened, in that of
+which the foregoing chapter contains the substance. I shall therefore
+endeavour in the same manner, and as correctly as I can, to present a view
+of the mode in which he treated his argument, and as nearly as possible in
+his own language.</p>
+
+<p>"As the foundation of those philosophical principles," said Mr. West, "on
+which the whole power of art must rest, I wish to direct the attention of
+the student, especially in painting and sculpture, to an early study of
+the human figure, with reference to proportion, expression, and character.</p>
+
+<p>"When I speak of painting and sculpture, it is not my intention to pass
+over architecture, as if it were less dependent on philosophical
+principles, although what I have chiefly to observe with respect to it
+relates to embellishment;--a branch of art which artists are too apt to
+regard as not under the control of any principle, but subject only to
+their own taste and fancy. If the young architect commences his career
+with this erroneous notion, he will be undone, if there is any just
+notions of his art in the country.</p>
+
+<p>"It is, therefore, necessary, as he derives his models from the ancients,
+that he should enquire into the origin of those embellishments with which
+the architects of antiquity decorated their various edifices. In the
+prosecution of his enquiries, he will find that the ornaments of temples
+and mausolea, may be traced back to the periods of emblematic art, and
+become convinced that the spoils of victims, and instruments of sacrifice,
+were appropriate ornaments of the temple; while urns, containing the ashes
+of the dead, and the tears of the surviving friends, were the invariable
+decorations of the mausoleum. The good taste of the classic ancients
+prevented them from ever intermixing the respective emblems of different
+buildings, or rather, in their minds custom preserved them from falling
+into such an incongruous error, as to place the ornaments belonging to the
+depositaries of the dead on triumphal arches, palaces, and public offices.
+They considered in the ornaments the character and purpose of the edifice;
+and they would have been ashamed to have thought it possible that their
+palaces might be mistaken for mausolea, or their tombs for the mansions of
+festivity.</p>
+
+<p>"Is the country in which we live free from the absurdities which confound
+these necessary distinctions? Have we never beheld on the porticoes of
+palaces, public halls, or places of amusement, the skins of animals
+devoted to the rites of the pagan religion, or vases consecrated to the
+ashes of the dead, or the tears of the living? Violations of sense and
+character, in this respect, are daily committed. We might, with as much
+propriety, adorn the friezes of our palaces and theatres with the skulls
+and cross thigh-bones of the human figure, which are the emblems of death
+in every country throughout modern Europe!</p>
+
+<p>"I do not here allude to any particular work, nor do I speak of this want
+of principle as general. It is indeed impossible that I can be supposed to
+mean the latter; for we have among us men distinguished in the profession
+of architecture, who would do honour to the most refined periods of
+antiquity. But all are not equally chaste; and in addressing myself to the
+young, it is my duty to guard them against those deviations from good
+taste, which, without such a caution, they might conceive to be sanctioned
+by some degree of example. It is my wish to preserve them from the
+innovations of caprice and fashion, to which the public is always prone;
+and to assure the youth of genius, that while he continues to found the
+merit of his works on true principles, he will always find,
+notwithstanding the apparent generality of any fashion, that there is no
+surer way, either to fame or fortune, than by acting in art, as well as
+life, on those principles which have received the sanction of experience,
+and the approbation of the wise of all ages.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall now return to the consideration of painting and sculpture.</p>
+
+<p>"The Greeks, above all others, afford us the best and most decided proofs
+of the beauty arising from the philosophical consideration of the subject
+intended to be represented. To all their deities a fixed and appropriate
+character was given, from which it would have perhaps been profanity to
+depart. This character was the result of a careful consideration of the
+ideal beauty suitable to the respective attributes of the different
+deities. Thus in their Jupiter, Neptune, Hercules, Vulcan, Mars, and
+Pluto; the Apollo, Mercury, Hymen, and Cupid, and also in the goddesses
+Juno, Minerva, Venus, Hebe, the Nymphs and Graces; appeared a vast
+discrimination of character, at the same time as true an individuality as
+if the different forms had been the works of Nature herself.</p>
+
+<p>"In your progress through that mechanical part of your professional
+education, which is directed to the acquisition of a perfect knowledge of
+the human figure, I recommend to you a scrupulous exactness in imitating
+what is immediately before you, in order that you may acquire the habit of
+observing with precision every object that presents itself to your sight.
+Accustom yourselves to draw all the deviations of the figure, till you are
+as much acquainted with them as with the alphabet of your own language,
+and can make them with as much facility as your letters; for they are
+indeed the letters and alphabet of your profession, whether it be painting
+or sculpture.</p>
+
+<p>"These divisions consist of the head, with its features taken in three
+points of view, front, back, and profile; the neck in like manner, also
+the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis; thigh, knee, leg, ankle, the carpus,
+metacarpus, and toes; the clavicula, arm, fore-arm, wrist, carpus,
+metacarpus, and fingers. While you are employed on these, it would be
+highly proper to have before you the osteology of the part on which you
+are engaged, as in that consists the foundation of your pursuit. And, in
+this period of your studies, I recommend that your drawings be
+geometrical, as when you draw and study a column with its base and
+capital. At the same time you should not neglect to gain a few points in
+perspective, particularly so far as to give effect to the square and
+cylinder, in order to know what constitutes the vanishing point, and point
+of distance, in the subject you are going to draw.</p>
+
+<p>"After you have perfected yourselves in the parts of the figure, begin to
+draw the Greek figures entire, with the same attention to correctness as
+when you drew the divisions in your earlier lessons. Attend to the
+perspective according to the vanishing point opposite to your eye. You
+will naturally seek to possess your mind with the special character of the
+figure before you;--and of all the Grecian figures, I would advise you to
+make from the Apollo and Venus a general measurement or standard for man
+and woman, taking the head and its features, as the part by which you
+measure the divisions of those figures.</p>
+
+<p>"Light and shade must not be neglected; for what you effect in drawing by
+the contour of the figure, light and shade must effect with the
+projections of those parts which front you in the figure. Light and shade
+there produce what becomes outline to another drawing of the same object
+in a right angle to the place where you sit.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems not impossible to reduce to the simplicity of rule or principle,
+what may have appeared difficult in this branch of art to young students,
+and may have been too often pursued at random by others. All forms in
+nature, both animate and inanimate, partake of the round form more than
+of any other shape; and when lighted, whether by the sun or flame, or by
+apertures admitting light, must have two relative extremes of light and
+shadow, two balancing tints, the illuminated and the reflected, divided by
+a middle tint or the aerial. The effect of illumination by flame or
+aperture, differs from that of the sun in this respect; the sun
+illuminates with parallel rays, which fall over all parts of the
+enlightened side of the subject, while the light of a flame or an aperture
+only strikes directly on the nearest point of the object, producing an
+effect which more or less resembles the illumination of the sun in
+proportion to the distance and dimensions of the object.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us then suppose a ball to be the object on which the light falls, in
+a direction of forty-five degrees or the diagonal of a square, and at a
+right angle from the ball to the place where you stand. One half of the
+ball will appear illuminated, and the other dark. This state of the two
+hemispheres constitutes the two masses of light and shadow. In the centre
+of the mass of light falls the focus of the illumination in the ball;
+between the centre of the illumination and the circle of the ball, where
+the illumination, reaches its extremity, lies what may be called the
+transparent tint; and between it and the dark side of the ball lies the
+serial or middle tint. The point of darkness, the extreme of shade, is
+diametrically opposite to the focus of illumination, between which and
+the aerial tint lies the tint of reflection. If the ball rests on a
+plain, it will throw a shadow equal in length to one diameter and a
+quarter of the ball. That shadow will be darker than the shade on the
+ball, and the darkest part will be where the plain and ball come in
+contact with each other.</p>
+
+<p>"This simple experiment, whether performed in the open sun-shine, or with
+artificial illumination, will lead you to the true principles of light and
+shade over all objects in nature, whether mountains, clouds, rocks, trees,
+single figures, or groups of figures. It would therefore be of great use,
+when you are going to give light and shade to any object, first to make
+the experiment of the ball, and in giving that light and shade, follow the
+lessons with which it will furnish you.</p>
+
+<p>"You will find that this experiment will instruct you, not only in the
+principles of light and shade, but also of colours; for that there is a
+corresponding hue with respect to colours is not to be disputed. In order
+to demonstrate this, place in the ball which you have illuminated, the
+prismatic colours, suiting their hues to those of the tints. Yellow will
+answer to the focus of illumination, and the other secondary and primary
+hues will fall into their proper places. Hence, on the enlightened side of
+a group or figure, you may lay yellow, orange, red, and then violet, but
+never on the side where the light recedes. On that side must come the
+other prismatic colours in their natural order. Yellow must pass to green,
+the green to blue, and the blue to purple. The primary colours of yellow,
+orange, and red, are the warm colours, and belong to the illuminated side
+of objects; the violet is the intermediate, and green, blue, and purple
+are the cold colours, and belong to the retiring parts of your
+composition.</p>
+
+<p>"On the same principle, and in the same order, must be placed the tints
+which compose the fleshy bodies of men and women, but so blended with
+each other, as to give the softness appropriate to the luminous quality
+and texture of flesh; paying attention, at the same time, to reflections
+on its surface from other objects, and to its participation of their
+colours. The latter is a distinct circumstance arising from accident.</p>
+
+<p>"When the sun illuminates a human body, in the same manner as the ball,
+the focus of the illumination in that body will partake of the yellow; and
+the luminous or transparent tint, will have the orange and the red. These
+produce, what is called, the carnation. The pure red, occasioned by the
+blood, lies in the lips, cheeks, joints, and extremities of the figure,
+and no where else. On the receding side of the focus is the local colour
+of the flesh, and on the receding side of that is the greenish tint; in
+the shade will fall the cold or bluish, and in the reflection will fall
+the tint of purple. The most perfect tint of ground, from which to relieve
+this arrangement of colours, is either blue, grey, or purple, for those
+colours partake of the complexion of the watery sky in which the rainbow
+appears, or the ground which best exhibits the prismatic colours.</p>
+
+<p>"In acquiring a practical knowledge of the happiest manner of distributing
+your colours according to nature, it will assist you, if you will copy
+with attention some pieces of Titian, Correggio, Reubens, and Vandyke; the
+masters in whose works you will most eminently find the system pursued,
+which I have endeavoured to illustrate by the simple image of the ball.</p>
+
+<p>"Having passed from the antique school, to that in which you draw after
+the living figure, still adhere to that scrupulous exactness of drawing
+with which you first set out; marking with precision the divisions of the
+figure. After you have made yourselves acquainted with the drawing of the
+living figure, you must then begin to enlarge your lines, and to give
+softness and breadth, to direct your attention to what constitutes style
+and character, and to discriminate these from what constitutes manner.</p>
+
+<p>"To assist you in this nice discrimination, consult the prints and works
+of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Hannibal Carracci. In them you will find
+the strongest and purest evidence of style and character, yet all
+differing from each other, and all equally brought out of nature. I do not
+recommend them with a view that you should adopt the style and character
+of any of them; but to show from those great examples, that style and
+character, although ever founded in nature, are as various as the
+individual genius of every artist; that they are as free to you as they
+were to those masters; that if you will consult your own mind, you will
+draw forth a style and character of your own, and therefore no man can
+ever be excused for sinking into a mannerist.</p>
+
+<p>"And I cannot omit to observe here, that in the order of your studies,
+your mental powers should be cherished and brought into action by reading
+and reflection, but not until you have acquired practical facility in your
+art. Too often it happens, and I have seen it with concern, that the
+presumption of youth, or the errors of instruction, have reversed this
+order, and have carried many to attempt essays of research and learning,
+before they were well grounded in the principles of professional practice.
+What other consequences can follow from such a course, but that the
+student will turn in discontent from his own productions, because they
+fall short of the ideas in his mind; and induce him, perhaps, to abandon,
+with disgust, a profession in which he might have shone with distinction,
+had he taken a right method of cultivating his own powers!</p>
+
+<p>"The great masters were all at an early age great in the mechanical
+department of their art, before they established any name by their
+philosophical style and character. Michael Angelo, when a mere youth,
+modelled and drew in a manner which astonished his own master. Raphael, at
+not more than nineteen years of age, rivalled his instructor, Pietro
+Perugino, in his executive talent; and, owing to this, he was enabled, at
+the age of only twenty-five, to send forth his two great works, <i>the
+Dispute on the Sacrament</i>, and <i>the School of Athens</i>. Guido, Bernini, and
+many others of the first class, pursued the same course of study, and
+were in the full possession of their powers very young. Vandyke, before he
+was twenty years old, assisted Reubens in his greatest works; and on a
+certain occasion, when the pupils of Reubens were amusing themselves in
+the absence of their master, one of them happened to fall against 'the
+Mother,' in the Descent from the Cross, which Vandyke repaired in a manner
+so admirable, that when the painter came next to the picture, he expressed
+himself surprised at the excellence of his own work, and said, that he
+thought he had not done that arm so well. In a word, wherever we find the
+executive power high at an early age, whether in painting or sculpture, we
+have an assurance of future excellence, which nothing but indolence can
+prevent. And, to give that early facility correctness of execution,
+remember and pursue the great maxim of Apelles:--</p>
+
+<blockquote>  "'<i>Nulla dies, sine linea.</i>'</blockquote>
+
+<p>"The young artist may, indeed, draw lines every day and every hour with
+advantage, whether it be to amuse himself in society or in the fields. He
+should accustom himself to sketch every thing, especially what is rare and
+singular in nature. Let nothing of the animate creation on the earth, or
+in the air, or in the water, pass you unnoticed; especially those which
+are distinguished for their picturesque beauty, or remarkable for dignity
+of form or elegance of colour. Fix them distinctly in your sketch-book and
+in your memory. Observe, with the same contemplative eye, the landscape,
+the appearance of trees, figures dispersed around, and their aerial
+distance, as well as lineal forms. In this class of observations, omit not
+to observe the light and shade, in consequence of the sun's rays being
+intercepted by clouds or other accidents. Besides this, let your mind be
+familiar with the characteristics of the ocean; mark its calm dignity when
+undisturbed by the winds, and all its various states between that and its
+terrible sublimity when agitated by the tempest. Sketch with attention its
+foaming and winding coasts with distant land, and that awful line which
+separates it from the Heavens. Replenished with these stores, your
+imagination will then come forth as a river, collected from little
+springs, spreads into might and majesty. The hand will then readily
+execute what it has been so practised in acquiring; while the mind will
+embrace its subjects with confidence, by being so well accustomed to
+observe their picturesque effect."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-11"></a>Chap. XI.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.</blockquote>
+
+<p>It is not my intention to give all the discourses which Mr. West addressed
+to the students of the Academy, but only those which contain, what may be
+called, illustrations of the principles of his art. The following,
+however, is so interesting and so various in its matter, that it would be
+improper in me to make any attempt to garble or abridge it, beyond
+omitting the mere incidental notice of temporary circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>"The discourse which I am about to deliver, according to usual custom on
+the return of this day, must be considered as addressed more immediately
+to those among the students, who have made so much progress in art, as to
+be masters of the human figure, of perspective, and of those other parts
+of study, which I have heretofore recommended as the elements of painting
+and sculpture; and who are therefore about to enter on the higher paths of
+professional excellence. It will consequently be my object, now, to show
+how that excellence is to be attained; and this will best be done, as I
+conceive, by showing how it has been attained by others, in whom that
+excellence has been most distinguished in the ancient and modern world. By
+pursuing the principles on which they moved, you have the best
+encouragement in their illustrious example, while, by neglecting those
+principles, you can have no more reason to hope for such success as they
+met with, than you can think of reaching a distant land, without road or
+compass to direct your steps.</p>
+
+<p>"The ground which I shall propose for your attention is this--to
+investigate those philosophical principles on which all truth of character
+is founded, and by which that sublime attainment, the highest refinement
+in art, and without which every thing else is merely mechanical, may be
+brought to a decided point, in all the variety by which it is
+distinguished through the animated world.</p>
+
+<p>"On this ground, and on this alone, rose Phidias and Apelles to the
+celebrity which they held among the Greeks; and among the Italians,
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, and some
+others, who became the completest models in sculpture and painting. Their
+predecessors, indeed, in both countries, had for a considerable time been
+preparing the way, but not having equally studied the best means, or those
+means not having been equally before them, it was reserved of course for
+the great characters I have mentioned, to unite philosophical with
+professional truth, and to exhibit to the world in their works the
+standards of style. From the same source arose another consequence, ever
+worthy and pleasing to be mentioned;--the exhibition of those perfections
+was always accompanied by that ardent patronage, which not only cheered
+their minds, and invigorated their powers, but has left a glory on their
+country, which no subsequent events have been able to obliterate, and
+which never will be obliterated in any country where the sublimity of art,
+involving the most refined embellishments of civilized life, is cherished
+by those who are in a capacity to cherish it.</p>
+
+<p>"In a very early period of the arts in Greece, we meet with a circumstance
+which shows the advantages derived from consulting with philosophy, if it
+does not also show the origin and outset of those advantages. The
+circumstance to which I allude is, that in the period when the sculptors
+contented themselves with the stationary forms and appearance of figures,
+in imitation of their predecessors, the Egyptians; at that time they began
+to submit their works to the judgment of philosophers, one of whom, being
+called in to survey a statue, which a sculptor, then eminent, was going to
+expose to public view, remarked, that the human figure before him wanted
+motion, or that expression of intellect and will, from which motion and
+character too must arise; for man had a soul and mind, which put him at
+the head of the animal creation, and, therefore, without that soul and
+mind, the form of man was degraded.</p>
+
+<p>"This observation touched the point, then, necessary to be obviated, in
+order to overcome the primitive rudeness which still attached to
+sculpture; and without the application of the principle contained in the
+observation, sculpture and painting too might have stood still for ages.
+And from what other source than the principles of philosophic study, or,
+in other words, from reflection on the moral powers or passions of man,
+their several effects, as produced in their workings on the human figure,
+could that improvement be obtained? It was the constant employment of the
+philosophic mind, to study those causes and effects, and to reduce them to
+a more distinct display for the truth and utility of their own writings.
+The philosophers were, therefore, the most likely to assist the artist in
+those displays of character which tended to illustrate the truth of his
+own works. Nor on this account is it any disparagement to the artists of
+those days, when philosophic studies were confined to particular classes
+of men, that this moral view of art was not sufficiently taken up by the
+more mechanical part of the profession.</p>
+
+<p>"Thus, however, the opening was made to the important expression of
+character. And the lesson suggested by the philosopher alluded to, is not
+confined to the Greeks alone. I wish, young gentlemen, to leave it in all
+its force upon your minds. For if the figures you design, whether singly
+or in groups, have not their actions correspondent to what their minds
+appear to be pursuing, they will suit any other subject as well as that in
+which they are placed. This remark is the more worthy of attention, as it
+does not apply to any of the figures of the Grecian masters whom I have
+mentioned. The figure by Phidias on Monte Cavallo at Rome, the Apollo, the
+Laocoon, the Venus, the Hercules, and the fighting gladiator, are all
+perfect on the just principles I have mentioned. There is no room for
+amendment; their propriety is unquestionable; their truth eternal. And so
+in the works of modern art, we see the same truth and perfection in the
+Capella Sestina by Michael Angelo, in the Supper by Leonardo da Vinci at
+Milan, in the Cartoons by Raphael, the St. Peter Martyr by Titian, and the
+Note by Correggio.</p>
+
+<p>"Having mentioned the figure on Monte Cavallo, representing, as you all
+know, a young man curbing a horse, I cannot help stopping to remark, that
+if any work of sculpture ever demonstrated more strongly the value of
+uniting philosophic science with that of art, for the production of
+character, it is that work by Phidias. Never did the power of art express
+more evidently than is done in the head of the young man, that every
+feature is moved by an internal mental power, and corresponds in the most
+perfect truth with what we see to be the labouring passion. When we view
+it in front we are astonished that the mouth does not speak. No observer
+ever thinks that the head is a block of stone. But the whole group is
+masterly on the most refined principles of science. It was intended to be
+seen at an elevated point, as well as at a distant one. All its forms,
+therefore, are grand without the minutiae of parts; its effects are
+striking and momentary; and in every circumstance considered, it is
+plainly the work of consummate genius and science united.</p>
+
+<p>"Was it possible that in an age which gave a Phidias to the Greeks,
+there should not have been a Pericles to reward, by his patronage, merit
+so exalted?</p>
+
+<p>"We may carry the same reflections into the progress of the pencil. As the
+Greeks became refined in their minds, they gained an Apelles to paint, and
+an Alexander to patronise. We are not enabled now to speak of the works of
+that great master. His figure of Alexander, in the character of young
+Ammon, is described as his master-piece. Such was the expression with
+which the hand grasped the thunder-bolt, that it seemed actually to start
+from the pannel. The expression and force of character given to the whole,
+was equally marvellous. And when we consider the refinement to which the
+human mind had then arrived among the Greeks, the immense value which
+they put upon the works of that artist, and that they were too wise to
+devote their applause to things which fell short of consummate excellence,
+we cannot doubt but it was by the cultivation of the public mind that the
+arts reached such attainments among them. What must have been their
+exquisite state when the simple line drawn by Protogenes,--in the
+consciousness of his acknowledged perfection, and which was intended to
+announce the man who drew it, as much as if he had told his name,--was so
+far excelled by another simple line over it by Apelles, that the former at
+once confessed himself outdone? Those two lines, simple as they were, were
+by no means trifling in their instruction. They gave us, as it were, an
+epitome of the progress which the arts had long been making in Greece. For
+if the drawing of a simple line, of such a master as Protogenes, who was
+conceived by many to hold the first pencil in the world, was surpassed, to
+his great surprise, by another, how high must refinement have been raised
+by the exertions of the artists in a period so emulous of perfection!</p>
+
+<p>"The stages in the progress of modern art, have been frequently
+distinguished by ages similar to those which succeed one another in the
+human growth. We may safely assert, that in the infantine and youthful
+period of modern art, literature and science were only seen in their
+infancy and growth. The opening of nature displayed in the works of
+Massaccio; the graces exhibited in those of Lorenzo Ghiberti; and the
+advancement in perspective made by one or two others, kept pace nearly
+with that progress in philosophy which appeared in the best writings of
+those days. As the one took a larger step in the next stage or period, the
+other stepped forth in a like degree at the same time; so that in Leonardo
+da Vinci we see the great painter and the great philosopher: his painting
+most clearly refined in its principles, and enlarged in its powers by his
+philosophical studies. As a philosopher, and especially in those parts of
+knowledge which were most interesting to his profession, he laid that
+foundation of science which has ever since been adopted and admired. As a
+painter, he not only went far beyond his predecessors, but laid down those
+principles of science in the expression of individual character, and of a
+soul and figure specifically and completely appropriated to each other,
+which opened the way to the greatness acquired by those who followed him
+in his studies. In that point of excellence, Leonardo da Vinci was
+original; and it was the natural result of a mind like his, formed to
+philosophical investigation, and deeply attentive to all the variety of
+appearances by which the passions are marked in the human countenance and
+frame. These he traced to their sources: he found them in their radical
+principles, and by his knowledge of these principles, his expression of
+character became perfected.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>nature</i> exhibited by Massaccio had not gone to that extent of
+expression. It however spoke a soul: he drew forth an inward mind on the
+outward countenance: he gave a character; but that character was not so
+discriminated as to become the index of one particular passion more than
+another; or to decide, for instance, the head of Jupiter from that of a
+Minerva: so at with the aid, of different types, it should not befit a
+Saviour or a Magdalene.</p>
+
+<p>"We must take along with us in this review, that the splendid patronage of
+the house of Medici came forward, to meet, and to cherish the happy
+advancements made by the masters of those days; so that Florence, which
+was then the greatest seat of the arts, was no less brilliant and
+illustrious in the generosity which strove to perpetuate them, than in the
+genius by which they had been cultivated.</p>
+
+<p>"Leonardo da Vinci, by the principles which he so effectually realised,
+has always been considered as having established the manly as well as the
+graceful age of modern art. But manhood is never so fixed as to be
+incapable of progress. The manhood then attained in art was capable of
+farther advancement beyond the growth which the powers of Da Vinci had
+given it. This was eminently illustrated by the sublimity of style which
+was attained by the genius of Michael Angelo and of Raphael;--quality
+equally original in both, although issuing from different principles. In
+the former, it was founded on that force and grandeur, allied to poetic
+spirit, which rises above all that is common, and leaves behind it all
+that is tame and simply correct; which, not content with engaging the
+senses, seizes on the imagination, while it never departs from truth. In
+the latter, it was made up of the beautiful and graceful, which attracts
+by the assemblage of whatever is most perfect and elevated in the
+character or subject.</p>
+
+<p>"Raphael coming somewhat later than Michael Angelo on the theatre of art,
+had the advantage of many of that master's works, as well as of all the
+improvements which had been made before. His life was a short one, and the
+first studies of it were almost lost in the dry school of Pietro Perugino.
+But he soon found his way to the philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci, and to
+the profound principles on which his admirable expression of character is
+founded. The dignity of drapery, and of light and shade, opened by
+Bartolomeo, invited his studies; and the sublimity of the human figure in
+the sculptures of his cotemporary, Michael Angelo, fastened on his
+contemplation. Thus he entered at once, as it were, into the inheritance
+of whatever excellencies had been produced before him. With these
+advantages he was called to adorn the apartments of the Vatican. And can
+we wonder that his first works there, at the age of seven-and-twenty, were
+the Dispute on the Sacrament, and the School of Athens?</p>
+
+<p>"But what was it that contributed very much to the production of those
+works? It was not the profound studies of Raphael's mind, but the spirit
+of the age which warmed those studies.--It was a great age, in which
+learning and science were become diffused, at least throughout Europe:--a
+great age replete with characters studious of philosophy; and, therefore,
+fond of the instruction conveyed by the arts;--fond of those high and
+more profound compositions which entered into the spirit of superior
+character, and made some study and research necessary to develope their
+beauties. To meet the taste of such an age, the two first public works of
+Raphael, above mentioned, were well suited, inasmuch as they were
+intended to convey the comparative views of theology and human science,
+or, in other words, the improvement of the human mind arising from the
+two great sources of national wisdom and revealed light. It must not also
+be forgotten, that while the spirit of the age was warming his mind to
+the peculiar dignity of theme and style which marks his works, the
+generous and noble patronage of the papal court was exerting its utmost
+power to immortalise him, and every other great master that arose within
+the circle of its influence. Their merit and their fame found as animated
+a protector in Leo X. as Phidias experienced in Pericles, or Apelles in
+Alexander the Great.</p>
+
+<p>"As the Florentine and Roman schools were thus gradually refined in the
+excellence of design and character, by the aid of philosophical studies;
+so the Venetian masters were equally indebted to the like studies, without
+which, they would never have reached their admirable system of colouring.
+If any have conceived otherwise, they have taken a very superficial view
+of their system. Where is there greater science concerned than in the
+whole theory of colours? It employed the investigation of Newton; and
+shall that pass for a common or easy attainment which took up so much of
+his profound studies? The Venetian masters had been long working their way
+to the radical principles of this science, not only for a just and perfect
+arrangement of their colouring, but for that clear and transparent system
+in the use of it, which have equally marked that school in the days of its
+maturity under Titian. He it was who established, on unerring principles,
+founded on nature and truth, that accomplished system which John Bellini
+had first laboured to discover, and in which Giorgioni had made further
+advancements. Besides his zeal in his profession, Titian was born in that
+higher rank of life which might be supposed to give him an easier access
+to the elegant studies of philosophic science; and he had prosecuted, with
+great ardour, the science of chemisty, the better to understand the
+properties of colour, their homogeneous blendings, purity, and duration;
+as well as the properties of oils, gums, and other fluids, which might
+form the fittest vehicles to convey his colours upon canvass.</p>
+
+<p>"The elegant Charles V. was to Titian in liberal pratronage what Leo X.
+was to Raphael. That munificent prince carried him into Spain, where his
+works laid the foundation of the Spanish school in painting, and gave a
+relish for that art to all the succeeding monarchs.</p>
+
+<p>"What has been remarked respecting Titian and the Venetian school, is
+equally true of that of Correggio among the Lombard painters. The mind of
+Correggio appears evidently, by his works, to have been profoundly
+enlightened; and especially in the philosophical arrangement and general
+doctrine of colours. What has been said by some concerning the low
+circumstances of his fortune, (which is not true,) neither proves the
+obscurity of his birth, nor that philosophical researches were out of his
+reach, or beside his emulation. The truth is, that he was born of a very
+honourable family, and was accomplished in the elegancies of life; not
+that it is necessary for any man to have the advantages of birth, in
+order to become enlightened by science in any way whatever. The patronage
+which attended him was of the most elevated kind, being dispensed by the
+illustrious houses of Mantua and Modena, as well as by the institution of
+the Doma of Parma. But what is by no means less worthy of our notice is,
+that of all the masters who have risen up in any of the schools of Italy,
+not one has been the means of giving success and reputation to those who
+have followed any of their respective styles equally with Correggio. The
+ineffable softness, sweetness, and grace in his paintings, have never
+varied in their effects with the course of time. And they who have since
+partaken of these powers in his style, have very generally become great
+masters, (distinguished by none of the excesses which have sometimes
+attended the imitation of other models,) and successful in gainng the
+approbation and favour of the world.</p>
+
+<p>"The paths pursued by those great examples must become yours, young
+gentlemen, or you can neither be eminent in colouring, nor sure in the
+execution of your art. It is possible, that by habits of practice, handed
+over from one to another, or by little managements in laying colours on
+the canvass, where little or nothing of the general science has been
+studied and attained, many may so far succeed as to avoid glaring errors,
+and a violation of those first principles which have their foundation in
+nature. But that success is at all times extremely hazardous and dependent
+on chance. More frequently it has introduced invincible conflicts between
+the primary and secondary colours, to the ruin of harmony and aerial
+perspective, and to the overthrow of the artist, whenever the picture is
+glanced upon by the eye of scientific discernment. Contemptible are the
+best of such managements, ever in the hands of those that know them best,
+compared with a full and masterly possession of the philosophy by which
+this part of your art must be guided. If the ordonnance of colour, on each
+figure and on the whole, is not disposed according to the immutable laws
+of the science, no fine effect, or accordant tones of colours, can
+possibly be produced. There is, therefore, but one way to make sure of
+success, and to raise your characters in this point, and that is by making
+yourselves masters of the whole philosophy of colours, as Titian and
+Correggio did, and some others, in whose works, from first to last, the
+minutest scrutiny will never find a colour misplaced or prejudiced by its
+disposition with others.</p>
+
+<p>"To be perfect, is the emulation which belongs to those arts in which you
+are engaged, and the anxious hope of the country in which you live. To
+animate you to that perfection, is the object of what I have now addressed
+to you. I am persuaded it is your ambition to be perfect. This Academy
+looks with pleasure on the progress of your studies, as it may look with
+pride on the high and cultivated state to which the arts have been raised
+among us ever since they have had the establishment of a regular school.
+It is no flattery to the present &aelig;ra in Britain to say, that in no age of
+the world have the arts been carried in any country to such a summit as
+they now hold among us, in so short a period as half a century at most.
+Among the Greeks some centuries had elapsed, amidst no little emulation
+in the arts, before they obtained an Apelles. In modern Italy, without
+going as far back as we might, it took up a century from the appearance of
+Massaccio to the perfection of a Raphael. If, then, the British school has
+risen so much more speedily to that celebrity in art, which it is too well
+known and established to need any illustration here, what should hinder
+her professors from becoming the most distinguished rivals of the fame
+acquired by the Greeks and Italians, with a due perseverance in the
+studies which lead to perfection, and with those encouragements and
+support of patronage which are due to genius?</p>
+
+<p>"As the source of that patronage, we look up with affectionate gratitude
+to the benign and flattering attention of our most gracious Sovereign, to
+whose regard for the elegant arts, and munificent disposition to cherish
+every enlargement of science, and improvement of the human mind, his
+people are indebted for this public seminary, his own favoured
+Institution, and the first which this country has ever been so fortunate
+as to see established. Under his royal patronage and support, this Academy
+has risen to its present strength and flourishing condition. His
+patronage, which would be improperly estimated by mere expenditure, in a
+country not similar in the latitude of government, or in the controul over
+revenue, to ancient Greece or modern Italy, but properly by its diffusive
+influence, has been the source of every other patronage in the country;
+has inspired that refined taste and ardour for elegant arts, which have
+given in fact a new character to the people, and has raised within and
+without this Academy that body of distinguished men, whose works have
+contributed to immortalise his reign, as his love for the arts has become
+the means of immortalising them.</p>
+
+<p>"The patronage which has flowed from other quarters, deserves very
+honourable mention; and is of so much importance, that without it the
+spirit of art must droop, and the very profession of it be contracted in
+every situation whatever. It is not by the influence and support of any
+individual character, how elevated soever, or how warm soever in his
+attachment to taste and elegance, that the extent of professional talents
+spread through a country, can be effectually sustained with adequate
+encouragements. It is the wealthy and the great, who are commonly trained
+by their situations to the perception of what is elegant and refined, that
+must come forward in such an illustrious undertaking. It is only they who
+can meet every where the merit, let it be disseminated as it may, which is
+entitled, to distinction. Without the patronage of such, the arts could
+never have obtained their high meridian in Greece and Italy. Had not the
+communities and rich individuals in Greece taken the arts under their
+protection, not all the encouragement of Pericles, or of Alexander the
+Great, could have drawn forth that immense body of painting and sculpture
+which filled the country. Had the patronage of Italy rested with the popes
+and princes, unaccompanied by those munificent supports which flowed from
+the churches and convents, as well as from private individuals of rank and
+wealth, the galleries of that country could never have been so superbly
+filled as they were, nor could those collections have been made from
+thence, which have filled so many galleries and cabinets elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>"These facts are not to be denied; but they also lead us to another
+lesson, which is, that the patronage so generally dispensed was for the
+protection of living genius, and that they by whom it was so dispensed
+sought no other collections than the works of native and living artists.
+On any other ground there can be no such thing as patronage. Nothing else
+is worthy of that name. The true and generous patron of great works
+selects those which are produced by the talents existing around him. By
+collecting from other countries, he may greatly enrich himself, but can
+never give celebrity to the country in which he lives. The encouragement
+extended to the genius of a single artist, though it may produce but one
+original work, adds more to the celebrity of a people, and is a higher
+proof of true patriotic ardour, and of a generous love for the progress of
+art, than all the collections that ever were made by the productions of
+other countries, and all the expenditures that ever were bestowed in
+making them. Did the habits of our domestic circumstances, like those of
+Italy, permit the ingenious student to have access to those works of
+established masters, procured by the spirit of their noble and wealthy
+possessors, and of many distinguished amateurs on the most liberal terms,
+and with the honourable purpose of forming the taste, as well as enriching
+the treasures, of the country, every thing would then be done, which is
+wanting to complete the public benefit of such collections, and the
+general gratitude to which they who have made them would be entitled. So
+abundant are the accomplished examples in art already introduced among us,
+that there would then be no necessity for students to run to other
+countries for those improvements which their own can furnish.</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be improper at any time to make these remarks; while it must
+also be observed, that the patronage held forth by many great and noble
+characters needs no spur; and the means projected by other spirited
+individuals in opulent stations, for extending and perpetuating the works
+of British masters, fall short in no degree of the most fervid energies
+and examples, of which any country has been able to boast.</p>
+
+<p>"It is your duty, young gentlemen, to become accomplished in your
+professions, that you may keep alive those energies and examples of
+patronage, when you come to draw the attention of the world to your own
+works. It is by your success that the arts must be carried on and
+preserved here. Patronage can only be expected to follow what is eminently
+meritorious, and more especially that general patronage diffused through
+the more respectable ranks of society, which is to professional merit,
+what the ocean is to the earth;--the great fund from whence it must ever
+be refreshed, and without whose abundance, conveyed through innumerable
+channels, every thing must presently become dry, and all productions cease
+to exist."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-12"></a>Chap. XII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.</blockquote>
+
+<p>After a careful examination of all the remaining notes of Mr. West, it
+appeared to me, that the discourse which he delivered on the 10th of
+December, 1811, was the only one that required particular notice, after
+those which I have already introduced. In some respects it will, perhaps,
+be deemed the most interesting of the whole.</p>
+
+<p>"The few points," said the President, "upon which I mean to touch in the
+present Discourse, are those which more immediately apply to the
+students, who are generously striving to attain excellence in the first
+class of refined art,--historical painting.</p>
+
+<p>"Whether their exertions are directed to painting, or the sister arts,
+architecture and sculpture, the first thing they must impress upon their
+minds, and engraft upon every shoot of their fancy, is that of the
+appropriate character, by which the subject they are about to treat, is
+distinguished from all other subjects. On this foundation, all the points
+of refined art which are, in the truest sense, intellectual, invariably
+rest; for without justness of character the works of the pencil can have
+but little value, and can never entitle the artist to the praise of a
+well-governed genius, or of possessing that philosophical precision of
+judgment, which is the source of excellence in the superior walk of his
+profession. At the same time, let it be indelibly fixed in your minds,
+that when decided character is to be given, that character must be
+accompanied by correctness of outline, whether it be in painting or in
+sculpture. Any representation of the human figure, in the higher
+department of art, wanting these requisites, is, to the feelings of the
+educated artist, deficient in that, for the loss of which no other
+excellency can compensate.</p>
+
+<p>"Architecture.--This department of art received its decided character from
+the Greeks. They distinctly fixed the embellishments to the several
+orders; and, by their adaptation of these embellishments and orders, their
+buildings obtained a distinct and appropriate character, which declared
+the uses for which they were erected.</p>
+
+<p>"The Romans, in their best era of taste, copied their Grecian instructors
+in that appropriate character of embellishment which explained, at a
+glance, the use of their respective buildings; but, in their latter ages,
+they declined from this original purity; and it is the fragments of that
+corruption, in which they lost the characteristic precision of the Greeks,
+that we have seen of late years employed upon many of our buildings. The
+want of mental reflection in employing the orders of architectures with a
+rational precision as to character, produces the same sort of deficiency
+which we find in an historical picture; where, although each figure, in
+correct proportion, be well drawn, with drapery elegantly folded, yet, not
+being employed appropriately to the subject, affords no satisfaction to
+the spectator.</p>
+
+<p>"The Greeks were in architecture what they were in sculpture; and it is to
+them you must look for the original purity of both. We feel rejoiced, that
+the exertions recently made by a noble personage to enrich our studies in
+both of these departments of art are such, that we may say, London has
+become the Athens for study. It is the mental power displayed in the Elgin
+marbles that I wish the juvenile artist to notice. Look at the equestrian
+groups of the young Athenians in this collection, and you will find in
+them that momentary motion which life gives on the occasion to the riders
+and their horses. The horse we perceive feels that power which the impulse
+of life has given to his rider; we see in him the animation of his whole
+frame; in the fire of his eyes, the distention of his nostrils, and in the
+rapid motion of his feet, yielding to the guidance of his rider, or in the
+speeding of his course: they are, therefore, in perfect unison with the
+life in each. At this moment of their animation, they appear to have been
+turned into stone by some majestic power, and not created by the human
+hand. The single head of the horse, in the same collection, seems as if it
+had, by the same influence, been struck into marble, when he was exerting
+all the energy of his motion.</p>
+
+<p>"These admirable sculptures, which now adorn our city, are the union of
+Athenian genius and philosophy, and illustrate my meaning respecting the
+mental impression which is so essentially to be given to works of refined
+art. It was this point which the Grecian philosophers wished to impress on
+the minds of their sculptors, not to follow their predecessors the
+Egyptians in sculpture, who represented their figures without motion,
+although nearly perfect in giving to them the external form. 'It is the
+passions,' said they, 'with which man is endowed, that we wish to see in
+the movements of your figures.' This advice of the philosophers was felt
+by the sculptors, and the Athenian marbles are the faithful records of the
+efficacy of that advice.</p>
+
+<p>"That you may distinctly perceive and invariably distinguish what we mean
+by appropriate character in art, particularly in sculpture, I would class
+with these sculptures, the Hercules, the Apollo, the Venus, the Laocoon,
+and the Gladiator. In these examples you will find what is appropriate in
+character to subject, united with correctness of outline; and it is this
+combination of truths which has arrested the attention of an admiring
+world, ever since they were produced; and which will attract to them the
+admiration of after ages, so long as the workings of the mind on the
+external form can be contemplated and understood.</p>
+
+<p>"Now let us see what works there are since the revival of art in the
+modern world, which rest on the same basis of appropriate character and
+correctness of outline, with those of the ancient Greeks.</p>
+
+<p>"The Moses which the powers of Michael Angelo's mind has presented to our
+view, claims our first attention. In this statue the points of character,
+in every mode of precise, determinate, and elevated expression, have been
+carried to a pitch of grandeur which modern art has not since excelled. In
+this figure of Moses, Michael Angelo has fixed the unalterable standard of
+the Jewish lawgiver,--a character delineated and justified by the text in
+inspired sculpture. The character of Moses was well suited to the grandeur
+of the artist's conceptions, and to the dreadful energy of his feelings.
+Accordingly, in mental character, this figure holds the first station in
+modern art; and I believe we may venture to say, had no competitor in
+ancient, except those of the Jupiter and Minerva by Phidias. But the
+Saviour, all meekness and benevolence, which Michael Angelo made to
+accompany the Moses, was not in unison with his genius. The figure is
+mean, but slightly removed from an academical figure, and in no point
+appropriate to the subject: so are most of the single figures of the
+artist, in his great work on the Day of Judgment; but his groups in that
+composition are every where in character, and have not their rivals
+either in painting or sculpture. His Bacchus claims our admiration, as
+being appropriate to the subject, by the same excellence in delineation
+which distinguish the groups in the Day of Judgment. No person can have a
+higher veneration than I have for that grandeur of character impressed on
+the figures by Michael Angelo; but it is the fitness of the characters and
+of the action to the subject, to which I wish to draw your attention, and
+not to pour out praise on those points, in which he and other eminent
+masters are deficient. On this occasion, I must therefore be permitted to
+repeat, that most of the single figures in his great work of the Day of
+Judgment, are deficient in the fitness of appropriate character, and in
+the fitness of appropriate action to the subject; although as single
+figures they demand our admiration. But excellent as they are, they are
+but the ingenious adaptation of legs, arms, and heads, to the celebrated
+Torso, which bears his name, and which served as the model to most of his
+figures. All figures in composition, however excellent they may be in
+delineation, which have not their actions and expressions springing from
+the subject in which they are the actors, can only be considered as
+academical efforts, without the impress of mental power, and without any
+philosophical attention to the truth of the subject which the artist
+intended to illustrate.</p>
+
+<p>"Leonardo da Vinci is the first who had a full and right conception of the
+principle which I wish to inculcate, and he has shown it in his picture of
+the Last Supper. But it is necessary to distinguish what parts of the
+picture deserve consideration. It is the decision, the appropriate
+character of the apostles to the subject; the significance of expression
+in their several countenances, and the diversity of action in each figure;
+their actions seemingly in perfect unison with their minds, and their
+figures individually in unison with their respective situations; some are
+confused at the words spoken by our Saviour: "There is one amongst you who
+shall betray me;" others are thrown under impressions of a different
+feeling. In this respect the picture has left us without an appeal,
+either to nature or to art. But Da Vinci failed in the head of our
+Saviour. He has failed in his attempt to combine the almost incompatible
+qualities of dignity and meekness which are demanded in the countenance of
+the Saviour. He had exhausted his powers of characteristic discrimination
+in the heads of the apostles; and in his attempt to give meekness to the
+countenance of Jesus, he sank into insipience. He had the prudence,
+therefore, to leave the face unfinished, that the imagination of the
+beholder might not be disappointed by an imperfect image, but form one in
+his mind more appropriate to his feelings and to the subject. The ruin of
+this picture, the report of which I understand is true, has deprived the
+world and the arts of one of the mental eyes of painting. But pleasing as
+the works of Leonardo da Vinci are in general, had he not produced this
+picture of the Last Supper, and the cartoon of the equestrian combatants
+for the standard of victory, he would scarcely have emerged, as a painter
+of strong character, above mediocrity. Indeed the back-ground, and general
+distribution of this picture, sufficiently mark their Gothic origin. But
+his pictures, generally speaking, are more characterised by their
+laborious finishing, gentleness, and sweetness of character, than by the
+energies of a lively imagination.</p>
+
+<p>"Fra. Bartolomeo di St. Marco, of Florence, was one of the first who
+became enamoured of that superiority which grandeur and decision of
+character gives to art; and, indeed, of all those higher excellences which
+the philosophical mind of Da Vinci had accomplished. In the pictures of
+Bartolomeo we behold, for the first time, that breadth of the
+clair-obscure--the deep tones of colour, with their philosophical
+arrangement, united to that noble folding of drapery appropriate to, and
+significant of, every character it covered; a point of excellence in this
+master, from which Raphael caught his first conception of that noble
+simplicity which distinguishes the dignity of his draperies, and which it
+became his pride through life to imitate.</p>
+
+<p>"Bartolomeo, in his figure of St. Mark, has convinced us how important and
+indispensable is the union of mental conception with truth of
+observation, in order to give a decided and appropriate character to an
+Evangelist of the Gospel. None of the pictures of this artist possess the
+excellence of his St. Mark except one, which is in the city of Lucca, the
+capital of the republic of that name; and, as that picture is but little
+known to travellers, and almost unknown to many artists who have visited
+Italy, a description of it may not be unacceptable.</p>
+
+<p>"The picture is on pannel, and its dimensions somewhat about twenty feet
+in height by fourteen in width. The subject is the Assumption of the
+Virgin Mary. The composition is divided into three groups; the Apostles
+and the sepulchre form the centre group, from the midst of which the
+Virgin ascends; her body-drapery is of a deep ruby colour, which is the
+only decided red in the picture, and her mantle blue, but in depth of tone
+approaching to black, and extended by angels to nearly each side of the
+picture. This mantle is relieved by a light, in tone resembling that of
+the break of day, seen over the summit of a dark mountain, which gives an
+awful grandeur to the effect of the picture on entering the chapel, in
+which it is placed over the altar. That awful light of the morning is
+contrasted with the golden effulgence above; in the midst of which, our
+Saviour is seen with extended arms, to receive and welcome his mother.</p>
+
+<p>"From the sepulchre, and the Apostles in the centre, to the fore-ground,
+the third group of figures partly lies in shade, occasioned by the
+over-shadowing of the Virgin's deep-toned mantle extended by angels. On
+the other part of the group, on the side where the light enters, the
+figures are seen in the broad blaze of day; and amongst them is the
+portrait of the artist.</p>
+
+<p>"When I first saw this picture, my sensations were in unison with its
+awful character; and I confess that I was touched with the same kind of
+sensibility as when I heard the inexpressibly harmonious blendings of
+vocal sounds in the solemn notes of <i>Non nobis Domine</i>. I never felt more
+forcibly the dignity of music and the dignity of painting, than from
+these two compositions of art.</p>
+
+<p>"When we consider the combination of excellence requisite to produce the
+sublime in painting; the union of propriety with dignity of character; the
+graceful grouping; the noble folding of drapery, and the deep sombrous
+tones of the clair-obscure, with appropriate colours harmoniously blending
+into one whole;--if there is a picture entitled to the appellation of
+<i>sublime</i>, from the union of all these excellences, It is that which I
+have described: considered in all its parts, it is, perhaps, superior to
+any work in painting, which has fallen under my observation.</p>
+
+<p>"When these powerful essays in art by Da Vinci, Bartolomeo di St. Marco,
+and Michael Angelo became celebrated, Raphael, having attained his adult
+age, made his appearance at Florence; where the influence of the works of
+those three great artists pervaded all the avenues to excellence in art.</p>
+
+<p>"The gentle sensibility of Raphael's mind was like the softened wax
+which makes more visible and distinct the form of the engraving with
+which it is touched. Blest by Nature with this endowment, he became like
+the heir to the treasured wealth of many families. Enriched by the
+accumulated experience which was then in Florence, united to the early
+tuition of delineating from nature under Pietro Perugino, and the
+subsequent discoveries of the Grecian relics, Raphael's mind became
+stored with all that was excellent; and he possessed a practised hand, to
+make his conceptions visible on his tablets. Possessing these powers, he
+was invited to Rome, and began his picture of <i>The Dispute on the
+Sacrament</i>. This picture he finished, together with <i>The School of
+Athens</i>, before he had attained his twenty-eighth year. At Rome he found
+himself amidst the splendour of a refined court, and in the focus of
+human endowment. He became sensible of the rare advantages of his
+situation; he had industry and ardour to combine and to embrace them all;
+and the effect is visible in his works. The theological arrangement of
+the disputants on the Sacrament, and the scholastic controversies at
+Athens, convince us of this truth. In the upper part of the Dispute on
+the Sacrament, something may be observed of that taste of Bartolomeo in
+drapery, and of the dryness and hardness of his first master Pietro
+Perugino; but in the parts which make the aggregate of that work, he has
+blended the result of his own observations. In his School of Athens, this
+is still more strikingly the case; and in his Heliodorus we see
+additional dignity and an enlargement of style.</p>
+
+<p>"At this period of his life, such was the desire of his society by the
+great, and such the ambition of standing forward amongst his patrons by
+all who were eminent for rank and taste, that he was seduced into courtly
+habits, and relaxed from that studious industry, with which he had
+formerly laboured; and there are evident marks in many of his works in the
+Vatican, of a decline of excellence, and that he was suffering pleasure
+and indolence to rob him of his fame. Sensible of this decline in his
+compositions, the powers of his mind re-assumed their energies; and that
+re-animation stands marked in his unrivalled compositions of the Cartoons
+which are in this country, and in the picture of the Transfiguration.</p>
+
+<p>"The transcendant excellence in composition, and in appropriate
+character to subject, in the cartoon of Paul preaching at Athens, has
+left us to desire or expect nothing farther to be done in telling this
+incident of history.</p>
+
+<p>"In the composition of the death of Ananias, and in the single figure of
+Elymas the sorcerer struck blind, we have the same example of excellence.
+We have indeed in many of the characters and groups in the cartoons, the
+various modes of reasoning, speaking, and feeling; but so blended with
+nature and truth, and so precise and determined in character, that
+criticism has nothing wherewith in that respect to ask for amendment.</p>
+
+<p>"Had the life of this illustrious painter, which closed on his birth-day
+in his thirty-seventh year, been prolonged to the period of that of
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, or Titian, when in the space of
+seventeen years at Rome he has given the world more unrivalled works of
+art, than has fallen to the lot of any other painter, what an additional
+excellence might we not have expected in his works for subsequent
+generations to admire.</p>
+
+<p>"The next distinguished artist who comes under our consideration is
+Titian. The grandeur which Michael Angelo gave to the human figure, Titian
+has rivalled in colour, and both were dignified during their lives with
+the appellation of The Divine.</p>
+
+<p>"I will pass over the many appropriate portraits which he painted of men,
+and the portraits of women, though not the most distinguished for beauty,
+in the character of Venus, to meet the fashion of the age in which he
+lived; and notice only those works of mental power, which have raised him
+to eminence in the class of refined artists. On this point, you will find
+that his picture of St. Peter Martyr will justify the claim he has to
+that rank.</p>
+
+<p>"St. Peter the Martyr was the head of a religious sect: when on his way
+from the confines of Germany to Milan with a companion, he was attacked by
+one in opposition to his religious principles while passing through a
+wood, and murdered. This is the subject of the picture. The prostrate
+figure of the Saint, just fallen by a blow from the assassin, raises one
+of his hands towards heaven, with a countenance of confidence in eternal
+reward for the firmness of his faith; while the assassin grasps with his
+left hand the mantle of his victim, the better to enable him, by his
+uplifted sword in the other hand, to give the fatal blow to the fallen
+saint. The companion is flying off in frantic dismay, and has received a
+wound in the head from the assassin.</p>
+
+<p>"The ferocious and determined action of the murderer bestriding the body
+of the fallen saint, completes a group of figures which have not a rival
+in art. The majestic trees, as well as the sable and rugged furze, form an
+awful back-ground to this tragical scene, every way appropriate to the
+subject. The heavenly messengers seen in the glory above, bearing the
+palm branches as the emblem of reward for martyrdom, form the second
+light; the first being the sky and cloud, which gives relief to the black
+drapery of the wounded companion; while the rays of light from the
+emanation above, sparkling on the dark branches of the trees as so many
+diamonds, tie together by their light all the others from the top to the
+bottom of the picture. The terror which the act of the murderer has
+spread, is denoted by the speed of the horseman passing into the gloomy
+recesses of a distant part of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>"This picture, taken in the aggregate, is the first work in art in which
+the human figure and landscape are combined as an historical landscape,
+and where all the objects are the full size of nature.</p>
+
+<p>"When I saw this picture at Venice in 1761, it was then in the same state
+of purity as when the Bologna artists saw and studied it; and it is
+recorded that Caracci declared this picture to be without fault. But we
+have to lament the fatal effects which the goddess Bellona has ever
+occasioned to the fine arts when she mounts her iron chariot of
+destruction. When this picture fell under her rapacious power, on board a
+French vessel passing down the Adriatic sea from Venice, one of our
+cruisers chased the vessel into the port of Ancona, and a cannon-shot
+pierced the pannel on which the picture was painted, and shivered a
+portion of it into pieces.</p>
+
+<p>"On its arrival at Paris, the committee of the fine arts found it
+necessary to remove the painting from the pannel, and place it on canvass;
+but the picture has lost the principal light.</p>
+
+<p>"But to sum up Titian's powers of conception, no one has equalled him in
+the propriety and fitness of colour. His pictures of St. Peter Martyr; the
+David and Goliah; and the Last Supper, which is in the Escurial, stand in
+the very highest rank in art. On the latter of these pictures being
+finished, Titian in his letter to the King, announcing the circumstance,
+says that it had been the labour of seven years. But by his original
+sketch in oil colours, which I have the good fortune to possess, and by
+which we may form an estimate, although the general effect and composition
+are unrivalled, the characters of the heads of the apostles are not equal
+to those of Leonardo da Vinci on the same subject.</p>
+
+<p>"Antonio Allegri da Correggio is the sixth source, whose emanating powers
+have illuminated the fine arts in the modern world. A superstitious mind,
+on seeing his works, would suppose that he had received his tuition in
+painting from the angels; as his figures seem to belong to another race of
+being than man, and to have something too celestial for the forms of earth
+to have presented to his view. Such have been the sayings of many on
+seeing his works at Parma, but, to my conception, he painted from the
+nature with which he was surrounded. His pictures of the Note, St.
+Gierolimo, and the St. George, are evident proofs of the observation. In
+the first of these pictures his mental conception shines supreme. It is
+the idea of illuminating the child in the subject of our Saviour's
+nativity. This splendid thought of giving light to the infant Christ,
+whose divine mission was to illuminate the human mind from Pagan darkness,
+no painter has since been so bold as to omit in any composition on the
+same subject. The two latter pictures have all the beauties seen in the
+paintings of this master, but they are deficient in appropriate character.</p>
+
+<p>"The inspiring power of Correggio's works illuminated the genius of
+Parmegiano, the energetic movements of whose graceful figures have never
+been equalled, nor are they deficient in the moral influence of the art.
+His Moses breaking the tables in a church at Parma, and his picture of the
+vision of St. Gierolimo, now in England, are filled with the impress of
+his intellectual powers, and stand pre-eminent over all his works.</p>
+
+<p>"I have thus taken a survey of the works of art, which stand supreme among
+the productions of Grecian and Italian genius, and which are the sources
+from which the subsequent schools have derived most of the principles of
+their celebrity.</p>
+
+<p>"The papal vortex drew into it nearly all the various powers of human
+refinement, and the inspiring influence of the first school in art having
+centered in Rome gave it superiority, till the Constable Bourbon, by
+sacking that city, obliged the fine arts to fly from their place, like
+doves from the vultures: they never re-appeared at Rome but with
+secondary power.</p>
+
+<p>"About a century subsequent to their flight from Rome they were
+re-animated, and formed the second school of art in Italy at the city of
+Bologna under the Carracci, at the head of which was Ludovico. He and his
+two relatives, Hanibal and Augustin Carracci, derived their principles
+from the Venetian School, from Titian, Paul Veronese, and Tintoret, and
+from the Lombard School of Correggio and Parmegiano. But the good sense of
+Ludovico raised by them and himself a school of their own, which excelled
+in the power of delineating the human figure, but which power gave to that
+school more academical taste than mental character.</p>
+
+<p>"Their great work was that in the convent of St. Michael in Boresco, near
+Bologna; but this work has perished by damp, and the only remains on
+record of what it was, are in the coarse prints which were done from
+copies executed when it was in good condition. But grand as it must have
+been according to the evidence of these prints, it was but an academical
+composition.</p>
+
+<p>"The picture by Ludovico, however, of our Saviour's Transfiguration on the
+Mount, consisting of six figures double the size of life, has embraced
+nearly all the points of art, and has placed the artist high in the first
+class of painters.</p>
+
+<p>"The masters of the Bolognese school going to Rome and other parts of
+Italy, their successors at Bologna contented themselves by retailing the
+several manners of the three Carracci--Guido, Domenichino and Guercino.
+This system of retailing continued to descend from master to pupil, until
+the school of Bologna sunk into irrecoverable imbecility.</p>
+
+<p>"The most esteemed work in painting by Augustine Carracci is the Communion
+of St. Jerom. It possesses grandeur of style, is bold in execution, and
+the faces are not deficient in the appropriate expression of sensibility
+towards the object before them. It was on the composition of this picture,
+that Domenichino formed his on the same subject, so much celebrated as to
+be considered next in merit to Raphael's Transfiguration. But fine as it
+is admitted to be, we must say, as a borrowed idea, it lessens the merit
+of the artist's originality of mind.</p>
+
+<p>"The finest picture by Guido is in a church at Genoa, where he has brought
+to a focus all the force of his powers in grace and beauty, with an
+expression and execution of pencil rarely to be met with in art. The
+subject is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The angels, who surround the
+Virgin, have something in their faces so celestial, that they seem as if
+they had really descended from Heaven, and sat to the artist while he
+painted them. The Virgin herself seems to have had the same complacency.
+The characters of the Apostles' heads are so exquisitely drawn and
+painted, as to be without competition in the works of any other painter.</p>
+
+<p>"The most esteemed picture by Guercino is is that of Santa Petranella,
+which he painted for St. Peter's Church, at Rome.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Gentlemen, if you aspire to excellence in your profession, you must
+not rest your future studies on the excellence of any individual, however
+exalted his name or genius; but, like the industrious bee, survey the
+whole face of nature, and sip the sweets from every flower. When thus
+enriched, lay up your acquisitions for future use; and with that
+enrichment from Nature's inexhaustible source, examine the great works of
+art to animate your feelings, and to excite your emulation. When you are
+thus mentally enriched, and your hand practised to obey the powers of
+your will, you will then find your pencils, or your chisels, as magic
+wands, calling into view creations of your own, to adorn your name and
+your country.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot, however, close this Discourse, without acknowledging a debt due
+from this Academy, as well as that which is due to the Academy itself.
+Soon after His present Majesty had ascended the throne, his benign regard
+for the prosperity of the fine arts in these realms was manifested by his
+gracious commands to establish this favoured Institution.</p>
+
+<p>"The heart of every artist, and of the friend of art, glowed with mutual
+congratulation to see a British King, for the first time, at the head of
+the fine arts. His Majesty nominated forty members guardians to his infant
+academy; and that they have been faithful to the trust which he graciously
+reposed in them, the several apartments under this roof sufficiently
+testify. The professors are highly endowed with accomplishments and
+scientific knowledge in the several branches to which they are
+respectively appointed; and the funds able to render relief to the
+indigent and decayed artists, their widows and children.</p>
+
+<p>"Who can reflect for a moment on the rare advantages here held out for
+the instruction of youthful genius, and the aid given to the decayed,
+their widows and helpless offspring, without feeling the grateful emotions
+of the heart rise towards a patriot King, for giving to the arts this home
+within the walls of a stately mansion, and towards the members of this
+Academy, who, as his faithful guardians, have so ably fulfilled the
+purposes for which the Institution was formed.</p>
+
+<p>"United to what the Academicians have done, and are doing, another
+honourable establishment, sanctioned by His Majesty for promoting the fine
+arts, has been created and composed of noblemen and gentlemen whose known
+zeal for the success of refined art is so conspicuous and honourable to
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Such have been the efforts to give splendour to the fine arts in this
+country, and such are the results which have attended these exertions;
+that knowing, as we do, the movements of the arts on the Continent, I may
+confidently say, that our annual exhibitions, both as to number and
+taste, engrafted on nature and the fruit of mental conception, are such
+that all the combined efforts in art on the continent of Europe in the
+same time have not been able to equal. To such attainments, were those in
+power but to bestow the crumbs from the national table to cherish the fine
+arts, we might pledge ourselves, that the genius of Britain would, in a
+few years, dispute the prize with the proudest periods of Grecian or
+Italian art. But, Gentlemen, let us not despair; we have heard from this
+place, the promise of patronage from the Prince Regent, the propitious
+light of a morning that will open into perfect day, invigorating the
+growth of all around--the assurance of a new era to the elevation of the
+fine arts, in the United Kingdom."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-13"></a>Chap. XIII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the Members
+    of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin of the
+    British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.</blockquote>
+
+<p>During the Peace of Amiens, Mr. West, like every other person who
+entertained any feeling of admiration for the fine arts, was desirous of
+seeing that magnificent assemblage of paintings and sculptures, which
+constituted the glory and the shame of Buonaparte's administration. He
+accordingly furnished himself with letters from Lord Hawkesbury, then
+Secretary of State, to Mr. Merry, the British representative at the
+consular court; and also with introductions from Monsieur Otto, the French
+minister in London, to the most distinguished members of his government.</p>
+
+<p>On delivering Lord Hawkesbury's letters to Mr. Merry, that gentleman
+informed him that one of the French ministers had, the preceding evening,
+mentioned that Monsieur Otto had written in such terms respecting him,
+that he and his colleagues were resolved to pay him every mark of the most
+distinguished attention. Mr. Merry, therefore, advised Mr. West to call on
+the several ministers himself with the letters, and leave them with his
+card. As the object for which the Artist had procured these introductions
+was only to obtain, with more facility, access to the different galleries,
+he was rather embarrassed by this information; and would have declined
+delivering the letters altogether; but Mr. Merry said, that, as his
+arrival in Paris was already known to the government, he could not with
+any propriety avoid paying his respects to the ministers.</p>
+
+<p>After delivering his letters and card accordingly, the hotel where he
+resided was, in the course of the week, visited by all the most
+distinguished of the French statesmen; and he had the honour of being
+invited to dine with them successively. At these parties, the
+conversation turned very much on the importance of the arts to all nations
+aspiring to fame and eminence; and he very soon perceived, that the vast
+collection of trophies which adorned the Louvre, had not been formed so
+much for ostentatious exhibition, as with a view to furnish models of
+study for artists; constituting, in fact, but the elementary part of a
+grand system of national decoration designed by Buonaparte, and by which
+he expected to leave such memorials to posterity as would convince the
+world that his magnificence was worthy of his military achievements.</p>
+
+<p>It happened at this particular period, that the galleries of the Louvre
+were closed to the public for some time, but a deputation from the Central
+Administration of the Arts, under whose care the collections were
+particularly placed, waited on Mr. West, and informed him, that orders
+were given to admit him and his friends at all times. Denon was at the
+head of this deputation; and in the course of the conversation which then
+took place, that accomplished enthusiast explained to Mr. West more
+circumstantially the extensive views entertained by the French government
+with respect to the arts, mentioning several of the superb schemes which
+were formed by the First Consul for the decoration of the capital.</p>
+
+<p>This information made a very deep impression on the mind of Mr. West, and
+he felt extremely sorrowful when he reflected, that hitherto the British
+government had done nothing decidedly with a view to promote the
+cultivation of those arts, which may justly be said to constitute the
+olive wreath on the brows of every great nation. Mr. Fox and Sir Francis
+Baring, who were at this same time in Paris, happened soon after the
+departure of Monsieur Denon to call, and they went with Mr. West to the
+Louvre, where, as they were walking in the gallery, he explained to them
+what he had heard. An interesting discussion took place in consequence;
+and Mr. West endeavoured to explain in what manner he considered the
+cultivation of the fine arts of the utmost importance even in a commercial
+point of view to England.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fox paid great attention to what he said, and observed, in a tone of
+regret, "I have been rocked in the cradle of politics from my infancy, and
+never before was so much struck with the advantage, even in a political
+bearing, of the fine arts to the prosperity, as well as the renown, of a
+kingdom; and I do assure you, Mr. West, that if ever I have it in my power
+to influence our government to promote the arts, the conversation that we
+have had to-day shall not be forgotten." Sir Francis Baring also concurred
+in opinion, that it was really become an imperious duty, on the part of
+the British nation, to do something for a class of art that, undoubtedly,
+tended to improve the beauty, and multiply the variety of manufactures,
+independent of all monumental considerations.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. West had returned home, the subject was renewed with Sir Francis
+Baring; and he endeavoured to set on foot the formation of a society,
+which should have the encouragement of the line arts for its object, and
+thought that government might be induced to give it pecuniary assistance.
+Sir Thomas Barnard took up the idea with great zeal; and several meetings
+took place at Mr. West's house, at which Mr. Charles Long and Sir Abraham
+Hume were present, which terminated in the formation of that association
+that now constitutes the British Institution, in Pall Mall. Mr. Long
+undertook to confer with Mr. Pitt, who was then again in power, on the
+subject, and the proposal was received by him with much apparent
+sincerity. But a disastrous series of public events about the same time
+commenced: the attention of the Minister was absorbed in the immediate
+peril of the state; and he fell a victim to his anxieties, without having
+had it in his power to further the objects of the association.</p>
+
+<p>At the death of his great rival, Mr. Fox came into office; and he soon
+after called on Mr. West, and, reminding him of the conversation in the
+gallery of the Louvre, said, "It is my earnest intention, as soon as I am
+firmly seated on the saddle, to redeem the promise that I then made." But
+he also was frustrated in his intentions, and fell a sacrifice to disease,
+without being able to take any step in the business. In the mean time,
+the Shaksperian Gallery was offered for sale; and the gentlemen interested
+in this project raised a sum of money, by subscription, and purchased that
+building with the intention of making it the approach to a proposed
+national gallery.</p>
+
+<p>From Mr. Percival the scheme met with a far different reception. He
+listened to the representations which Mr. West made to him with a
+repressive coldness, it might almost be said with indifference, had it not
+been marked with a decided feeling; for he seemed to consider the whole
+objects of the British Institution, and the reasons adduced in support of
+the claims which the interests of the arts had on government, as the
+visionary purposes of vain enthusiasts. It was not within the small
+compass of that respectable individual's capacity to consider any generous
+maxim as founded in what <i>he</i> deemed wisdom, or to comprehend, that the
+welfare of nations could be promoted by any other means than precedents of
+office, decisions of courts, and Acts of Parliament. An incident,
+however, occurred, which induced him to change his opinion of the utility
+of the fine arts.</p>
+
+<p>At the anniversary dinner, in 1812, before the opening of the Academy, he
+was present, with other public characters. On the right hand of the
+President was seated the Lord Chancellor Eldon, on his left Lord
+Liverpool, and on the right of the Chancellor Mr. Percival. A conversation
+took place, naturally inspired by the circumstances of the meeting, in
+which Mr. West recapitulated what he had formerly so often urged; and Mr.
+Percival, perceiving the impression which his observations made on those
+to whom they were particularly addressed, requested him to put his ideas
+on the subject in writing, and he would lay it before the Prince Regent.
+This took place on Saturday; on Wednesday Mr. West delivered his memorial;
+on the Friday following Mr. Percival was assassinated; and since that time
+nothing farther has been done in the business.</p>
+
+<p>It is perhaps necessary to notice here, that when it was first proposed to
+the King to sanction the establishment of the British Institution with
+his patronage, he made some objection, conceiving that it was likely to
+interfere with the Royal Academy, which he justly considered with the
+partiality of a parent. But on Mr. West explaining to him that the two
+institutions were very different in their objects, the Academy being
+formed for the instruction of pupils, and the other for the encouragement
+of artists arrived at maturity in their profession, His Majesty readily
+consented to receive the deputation of the association appointed to wait
+on him in form to solicit his patronage. Except, however, the honour of
+the King's name, the British Institution, formed expressly for the
+improvement of the public taste with a view to the encouragement of the
+arts, has received neither aid nor countenance as yet from the state.</p>
+
+<p>Before concluding this summary account of the origin and establishment of
+the British Institution, it may be expected of me to take some notice of
+the circumstances connected with the purchase and exhibition of Mr. West's
+picture of Christ Healing the Sick in the Temple; an event which formed
+an era in the history of the arts in Britain, and contributed in no small
+degree to promote the interests of the Institution. Perhaps the exhibition
+of no work of art ever attracted so much attention, or was attended with
+so much pecuniary advantage to the proprietors; independent of which, the
+history of the picture is itself interesting.</p>
+
+<p>Some years before, a number of gentlemen, of the society of Quakers in
+Philadelphia, set on foot a subscription for the purpose of erecting an
+hospital for the sick poor in that city. Among others to whom they applied
+for contributions in this country, they addressed themselves to Mr. West.
+He informed them, however, that his circumstances did not permit him to
+give so liberal a sum as he could wish, but that if they would provide a
+proper place in the building, he would paint a picture for it as his
+subscription, which perhaps would prove of more advantage than all the
+money he could afford to bestow, and with this intention he began the
+<i>Christ Healing the Sick</i>. While the work was going forward, it attracted
+a great deal of notice in his rooms, and finally had the effect of
+inducing the association of the British Institution to make him an offer
+of three thousand guineas for the picture. Mr. West accepted the offer,
+but on condition that he should be at liberty to make a copy for the
+hospital at Philadelphia, and to introduce into the copy such alterations
+and improvements as he might think fit. This copy he also executed, and
+the success which attended the exhibition of it in America was so
+extraordinary, that the proceeds have enabled the committee of the
+hospital to enlarge the building for the reception of no less than thirty
+additional patients.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-14"></a>Chap. XIV.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Proceedings
+    respecting the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.</blockquote>
+
+<p>Hitherto it has been my pleasant task to record the series of prosperous
+incidents by which Mr. West was raised to the highest honours of his
+profession; and had he survived the publication of this volume, I should
+have closed the narrative with the last chapter. But his death, which
+took place after the proof was sent to me for his inspection, has
+removed an obligation which I had promised to respect during his life,
+while it was understood between us that the circumstances to which it
+related were to be carefully preserved for a posthumous publication. The
+topics are painful, and calculated to afford a far different view of
+human nature from that which I have ever desired to contemplate: I do
+not allude to those things, connected with political matters, in which
+Mr. West was only by accident a witness, but of transactions which
+personally affected himself.</p>
+
+<p>During the time that he was engaged in the series of great pictures for
+Windsor Castle, he enjoyed, as I have already mentioned, an easy and
+confidential intercourse with the King, and I ought, perhaps, to have
+stated earlier, that when he was chosen President of the Royal Academy,
+the late Duke of Gloucester called on him, and mentioned that His Majesty
+was desirous to know if the honour of knighthood would be acceptable. Mr.
+West immediately replied, that no man had a greater respect for political
+honours and distinctions than himself, but that he really thought he had
+already earned by his pencil more eminence than could be conferred on him
+by that rank. "The chief value," said he, "of titles are, that they serve
+to preserve in families a respect for those principles by which such
+distinctions were originally obtained. But simple knighthood, to a man who
+is at least already as well known as he could ever hope to be from that
+honour, is not a legitimate object of ambition. To myself, then, Your
+Royal Highness must perceive the title could add no dignity, and as it
+would perish with myself, it could add none to my family. But were I
+possessed of a fortune, independent of my profession, sufficient to enable
+my posterity to maintain the rank, I think that with my hereditary
+descent, and the station I occupy among artists, a more permanent title
+than that of knighthood might become a desirable object. As it is,
+however, that cannot be, and I have been thus explicit with Your Royal
+Highness that no misconception may exist on the subject." The Duke was not
+only pleased with the answer, but took Mr. West cordially by both the
+hands, and said, "You have justified the opinion which the King has of
+you, and His Majesty will be delighted with your answer;" and when Mr.
+West next saw the King his reception was unusually warm and friendly.</p>
+
+<p>But notwithstanding all these enviable circumstances, Mr. West was doomed
+to share some of the consequences which naturally attach to all persons
+in immediate connection with the great. After his return from Paris, it
+was alleged, that the honourable reception which he allowed himself to
+receive from the French statesmen had offended the King. The result of
+this was the temporary elevation of the late Mr. Wyatt to the President's
+chair, merely, as I think, because that gentleman was then the royal
+architect; for it would be difficult to point out the merits which, as an
+artist, entitled him to that honour. But the election, so far from giving
+satisfaction in the quarter where it was expected to be the most
+acceptable, only excited displeasure; and Mr. West was, in due time,
+restored to his proper seat in the Academy.</p>
+
+<p>This, as a public affair, attracted a good deal of notice at the time; but
+it was, in its effects, of far less consequence to Mr. West than a private
+occurrence, originating in circumstances that tend to throw a light on
+some of the proceedings that were deemed expedient to be adopted during
+the occasional eclipses of the King's understanding.</p>
+
+<p>For upwards of twenty years Mr. West had received all his orders from the
+King in person: the prices of the pictures which he painted were adjusted
+with His Majesty; and the whole embellishment of Windsor Castle, in what
+related to the scriptural and historical pictures, was concerted between
+them, without the interference of any third party. But, in the summer of
+1801, when the Court was at Weymouth, Mr. Wyatt called on Mr. West, and
+said, that he was requested by authority to inform him, that the pictures
+painting for His Majesty's chapel at Windsor should be suspended till
+further orders.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West was much surprised at this communication: but, upon interrogating
+Mr. Wyatt as to his authority, he found that it was not from the King; and
+he afterwards discovered that the orders were given at Weymouth by the
+Queen, the late Earl of Roslyn being present. What was the state of His
+Majesty's health at that time is now a matter of historical curiosity; but
+this extraordinary proceeding deserves particular notice. It rendered the
+studies of the best part of the Artist's life useless, and deprived him
+of that honourable provision, the fruit of his talents and industry, on
+which he had counted for the repose of his declining years. For some time
+it affected him deeply, and he was at a loss what steps to take; at last,
+however, in reflecting on the marked friendship and favour which the King
+had always shown him, he addressed to His Majesty a letter, of which the
+following is a copy of the rough draft, being the only one preserved: I
+give it verbatim:--</p>
+
+<p>"<i>The following is the Substance of a Letter I had the honour of writing
+to His Majesty, taken at Weymouth, by the conveyance of Mr. James Wyatt.</i></p>
+
+<p>"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious Sire, Newman St. Sept. 26. 1801.</p>
+
+<p>"On the fifteenth of last month Mr. Wyatt signified to me Your Majesty's
+pleasure,--'That the pictures by me now painting for His Majesty's chapel
+at Windsor, should be suspended until further orders.' I feel it a duty I
+owe to that communication, to lay before Your Majesty, by the return of
+Mr. Wyatt to Weymouth, a statement of those pictures which I have painted
+to add to those for the chapel, mentioned in the account I had the honour
+to transmit to Your Majesty in 1797 by the hands of Mr. Gabriel Mathias.
+Since that period I have finished three pictures, began several others,
+and composed the remainder of the subjects for the chapel, on the progress
+of Revealed Religion, from its commencement to its completion; and the
+whole arranged with that circumspection from the Four Dispensations, into
+five-and-thirty compositions, that the most scrupulous amongst the various
+religious sects in this country, about admitting pictures into churches,
+must acknowledge them as truths, or the Scriptures fabulous. Those are
+subjects so replete with dignity, character, and expression, as demanded
+the historian, the commentator, and the accomplished painter, to bring
+them into view. Your Majesty's gracious complacency and commands for my
+pencil on that extensive subject stimulated my humble abilities, and I
+commenced the work with zeal and enthusiasm. Animated by your commands,
+gracious Sire, I renewed my professional studies, and burnt my midnight
+lamp to attain and give that polish at the close of Your Majesty's chapel,
+which has since marked my subsequent scriptural pictures. Your Majesty's
+known zeal for promoting religion, and the elegant arts, had enrolled your
+virtues with all the civilized world; and your gracious protection of my
+pencil had given to it a celebrity throughout Europe, and spread a
+knowledge of the great work on Revealed Religion, which my pencil was
+engaged on, under Your Majesty's patronage: it is that work which all
+Christendom looks with a complacency for its completion.</p>
+
+<p>"Being distinguished by Your Majesty's benignity at an early period as a
+painter, and chosen by those professors highly endowed in the three
+branches of the fine arts to fill their highest station, and sanctioned by
+Your Majesty's signature in their choice;--in that station, I have been,
+for more than ten years, zealous in promoting merit in those three
+branches of art, which constitutes the views of Your Majesty's
+establishment for cultivating their growth. The ingenious artists have
+received my professional aid, and my galleries and my purse have been open
+to their studies and their distresses. The breath of envy, nor the whisper
+of detraction, never defiled my lips, nor the want of morality my
+character, and, through life, a strict adherer to truth; a zealous admirer
+of Your Majesty's virtues and goodness of heart, the exalted virtues of
+Her Majesty the Queen, and the high accomplishments of others of Your
+Majesty's illustrious family, have been the theme of my delight; and their
+gracious complacency my greatest pleasure and consolation for many years,
+with which I was honoured by many instances of friendly notice, and their
+warm attachment to the fine arts.</p>
+
+<p>"With these feelings of high sensibility, with which my breast has ever
+been inspired, I feel with great concern the suspension given by Mr. Wyatt
+to the work on Revealed Religion, my pencil had advanced to adorn
+Windsor-Castle. If, gracious Sire, this suspension is meant to be
+permanent, myself and the fine arts have to lament. For to me it will be
+ruinous, and, to the energetic artist, in the highest branches of his
+professional pursuits--a damp in the hope of more exalted minds, of
+patronage in the refined departments in painting. But I have this in
+store, for the grateful feeling of my heart, that, in the thirty-five
+years by which my pencil has been honoured by Your Majesty's commands, a
+great body of historical and scriptural compositions will be found in Your
+Majesty's possession, in the churches, and in the country. Their
+professional claims may be humble, but they have been produced by a loyal
+subject of Your Majesty, which may give them some claim to respect,
+similar works not having been attained before in this country by a
+subject; and this I will assert as my claim, that Your Majesty did not
+bestow your patronage and commands on an ungrateful and a lazy man, but on
+him who had a high sense of Your Majesty's honours and Your Majesty's
+interests in all cases, as a loyal and dutiful subject, as well as
+servant, to Your Majesty's gracious commands; and I humbly beg Your
+Majesty to be assured that</p>
+
+<p>"I am,<br />
+"With profound duty,<br />
+"Your Majesty's grateful<br />
+"BENJAMIN WEST."</p>
+
+<p>To this letter Mr. West received no answer; but on the return of the Court
+to Windsor, he went to the Castle, and obtained a private audience of the
+King on the subject, by which it appeared that His Majesty was not at all
+acquainted with the communication of which Mr. Wyatt was the bearer, nor
+had he received Mr. West's letter. However, the result of the interview
+was, that the King said, "Go on with your work, West: go on with the
+pictures, and I will take care of you."</p>
+
+<p>This was the last interview that Mr. West was permitted to enjoy with his
+early, constant, and to him truly royal patron; but he continued to
+execute the pictures, and in the usual quarterly payments received the
+thousand pounds <i>per ann.</i>. till His Majesty's final superannuation,
+when, without any intimation whatever, on calling to receive it, he was
+informed that it had been stopped, and that the intended design of the
+chapel of Revealed Religion was suspended.</p>
+
+<p>This was a severe stroke of misfortune to the Artist, now far advanced in
+life, but he submitted to it with resignation. He took no measures, nor
+employed any influence, either to procure the renewal of the quarterly
+allowance, or the payment of the balance of his account. But being thus
+cast off from his best anchor in his old age, he still possessed firmness
+of mind to think calmly of his situation. He considered that a taste for
+the fine arts had been greatly diffused by means of the exhibitions of the
+Royal Academy, and the eclat which the French had given to pictures and
+statues by making them objects of national conquest; and having thus lost
+the patronage of the King, he determined to appeal to the public. With
+this view he resolved to paint several large pictures; and in the
+prosecution of this determination, he has been amply indemnified for the
+effects of that poor economy that frustrated the nation from obtaining an
+honourable monument of the taste of the age, and the liberality of a
+popular king.</p>
+
+<p>Without imputing motives to any party concerned, or indeed without being
+at all acquainted with the circumstances that gave rise to it, I should
+mention that a paper was circulated among the higher classes of society,
+in which an account was stated of the amount of the money paid by His
+Majesty, in the course of more than thirty years, to Mr. West. In that
+paper the interval of time was not at all considered, nor the expense of
+living, nor the exclusive preference which Mr. West had given to His
+Majesty's orders, but the total sum;--which, shown by itself, and taken
+into view without any of these explanatory circumstances, was very
+large, and calculated to show that Mr. West might really indeed <i>do</i>
+without the thousand pounds a-year. In order, however, to place this
+proceeding in its true light, I have inserted in the Appendix an account
+of the works executed and designed by Mr. West for the King, and the
+prices allowed for them as charged in the audited account, of which the
+King himself had approved.</p>
+
+<p>Independent of the relation which this paper bears to the subject of these
+memoirs, it is a curious document, and will be interesting as such, as
+long as the history of the progress of the arts in this country excites
+the attention of posterity.</p>
+
+<p>I have now but little to add to these memoirs. But they would be deficient
+in an important event, were I to omit noticing the death of Mrs. West,
+which took place on the 6th of December, 1817. The malady with which she
+had been afflicted for several years smoothed the way for her relief from
+suffering, and softened the pang of sorrow for her loss. She was in many
+respects a woman of an elevated character; and her death, after a union of
+more than half a century, was to her husband one of those irreparable
+changes in life, for which no equivalent can ever be obtained.</p>
+
+<p>The last illness of Mr. West himself was slow and languishing. It was
+rather a general decay of nature, than any specific malady; and he
+continued to enjoy his mental faculties in perfect distinctness upon all
+subjects as long as the powers of articulation could be exercised. To his
+merits as an artist and a man I may be deemed partial, nor do I wish to be
+thought otherwise. I have enjoyed his frankest confidence for many years,
+and received from his conversation the advantages of a more valuable
+species of instruction, relative to the arts, than books alone can supply
+to one who is not an artist. While I therefore admit that the partiality
+of friendship may tincture my opinion of his character, I am yet confident
+that the general truth of the estimate will be admitted by all who knew
+the man, or are capable to appreciate the merits of his works.</p>
+
+<p>In his deportment, Mr. West was mild and considerate: his eye was keen,
+and his mind apt; but he was slow and methodical in his reflections, and
+the sedateness of his remarks must often in his younger years have seemed
+to strangers singularly at variance with the vivacity of his look. That
+vivacity, however, was not the result of any peculiar animation of
+temperament; it was rather the illumination of his genius; for when his
+features were studiously considered, they appeared to resemble those
+which we find associated with dignity of character in the best
+productions of art.</p>
+
+<p>As an artist, he will stand in the first rank. His name will be classed
+with those of Michael Angelo and Raphael; but he possessed little in
+common with either. As the former has been compared to Homer, and the
+latter to Virgil, in Shakspeare we shall perhaps find the best likeness to
+the genius of Mr. West. He undoubtedly possessed, but in a slight degree,
+that peculiar energy and physical expression of character in which Michael
+Angelo excelled, and in a still less that serene sublimity which
+constitutes the charm of Raphael's great productions. But he was their
+equal in the fulness, the perspicuity, and the propriety of his
+compositions. In all his great works the scene intended to be brought
+before the spectator is represented in such a manner that the imagination
+has nothing to supply. The incident, the time and the place, are there as
+we think they must have been; and it is this wonderful force of conception
+which renders the sketches of Mr. West so much more extraordinary than his
+finished pictures. In the finished pictures we naturally institute
+comparisons in colouring, and in beauty of figure, and in a thousand
+details which are never noticed in the sketches of this illustrious
+artist. But although his powers of conception were so superior,--equal in
+their excellence to Michael Angelo's energy, or Raphael's grandeur,--still
+in the inferior departments of drawing and colouring, he was one of the
+greatest artists of his age; it was not, however, till late in life that
+he executed any of those works in which he thought the splendour of the
+Venetian school might be judiciously imitated.</p>
+
+<p>At one time he intended to collect his works together, and to form a
+general exhibition of them all. Had he accomplished this, the greatness
+and versatility of his talents would have been established beyond all
+controversy; for unquestionably he was one of those great men, whose
+genius cannot be justly estimated by particular works, but only by a
+collective inspection of the variety, the extent, and the number of their
+productions.</p>
+
+<p>On the 10th of March Mr. West expired without a struggle, at his house
+in Newman Street, and on the 29th he was interred with great funeral
+pomp in St. Paul's Cathedral. An account of the ceremony is inserted in
+the Appendix.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Appendix No. I.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p><i>The Account: of Pictures painted by Benjamin West for His Majesty, by his
+Gracious Commands, from 1768 to 1780. A True Copy from Mr. West's Account
+Books, with their several Charges and Dates</i>.</p>
+
+
+<pre>When painted.       SUBJECTS.                     &pound;.   s.
+
+1769.  1. Regulus, his Departure from Rome        420  0
+       2. Hamilcar swearing his Son
+          Hannibal at the Altar                   420  0
+1771   3. Bayard at the moment of his death
+          receiving the Constable Bourbon         315  0
+       4. The Death of Epaminondas                315  0
+       5. The Death of General Wolfe              315  0
+1772.  6. Cyrus receiving the King of
+          Armenia and family prisoners            157 10
+       7. Germanicus receiving Sagastis
+          and his Daughter prisoners              157 10
+       8. The portrait of Her Majesty,
+          the Kit-cat size.
+       9. The portrait of His Majesty,
+          the same size, (companion,)              84  0
+      10. Six of the Royal Children in one
+          picture, size of life                   315  0
+      11. Her Majesty and Princess Royal,
+          in one picture                          157  0
+      12. His R. H. the Prince of Wales
+          and Prince Frederic (Duke of
+          York), in one picture whole
+          length                                  210  0
+      13. A second picture of Ditto, for
+          the Empress of Russia, sent by
+          His Majesty                             210  0
+      14. A whole-length portrait of His
+          Majesty,--Lord Amherst and
+          the Marquis of Lothian in the
+          back-ground.                            262 10
+      15. A whole-length portrait of Her
+          Majesty, with all the Royal
+          Children in the back-ground             262 10
+      16. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          William (Duke of Clarence) and
+          Prince Edward (Duke of Kent),
+          in one picture                          262 10
+1779. 17. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          Adolphus and his sisters, in one
+          picture                                 262 10</pre>
+
+
+<p>From the year 1769 the whole of the above pictures to 1779 were painted
+and paid for by His Majesty through the hands of Mr. R. Daulton and Mr.
+G. Mathias.</p>
+
+<p>1780. At this period His Majesty was graciously pleased to sanction my
+pencil with his commands for a great work on Revealed Religion, from its
+commencement to its completion, for pictures to embellish his intended New
+Chapel in Windsor Castle. I arranged the several subjects from the four
+Dispensations. His Majesty was pleased to approve the arrangement
+selected, as did several of the Bishops in whose hands he placed them for
+their consideration, and they highly approved the same.</p>
+
+<p>His Majesty then honoured me with his commands, and did at that time, the
+better to enable me to carry it into effect, order his deputy privy-purse,
+Mr. G. Mathias, to pay me one thousand a year by quarterly payments, which
+was regularly paid as commanded; and the following are the subjects which
+I have painted from the Four Dispensations, for the Chapel, of various
+dimensions.</p>
+
+
+<p class="smallcaps">Antideluvian Dispensation.</p>
+
+<pre>When painted.           SUBJECTS.                &pound;. s.
+
+1780.      1. The expulsion of Adam and Eve
+              from Paradise                      535  0
+           2. The Deluge                         525  0
+           3. Noah and his Family sacrificing    525  0</pre>
+
+<p class="smallcaps">Patriarchal Dispensation.</p>
+
+<pre>           4. The Call of Abraham going to
+              sacrifice his son Isaac            600  0
+           5. The Birth of Jacob and Esau        525  0
+           6. Joseph and his brothers in Egypt,
+              composed, not painted.
+           7. The Death of Jacob surrounded
+              by his sons in Egypt, ditto.</pre>
+
+<p class="smallcaps">The Mosaical Dispensation.</p>
+
+<pre>           8. The Call of Moses, his Rod
+              turned into a Serpent before the
+              Burning Bush, composed, but not
+              painted.
+           9. Moses and his brother Aaron
+              before Pharaoh, their Rods turned
+              into Serpents                     1050  0
+          10. Moses destroying Pharaoh said
+              his host in the Red Sea           1050  0
+          11. Moses receiving the Laws on
+              Mount Sinai                       1260  0
+          12. Moses consecrating Aaron and
+              his sons to the priesthood        1050  0
+          13. Moses showing the Brazen Serpent
+              to the infirm to be healed        1050  0
+          14. The Death of Aaron on Mount
+              Hor, composed, but not painted.
+          15. Moses presenting Joshua to
+              Eleazar the priest, and Congregation,
+              as commanded, composed,
+              but not painted.
+          16. Moses sees the Promised Land
+              from the top of Mount Abarim,
+              and Death, a sketch in oil colours.
+          17. Joshua commanding the Ark
+              and Congregation to pass the
+              river into the Promised Land, a
+              sketch in oil colour.</pre>
+
+<p class="smallcaps">The Prophets.</p>
+
+<pre>      18. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah       525  0
+      19. The prophet Samuel anointing
+          David the son of Jesse, a sketch.
+      20. The prophesying of Zacharias at
+          the birth of John his son              525  0
+      21. The Angels announcing the Birth
+          of our Saviour, a cartoon for a
+          painted-glass window, by Mr.
+          Forrest                                525  0
+      22. The Birth of our Saviour, ditto,
+          for painted glass, by ditto            525  0
+      23. The Wise Man's Offering, a
+          cartoon for ditto                      525  0
+      24. John the Baptist baptizing our
+          Saviour, on whom the Holy
+          Ghost descends                        1050  0
+      25. Christ's Temptation and Victory
+          in the Wilderness, a sketch.
+      26. Christ beginneth to preach at
+          Nazareth, his native place, a
+          sketch.
+      27. Christ healeth the Sick and
+          Blind; &amp;c. in the Temple              1050  0
+      28. The Last Supper; which picture
+          His Majesty presented to St.
+          George's Chapel at Windsor             735  0
+      29. A Last Supper, painted for the
+          King's Chapel                          735  0
+      30. The Crucifixion, a study in oil
+          colour, for the glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from, and the cartoon the
+          size of the window                    1050  0
+      31. The west end window of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, for them to draw the
+          figures from on the glass             1050  0
+      32. The Resurrection, a study in
+          oil colour, for glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from                            525  0
+      33. And the cartoon the size of the
+          window at the east end of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, to draw from on the glass    1050  0
+             And two side pictures               525  0
+     34. The Assumption of our Saviour,
+         for the King's Chapel                  1050  0
+     35. Peter's first Sermon, or the
+         Apostles receiving the Cloven
+         Tongues                                1050  0
+     36. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the
+         Jews, and receiving the Gentiles       1050  0
+                                             -----------
+                                    [Total]  &pound;21,705  0
+                                             -----------</pre>
+
+<p><i>Painted for His Majesty's State Rooms in Windsor Castle the following
+Pictures from the History of Edward III</i>.</p>
+
+<pre>      1. Edward III. embracing his Son on
+         the field of battle at Cressy          1365  0
+      2. The Installation of the most noble
+         Order of the Garter                    1365  0
+      3. Edward the Black Prince receiving
+         John King of France and his
+         son as prisoners                       1365  0
+      4. St. George destroying the Dragon        630  0
+      5. Queen Philippa defeats David
+         King of Scotland, at Nevil's
+         Cross, and takes him prisoner           525  0
+      6. Queen Philippa soliciting Edward
+         III. to save St. Pierre and the
+         brave burgesses of Calais               525  0
+      7. Edward III. forcing the passage of
+         the river Somme in France               630  0
+      8. Edward III. crowning Ribemont
+         at Calais                               525  0
+                                             -----------
+                                     [Total]   &pound;6930  0
+                                             -----------
+
+      By His Majesty's commands I made
+      nine designs for the ceiling in the
+      Queen's Lodge, Windsor, for Mr.
+      Haas to work the ceilings from.
+      Viz. 1. Genius inspiring the fine arts
+      to adorn the useful arts and sciences.
+      2. Agriculture. 3. Manufactures.
+      4. Commerce. 5. Botany. 6. Chemistry.
+      7. Celestial Science. 8. Terrestrial
+      Science; and 9. To adorn
+      Empire                                     525  0
+
+      Myself and son, with Mr. Rebecca,
+      for painting transparent and water
+      coloured pictures to adorn the marble
+      gallery at a great evening entertainment
+      in the Castle given by Their
+      Majesties to the nobility                  250  0
+
+      Painted for His Majesty a whole-length
+      portrait of Prince Octavius
+      holding the King's sword                    73 10
+
+      Painted for His Majesty the Apotheosis
+      of Prince Octavius and Prince
+      Alfred, in one picture, the size of life   315  0
+
+      A portrait of Prince Augustus, half
+      length, for the Queen.
+
+      A second whole length of Her
+      Majesty, with all the Royal children
+      in the back-ground, which was placed
+      in Windsor Castle, but at present in
+      the Queen's Palace, London                 262 10
+
+      A picture of Peter denying our,
+      Saviour, of which His Majesty honoured
+      me by accepting, two half-length
+      figures, the size of life.
+                                             -----------
+                                      [Total]  &pound;1426  0
+                                             -----------</pre>
+
+<p>This is a true statement of the numbers of pictures, cartoons, and
+drawings of designs, and sketches of scripture subjects, as well as
+historical events, British as well as Greek, Roman, and other nations,
+with which I had been honoured by the King's commands, from 1768, to 5th
+January 1801, to paint for His Majesty; and the charges I made for each
+was by him most graciously acknowledged, when my account was audited and
+allowed by Mr. G. Mathias, His Majesty's privy purse, who settled for
+debtor and creditor the whole amount between the above dates.</p>
+
+
+<p class="smallcaps">Benjamin West.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Appendix No. II.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p><i>A Catalogue of thee Works of Mr. West</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Regulus.</p>
+
+<p>Hanibal.</p>
+
+<p>Epaminondas.</p>
+
+<p>Bayard.</p>
+
+<p>Wolfe, the first and second.</p>
+
+<p>Cyrus and the King of Armenia with his Family, captives.</p>
+
+<p>Germanicus and Segestus with his Daughter, captives.</p>
+
+<p>The Apotheosis of Prince Alfred and Prince Octavius.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Damsel accusing Peter.</p>
+
+<p>The Queen, with the Princess Royal, in one picture.</p>
+
+<p>Prince Ernest and Prince Augustus; Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, and
+Mary, in one picture.</p>
+
+<p>Prince William and Prince Edward, in one picture.</p>
+
+<p>Prince Octavius.</p>
+
+<p>The whole-length portrait of His Majesty in Regimentals, with Lord Amherst
+and the Marquis of Lothian on Horseback, in the back-ground.</p>
+
+<p>The whole-length portrait of Her Majesty, with the fourteen Royal
+Children.</p>
+
+<p>The same repeated.</p>
+
+<p>The Battle of Cressy, when Edward III. embraced his son.</p>
+
+<p>The Battle of Poitiers, when John King of France is brought prisoner to
+the Prince.</p>
+
+<p>The Institution of the Order of the Garter.</p>
+
+<p>The Battle of Nevil's Cross.</p>
+
+<p>The Burgesses of Calais before Edward III.</p>
+
+<p>Edward III. crossing the Somme.</p>
+
+<p>Edward III. crowning Ribemont, at Calais.</p>
+
+<p>St. George destroying the Dragon.</p>
+
+<p>The design of our Saviour's Resurrection, painted in colours, with the
+Women going to the Sepulchre; also Peter and John.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon from the above design, for the east window, painted in the
+Collegiate Church of Windsor, on glass, 36 feet high by 28 wide.</p>
+
+<p>The design of our Saviour's Crucifixion, painted in colours.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon from the above design, for the west window in the Collegiate
+Church, painting on glass, 36 feet by 28.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon of the Angels appearing to the Shepherds, ditto for ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon of the Nativity of our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon of the Magi presenting Gifts to our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The picture, in water-colours, representing Hymen leading and dancing with
+the Hours before Peace and and Plenty.</p>
+
+<p>The picture, in water-colours, of Boys with the Insignia of Riches.</p>
+
+<p>The companion, with Boys, and the Insignia of the Fine Arts.</p>
+
+<p>Genius calling forth the Fine Arts to adorn Manufactures and Commerce, and
+recording the names of eminent men in those pursuits.</p>
+
+<p>Husbandry aided by Arts and Commerce.</p>
+
+<p>Peace and Riches cherishing the Fine Arts.</p>
+
+<p>Manufactory giving support to Industry, in Boys and Girls.</p>
+
+<p>Marine and inland Navigation enriching Britannia.</p>
+
+<p>Printing aided by the Fine Arts.</p>
+
+<p>Astronomy making new discoveries in the Heavens.</p>
+
+<p>The Four Quarters of the World bringing Treasures to the Lap of Britannia.</p>
+
+<p>Civil and Military Architecture defending and adorning Empire.</p>
+
+<p>The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.</p>
+
+<p>The Deluge.</p>
+
+<p>Noah sacrificing.</p>
+
+<p>Abraham and his son Isaac going to sacrifice.</p>
+
+<p>The Birth of Jacob and Esau.</p>
+
+<p>The Death of Jacob in Egypt, surrounded by his Twelve Sons.</p>
+
+<p>Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh; their Rods turned into Serpents.</p>
+
+<p>Pharaoh and his Host lost in the Red Sea, while Moses stretches his Rod
+over them.</p>
+
+<p>Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.</p>
+
+<p>Moses consecrateth Aaron and his Sons to the Priesthood.</p>
+
+<p>Moses showeth the Brazen Serpent to the People to be healed.</p>
+
+<p>Moses shown the Promised Land from the top of Mount Pisgah.</p>
+
+<p>Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.</p>
+
+<p>The Twelve Tribes drawing Lots for the Lands of their Inheritance, 6
+feet by 10.</p>
+
+<p>The Call of Isaiah and Jeremiah, each 5 by 14.</p>
+
+<p>David anointed King, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>Christ's Birth, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>The naming of John; or, the Prophecies of Zacharias, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The Kings bringing Presents to Christ, 6 by 12.</p>
+
+<p>Christ among the Doctors, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>The Descent of the Holy Ghost on our Saviour at the River Jordan, 10 by
+14.</p>
+
+<p>Christ healing the Sick in the Temple, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Christ's Last Supper, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>Christ's Crucifixion, 16 by 28.</p>
+
+<p>Christ's Ascension, 12 by 18.</p>
+
+<p>The Inspiration of St. Peter, 10 by 14.</p>
+
+<p>Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and receiving the Gentiles, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>John called to write the Revelation, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>Saints prostrating themselves before the Throne of God.</p>
+
+<p>The opening of the Seven Seals; or, Death on the Pale Horse.</p>
+
+<p>The overthrowing the Old Beast and False Prophet.</p>
+
+<p>The Last Judgment.</p>
+
+<p>The New Jerusalem.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of St. Michael and his Angels fighting and casting out the Red
+Dragon and his Angels.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Women clothed in the Sun.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of John called to write the Revelation.
+
+Do. of the Beast rising out of the Sea.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Mighty Angel, one Foot upon Sea and the other on Earth.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Anthony of Padua.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Madra Dolo Roso.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Simeon, with the Child in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>A picture of a small Landscape, with a Hunt passing In the back-ground.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Abraham and Isaac going to sacrifice,</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a whole-length figure of Thomas &agrave; Becket, larger than life.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Angel in the Sun assembling the Birds of the Air, before the
+destruction of the Old Beast.</p>
+
+<p>Four half-lengths.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Order of the Garter, differing in composition
+from the great picture at Windsor.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Shunamite's Son raised to Life by the Prophet Elisha.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Jacob blessing Joseph's Sons.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Wolfe, the third picture.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Battle of La Hogue.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Boyne.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Restoration of Charles II.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cromwell dissolving the Long Parliament.</p>
+
+<p>A small portrait of General Wolfe, when a Boy.</p>
+
+<p>The Picture of the Golden Age.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of St. Michael chaining the Dragon, in Trinity College,
+Cambridge, 15 by 8.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Angels announcing the Birth of our Saviour, in the Cathedral
+Church at Rochester, 10 by 6.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of St. Stephen, in the church of St. Stephen,
+Walbrook, 10 by 18.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Raising of Lazarus, in the Cathedral of Winchester, 10 by 14.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper off his Finger, in the chapel at
+Greenwich, 27 by 15.</p>
+
+<p>The Supper, over the communion-table in the Collegiate Church at
+Windsor, 8 by 13.</p>
+
+<p>The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the east window of the Collegiate
+Church at Windsor, 28 by 32.</p>
+
+<p>The Crucifixion, in the window of ditto, 28 by 36.</p>
+
+<p>The Angel announcing our Saviour's Birth, in ditto, 10 by 14.</p>
+
+<p>The Birth of our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.</p>
+
+<p>The Kings presenting Gifts to our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Peter denying our Saviour, in the chapel of Lord Newark.</p>
+
+<p>The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the church of Barbadoes, 10 by 6.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Moses with the Law, and John the Baptist, in ditto, as
+large as life.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Telemachus and Calypso.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Angelica and Madora.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Damsel and Orlando.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Paul's Conversion; his Persecution of the Christians; and the
+Restoration of his Sight, under the hands of Ananias, in one frame,
+divided in three parts.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Mr. Hope's Family, containing nine figures as large as life.</p>
+
+<p>Large figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, Innocence, St. Matthew, St. Mark,
+St. Luke, St. John, St. Matthias, St. Thomas, St. Jude, St. Simon, St
+James the Major, St. Philip, St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St.
+James the Minor, Malachi, Micah, Zachariah, and Daniel.</p>
+
+<p>Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.</p>
+
+<p>Paul preaching at Athens.</p>
+
+<p>Elimas the Sorcerer struck blind.</p>
+
+<p>Cornelius and the Angel.</p>
+
+<p>Peter delivered from Prison.</p>
+
+<p>The Conversion of St. Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Paul before Felix.</p>
+
+<p>Two whole-lengths of the late Archbishop of York's two eldest Sons.</p>
+
+<p>A whole-length portrait of the late Lord Grosvenor.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Jacob drawing Water at the Well for Rachael and her Flock,
+in the possession of Mrs. Evans.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Citizens of London offering the Crown to William the
+Conqueror.</p>
+
+<p>The Queen soliciting the King to pardon her son John.</p>
+
+<p>Moses showing the brazen Serpent.</p>
+
+<p>John showing the Lamb of God.</p>
+
+<p>Three of the Children of the late Archbishop of York, with the portrait of
+the Archbishop, half-lengths, in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Drummond.</p>
+
+<p>The Family-picture, half-lengths, of Mrs. Cartwright's Children.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Sir Edmund Baker, Nephew and Niece, half-length.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of--Lunis, Esq.'s Children, half-lengths.</p>
+
+<p>A Lady leading three Children along the Path of Virtue to the Temple.</p>
+
+<p>A picture of Madora.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great
+Mogul, for Lord Clive.</p>
+
+<p>Christ receiving the Sick and Lame in the Temple, in the Pennsylvanian
+Hospital, Philadelphia, 11 feet by 18.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Pylades and Orestes, for Sir George Beaumont.</p>
+
+<p>The original sketch of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes, for ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotas into Banishment, with his
+Wife and Children, for W. Smith, Esq.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Marys at the Sepulchre, for General Stibert.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Alexander and his Physician, for ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Julius Caesar reading the Life of Alexander.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Return of the Prodigal Son, for Sir James Earle.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Adonis, for--Knight, Esq. Portland Place.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Continence of Scipio, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Venus and Cupid, oval, for Mr. Steers Temple.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Alfred dividing his Loaf, presented to Stationers' Hall by
+Alderman Boydell.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Helen brought to Paris, in the possession of a family in Kent.</p>
+
+<p>A small sketch of the Shunamite's Son restored, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>Cupid stung by a Bee, oval, for--Vesey, Esq. in Ireland.</p>
+
+<p>Agrippina surrounded by her Children, and reclining her Head on the Urn
+containing the Ashes of Germanicus, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The Death of Wolfe, the fourth picture, for Lord Bristol.</p>
+
+<p>A do. of do. the fourth picture, in the possession of the Prince of
+Waldeck.</p>
+
+<p>A small do. of do. the fifth picture, ditto Moncton family.</p>
+
+<p>A small picture of Romeo and Juliet, for the Duke of Courland.</p>
+
+<p>A small picture of King Lear and his Daughters, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Belisarius and the Boy, for Sir Francis Baring.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Sir Francis Baring and part of his Family, containing six figures
+as large as life, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Simeon and the Child, as large as life, for the Provost of Eton.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great Mogul, a
+second picture, for Madras.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture of Philippa soliciting of Edward III. the pardon of the
+Burgesses of Calais, in the possession of--Willet, Esq.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Europa on the back of the Bull, at Calcutta.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Hyacinthus, painted for Lord Kerry, but now in the
+National Gallery at Paris.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Venus presenting the Girdle to Juno, painted for
+Lord Kerry, and in the National Gallery; figures as large as life
+in both pictures.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, for Caleb Whitford, Esq.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Pharaoh's Daughter with the Child Moses, for--Park, Esq.: the
+original painted for General Lawrence.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Stolen Kiss, painted for ditto, and in the possession of ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Angelica and Madora, for ditto, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Woman of Samaria at the Well with Christ, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Paetus and Arria, in the possession of Col. Smith, at the Tower.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Rebecca coming to David, for Sir J. Ashley.</p>
+
+<p>The Drawing respecting Christ's Nativity, for Mr. Tomkins, Doctors'
+Commons.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Rebecca receiving the Bracelets at the Well, for the late Lord
+Buckinghamshire.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Stolen Kiss, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a Mother and Child, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The whole-length portrait of Sir Thomas Strange, in the Town-hall
+of Halifax.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Sir John Sinclair.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Agrippina landing at Brundusium, (the first picture,) in
+the possession of Lord Kinnoul.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of do. for the Earl of Exeter, at Burleigh, second picture.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of do. (third picture,) in the possession of---- Hatch, Esq., in
+Essex.</p>
+
+<p>A small picture of Jupiter and Semele: the large picture lost at sea.</p>
+
+<p>Hector parting with his Wife and Child at the Sun Gate.</p>
+
+<p>The prophet Elisha raising the Shunamite's son.</p>
+
+<p>The raising of Lazarus.</p>
+
+<p>Edward III. crossing the River Somme.</p>
+
+<p>Queen Philippa at the Battle of Nevil's Cuoss.</p>
+
+<p>The Angels announcing to the Shepherds the Birth of our Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>The Magi bringing Presents to our Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>A view on the River Thames at Hammersmith.</p>
+
+<p>A do. on the banks of the River Susquehanna, in America.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Tangire Mill, at Eton.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Chrys&euml;is returned to her father Chyses.</p>
+
+<p>Venus and Adonis, large as life.</p>
+
+<p>The sixth picture of the Death of Wolfe.</p>
+
+<p>The first and second picture of the Battle of La Hogue.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, of Macbeth and the Witches.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Return of Tobias.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Return of the Prodigal Son.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Ariadne on the Sea-shore.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Adonis.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of John King of France brought to the Black Prince.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Antiochus and Stratonice.</p>
+
+<p>Do, of King Lear and his Daughter.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Chryses on the Sea-shore.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Nathan and David:--"Thou art the Man!" as large as life,</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Elijah raising the Widow's Son to Life.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Choice of Hercules.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Venus and Europa.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Daniel interpreting the Hand-writing on the Wall.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Ambassador from Tunis, with his Attendant, as he appeared in
+England in 1781.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of Marius on the Ruins of Carthage.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cato giving his Daughter in Marriage on his Death, both in the
+possession of the Archduke Joseph.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Belisarius brought to his Family.</p>
+
+<p>The large picture of the Stag, or the rescuing of Alexander the Third, for
+Lord Seaforth, 12 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Endymion and Diana, at Wentworth
+Castle, Yorkshire.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Angelica and Madora, in the possession of
+Mr. Mitton, of Shropshire, painted at Rome.</p>
+
+<p>Small picture of the Battle of Cressy.</p>
+
+<p>Small sketch of the Order of the Garter.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West's small picture of his Family.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of Edward the Third with his Queen, and the Citizens of
+Calais.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West's small copy from Vandyke's picture of Cardinal Bentivoglio, now
+in the National Gallery at Paris.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West's copy from Correggio's celebrated picture at Parma, viz. the St.
+Girolemo, now in the National Gallery.</p>
+
+<p>The large Landscape from Windsor Forest.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Mark Antony showing the Robe and Will of Julius Caesar to
+the People.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of &AElig;gistus viewing the Body of Clytemnestra.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch of the window at Windsor, of the Magi presenting Gifts to
+the Infant Christ.</p>
+
+<p>The small sketch of the Battle of Nevil's Cross.</p>
+
+<p>The second small sketch of the Order of the Garter.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of Ophelia before the King and Queen, with her
+brother Laertes.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Recovery of His Majesty in the year 1789.</p>
+
+<p>Do. from Thomson's Seasons, of Miranda and her Two Companions.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Edward the Third crowning Ribemont at Calais, a sketch.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Leonidas taking leave of his Family on his going to
+Thermopyl&aelig;.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a Bacchant&eacute;, as large as life, half-length.</p>
+
+<p>First sketch of the Battle of Cressy.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Pha&euml;ton soliciting Apollo for the Chariot of the Sun.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of Belisarius and the Boy, different from that in the
+possession of Sir Francis Baring.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Eagle giving the Vase of Water to Psyche.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Adonis, from Anacreon.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Moonlight and the "Beckoning Ghost," from Pope's Elegy.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Angel sitting on the Stone at the Sepulchre.</p>
+
+<p>Second picture of the same, but differing in composition.</p>
+
+<p>A small sketch of ditto.</p>
+
+<p>A sketch of King Lear and his Daughter.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture of Angelica and Madora.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a Damsel and Orlando.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West's portrait, half-length.</p>
+
+<p>Sketch of his two Sons, when Children.</p>
+
+<p>Do. when Boys.</p>
+
+<p>Do. when young Men.</p>
+
+<p>Portrait of the Rev.---- Preston.</p>
+
+<p>Picture of the Bacchant&eacute; Boys.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Good Samaritan.</p>
+
+<p>Picture of the Destruction of the Old Beast and False
+Prophet:--Revelation.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ healing the Sick, Lame, and Blind, in the Tenrple.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Tintern Abbey.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Death on the Pale Horse; or, the Opening of the Seals.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Jason and the Dragon, in imitation of Salvator Rosa.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Venus and Adonis looking at Cupids bathing.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Uxbridge Passage-boat on the Canal.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and turning to the
+Gentiles.</p>
+
+<p>Picture of the Falling of Trees in the Great Park at Windsor.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Diomed and his Chariot-horses struck by the Lightning of Jupiter.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Milk-woman in St. James's Park.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of King Lear in the Storm at the Hovel.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Order of the Garter.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Orion on the Dolphin's back.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cupid complaining to Venus of a Bee having stung his finger.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Deluge.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Queen Elizabeth's Procession to St. Paul's.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ showing a Little Child as the Emblem of Heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Harvest-home.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a View from the east end of Windsor Castle, looking over Datchet.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Washing of Sheep.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Sun setting behind a group of Trees on the banks of the Thames
+at Twickenham.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the driving of Sheep and Cows to water.
+
+Do. of Cattle drinking at a Watering-place in the Great Park, Windsor,
+with Mr. West drawing.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Pharaoh and his Host drowned in the Red Sea.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Calypso and Telemachus on the Sea-shore; second picture.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Gentlemen fishing in the Water at Dagenham Breach.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Moses consecrating Aaron and his Sons to the priesthood.</p>
+
+<p>Picture of the View of Windsor-Castle from Snow-Hill, in the Great Park.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a Mother inviting her little Boy to come to her through a small
+Stream of Water.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the naming of Samuel, and the prophesying of Zacharias.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Ascension of our Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>Do of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Brewer's Porter and Hod Carrier.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Venus attended by the Graces.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Samuel, when a Boy, presented to Eli.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ's Last Supper. (In brown colour.)</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Reaping of Harvest, with Windsor in the back-ground.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Adonis and his Dog going to the Chace.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ among the Doctors in the Temple.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Moses shown the Promised Land.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ's Nativity.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Mothers with their Children, in water,</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cranford Bridge.</p>
+
+<p>Do, of the sketch of Pyrrhus when a Child, before King Glaucus.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Traveller laying his Piece of Bread on the Bridle of the dead
+Ass. From Sterne.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Captivity. From ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cupid letting loose Two Pigeons.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cupid asleep.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Children eating Cherries.</p>
+
+<p>Sketch of a Mother and her Child on her Lap.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Eagle bringing the Cup to
+Psyche.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of St. Anthony of Padua and the Child.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Jacob, and Laban with his Two Daughters.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Women looking into the Sepulchre, and beholding Two Angels
+where the Lord lay.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Angel loosening the Chains of St. Peter in Prison.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Epaminondas.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Bayard.</p>
+
+<p>The small sketch of Christ's Ascension.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of a Group of Legendary Saints. In imitation of Reubens.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Kosciusco on a Couch, as he appeared in London, 1797.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Cephalus.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Abraham and Isaac:--"Here is the Wood and Fire, but where is the
+Lamb for Sacrifice."</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of the Bard. From Gray.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Pardoning of John by his brother King Henry, at the
+Solicitation of his Mother.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. George and the Dragon.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Eponina with her Children, giving Bread to her Husband when
+in Concealment.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch on paper of Christ's Last Supper.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Pardoning of John, at his Mother's Solicitation.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Lord Chatham.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Presentation of the Crown to William the Conqueror.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Europa crowning the Bull with Flowers.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Mr. West's Garden, Gallery, and Painting-Room.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Cave of Despair. From Spenser.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Christ's Resurrection.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of the Destruction of the Spanish Armada.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Arethusa bathing.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of Priam soliciting of Achilles the Body of Hector.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Moonlight. (Small.)</p>
+
+<p>The small sketch of Cupid showing Venus his Finger stung by a Bee.</p>
+
+<p>The drawings of the Two Sides of the intended Chapel at Windsor, with the
+Arrangement of the Pictures, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of St. Matthew, with the Angel.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Alcibiades and Timon of Athens.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Penn's Treaty.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Regulus.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Mark Antony, showing the Robe and Will of C&aelig;sar.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Dido.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Moses receiving the Laws on
+Mount Sinai.</p>
+
+<p>The large drawing of the Death of Hippolytus.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch, in oil, of the Death of St. Stephen. On paper.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Death of C&aelig;sar.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Swearing of Hannibal.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Deluge.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of the Landing of Agrippina. On paper.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotus into Banishment. On paper.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Death of Epaminondas.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of the Death of Aaron. On paper.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of David prostrate, whilst the destroying
+Angel sheathes the Sword.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Women looking into the Sepulchre.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. John Preaching.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Golden Age.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Antinous and Stratonice.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Demosthenes.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The drawing of King John and the Barons with Magna Charta.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of La Hogue.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Jacob and Laban.</p>
+
+<p>The large ditto of the Destruction of the Assyrian Camp by the
+destroying Angel.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Christ raising the Widow's Son.</p>
+
+<p>Do. in ditto, (on paper,) of the Water gushing from the Rock, when
+struck by Moses.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Death of Socrates.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Boyne.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Eustace St. Celaine.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of the Procession of Agrippina with her
+Children and the Roman Ladies through the Roman Camp, when in Mutiny.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Rescue of Alexander III. of Scotland from the Fury
+of the Stag.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Wolfe.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of King Alfred dividing his Loaf with a Pilgrim.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of the Raising of Lazarus.</p>
+
+<p>The small whole-length of Thomas &agrave; Becket, in oil, on canvass.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Death of the Stag.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Nathan and David.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Joseph making himself known to his Brethren.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of Narcissus in the Fountain.</p>
+
+<p>Do. sketch, in small, of the Duannic received by Lord Clive.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Continence of Scipio.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Last Judgment, and the Sea giving up its Dead.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Bard. From Gray;</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Belisarius and his Family.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of Aaron standing between the Dead and Living to stop
+the Plague.</p>
+
+<p>Do. on paper, of the Messenger announcing to Samuel the Loss of the
+Battle.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of Sir Philip Sydney ordering the Water to be given to the
+wounded Soldier.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of Christ Rejected.</p>
+
+<p>The great picture of Christ Rejected.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Death on the Pale Horse.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture of Christ healing the Sick.</p>
+
+<p>The third great picture of Lord Clive receiving the Duannie.</p>
+
+<p>Portrait of the Duke of Portland.</p>
+
+<p>Portrait of Himself, left unfinished.</p>
+
+
+<p><br /><br />N.B. Besides these productions, Mr. West has, in his portfolios, drawings
+and sketches exceeding two hundred in number.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>National Monument.</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>[The following letter on an interesting subject is curious, and is
+inserted here to be preserved.]</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. West's Letter to Sir George Beaumont, Bart.</i></p>
+
+<p>East Cowes Castle, Isle of Wight,</p>
+
+<p>Sept. 30. 1815.</p>
+
+<p>"DEAR SIR GEORGE,
+
+"Your letter to me from Keswick of the thirty-first of last month I have
+received at this place: in that letter you have honoured me with the
+communication of 'the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having
+done you the honour, among others, to inform you of the commands of His
+Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that measures be forthwith taken for the
+erection of a monument to commemorate the victory of Waterloo, in
+pursuance of an address of the House of Commons; and to request you to
+apply to such artists as you think fit, for designs for this national
+column;' and you are pleased to say, that you believe at this distance you
+cannot better forward their views than by applying to me.</p>
+
+<p>"The honourable way in which you have noticed my humble abilities in the
+arts, by calling on them for a design for a monument, to perpetuate an
+occurrence of such high military glory and national greatness as that of
+the victory of Waterloo, demands my warmest acknowledgments, and I also
+feel a duty and profound respect for the sources of your instructions to
+procure appropriate designs from the artists. When a monument is to be
+raised by a great and victorious nation (such as England) in memory of her
+departed as well as her living heroes, I feel it of the highest importance
+to her national character, when her arts and her arms stand so high, that
+they should bear a proud record to posterity of both their powers in such
+a building as that now under consideration.</p>
+
+<p>"To raise a record to departed virtue in an individual, an obelisk, a
+column, or a statue, may bear an honourable name to posterity; but a
+record when thousands have devoted their lives to save their country from
+a rapacious enemy, as in those victories gained by the Greeks at
+Thermopyl&aelig; and Marathon; the English at Blenheim and Trafalgar; and,
+lastly, that greatest of all, gained by the unsubdued valour and heroism
+of the armies of the United Kingdom at Waterloo, demands a building of
+greater magnitude and more national consequence than that of a column.</p>
+
+<p>"Such a design as I have conceived to record that victory I will give to
+yourself and others for your consideration; but not as a competitor
+presenting a drawing or model for a decision to be made on it as offered
+for competition: I therefore give you the following ideas on friendly
+motives for a dignified building.</p>
+
+<p>"All records to be transmitted, must be by the three means which have
+been established for that purpose; namely, the pen, the pencil, and the
+chisel. I therefore propose a building wherein these three may be
+employed to express the various incidents, and to mark that victory
+distinct from all others, by applying the several spoils and trophies
+taken; and to have the building of considerable magnitude. For as the
+subject is great, so should be its representative: nothing little or mean
+should be accepted, or permitted to appear in such a work, nothing but
+what will mark the great features of that event: all of which by dates,
+names, and sculptured trophies, as well as paintings, may be proclaimed
+and recorded to distant times.</p>
+
+<p>"The basis of such an erection being intended solely to commemorate the
+battle of Waterloo, its name should be in capital letters on the four
+faces, and the trophies of that victory should enrich the sides of the
+same; and the characters of the various military in British armies made
+conspicuous by their numbers shown; and on the summit of the lofty pile
+the sovereign's figure then in power should be placed.</p>
+
+<p>"The plan and dimensions of the building I present to you are as
+follows:--Its base a square of sixty feet, and its height thirty: this
+will make each of the four faces of the base a double square on its
+measurement. From the centre of this base a building to be erected in
+diameter thirty feet, and in height one hundred and twenty, formed out of
+the spoils of victory, and diminishing as it rises, and to be surmounted
+by a figure twelve feet in height, including the pedestal on which it
+stands, In the centre, over the front face of the great case, to be the
+equestrian group of the Duke of Wellington, under which, in large letters,
+WATERLOO to be inscribed; and the four angles of the great base
+perpendicular tablets, ornamented with military insignia expressive of the
+British armies, and inscribed on the four tablets the number of each
+regiment who shared in the glories of that day, and by the four tablets be
+placed the statues of distinguished generals. Thus I have presented you
+with the external appearance of my imaginary building in honour of the
+victory of Waterloo; and the interior of this building to be considered as
+the place of deposit for preserving the powers of the pen, the pencil, and
+other gems from perishing by water or by fire: to be built of stone, and
+all its ornaments to be made of durable metals: all of which to be
+illustrative of the victory for which such a building was erected.</p>
+
+<p>"The situation of this building should be a populous one, and that within
+a circus or square of a diameter not less than six hundred and fifty-eight
+feet. This size of space will give the spectator an opportunity of viewing
+the erection at double the distance of its elevation, which is the optical
+distance that pictures, statues, and buildings should always be seen at.</p>
+
+<p>"Should my ideas of a building to commemorate the military achievements of
+Waterloo be viewed with complacency by yourself and others, I shall feel a
+satisfaction, as President of the Royal Academy, to have done my duty; and
+should His Royal Highness the Prince Regent be pleased to signify his
+approbation, I shall be gratified and honoured. With the sincerity of
+profound respect,</p>
+
+<p>"I am,<br />
+"My dear Sir George,<br />
+"Your obliged and obedient Servant,<br />
+"BENJAMIN WEST."</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>Suffolk Lane, 28th Jan,</p>
+
+<p>"MY DEAR SIR,</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Philip Francis's critique on the <i>Transfiguration</i> appears very
+ingenious, so far as it explains the painter's design in representing the
+Demoniac Boy as the connecting link between the action <i>on the Mount</i> and
+the groupe at the foot of it; but I cannot agree with Sir Philip in
+supposing the picture to represent the <i>Ascension</i> and as you request
+me to state my reasons for this dissent, I shall briefly endeavour to
+specify them.</p>
+
+<p>"I have <i>not</i> seen the original picture; but in the copy of it by Harlow,
+which was much admired in Rome, and which one would think must be
+accurate, at least in regard to so important a point, since it was
+exhibited beside the original--I say in Harlow's copy the raiment of our
+Saviour is <i>white,</i> not <i>blue</i>. The white has, indeed, in the shaded part,
+a bluish tinge, but the colour is decidedly a <i>white</i>, and, therefore, Sir
+Philip's assumption that it is <i>blue</i> appears contrary to the fact.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Transfiguration</i> was witnessed by <i>only three</i> of the Apostles,
+Peter, James, and John, (see St. Matthew, chap. xvii, v. 1, 2, and 3.)
+exactly as represented In the picture, 'and (see v. 9.) as they came down
+from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man,
+until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead."'</p>
+
+<p>"It maybe as well, to prevent the trouble of an reference, to quote at
+once from the Evangelist, the description of the subject which it appears
+to me the painter meant to represent.</p>
+
+<p>
+Chap. xvii. as before.</p>
+
+<p>1. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
+bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,</p>
+
+<p>2. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
+and his raiment was white as the light.</p>
+
+<p>3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.</p>
+
+<p>6. And when the disciples heard, they fell on their faces, and were
+sore afraid.</p>
+
+<p>14. And when they were come to the multitudes there came to him a man,
+kneeling down to him, and saying,</p>
+
+<p>15. Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic and sore vexed: and
+oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.</p>
+
+<p>16. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>"Now this is exactly the scene delineated in the picture. There are <i>on
+the Mount</i> the three disciples, fallen on the ground, and shading their
+faces from the '<i>bright cloud</i>' which <i>overshadows</i> the transfigured
+Saviour; and Moses and Elias are the two figures of old men attending the
+Saviour, or '<i>talking with him.</i>'</p>
+
+<p>"At the <i>foot of the Mount</i>, there are <i>the multitude</i>, the lunatic boy,
+<i>his father</i> holding him, the <i>disciples</i> who <i>could not cure him</i>; and
+one of whom appears in the act of attempting to cure him, by addressing or
+exorcising the demon who is in him. There are also <i>several women</i> in the
+groupe; and it seems that instead of bringing 'different incidents
+together to constitute one plot,' the painter, on the contrary, has
+exactly followed the Evangelist, and represented the same instant of time
+in the action <i>on</i> the Mount, among the <i>multitude</i> at the foot of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot imagine how Sir Philip Francis could have supposed the picture
+to represent the <i>Ascension</i>, which took place in the presence of the
+<i>Eleven Apostles</i> and of them only, (see St. Luke, last chapter and last
+paragraph,) as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and he
+blessed them. And it came to pass, when he blessed them, he was parted
+from them, and carried up into Heaven."</p>
+
+<p>"This bears no resemblance whatever to the scene represented in the
+picture, and the opinion given by Sir Philip can only have arisen from an
+imperfect recollection of the Sacred Writings, and from having neglected
+to refer to the text.</p>
+
+<p>"I am,<br />
+"My dear Sir,<br />
+"Yours truly,<br />
+S.M'G-------."</p>
+
+<p><i>John Galt, Esq.</i></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>The Funeral of Mr. West.</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>It would be improper to close this appendix without giving some account of
+the funeral of Mr. West.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after Mr. West's decease, a deputation from the Council of the Royal
+Academy waited on his sons and the executors, to apprise them of the
+intention of that body to honour the remains of their late President., by
+attending them to his grave, according to the ceremonial adopted on the
+public interment of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, in St. Paul's
+Cathedral. His Majesty having, as Patron of the Royal Academy, given his
+gracious sanction that similar honours should be paid to the late
+venerable President, his sons and executors adopted active preparations
+to carry the arrangement into effect. As the schools of the Royal Academy
+were closed, and all its functions suspended, by the death of the late
+President, it was of material importance on this account, and with the
+view to the usual preparatory arrangements for the annual exhibition,
+that the funeral should not be delayed; and as early a day as practicable
+was therefore fixed for the public interment in St. Paul's Cathedral. The
+obvious consequence, however, of this has been, that owing to the absence
+from town, at this particular season, of so many noblemen and gentlemen
+of the highest rank, and the indisposition of several others, many warm
+admirers and friends of this celebrated artist and amiable man, who
+have, during his long life, honoured him with their friendship, and who
+have been particularly desirous of paying their last tribute of respect
+to his remains, have been precluded attending the funeral. The corpse was
+privately brought to the Royal Academy on Tuesday evening, attended by
+the sons and grandson of the deceased, and two intimate friends, Mr.
+Henderson (one of the trustees and executors of the deceased) and Mr.
+Hayes (for many years his medical attendant), and was received by the
+council and officers of the Royal Academy, and their undertaker and his
+attendants, with every mark of respect. The body was then deposited in
+the smaller Exhibition-room, on the ground-floor, which was hung on the
+occasion with black.</p>
+
+<p>About half-past ten yesterday morning, the Academicians, Associates, and
+Students, assembled in the Great Exhibition-room, and the nobility,
+gentry, and the deceased's private friends, soon after arrived, and joined
+the mournful band. The chief mourners were in seclusion in the library of
+the Academy. About half-past twelve o'clock, the whole of the arrangements
+having been effected, the Procession moved from Somerset House to St.
+Paul's Cathedral in the following order:</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 5px">  Six Constables, by threes.<br />
+  Four Marshalmen, two and two.<br />
+  City Marshal on horseback.<br />
+  Undertaker on horseback.<br />
+  Six Cloakmen on horseback, by twos.<br />
+  Four Mutes on horseback, by twos.<br />
+  Lid of Feathers, with attendant Pages.</p>
+
+<p>Hearse and Six, with rich trappings, feathers, and velvets, attended by
+Eight Pages.</p>
+
+<p>Two Mourning Coaches and four, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Pall-bearers.</p>
+
+<p>Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Sons and
+Grandson of the deceased, as CHIEF MOURNERS.</p>
+
+<p>Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Family
+Trustees and Executors of the deceased.</p>
+
+<p>Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Reverends the
+Vicar of Mary-la-bonne, the Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, and the Medical
+Attendant of the deceased.</p>
+
+<p>Then followed Sixteen Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with Attendant Pages,
+conveying the Right Rev. the Chaplain, the Secretary for Foreign
+Correspondence, and the Members of the Royal Academy and Students.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Mourners and Private Friends of the deceased.</p>
+
+<p>The Procession was closed by above sixty carriages, arranged in rank by
+the junior City Marshal and Marshalmen--the servants wearing hat-bands
+and gloves.</p>
+
+<p>The Procession was attended on each side by fifty Constables, to preserve
+order; and the accesses from Bridge-street, Chancery-lane, the Old Bailey,
+&amp;c. were stopped. On reaching St. Paul's Cathedral, where the senior City
+Marshal was in wailing, with several assistants, to arrange the
+Procession, it entered at the great Western Gate, and was met at the
+entrance of the Cathedral by the Church Dignitaries, &amp;c. the whole then
+proceeded to the Choir in the following order:</p>
+
+
+<p align="center">  The two junior Vergers.<br />
+  The Marshals.<br />
+  The young Gentlemen of the Choir, two by two.<br />
+  Their Almoner, or Master.<br />
+  The Vicars Choral, two by two.<br />
+  The Sub-Dean and Junior Canons, two by two.<br />
+  The Feathers, with Attendant Pages and Mutes.<br />
+  The two Senior Vergers.<br />
+  Honourable and Rev. Dr. Wellesley.<br />
+  The Canon residentiary, and the Rev. the Prebendary.</p>
+
+<pre>                       [THE CORPSE]
+  Pall-bearers.                  Pall-bearers.
+  The Earl of Aberdeen,          Right Honourable Sir
+  His Excellency the American    William Scott,
+  Ambassador,                    Honourable Gen. Phipps,
+  Hon. Augustus Phipps,          Sir George Beaumont,
+  Sir Thomas Baring.             Sir Robert Wilson.</pre>
+
+
+<p align="center">CHIEF MOURNERS.</p>
+
+<p align="center">  The Sons and Grandson of deceased, namely,<br />
+  Raphael Lamar West, Esq.<br />
+  Benjamin West, Esq.<br />
+  and<br />
+  Mr. Benjamin West, jun.<br />
+  followed by<br />
+  Robert Brunning (the old Servant of deceased)<br />
+  Henry Fauntleroy, Esq. and James Henry Henderson, Esq.<br />
+  (the Family Trustees and Executors of deceased.)<br />
+  and<br />
+  The Rev. Dr. Heslop, Vicar of St. Mary-la-Bonne; the Rev.<br />
+  Mr. Borrodaile, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor; and Joseph<br />
+  Hayes, Esq. Medical Attendant on deceased (Dr. Baillie being unavoidably
+    absent).</p>
+
+<p>Then followed</p>
+
+<p>The Bishop of Salisbury, (As Chaplain to the Royal Academy; and an
+Honorary Member).</p>
+
+<p>Prince Hoare, Esq. (Secretary for Foreign Correspondence to the
+Royal Academy.)</p>
+
+<p>The body of Academicians and Associates of the Royal Academy, according to
+seniority, two by two, Students, two by two.</p>
+
+<p>And the private mourners of the deceased, consisting of--Aldermen Wood
+and Birch, Rev. ---- Est, Rev. Holt Oakes, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P.,
+William Smith, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq. M.P., George Watson
+Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P., Archibald Hamilton,
+Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Richard Payne Knight,
+Esq., Thomas Lister Parker, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Nash, Esq.,
+John Edwards, Esq., Major Payne, Captain Henry Wolseley, Captain Francis
+Halliday, James St. Aubyn, Esq., Henry Sansom, Esq., ---- Magniac, Esq.,
+George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., N. Ogle,
+Esq., George Repton, Esq., William Wadd, Esq., Henry Woodthorpe, jun.
+Esq., Christ. Hodgson, Esq., ---- Cockerell, sen. Esq., ---- Cockerell,
+jun. Esq., Leigh Hunt, Esq., P. Turnerelli, Esq., J. Holloway, Esq.,
+Charles Heath, Esq., Henry Eddridge, Esq., A. Robertson, Esq., W. J.
+Newton, Esq., John Taylor, Esq., T. Bonney, Esq., ---- Muss, Esq., ----
+Martin, Esq., J. Green, Esq., John Gait, Esq., William Carey, Esq., ----
+Leslie Esq., ---- Behnes, Esq., George Samuel, Esq., John Young, Esq.,
+Christopher Pack, Esq., W, Delamotte, Esq., E. Scriven Esq., J. M. Davis,
+Esq., C. Smart, Esq., &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>It being Passion Week, the usual chanting and performance of music in the
+Cathedral-service could not take place, but an Anthem was, by special
+permission, allowed to be sung; and the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley,
+assisted by the Rev. the Prebendary, performed the solemn service in a
+very impressive manner. The body was placed in the choir, and at the head
+were arranged, on chairs, the chief mourners and executors. The
+pall-bearers were seated on each side of the corpse, and the Members of
+the Royal Academy, and other mourners, were arranged on each side of the
+choir. After the Anthem, the body was attended to the vault-door by the
+pall-bearers, followed by the chief mourners and executors, and was
+conveyed into the crypt, and placed immediately beneath the perforated
+brass plate, under the centre of the dome. Dr. Wellesley, with the other
+canons, and the whole choir, then came under the dome, and the
+pall-bearers, chief mourners, and executors, stood by them. The Members
+of the Royal Academy were ranged on the right, and the other mourners on
+the left, forming a circle, the outside of which was protected by the
+Marshals and undertaker's attendants. Here the remainder of the service
+was completed, and the sexton, placed in the crypt below, at the proper
+period, let fall some earth, as usual, on the coffin. After the
+funeral-service was ended, the chief mourners and executors, accompanied
+by most of the other mourners, went into the crypt, and attended the
+corpse to its grave, which was sunk with brick-work under the pavement at
+the head of the grave of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, and adjoining to
+that of the late Mr. West's intimate and highly-valued friend, Dr.
+Newton, formerly Bishop of Bristol, and Dean of St. Paul's, the
+brick-work of whose grave forms one side of Mr. West's; thus uniting
+their remains in the silent tomb. Sir Christopher Wren, the great
+architect, lies interred close by, as well as those eminent artists, the
+late Mr. Opie and Mr. Barry.</p>
+
+<p>The Members of the Royal Academy, and all the mourners, then returned to
+Somerset-House, in the like order of procession (with the exception of the
+hearse and feathers,) where refreshments were provided for them.</p>
+
+<p>The whole of this affecting ceremony was conducted with great solemnity
+and respect, and was witnessed by an immense concourse of people.</p>
+
+<p>The carriages attending in the Procession were those of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of York, the Dukes of Norfolk, Northumberland, and Argyll;
+the Marquisses of Lansdowne and Stafford; the Earls of Liverpool, Essex,
+Aberdeen, Carlisle, Dartmouth, Powis, Mulgrave, Darnley, and Carysfort;
+Viscount Sidmouth; the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Carlisle, and
+Chester; Admiral Lord Radstock; the Right Honourables Sir William Scott,
+Charles Manners Sutton, and Charles Long; the American Ambassador; the
+Hon. General Phipps, Augustus Phipps; Sirs George Beaumont, J. Fleming
+Leicester, Thomas Baring, and Henry Fletcher; the Solicitor General, Sir
+Robert Wilson, Dr. Heslop, Dr. Baillie, Aldermen Birch and Wood, Mr.
+Chamberlain Clarke, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq.
+M.P., George Watson Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P.,
+Henry Fauntleroy, Esq., Archibald Hamilton, Esq., Thomas Courts, Esq.,
+John Penn, Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Walter
+Fawkes, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Yenn, Esq., John Soane, Esq.,
+Francis Chantry, Esq., Henry Sanson, Esq., John Nash, Esq., John Edwards,
+Esq., George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., Henry
+Meux, Esq. &amp;c. &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>The following is the Inscription upon the Tombstone over the deceased:--</p>
+
+<p>Here lie the Remains of BENJAMIN WEST, Esq., President of the Royal
+Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture: born 10th Oct. 1738,
+at Springfield, in Pennsylvania, in America: died in London, 11th
+March, 1820.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">The End.</p>
+
+<br /><br /><br /><br />
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of
+Benjamin West, Esq., by John Galt
+
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+</pre>
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+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin
+West, Esq., by John Galt
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+Author: John Galt
+
+Posting Date: March 22, 2013 [EBook #8857]
+Release Date: September, 2005
+First Posted: August 14, 2003
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE, STUDIES, WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+President of the Royal Academy of London
+
+Composed from Materials Furnished by Himself
+
+By John Galt, Esq.
+
+Author of the Life and Administration of Cardinal Wolsey, &c.
+
+
+
+1820.
+
+
+
+Part I.
+
+
+
+To
+Alexander Gordon, Esq.
+This little work
+Is respectfully inscribed
+By the Author.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+
+The professional life of Mr. West constitutes an important part of an
+historical work, in which the matter of this volume could only have been
+introduced as an episode, and, perhaps, not with much propriety even in
+that form. It was my intention, at one time, to have prepared the whole of
+his memoirs, separately, for publication; but a careful review of the
+manuscript convinced me, that the transactions in which he has been
+engaged, subsequently to his arrival in England, are so much of a public
+nature, and belong so immediately to the history of the Arts, that such a
+separation could not be effected without essentially impairing the
+interest and unity of the main design; and that the particular nature of
+this portion of his memoirs admitted of being easily detached and arranged
+into a whole, complete within itself.
+
+I do not think that there can be two opinions with respect to the utility
+of a work of this kind. Mr. West, in relating the circumstances by which
+he was led to approximate, without the aid of an instructor, to those
+principles and rules of art, which it is the object of schools and
+academies to disseminate, has conferred a greater benefit on young Artists
+than he could possibly have done by the most ingenious and eloquent
+lectures on the theories of his profession; and it was necessary that the
+narrative should appear in his own time, in order that the authenticity of
+the incidents might not rest on the authority of any biographer.
+
+_April_ 25,1816.
+
+John Galt.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.
+
+Chap. II.
+
+    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross.--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.
+
+Chap. III.
+
+    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led
+    to the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place
+    him in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers.--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.
+
+Chap. V.
+
+    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--- He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvator
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+    Anecdote of a famous Improvisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of West's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequence of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies
+    Mr. Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to Rome.
+    --Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian Obelisk.
+    --Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an anecdote of a
+    Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote of a Scottish
+    Fanatic who arrived in Rome to convert the Pope.--Sequel of the
+    Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit England.--Having completed
+    his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous picture, he is elected an
+    Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and invited to Court.--He
+    proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--Reflections on the Stale
+    of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French frontiers.--State of
+    Taste in France.
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Studies of Benjamin West
+
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+
+
+    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.
+
+Benjamin West, the subject of the following Memoirs, was the youngest son
+of John West and Sarah Pearson, and was born near Springfield, in Chester
+County, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 10th of October, 1738.
+
+The branch of the West family, to which he belongs, has been traced in an
+unbroken series to the Lord Delawarre, who distinguished himself in the
+great wars of King Edward the Third, and particularly at the battle of
+Cressy, under the immediate command of the Black Prince. In the reign of
+Richard the Second, the ancestors of Mr. West settled at Long Crandon in
+Buckinghamshire. About the year 1667 they embraced the tenets of the
+Quakers; and Colonel James West, the friend and companion in arms of the
+celebrated Hampden, is said to have been the first proselyte of the
+family. In 1699 they emigrated to America.
+
+Thomas Pearson, the maternal grandfather of the Artist, was the
+confidential friend of William Penn, and accompanied him to America. On
+their first landing, the venerable Founder of the State of Pennsylvania
+said to him, "Providence has brought us safely hither; thou hast been the
+companion of my perils, what wilt thou that I should call this place?" Mr.
+Pearson replied, that "since he had honoured him so far as to desire him
+to give that part of the country a name, he would, in remembrance of his
+native City, call it Chester." The exact spot where these patriarchs of
+the new world first landed, is still pointed out with reverence by the
+inhabitants. Mr. Pearson built a house and formed a plantation in the
+neighbourhood, which he called Springfield, in consequence of discovering
+a large spring of water in the first field cleared for cultivation; and it
+was near this place that Benjamin West was born.
+
+When the West family emigrated, John, the father of Benjamin, was left to
+complete his education at the great school of the Quakers at Uxbridge, and
+did not join his relations in America till the year 1714. Soon after his
+arrival he married the mother of the Artist; and of the worth and piety of
+his character we have a remarkable proof in the following transactions,
+which, perhaps, reflect more real glory on his family than the
+achievements of all his heroic ancestors.
+
+As a part of the marriage portion of Mrs. West he received a negro slave,
+whose diligence and fidelity very soon obtained his full confidence.
+Being engaged in trade, he had occasion to make a voyage in the West
+Indies, and left this young black to superintend the plantation in his
+absence, During his residence in Barbadoes, his feelings were greatly
+molested, and his principles shocked, by the cruelties to which he saw the
+negroes subjected in that island; and the debasing effects were forcibly
+contrasted in his mind with the morals and intelligence of his own slave.
+Conversing on this subject with Doctor Gammon, who was then at the head of
+the community of Friends in Barbadoes, the Doctor convinced him that it
+was contrary to the laws of God and Nature that any man should retain his
+fellow-creatures in slavery. This conviction could not rest long inactive
+in a character framed like that of Mr. West. On his return to America he
+gave the negro his freedom, and retained him as a hired servant.
+
+Not content with doing good himself, he endeavoured to make others follow
+his example, and in a short time his arguments had such an effect on his
+neighbours, that it was agreed to discuss publicly the general question of
+Slavery. This was done accordingly; and, after debating it at many
+meetings, it was resolved by a considerable majority THAT IT WAS THE DUTY
+OF CHRISTIANS TO GIVE FREEDOM TO THEIR SLAVES. The result of this
+discussion was soon afterwards followed by a similar proposal to the head
+meeting of the Quakers in the township of Goshen in Chester County; and
+the cause of Humanity was again victorious. Finally, about the year 1753,
+the same question was agitated in the annual general assembly at
+Philadelphia, when it was ultimately established as one of the tenets of
+the Quakers, that no person could remain a member of their community who
+held a human creature in slavery. This transaction is perhaps the first
+example in the history of communities, of a great public sacrifice of
+individual interest, not originating from considerations of policy or the
+exigences of public danger, but purely from moral and religious
+principles.
+
+The benevolent work of restoring their natural rights to the unfortunate
+Negroes, did not rest even at this great pecuniary sacrifice. The Society
+of Friends went farther, and established Schools for the education of
+their children; and some of the first characters among themselves
+volunteered to superintend the course of instruction.
+
+In the autumn of 1738, Edmund Peckover, a celebrated Orator among the
+Quakers, came to the neighbourhood of Springfield, and on the 28th of
+September preached in a meeting-house erected by the father of Mrs. West
+at the distance of about a mile and a half from his residence. Mrs. West
+was then the mother of nine children, and far advanced in her pregnancy
+with Benjamin.--Peckover possessed the most essential qualities of an
+impressive speaker, and on this occasion the subject of his address was of
+extraordinary interest to his auditors. He reviewed the rise and progress
+of society in America, and with an enthusiastic eloquence which partook of
+the sublimity and vehemence of the prophetic spirit, he predicted the
+future greatness of the country. He described the condition of the
+European nations, decrepid in their institutions, and corrupt in their
+morality, and contrasted them with the young and flourishing
+establishments of the New World. He held up to their abhorrence the
+licentious manners and atheistical principles of the French, among whom
+God was disregarded or forgotten; and, elevated by the importance of his
+subject, he described the Almighty as mustering his wrath to descend on
+that nation, and disperse it as chaff in a whirlwind. He called on them to
+look towards their home of England, and to see with what eager devotion
+the inhabitants worshiped the golden image of Commerce, and laid the
+tribute of all their thoughts on its altars; believing that with the power
+of the idol alone, they should be able to withstand all calamities. "The
+day and the hour are, however, hastening on, when the image shall be
+shaken from its pedestal by the tempest of Jehovah's descending vengeance,
+its altars overturned, and the worshipers terribly convinced that without
+the favour of the Almighty God there is no wisdom in man! But," continued
+this impassioned orator, "from the woes and the crimes of Europe let us
+turn aside our eyes; let us turn from the worshipers of Commerce, clinging
+round their idols of gold and silver, and, amidst the wrath, the storm,
+and the thunder, endeavouring to hold them up; let us not look at the land
+of blasphemies; for in the crashing of engines, the gushing of blood, and
+the shrieking of witnesses more to be pitied than the victims, the
+activity of God's purifying displeasure will be heard; while turning our
+eyes towards the mountains of this New World, the forests shall be seen
+fading away, cities rising along the shores, and the terrified nations of
+Europe flying out of the smoke and the burning to find refuge here."--All
+his auditors were deeply affected, particularly Mrs. West, who was taken
+with the pains of labour on the spot. The meeting was broken up; the women
+made a circle round her as they carried her home, and such was the
+agitation into which she was thrown, that the consequences had nearly
+proved fatal both to the mother and the infant, of which she was
+prematurely delivered.
+
+This occurrence naturally excited much attention, and became the subject
+of general conversation. It made a deep impression on the mind of Mr.
+West, who could not divest himself of a feeling that it indicated
+something extraordinary in the future fortunes of his child; and when
+Peckover, soon afterwards, on his leaving that part of the country, paid
+him a farewell visit, he took an opportunity of introducing the subject.
+The warm imagination of the Preacher eagerly sympathised with the feelings
+of his friend. He took him by the hand, and, with emphatic solemnity, said
+that a child sent into the world under such remarkable circumstances would
+prove no ordinary man; and he charged him to watch over the boy's
+character with the utmost degree of paternal solicitude. It will appear in
+the sequel, that this singular admonition was not lost on Mr. West.
+
+The first six years of Benjamin's life passed away in calm uniformity;
+leaving only the placid remembrance of enjoyment. In the month of June
+1745, one of his sisters, who had been married some time before, and who
+had a daughter, came with her infant to spend a few days at her father's.
+When the child was asleep in the cradle, Mrs. West invited her daughter to
+gather flowers in the garden, and committed the infant to the care of
+Benjamin during their absence; giving him a fan to flap away the flies
+from molesting his little charge. After some time the child happened to
+smile in its sleep, and its beauty attracted his attention. He looked at
+it with a pleasure which he had never before experienced, and observing
+some paper on a table, together with pens and red and black ink, he seized
+them with agitation, and endeavoured to delineate a portrait: although at
+this period he had never seen an engraving or a picture, and was only in
+the seventh year of his age.
+
+Hearing the approach of his mother and sister, he endeavoured to conceal
+what he had been doing; but the old lady observing his confusion, enquired
+what he was about, and requested him to show her the paper. He obeyed,
+entreating her not to be angry. Mrs. West, after looking some time at the
+drawing with evident pleasure, said to her daughter, "I declare he has
+made a likeness of little Sally," and kissed him with much fondness and
+satisfaction. This encouraged him to say, that if it would give her any
+pleasure, he would make pictures of the flowers which she held in her
+hand; for the instinct of his genius was now awakened, and he felt that he
+could imitate the forms of those things which pleased his sight.
+
+This curious incident deserves consideration in two points of view. The
+sketch must have had some merit, since the likeness was so obvious,
+indicating how early the hand of the young artist possessed the power of
+representing the observations of his eye. But it is still more remarkable
+as the birth of the fine arts in the New World, and as one of the few
+instances in the history of art, in which the first inspiration of genius
+can be distinctly traced to a particular circumstance. The drawing was
+shown by Mrs. West to her husband, who, remembering the prediction of
+Peckover, was delighted with this early indication of talent in his son.
+But the fact, though in itself very curious, will appear still more
+remarkable, when the state of the country at that period, and the peculiar
+manners of the Quakers, are taken into consideration.
+
+The institutions of William Penn had been sacredly preserved by the
+descendants of the first settlers, with whom the remembrance of the causes
+which had led their ancestors to forsake their native country, was
+cherished like the traditions of religion, and became a motive to
+themselves, for indulging in the exercise of those blameless principles,
+which had been so obnoxious to the arrogant spirit of the Old World. The
+associates of the Wests and the Pearsons, considered the patriarchs of
+Pennsylvania as having been driven from England, because their endeavours
+to regulate their conduct by the example of Jesus Christ, mortified the
+temporal pretensions of those who satisfied themselves with attempting to
+repeat his doctrines; and they thought that the asylum in America was
+chosen, to facilitate the enjoyment of that affectionate intercourse which
+their tenets enjoined, free from the military predilections and political
+jealousies of Europe. The effect of this opinion tended to produce a state
+of society more peaceful and pleasing than the World had ever before
+exhibited. When the American Poets shall in future times celebrate the
+golden age of their country, they will draw their descriptions from the
+authentic history of Pennsylvania in the reign of King George the Second.
+
+From the first emigration in 1681, the colony had continued to thrive with
+a rapidity unknown to the other European Settlements. It was blessed in
+the maxims upon which it had been founded, and richly exhibited the fruits
+of their beneficent operation. At the birth of Benjamin West it had
+obtained great wealth, and the population was increasing much more
+vigorously than the ordinary reproduction of the human species in any
+other part of the world. In the houses of the principal families, the
+patricians of the country, unlimited hospitality formed a part of their
+regular economy. It was the custom among those who resided near the
+highways, after supper and the last religious exercise of the evening, to
+make a large fire in the hall, and to set out a table with refreshments
+for such travellers as might have occasion to pass during the night; and
+when the families assembled in the morning they seldom found that their
+tables had been unvisited. This was particularly the case at Springfield.
+Poverty was never heard of in the land. The disposition to common charity
+having no objects, was blended with the domestic affections, and rendered
+the ties of friendship and kindred stronger and dearer. Acts of liberality
+were frequently performed to an extent that would have beggared the
+munificence of the Old World. With all these delightful indications of a
+better order of things, society in Pennsylvania retained, at this time,
+many of those respectable prejudices which gave a venerable grace to
+manners, and are regarded by the practical philosopher as little inferior
+in dignity to the virtues. William Penn was proud of his distinguished
+parentage, and many of his friends traced their lineage to the antient
+and noble families of England. In their descendants the pride of ancestry
+was so tempered with the meekness of their religious tenets, that it lent
+a kind of patriarchal dignity to their benevolence.
+
+In beautiful contrast to the systematic morality of the new inhabitants,
+was the simplicity of the Indians, who mingled safe and harmless among the
+Friends. In the annual visits which they were in the practice of paying to
+the Plantations, they raised their huts in the fields and orchards without
+asking leave, nor were they ever molested. Voltaire has observed, that the
+treaty which was concluded between the Indians and William Penn was the
+first public contract which connected the inhabitants of the Old and New
+World together, and, though not ratified by oaths, and without invoking
+the Trinity, is still the only treaty that has never been broken. It may
+be further said, that Pennsylvania is the first country which has not been
+subdued by the sword, for the inhabitants were conquered by the force of
+Christian benevolence.
+
+When the great founder of the State marked out the site of Philadelphia in
+the woods, he allotted a piece of ground for a public library. It was his
+opinion, that although the labour of clearing the country would long
+employ the settlers, hours of relaxation would still be requisite; and,
+with his usual sagacity, he judged that the reading of books was more
+conducive to good morals and to the formation of just sentiments, than any
+other species of amusement. The different counties afterwards instituted
+libraries, which the townships have also imitated: where the population
+was insufficient to establish a large collection of books, the
+neighbouring families formed themselves into societies for procuring the
+popular publications. But in these arrangements for cultivating the powers
+of the understanding, no provision was made, during the reign of George
+the Second, for improving the faculties of taste. The works of which the
+libraries then consisted, treated of useful and practical subjects. It was
+the policy of the Quakers to make mankind wiser and better; and they
+thought that, as the passions are the springs of all moral evil when in a
+state of excitement, whatever tends to awaken them is unfavourable to that
+placid tenour of mind which they wished to see diffused throughout the
+world. This notion is prudent, perhaps judicious; but works of imagination
+may be rendered subservient to the same purpose. Every thing in
+Pennsylvania was thus unpropitious to the fine arts. There were no cares
+in the bosoms of individuals to require public diversions, nor any
+emulation in the expenditure of wealth to encourage the ornamental
+manufactures. In the whole Christian world no spot was apparently so
+unlikely to produce a painter as Pennsylvania. It might, indeed, be
+supposed, according to a popular opinion, that a youth, reared among the
+concentrating elements of a new state, in the midst of boundless forests,
+tremendous waterfalls, and mountains whose summits were inaccessible to
+"the lightest foot and wildest wing," was the most favourable situation
+to imbibe the enthusiasm either of poetry or of painting, if scenery and
+such accidental circumstances are to be regarded as every thing, and
+original character as nothing. But it may reasonably be doubted if ever
+natural scenery has any assignable influence on the productions of genius.
+The idea has probably arisen from the impression which the magnificence of
+nature makes on persons of cultivated minds, who fall into the mistake of
+considering the elevated emotions arising in reality from their own
+associations, as being naturally connected with the objects that excite
+them. Of all the nations of Europe the Swiss are the least poetical, and
+yet the scenery of no other country seems so well calculated as that of
+Switzerland to awaken the imagination; and Shakespeare, the greatest of
+all modern Poets, was brought up in one of the least picturesque districts
+of England.
+
+Soon after the occurrence of the incident which has given rise to these
+observations, the young Artist was sent to a school in the neighbourhood.
+During his hours of leisure he was permitted to draw with pen and ink; for
+it did not occur to any of the family to provide him with better
+materials. In the course of the summer a party of Indians came to pay
+their annual visit to Springfield, and being amused with the sketches of
+birds and flowers which Benjamin shewed them, they taught him to prepare
+the red and yellow colours with which they painted their ornaments. To
+these his mother added blue, by giving him a piece of indigo, so that he
+was thus put in possession of the three primary colours. The fancy is
+disposed to expatiate on this interesting fact; for the mythologies of
+antiquity furnish no allegory more beautiful; and a Painter who would
+embody the metaphor of an Artist instructed by Nature, could scarcely
+imagine any thing more picturesque than the real incident of the Indians
+instructing West to prepare the prismatic colours. The Indians also taught
+him to be an expert archer, and he was sometimes in the practice of
+shooting birds for models, when he thought that their plumage would look
+well in a picture.
+
+His drawings at length attracted the attention of the neighbours; and some
+of them happening to regret that the Artist had no pencils, he enquired
+what kind of things these were, and they were described to him as small
+brushes made of camels' hair fastened in a quill. As there were, however,
+no camels in America, he could not think of any substitute, till he
+happened to cast his eyes on a black cat, the favourite of his father;
+when, in the tapering fur of her tail, he discovered the means of
+supplying what he wanted. He immediately armed himself with his mother's
+scissors, and, laying hold of Grimalkin with all due caution, and a proper
+attention to her feelings, cut off the fur at the end of her tail, and
+with this made his first pencil. But the tail only furnished him with one,
+which did not last long, and he soon stood in need of a further supply. He
+then had recourse to the animal's back, his depredations upon which were
+so frequently repeated, that his father observed the altered appearance of
+his favourite, and lamented it as the effect of disease. The Artist, with
+suitable marks of contrition, informed him of the true cause; and the old
+gentleman was so much amused with his ingenuity, that if he rebuked him,
+it was certainly not in anger.
+
+Anecdotes of this kind, trifling as they may seem, have an interest
+independent of the insight they afford into the character to which they
+relate. It will often appear, upon a careful study of authentic biography,
+that the means of giving body and effect to their conceptions, are rarely
+withheld from men of genius. If the circumstances of Fortune are
+unfavourable, Nature instructs them to draw assistance immediately from
+herself, by endowing them with the faculty of perceiving a fitness and
+correspondence in things which no force of reasoning, founded on the
+experience of others, could enable them to discover. This aptness is,
+perhaps, the surest indication of the possession of original talent. There
+are minds of a high class to which the world, in the latitude of its
+expressions, often ascribes genius, but which possess only a superior
+capacity for the application of other men's notions, unconnected with any
+unusual portion of the inventive faculty.
+
+In the following year Mr. Pennington, a merchant of Philadelphia, who was
+related to the West family, came to pay a visit to Mr. West. This
+gentleman was also a member of the Society of Friends, and, though
+strictly attentive to the peculiar observances of the sect, was a man of
+pleasant temper and indulgent dispositions. He noticed the drawings of
+birds and flowers round the room, unusual ornaments in the house of a
+Quaker; and heard with surprise that they were the work of his little
+cousin. Of their merit as pictures he did not pretend to judge, but he
+thought them wonderful productions for a boy only entering on his eighth
+year, and being told with what imperfect materials they had been executed,
+he promised to send the young Artist a box of paints and pencils from the
+city. On his return home he fulfilled his engagement, and at the bottom of
+the box placed several pieces of canvass prepared for the easel, and six
+engravings by Grevling.
+
+The arrival of the box was an aera in the history of the Painter and his
+art. It was received with feelings of delight which only a similar mind
+can justly appreciate. He opened it, and in the colours, the oils, and
+the pencils, found all his wants supplied, even beyond his utmost
+conceptions. But who can describe the surprise with which he beheld the
+engravings; he who had never seen any picture but his own drawings, nor
+knew that such an art as the Engraver's existed! He sat over the box with
+enamoured eyes; his mind was in a flutter of joy; and he could not refrain
+from constantly touching the different articles, to ascertain that they
+were real. At night he placed the box on a chair near his bed, and as
+often as he was overpowered by sleep, he started suddenly and stretched
+out his hand to satisfy himself that the possession of such a treasure was
+not merely a pleasing dream. He rose at the dawn of day, and carried the
+box to a room in the garret, where he spread a canvass, prepared a pallet,
+and immediately began to imitate the figures in the engravings. Enchanted
+by his art he forgot the school hours, and joined the family at dinner
+without mentioning the employment in which he had been engaged. In the
+afternoon he again retired to his study in the garret; and for several
+days successively he thus withdrew and devoted himself to painting. The
+schoolmaster, observing his absence, sent to ask the cause of it. Mrs.
+West, affecting not to take any particular notice of the message,
+recollected that she had seen Benjamin going up stairs every morning, and
+suspecting that the box occasioned his neglect of the school, went to the
+garret, and found him employed on the picture. Her anger was appeased by
+the sight of his performance, and changed to a very different feeling. She
+saw, not a mere copy, but a composition from two of the engravings. With
+no other guide than that delicacy of sight which renders the Painter's
+eye, with respect to colours, what the Musician's ear is with respect to
+sounds, he had formed a picture as complete, in the scientific arrangement
+of the tints, notwithstanding the necessary imperfection of the
+pencilling, as the most skilful Artist could have painted, assisted by the
+precepts of Newton. She kissed him with transports of affection, and
+assured him that she would not only intercede with his father to pardon
+him for having absented himself from school, but would go herself to the
+master, and beg that he might not be punished. The delightful
+encouragement which this well-judged kindness afforded to the young
+Painter may be easily imagined; but who will not regret that the mother's
+over-anxious admiration would not suffer him to finish the picture, lest
+he should spoil what was already in her opinion perfect, even with half
+the canvass bare? Sixty-seven years afterwards the writer of these Memoirs
+had the gratification to see this piece in the same room with the sublime
+painting of "Christ Rejected," on which occasion the Painter declared to
+him that there were inventive touches of art in his first and juvenile
+essay, which, with all his subsequent knowledge and experience, he had not
+been able to surpass.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. II.
+
+
+
+    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross,--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.
+
+In the course of a few days after the affair of the painting, Mr.
+Pennington paid another visit to Mr. West; and was so highly pleased with
+the effect of his present, and the promising talents of his young
+relation, that he entreated the old gentleman to allow Benjamin to
+accompany him for a few days to Philadelphia. This was cheerfully agreed
+to, and the Artist felt himself almost, as much delighted with the journey
+as with the box of colours. Every thing in the town filled him with
+astonishment; but the view of the shipping, which was entirely new,
+particularly attracted his eye, and interested him like the imaginary
+spectacles of magic.
+
+When the first emotions of his pleasure and wonder had subsided, he
+applied to Mr. Pennington to procure him materials for painting. That
+gentleman was desirous of getting possession of the first picture, and had
+only resigned what he jocularly alleged were his just claims, in
+consideration of the mother's feelings, and on being assured that the next
+picture should be purposely painted for him. The materials were procured,
+and the Artist composed a landscape, which comprehended a picturesque view
+of a river, with vessels on the water, and cattle pasturing on the banks.
+While he was engaged in this picture, an incident occurred which, though
+trivial in itself, was so much in unison with the other circumstances that
+favoured the bent of his genius, that it ought not to be omitted.
+
+Samuel Shoemaker [Footnote: This gentleman was afterwards introduced by
+Mr. West to the King, at Windsor, as one of the American Loyalists.], an
+intimate friend of Mr. Pennington, one of the principal merchants of
+Philadelphia, happened to meet in the street with one Williams, a Painter,
+carrying home a picture. Struck by the beauty of the performance, he
+enquired if it was intended for sale, and being told that it was already
+disposed of, he ordered another to be painted for himself. When the
+painting was finished, he requested the Artist to carry it to Mr.
+Pennington's house, in order that it might be shewn to young West. It was
+very well executed, and the boy was so much astonished at the sight of it,
+that his emotion and surprise attracted the attention of Williams, who was
+a man of observation, and judged correctly in thinking that such an
+uncommon manifestation of sensibility in so young a boy, indicated
+something extraordinary in his character. He entered into conversation
+with him, and enquired if he had read any books, or the lives of great
+men, The little amateur told him that he had read the Bible, and was well
+acquainted with the history of Adam, Joseph, David, Solomon, and the other
+great and good men whose actions are recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
+Williams was much pleased with the simplicity of the answer; and it might
+have occurred to him that histories more interesting have never been
+written, or written so well. Turning to Mr. Pennington, who was present,
+he asked if Benjamin was his son; advising him at the same time to indulge
+him in whatever might appear to be the bent of his talents, assuring him
+that he was no common boy.
+
+This interview was afterwards much spoken of by Williams, who in the mean
+time lent him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson on Painting, and invited
+him to see his pictures and drawings. The impression which these books
+made on the imagination of West finally decided his destination. He was
+allowed to carry them with him into the country; and his father and
+mother, soon perceiving a great change in his conversation, were referred
+to the books for an explanation of the cause. They read them for the first
+time themselves, and treasuring in their minds those anecdotes of the
+indications of the early symptoms of talent with which both works abound,
+they remembered the prophetic injunction of Edmund Peckover.
+
+The effect of the enthusiasm inspired by Richardson and Fresnoy may be
+conceived from the following incident. Soon after the young Artist had
+returned to Springfield, one of his schoolfellows, on a Saturday's half
+holiday, engaged him to give up a party at trap-ball to ride with him to
+one of the neighbouring plantations. At the time appointed the boy came,
+with the horse saddled. West enquired how he was to ride; "Behind me,"
+said the boy; but Benjamin, full of the dignity of the profession to which
+he felt himself destined, answered, that he never would ride behind any
+body. "O! very well then," said the good-natured boy, "you may take the
+saddle, and I will get up behind you." Thus mounted, they proceeded on
+their excursion; and the boy began to inform his companion that his father
+intended to send him to be an apprentice. "In what business?" enquired
+West; "A taylor," answered the boy. "Surely," said West, "you will never
+follow that trade;" animadverting upon its feminine character. The other,
+however, was a shrewd, sound-headed lad, and defended the election very
+stoutly, saying that his father had made choice of it for him, and that
+the person with whom he was to learn the business was much respected by
+all his neighbours. "But what do you intend to be, Benjamin?" West
+answered, that he had not thought at all on the subject, but he should
+like to be a painter. "A painter!" exclaimed the boy, "what sort of a
+trade is a painter? I never heard of such a thing." "A painter," said
+West, "is a companion for Kings and Emperors." "Surely you are mad,"
+replied the boy, "for there are no such people in America." "Very true,"
+answered Benjamin, "but there are plenty in other parts of the world." The
+other, still more amazed at the apparent absurdity of this speech,
+reiterated in a tone of greater surprise, "You are surely quite mad." To
+this the enthusiast replied by asking him if he really intended to be a
+taylor. "Most certainly," answered the other. "Then you may ride by
+yourself, for I will no longer keep your company," said West, and,
+alighting, immediately returned home.
+
+The report of this incident, with the affair of the picture, which had
+occasioned his absence from school, and visit to Philadelphia, made a
+great impression on the boys in the neighbourhood of Springfield. All
+their accustomed sports were neglected, and their play-hours devoted to
+drawing with chalk and oker. The little president was confessedly the most
+expert among them, but he has often since declared, that, according to his
+recollection, many of his juvenile companions evinced a degree of taste
+and skill in this exercise, that would not have discredited the students
+of any regular academy.
+
+Not far from the residence of Mr. West a cabinet-maker had a shop, in
+which Benjamin sometimes amused himself with the tools of the workmen. One
+day several large and beautiful boards of poplar tree were brought to it;
+and he happening to observe that they would answer very well for drawing
+on, the owner gave him two or three of them for that purpose, and he drew
+figures and compositions on them with ink, chalk, and charcoal. Mr. Wayne,
+a gentleman of the neighbourhood, having soon after occasion to call at
+his father's, noticed the boards in the room, and was so much pleased with
+the drawings, that he begged the young Artist to allow him to take two or
+three of them home, which, as but little value was set on them, was
+thought no great favour, either by the painter or his father. Next day Mr.
+Wayne called again, and after complimenting Benjamin on his taste and
+proficiency, gave him a dollar for each of the boards which he had taken
+away, and was resolved to preserve. Doctor Jonathan Moris, another
+neighbour, soon after, also made him a present of a few dollars to buy
+materials to paint with. These were the first public patrons of the
+Artist; and it is at his own request that their names are thus
+particularly inserted.
+
+About twelve months after the visit to Philadelphia, Mr. Flower, one of
+the Justices of the county of Chester, who possessed some taste in
+painting, requested Mr. West to allow Benjamin to spend a few weeks at his
+house. A short time before, this gentleman had met with a severe domestic
+misfortune in the loss of a wife, to whom he was much attached; and he
+resolved to shew his respect to her memory by devoting his attention
+exclusively to the improvement of his children: for this purpose he had
+sent to England for a governess qualified to undertake the education of
+his daughters, and he had the good fortune to obtain a lady eminently
+fitted for the trust. She arrived a few days only before the young Artist,
+and her natural discernment enabled her to appreciate that original bias
+of mind which she had heard ascribed to him, and of which she soon
+perceived the determination and the strength. Finding him unacquainted
+with any other books than the Bible, and the works of Richardson and
+Fresnoy, she frequently invited him to sit with her pupils, and, during
+the intervals of their tasks, she read to him the most striking and
+picturesque passages from translations of the antient historians and
+poetry, of which Mr. Flower had a choice and extensive collection. It was
+from this intelligent woman that he heard, for the first time, of the
+Greeks and Romans; and the impression which the story of those illustrious
+nations made on his mind, was answerable to her expectations.
+
+Among the acquaintance of Mr. Flower was a Mr. Ross, a lawyer in the town
+of Lancaster, a place at that time remarkable for its wealth, and which
+had the reputation of possessing the best and most intelligent society to
+be then found in America. It was chiefly inhabited by Germans, who of all
+people in the practice of emigrating, carry along with them the greatest
+stock of knowledge and accomplishments. The society of Lancaster,
+therefore, though it could not boast of any very distinguished character,
+yet comprehended many individuals who were capable of appreciating the
+merit of essays in art, and of discriminating the rude efforts of real
+genius from the more complete productions of mere mechanical skill. It was
+exactly in such a place that such a youth as Benjamin West was likely to
+meet with that flattering attention which is the best stimulus of juvenile
+talent. The wife of Mr. Ross was greatly admired for her beauty, and she
+had several children who were so remarkable in this respect as to be
+objects of general notice. One day when Mr. Flower was dining with them,
+he advised his friend to have their portraits taken; and mentioned that
+they would be excellent subjects for young West. Application was in
+consequence made to old Mr. West, and permission obtained for the little
+Artist to go to Lancaster for the purpose of taking the likenesses of Mrs.
+Ross and her family. Such was the success with which he executed this
+task, that the sphere of his celebrity was greatly enlarged; and so
+numerous were the applications for portraits, that it was with difficulty
+he could find time to satisfy the demands of his admirers.
+
+Among those who sent to him in this early stage of his career, was a
+person of the name of William Henry. He was an able mechanic, and had
+acquired a handsome fortune by his profession of a gunsmith. Henry was,
+indeed, in several respects, an extraordinary man, and possessed the power
+generally attendant upon genius under all circumstances, that of
+interesting the imagination of those with whom he conversed. On examining
+the young Artist's performance, he observed to him, that, if he could
+paint as well, he would not waste his time on portraits, but would devote
+himself to historical subjects; and he mentioned the Death of Socrates as
+affording one of the best topics for illustrating the moral effect of the
+art of painting. The Painter knew nothing of the history of the
+Philosopher; and, upon confessing his ignorance, Mr. Henry went to his
+library, and, taking down a volume of the English translation of Plutarch,
+read to him the account given by that writer of this affecting story.
+
+The suggestion and description wrought upon the imagination of West, and
+induced him to make a drawing, which he shewed to Mr. Henry, who commended
+it as a perspicuous delineation of the probable circumstances of the
+event, and requested him to paint it. West said that he would be happy to
+undertake the task, but, having hitherto painted only faces and men
+cloathed, he should be unable to do justice to the figure of the slave who
+presented the poison, and which he thought ought to be naked. Henry had
+among his workmen a very handsome young man, and, without waiting to
+answer the objection, he sent for him into the room. On his entrance he
+pointed him out to West, and said, "There is your model." The appearance
+of the young man, whose arms and breast were naked, instantaneously
+convinced the Artist that he had only to look into nature for the models
+which would impart grace and energy to his delineation of forms.
+
+When the death of Socrates was finished, it attracted much attention, and
+led to one of those fortunate acquaintances by which the subsequent career
+of the Artist has been so happily facilitated. About this period the
+inhabitants of Lancaster had resolved to erect a public grammar-school;
+and Dr. Smith, the Provost of the College at Philadelphia, was invited by
+them to arrange the course of instruction, and to place the institution in
+the way best calculated to answer the intention of the founders. This
+gentleman was an excellent classical scholar, and combined with his
+knowledge and admiration of the merits of the antients that liberality of
+respect for the endeavours of modern talent, with which the same kind of
+feeling is but rarely found connected. After seeing the picture and
+conversing with the Artist, he offered to undertake to make him to a
+certain degree acquainted with classical literature; while at the same
+time he would give him such a sketch of the taste and character of the
+spirit of antiquity, as would have all the effect of the regular education
+requisite to a painter. When this liberal proposal was communicated to old
+Mr. West, he readily agreed that Benjamin should go for some time to
+Philadelphia, in order to take advantage of the Provost's instructions;
+and accordingly, after returning home for a few days, Benjamin went to the
+capital, and resided at the house of Mr. Clarkson, his brother-in-law, a
+gentleman who had been educated at Leyden, and was much respected for the
+intelligence of his conversation, and the propriety of his manners.
+
+Provost Smith introduced West, among other persons, to four young men,
+pupils of his own, whom he particularly recommended to his acquaintance,
+as possessing endowments of mind greatly superior to the common standard
+of mankind. One of these was Francis Hopkins, who afterwards highly
+distinguished himself in the early proceedings of the Congress of the
+United States. Thomas Godfrey, the second, died after having given the
+most promising indications of an elegant genius for pathetic and
+descriptive poetry. He was an apprentice to a watchmaker, and had secretly
+written a poem, which he published anonymously in the Philadelphia
+newspaper, under the title of "The Temple of Fame." The attention which it
+attracted, and the encomiums which the Provost in particular bestowed on
+it, induced West, who was in the Poet's confidence, to mention to him who
+was the author. The information excited the alert benevolence of Smith's
+character, and he lost no time until he had procured the release of
+Godfrey from his indenture, and a respectable employment for him in the
+government of the state; but this he did not live long to enjoy: being
+sent on some public business to Carolina, he fell a victim to the climate.
+
+It is pleasant to redeem from oblivion the memory of early talent thus
+prematurely withdrawn from the world. Many of Godfrey's verses were
+composed under a clump of pines which grew near the upper ferry of the
+river Schuylkill, to which spot he sometimes accompanied West and their
+mutual friends to angle. In the heat of the day he used to stretch himself
+beneath the shade of the trees, and repeat to them his verses as he
+composed them. Reid was the name of the other young man, and the same
+person who first opposed the British troops in their passing through
+Jersey, when the rebellion of the Provinces commenced. Previous to the
+revolution, he was bred to the bar, and practised with distinction in the
+courts of Philadelphia. He was afterwards elected a Member of Congress,
+and is the same person who was appointed to meet Lord Carlisle on his
+mission from the British Court.
+
+Provost Smith was himself possessed of a fluent vein of powerful
+eloquence, and it happened that many of his pupils who distinguished
+themselves in the great struggle of their country, appeared to have
+imbibed his talent; but none of them more than Jacob Duchey, another of
+the four youths whom he recommended to the Artist. He became a Clergyman,
+and was celebrated throughout the whole of the British Provinces in
+America as a most pathetic and persuasive preacher. The publicity of his
+character in the world was, however, chiefly owing to a letter which he
+addressed to General Washington, soon after the appointment of that chief
+to the command of the army. The purport of this letter was to persuade the
+General to go over to the British cause. It was carried to him by a Mrs.
+Ferguson, a daughter of Doctor Graham, a Scottish Physician in
+Philadelphia. Washington, with his army, at that time lay at Valley-forge,
+and this lady, on the pretext of paying him a visit, as they were
+previously acquainted, went to the camp. The General received her in his
+tent with much respect, for he greatly admired the masculine vigour of her
+mind. When she had delivered the letter he read it attentively, and,
+rising from his seat, walked backwards and forwards upwards of an hour,
+without speaking. He appeared to be much agitated during the greatest part
+of the time; but at length, having decided with himself, he stopped, and
+addressed her in nearly the following words: "Madam, I have always
+esteemed your character and endowments, and I am fully sensible of the
+noble principles by which you are actuated on this occasion; nor has any
+man in the whole continent more confidence in the integrity of his friend,
+than I have in the honour of Mr. Duchey. But I am here entrusted by the
+people of America with sovereign authority. They have placed their lives
+and fortunes at my disposal, because they believe me to be an honest man.
+Were I, therefore, to desert their cause, and consign them again to the
+British, what would be the consequence? to myself perpetual infamy; and to
+them endless calamity. The seeds of everlasting division are sown between
+the two countries; and, were the British again to become our masters, they
+would have to maintain their dominion by force, and would, after all,
+retain us in subjection only so long as they could hold their bayonets to
+our breasts. No, Madam, the proposal of Mr. Duchey, though conceived with
+the best intention, is not framed in wisdom. America and England must be
+separate states; but they may have common interests, for they are but one
+people. It will, therefore, be the object of my life and ambition to
+establish the independence of America in the first place; and in the
+second, to arrange such a community of interests between the two nations
+as shall indemnify them for the calamities which they now suffer, and form
+a new aera in the history of nations. But, Madam, you are aware that I
+have many enemies; Congress may hear of your visit, and of this letter,
+and I should be suspected were I to conceal it from them. I respect you
+truly, as I have said; and I esteem the probity and motives of Mr. Duchey,
+and therefore you are free to depart from the camp, but the letter will be
+transmitted without delay to Congress."
+
+Mrs. Ferguson herself communicated the circumstances of this interesting
+transaction to Mr. West, after she came to England; for she, as well as
+Mr. Duchey, were obliged to quit the country. It is painful to add, that
+Duchey came to England, and was allowed to pine unnoticed by the
+Government, and was heard of no more.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. III.
+
+
+
+    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led to
+    the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place him
+    in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers,--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.
+
+There was something so judicious in the plan of study which Provost
+Smith had formed for his pupil, that it deserves to be particularly
+considered. He regarded him as destined to be a Painter; and on this
+account did not impose upon him those grammatical exercises of language
+which are usually required from the young student of the classics, but
+directed his attention to those incidents which were likely to interest
+his fancy, and to furnish him at some future time with subjects for the
+easel. He carried him immediately to those passages of antient history
+which make the most lasting impression on the imagination of the
+regular-bred scholar, and described the picturesque circumstances of the
+transactions with a minuteness of detail that would have been
+superfluous to a general student.
+
+In the midst of this course of education the Artist happened to be taken
+ill of a slight fever, and when it had subsided, he was in so weak a state
+as to be obliged to keep his bed, and to have the room darkened. In this
+situation he remained several days, with no other light than what was
+admitted by the seams and fissures in the window-shutters, which had the
+usual effect of expanding the pupil of his eyes to such a degree that he
+could distinctly see every object in the room, which to others appeared in
+complete obscurity. While he was thus lying in bed, he observed the
+apparitional form of a white cow enter at the one side of the roof, and
+walking over the bed, gradually vanish at the other. The phenomenon
+surprised him exceedingly, and he feared that his mind was impaired by his
+disease, which his sister also suspected, when on entering to inquire how
+he felt himself, he related to her what he had seen. Without, however,
+saying any thing, she went immediately and informed her husband, who
+accompanied her back to the apartment; and as they were standing near the
+bed, West repeated the story, exclaiming in his discourse that he saw, at
+the very moment in which he was then speaking, several little pigs running
+along the roof. This confirmed them in the apprehension of his delirium,
+and they sent for a physician. But the doctor could discover no symptoms
+of fever; the pulse was regular, the skin moist and cool, the thirst was
+abated, and indeed every thing about the patient indicated convalescence.
+Still the Painter persisted in his story, and assured them that he then
+saw the figures of several of their mutual friends passing on the roof,
+over the bed; and that he even saw fowls pecking, and the very stones of
+the street. All this seemed to them very extraordinary, for their eyes,
+not accustomed to the gloom of the chamber, could discern nothing; and the
+learned physician himself, in despite of the symptoms, began to suspect
+that the convalescent was really delirious. Prescribing, therefore, a
+composing mixture, which the Painter submitted to swallow, he took his
+fee and leave, requesting Mrs. Clarkson and her husband to come away and
+not disturb the patient. After they had retired, curiosity overcame the
+influence of the drug, and the Artist got up, determined to find out the
+cause of the strange apparitions which had so alarmed them all. In a short
+time he discovered a diagonal knot-hole in one of the window-shutters, and
+upon placing his hand over it, the visionary paintings on the roof
+disappeared. This confirmed him in an opinion that he began to form, that
+there must be some simple natural cause for what he had seen; and, having
+thus ascertained the way in which it acted, he called his sister and her
+husband into the room and explained it to them. When able to go down
+stairs, Mr. Clarkson gave him permission to perforate one of the parlour
+window-shutters horizontally, in order to obtain a representation on the
+wall of the buildings of the opposite side of the street. The effect was
+as he expected, but, to his astonishment, the objects appeared inverted.
+Without attempting to remedy this with the aid of glasses, as a
+mathematical genius would perhaps have done, he was delighted to see in it
+the means of studying the pictural appearance of Nature, and he hailed
+the discovery as a revelation to promote his improvement in the art of
+painting. On his return soon after to his father's, he had a box made with
+one of the sides perforated; and, adverting to the reflective power of the
+mirror, he contrived, without ever having heard of the instrument, to
+invent the _Camera_. Thus furnishing another proof, that although the
+faculty which enables a man to excel in any particular art or science is a
+natural endowment, it is seldom unaccompanied with a general superiority
+of observation. It will, however, not be disputed, that a boy under
+sixteen, who had thus, by the guidance of his own unassisted judgment,
+found out a method of ascertaining the colour and outline of natural
+objects as they should appear in painting, possessed no ordinary mind.
+Observations of this nature mark the difference between innate talent and
+instructed habits; and, whether in painting, or in poetry, in art, or in
+science, constitute the source of that peculiarity of intellect which is
+discriminated from the effects of education by the name of original
+talent. The self-educated man of genius, when his mind is formed, differs
+but little in the method of expressing his notions, from the most
+mechanical disciple of the schools; but the process by which he attains
+that result, renders his history interesting by its incidents, and
+valuable by the hints which it furnishes for the study of human character.
+It is, perhaps, also, one great cause of his own distinguishing features
+of mind, as the very contrivances to which he has recourse have the effect
+of taking, as it were, something extraneous into the matter of his
+experiments which tinges the product with curious and singular
+effects.--West, on afterwards mentioning his discovery to Williams the
+painter, was surprised to find himself anticipated, that Artist having
+received a complete Camera some time before from England.
+
+In this favourable state of things he attained his sixteenth year, when
+his father became anxious to see him settled in some established business.
+For, though reluctant to thwart the bias of a genius at once so decided
+and original, and to which the injunction of Peckover had rendered him
+favourable and indulgent, the old gentleman was sensible that the
+profession of a painter was not only precarious, but regarded by the
+religious association to which he belonged, as adverse to their tenets, by
+being only ornamental; and he was anxious, on his son's account and on his
+own, to avoid those animadversions to which he was exposed by the freedom
+he had hitherto granted to the predilections of Benjamin. He, therefore,
+consulted several of his neighbours on the subject; and a meeting of the
+Society of Friends in the vicinity was called, to consider, publicly, what
+ought to be the destiny of his son.
+
+The assembly met in the Meeting-house near Springfield, and after much
+debate, approaching to altercation, a man of the name of John Williamson
+rose, and delivered a very extraordinary speech upon the subject. He was
+much respected by all present, for the purity and integrity of his life,
+and enjoyed great influence in his sphere on account of the superiority
+of his natural wisdom, and, as a public preacher among the Friends,
+possessed an astonishing gift of convincing eloquence. He pointed to old
+Mr. West and his wife, and expatiated on the blameless reputation which
+they had so long maintained, and merited so well. "They have had," said
+he, "ten children, whom they have carefully brought up in the fear of
+God, and in the Christian religion; and the youth, whose lot in life we
+are now convened to consider, is Benjamin, their youngest child. It is
+known to you all that God is pleased, from time to time, to bestow upon
+some men extraordinary gifts of mind, and you need not be told by how
+wonderful an inspiration their son has been led to cultivate the art of
+painting. It is true that our tenets deny the utility of that art to
+mankind. But God has bestowed on the youth a genius for the art, and can
+we believe that Omniscience bestows His gifts but for great purposes?
+What God has given, who shall dare to throw away? Let us not estimate
+Almighty wisdom by our notions; let us not presume to arraign His
+judgment by our ignorance, but in the evident propensity of the young
+man, be assured that we see an impulse of the Divine hand operating
+towards some high and beneficent end."
+
+The effect of this argument, and the lofty commanding manner in which it
+was delivered, induced the assembly to agree that the Artist should be
+allowed to indulge the predilections of his genius; and a private
+meeting of the Friends was appointed to be holden at his father's house,
+at which the youth himself was requested to be present, in order to
+receive, in form, the assent and blessing of the Society. On the day of
+meeting, the great room was put in order, and a numerous company of both
+sexes assembled. Benjamin was placed by his father, and the men and
+women took their respective forms on each side. After sitting some time
+in silence, one of the women rose and addressed the meeting on the
+wisdom of God, and the various occasions on which He selected from among
+His creatures the agents of His goodness. When she had concluded her
+exhortation, John Williamson also rose, and in a speech than which,
+perhaps, the porticos of Athens never resounded with a more impressive
+oratory, he resumed the topic which had been the subject of his former
+address. He began by observing that it was fixed as one of their
+indisputable maxims, that things merely ornamental were not necessary to
+the well-being of man, and that all superfluous things should be
+excluded from the usages and manners of their society. "In this
+proscription, we have included," said he, "the study of the fine arts,
+for we see them applied only to embellish pleasures, and to strengthen
+our inducements to gratify the senses at the expense of our immortal
+claims. But, because we have seen painting put to this derogatory use,
+and have, in consequence, prohibited the cultivation of it among us, are
+we sure that it is not one of those gracious gifts which God has
+bestowed on the world, not to add to the sensual pleasures of man, but
+to facilitate his improvement as a social and a moral being? The fine
+arts are called the offspring and the emblems of peace. The Christian
+religion itself is the doctrine of good will to man. Can those things
+which only prosper in peace be contrary to the Christian religion? But,
+it is said, that the fine arts soften and emasculate the mind. In what
+way? is it by withdrawing those who study them from the robust exercises
+which enable nations and people to make war with success? Is it by
+lessening the disposition of mankind to destroy one another, and by
+taming the audacity of their animal fierceness? Is it for such a reason
+as this, that we who profess to live in unison and friendship, not only
+among ourselves, but with all the world that we should object to the
+cultivation of the fine arts, of those arts which disarm the natural
+ferocity of man? We may as well be told that the doctrine of peace and
+life ought to be proscribed in the world because it is pernicious to the
+practice of war and slaughter, as that the arts which call on man to
+exercise his intellectual powers more than his physical strength, can be
+contrary to Christianity, and adverse to the benevolence of the Deity. I
+speak not, however, of the fine arts as the means of amusement, nor the
+study of them as pastime to fill up the vacant hours of business, though
+even as such, the taste for them deserves to be regarded as a
+manifestation of Divine favour, in as much as they dispose the heart to
+kind and gentle inclinations. For, I think them ordained by God for some
+great and holy purpose. Do we not know that the professors of the fine
+arts are commonly men greatly distinguished by special gifts of a
+creative and discerning spirit? If there be any thing in the usual
+course of human affairs which exhibits the immediate interposition of
+the Deity, it is in the progress of the fine arts, in which it would
+appear he often raises up those great characters, the spirit of whose
+imaginations have an interminable influence on posterity, and who are
+themselves separated and elevated among the generality of mankind, by
+the name of men of genius. Can we believe that all this is not for some
+useful purpose? What that purpose is, ought we to pretend to
+investigate? Let us rather reflect that the Almighty God has been
+pleased among us, and in this remote wilderness, to endow, with the rich
+gifts of a peculiar spirit, that youth who has now our common consent to
+cultivate his talents for an art, which, according to our humble and
+human judgment, was previously thought an unnecessary ministration to
+the sensual propensities of our nature. May it be demonstrated by the
+life and works of the Artist, that the gift of God has not been bestowed
+on him in vain, nor the motives of the beneficent inspiration which
+induces us to suspend our particular tenets, prove barren of religious
+or moral effect. On the contrary, let us confidently hope that this
+occurrence has been for good, and that the consequences which may arise
+in the society of this new world, from the example which Benjamin West
+will be enabled to give, will be such a love of the arts of peace as
+shall tend to draw the ties of affection closer, and diffuse over a
+wider extent of community the interests and blessing of fraternal love."
+
+At the conclusion of this address, the women rose and kissed the young
+Artist, and the men, one by one, laid their hands on his head and prayed
+that the Lord might verify in his life the value of the gift which had
+induced them, in despite of their religious tenets, to allow him to
+cultivate the faculties of his genius.
+
+The history of no other individual affords an incident so extraordinary.
+This could not be called a presentiment, but the result of a clear
+expectation, that some important consequence would ensue. It may be added
+that a more beautiful instance of liberality is not to be found in the
+records of any religious society. Hitherto, all sects, even of Christians,
+were disposed to regard, with jealousy and hatred, all those members who
+embraced any pursuit that might tend to alienate them from their
+particular modes of discipline. The Quakers have, therefore, the honour of
+having been the first to allow, by a public act, that their conception of
+the religious duties of man was liable to the errors of the human
+judgment, and was not to be maintained on the presumption of being
+actually according to the will of God. There is something at once simple
+and venerable in the humility with which they regarded their own peculiar
+principles, especially contrasted with the sublime view they appeared to
+take of the wisdom and providence of the Deity. But, with whatever
+delightful feelings strangers and posterity may contemplate this beautiful
+example of Christian magnanimity, it would be impossible to convey any
+idea of the sentiments with which it affected the youth who was the object
+of its exercise. He must have been less than man had he not endeavoured,
+without ceasing, to attain an honourable eminence in his profession; or,
+had he forgotten, in the honours which he has since received from all
+polished nations, that he was authorized by his friends and his religion,
+to cultivate the art by which he obtained such distinctions, not for his
+own sake, but as an instrument chosen by Providence to disseminate the
+arts of peace in the world.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+
+
+    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.
+
+There is a regardless independence about minds of superior endowment,
+which, in similar characters, manifests itself differently according to
+the circumstances in which they happen to be placed. Devoted to the
+contemplation of the means of future celebrity, the man of genius
+frequently finds himself little disposed to set a proper value on the
+common interests of of life. When bred in affluence, and exempted from
+the necessity of considering the importance of money to the attainment of
+his object, he is often found, to a blameful degree, negligent of
+pecuniary concerns; and, on the contrary, when his situation is such that
+he may only hope for distinction by the practice of the most parsimonious
+frugality, he will as often appear in the social and propelling season of
+youth enduring voluntary privations with an equanimity which the
+ostentatious fanatic or contrite penitent would in vain attempt to
+surpass. This peculiar feature of the self-sustained mind of genius has
+often been misunderstood, and seldom valued as it ought to be. The
+presumptuous weak who mistake the wish of distinction for the workings of
+talent, admire the eccentricities of the gifted youth who is reared in
+opulence, and, mistaking the prodigality which is only the effect of his
+fortune, for the attributes of his talents, imitate his errors, and
+imagine that, by copying the blemishes of his conduct, they possess what
+is illustrious in his mind. Such men are incapable of appreciating the
+self-denial which Benjamin West made it a duty to impose upon himself on
+entering the world; but to those who are truly conscious of possessing
+the means of attracting the admiration of their contemporaries and
+posterity, the voluntary abstinence of a youth of genius will afford them
+delight in the contemplation, even though they may be happily free from
+the obligation of practising it themselves.
+
+When it was determined among the Friends that Benjamin West should be
+allowed to cultivate the art of Painting, he went to Lancaster, but he was
+hastily recalled by a severe domestic misfortune. His mother was seized by
+a dangerous illness, and being conscious that she could not live long, she
+requested that he might be sent for home. Benjamin hastily obeyed the
+summons, but, before he reached the house, her strength was exhausted, and
+she was only able to express by her look the satisfaction with which she
+saw him approach the bed, before she expired. Her funeral, and the
+distress which the event naturally occasioned to her family, by all of
+whom she was very tenderly beloved, detained the young Artist some time at
+his father's. About the end of August, in 1756, however, he took his
+final departure, and went to Philadelphia. But, before proceeding with
+the narrative of his professional career, it is necessary to advert to
+some of the public transactions of that period, by which his sensibility
+was powerfully excited. Indeed it will appear throughout the whole of
+these singular memoirs, that the subject of them was, perhaps, more
+immediately affected by the developement of national events, than usually
+falls to the lot of any individual so little connected with public men,
+and so far remote from the great thoroughfare of political occurrences.
+
+After the destruction of General Bradock's army, the Pennsylvanians being
+alarmed at the defenceless state in which they were placed by that
+calamity, the Assembly of the Province resolved to embody a militia force;
+and Mr. Wayne, who has been already mentioned, was appointed Colonel of
+the Regiment raised in Chester County. This defensive measure announced
+that the golden age of the country was past, and the change felt by the
+peaceful Quakers indicated an alteration in their harmless manners. West,
+among others, went to view the first muster of the troops under the
+command of Colonel Wayne, and the sight of men in arms, their purpose and
+array, warmed his lively imagination with military enthusiasm. In
+conjunction with a son of the Colonel, a boy of his own age, with whom he
+had become acquainted, he procured a gun, and determined also to be a
+soldier. Young Wayne was drilled by the diciplinarians of his father's
+corps, and he, in turn, exercised West, who, being more alert and active,
+soon obtained a decided superiority; but what different destinies were
+attached to them! West has attained, in the intellectual discipline of the
+arts of peace, an enviable reputation; and Wayne, who was inferior to him
+in the manual of the soldier, became an illustrious commander, and
+partook, as the companion in arms of Washington, of the glory of having
+established the independence of America.
+
+The martial preparations inspired all the youths of Pennsylvania with the
+love of arms, and diffused the principles of that military spirit which
+was afterwards exerted with so much effect against the erroneous policy
+of the mother country. West, soon after his drilling under young Wayne,
+visited Lancaster; and the boys of that town having formed themselves
+into a little corps, made choice of him for their commandant. Among
+others who caught the spirit of the time, was his brother Samuel, who
+possessed a bold character and an enterprising disposition. He was about
+six years older than the Artist, and, being appointed a Captain in
+Colonel Wayne's regiment, joined the troops under the command of General
+Forbes, who was sent to repair the disasters which had happened to the
+unfortunate Bradock.
+
+After the taking of Fort Duane, to which the new name of Pittsburgh was
+given, in compliment to the minister of the day, General Forbes resolved
+to search for the relics of Bradock's army. As the European soldiers were
+not so well qualified to explore the forests, Captain West was appointed,
+with his company of American sharpshooters, to assist in the execution of
+this duty; and a party of Indian warriors, who had returned to the British
+interests, were requested to conduct him to the places where the bones of
+the slain were likely to be found. In this solemn and affecting duty
+several officers belonging to the 42d regiment accompanied the detachment,
+and with them Major Sir Peter Halket, who had lost his father and a
+brother in the fatal destruction of the army. It might have been thought a
+hopeless task that he should be able to discriminate their remains from
+the common relics of the other soldiers; but he was induced to think
+otherwise, as one of the Indian warriors assured him that he had seen an
+officer fall near a remarkable tree, which he thought he could still
+discover; informing him at the same time, that the incident was impressed
+on his memory by observing a young subaltern, who, in running to the
+officer's assistance, was also shot dead on his reaching the spot, and
+fell across the other's body. The Major had a mournful conviction in his
+own mind that the two officers were his father and brother, and, indeed,
+it was chiefly owing to his anxiety on the subject, that this pious
+expedition, the second of the kind that History records, was undertaken.
+
+Captain West and his companions proceeded through the woods and along the
+banks of the river towards the scene of the battle. The Indians regarded
+the expedition as a religious service, and guided the troops with awe, and
+in profound silence. The soldiers were affected with sentiments not less
+serious; and as they explored the bewildering labyrinths of those vast
+forests, their hearts were often melted with inexpressible sorrow; for
+they frequently found skeletons lying across the trunks of fallen trees, a
+mournful proof to their imaginations that the men who sat there, had
+perished of hunger, in vainly attempting to find their way to the
+plantations. Sometimes their feelings were raised to the utmost pitch of
+horror by the sight of sculls and bones scattered on the ground--a certain
+indication that the bodies had been devoured by wild beasts; and in other
+places they saw the blackness of ashes amidst the relics,--the tremendous
+evidence of atrocious rites.
+
+At length they reached a turn of the river not far from the principal
+scene of destruction, and the Indian who remembered the death of the two
+officers, stopped; the detachment also halted. He then looked around in
+quest of some object which might recall, distinctly, his recollection of
+the ground, and suddenly darted into the wood. The soldiers rested their
+arms without speaking. A shrill cry was soon after heard; and the other
+guides made signs for the troops to follow them towards the spot from
+which it came. In the course of a short time they reached the Indian
+warrior, who, by his cry, had announced to his companions that he had
+found the place where he was posted on the day of battle. As the troops
+approached, he pointed to the tree under which the officers had fallen.
+Captain West halted his men round the spot, and with Sir Peter Halket and
+the other officers, formed a circle, while the Indians removed the leaves
+which thickly covered the ground. The skeletons were found, as the Indian
+expected, lying across each other. The officers having looked at them some
+time, the Major said, that as his father had an artificial tooth, he
+thought he might be able to ascertain if they were indeed his bones and
+those of his brother. The Indians were, therefore, ordered to remove the
+skeleton of the youth, and to bring to view that of the old officer. This
+was immediately done, and after a short examination, Major Halket
+exclaimed, "It is my father!" and fell back into the arms of his
+companions. The pioneers then dug a grave, and the bones being laid in it
+together, a highland plaid was spread over them, and they were interred
+with the customary honours.
+
+When Lord Grosvenor bought the picture of the death of Wolfe, Mr. West
+mentioned to him the finding of the bones of Bradock's army as a pictorial
+subject capable of being managed with great effect. The gloom of the vast
+forest, the naked and simple Indians supporting the skeletons, the grief
+of the son on recognizing the relics of his father, the subdued melancholy
+of the spectators, and the picturesque garb of the Pennsylvanian
+sharpshooters, undoubtedly furnished topics capable of every effect which
+the pencil could bestow, or the imagination require in the treatment of so
+sublime a scene. His Lordship admitted, that in possessing so affecting an
+incident as the discovery of the bones of the Halkets, it was superior
+even to that of the search for the remains of the army of Varus; the
+transaction, however, being little known, and not recorded by any
+historian, he thought it would not be interesting to the public. Other
+engagements have since prevented Mr. West from attempting it on his own
+account. But it is necessary that the regular narrative should be resumed;
+for the military history of the Artist terminated when he was recalled
+home by the last illness of his mother, although the excitement which the
+events that led to it occasioned never lost its influence on his mind,
+especially that of the incident which has been described, and which has
+ever been present to his imagination as one of the most affecting
+occurrences, whether considered with respect to the feelings of the
+gentlemen most immediately interested in it, or with respect to the wild
+and solemn circumstances under which the service was performed.
+
+On his return to Philadelphia, he again resided with Mr. Clarkson, his
+brother-in-law; and Provost Smith, in the evenings, continued to direct
+his attention to those topics of literature which were most suitable to
+cherish the expansion of his mind, and to enrich his imagination with
+ideas useful to his profession. While his leisure hours were thus
+profitably employed, his reputation as a portrait painter was rapidly
+extended. His youth, and the peculiar incidents of his history, attracted
+many sitters, and his merits verified the recommendations of his friends.
+This constancy of employment, no doubt materially tended to his
+improvement in the manipulation of his art; for whatever may be the native
+force of talent, it is impossible that the possessor can attain excellence
+by any other means than practice. Facility to express the conceptions of
+the mind must be acquired before the pen or the pencil can embody them
+appropriately, and the author who does not execute much, however little he
+may exhibit, can never expect to do justice to the truth and beauty of his
+own ideas. West was very soon duly impressed with the justness of this
+observation; and, while in the execution of his portraits, he was
+assiduous to acquire a ready knowledge of those characteristic traits
+which have since enabled him to throw so much variety into his
+compositions; he felt conscious that, without seeing better pictures than
+his own, he could neither hope to attain distinction, nor to appreciate
+his own peculiar powers. It was this consideration that induced him to
+adopt a most rigid system of frugality. He looked forward to a period when
+he might be enabled, by the fruits of his own industry, to visit the great
+scenes of the fine arts in Europe; and the care with which he treasured
+the money that he received for his portraits was rewarded even at the time
+with the assurance of realizing his expectations. The prices which he
+first fixed for his portraits, were two guineas and a half for a head, and
+five guineas for a half length.
+
+After what has already been mentioned of the state of Society in
+Pennsylvania, it is needless to say that at the period to which these
+memoirs refer, there were but few pictures in the British Plantations;
+indeed, without any other explanation, all that should be contended for by
+any person who might imagine it necessary to advocate the pretensions of
+Benjamin West to be placed in the list of original and self-instructed
+artists, would be readily granted, upon stating the single fact, that he
+was born in Pennsylvania, and did not leave America till the year 1760. At
+the same time, it might be construed into an injudicious concealment, if
+it were not mentioned that Governor Hamilton, who at that period presided
+with so much popularity over the affairs of the province, possessed a few
+pictures, consisting, however, chiefly of family portraits. Among them was
+a St. Ignatius, which was found in the course of the preceding war on
+board a Spanish prize, and which Mr. Pennington obtained leave for West to
+copy. The Artist had made choice of it himself, without being aware of its
+merits as a work of art, for it was not until several years after that he
+discovered it to be a fine piece of the Morillo school, and in the best
+style of the master.
+
+This copy was greatly admired by all who saw it, and by none more than his
+valuable friend Provost Smith, to whom it suggested the notion that
+portrait-painting might be raised to something greatly above the
+exhibition of a mere physical likeness; and he in consequence endeavoured
+to impress upon the mind of his pupil, that characteristic painting opened
+a new line in the art, only inferior in dignity to that of history, but
+requiring, perhaps, a nicer discriminative tact of mind. This judicious
+reflection of Dr. Smith was however anticipated by Sir Joshua Reynolds,
+who had already made the discovery, and was carrying it into effect with
+admirable success. The Provost, however, was unacquainted with that
+circumstance, and induced West to make an experiment by drawing his
+portrait in the style and attitude of the St. Ignatius.
+
+While he was thus employed on portraits, a gentleman of the name of Cox
+called on him to agree for a likeness of his daughter; and the picture of
+Dr. Smith attracted his attention. It indeed appeared to him to evince
+such a capacity for historical composition, that, instead of then
+determining any thing respecting his daughter's portrait, he gave an order
+for an historical picture, allowing the Artist himself to choose the
+subject. This task had peculiar charms; for the Painter in the course of
+reading the Bible to his mother some time before, had been led to think
+that the Trial of Susannah was a fine subject, and he was thus enabled, by
+the liberality of Mr. Cox, to embody the conceptions of his imagination
+while they were yet in all the freshness and vigour of original
+formation. He made his canvas about the size of a half length portrait, on
+which he introduced not fewer than forty figures. In the execution he
+followed the rule which he had adopted in painting the Death of Socrates,
+and drew the principal figures from living models.--It is not known what
+has become of the Trial of Susannah. In the rebellion of the Colonies, Mr.
+Cox adhered to the British interest; and his daughter, the last person
+into whose possession the picture has been traced, having married a
+British officer, came to England during the war, and the Artist has not
+heard where she has since resided.
+
+In point of composition, Mr. West is of opinion that the Trial of Susannah
+was superior to the Death of Socrates. In this he is probably correct; for
+during the interval between the execution of the one and the other, his
+mind had been enlarged in knowledge by reading, his eye improved by the
+study of pictorial outline and perspective in the _Camera_, and his touch
+softened by the portraits which he painted, and particularly by his
+careful copy of the St. Ignatius. In point of drawing, both pictures were
+no doubt greatly inferior to many of his subsequent works; but his son,
+long after he had acquired much celebrity, saw the picture of the Death of
+Socrates; and was of opinion that it was not surpassed by any of them in
+variety of composition, and in that perspicuity of narrative which is the
+grand characteristic of the Artist's genius.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. V.
+
+
+
+    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvador
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.
+
+
+But although West found himself in possession of abundant employment in
+Philadelphia, he was sensible that he could not expect to increase his
+prices with effect, if he continued constantly in the same place. He also
+became sensible that to view life in various lights was as necessary to
+his improvement as to exercise his pencil on different subjects. And,
+beyond all, he was profoundly sensible, by this time, that he could not
+hope to attain eminence in his profession, without inspecting the great
+master-pieces of art in Europe, and comparing them with his own works in
+order to ascertain the extent of his powers. This philosophical view of
+his situation was doubtless partly owing to the excellent precepts of
+Provost Smith, but mainly to his own just perception of what was necessary
+to the successful career of an Artist: indeed the principle upon which the
+notion was formed is universal, and applies to all intellectual pursuits.
+Accordingly, impressed with these considerations, he frugally treasured
+the earnings of his pencil, that he might undertake, in the first place, a
+professional journey from Philadelphia, as preparatory to acquiring the
+means of afterwards visiting Europe, and particularly Rome. When he found
+that the state of his funds enabled him to undertake the journey, he went
+to New York.
+
+The Society of New York was much less intelligent in matters of taste and
+knowledge than that of Philadelphia. In the latter city the institutions
+of the college and library, and the strict moral and political
+respectability of the first settlers, had contributed to form a community,
+which, though inferior in the elegancies of living, and the etiquettes of
+intercourse, to what is commonly found in the European capitals, was
+little behind them in point of practical and historical information. Dr.
+Smith, the Provost of the college, had largely contributed to elevate the
+taste, the sentiment and the topics of conversation in Philadelphia. He
+was full of the best spirit of antiquity, and there was a classical purity
+of mind and splendour of imagination sometimes met with in the families
+which he frequented, that would have done honour to the best periods of
+polished society.
+
+It would be difficult to assign any reason why it has so happened that no
+literary author of any general celebrity, with the exception of Franklin,
+has yet arisen in America. That men of learning and extensive reading,
+capable of vying with the same description of persons in Europe, are to
+be found in the United States, particularly in Philadelphia, is not to be
+denied; but of that class, whose talents tend to augment the stock of
+intellectual enjoyment in the world, no one, with the single exception
+already alluded to, has yet appeared.
+
+Poetry is the art of connecting ideas of sensible objects with moral
+sentiments; and without the previous existence of local feelings, there
+can be no poetry. America to the first European settlers had no objects
+interesting to the imagination, at least of the description thus strictly
+considered as poetical; for although the vigour and stupendous appearances
+of Nature were calculated to fill the mind with awe, and to exalt the
+contemplations of enthusiasm, there was nothing connected with the
+circumstances of the scene susceptible of that colouring from the memory,
+which gives to the ideas of local resemblance the peculiar qualities of
+poetry. The forests, though interminable, were but composed of trees; the
+mountains and rivers, though on a larger scale, were not associated in the
+mind with the exertions of patriotic valour, and the achievements of
+individual enterprize, like the Alps or the Danube, the Grampians or the
+Tweed. It is impossible to tread the depopulated and exhausted soil of
+Greece without meeting with innumerable relics and objects, which, like
+magical talismans, call up the genius of departed ages with the
+long-enriched roll of those great transactions, that, in their moral
+effect, have raised the nature of man, occasioning trains of reflection
+which want only the rythm of language to be poetry. But in the
+unstoried solitudes of America, the traveller meets with nothing to awaken
+the sympathy of his recollective feelings. Even the very character of the
+trees, though interesting to scientific research, chills, beneath the
+spaciousness of their shade, every poetical disposition. They bear little
+resemblance to those which the stranger has left behind in his native
+country. To the descendants of the first settlers, they wanted even the
+charm of those accidental associations which their appearance might have
+recalled to the minds of their fathers. Poetry is, doubtless, the first of
+the intellectual arts which mankind cultivate. In its earliest form it is
+the mode of expressing affection and admiration; but, before it can be
+invented, there must be objects beloved and admired, associated with
+things in nature endowed with a local habitation and a name. In America,
+therefore, although there has been no lack of clever versifiers, nor of
+men who have respectably echoed the ideas current in the old world, the
+country has produced nothing of any value descriptive of the peculiar
+associations connected with its scenery. Among some of the Indian tribes a
+vein of original poetry has, indeed, been discovered; but the riches of
+the mine are unexplored, and the charge of sterility of fancy, which is
+made by the Europeans against the citizens of the United States, still
+remains unrefuted. Since the period, however, to which these memoirs
+chiefly refer, events of great importance have occurred, and the
+recollections connected with them, no doubt, tend to imbue the American
+climate with the elements of poetical thought; but they are of too recent
+occurrence for the purposes either of the epic or the tragic muse. The
+facts of history in America are still seen too much in detail for the
+imagination to combine them with her own creation. The fields of battle
+are almost too fresh for the farmer to break the surface; and years must
+elapse before the ploughshare shall turn up those eroded arms of which the
+sight will call into poetical existence the sad and dreadful incidents of
+the civil war.
+
+In New York Mr. West found the society wholly devoted to mercantile
+pursuits. A disposition to estimate the value of things, not by their
+utility, or by their beauty, but by the price which they would bring in
+the market, almost universally prevailed. Mercantile men are habituated by
+the nature of their transactions to overlook the intrinsic qualities of
+the very commodities in which they deal; and though of all the community
+they are the most liberal and the most munificent, they set the least
+value on intellectual productions. The population of New York was formed
+of adventurers from all parts of Europe, who had come thither for the
+express purpose of making money, in order, afterwards, to appear with
+distinction at home. Although West, therefore, found in that city much
+employment in taking likenesses destined to be transmitted to relations
+and friends, he met with but few in whom he found any disposition
+congenial to his own; and the eleven months which he passed there, in
+consequence, contributed less to the improvement of his mind than might
+have been expected from a city so flourishing. Still, the time was not
+altogether barren of occurrences which tended to advance his progress in
+his art, independent of the advantage arising from constant practice.
+
+He happened, during his residence there, to see a beautiful Flemish
+picture of a hermit praying before a lamp, and he was resolved to paint a
+companion to it, of a man reading by candle-light. But before he
+discovered a method of producing, in day-light, an effect on his model
+similar to what he wished to imitate, he was frequently baffled in his
+attempts. At length, he hit on the expedient of persuading his landlord to
+sit with an open book before a candle in a dark closet; and he found that,
+by looking in upon him from his study, the appearance was exactly what he
+wished for. In the schools and academies of Europe, tradition has
+preserved the methods by which all the magical effects of light and
+shadow have been produced, with the exception, however, of Rembrandt's
+method, and which the author of these sketches ventures to suggest was
+attained, in general, by observing the effect of sunshine passing through
+chinks into a dark room. But the American Artist was as yet unacquainted
+with any of them, and had no other guides to the essential principles of
+his art but the delicacy of his sight, and that ingenious observation of
+Nature to which allusion has been already so often made.
+
+The picture of the Student, or man reading by candle-light, was bought by
+a Mr. Myers, who, in the revolution, continued to adhere to the English
+cause. The same gentleman also bought a copy which West made about the
+same time of Belisarius, from the engraving by Strange, of Salvator Rosa's
+painting. It is not known what has now become of these pictures; but when
+the Artist long afterwards saw the original of Salvator Rosa, he was
+gratified to observe that he had instinctively coloured his copy almost as
+faithfully as if it had been painted from the picture instead of the
+engraving.
+
+In the year 1759 the harvest in Italy fell far short of what was
+requisite for the ordinary consumption of the population, and a great
+dearth being foreseen, Messrs. Rutherford and Jackson, of Leghorn, a house
+of the first consequence then in the Mediterranean trade, and well known
+to all travellers for the hospitality of the partners, wrote to their
+correspondent Mr. Allen, at Philadelphia, to send them a cargo of wheat
+and flour. Mr. Allen was anxious that his son, before finally embarking in
+business, should see something of the world; and Provost Smith, hearing
+his intention of sending him to Leghorn with the vessel, immediately
+waited on the old gentleman, and begged him to allow West to accompany
+him, which was cheerfully acceded to, and the Provost immediately wrote to
+his pupil at New York on the subject. In the mean time, West had heard
+that there was a vessel at Philadelphia loading for Italy, and had
+expressed to Mr. William Kelly, a merchant, who was then sitting to him
+for his portrait, a strong desire to avail himself of this opportunity to
+visit the fountain-head of the arts. Before this period, he had raised his
+terms for a half-length to ten guineas, by which he acquired a sum of
+money adequate to the expenses of a short excursion to Italy. When he had
+finished Mr. Kelly's portrait, that gentleman, in paying him, requested
+that he would take charge of a letter to his agents in Philadelphia, and
+deliver it to them himself on his return to that city, which he was
+induced to do immediately, on receiving Dr. Smith's letter, informing him
+of the arrangement made with Mr. Allen. When this letter was opened, an
+instance of delicate munificence appeared on the part of Mr. Kelly, which
+cannot be too highly applauded. It stated to the concern to which it was
+addressed, that it would be delivered by an ingenious young gentleman,
+who, he understood, intended to visit Rome for the purpose of studying the
+fine arts, and ordered them to pay him fifty guineas as a present from him
+towards furnishing his stores for the voyage.
+
+While waiting till the vessel was clear to sail, West had the
+gratification to see, in Philadelphia, his old friend Mr. Henry, for whom
+he had painted the Death of Socrates. Towards him he always cherished the
+most grateful affection. He was the first who urged him to attempt
+historical composition; and, above all, he was the first who had made him
+acquainted with the magnanimous tales of Plutarch; perhaps, the greatest
+favour which could be conferred on a youthful mind, susceptible of
+impressions from the sublime and beautiful of human actions, which no
+author has better illustrated than that celebrated Biographer, who may
+indeed be regarded, almost without hyperbole, as the recorder of
+antient worth, and the tutor of modern genius. In his peculiar class,
+Plutarch still stands alone, at least no author in any of the living
+languages appears to be yet truly sensible of the secret cause by which
+his sketches give that direct impulse to the elements of genius, by which
+the vague and wandering feelings of unappropriated strength are converted
+into an uniform energy, endowed with productive action. Plutarch, like the
+sculptors of antiquity, has selected only the great and elegant traits of
+character; and hence his lives, like those statues which are the models of
+art, possess, with all that is graceful and noble in human nature, the
+particular features of individuals. He had no taste for the blemishes of
+mankind. His mind delighted in the contemplation of moral vigour; and he
+seems justly to have thought that it was nearly allied to virtue: hence
+many of those characters whose portraitures in his works furnish the
+youthful mind with inspiring examples of true greatness, more authentic
+historians represent in a light far different. It is the aim of all
+dignified art to exalt the mind by exciting the feelings as well as the
+judgment; and the immortal lessons of Plutarch would never have awakened
+the first stirrings of ambition in the innumerable great men who date
+their career from reading his pages, had he been actuated by the minute
+and invidious spirit of modern biography. These reflections have occurred
+the more forcibly at this juncture, as the subject of this narrative was
+on the point of leaving a country in which were men destined to acquire
+glory in such achievements as Plutarch would have delighted to record; and
+of parting from early associates who afterwards attained a degree of
+eminence in the public service that places them high in the roll of those
+who have emulated the exploits and virtues of the Heroes of that great
+Biographer.
+
+The Artist having embarked with young Allen had a speedy and pleasant
+passage to Gibraltar; where, in consequence of the war then raging, the
+ship stopped for convoy. As soon as they came to anchor, Commodore Carney
+and another officer came on board to examine the vessel's papers. It
+happened that some time before, the British Government had, on account of
+political circumstances, prohibited the carrying of provisions into Italy,
+by which prohibition the ship and cargo would have been forfeited had she
+been arrested in attempting to enter an Italian port, or, indeed, in
+proceeding with such an intention. But Captain Carney had scarcely taken
+his pen to write the replies to the questions which he put to the Master,
+as to the owners of the vessel and her destination, when he again threw it
+down, and, looking the other officer full in the face, said, "I am much
+affected by the situation in which I am now placed. This valuable ship is
+the property of some of my nearest relations, and the best friends that I
+have ever had in the world!" and he refrained from asking any more
+questions. There was, undoubtedly, much generosity in this conduct, for
+by the indulgence of the crown, all prizes taken in war become the
+property of the captors; and Captain Carney, rather than enrich himself at
+the expence of his friends, chose to run the hazard of having his own
+conduct called in question for the non-performance of his official duty.
+It perhaps deserves also to be considered as affording a favourable
+example of that manly confidence in the gentlemanly honour of each other
+which has so long distinguished the British officers. On the mind of West
+it tended to confirm that agreeable impression by which so many previous
+incidents had made him cherish a liberal opinion of mankind. In other
+respects, Captain Carney happening to be the officer who came on board,
+was a fortunate circumstance; for on learning that young Allen was in the
+ship, he invited the passengers to dine on board his frigate; and the
+company, consisting of the Governor, his staff, and principal officers in
+the garrison, tended to raise the consideration of the Artist, and his
+companion in the estimation of the fleet with which their vessel was to
+proceed to Leghorn. Indeed, throughout his whole life, Mr. West was, in
+this respect, singularly fortunate; for although the condescensions of
+rank do not in themselves confer any power on talent, they have the effect
+of producing that complacency of mind in those who are the objects of
+them, which is at once the reward and the solace of intellectual exertion,
+at the same time that they tend to mollify the spirit of contemporary
+invidiousness. The day after, the fleet sailed; and when they had passed
+the rock, the captains of the two men of war [Footnote: The two
+frigates, the Shannon, Captain Meadow, since Lord Manvers, whose intimacy
+still continues with Mr. West, and the Favourite sloop of war, Captain
+Pownell.] who had charge of the convoy, came on board the American, and
+invited Mr. Allen and Mr. West to take their passage in one of the
+frigates; this, however, they declined, but every day, when the weather
+was favourable, they were taken on board the one ship or the other, to
+dine; and when the weather did not permit this to be done with pleasure to
+the strangers, the officers sent them presents from their stock.
+
+After touching at several parts of the coast of Spain, the ship arrived
+safely at Leghorn, where mercantile enquiries detained Mr. Allen some
+time, and West being impatient to proceed to Rome, bade him adieu. Prior
+to his departure from Philadelphia, he had paid into the hands of old Mr.
+Allen the money which he thought would be requisite for his expenses in
+Italy, and had received from him a letter of credit on Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford. When they were made acquainted with the object of his voyage,
+and heard his history, they showed him a degree of attention beyond even
+their general great hospitality, and presented him with letters to
+Cardinal Albani, and several of the most distinguished characters for
+erudition and taste in Rome; and as he was unacquainted with French or
+Italian, they recommended him to the care of a French Courier, who had
+occasion to pass that way.
+
+When the travellers had reached the last stage of their journey, while
+their horses were baiting, West walked on alone. It was a beautiful
+morning; the air was perfectly placid, not a speck of vapour in the sky,
+and a profound tranquillity seemed almost sensibly diffused over the
+landscape. The appearance of Nature was calculated to lighten and elevate
+the spirits; but the general silence and nakedness of the scene touched
+the feelings with solemnity approaching to awe. Filled with the idea of
+the metropolitan city, the Artist hastened forward till he reached an
+elevated part of the high road, which afforded him a view of a spacious
+champaign country, bounded by hills, and in the midst of it the sublime
+dome of St. Peter's. The magnificence of this view of the Campagna
+excited, in his imagination, an agitated train of reflections that partook
+more of the nature of feeling than of thought. He looked for a spot to
+rest on, that he might contemplate at leisure a scene at once so noble and
+so interesting; and, near a pile of ruins fringed and trellissed with ivy,
+he saw a stone that appeared to be part of a column. On going towards it,
+he perceived that it was a mile-stone, and that he was then only eight
+miles from the Capitol. In looking before him, where every object seemed
+by the transparency of the Italian atmosphere to be brought nearer than it
+was in reality, he could not but reflect on the contrast between the
+circumstances of that view and the scenery of America; and his thoughts
+naturally adverted to the progress of civilization. The sun seemed, to
+his fancy, the image of truth and knowledge, arising in the East,
+continuing to illuminate and adorn the whole earth, and withdrawing from
+the eyes of the old world to enlighten the uncultivated regions of the
+new. He thought of that remote antiquity when the site of Rome itself was
+covered with unexplored forests; and passing with a rapid reminiscence
+over her eventful story, he was touched with sorrow at the solitude of
+decay with which she appeared to be environed, till he adverted to the
+condition of his native country, and was cheered by the thought of the
+greatness which even the fate of Rome seemed to assure to America. For he
+reflected that, although the progress of knowledge appeared to intimate
+that there was some great cycle in human affairs, and that the procession
+of the arts and sciences from the East to the West demonstrated their
+course to be neither stationary nor retrograde; he could not but rejoice,
+in contemplating the skeleton of the mighty capital before him, that they
+had improved as they advanced, and that the splendour which would precede
+their setting on the shores of Europe, would be the gorgeous omen of the
+glory which they would attain in their passage over America.
+
+While he was rapt in these reflections, he heard the drowsy tinkle of a
+pastoral bell behind him, and on turning round, he saw a peasant dressed
+in shaggy skins, driving a few goats from the ruins. The appearance and
+physiognomy of this peasant struck him as something more wild and
+ferocious than any thing about the Indians; and, perhaps, the observation
+was correctly philosophical. In the Indian, Nature is seen in that
+primitive vigour and simplicity, in which the actions are regulated by
+those feelings that are the elements of the virtues; but in the Italian
+bandit, for such he had reason afterwards to think was the real character
+of the goat-herd, he saw man in that second state of barbarity, in which
+his actions are instigated by wants that have often a vicious origin.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+
+
+    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.
+
+During the pontificate of Pope Rezzonico, the society of Rome had attained
+a pitch of elegance and a liberality of sentiment superior to that of any
+other city of Christendom. The theocratic nature of the government induced
+an exterior decorum in the public form of politeness, which, to strangers
+who took no interest in the abuses of the state, was so highly agreeable,
+that it tended even to appease their indignation against the laxity of
+private morals. If the traveller would forget that the name of
+Christianity was employed in supporting a baneful administration to the
+vices, or could withdraw his thoughts from the penury and suffering which
+such an administration necessarily entailed on the people, he had
+opportunities of access at Rome to the most various and delightful
+exercises of the faculties of memory, taste, and judgment, in the company
+of persons distinguished for their knowledge and genius. For, with all the
+social intercourse for which Paris was celebrated in the reign of Louis
+XV. the local objects at Rome gave a higher and richer tone to
+conversation there; even the living vices were there less offensive than
+at Paris, the rumours of them being almost lost in the remembrance of
+departed virtue, constantly kept awake by the sight of its monuments and
+vouchers. Tyranny in Rome was exercised more intellectually than in the
+French Capital. Injustice and oppression were used more in the form of
+persuasion; and though the crosier was not less pernicious than the
+bayonet, it inflicted a less irritating injury. The virtuous endured with
+patience the wrongs that their misguided judgment led them to believe were
+salutary to their eternal welfare. But it ought to be observed, that the
+immorality of the Romans was greatly exaggerated. Individuals redeemed by
+their merits the reproach of universal profligacy; and strangers, by being
+on their guard against the moral contagion, suffered a less dangerous
+taint than in the Atheistical coteries of Paris. Many, in consequence, who
+came prepared to be disgusted with the degenerated Romans, often bade them
+adieu with sentiments of respect, and remembered their urbanity and
+accomplishments with delightful satisfaction.
+
+It was not, however, the native inhabitants of Rome who constituted the
+chief attractions of society there, but the number of accomplished
+strangers of all countries and religions, who, in constant succession,
+came in pilgrimage to the shrine of antiquity; and who, by the
+contemplation of the merits and glories of departed worth, often felt
+themselves, as it were, miraculously endowed with new qualities. The
+collision of minds fraught with learning, in that high state of excitement
+which the genius of the place produced on the coldest imaginations,
+together with those innumerable brilliant and transitory topics which were
+never elicited in any other city, made the Roman conversations a
+continual exercise of the understanding. The details of political
+intrigue, and the follies of individuals, excited but little interest
+among the strangers in Rome. It seemed as if by an universal tacit
+resolution, national and personal peculiarities and prejudices were
+forgotten, and that all strangers simultaneously turned their attention to
+the transactions and affairs of former ages, and of statesmen and authors
+now no more. Their mornings were spent in surveying the monuments raised
+to public virtue, and in giving local features in their minds to the
+knowledge which they had acquired by the perusal of those works that have
+perpetuated the dignity of the Roman character. Their evenings were often
+allotted to the comparison of their respective conjectures, and to
+ascertain the authenticity and history of the relics which they had
+collected of ancient art. Sometimes the day was consumed in the study of
+those inestimable ornaments of religion, by which the fraudulent
+disposition of the priesthood had, in the decay of its power, rendered
+itself venerable to the most enlightened minds; and the night was devoted
+to the consideration of the causes which contribute to the developement
+of genius, or of the events which tend to stifle and overwhelm its powers.
+Every recreation of the stranger in Rome was an effort of the memory, of
+abstraction, and of fancy.--Society, in this elevated state of enjoyment,
+surrounded by the greatest works of human creation, and placed amidst the
+monuments of the most illustrious of mankind,--and that of the Quakers of
+Pennsylvania, employed in the mechanical industry of felling timber, and
+amid the sobriety of rural and commercial oeconomy, were like the extremes
+of a long series of events, in which, though the former is the necessary
+consequence of the latter, no resemblance can be traced in their
+respective characteristics. In America all was young, vigorous, and
+growing,--the spring of a nation, frugal, active, and simple. In Rome all
+was old, infirm, and decaying,--the autumn of a people who had gathered
+their glory, and were sinking into sleep under the disgraceful excesses of
+the vintage. On the most inert mind, passing from the one continent to the
+other, the contrast was sufficient to excite great emotion; on such a
+character as that of Mr. West, who was naturally disposed to the
+contemplation of the sublime and beautiful, both as to their moral and
+visible effect, it made a deep and indelible impression. It confirmed him
+in the wisdom of those strict religious principles which denied the
+utility of art when solely employed as the medium of amusement; and
+impelled him to attempt what could be done to approximate the uses of the
+pencil to those of the pen, in order to render Painting, indeed, the
+sister of Eloquence and Poetry.
+
+But the course of study in the Roman schools was not calculated to enable
+him to carry this grand purpose into effect; for the principles by which
+Michael Angelo and Raphael had attained their excellence, were no longer
+regarded. The study of Nature was deserted for that of the antique; and
+pictures were composed according to rules derived from other paintings,
+without respect to what the subject required, or what the circumstances of
+the scene probably appeared to be. It was, therefore, not one of the least
+happy occurrences in his life that he went to Rome when society was not
+only in the most favourable state for the improvement of his mind, and for
+convincing him of the deleterious influence of the arts when employed as
+the embellishments of voluptuousness and luxury; but also when the state
+of the arts was so mean, that the full effect of studying the antique
+only, and of grouping characters by academical rules, should appear so
+striking as to satisfy him that he could never hope for any eminence, if
+he did not attend more to the phenomena of Nature, than to the productions
+of the greatest genius. The perusal of the works of other painters, he was
+sensible, would improve his taste; but he was convinced, that the design
+which he had formed for establishing his own fame, could not be realised,
+if, for a single moment, he forgot that their works, however exquisite,
+were but the imitations and forms of those eternal models to which he had
+been instinctively directed.
+
+It was on the 10th of July, 1760, that he arrived at Rome. The French
+Courier conducted him to a hotel, and, having mentioned in the house that
+he was an American, and a Quaker, come to study the fine arts, the
+circumstance seemed so extraordinary, that it reached the ears of Mr.
+Robinson, afterwards Lord Grantham, who immediately found himself
+possessed by an irresistible desire to see him; and who, before he had
+time to dress or refresh himself, paid him a visit, and insisted that he
+should dine with him. In the course of dinner, that gentleman inquired
+what letters of introduction the Artist had brought with him; and West
+having informed him, he observed it was somewhat remarkable that the whole
+of them should be addressed to his most particular friends, adding, that
+as he was engaged to meet them at a party in the evening, he expected West
+would accompany him. This attention and frankness was acknowledged as it
+deserved to be, and is remembered by the Artist among those fortunate
+incidents which have rendered the recollection of his past life so
+pleasant, as scarcely to leave a wish for any part of it to have been
+spent otherwise than it was. At the hour appointed, Mr. Robinson conducted
+him to the house of Mr. Crispigne, an English gentleman who had long
+resided at Rome, where the evening party was held.
+
+Among the distinguished persons whom Mr. West found in the company, was
+the celebrated Cardinal Albani. His eminence, although quite blind, had
+acquired, by the exquisite delicacy of his touch, and the combining powers
+of his mind, such a sense of antient beauty, that he excelled all the
+virtuosi then in Rome, in the correctness of his knowledge of the verity
+and peculiarities of the smallest medals and intaglios. Mr. Robinson
+conducted the Artist to the inner apartment, where the Cardinal was
+sitting, and said, "I have the honour to present a young American, who has
+a letter of introduction to your eminence, and who has come to Italy for
+the purpose of studying the fine arts." The Cardinal fancying that the
+American must be an Indian, exclaimed, "Is he black or white?" and on
+being told that he was very fair, "What as fair as I am?" cried the
+Cardinal still more surprised. This latter expression excited a good deal
+of mirth at the Cardinal's expence, for his complexion was of the darkest
+Italian olive, and West's was even of more than the usual degree of
+English fairness. For some time after, if it be not still in use, the
+expression of "as fair as the Cardinal" acquired proverbial currency in
+the Roman conversations, applied to persons who had any inordinate conceit
+of their own beauty.
+
+The Cardinal, after some other short questions, invited West to come near
+him, and running his hands over his features, still more attracted the
+attention of the company to the stranger, by the admiration which he
+expressed at the form of his head. This occasioned inquiries respecting
+the youth; and the Italians concluding that, as he was an American, he
+must, of course, have received the education of a savage, became curious
+to witness the effect which the works of Art in the Belvidere and Vatican
+would produce on him. The whole company, which consisted of the principal
+Roman nobility, and strangers of distinction then in Rome, were interested
+in the event; and it was arranged in the course of the evening that on the
+following morning they should accompany Mr. Robinson and his protege to
+the palaces.
+
+At the hour appointed, the company assembled; and a procession, consisting
+of upwards of thirty of the most magnificent equipages in the capital of
+Christendom, and filled with some of the most erudite characters in
+Europe, conducted the young Quaker to view the master-pieces of art. It
+was agreed that the Apollo should be first submitted to his view, because
+it was the most perfect work among all the ornaments of Rome, and,
+consequently, the best calculated to produce that effect which the company
+were anxious to witness. The statue then stood in a case, enclosed with
+doors, which could be so opened as to disclose it at once to full view.
+West was placed in the situation where it was seen to the most advantage,
+and the spectators arranged themselves on each side. When the keeper threw
+open the doors, the Artist felt himself surprised with a sudden
+recollection altogether different from the gratification which he had
+expected; and without being aware of the force of what he said, exclaimed,
+"My God, how like it is to a young Mohawk warrior." The Italians,
+observing his surprise, and hearing the exclamation, requested Mr.
+Robinson to translate to them what he said; and they were excessively
+mortified to find that the god of their idolatry was compared to a
+savage. Mr. Robinson mentioned to West their chagrin, and asked him to
+give some more distinct explanation, by informing him what sort of people
+the Mohawk Indians were. He described to him their education; their
+dexterity with the bow and arrow; the admirable elasticity of their limbs;
+and how much their active life expands the chest, while the quick
+breathing of their speed in the chace, dilates the nostrils with that
+apparent consciousness of vigour which is so nobly depicted in the Apollo.
+"I have seen them often," added he, "standing in that very attitude, and
+pursuing, with an intense eye, the arrow which they had just discharged
+from the bow." This descriptive explanation did not lose by Mr. Robinson's
+translation. The Italians were delighted, and allowed that a better
+criticism had rarely been pronounced on the merits of the statue. The view
+of the other great works did not awaken the same vivid feelings. Those of
+Raphael, in the Vatican, did not at first particularly interest him; nor
+was it until he had often visited them alone, and studied them by himself,
+that he could appreciate the fulness of their excellence. His first view
+of the works of Michael Angelo, was still less satisfactory: indeed, he
+continued always to think, that, with the single exception of the Moses,
+that Artist had not succeeded in giving a probable character to any of his
+subjects, notwithstanding the masterly hand and mind which pervade the
+weakest of his productions.
+
+Among the first objects which particularly interested Mr. West, and which
+he never ceased to re-visit day after day with increasing pleasure, were
+the celebrated statues ascribed to Phidias, on the Monte Cavallo. The
+action of the human figure appeared to him so majestic, that it seemed to
+throw, as it were, a visible kind of awe into the very atmosphere, and
+over all the surrounding buildings. But the smallness of the horse struck
+him as exceedingly preposterous. He had often examined it before the idea
+occurred to him that it was probably reduced according to some unknown
+principle of antient art; and in this notion he was confirmed, by
+observing something of the same kind in the relative proportion of human
+figures and animals, on the different gems and bas-reliefs to which his
+attention was subsequently directed. The antient sculptors uniformly
+seemed to consider the human figure as the chief object, and sacrificed,
+to give it effect, the proportions of inferior parts. The author of the
+group on the Monte Cavallo, in the opinion of Mr. West, represented the
+horse smaller than the natural size, in order to augment the grandeur of
+the man. How far this notion, as the principle of a rule, may be sound, it
+would be unnecessary, perhaps impertinent, to inquire here; but its
+justness as applicable to the sculptures of antiquity, is abundantly
+verified by the bas-reliefs brought from the Parthenon of Athens. It is,
+indeed, so admitted a feature of antient art, as to be regarded by some
+critics as having for its object the same effect in sculpture, which is
+attained by light and shadow in painting.--In a picture, the Artist, by a
+judicious obscurity, so veils the magnitude of the car in which he places
+a victor, that notwithstanding its size, it may not appear the principal
+object; but this artifice is denied to the sculptor, who is necessitated
+to diminish the size of those things which are of least importance, in
+order to give dignity to the predominant figures. Raphael, in making the
+boat so small in the miraculous draught of fishes, is thought to have
+injudiciously applied this rule of antient sculpture; for he ought to have
+accomplished, by foreshortening, the same effect which he meant to produce
+by diminishing the size. It should, however, be observed, that great
+doubts are entertained if the statues on the Monte Cavallo were originally
+integral parts of the same group; but although this doubt may be well
+founded, it will not invalidate the supposed general principle of the
+antient sculptors, corroborated, as it is, by innumerable examples.
+
+In the evening, after visiting the palaces, Mr. Robinson carried Mr. West
+to see a grand religious ceremony in one of the churches. Hitherto he was
+acquainted only with the simple worship of the Quakers. The pomp of the
+papal ceremonies was as much beyond his comprehension, as the overpowering
+excellence of the music surpassed his utmost expectations. Undoubtedly, in
+all the spectacles and amusements of Rome, he possessed a keener sense of
+enjoyment, arising from the simplicity of his education, than most other
+travellers. That same sensibility to the beauty of forms and colours which
+had awakened his genius for painting, was, probably, accompanied with a
+general superior susceptibility of the other organs as well as the sight;
+for it is observed that a taste for any one of the fine arts is connected
+with a general predilection for them all. But neither the Apollo, the
+Vatican, nor the pomp of the Catholic ritual, excited his feelings to so
+great a degree as the spectacle which presented itself to his view around
+the portico of the church. Bred in the universal prosperity of
+Pennsylvania, where the benevolence of the human bosom was only employed
+in acts of hospitality and mutual kindness, he had never witnessed any
+spectacle of beggary, nor had he ever heard the name of God uttered to
+second an entreaty for alms. Here, however, all the lazars and the
+wretched in Rome were collected together; hundreds of young and old in
+that extreme of squalor, nakedness, and disease which affrights the
+English traveller in Italy, were seen on all sides; and their
+importunities and cries, for the love of God, and the mercy of Christ, to
+relieve them, thrilled in his ears, and smote upon his heart to such a
+degree, that his joints became as it were loosened, and his legs scarcely
+able to support him. Many of the beggars knew Mr. Robinson, and seeing him
+accompanied by a stranger, an Englishman, as they concluded the Artist to
+be from his appearance, surrounded them with confidence and clamours.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As they returned from the church, a woman somewhat advanced in life, and
+of a better appearance than the generality of the beggars, followed them,
+and Mr. West gave her a small piece of copper money, the first Roman coin
+which he had received in change, the relative value of which to the other
+coins of the country was unknown to him. Shortly afterwards they were
+joined by some of the Italians, whom they had seen in the morning, and
+while they were conversing together, he felt some one pull his coat, and
+turned round. It was the poor woman to whom he had given the piece of
+copper money. She held out in her hand several smaller pieces, and as he
+did not understand her language, he concluded that she was chiding him for
+having given her such a trifle, and coloured deeply with the idea. His
+English friend, observing his confusion, inquired what he had given her,
+and he answered that he did not know, but it was a piece of money which he
+had received in change. Robinson, after a short conversation with the
+beggar, told Mr. West that she had asked him to give her a farthing. "But
+as you gave her a two-penny piece," said he, "she has brought you the
+change." This instance of humble honesty, contrasted with the awful mass
+of misery with which it was united, gave him a favourable idea of the
+latent sentiments of the Italians. How much, indeed, is the character of
+that people traduced by the rest of Europe! How often is the traveller in
+Italy, when he dreads the approach of robbers, and prepares against
+murder, surprised at the bountiful disposition of the common Italians, and
+made to blush at having applied the charges against a few criminals to the
+character of a whole people--without reflecting that the nation is only
+weak because it is subdivided.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+
+    Anecdote of a famous Impoverisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of Wests's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequences of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies Mr.
+    Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
+
+It was not, however, the novelty, variety, and magnificence of the works
+of art and antiquity in Rome, that kept Mr. West in a constant state of
+high excitement; the vast difference in the manners of the people from
+those of the inhabitants of America, acted also as an incessant stimulus
+on his feelings and imagination: even that difference, great as it
+happened to be, was rendered particularly interesting to him by incidents
+arising out of his own peculiar situation. One night, soon after his
+arrival in Rome, Mr. Gavin Hamilton, the painter, to whom he had been
+introduced by Mr. Robinson, took him to a coffee-house, the usual resort
+of the British travellers. While they were sitting at one of the tables,
+a venerable old man, with a guitar suspended from his shoulder, entered
+the room, and coming immediately to their table, Mr. Hamilton addressed
+him by the name of Homer.--He was the most celebrated Improvisatore in
+all Italy, and the richness of expression, and nobleness of conception
+which he displayed in his effusions, had obtained for him that
+distinguished name. Those who once heard his poetry, never ceased to
+lament that it was lost in the same moment, affirming, that it often was
+so regular and dignified, as to equal the finest compositions of Tasso
+and Ariosto.--It will, perhaps, afford some gratification to the admirers
+of native genius to learn, that this old man, though led by the fine
+frenzy of his imagination to prefer a wild and wandering life to the
+offer of a settled independence, which had been often made to him in his
+youth, enjoyed in his old age, by the liberality of several Englishmen,
+who had raised a subscription for the purpose, a small pension,
+sufficient to keep him comfortable in his own way, when he became
+incapable of amusing the public.
+
+After some conversation, Homer requested Mr. Hamilton to give him a
+subject for a poem. In the mean time, a number of Italians had gathered
+round them to look at Mr. West, who they had heard was an American, and
+whom, like Cardinal Albani, they imagined to be an Indian. Some of them,
+on hearing Homer's request, observed, that he had exhausted his vein, and
+had already said and sung every subject over and over. Mr. Hamilton,
+however, remarked that he thought he could propose something new to the
+bard, and pointing to Mr. West, said, that he was an American come to
+study the fine arts in Rome; and that such an event furnished a new and
+magnificent theme. Homer took possession of the thought with the ardour of
+inspiration. He immediately unslung his guitar, and began to draw his
+fingers rapidly over the strings, swinging his body from side to side, and
+striking fine and impressive chords. When he had thus brought his motions
+and his feelings into unison with the instrument, he began an
+extemporaneous ode in a manner so dignified, so pathetic, and so
+enthusiastic, that Mr. West was scarcely less interested by his appearance
+than those who enjoyed the subject and melody of his numbers. He sung the
+darkness which for so many ages veiled America from the eyes of Science.
+He described the fulness of time when the purposes for which it had been
+raised from the deep were to be manifested. He painted the seraph of
+knowledge descending from heaven, and directing Columbus to undertake the
+discovery; and he related the leading incidents of the voyage. He invoked
+the fancy of his auditors to contemplate the wild magnificence of
+mountain, lake, and wood, in the new world; and he raised, as it were, in
+vivid perspective, the Indians in the chase, and at their horrible
+sacrifices. "But," he exclaimed, "the beneficent spririt of improvement is
+ever on the wing, and, like the ray from the throne of God which inspired
+the conception of the Virgin, it has descended on this youth, and the hope
+which ushered in its new miracle, like the star that guided the magi to
+Bethlehem, has led him to Rome. Methinks I behold in him an instrument
+chosen by heaven, to raise in America the taste for those arts which
+elevate the nature of man,--an assurance that his country will afford a
+refuge to science and knowledge, when in the old age of Europe they shall
+have forsaken her shores. But all things of heavenly origin, like the
+glorious sun, move Westward; and Truth and Art have their periods of
+shining, and of night. Rejoice then, O venerable Rome, in thy divine
+destiny, for though darkness overshadow thy seats, and though thy mitred
+head must descend into the dust, as deep as the earth that now covers thy
+antient helmet and imperial diadem, thy spirit, immortal and undecayed,
+already spreads towards a new world, where, like the soul of man in
+Paradise, it will be perfected in virtue and beauty more and more." The
+highest efforts of the greatest actors, even of Garrick himself delivering
+the poetry of Shakespeare, never produced a more immediate and inspiring
+effect than this rapid burst of genius. When the applause had abated, Mr.
+West being the stranger, and the party addressed, according to the common
+practice, made the bard a present. Mr. Hamilton explained the subject of
+the ode: though with the weakness of a verbal translation, and the
+imperfection of an indistinct echo, it was so connected with the
+appearance which the author made in the recital, that the incident has
+never been obliterated from Mr. West's recollection.
+
+While the Artist was gratifying himself with a cursory view of the works
+of art, and of the curiosities, Mr. Hope, of Amsterdam, the father of the
+gentlemen who have since become so well known in London for their taste in
+the arts, and their superb collections of pictures and marbles, arrived in
+Rome. Mr. West being introduced to him, accompanied him to Cardinal
+Albani, to whom he had letters of introduction, and witnessed a proof of
+the peculiar skill of his Eminence. The Cardinal requested Mr. Hope to
+come near him, and according to his usual custom with strangers, drew his
+hands over his face, observing that he was a German. In doing the same
+thing to Mr. West, he recognized him as the young American.
+
+At this time Mengs was in the zenith of his popularity, and West was
+introduced to him at the Cardinal's villa. He appeared to be as much
+struck as every other person, with the extraordinary circumstance of an
+American coming to study the fine arts; and begged that Mr. West would
+show him a speciman of his proficiency in drawing. In returning home, our
+Artist mentioned to Mr. Robinson that as he had never learnt to draw, he
+could not produce any sketch like those made by the other students; but
+that he could paint a little, and if Mr. Robinson would take the trouble
+to sit, he would execute his portrait to shew Mengs. The proposal was
+readily acceded to, and it was also agreed, that except to two of their
+most intimate acquaintances, the undertaking should be kept a profound
+secret. When the picture was finished, it was so advantageous to the
+Artist, that it tended to confirm the opinion which was entertained of his
+powers, founded only on the strength of the curiosity which had brought
+him from America. But, before shewing it to Mengs, it was resolved that
+the taste and judgment of the public with respect to its merits should be
+ascertained.
+
+Mr. Crespigne, one of the two friends in the secret, lived as a Roman
+gentleman, and twice a year gave a grand assembly at his house, to which
+all the nobility and strangers in Rome, the most eminent for rank, birth,
+and talents, were invited. It was agreed that the portrait should be
+exhibited at one of his parties, which happened to take place soon after
+it was finished. A suitable frame being provided, the painting was hung up
+in one of the rooms. The first guests who arrived, were Amateurs and
+Artists; and as it was known among them that Robinson was sitting to Mengs
+for his portrait, it was at once thought to be that picture, and they
+agreed that they had never seen any painting of the Artist so well
+coloured. As the guests assembled, the portrait became more and more the
+subject of attention, and Mr. West sat behind on a sofa equally agitated
+and delighted by their strictures, which Mr. Robinson reported to him from
+time to time. In the course of the evening Mr. Dance, an Englishman of
+great shrewdness, was observed looking with an eye of more than common
+scrutiny at the portrait, by Mr. Jenkins, another of the guests, who,
+congratulating Robinson in getting so good a portrait from Mengs, turned
+to Dance, and said, "The he must now acknowledge that Mengs could colour
+as well as he could draw." Dance confessed that he thought the picture
+much better coloured than those usually painted by Mengs, but added that
+he did not think the drawing either so firm or good as the usual style of
+that Artist. This remark occasioned some debate, in which Jenkins,
+attributing the strictures of Dance to some prejudice which he had early
+conceived against Mengs, drew the company around to take a part in the
+discussion. Mr. Crespigne seizing the proper moment in their conversation
+to produce the effect intended, said to Jenkins that he was mistaken, and
+that Dance was in the right, for, in truth, the picture was not painted by
+Mengs. By whom then, vociferated every one, "for there is no other painted
+now in Rome capable of executing any thing so?" "By that young gentleman
+there," said Mr. Crespigne, turning to West. At once all eyes were bent
+towards him, and the Italians, in their way, ran and embraced him. Thus
+did the best judges at once, by this picture, acknowledge him as only
+second in the executive department of the art to the first painter then in
+Rome. Mengs himself, on seeing the picture, expressed his opinion in terms
+that did great honour to his liberality, and gave the Artist an advice
+which he never forgot, nor remembered without gratitude. He told him that
+the portrait showed that he had no occasion to learn to paint at Rome.
+"You have already, sir," said he, "the mechanical part of your art: what I
+would, therefore, recommend to you, is to see and examine every thing
+deserving of your attention here, and after making a few drawings of about
+half a dozen of the best statues, go to Florence, and observe what has
+been done for Art in the collections there. Then proceed to Bologna, and
+study the works of the Caracci; afterwards visit Parma, and examine,
+attentively, the pictures of Corregio; and then go to Venice and view the
+productions of Tintoretti, Titian, and Paul Veronese. When you have made
+this tour, come back to Rome, and paint an historical composition to be
+exhibited to the Roman public; and the opinion which will then be formed
+of your talents should determine the line of our profession which you
+ought to follow." This judicious advice, so different from those absurd
+academical dogmas which would confine genius to the looking only to the
+works of art, for that perfection which they but dimly reflect from
+nature, West found accord so well with his own reflections and principles,
+that he resolved to follow it with care and attention. But the thought of
+being in Rome, and the constant excitement arising from extraordinary and
+interesting objects, so affected his mind, accustomed to the sober and
+uniform habits of the Quakers, that sleep deserted his pillow, and he
+became ill and constantly feverish. The public took an interest in his
+situation. A consultation of the best Physicians in Rome was held on his
+case, the result of which was a formal communication to Mr. Robinson, that
+his friend must immediately quit the capital, and seek relief from the
+irritated state of his sensibility in quiet and retirement. Accordingly,
+on the 20th of August he returned to Leghorn.
+
+Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, by whose most friendly recommendation he
+had obtained so much flattering distinction at Rome, received him into
+their own house, and treated him with a degree of hospitality that
+merits for them the honour of being considered among the number of his
+early patrons. Mr. (afterwards Sir John) Dick, then the British Consul
+at Leghorn, and his lady, also treated him with great partiality, and
+procured for him the use of the Imperial baths. His mind being thus
+relieved from the restless ecstasy which he had suffered in Rome, and
+the intensity of interest being diminished by the circumscribed nature
+of the society of Leghorn, together with the bracing effects of
+sea-bathing, he was soon again in a condition to resume his study in the
+capital. But the same overpowering attacks on his feelings and
+imagination soon produced a relapse of his former indisposition, and
+compelled him to return to Leghorn, where he was again speedily cured of
+his fever, but it left in its dregs a painful affection in the ancle,
+that threatened the loss of the limb. The well-known Nanoni, an eminent
+surgeon, who had introduced many improvements in the treatment of
+diseased joints, was at this period resident in Florence, and Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford wrote to Sir Horace Mann, then the British
+Minister at the Ducal Court, to consult him relative to the case of Mr.
+West: his answer induced them to advise the Artist to go to Florence.
+After a painful period of eleven months confinement to his couch and
+chamber, he was perfectly and radically cured.
+
+A state of pain and disease is adverse to mental improvement; but there
+were intervals in which Mr. West felt his anguish abate, and in which he
+could not only participate in the conversation of the gentlemen to whose
+kindness he had been recommended, but was able, occastionally, to exercise
+his pencil. The testimonies of friendship which he received at this
+perdiod from Sir Horace Mann, the Marquesses of Creni and Riccardi, the
+late Lord Cooper, and many others of the British nobility then travelling
+in Italy, made an indelible impression on his mind, and became a
+stimulating motive to his wishes to excel in his art, in order to
+demonstrate by his proficiency that he was not unworthy of their
+solicitude. He had a table constructed so as to enable him to draw while
+he lay in bed; and in that situation he amused and improved himself in
+delineating the picturesque conceptions which were constantly presenting
+themselves to his fancy.
+
+When he was so far recovered as to be able to take exercise, and to endure
+the fatigue of travelling, a circumstance happened which may be numbered
+among the many fortunate accidents of his professional career. Mr.
+Matthews, the manager of the important commercial concerns of Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford, was one of those singular men who are but rarely
+met with in mercantile life, combining the highest degree of literary and
+elegant accomplishments with the best talents for active business. He was
+not only confessedly one of the finest classical scholars in all Italy,
+but, out of all comparison, the best practical antiquary, perhaps, then in
+that country, uniting, along with the minutest accuracy of criticism, a
+delicacy of taste in the perception of the beauty and judgment of the
+antients, seldom found blended with an equal degree of classical
+erudition. Affairs connected with the business of the house, and a wish to
+see the principal cities of Italy, led Mr. Matthews, about the period of
+Mr. West's recovery, to visit Florence, and it was agreed between them
+that they should together make the tour recommended by Mengs.
+
+In the mean time, the good fortune of West was working to happy effects in
+another part of the world. The story of Mr. Robinson's portrait had made
+so great a noise among the travellers in Italy, that Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford, in sending back the ship to Philadelphia, in which the Artist
+had come passenger, mentioned it in their letters to Mr. Allen. It is
+seldom that commercial affairs are mingled with those of art, and it was
+only from the Italian shore that a mercantile house could introduce such a
+topic into their correspondence. It happened that on the very day this
+letter reached Mr. Allen, Mr. Hamilton, then Governor of Pennsylvania, and
+the principal members of the government, along with the most considerable
+citizens of Philadelphia, were dining with him. After dinner, Mr. Allen
+read the letter to the company, and mentioned the amount of the sum of
+money which West had paid into his hands at the period of his departure
+from America, adding that it must be pretty far reduced. But, said he with
+warmth, "I regard this young man as an honour to the country, and as he is
+the first that America has sent to cultivate the fine arts, he shall not
+be frustrated in his studies, for I have resolved to write to my
+correspondents at Leghorn, to give him, from myself, whatever money he may
+require." Mr. Hamilton felt the force of this generous declaration, and
+said, with equal animation, "I think exactly as you do, Sir, but you shall
+not have all the honour of it to yourself, and, therefore, I beg that you
+will consider me as joining you in the responsibility of the credit." The
+consequence of this was, that upon West going, previously to leaving
+Florence, to take a small sum of about ten pounds from the bankers to whom
+he had been recommended by Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, a letter was
+brought in, while he was waiting for his money, and the gentleman who
+opened it said to him, "that the contents of the letter would probably
+afford him unexpected pleasure, as it instructed them to give him
+unlimited credit." A more splendid instance of liberality is not to be
+found even in the records of Florence. The munificence of the Medici was
+excelled by that of the magistracy of Philadelphia.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+
+
+    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to
+    Rome.--Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian
+    Obelisk.--Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an
+    anecdote of a Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote
+    of a Scottish Fanatic who arrived in Rome, to convert the
+    Pope.--Sequel of the Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit
+    England.--Having completed his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous
+    picture, he is elected an Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and
+    invited to Court.--He proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--
+    Reflections on the State of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French
+    frontiers.--State of Taste in France.
+
+
+From Florence the Artist proceeded to Bologna, and having staid some time
+there, carefully inspecting every work of celebrity to which he could
+obtain access, he went on to Venice, visiting in his route all the objects
+which Mengs had recommended to his attention. The style of Titian, which
+in breadth and clearness of colouring so much excels that of almost every
+other painter, was the peculiar characteristic of the Venetian school
+which interested him the most, and seemed to him, at first, involved in
+inexplicable mystery. He was never satisfied with the explanations which
+the Italian amateurs attempted to give him of what they called the
+internal light of that master's productions. Repeated experiments,
+however, enabled him, at last, to make the discovery himself. Indeed, he
+was from the first persuaded that it was chiefly owing to the peculiar
+genius of the Artist himself,--to an exquisite delicacy of sight which
+enabled him to perceive the most approximate tints,--and not to any
+particular dexterity of pencilling, nor to any superiority in the
+materials of his colours. This notion led Mr. West to try the effect of
+painting in the first place with the pure primary colours, and softening
+them afterwards with the semi tints; and the result confirmed him in the
+notion that such was probably the peculiar method of Titian. But although
+this idea was suggested by his visits to the collections of Venice, he
+was not perfectly satisfied with its soundness as a rule, till many years
+after his arrival in London, and many unsuccessful experiments.
+
+Having completed his tour to the most celebrated repositories of art in
+Italy, and enriched his mind, and improved his taste, by the perusal
+rather than the imitation of their best pieces, he returned to Rome, and
+applied himself to a minute and assiduous study of the great ornaments of
+that capital, directing his principal attention to the works of Raphael,
+and improving his knowledge of the antient costume by the study of Cameos,
+in which he was assisted by Mr. Wilcox, the author of the Roman
+Conversations,--to whom he had been introduced by Mr. Robinson, at Mr.
+Crespigne's, on the occasion of the exhibition of the Portrait,--a man of
+singular attainments in learning, and of a serene and composed dignity of
+mind and manners that rendered him more remarkable to strangers than even
+his great classical knowledge.
+
+Of all the monuments of antient art in Rome, the Obelisk brought from
+Egypt, in the reign of Augustus, interested his curiosity the most, and
+even for a time affected him as much as those which so agitated him by
+their beauty. The hieroglyphics appeared to resemble so exactly the
+figures in the Wampum belts of the Indians, that it occurred to him, if
+ever the mysteries of Egypt were to be interpreted, it might be by the
+aborigines of America. This singular notion was not, however, the mere
+suggestion of fancy, but the effect of an opinion which his early friend
+and tutor Provost Smith conceived, in consequence of attending the grand
+meeting of the Indian chiefs, with the Governors of the British colonies,
+held at East town, in Pennsylvania, in the year following the disastrous
+fate of Bradock's army. The chiefs had requested this interview, in order
+to state to the officers the wrongs and injuries of which they complained;
+and at the meeting they evidently read the reports and circumstances of
+their grievances from the hieroglyphical chronicle of the Wampum belts,
+which they held in their hands, and by which, from the date of their grand
+alliance with William Penn, the man from the ocean, as they called him,
+they minutely related all the circumstances in which they conceived the
+terms and spirit of the treaty had been infringed by the British, defying
+the officers to show any one point in which the Indians had swerved from
+their engagements. It seemed to Dr. Smith that such a minute traditionary
+detail of facts could not have been preserved without some contemporary
+record; and he, therefore, imagined, that the constant reference made to
+the figures on the belts was a proof that they were chronicles. This
+notion was countenanced by another circumstance which Mr. West had himself
+often noticed. The course of some of the high roads through Pennsylvania
+lies along what were formerly the war tracks of the Indians; and he had
+frequently seen hieroglyphics engraved on the trees and rocks. He was told
+that they were inscriptions left by some of the tribes who had passed that
+way in order to apprize their friends of the route which they had taken,
+and of any other matter which it concerned them to know. He had also
+noticed among the Indians who annually visited Philadelphia, that there
+were certain old chiefs who occasionally instructed the young warriors to
+draw red and black figures, similar to those which are made on the belts,
+and who explained their signification with great emphasis, while the
+students listened to the recital with profound silence and attention. It
+was not, therefore, extraordinary, that, on seeing similar figures on the
+Egyptian trophy, he should have thought that they were intended to
+transmit the record of transactions like the Wampum belts.--A language of
+signs derived from natural objects, must have something universal in its
+very nature; for the qualities represented by the emblematic figure,
+would, doubtless, be those for which the original of the figure was most
+remarkable: and, therefore, if there be any resemblance between the
+Egyptian hieroglyphics and those used by the American Indians, the
+probability is, that there is also some similar intrinsic meaning in their
+signification. But the Wampum belts are probably not all chronicles; there
+is reason to believe that some of them partake of the nature of calendars,
+by which the Indians are regulated in proceedings dependant on the
+seasons; and that, in this respect, they answer to the household Gods of
+the patriarchal times, which are supposed to have been calendars, and the
+figure of each an emblem of some portion of the year, or sign of the
+Zodiac. It would be foreign to the nature of this work to investigate the
+evidence which may be adduced on this subject, or to collect those various
+and scattered hints which have given rise to the opinion, and with a
+faint, but not fallacious ray, have penetrated that obscure region of
+antient history, between the period when the devotion of mankind,
+withdrawn from the worship of the Deity, was transferred to the adoration
+of the stars, and prior to the still greater degradation of the human
+faculties when altars were raised to idols.
+
+The idea of the Indians being in possession of hieroglyphical writings, is
+calculated to lead us to form a very different opinion of them to that
+which is usually entertained by the world. Except in the mere enjoyments
+of sense, they do not appear to be inferior to the rest of mankind; and
+their notions of moral dignity are exactly those which are recommended to
+our imitation by the literature of all antiquity. But they have a
+systematic contempt for whatever either tends to increase their troubles,
+to encumber the freedom of their motions, or to fix them to settled
+habitations. In their unsheltered nakedness, they have a prouder
+consciousness of their importance in the scale of beings, than the
+philosophers of Europe, with all their multiplicity of sensual and
+intellectual gratifications, to supply which so many of the human race are
+degraded from their natural equality. The Indian, however, is not
+deficient in mental enjoyments, or a stranger to the exercise of the
+dignified faculties of our common nature. He delivers himself on suitable
+occasions with a majesty of eloquence that would beggar the oratory of the
+parliaments, and the pulpits of Christendom; and his poetry unfolds the
+loftiest imagery and sentiment of the epic and the hymn. He considers
+himself as the lord of the creation, and regards the starry heaven as his
+canopy, and the everlasting mountain as his throne. It would be absurd,
+however, to assert with Rousseau, that he is, therefore, better or happier
+than civilized man; but it would be equally so to deny him the same sense
+of dignity, the same feeling of dishonour, the same love of renown, or
+ascribe to his actions in war, and his recreations in peace, baser motives
+than to the luxurious warriors and statesmen of Europe. Before Mr. West
+left America, an attempt was made to educate three young Indians at New
+York; and their progress, notwithstanding that they still retained
+something of their original wildness of character, exceeded the utmost
+expectations of those who were interested in the experiment. Two of them,
+however, in the end, returned to their tribe, but they were rendered
+miserable by the contempt with which they were received; and the brother
+of the one who remained behind, was so affected with their degradation,
+that he came to the city determined to redeem his brother from the
+thraldom of civilization. On his arrival he found he had become an actor,
+and was fast rising into celebrity on the stage. On learning this
+circumstance, the resolute Indian went to the theatre, and seated himself
+in the pit. The moment that his brother appeared, he leapt upon the stage,
+and drawing his knife, threatened to sacrifice him on the spot unless he
+would immediately strip himself naked, and return with him to their home
+in the woods. He upbraided him with the meanness of his disposition, in
+consenting to make himself a slave. He demanded if he had forgotten that
+the Great Spirit had planted the Indian corn for their use, and filled the
+forests with game, the air with birds, and the waters with fish, that they
+might be free. He represented the institutions of civilized society as
+calculated to make him dependant on the labour of others, and subject to
+every chance that might interrupt their disposition to supply his wants.
+The actor obeyed his brother, and returning to the woods, was never seen
+again in the town. [A]
+
+It may, perhaps, not be an impertinent digression to contrast this
+singular occurrence in the theatre of New York with another truly
+European, to which Mr. West was a witness, in the Cathedral of St. Peter.
+Among other intelligent acquaintances which he formed in Rome was the
+Abate Grant, one of the adherents of that unfortunate family, whom the
+baseness of their confidential servants, and the factions of ambitious
+demagogues, deprived, collectively, of their birthright. This priest,
+though a firm Jacobite in principle, was, like many others of the same
+political sentiments, liberal and enlightened, refuting, by his conduct,
+the false and fraudulent calumnies which have been so long alleged against
+the gallant men who supported the cause of the ill-fated Stuarts. On St.
+Peter's day, when the Pope in person performs high mass in the cathedral,
+the Abate offered to take Mr. West to the church, as he could place him
+among the ecclesiastics, in an advantageous situation to witness the
+ceremony. Glad of such an offer, Mr. West willingly accompanied him. The
+vast edifice; the immense multitude of spectators; the sublimity of the
+music; and the effect of the pomp addressed to the sight, produced on the
+mind of the Painter feelings scarcely less enthusiastic than those which
+the devoutest of the worshippers experienced, or the craftiest inhabitant
+of the Vatican affected to feel. At the elevation of the host, and as he
+was kneeling beside the Abate, to their equal astonishment he heard a
+voice, exclaiming behind them in a broad Scottish accent, "O Lord, cast
+not the church down on them for this abomination!" The surrounding Italian
+priests, not understanding what the enthusiast was saying, listened with
+great comfort to such a lively manifestation of a zeal, which they
+attributed to the blessed effects of the performance. The Abate, however,
+with genuine Scottish partiality, was alarmed for his countryman, and
+endeavoured to persuade him to hold his tongue during the ceremony, as he
+ran the risk of being torn to pieces by the mob.
+
+It appeared that this zealous Presbyterian, without understanding a word
+of any civilized language, but only a dialect of his own, had come to Rome
+for the express purpose of attempting to convert the Pope, as the shortest
+way, in his opinion, of putting an end to the reign of Antichrist. When
+mass was over, the Abate, anxious to avert from him the consequences which
+his extravagance would undoubtedly entail, if he continued to persevere in
+it, entered into conversation with him. It appeared he had only that
+morning arrived in Babylon, and being unable to rest until he had seen a
+glimpse of the gorgeous harlot, he had not then provided himself with
+lodgings. The Abate conducted him to a house where he knew he would be
+carefully attended; and he also endeavoured to reason with him on the
+absurdity of his self-assumed mission, assuring him that unless he
+desisted, and behaved with circumspection, he would inevitably be seized
+by the Inquisition. But the prospect of Martyrdom augmented his zeal; and
+the representations of the benevolent Catholic only stimulated his
+enterprise; so that in the course of a few days, much to his own exceeding
+great joy, and with many comfortable salutations of the spirit, he was
+seized by the Inquisition, and lodged in a dungeon, On hearing this, the
+Abate applied to King James in his behalf, and by his Majesty's influence
+he was released, and sent to the British Consul at Leghorn, on condition
+of being immediately conveyed to his friends in Scotland. It happened,
+however, that no vessel was then ready to sail, and the taste of
+persecution partaking more of the relish of adventure than the pungency of
+suffering, the missionary was not to be so easily frustrated in his
+meritorious design; and, therefore, he took the first opportunity of
+stealing silently back to Rome, where he was again arrested and confined.
+By this time the affair had made some noise, and it was universally
+thought by all the English travellers, that the best way of treating the
+ridiculous madman was to allow him to remain some time in solitary
+confinement in the dungeons of the Inquisition. When he had been
+imprisoned about three months, he was again liberated, sent to Leghorn,
+and embarked for England, radically cured of his inclination to convert
+the Pope, but still believing that the punishment which he had suffered
+for his folly would be recorded as a trial which he had endured in the
+service of the faith.
+
+In the mean time West was carefully furnishing his mind by an attentive
+study of the costume of antiquity, and the beauties of the great works of
+modern genius. In doing this, he regarded Rome only as an university, in
+which he should graduate; and, as a thesis preparatory to taking his
+degree among the students, he painted a picture of Cimon and Iphigenia,
+and, subsequently, another of Angelica and Madoro. The applause which they
+received justified the opinion which Mengs had so early expressed of his
+talent, and certainly answered every object for which they were composed.
+He was honoured, in consequence, with the marks of academical
+approbation, usually bestowed on fortunate Artists. He then proposed to
+return to America, with a view to cultivate in his native country that
+profession in which he had already acquired so much celebrity. At this
+juncture he received a letter from his father, advising him, as peace had
+been concluded between France and England, to go home for a short time
+before coming to America; for the mother country was at that period still
+regarded as the home of her American offspring. The advice of his father
+was in unison with his own wishes, and he mentioned his intention to Mr.
+Wilcox. That gentleman, conceiving that he spoke of America as his home,
+expressed himself with grief and surprise at a determination so different
+from what he had expected; but, upon being informed of the ambiguity in
+the phrase, he exclaimed that he could hardly have resolved, on quitting
+Italy, more opportunely, for Dr. Patoune, a Scotish gentleman, of
+considerable learning, and some taste in painting, was then returning
+homeward, and waiting at that time in Rome, until he should be able to
+meet with a companion. It was therefore agreed that West should be
+introduced to him; and it was soon after arranged that the Doctor should
+proceed to Florence, while the Artist went to take leave of his friends at
+Leghorn, to express to them his gratitude for the advantages he had
+derived from their constant and extraordinary kindness, which he estimated
+so highly, that he could not think of leaving Italy without performing
+this pleasing and honourable pilgrimage. It was also agreed between him
+and his companion, that the Doctor should stop a short time at Parma,
+until West should have completed a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio,
+which he had begun during his visit to that city with Mr. Matthews.
+
+During their stay at Parma, the Academy elected Mr. West a member, an
+honour which the Academies of Florence and Bologna had previously
+conferred on him; and it was mentioned to the Prince that a young American
+had made a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio in a style of excellence
+such as the oldest Academicians had not witnessed. The Prince expressed a
+wish to see this extraordinary Artist, particularly when he heard that he
+was from Pennsylvania, and a Quaker. Mr. West was, in consequence,
+informed that a visit from him would be acceptable at Court: and it was
+arranged that he should be introduced to His Highness by the chief
+Minister. Mr. West thought that, in a matter of this kind, he should
+regulate his behaviour by what he understood to be the practice in the
+court of London; and, accordingly, to the astonishment of the whole of the
+courtiers, he kept his hat on during the audience. This, however, instead
+of offending the Prince, was observed with evident pleasure, and made his
+reception more particular and distinguished; for His Highness had heard of
+the peculiar simplicity of the Quakers, and of the singularly Christian
+conduct of William Penn.
+
+From Parma he proceeded to Genoa, and thence to Turin. Considering this
+City as the last stage of his professional observations in Italy, his mind
+unconsciously took a retrospective view of the different objects he had
+seen, and the knowledge which he had acquired since his departure from
+America. Although his art was always uppermost in his thoughts, and
+although he could not reflect on the course of his observations without
+pleasure and hope, he was often led to advert to the lamentable state into
+which every thing, as well as Art, had fallen in Italy, in consequence of
+the general theocratical despotism which over-spread the whole country,
+like an unwholesome vapour, and of those minute subdivisions of territory,
+in which political tyranny exercised its baleful influence even where the
+ecclesiastical oppression seemed disposed to spare. He saw, in the
+infamous establishment of the cicisbeo, the settled effect of that general
+disposition to palliate vice, which is the first symptom of decay in
+nations; and he was convinced that, before vice could be thus exalted into
+custom, there must exist in the community which would tolerate such an
+institution, a disregard of all those obligations which it is the pride of
+virtue to incur, and the object of law to preserve. It seemed to him that
+every thing in Italy was in a state of disease; and that the moral energy
+was subsiding, as the vital flame diminishes with the progress of old age.
+For although the forms and graces of the human character were often seen
+in all their genuine dignity among the common people, still even the
+general population seemed to be defective in that detestation of vice
+found in all countries in a healthful state of morals, and which is often
+strongest among the lowest of the vulgar, especially in what respects the
+conduct of the great. He thought that the commonalty of Italy had lost the
+tact by which the good and evil of actions are discriminated; and that,
+whatever was good in their disposition, was constitutional, and
+unconnected with any principle of religion, or sense of right. In the
+Papal states, this appeared to be particularly the case. All the creative
+powers of the mind seemed there to be extinct. The country was covered
+with ruins, and the human character was in ashes. Sometimes, indeed, a few
+embers of intellect were seen among the clergy; but the brightness of
+their scintillation was owing to the blackness of death with which they
+were contrasted. The splendour of the nobility struck him only as a more
+conspicuous poverty than the beggary of the common people; and the perfect
+contempt with which they treated the feelings of their dependants, seemed
+to him scarcely less despicable than the apathy with which it was endured.
+The innumerable examples of the effects of this moral paralysis to which
+he was a witness on his arrival in Rome, filled him for some time with
+indescribable anxiety, and all his veneration for the Roman majesty was
+lost in reflections on the offences which mankind may be brought to commit
+on one another. But at Genoa, Leghorn, and Venice, the Italians were seen
+to less disadvantage. Commerce, by diffusring opulence, and interweaving
+the interests of all classes, preserved in those cities some community of
+feeling, which was manifested in an interchange of respect and
+consideration between the higher and the lower orders; and Lucca he
+thought afforded a perfect exception to the general degeneracy of the
+country. The inhabitants of that little republic presented the finest view
+of human nature that he had ever witnessed. With the manliness of the
+British character they appeared to blend the suavity of the Italian
+manners; and their private morals were not inferior to the celebrity of
+their public virtues. So true it is, that man, under the police and
+vigilance of despotism, becomes more and more vicious; while, in
+proportion to the extension of his freedom, is the vigour of his private
+virtue. When deprived of the right of exercising his own judgment, he
+feels, as it were, his moral responsibility at an end, and naturally
+blames the system by which he is oppressed, for the crimes which his own
+unresisted passions instigate him to commit. To an Englishman the
+remembrance of a journey in Italy is however often more delightful than
+that of any other country, for no where else is his arrogance more
+patiently endured, his eccentricities more humourously indulged, nor the
+generosity of his character more publicly acknowledged.
+
+In coming from Italy into France, Mr. West was particularly struck with
+the picturesque difference in the character of the peasantry of the two
+countries; and while he thought, as an Artist, that to give appropriate
+effect to a national landscape it would not only be necessary to introduce
+figures in the costume of the country, but in employments and recreations
+no less national, he was sensible of the truth of a remark which occurs to
+almost every traveller, that there are different races of the human
+species, and that the nature of the dog and horse do not vary more in
+different climates than man himself. In making the observation, he was
+not, however, disposed to agree with the continental philosophers, that
+this difference, arising from climate, at all narrowed the powers of the
+mind, though it influenced the choice of objects of taste. For whatever
+tends to make the mind more familiar with one class of agreeable
+sensations than another, will, undoubtedly, contribute to form the cause
+of that preference for particular qualities in objects by which the
+characteristics of the taste of different nations is discriminated.
+Although, of all the general circumstances which modify the opinions of
+mankind, climate is, perhaps, the most permanent, it does not, therefore,
+follow that, because the climate of France or Italy induces the
+inhabitants to prefer, in works of art, certain qualities of the
+excellence of which the people of England are not so sensible, the climate
+of Great Britain does not, in like manner, lead the inhabitants to
+discover other qualities equally valuable as sources of enjoyment. Thus,
+in sculpture for example, it would seem that in naked figures the
+inhabitants of a cold climate can never hope to attain that degree of
+eminence which we see exemplified in the productions of the Grecian and
+Italian sculptors; not that the Artists may not execute as well, but
+because they will not so readily find models; or, what is perhaps more to
+the point, they will not find a taste so capable of appreciating the
+merits of their performances. In Italy the eye is familiar with the human
+form in a state of almost complete nudity; and the beauty of muscular
+expression, and of the osteological proportions of man, is there as well
+known as that of the features and complexion of his countenance; but the
+same degree of nakedness could not be endured in the climate of England,
+for it is associated with sentiments of modesty and shame, which render
+even the accidental innocent exposure of so much of the body offensive to
+the feelings of decorum. It is not, therefore, just to allege, that,
+because the Italians are a calm, persuasive, and pensive people, and the
+French all stir, talk, and inconstancy, they are respectively actuated by
+different moral causes. It will not be asserted that, though the sources
+of their taste in art spring from different qualities in the same common
+objects, any innate incapacity for excellence in the fine arts is induced
+by the English climate, merely because that climate has the effect of
+producing a different moral temperament among the inhabitants.
+
+On the morning after arriving at the first frontier town, in coming from
+Savoy into France, and while breakfast was preparing, Mr. West and his
+companion heard the noise of a crowd assembled in the yard of the inn. The
+Doctor rose and went to the window to inquire the occasion: immediately on
+his appearance the mob became turbulent, and seemed to menace him with
+some outrage.--The Peace of 1763 had been but lately concluded, and
+without having any other cause for the thought, it occurred to the
+travellers that the turbulence must have originated in some political
+occurrence, and they hastily summoned the landlord, who informed them,
+"That the people had, indeed, assembled in a tumultuous manner round the
+inn on hearing that two Englishmen were in the house, but that they might
+make themselves easy, as he had sent to inform the magistrates of the
+riot." Soon after, one of the magistrates arrived, and on being introduced
+by the landlord to the travellers, expressed himself to the following
+effect: "I am sorry that this occurrence should have happened, because had
+I known in time, I should, on hearing that you were Englishmen, have come
+with the other magistrates to express to you the sentiments of respect
+which we feel towards your illustrious nation; but, since it has not been
+in our power to give you that testimony of our esteem; on the contrary,
+since we are necessitated by our duty to protect you, I assure you that I
+feel exceedingly mortified. I trust, however, that you will suffer no
+inconvenience, for the people are dispersing, and you will be able to
+leave the town in safety!" "This place," he continued, "is a manufacturing
+town, which has been almost ruined by the war. Our goods went to the ocean
+from Marseilles and Toulon; but the vigilance of your fleets ruined our
+trade, and these poor people, who have felt the consequence, consider not
+the real cause of their distress. However, although the populace do not
+look beyond the effects which immediately press upon themselves, there are
+many among us well acquainted with the fountain-head of the misfortunes
+which afflict France, and who know that it is less to you than to
+ourselves that we ought to ascribe the disgraces of the late war. You had
+a man at the head of your government (alluding to the first Lord Chatham),
+and your counsellors are men. But it is the curse of France that she is
+ruled by one who is, in fact, but the agent and organ of valets and
+strumpets. The Court of France is no longer the focus of the great men of
+the country, but a band of profligates that have driven away the great.
+This state of things, however, cannot last long, the reign of the
+Pompadours must draw to an end, and Frenchmen will one day take a terrible
+revenge for the insults which they suffer in being regarded only as the
+materials of those who pander to the prodigality of the Court." This
+singular address, made in the year 1763, requires no comment; but it is a
+curious historical instance of the commencement of that, moral re-action
+to oppression which subsequently has so fully realized the prediction of
+the magistrate, and which, in its violence, has done so much mischief, and
+occasioned so many misfortunes to Europe.
+
+The travellers remained no longer in Paris than was necessary to inspect
+the principal works of the French Artists, and the royal collections. Mr.
+West, however, continued long enough to be satisfied that the true feeling
+for the fine arts did not exist among the French to that degree which he
+had observed in Italy. On the contrary, it seemed to him that there was an
+inherent affectation in the general style of art among them, which
+demonstrated, not only a deficiency of native sensibility, but an anxious
+endeavour to conceal that defect. The characteristics of the French
+School, and they have not yet been redeemed by the introduction of any
+better manner, might, to a cursory observer, appear to have arisen from a
+corrupted taste, while, in fact, they are the consequences only of that
+inordinate national vanity which in so many different ways has retarded
+the prosperity of the world. In the opinion of a Frenchman, there is a
+quality of excellence in every thing belonging to France, merely because
+it is French, which gives at all times a certain degree of superiority to
+the actions and productions of his countrymen; and this delusive notion
+has infested not only the literature and the politicks of the nation, but
+also the principles of Art, to such a deep and inveterate extent, that the
+morality of painting is not yet either felt or understood in that country.
+In the mechanical execution, in drawing, and in the arrangement of parts,
+the great French painters are probably equal to the Italians; but in
+producing any other sentiment in the spectator than that of admiration at
+their mechanical skill, they are greatly behind the English. Painting has
+much of a common character with dramatic literature, and the very best
+pictures of the French Artists have the same kind of resemblance to the
+probability of Nature, that the tragedies of their great dramatic authors
+have to the characters and actions of men. But in rejecting the
+pretensions of the French to superiority either in the one species of art
+or in the other, the rejection ought not to be extended too far. They are
+wrong in their theory; but their practice so admirably accords with it,
+that it must be allowed, were it possible for a people so enchanted by
+self-conceit to discover that the true subjects of Art exist only in
+Nature, they evince a capacity sufficient to enable them to acquire the
+pre-eminence which they unfortunately believe they have already attained.
+But these opinions, with respect to the peculiarities of the French taste,
+though deduced from incidental remarks in conversations with Mr. West,
+must not be considered as his. The respect which he has always entertained
+towards the different members of his own profession never allows him to
+express himself in any terms that might possibly be construed by malice or
+by ignorance to imply any thing derogatory to a class which he naturally
+considers among the teachers of mankind. He may think, indeed he has
+expressed as much, that the style of the French Artists is not the most
+perspicuous; and that it is, if the expression may be allowed, more
+rhetorical than eloquent; but still he regards them as having done honour
+to their country, and, in furnishing objects of innocent interest to the
+minds of mankind, as having withdrawn so far the inclinations of the heart
+from mere sensual objects. The true use of painting, he early thought,
+must reside in assisting the reason to arrive at correct moral inferences,
+by furnishing a probable view of the effects of motives and of passions;
+and to the enforcement of this great argument his long life has been
+devoted, whether with complete success it would be presumptuous in any
+contemporary to determine, and injudicious in the author of these memoirs
+to assert.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[A] The following Extract from the Journal of a Friend, who has
+lately travelled through the principal parts of the United States, will
+probably be found interesting, as it tends to throw some degree of light
+on the sentiments of the Indians; of which the little that is known has
+hitherto never been well elucidated.
+
+"One of my fellow-passengers was a settler in the new state of Tenessee,
+who had come to Charleston with Horses for sale, and was going to
+Baltimore and Philadelphia for the purpose of investing his money in an
+assortment of goods suited to the western country. The ideas of civilized
+and savage life were so curiously blended in this man, that his
+conversation afforded me considerable amusement. Under the garb and
+appearance of a methodist preacher, I found him a hunter and a warrior;
+with no small portion of the adventurous spirit proper to both those
+characters. He had served as a militia-man or volunteer under General
+Jackson, in his memorable campaign against the Creek Indians in 1813; and
+he related to me some interesting particulars of the principal and final
+action which decided the fate of the war. The Indians had posted
+themselves at a place called, in their language, _Talapoosie_, and by the
+Americans, the Horse-shoe; a position of great natural strength, the
+advantages of which they had improved to the best of their skill, by a
+breast-work seven feet high, extending across the neck of land which
+formed the only approach to their encampment. This seems to have been
+viewed by the Creeks themselves as the last stand of their nation: for,
+contrary to the usual practice of the Indians, they made every preparation
+for defence, but none for retreat. Their resistance was proportionably
+desperate and bloody. For several hours they supported a continued fire of
+musketry and cannon without shrinking; till at length the American
+General, finding that he had lost a great number of men, and that he
+could not otherwise dislodge the enemy, gave orders for a general assault.
+The breast-work was carried by storm; and the Indians, broken at all
+points, and surrounded by superior numbers, were nearly all put to the
+sword. Out of one thousand warriors who composed the Creek Army, scarcely
+twenty made their escape. A body of Choctaw Indians, who attended the
+American Army as auxiliaries, were the chief actors in this massacre, and
+displayed their usual barbarous ferocity. It affords a remarkable
+illustration of the savage character, that the whole of this bloody scene
+passed in the most perfect silence on the part of the Indians: there was
+no outcry, no supplication for mercy: each man met his fate without
+uttering a word, singly defending himself to the last. The lives of the
+women and children were spared, but many of the boys were killed in the
+action, fighting bravely in the ranks with their fathers and elder
+brothers. My Tenessee friend received four arrows from the bows of these
+juvenile warriors, while in the act of mounting the breast-work.
+
+"In hearing such a story, it is impossible not to be touched with a
+feeling of sympathy for a high-minded but expiring people, thus gallantly
+but vainly contending, against an overwhelming force, for their native
+woods, and their name as a Nation; or to refrain from lamenting that the
+settlement of the New World cannot be accomplished at a less price than
+the destruction of the original and rightful proprietors of the soil."
+
+
+
+END OF PART I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+By John Galt, Esq.
+
+Part II.
+
+
+To Simon M'Gillivray, Esq.
+This Work
+Is inscribed, with every sentiment of esteem, by the Author.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+
+Nearly the whole of this work was printed during the last illness of Mr.
+West. The manuscript had long previously been read to him. My custom was,
+to note down those points which seemed, in our conversations, to bear on
+his biography, and, from time to time, to submit an entire chapter to his
+perusal; afterwards, when the whole narrative was formed, it was again
+carefully read over to him. Still, however, I am apprehensive that some
+mistakes in the orthography of names may have been committed; for although
+the same custom was strictly observed in preparing the manuscript of the
+first part of his Memoirs for the press, yet, in perusing the proofs, he
+found several errors of that kind. It was intended that he should have
+read the proofs of this part also, but the progress of his disease
+unfortunately rendered it impracticable.
+
+
+J.G.
+
+_30th March, 1820_.
+
+
+
+
+Introduction.
+
+
+
+Although Mr. West was, strictly speaking, a self-taught artist, yet it
+must be allowed that in his education he enjoyed great and singular
+advantages. A strong presentiment was cherished in his family, that he
+would prove an extraordinary man, and his first rude sketch in childhood
+was hailed as an assurance of the fulfilment of the prediction of
+Peckover. The very endeavours of his boyish years were applauded as
+successful attainments; no domestic prejudices were opposed to the
+cultivation of his genius; even the religious principles of the community
+in which he lived were bent in his favour, from a persuasion that he was
+endowed by Heaven with a peculiar gift; and whatever the defects of his
+early essays may have been, it was not one of the least advantageous
+circumstances of his youth, that they were seen only by persons, who,
+without being competent judges of them, as works of art, were yet
+possessed of such a decided superiority of intellect, that their
+approbation in any case would have been esteemed great praise.
+
+The incidents attending his voyage to Italy, and his introduction to the
+artists, virtuosi, and travellers at Rome, were still more auspicious.
+Taken in connection with his previous history, they form one of the most
+remarkable illustrations of the doctrine of fortune, or destiny, that is
+to be found in authentic biography. Without any knowledge of his abilities
+or acquirements, his arrival in the capital of Christendom, the seat of
+the arts, was regarded as an interesting event: his person was
+contemplated as an object of curiosity; and a strong disposition to
+applaud his productions, was excited by the mere accident of his having
+come from America to study the fine arts. A prepossession so extraordinary
+has no parallel. It would almost seem, as if there had been some
+arrangement in the order of things that would have placed Mr. West in the
+first class of artists, although he had himself mistaken the workings of
+ambition for the consciousness of talent. Many men of no inconsiderable
+fame have set out in their career with high expectations in their favour;
+but few, of whom such hopes were entertained, have, by a succession of
+works, in which the powers of the mind were seemingly unfolded with more
+and more energy, so long continued to justify the presentiments of his
+early friends. It is not, however, the object of this undertaking to form
+any estimate of the genius of Mr. West, or of the merits of his works;
+another opportunity, distinct from his memoirs, will be taken for that
+purpose; but only to resume the narrative of his progress, in his
+profession, by which it will appear that a series of circumstances no less
+curious than those which tended to make him an artist, facilitated his
+success, and placed him in that precise station in society, where, in this
+country, at the time, there was the only chance of profitable employment
+as an historical painter.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+Part II.
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen.--Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote of
+    a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--Mr. West's Marriage.
+
+Chap. II.
+
+    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The
+    Altar-piece of St. Stephen's Walbrook.--State of public Taste with
+    respect to the Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.
+
+Chap. III.
+
+    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen,--The
+    King employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater.--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+    The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.
+
+Chap. V.
+
+    The Opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius,--Of
+    Lachlan McLean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his Opinion.
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of
+    the American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.
+
+Chap. IX.
+
+    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.
+
+Chap. X.
+
+    Discourse to the Academy in 1797--- On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks
+    in Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Draiwing.--Of
+    Light and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.
+    --Illustration.--Of the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine
+    Pictures.--Of Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from
+    Sketching.--and of the Advantage of being familiar with the
+    Characteristics of Objects in Nature.
+
+Chap. XI.
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.
+
+Chap. XII.
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.
+
+Chap. XIII.
+
+    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin of
+    the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.
+
+Chap. XIV.
+
+    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Intrigues respecting
+    the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.
+
+Appendix.
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Works of Benjamin West
+
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+
+
+    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen,--- Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote
+    of a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--- Mr West's Marriage.
+
+Mr. West arrived in England on the 20th of August, 1763. The sentiments
+with which he approached the shores of this island, were those of a
+stranger visiting interesting scenes, mingled with something of the
+solicitude and affections of a traveller returning home. He had no
+intention of remaining in London: he was only desirous to see the country
+of his ancestors, and his mind, in consequence, was more disengaged from
+professional feelings than at any period from that in which his genius
+was first awakened. He considered his visit to England as devoted to
+social leisure, the best kind of repose after mental exertion; but the
+good fortune which had hitherto attended him in so remarkable a manner,
+still followed him, and frustrated the intentions with which he was at
+that time actuated.
+
+Those who have at all attended to what was then the state of the arts in
+this country, and more particularly to the relative condition of artists
+in society, and who can compare them with the state of both at the present
+period, will not hesitate to regard the arrival of Mr. West as an
+important event. In the sequel of this work, it may be necessary to allude
+to the moral and political causes which affect the progress of the fine
+arts, and opportunities will, in consequence, arise to show how meanly
+they were considered, how justly, indeed, it may be said, they were
+rejected, not only by the British public in general, but even by the
+nobility. A few eminent literary characters were sensible of their
+importance, and lamented the neglect to which they were consigned; but the
+great body of the intelligent part of the nation neither felt their
+influence, nor were aware of their importance to the commerce and renown
+of the kingdom. Artists stood, if possible, lower in the scale of society
+than actors; for Garrick had redeemed the profession of the latter from
+the degradation to which it had been consigned from the time of the
+Commonwealth; but Reynolds, although in high repute as a portrait-painter,
+and affecting a gentlemanly liberality in the style of his living, was not
+so eminently before the public eye as to induce any change of the same
+consequence towards his profession.
+
+Mr. West found, on his arrival in London, several American families who
+had come across the Atlantic after the peace to visit their relations,
+and he had the unexpected pleasure of hearing that Mr. William Allen,
+Governor Hamilton, and Dr. Smith, his earliest friends and patrons, were
+in this country.
+
+Mr. Allen, like many others in the colonies at that time, was both a
+professional man and a merchant. He held indeed the dignified office of
+chief justice in Pennsylvania, and was a person of powerful and extensive
+connections in the mother-country. Hamilton, who had been many years
+governor, was chiefly indebted to him for the rank which he enjoyed, in
+consequence of having married his sister.
+
+The naval and military officers who had occasion, during the war, to visit
+Philadelphia, found in the houses of the governor and Mr. Allen a cordial
+hospitality which they never forgot. Many of these officers were related
+to persons of distinction in London, and being anxious to testify to the
+Americans their grateful sense of the kindness which they had experienced,
+rendered the strangers objects of hospitable solicitude and marked respect
+in the first circles of the metropolis. Mr. West, accordingly, on his
+arrival, participated in the advantages of their favourable reception,
+and before he was known as an artist, frequented the parties of several of
+the highest characters in the state.
+
+His first excursion from London was to Hampton Court to see the Cartoons
+of Raphael. Soon after, he visited Oxford, Blenheim, and Corsham; whence
+he proceeded to Bath, where Mr. Allen was at that time residing. Here he
+remained about a month; and in returning to town made a short tour, in the
+course of which he inspected the collections of art at Storehead,
+Fonthill, Wilton House, the Cathedral of Salisbury, and the Earl of
+Radnor's seat at Longford. At Reading he staid some time with his
+half-brother, Mr. Thomas West, the eldest son of his father. When he
+returned to London he was introduced by Mr. Patoune, his travelling
+companion from Rome, to Reynolds, and a friendship commenced between them
+which was only broken by death. He also, much about the same time, formed
+an acquaintance with Mr. Richard Wilson, the landscape painter, to whom
+indeed he had brought very warm letters of introduction, from some of
+that great artist's friends and admirers in Italy.
+
+The first lodgings which Mr. West occupied, in his professional capacity,
+were in Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, where, when it was understood that
+he intended to practise, he was visited by all the artists of eminence
+then in London, and welcomed among them with a cordiality that reflected
+great honour on the generosity of their dispositions. In this house the
+first picture which he painted in England was executed. The subject was
+Angelica and Medora, which, with the Cymon and Iphiginia, painted at
+Rome, and a portrait of General Moncton, (who acquired so much celebrity
+by his heroic conduct as second in command under General Wolfe at
+Quebec,) by the advice of Reynolds and Wilson, he sent to the exhibition
+in Spring Gardens in 1764.
+
+While he was engaged on the picture of Angelica and Medora, Dr. Markham,
+then Master of Westminster-School, paid him a visit and invited him to a
+dinner, at which he introduced him to Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke; Mr.
+Chracheroide, and Mr. Dyer. On being introduced to Burke he was so much
+surprised by the resemblance which that gentleman bore to the chief of the
+Benedictine monks at Parma, that when he spoke he could scarcely persuade
+himself he was not the same person. This resemblance was not accidental;
+the Protestant orator was, indeed, the brother of the monk.
+
+It always appeared to Mr. West that there was about Mr. Burke a degree of
+mystery, connected with his early life, which their long intercourse,
+subsequent to the introduction at Dr. Markham's, never tended to explain.
+He never spoke of any companions of his boyhood, nor seemed to have any of
+those pleasing recollections of the heedless and harmless days of youth,
+which afford to most men of genius some of the finest lights and breaks of
+their fancy; and his writings corroborate the observation. For, although
+no prose writer ever wrote more like a poet than this celebrated man, his
+imagery is principally drawn from general nature or from art, and but
+rarely from any thing local or particular.
+
+The conversation after dinner chiefly turned, on American subjects, in
+which Mr. Burke, as may well be supposed, took a distinguished part, and
+not more delighted the Artist with the rich variety and affluence of his
+mind, than surprised him by the correct circumstantiality of his
+descriptions; so much so, that he was never able to divest himself of an
+impression received on this occasion, that Mr. Burke had actually been in
+America, and visited the scenes, and been familiar with many of the places
+which he so minutely seemed to recollect. Upon a circumstance so singular,
+and so much at variance with all that has hitherto been said respecting
+the early history of this eminent person, it is needless to dilate. The
+wonder which it may excite I have no means of allaying; but I should not
+omit to mention here, when Mr. Burke was informed that Mr. West was a
+Quaker, that he observed, he had always regarded it among the most
+fortunate circumstances of his life, that his first preceptor was a
+member of the Society of Friends.
+
+Dr. Markham in 1765 introduced Mr. West to Dr. Newton, Bishop of Bristol,
+Dr. Johnson, Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. Drummond, Archbishop of York.
+Dr. Newton engaged him to paint the Parting of Hector and Andromache, and
+afterwards sat to him for his portrait, in the back ground of which a
+sketch of this picture was introduced: and for the Bishop of Worcester he
+painted the Return of the Prodigal Son. The encouragement which he thus
+received from these eminent divines was highly creditable to their taste
+and liberality, and is in honourable contrast to the negligence with which
+all that concerned the fine arts were treated by the nobility and opulent
+gentry. It is, however, necessary to mention one illustrious exception.
+Lord Rockingham offered Mr. West a regular, permanent engagement of L700
+per annum to paint historical subjects for his mansion in Yorkshire: but
+the Artist on consulting his friends found them unanimously of opinion,
+that although the prospect of encouragement which had opened to him ought
+to make him resolve to remain in England, he should not confine himself to
+the service of one patron, but trust to the public. The result of this
+conversation was a communication to Dr. Smith and Mr. Allen, of the
+attachment he had formed for the lady whom he afterwards married, and that
+it was his intention to return to America in order to be united to her. In
+consequence of this, an arrangement took place, by which the father of Mr.
+West came over to this country with the bride, and the marriage was
+solemnised on the 2d of September, 1765, in the church of St. Martin in
+the Fields.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. II.
+
+
+
+    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The Altarpiece
+    of St. Stephens, Walbrook.--State of public Taste with respect to the
+    Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.
+
+In Archbishop Drummond Mr. West found one of the most active and efficient
+patrons that he had yet met with. This eminent prelate was esteemed, by
+all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance, for a peculiar dignity
+of mind, and a liberality of sentiment that reflected lustre on his
+exalted rank. He had in his youth travelled on the Continent, and
+possessing an innate sensibility to the moral influence of the fine arts,
+had improved his natural taste by a careful inspection of every celebrated
+work to which he could obtain access. He lamented that in this great,
+flourishing, and triumphant nation, no just notion of the value of the
+fine arts was entertained; and on all occasions, when a suitable
+opportunity presented itself, he never failed to state this opinion, and
+to endeavour to impress it on others. He frequently invited Mr. West to
+his table; and the Artist remarked that he seemed to turn the conversation
+on the celebrity which the patronage of the arts had in all ages reflected
+on the most illustrious persons and families, addressing himself with
+particular emphasis to his sons. In the course of one of these
+conversations, he engaged Mr. West to paint for him the story of Agrippina
+landing with the ashes of Germanicus, and sent one of the young gentlemen
+to the library for the volume in which Tacitus describes the
+circumstances. Having read the passage, he commented on it at some length,
+in order to convey to Mr. West an idea of the manner in which he was
+desirous the subject should be treated.
+
+The painter, on returning home, felt his imagination so much excited by
+the historian's description, and the remarks of the Archbishop, that he
+immediately began to compose a sketch for the picture, and finished it
+before going to bed. Next morning he carried it to His Grace, who, equally
+surprised and delighted to find his own conception so soon embodied in a
+visible form, requested the Artist to proceed without delay in the
+execution of the picture.
+
+In the interim, the Archbishop endeavoured, by all the means in his power,
+to procure encouragement for Mr. West to devote himself exclusively to
+historical composition; and with this view he set on foot a scheme to
+raise three thousand guineas to constitute a fund, which would be a
+sufficient inducement for the Artist, in the first instance, to forego, at
+least for a time, the drudgery of portrait painting. But the attempt
+failed: so little was the public disposed to patronise historical subjects
+from the pencil of a living artist, that after fifteen hundred pounds were
+subscribed, it was agreed to relinquish the undertaking. As this fact is
+important to the history of the progress of the arts in this country, I
+present my readers with a copy of the subscription-paper, with the names
+and amount of the sums attached to them, by the respective subscribers,
+
+In 1766 Mr. West made a proposal to his friend Bishop Newton, who was then
+Dean of St. Paul's, to present a gratuitous offering to the Cathedral, by
+painting a religious subject to fill one of the large spaces which the
+architect of the building had allotted for the reception of pictures; and
+speaking on the design one day after dinner at the Bishop's when Reynolds
+was present, he said that the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai would make
+an appropriate subject. Reynolds was delighted with the idea of decorating
+St. Paul's by the voluntary offerings of artists, and offered to paint a
+Nativity as his contribution. A formal proposal was in consequence made to
+the Dean and Chapter, who embraced it with much satisfaction. But Dr.
+Terrick, the Bishop, felt some degree of jealousy at the design being
+adopted, without consulting him, and set himself so decidedly against it
+that it was necessarily abandoned. Dr. Newtorn had, in his capacity of
+Dean, obtained (without reflecting that Terrick had a veto over all) the
+consent of the other curators of the Cathedral, namely, of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the King. "But," exclaimed Dr. Terrick,
+with the energy of an ancient martyr, "I have heard of the proposition,
+and as I am head of the Cathedral of the metropolis, I will not suffer the
+doors to be opened to introduce popery." It is to be hoped that the
+declaration proceeded from the fear implied, and not because Dr. Newton
+omitted to ask his consent before applying to the King and the Archbishop.
+
+Mr. West was, however, too deeply impressed with the advantage which would
+accrue to the arts by inducing the guardians of the Church to allow the
+introduction of pictures, to be discouraged by the illiberality of the
+Bishop of London. He therefore made a proposal to paint an Altar-piece for
+the beautiful church of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and it was accepted. In
+the same year his friend, Mr. Wilcox, gave him a commission to execute
+another sacred subject, which he presented to the Cathedral of Rochester,
+and it is placed over the communion-table. In these biographical sketches
+it cannot be expected that a history of all Mr. West's numerous works
+should be related. It is the history of the Artist, not of his works, that
+is here written; and, therefore, except where the incidents connected with
+them are illustrative of the state of public feeling towards the arts, it
+is unnecessary to be more particular. I have, however, prepared a complete
+catalogue of his designs, with such remarks concerning them as must
+satisfy any want that may be felt by this systematic omission in the
+narrative. I should, however, mention that, in this stage of his career,
+the two of his earliest pictures, which attracted the greatest share of
+public attention, were _the Orestes and Pylades_, and _the Continence of
+Scipio_. He had undertaken them on speculation, and the applause which
+they obtained, when finished, were an assurance of his success and reward.
+His house was daily thronged with the opulent and the curious to see them;
+statesmen sent for them to their offices; princes to their bedchambers,
+and all loudly expressed their approbation, but not one ever enquired the
+price; and his imagination, which had been elevated in Italy to emulate
+the conceptions of those celebrated men who have given a second existence
+to the great events of religion, history, and poetry, was allowed in
+England to languish over the unmeaning faces of portrait-customers. It
+seemed to be thought that the genius of the Artist could in no other way
+be encouraged, than by his friends sitting for their own likenesses, and
+paying liberally for them. The moral influence of the art was unfelt and
+unknown; nor can a more impressive instance of this historical truth be
+adduced, than the following anecdote of Hogarth, which Garrick himself
+related to Mr. West.
+
+When that artist had published the plates of the Election, he wished to
+dispose of the paintings, and proposed to do so by a raffle of two hundred
+chances, at two guineas the stake; to be determined on an appointed day.
+Among a small number of subscribers, not half what Hogarth expected,
+Garrick had put down his name; and when the day arrived he went to the
+artist's house to throw for his chance. After waiting a considerable time
+no other person appeared, and Hogarth felt this neglect not only as
+derogatory to his profession, but implying that the subscription had
+something in it of a mendicant character. Vexed by such a mortifying
+result of a plan which he had sanguinely hoped would prove, at least, a
+morning's amusement to the fashionable subscribers, he insisted that, as
+they had not attended, nor even sent any request to him to throw for them,
+that Garrick should go through the formality of throwing the dice; but
+only for himself. The actor for some time opposed the irritated artist;
+but at last consented. Instead, however, of allowing Hogarth to send them
+home, he begged that they might be carefully packed up, until his servant
+should call for them; and on returning to his house, he dispatched a note
+to the painter, stating that he could not persuade himself to remove works
+so valuable and admired, without acquitting his conscience of an
+obligation due to the author and to his own good fortune in obtaining
+them. And knowing the humour of the person he addressed, and that if he
+had sent a cheque for the money it would in all probability be returned,
+he informed him that he had transferred two hundred guineas at his
+bankers, which would remain at the disposal of Hogarth or his heirs,
+whether it was or was not then accepted. The charge of habitual parsimony
+against Garrick was not well founded; and this incident shows that he knew
+when to be properly munificent. In the acquisition and management of his
+affluent fortune, it would have been more correct to have praised him for
+a judicious system of economy, than to have censured him for meanness. It
+ought to have been considered, that he was professionally required to deal
+with a class of persons not famed for prudence in pecuniary concerns, and
+to whom the methodical disbursements of most private gentlemen would
+probably have appeared penurious.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. III.
+
+
+
+    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen.--The King
+    employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater,--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.
+
+The coldness with which Archbishop Drummond's scheme for raising three
+thousand guineas had been received by the persons to whom he had applied,
+and the prejudice which he found almost universally entertained against
+the efforts of living genius, chagrined him exceedingly. He regarded the
+failure as a stigma on the age, and on his country; and, as a public man,
+he thought it affected himself personally. With this feeling, he declared
+to the gentlemen who had exerted themselves in the business, that he saw
+no way of engrafting a taste for the fine arts on the British public,
+unless the King could be so far engaged in the attempt, as to make it
+fashionable to employ living artists, according to the bent of their
+respective talents. But, about this period, the affair of Wilkes agitated
+the nation; and the Duke of Portland and Lord Rockingham, who were among
+the most strenuous of Mr. West's friends, being both of the Whig party,
+undervalued the importance attached to His Majesty's influence and
+countenance. The Archbishop was not, however, discouraged by their
+political prejudices; on the contrary, he thought that His Majesty was one
+of those characters who require to be personally interested in what it is
+desired they should undertake; and he resolved to make the attempt. The
+address with which His Grace managed the business, evinced great knowledge
+of human nature, and affords a pleasing view of the ingenuousness of the
+King's disposition.
+
+When the picture of Agrippina was finished, the Archbishop invited the
+most distinguished artists and amateurs to give him their opinion of the
+work; and satisfied by the approbation which they all expressed, he went
+to court, and took an opportunity of speaking on the subject to the King,
+informing His Majesty, at the same time, of all the circumstances
+connected with the history of the composition; and on what principle he
+had always turned his conversations with Mr. West to excite an interest
+for the promotion of the arts in the minds of his family. The dexterity
+with which he recapitulated these details produced the desired effect. The
+curiosity of the King was roused, and he told the Archbishop that he would
+certainly send for the Artist and the picture.
+
+This conversation probably lasted longer than the usual little
+reciprocities of the drawing-room; for it occasioned a very amusing
+instance of female officiousness. A lady of distinguished rank, having
+overheard what passed, could not resist the delightful temptation of being
+the first to communicate to Mr. West the intelligence of the honour that
+awaited him. On quitting the palace, instead of returning home, she went
+directly to his house, and, without disclosing her name, informed him of
+the whole particulars of the conversation which had passed between the
+Archbishop and the King. In the evening, Barnard, who had been an
+attendant on the King from the cradle, and who was not more attached to
+His Majesty, than he was himself in return affectionately beloved, came to
+Mr. West, and requested him to be in attendance next morning at the
+Queen's house, with the picture of Agrippina. In delivering the message,
+this faithful servant was prompted by his own feelings to give the Artist
+some idea of His Majesty's real character, which at that time was very
+much misrepresented to the public; and Mr. West during the long term of
+forty years of free and confidential intercourse with the King, found the
+account of Barnard to be in every essential and particular point correct.
+
+The King was described to him as a young man of great simplicity and
+candour of disposition, sedate in his affections, and deeply impressed
+with the sanctity of principle; scrupulous in forming private friendships;
+but, when he had taken any attachment, not easily swayed from it, without
+being convinced of the necessity and propriety of so doing.
+
+At the time appointed, Mr. West was in attendance with the picture; and
+His Majesty came into the room where he was waiting. After looking at it
+some time with much apparent satisfaction, he enquired if it was in a
+proper light; and, on being told that the situation was certainly not the
+most advantageous, he conducted the Artist through several apartments
+himself, till a more satisfactory place was found. He then called several
+of the domestics into the room, and, indeed, assisted them himself to
+remove the picture. When the servants had retired, and he had satisfied
+himself with looking at it, he went out of the apartment and brought in
+the Queen, to whom he introduced the Artist with so much warmth, that Mr.
+West felt it at the moment as something that might be described as
+friendliness.
+
+The Queen, though at this period very young, possessed a natural
+graciousness of manner, which her good sense and the consciousness of her
+dignity rendered peculiarly pleasing; so that our Artist was not only
+highly gratified by the unexpected honour of this distinguished
+introduction, but delighted with the affability and sweetness of her
+disposition.
+
+When Their Majesties had examined the picture, the King observed that he
+understood the same subject had seldom been properly treated. Mr. West
+answered, that it was, indeed, surprising it should have been neglected by
+Poussin, who was so well qualified to have done it justice, and to whose
+genius it was in so many respects so well adapted. His Majesty then told
+the Queen the history of the picture before them, dwelling with some
+expressions of admiration on the circumstance of the sketch having been
+made in the course of one evening after the artist had taken coffee with
+the Archbishop of York, and shown to His Grace the next morning. Turning
+briskly round to Mr. West, he said, "There is another noble Roman subject
+which corresponds to this one, and I believe it also has never been well
+painted; I mean the final departure of Regulus from Rome. Don't you think
+it would make a fine picture?" The Artist replied, that it was undoubtedly
+a magnificent subject. "Then," said His Majesty, "you shall paint it for
+me;" and, ringing the bell in the same moment, ordered the attendant who
+answered to bring the volume of Livy in which the event is related,
+observing to the Queen, in a sprightly manner, that the Archbishop had
+made one of his sons read to Mr. West; but "I will read to him myself the
+subject of my picture;" which, on the return of the servant with the book,
+he did accordingly. And the Artist was commanded to come with the sketch
+as soon as possible.
+
+The Archbishop was highly delighted at the successful result of his
+scheme, and augured from the event the happiest influence to the progress
+of the arts; nor has his patriotic anticipations been unrewarded; for,
+without question, so great and so eminent a taste for the fine arts as
+that which has been diffused throughout the nation, during the reign of
+George the Third, was never before produced in the life-time of one
+monarch, in any age or country.
+
+But in relating the different incidents which contributed to bring Mr.
+West into favourable notice, there is one of a peculiar nature, which
+should not be omitted. During winter, at Philadelphia, skating was one of
+the favourite amusements of the youth of that city, and many of them
+excelled in that elegant exercise. Mr. West, when a boy, had, along with
+his companions, acquired considerable facility in the art; and having
+become exceedingly fond of it, made himself, as he grew up to manhood, one
+of the most accomplished skaters in America. Some of the officers at that
+time quartered there, also practised the amusement; and, among others,
+Colonel Howe, who afterwards succeeded to the title of his elder brother,
+and who, under the name of General Howe, is so well known in the
+disastrous transactions of the subsequent civil war, which ended in
+establishing the independence of the United States. In the course of the
+winter preceding Mr. West's departure for Italy, they had become
+acquainted on the ice.
+
+In Italy Mr. West had no opportunity of skating; but when he reached
+Lombardy, where he saw so much beautiful frozen water, he regretted that
+he had not brought his skates with him from America. The winter, however,
+which succeeded his arrival in England, proved unusually severe; and one
+morning, when he happened to take a walk in St. James's park, he was
+surprised to see a great concourse of the populace assembled on the canal.
+He stopped to look at them, and seeing a person who lent skates on hire,
+he made choice of a pair, and went on the ice. A gentleman who had
+observed his movements, came up to him as he retired to unbuckle the
+skates, and said, "I perceive, Sir, you are a stranger, and do not perhaps
+know that there are much better places than this for the exercise of
+skating. The Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, is far superior, and the
+basin in Kensington Gardens still more preferable. Here, only the populace
+assemble; on the Serpentine, the company, although better, is also
+promiscuous; but the persons who frequent the basin in the Gardens are
+generally of the rank of gentlemen, and you will be less annoyed among
+them than at either of the other two places."
+
+In consequence of this information, on the day following, Mr. West
+resolved to visit the Gardens; and, in going along Piccadilly with that
+intention, bought a pair of skates, which, on reaching the margin of the
+ice, he put on, After a few trial-movements on the skirts of the basin,
+like a musician tuning his violin before attempting a regular piece of
+composition, he dashed off into the middle of the company, and performed
+several rounds in the same style which he had often practised in America.
+While engaged in this manner, a gentleman called to him by name; and, on
+stopping, he found it was his old acquaintance Colonel Howe.
+
+The Colonel immediately came up, and exclaimed, "Mr. West, I am truly glad
+to see you in this country, and at this time. I have not heard of you
+since we parted on the wharf at Philadelphia, when you sailed for Italy;
+but I have often since had occasion to recollect you. I am, therefore,
+particularly glad to see you here, and on the ice; for you must know that,
+in speaking of the American skaters, it has been alleged, that I have
+learnt to draw the long bow among them; but you are come in a lucky moment
+to vindicate my veracity."
+
+He then called to him Lord Spencer Hamilton, and some of the Cavendishes,
+who were also on the ice, and introduced Mr. West to them as one of the
+American skaters, of whom they had heard him so often speak, and would not
+credit what he had said of their performance; and he requested Mr. West to
+show them what, in Philadelphia, was called the Salute. Mr. West had been
+so long out of practice, that he was at first diffident of attempting this
+difficult and graceful movement: but, after a few trials, and feeling
+confidence in himself, he at last performed it with complete success. Out
+of this trivial incident, an acquaintance arose between him and the young
+noblemen present. They spoke of his talents as a skater; and their praise,
+in all their usual haunts, had such an effect, that, in the course of a
+few days, prodigious crowds of the fashionable world, and of all
+descriptions of people, assembled to see the American skater. When it was
+afterwards known to the public that he was an artist, many of the
+spectators called at his rooms; and he, perhaps, received more
+encouragement as a portrait-painter on account of his accomplishment as a
+skater, than he could have hoped for by any ordinary means to obtain.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+
+
+    The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.
+
+The King, at the period when he was pleased to take Mr. West under his own
+particular patronage, possessed great conversational powers, and a
+considerable tincture of humour. He had read much, and his memory was
+singularly exact and tenacious: his education had, indeed, been conducted
+with great prudence, and, independent of a much larger stock of literary
+information than is commonly acquired by princes, he was fairly entitled
+to be regarded as an accomplished gentleman. For the fine arts he had not,
+perhaps, any natural taste; he had, however, been carefully instructed in
+the principles of architecture by Chambers, of delineation by Moser, and
+of perspective by Kirby; and he was fully aware of the lustre which the
+arts have, in all ages, reflected on the different countries in which the
+cultivation of them has been encouraged to perpetuate the memory of great
+events. His employment of Mr. West, although altogether in his private
+capacity, was therefore not wholly without a view to the public advantage,
+and it is the more deserving of applause, as it was rather the result of
+principle than of personal predilection.
+
+When Mr. West had made a sketch for the Regulus, and submitted it to His
+Majesty, after some conversation, as to the dimensions, the King fixed on
+an advantageous part of the walls in one of the principal apartments, and
+directed that the picture should be painted of a size sufficient to fill
+the whole space. During the time that the work was going on, the Artist
+was frequently invited to spend the evening at Buckingham-house, where he
+was often detained by the King as late as eleven o'clock, on topics
+connected with the best means of promoting the study of the fine arts in
+the kingdom. It was in these conversations that the plan of the Royal
+Academy was digested; but it is necessary to state more particularly the
+different circumstances which co-operated at this period to the formation
+of that valuable institution.
+
+At the annual exhibitions of the paintings and drawings, which obtained
+the premiums of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Agriculture,
+and Commerce, it was then customary with artists to send occasionally
+their works to be exhibited with those of the competitors, as a convenient
+method of making themselves known to the public. But the visitors hearing
+from the newspapers only of the pictures which had gained the prizes,
+concluded that they were the best in the exhibition; and the works of the
+matured artists were overlooked in the attention paid to the efforts of
+juvenile emulation. This neglect mortified the artists, and induced them
+to form themselves into an association for the exhibition of their own
+productions. The novelty of this plan attracted much attention, and
+answered the expectations of those with whom it originated. Such was the
+state of things with the artists when Mr. West came to England; and to the
+first exhibition, after his arrival, he sent, as I have already mentioned,
+three pictures. The approbation which these works obtained, induced the
+association to elect him one of the directors, and he held this situation
+till, the society beginning to grow rich by the receipts of the
+exhibitions, the management of its concerns became an object of ambition.
+This association was incorporated in 1765, under the designation of the
+Incorporated Artists.
+
+Chambers and Payne, who were leading members in the Society, being both
+architects, were equally desirous that the funds should be laid out in the
+decoration of some edifice adapted to the objects of the institution. This
+occasioned so much debate, division, and rivalry, among their respective
+partisans, that Mr. West was induced to resign the office of director, and
+to withdraw along with Mr. Reynolds (afterwards Sir Joshua) and others,
+disgusted with the bickering animosities which disgraced the proceedings
+at their meetings. This transaction made some noise at the time, and it
+happened on the very day when Mr. West waited on the King, with his sketch
+of the Departure of Regulus, that the newspapers contained some account of
+the matter. His Majesty enquired the cause and particulars of the schism,
+and Mr. West, in stating what they were, mentioned that the principles of
+his religion made him regard such proceedings as exceedingly derogatory to
+the professors of the arts of peace.
+
+This led the King to say that he would gladly patronise any association
+which might be formed more immediately calculated to improve the arts. Mr.
+West, after retiring from the palace, communicated this to Chambers and
+Moser, and, upon conferring on the subject with Mr. Coats, it was agreed
+that the four should constitute themselves a committee of the dissenting
+artists, to draw up the plan of an academy. When this was mentioned to His
+Majesty, he not only approved of their determination, but took a great
+personal interest in the scheme, and even drew up several of the laws
+himself with his own hand. Nor should one remarkable circumstance be
+omitted; he was particularly anxious that the whole design should be kept
+a profound secret, being apprehensive that it might be converted into some
+vehicle of political influence.
+
+In the mean time the picture of the Departure of Regulus was going
+forward, and it was finished about the time that the code of rules for the
+academy was completed. The incorporated artists were also busy, and had
+elected as their president Mr. Kirby, who had been preceptor in
+perspective to the King, and who had deservedly gained great celebrity by
+his treatise on the principles of that branch of art. Kirby, having free
+access to the royal presence, and never hearing from His Majesty any thing
+respecting the academy, was so satisfied in his own mind that the rumours,
+respecting such an institution being intended, were untrue, that, in his
+inaugural address from the chair, he assured the incorporated artists
+there was not the slightest intention entertained of establishing a Royal
+Academy of Art.
+
+When the Departure of Regulus was finished, the King appointed a time for
+Mr. West to bring the picture to Buckingham-house. The Artist having
+carried it there, His Majesty, after looking at it some time, went and
+brought in the Queen by the hand, and seated her in a chair, which Mr.
+West placed in the best situation for seeing the picture to advantage.
+While they were conversing on the subject, one of the pages announced Mr.
+Kirby; and the King consulted Her Majesty in German about the propriety of
+admitting him at that moment. Mr. West, by his residence among the German
+inhabitants of Lancaster in America, knew enough of the language to
+understand what they said, and the opinion of the Queen was that Kirby
+might certainly be admitted, but for His Majesty to take his own pleasure.
+The attendant was in consequence ordered to show him in, and Mr. West was
+the more pleased at this incident, as it afforded him an advantageous
+opportunity of becoming personally known to Kirby, with whom, on account
+of his excellent treatise, he had for some time been desirous to become
+acquainted.
+
+When Kirby looked at the picture he expressed himself with great warmth
+in its praise, enquiring by whom it had been painted; upon which the King
+introduced Mr. West to him. It would perhaps be doing injustice to say
+that the surprise with which he appeared to be affected on finding it the
+production of so young a man, had in it any mixture of sinister feeling;
+but it nevertheless betrayed him into a fatal indiscretion. As a preceptor
+to the King, he had been accustomed to take liberties which ought to have
+terminated with the duties of that office; he, however, inadvertently
+said, "Your Majesty never mentioned any thing of this work to me." The
+tone in which this was uttered evidently displeased the King, but the
+discretion of the unfortunate man was gone, and he enquired in a still
+more disagreeable manner, "Who made this frame?" Mr. West, anxious to turn
+the conversation, mentioned the maker's name; but this only served to
+precipitate Mr. Kirby into still greater imprudence, and he answered
+somewhat sharply, "That person is not Your Majesty's workman;" and naming
+the King's carver and gilder said, "It ought to have been made by him."
+The King appeared a good deal surprised at all this, but replied in an
+easy good-humoured way, "Kirby, whenever you are able to paint me a
+picture like this, your friend shall make the frame." The unhappy man,
+however, could not be restrained, and he turned round to Mr. West, and in
+a tone which greatly lessened the compliment the words would otherwise
+have conveyed, said, "I hope you intend to exhibit this picture." The
+Artist answered, that as it was painted for His Majesty, the exhibition
+must depend on his pleasure; but that, before retiring, it was his
+intention to ask permission for that purpose. The King immediately said,
+"Assuredly I shall be very happy to let the work be shown to the
+public."--"Then, Mr. West," added Kirby, "you will send it to my
+exhibition," (meaning to the exhibition of the Incorporated Artists).
+"No," interposed the King, firmly, "it must go to my exhibition,--to the
+Royal Academy." Poor Kirby was thunderstruck; but only two nights before,
+in the confidence of his intercourse with the King, he had declared that
+even the design of forming such an institution was not contemplated. His
+colour forsook him, and his countenance became yellow with mortification.
+He bowed with profound humility, and instantly retired, nor did he long
+survive the shock.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On the day following, a meeting of the artists who had separated
+themselves from the incorporated association, was to be holden in the
+evening at the house of Wilton the sculptor, in order to receive the code
+of laws, and to nominate the office-bearers of the Academy. In the course
+of the morning, Mr. Penny, who was intended to be appointed professor of
+painting, called on Mr. West and mentioned that he had been with Reynolds,
+and that he thought, for some unfathomable reason or another, that
+distinguished artist would not attend the meeting. Soon after, Moser
+likewise called, and stated the same thing. Mr. West was much perplexed at
+this information; for it had been arranged with the King that Reynolds,
+although not in the secret, nor at all consulted in the formation of the
+Academy, should be the president. He therefore went immediately to his
+house, and finding him disengaged, mentioned, without alluding to what he
+had heard, the arrangements formed for instituting an academy, and that a
+meeting of thirty artists named by the King, of the forty members of which
+it was intended the Academy should consist, was that evening to take place
+at Wilton's. Reynolds was much surprised to hear matters were so far
+advanced, and explained to Mr. West that Kirby had assured him in the most
+decided manner, that there was no truth whatever in the rumour of any such
+design being in agitation, and that he thought it would be derogatory to
+attend a meeting, constituted, as Kirby represented it, by persons who had
+no sanction or authority for doing what they had undertaken. To this Mr.
+West answered, "As you have been told by Mr. Kirby that there is no
+intention to form any institution of the kind, and by me that there is,
+that even the rules are framed, and the officers condescended on, yourself
+to be president, I must insist on your going with me to the meeting, where
+you will be satisfied which of us deserves to be credited in this
+business."
+
+In the evening, at the usual hour, Mr. West went to take tea with
+Reynolds, before going to the meeting, and it so fell out, either from
+design or accident, that it was not served till a full hour later than
+common, not indeed till the hour fixed for the artists to assemble at
+Wilton's, so that, by the time they arrived there, the meeting was on the
+point of breaking up, conceiving that as neither Reynolds nor West had
+come, something unexpected and extraordinary must have happened. But on
+their appearing, a burst of satisfaction manifested the anxiety that had
+been felt, and without any farther delay the company proceeded to carry
+into effect the wishes of the King. The code of laws was read, and the
+gentlemen recommended by the King to fill the different offices being
+declared the officers, the code of laws was accepted. Reynolds was
+declared president, Chambers treasurer, Newton secretary, Moser keeper,
+Penny professor of painting, Wale professor of perspective, and Dr.
+William Hunter professor of anatomy. A report of the proceedings was made
+to His Majesty next morning, who gave his sanction to the election, and
+the Academy was thus constituted. The academicians afterwards met and
+chose a council to assist the president, and visitors to superintend the
+schools in three branches of art, painting, sculpture, and architecture.
+Thus, on the 10th December, 1768, under the title of the Royal Academy of
+the Arts in London, that Institution, which has done more to excite a
+taste for the fine arts in this country, than any similar institution ever
+did in any other, was finally formed and established.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. V.
+
+
+
+    The opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.
+
+When the Academy was opened, the approbation which _the Regulus_ received
+at the exhibition gratified the King, and he resolved to give Mr. West
+still farther encouragement. Accordingly, he soon after sent for him, and
+mentioned that he wished him to paint another picture, and that the
+subject he had chosen was Hamilcar making his son Hannibal swear
+implacable enmity against the Romans. The painting being finished it was
+earned to Buckingham-house, and His Majesty, after looking at it with
+visible satisfaction, said, that he thought Mr. West could not do better
+than provide him with suitable subjects to fill the unoccupied pannels of
+the room in which the two pictures were then placed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+About this period, Mr. West had finished his Death of Wolfe, which excited
+a great sensation, both on account of its general merits as a work of art,
+and for representing the characters in the modern military costume. The
+King mentioned that he heard much of the picture, but he was informed that
+the dignity of the subject had been impaired by the latter circumstance;
+observing that it was thought very ridiculous to exhibit heroes in coats,
+breeches, and cock'd hats. The Artist replied, that he was quite aware of
+the objection, but that it was founded in prejudice, adding, with His
+Majesty's permission, he would relate an anecdote connected with that
+particular point.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"When it was understood that I intended to paint the characters as they had
+actually appeared in the scene, the Archbishop of York called on Reynolds
+and asked his opinion, the result of which was that they came together to
+my house. For His Grace was apprehensive that, by persevering in my
+intention, I might lose some portion of the reputation which he was
+pleased to think I had acquired by his picture of Agrippina, and Your
+Majesty's of Regulus; and he was anxious to avert the misfortune by his
+friendly interposition. He informed me of the object of their visit, and
+that Reynolds wished to dissuade me from running so great a risk. I could
+not but feel highly gratified by so much solicitude, and acknowledged
+myself ready to attend to whatever Reynolds had to say, and even to adopt
+his advice, if it appeared to me founded on any proper principles.
+Reynolds then began a very ingenious and elegant dissertation on the state
+of the public taste in this country, and the danger which every attempt at
+innovation necessarily incurred of repulse or ridicule; and he concluded
+with urging me earnestly to adopt the classic costume of antiquity, as
+much more becoming the inherent greatness of my subject than the modern
+garb of war. I listened to him with the utmost attention in my power to
+give, but could perceive no principle in what he had delivered; only a
+strain of persuasion to induce me to comply with an existing prejudice,--a
+prejudice which I thought could not be too soon removed. When he had
+finished his discourse, I begged him to hear what I had to state in reply,
+and I began by remarking that the event intended to be commemorated took
+place on the 13th of September, 1758, in a region of the world unknown to
+the Greeks and Romans, and at a period of time when no such nations, nor
+heroes in their costume, any longer existed. The subject I have to
+represent is the conquest of a great province of America by the British
+troops. It is a topic that history will proudly record, and the same truth
+that guides the pen of the historian should govern the pencil of the
+artist. I consider myself as undertaking to tell this great event to the
+eye of the world; but if, instead of the facts of the transaction, I
+represent classical fictions, how shall I be understood by posterity! The
+only reason for adopting the Greek and Roman dresses, is the picturesque
+forms of which their drapery is susceptible; but is this an advantage for
+which all the truth and propriety of the subject should be sacrificed? I
+want to mark the date, the place, and the parties engaged in the event;
+and if I am not able to dispose of the circumstances in a picturesque
+manner, no academical distribution of Greek or Roman costume will enable
+me to do justice to the subject. However, without insisting upon
+principles to which I intend to adhere, I feel myself so profoundly
+impressed with the friendship of this interference, that when the picture
+is finished, if you do not approve of it, I will consign it to the closet,
+whatever may be my own opinion of the execution. They soon after took
+their leave, and in due time I called on the Archbishop, and fixed a day
+with him to come with Reynolds to see the painting. They came accordingly,
+and the latter without speaking, after his first cursory glance, seated
+himself before the picture, and examined it with deep and minute attention
+for about half an hour. He then rose, and said to His Grace, Mr. West has
+conquered. He has treated his subject as it ought to be treated. I retract
+my objections against the introduction of any other circumstances into
+historical pictures than those which are requisite and appropriate; and I
+foresee that this picture will not only become one of the most popular,
+but occasion a revolution in the art."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On Mr. West pausing, the King said, "I wish that I had known all this
+before, for the objection has been the means of Lord Grosvenor getting the
+picture; but you shall make a copy for me." His Majesty then entered into
+some further conversation respecting subjects for paintings to adorn the
+apartment; and Mr. West suggested that the Death of Epaminondas would, as
+a classic subject, and with Grecian circumstances, make a suitable
+contrast with the Death of Wolfe. The King received this idea with
+avidity; and the conversation being pursued further on the same topic, the
+Artist also proposed the Death of the Chevalier Bayard for another
+picture, which would serve to illustrate the heroism and peculiarities of
+the middle ages. Two pannels were still unprovided; and Mr. West, with
+submission to His Majesty, begged that he might be allowed to take the
+incident of Cyrus liberating the Family of the King of Armenia for the
+one, and of Segestus, and his daughter, brought before Germanicus, for
+the other. The King was much pleased with the latter idea; a notion being
+entertained by some antiquaries that the Hanoverian family are the
+descendants of the daughter.
+
+During the time that our Artist was engaged in these works, he was
+frequently at the palace with the King; and His Majesty always turned the
+conversation on the means of promoting the fine arts, and upon the
+principles which should govern artists in the cultivation of their genius.
+In one of these conversations, Mr. West happened to remark, that he had
+been much disgusted in Italy at seeing the base use to which the talents
+of the painters in that country had been too often employed; many of their
+noblest efforts being devoted to illustrate monkish legends, in which no
+one took any interest, while the great events in the history of their
+country were but seldom touched. This led to some further reflections; and
+the King, recollecting that Windsor-Castle had, in its present form,
+been erected by Edward the Third, said, that he thought the achievements
+of his splendid reign were well calculated for pictures, and would prove
+very suitable ornaments to the halls and chambers of that venerable
+edifice. To this incident, the arts are indebted for the series of
+pictures which bring the victories of Cressy and Poictiers, with the other
+triumphal incidents of that time, again, as it were, into form and being,
+with a veracity of historical fact and circumstance which render the
+masquerades by Vario even a greater disgrace to St. George's Hall than
+they are to the taste of the age in which they were painted.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In the execution of these different historical subjects, the King took a
+great personal interests, and one piece became the cause of another, until
+he actually acquired a feeling like enthusiasm for the arts. When he had
+resolved to adorn Windsor-Castle with the achievements and great events of
+the reign of Edward the Third, he began to think that the tolerant temper
+of the age was favourable to the introduction of pictures into the
+churches: at the same time, his scrupulous respect for what was
+understood to be the usage, if not the law, relative to the case,
+prevented him for some time from taking any decisive step. In the course
+of different conversations with Mr. West, on this subject, he formed the
+design of erecting a magnificent oratory, or private chapel, in the Horns'
+Court of Windsor-Castle, for the purpose of displaying a pictorial
+illustration of the history of revealed religion. But, before engaging in
+this superb project, he thought it necessary to consult some eminent
+members of the Church, who enjoyed his confidence, as to the propriety of
+the design. Accordingly, he desired Mr. West to draw up a list of subjects
+from the Bible, susceptible of pictorial representation, which Christians,
+of all denominations, might contemplate without offence to their tenets;
+and he invited Dr. Hurd, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, Dr. Douglas,
+Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Windsor, and several other dignitaries,
+along with the Artist, to consider the business. He explained to the
+meeting his scruples, declaring that he did not, in a matter of this kind,
+owing to his high station in the state, feel himself a free agent; that he
+was certainly desirous of seeing the churches adorned with the endeavours
+of art, and would deem it the greatest glory of his reign to be
+distinguished, above all others in the annals of the kingdom, for the
+progress and successful cultivation of the arts of peace. "But, when I
+reflect," said His Majesty, "how the ornaments of art in the churches were
+condemned at the Reformation, and still more recently in the unhappy times
+of Charles the First, I am anxious to govern my own wishes not only by
+what is right, but by what is prudent, in this matter. If it is conceived
+that I am tacitly bound, as Head of the Church of England, to prevent any
+such ornaments from being introduced into places of worship; or if it be
+considered as at all savouring in any degree of a popish practice, however
+decidedly I may myself think it innocent, I will proceed no farther in the
+business. But, if the church may be adorned with pictures, illustrative of
+great events in the history of religion, as the Bible itself often is with
+engravings, I will gladly proceed with the execution of this design."
+Little else passed at this interview; but he requested the churchmen to
+examine the matter thoroughly; and appointed a particular day for them to
+report to him the result of their investigation: presenting to them, at
+the same time, a paper, containing a list of thirty-five subjects which he
+had formed with the Artist, for the decorations of the intended chapel.
+
+On the day appointed, Mr. West again met those eminent members of the
+hierarchy in the royal presence: when Dr. Hurd reported to His Majesty,
+that they had very seriously considered the important business which had
+been confided to them; that, having bestowed on it their gravest
+attention, they were unanimously of opinion, that the introduction of
+paintings into the chapel, which His Majesty intended to erect, would, in
+no respect whatever, violate the laws or usages of the Church of England;
+and that, having examined the list of subjects, which he proposed should
+constitute the decorations, there was not one of them, but, which properly
+treated, even a Quaker might contemplate with edification. This
+inadvertent observation attracted the King's attention; and he said, that
+the Quakers were a body of Christians for whom he entertained the very
+highest respect, and that he thought, but for the obligations of his
+birth, he should himself have been a Quaker; and he particularly enlarged
+on their peaceful demeanour and benevolence towards one another.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The result of this conference was, that Mr. West immediately received
+instructions to make designs from the list of subjects; and afterwards
+with the King himself, he assisted to form an architectural plan of the
+chapel, which it was proposed should be ninety feet in length by fifty in
+breadth. When some progress had been made in the paintings, Mr. Wyat, who
+had succeeded Sir William Chambers as the royal architect, received orders
+to carry this plan into execution; and the grand flight of steps in the
+great staircase, executed by that architect, was designed to lead
+immediately to a door which should open into the royal closet, in the new
+chapel of REVEALED RELIGION.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+
+
+    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius.--Of
+    Lachlan M'Lean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his opinion.
+
+By the eminent station which Mr. West has so long held among the artists,
+and admirers of the fine arts, in this country, he became personally
+acquainted with almost every literary man of celebrity; and being for many
+years a general visitor at the literary club, immortalised as the haunt of
+Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Goldsmith, and Reynolds, he acquired, without
+particularly attending to the literature of the day, an extensive
+acquaintance with the principal topics which, from time to time, engaged
+the attention of men of letters. An incident, however, of a curious
+nature, has brought him to be a party, in some degree, with the singular
+question respecting the mysterious author of the celebrated letters of
+Junius. On the morning that the first of these famous invectives appeared,
+his friend Governor Hamilton happened to call, and enquiring the news, Mr.
+West informed him of that bold and daring epistle: ringing for his servant
+at the same time, he desired the newspaper to be brought in. Hamilton read
+it over with great attention, and when he had done, laid it on his knees,
+in a manner that particularly attracted the notice of the painter, who was
+standing at his easel. "This letter," said Hamilton, in a tone of vehement
+feeling, "is by that damned scoundrel M'Lean."--"What M'Lean?" enquired
+Mr. West.--"The surgeon of Otway's regiment: the fellow who attacked me so
+virulently in the Philadelphian newspaper, on account of the part I felt
+it my duty to take, against one of the officers, a captain, for a
+scandalous breach of the privileges of hospitality, in seducing the wife
+of a very respectable man. This letter is by him. I know these very words:
+I may well remember them," and he read over several phrases and sentences
+which M'Lean had employed against him. Mr. West then informed the
+Governor, that M'Lean was in this country, and that he was personally
+acquainted with him. "He came over," said Mr. West, "with Colonel Barry,
+by whom he was introduced to Lord Shelburn, (afterwards Marquis of
+Lansdowne,) and is at present private secretary to His Lordship."
+
+Throughout the progress of the controversy with Junius, Hamilton remained
+firm in his opinion, that the author was no other than the same Lachlan
+M'Lean, but at the literary club the general opinion ascribed the letters
+for some time to Samuel Dyer. The sequel of this anecdote is curious.
+M'Lean, owing to a great impediment in his utterance, never made any
+figure in conversation; and passed with most people as a person of no
+particular attainments. But when Lord Shelburn came into office, he was
+appointed Under Secretary of State, and subsequently nominated to a
+Governorship in India: a rapidity of promotion to a man without family or
+parliamentary interest, that can only be explained by a profound
+conviction, on the part of his patron, of his superior talents, and
+perhaps, also, from a strong sense of some peculiar obligation. M'Lean
+sailed for India in the Aurora frigate, and was lost, in the wreck of
+that ship, on the coast of Africa. That the letters of Junius were not
+ascribed to him by any party is not surprising, for his literary talents
+were unknown to the public; but the general opinion of all men at the
+time was that they were the production of some person in connection with
+Lord Shelburn.
+
+Upon this subject, I hold no particular opinion of my own; nor, indeed,
+should I have perhaps noticed the circumstance at all, but for a recent
+most ingenious publication which has ascribed these celebrated letters to
+the late Sir Philip Francis. One thing, however, merits attention in this
+curious controversy. In the Monthly Magazine for July, 1813, there is an
+interesting account of a conversation between Sir Richard Phillips and the
+Marquis of Lansdowne on this subject; in which His Lordship speaks of the
+obligation to secrecy imposed on himself in the question as having been
+removed by death; an incidental expression that at once intimated a
+knowledge of the author, and that he was dead at the time when this
+conversation took place. The importance of the matter, as an object of
+literary curiosity, will excuse the introduction, in an abbreviated form,
+of what passed at that interview, as well as of some minor circumstances
+connected with the question.
+
+During the printing of Almon's edition of Junius, in which he endeavoured
+to show that the letters were written by a Mr. Walter Boyd, Sir Richard
+Phillips, the publisher of that work, sought opinions among the characters
+then surviving, whose names had been mixed with the writings of Junius;
+and he addressed himself particularly to the Duke of Grafton, the Marquis
+of Lansdowne, Mr. Horne Tooke, and Mr. Grattan. Through two friends of the
+Duke of Grafton he was informed, "that His Grace had endeavoured to live
+down the calumnies of Junius, and to forget the name of the author; and
+that, at the period of the publication, offers were made to him of legal
+evidence on which to convict the author of a libel; but that, as he had
+then treated the man with contempt, he should decline to disturb him after
+so great a lapse of time." From this communication it would seem, that the
+Duke believed that he knew the author, and also that he was still alive.
+
+Sir Richard, on calling upon the Marquis of Lansdowne, to whom he was
+personally known, found him in his sick chamber, suffering under a general
+breaking up of the constitution, but in his usual flow of spirits,
+anecdote, and conversation. On mentioning Almon's new edition of Junius,
+and that the editor had fixed on Boyd as the author, the Marquis
+exclaimed, "I thought Almon had known better: I gave him credit for more
+discernment: the world will, however, not be deceived by him; for there is
+higher evidence than his opinion. Look at Boyd's other writings: he never
+did write like Junius; and never could write like Junius. Internal
+evidence destroys the hypothesis of Almon." Sir Richard then said, that
+many persons had ascribed these letters to His Lordship; and that the
+world at large conceived that, at least, he was not unacquainted with the
+author. The Marquis smiled, and said, "No, no: I am not equal to Junius:
+I could not be the author; but the grounds of secrecy are now so far
+removed by death, and changes of circumstances, that it is unnecessary the
+author of Junius should much longer be unknown. The world are curious
+about him; and I could make a very interesting publication on the subject.
+I knew Junius; and I knew all about the writing and production of those
+letters. But look at my own condition now: I don't think I can live
+another week: my legs, my strength, tell me so; but the doctors, who
+always flatter sick men, assure me I am in no immediate danger. They order
+me into the country, and I am going there. If I live over the summer,
+which, however, I do not expect, I promise you a very interesting pamphlet
+about Junius. I will put my name to it: I will set that question at rest
+for ever."
+
+Sir Richard looked at the swollen limbs and other symptoms threatening
+the dissolution of this distinguished nobleman; and, convinced that he
+was, in truth, never likely to see him again, and that the secret of
+Junius might be lost with him, turned the conversation to the various
+persons who had, at different times, been named as the Junius; and, after
+mentioning five or six whose respective pretensions the Marquis treated
+as ridiculous, His Lordship said, "It is of no use to pursue the matter
+further at this time. I will, however, tell you this for your guide,
+Junius has never yet been publicly named. None of the parties ever
+guessed at as Junius were the true Junius. Nobody has ever suspected him.
+I knew him, and knew all about it; and I pledge myself, if these legs
+will permit me, to give you a pamphlet on the subject, as soon as I feel
+myself equal to the labour." Sir Richard soon after took his leave; and
+about a week after the Marquis expired.
+
+From Horne Tooke no information could be obtained: whenever Junius was
+mentioned, he lost the balance of his mind, and indulged himself in so
+much vanity, conceit, and ingenuity, that it was almost useless to speak
+with him on the subject.
+
+Mr. Grattan wrote a very candid denial of any knowledge of the matter, in
+a letter which was printed in the preface to Almon's edition.
+
+Of the pretension afterwards set forward for Dr. Wilmot, I believe it was
+never entertained or supported by any good evidence: Dr. Francis, the
+father of Sir Philip, had been long before mentioned, but for what reason
+I have never been able to ascertain. The answer of Sir Philip himself on
+the subject is, however, curiously equivocal, at least it so strikes me;
+although it is generally considered as a decided denial. It is as follows:
+"The great civility of your letter induces me to answer it, which, with
+reference merely to its subject-matter, I should have declined. Whether
+you will assist in giving currency to a silly, malignant falsehood, is a
+question for your own discretion: to me it is a matter of perfect
+indifference." But notwithstanding all this, an amusingly mysterious
+circumstance has, I am informed, transpired since the death of Sir Philip.
+In a box, it is said, which he carefully deposited with his banker's, and
+which was not to be opened till after his death, a copy of the
+publication, "Junius identified," with a common copy of the letters of
+Junius, were found. I shall offer no comment on this occurrence, for even
+granting that it was true, it might have been but a playful trick--if Sir
+Philip Francis was, in any respect, a humorist. But I have already
+digressed too far from the immediate object of my work; and I cannot make
+a better amends to my readers than by inserting here a short paper,
+written by that eminent person, and addressed to Mr. West. It is a
+critique on the Transfiguration by Raphael, in which Sir Philip evinces
+considerable ingenuity, by attempting not only to explain a defect in the
+composition, felt by every man of taste, in the midst of the delight
+which, in other respects, it never fails to produce, but to show that, so
+far from being any defect, it is in fact a great beauty.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Transfiguration by Raphael._
+
+The title of this picture is a misnomer. The picture itself tells you it
+is _the Ascension_. The Transfiguration is another incident, which
+happened long before the Ascension, and is recited in the ninth chapter of
+St. Luke:--"When the countenance of Jesus was changed, and he became
+[Greek: etethon] and his clothing was _white_, and lightened." The robe of
+the ascending Christ is BLUE.
+
+The painter brings different incidents together to constitute one plot.
+The picture consists of three separate groupes, combined and united in one
+scheme or action.
+
+I. Jesus ascending perpendicularly into the air, clothed in blue raiment,
+and attended by two other figures.
+
+II. Some of his disciples on the Mount, who see the ascent, and lie
+dazzled and confounded by the sight.
+
+III. A number of persons at the bottom of the Mount, who appear to look
+intently on a young man possessed by a devil, and convulsed. None of them
+see the Ascension but the young man, or rather the devil, who was in him,
+does see it. On all similar occasions, those fallen angels know the
+Christ, and acknowledge him. The other figures are agitated with
+astonishment and terror, variously and distinctly expressed in every one
+of them, at sight of the effect which they see is made upon him by some
+object which _they_ do not see.
+
+This is the sublime imagination, by which the lower part of the picture is
+connected with the upper.
+
+P. FRANCIS.
+
+_13th July, 1816._
+
+But although it must be confessed that this comment is exceedingly
+ingenious, in so far as it explains the painter's design in representing
+the demoniac boy, as the connecting link between the action on the Mount,
+and the groupe at the foot of it; yet, upon an examination of the picture,
+it will be found that it does not exhibit the Ascension, but the
+Transfiguration; and I beg leave to refer to a letter, from my friend Mr.
+M'Gillivray, in the Appendix which seems to me as perfectly satisfactory
+on the subject as any thing of the kind I ever met with. Mr. West was of
+the same opinion as Mr. M'Gillivray; but in conversing with him on the
+subject, he did not enter into so distinct an explanation of his reasons
+for dissenting from the speculation of Sir Philip Francis. In criticism,
+however, whether the matter in question be works of art, or of literature,
+the best opinion is exactly that which is the most reasonable; and the
+point at issue here, is not one in which an artist's judgment can be
+allowed greater weight than that of any other man.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+
+
+    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of the
+    American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.
+
+While Mr. West was engaged on the series of religious and historical works
+for the King, he had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with
+political incidents, that a man less intent on his art, and more ambitious
+of fortune, might have turned to great advantage. This was particularly
+the case during the American War, for His Majesty knowing the Artist's
+connections with that country, and acquaintance with some of the most
+distinguished of the rebels, often conversed with him on the subject; and
+on different occasions Mr. West was enabled to supply the King with more
+circumstantial information respecting some important events than was
+furnished by the official channels. I do not consider myself at liberty,
+nor this a fit place, to enter upon subjects so little in unison with the
+arts of peace, or the noiseless tenour of an artist's life; but, among
+other curious matters that may be thrown out for the investigation of the
+future historian, is an opinion which prevailed among some of the best
+informed in America, that when General Washington was appointed to the
+supreme command of the army, it was with the view and intention of
+effecting a reconciliation between the two countries. A communication to
+this purpose is said to have been made by that illustrious man, which
+communication was never answered, nor ever laid formally before the Privy
+Council, at least not until more than six weeks after it had been
+received, and then it was too late. America was lost; and millions spent,
+and thousands sacrificed afterwards in vain. Whether, indeed, the King
+ever did know the whole affair, may be doubted.
+
+The mind of Mr. West, however, had no enjoyment in political cabals, in
+the petty enmities of partizans, or the factious intrigues of party
+leaders. He was by his art wholly enchanted, and saw in the prospect
+before him an adequate recompense in fame for all his exertions, his days
+of labour, and his nights of study. The historical pictures for Windsor
+Castle cost him many a patient hour of midnight research; for the means to
+assist his composition, especially in architecture, and the costume of the
+time, were then far from being so easy of access as they are at present. A
+long period of preference for classic literature, and the illustration of
+the Greek and Roman story, had withdrawn the public taste from the no less
+glorious events of our own annals. To mark, therefore, the epoch, and
+manners of the age of Poictiers and Cressy, of the Institution of the
+Garter, and the other heroic and magnificent incidents of the reign of
+Edward the Third, with that historical truth which the artist thought
+essential to historical painting, required the inspection of many an
+ancient volume, and much antiquarian research. In the composition for the
+Institution of the Garter, the late Marquis of Buckingham offered several
+suggestions, which were adopted; and on His Lordship mentioning to the
+King, that Mr. West was descended of the Delawarre family, the head of
+which bore a distinguished part in the great events of that time, His
+Majesty ordered Mr. West to insert his own portrait among the spectators
+represented in the gallery, and immediately over the shield bearing the
+arms of the Earl of Delawarre. Mr. West himself was not, at that period,
+acquainted with the descent of his pedigree; but it happened in a
+conversation one day with Lord Buckingham, that His Lordship enquired from
+what part of England his family had been originally, and upon Mr. West
+telling him, His Lordship said, that the land which his ancestors had
+formerly possessed was become his by purchase; and that the Wests of Long
+Crandon were sprung from the ancient Earls of Delawarre.
+
+But, except the historical information required for his pictures, in which
+he was indefatigable, until master of all that could be obtained, Mr.
+West, following the early and wise advice of Dr. Smith of Philadelphia,
+wasted none of his time in other literary pursuits. Among his learned and
+ingenious cotemporaries, however, he acquired a general knowledge of the
+passing literature of the day, and in consequence, there are few authors
+of any celebrity, especially the cotemporaries of Johnson, of whom he does
+not possess interesting anecdotes, as well as an acquaintance with the
+merit which they were severally allowed to possess.
+
+One day at Sir Joshua Reynolds, after dinner when Dr. Johnson, Goldsmith,
+and Burke were present, the conversation turned on the degree of
+excellence which sculpture attained among the Greeks. It was observed
+incidentally, that there was something in the opinion of the ancients, on
+this subject, quite inexplicable; for, in the time of Alexander the Great,
+although painting was allowed to have been progressive, sculpture was said
+to have declined, and yet the finest examples of the art, the Apollo and
+Venus, were considered as the works of that period. Different theories
+were sported on this occasion, to explain this seeming contradiction;
+none of them, however, were satisfactory. But, on the arrival of the
+Athenian marbles, which Lord Elgin brought to this country, Mr. West was
+convinced, at the first sight of them, of the justness of ancient
+criticism, and remembered the conversation alluded to.
+
+Perhaps I may be allowed to mention here, without impropriety, that I was
+at Athens when the second cargo of these celebrated sculptures was
+dispatched; that I took some interest in getting the vessel away; and that
+I went with her myself to the island of Idra. Two circumstances occasioned
+this interference on my part;--an Italian artist, the agent of Lord Elgin,
+had quarrelled about the marbles with Monsieur Fauvelle, the French
+Consul, a man of research and taste, to whom every traveller that visited
+Athens, even during the revolutionary war, might have felt himself
+obliged. Fauvelle was, no doubt, ambitious to obtain these precious
+fragments for the Napoleon Museum at Paris; and, certainly, exerted all
+his influence to get the removal of them interdicted. On the eve of the
+departure of the vessel, he sent in a strong representation on the
+subject to the governor of the city, stating, what I believe was very
+true, that Lord Elgin had never any sufficient firman or authority for the
+dilapidations that he had committed on the temples. Luseri, the Italian
+alluded to, was alarmed, and called on me at the monastery of the Roman
+propaganda, where I then resided; and it was agreed between us, that if
+any detention was attempted, I should remonstrate with the governor, and
+represent to him that such an arrest of British property would be
+considered as an act of hostility. But our fears were happily removed. No
+notice was taken by the governor of Monsieur Fauvelle's remonstrance. In
+the evening I embarked on board the vessel at the Pireus, and next morning
+was safely landed on the island of Idra, where the vessel, after remaining
+a day or two, sailed for Malta.
+
+But to return to the biographical narrative. On the death of Sir Joshua
+Reynolds, in 1791, Mr. West was unanimously elected President of the Royal
+Academy. The choice was not more a debt of gratitude on the part of the
+Institution, to one who had essentially contributed to its formation, than
+a testimony of respect deservedly merited by the conduct and genius of the
+Artist who, when the compass, number, and variety of his pictures are
+considered, was, at that period, decidedly the greatest historical painter
+then living, who had been born a British subject. This event, at once so
+honourable to his associates and himself, was confirmed by the sanction of
+His Majesty on the 24th of March, 1792; on which occasion, on taking the
+chair, Mr. West addressed the Academicians to the following effect:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"GENTLEMEN,
+
+"The free and unsolicited choice with which you have called me to fill
+this chair, vacated by the death of that great character, Sir JOSHUA
+REYNOLDS, is so marked an instance of your friendship and good opinion,
+that it demands the immediate acknowledgment of my thanks, which I beg you
+to accept.
+
+"I feel more sensibly the dignity to which you have raised me, as I am
+placed in succession after so eminent a character, whose exalted
+professional abilities, and very excellent discourses delivered under this
+roof, have secured a lasting honor to this Institution and to the
+country; while his amiable dispositions, as a man, will make his loss to
+be long regretted by all who had the happiness to know him.
+
+"HIS MAJESTY having been graciously pleased to approve and confirm the
+choice which you have made of me as your President, it becomes my duty, as
+far as my humble abilities will permit, to study and pursue whatever may
+be the true interest, the prosperity, and the glory of this ACADEMY. In
+the prosecution of this duty, I can make no doubt of success, when I
+reflect that all the departments and classes of this Institution are
+filled with men of established professional reputation, selected from
+professors of the three great branches of art, which constitute the
+objects of your studies and, when I see this union of abilities
+strengthened by many ingenious productions of other able artists, who,
+although they have not as yet the honour of belonging to this body, will,
+nevertheless, enable us to maintain the accustomed brilliancy of our
+Exhibitions, and, consequently, to secure to us the approbation of a
+liberal and judicious public.
+
+"The Exhibitions are of the greatest importance to this Institution; and
+the Institution is become of great importance to the country. Here
+ingenious youth are instructed in the art of design; and the instruction
+acquired in this place, has spread itself through the various manufactures
+of this country, to which it has given a taste that is able to convert the
+most common and simple materials into rare and valuable articles of
+commerce. Those articles the British merchant sends forth into all the
+quarters of the world, where they stand preeminent over the productions of
+other nations.
+
+"But important as this is, there is another consequence of a more exalted
+kind; I mean, the cultivating of those higher excellences in refined art,
+which have never failed to secure to nations and to the individuals who
+have nourished them, an immortality of fame, which no other circumstances
+have been equally able to perpetuate. For it is by those higher and more
+refined excellences of painting, sculpture, and architecture, that Grecian
+and Roman greatness are transmitted down to the age in which we live, as
+if it was still in existence. Many centuries have elapsed since Greeks and
+Romans have been overthrown and dissolved as a people; but other nations,
+by whom similar refinements were not cultivated, are erased from the face
+of the earth, without leaving any monument or vestige to give the
+demonstration that they were ever great.
+
+"It may, therefore, be fairly assumed, that an ACADEMY, whose objects and
+effects are so enlightened and extensive as those which are prosecuted
+here, is highly worthy of the protection of a patriot-king, of a dignified
+nobility, and of a wise people.
+
+"Another circumstance, permit me, gentlemen, to mention, because I can
+speak of it with peculiar satisfaction, as important to the best
+interests of this Institution, and with the fullest assurance of its
+truth, from the personal knowledge I have had of you all, and the intimacy
+in which I have stood with most of you; it is this, that I have ever found
+you steadily determined to support the regulations under which this
+ACADEMY has been governed, and brought to its present conspicuous
+situation, and by an attention to which, we shall always be sure to go on
+with the greatest prudence and advantage.
+
+"It is a matter of no less satisfaction to me, when I say, that I have
+always observed your bosoms to glow with gratitude and loyal affection to
+our August Founder, Patron, and Benefactor. I am convinced, it is your
+wish to retain His friendship, and the friendship of every branch of His
+Illustrious Family. I know these to be your sentiments, and they are
+sentiments in which I participate with you. In every situation of my life
+it shall be my invariable study to demonstrate my duty to my sovereign, my
+love for this Institution, and my zeal for the cultivation of genius, and
+the growth of universal virtue."
+
+Mr. West having thus been raised to the head of an institution, embracing
+within itself the most distinguished artists at that time in the world, it
+might be proper to pause here to review the merits of the works and
+exertions by which he acquired this eminent honour, had he not, since that
+time, attained still more distinction in his profession. I shall, however,
+for the present, suspend the consideration of his progress, as an artist,
+to trace his efforts, in the situation of President of the Royal Academy,
+to promote the improvement of the pupils, by those occasional discourses,
+which, in imitation of the excellent example of Sir Joshua Reynolds, he
+deemed it an essential part of his duty to deliver.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+
+
+    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.
+
+Mr. West's first discourse to the students of the Royal Academy was
+delivered on the 10th of December, 1792, on the occasion of the
+distribution of the prizes. Without ostensibly differing in his views from
+Sir Joshua Reynolds, who by his lectures acquired, as an author, a degree
+of celebrity equal to his fame as an artist, the new President confined
+himself more strictly to professional topics. He recalled to the
+remembrance of his auditors the circumstances in which the Academy
+originated, and reminded them of the encouragement which the efforts of
+artists had received from the countenance which the King had given to the
+arts. "Let those," said he, "who have traced the progress of the fine
+arts, say among what people did the arts rise, from such a state as that
+in which they were in this country about forty years ago, to the height
+which they have attained here in so short a period. In ancient Greece,
+from the retreat of Xerxes, when they were in their infancy, to the age of
+Alexander the Great, when they reached their maturity, we find a period of
+no less than one hundred and fifty years elapsed. In Rome we can make no
+calculation directly applicable; for among the Romans the habit of
+employing Greek artists, and the rage of collecting, suffered no distinct
+traces to be left of the progress of the arts among them. Even in
+architecture, to which their claims were most obviously decided, we see
+not sufficiently the gradations of their own peculiar taste and genius.
+But in modern Italy, leaving out of view the age of Cimabue, and even that
+of Giotto, and dating from the institution of the Academy of St. Luke at
+Florence, it required a hundred and fifty years to produce a Michael
+Angelo, a Raphael, and a Bramante."
+
+Mr. West, after a few general observations on the necessary union between
+moral conduct and good taste, adverts to the alleged influence which such
+institutions as the Royal Academy have in producing mannerism in the
+students, than which nothing can be more obnoxious to the progress of
+refined art. "But," said he, "while I am urging the advantage of freedom
+and nature in study to genius, let me not be misunderstood. There is no
+untruth in the idea that great wits are allied to great eccentricity.
+Genius is apt to run wild if not brought under some regulation. It is a
+flood whose current will be dangerous if it is not kept within proper
+banks. But it is one thing to regulate its impetuosity, and another very
+different to direct its natural courses. In every branch of art there are
+certain laws by which genius may be chastened; but the corrections gained
+by attention to these laws amputate nothing that is legitimate, pure, and
+elegant. Leaving these graces untouched, the schools of art have dominion
+enough in curbing what is wild, irregular, and absurd.
+
+"A college of art founded in this part of the world cannot be expected,
+like a college of literature, to lay before its young members all that may
+be necessary to complete their knowledge and taste. What is to be had from
+books may be obtained almost every where; but the books of instruction by
+which the artist alone can be perfected, are those great works which still
+remain immoveable in that part of the world, where the fine arts in modern
+times have been carried to their highest degree of perfection. I trust a
+period will come, when this Academy will be able to send the young artist,
+not from one spot or one seminary to another, but to gather improvement
+from every celebrated work of art wherever situated. But the progress and
+all future success of the artist must depend upon himself. He must be in
+love with his art or he will never excel in it.
+
+"That the arts of design were among the first suggestions vouchsafed by
+Heaven to mankind, is not a proposition at which any man needs to start.
+This truth is indeed manifested by every little child, whose first essay
+is to make for itself the resemblance of some object to which it has been
+accustomed in the nursery.
+
+"In the arts of design were conveyed the original means of communicating
+ideas, which the discoverers of countries show us to have been seized
+upon, as it were involuntarily, by all the first stages of society.
+Although the people were rude in knowledge and in manners, yet they were
+possessed of the means by which they could draw figures of things, and
+they could make those figures speak their purposes to others as well as to
+themselves. The Mexicans conversed in that way when Cortes came among
+them; and the savages of North America still employ the same means of
+communicating intelligence.
+
+"When, therefore, you have taken up the arts of design as your profession,
+you have embraced that which has not only been sanctioned by the
+cultivation of the earliest antiquity, but to which their is no antiquity
+prior, except that of the visible creation.
+
+"Religion itself in the earlier days of the world, would probably have
+failed in its progress without the arts of design, for religion was then
+emblematic; and what could an emblematic theology do without the aid of
+the fine arts, and especially the art of sculpture? Religion and the arts,
+in fact, sprung up together, were introduced by the same people, and went
+hand in hand, first through the continent of Asia, then through Egypt,
+next through Greece and her colonies, and in process of time through every
+part of Italy, and even to the north of Europe. In the pagodas of India,
+in some caverns of Media, and among various ruins in Persia, are still to
+be seen the early monuments of emblematic art, and wrought in all the
+possible difficulties of skill.
+
+"When in the space of two thousand years, after the erection of some of
+those monuments, the fine arts came to be established in Greece in a
+better spirit as to taste, a higher estimation could not be annexed to any
+circumstance in society, than was given to the arts by the wise and
+elegant inhabitants of that country. They regarded them as their public
+records, as the means of perpetuating all public fame, all private
+honour, and all valuable instruction. The professors of them were
+considered as public characters who watched over the events that were
+passing, and who had in their hands the power of embodying them for ever.
+And is not this still the case with the artists of every country, how
+varied soever may be its maxims, or its system of action, from those of
+Greece? Is the artist indeed not that watchman who observes the great
+incidents of his time, and rescues them from oblivion?
+
+"When he turns from these views to contemplate the patronage which has
+been given to the fine arts, will he have less reason to esteem his
+profession,--a profession so richly cherished by all the greatest
+characters of the earth? and which in return has immortalised its patrons.
+Posterity has never ceased to venerate the names of the Cosmos and
+Lorenzos who sought art, and fostered to their full maturity the various
+talents of their countrymen. The palace of the Medici, still existing in
+Florence, exhibits not only in its treasures the proofs of their
+munificence, but also within its walls those apartments and offices for
+artists, in every branch which those great men considered requisite to the
+decoration of their residence. And history has immortalised the solicitude
+with which the vast fortune of the family, acquired originally in
+honourable commerce, and rising gloriously to sovereign power, was made
+contributory to the nourishing of the arts and literature; of every thing
+that was intellectual, liberal, and great."
+
+Mr. West then continued to enumerate the honour which the successive
+illustrious patrons of the fine arts have acquired, deducing from it
+motives of emulation to the young students to strive for similar
+distinction, that their names may be mingled with those illustrious races
+and families to whom Heaven is pleased to give superior eminence and
+influence in human affairs. In doing this he took occasion to animadvert
+on the base adulation of the artists of France in the age of Louis XIV.;
+or rather of the dishonour which the patronage of that monarch has drawn
+upon himself, by the unworthy manner in which he required the artists to
+gratify his personal vanity. He then proceeded to give some professional
+advice. "I wish," said he, "to leave this impression on the minds of all
+who hear me, that the great alphabet of our art is the human figure. By a
+competent knowledge of that figure the painter will be enabled to give a
+more just character and motion to that which he intends to delineate. When
+that motion is actuated by passion, and combined with other figures,
+groups are formed. These groups make words, and these words make
+sentences; by which the painter's tablet speaks a universal language;" and
+he concluded with saying, "Gentlemen, It is a great treasure and a great
+trust which is put into our hands. The fine arts were late before they
+crossed the British Channel, but now we may fairly pronounce that they
+have made their special abode with us. There is nothing in this climate
+unpropitious to their growth; and if the idea has been conceived in the
+world, enough has been done by the artists of Great Britain to disprove
+it. I know that I am speaking to the first professional characters in
+Europe in every branch of elegant art, as well as those who are most
+distinguished in taste and judgment. If there be diffused through this
+country a spirit of encouragement equal to the abilities which are ripe to
+meet it, I may venture to predict that the sun of our arts will have a
+long and glorious career."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IX.
+
+
+
+    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.
+
+The prizes in the Royal Academy being distributed every second year, on
+the 10th of December, 1794, Mr. West delivered another Discourse, in which
+he took a more scientific view of the principles of the fine arts, than in
+the desultory observations which constituted the substance of his first
+lecture. As it contained much valuable information, mixed up with remarks
+incidental to the occasion, I have taken the liberty of abstracting the
+professional instruction from the less important matter, in order to give
+what deserves to be preserved and generally known in a concise and an
+unbroken form.
+
+"It may be assumed," said Mr. West, "as an unquestionable principle, that
+the artist who has made himself master of the drawing of the human figure,
+in its moral and physical expression, will succeed not only in
+portrait-painting, but in the delineation of animals, and even of still
+life, much better than if he had directed his attention to inferior
+objects. For the human figure in that point of consideration, in which it
+becomes a model to art, is more beautiful than any other in nature; and is
+distinguished, above every other, by the variety of the phenomena which it
+exhibits, arising from the different modifications of feeling and passion.
+In my opinion, it would, therefore, be of incalculable advantage to the
+public, if the drawing of the human figure were taught as an elementary
+essential in education. It would do more than any other species of oral or
+written instruction, to implant among the youth of the noble and opulent
+classes that correctness of taste which is so ornamental to their rank in
+society; while it would guide the artizan in the improvement of his
+productions in such a manner, as greatly to enrich the stock of
+manufactures, and to increase the articles of commerce; and, as the sight
+is perhaps the most delightful of all our senses, this education of the
+eye would multiply the sources of enjoyment.
+
+"The value of the cultivated ear is well understood; and the time bestowed
+on the acquisition of the universal language of music, is abundantly
+repaid by the gratification which it affords, although not employed in the
+communication of knowledge, but merely as a source of agreeable sensation.
+Were the same attention paid to the improvement of the eye, which is given
+to that of the ear, should we not be rewarded with as great an increase of
+the blameless pleasures of life,--from the power of discriminating hues
+and forms,--as we derive from the knowledge of musical proportions and
+sounds? The cultivation of the sense of sight would have such an effect in
+improving even the faculty of executing those productions of mechanical
+labour which constitute so large a portion of the riches of a commercial
+and refined people, that it ought to be regarded among the mere operative
+classes of society as a primary object in the education of their
+apprentices. Indeed, it may be confidently asserted, that an artizan,
+accustomed to an accurate discrimination of outline, will, more readily
+than another not educated with equal care in that particular, perceive the
+fitness or defects of every species of mechanical contrivance; and, in
+consequence, be enabled to suggest expedients which would tend to enlarge
+the field of invention. We can form no idea to ourselves how many of the
+imperfections in the most ingenious of our machines and engines would have
+been obviated, had the inventors been accustomed to draw with accuracy.
+
+"But, to the student of the fine arts, this important branch of education
+will yield but few of the advantages which it is calculated to afford,
+unless his studies are directed by a philosophical spirit, and the
+observation of physical expression rendered conducive to some moral
+purpose. Without the guidance of such a spirit, painting and sculpture
+are but ornamental manufactures; and the works of Raphael and Michael
+Angelo, considered without reference to the manifestations which they
+exhibit of moral influence, possess no merit beyond the productions of the
+ordinary paper-hanger.
+
+"The first operation of this philosophical spirit will lead the student to
+contemplate the general form of the figure as an object of beauty; and
+thence instruct him to analyse the use and form of every separate part;
+the relation and mutual aid of the parts to each other; and the necessary
+effect of the whole in unison.
+
+"By an investigation of this kind, he will arrive at what constitutes
+character in art; and, in pursuing his analysis, he will discover that the
+general construction of the human figure in the male indicates strength
+and activity; and that the form of the individual man, in proportion to
+the power of being active, is more or less perfect. In the male, the
+degree of beauty depends on the degree of activity with which all the
+parts of the body are capable of performing their respective and mutual
+functions; but the characteristics of perfection of form in the female are
+very different; delicacy of frame and modesty of demeanour, with less
+capability to be active, constitute the peculiar graces of woman.
+
+"When the student has settled in his own mind the general and primary
+characteristics, in either sex, of the human figure, the next step will
+enable him to reduce the particular character of his subject into its
+proper class, whether it rank under the sublime or the beautiful, the
+heroic or the graceful, the masculine or the feminine, or in any of its
+other softer or more spirited distinctions. For the course of his studies
+will have made him acquainted with the moral operations of character, as
+they are expressed upon the external form; and the habit of
+discrimination, thus acquired, will have taught him the action or attitude
+by which all moral movements of character are usually accompanied. By this
+knowledge of the general figure, this habitual aptitude to perceive the
+beauty and fitness of its parts, and of the correspondence between the
+emotions of the mind and the actions of the body, he will find himself in
+possession of all that Zeuxis sought for in the graces of the different
+beautiful women whom he collected together, that he might be enabled to
+paint a proper picture of Helen; and it is the happy result of this
+knowledge which we see in the Apollo Belvidere and the Venus de Medici,
+that renders them so valuable as objects of study.
+
+"But the student must be always careful to distinguish between objects of
+study and objects of imitation; for the works which will best improve his
+taste and exalt his imagination, are precisely those which he should least
+endeavour to imitate; because, in proportion to their appropriate
+excellences, their beauties are limited in their application.
+
+"The Apollo is represented by the mythologists as a perfect man, in the
+vigour of life; tall, handsome and animated; his locks rising and floating
+on the wind; accomplished in mind and body; skilled in the benevolent art
+of alleviating pain; music his delight, and poetry and song his continual
+recreation. His activity was shown in dancing, running, and the manly
+exercises of the quoit, the sling, and the bow. He was swift in his
+pursuits, and terrible in his anger.--Such was the Pythian Apollo; and
+were a sculptor to think of forming the statue of such a character, would
+he not determine that his body, strong and vigorous from constant
+exercise, should be nobly erect; that, as his lungs were expanded by
+habits of swiftness in the chase, his chest should be large and full; that
+his thighs, as the source of movement in his legs, should have the
+appearance of enlarged vigour and solidity; and that his legs, in a
+similar manner, should also possess uncommon strength to induce and
+propagate the action of the feet? The nostrils ought to be elevated,
+because the quick respirations of running and dancing would naturally
+produce that effect; and, for the same reason, the mouth should appear to
+be habitually a little open. While his arms, firm and nervous by the
+exercise of the quoit, the sling, and the bow, should participate in the
+general vigour and agility of the other members;--and would not this be
+the Apollo Belvidere?
+
+"Were the young artist, in like manner, to propose to himself a subject in
+which he would endeavour to represent the peculiar excellences of woman,
+would he not say, that these excellences consist in a virtuous mind, a
+modest mien, a tranquil deportment, and a gracefulness in motion? And, in
+embodying the combined beauty of these qualities, would he not bestow on
+the figure a general, smooth, and round fulness of form, to indicate the
+softness of character; bend the head gently forward, in the common
+attitude of modesty; and awaken our ideas of the slow and graceful
+movements peculiar to the sex, by limbs free from that masculine and
+sinewy expression which is the consequence of active exercise?--and such
+is the Venus de Medici. It would be utterly impossible to place a person
+so formed in the attitude of the Apollo, without destroying all those
+amiable and gentle associations of the mind which are inspired by
+contemplating 'the statue which enchants the world.'
+
+"Art affords no finer specimens of the successful application of the
+principles which I have laid down than in those two noble productions."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. X.
+
+
+
+    Discourse to the Academy in 1797.--On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks in
+    Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Drawing.--Of Light
+    and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.--Illustration.--Of
+    the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine Pictures.--Of
+    Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from Sketching;--and of
+    the Advantage of being familiar with the Characteristics of Objects
+    in Nature.
+
+In the discourse which Mr. West delivered from the chair of the Academy in
+1797, he resumed the subject which he had but slightly opened, in that of
+which the foregoing chapter contains the substance. I shall therefore
+endeavour in the same manner, and as correctly as I can, to present a view
+of the mode in which he treated his argument, and as nearly as possible in
+his own language.
+
+"As the foundation of those philosophical principles," said Mr. West, "on
+which the whole power of art must rest, I wish to direct the attention of
+the student, especially in painting and sculpture, to an early study of
+the human figure, with reference to proportion, expression, and character.
+
+"When I speak of painting and sculpture, it is not my intention to pass
+over architecture, as if it were less dependent on philosophical
+principles, although what I have chiefly to observe with respect to it
+relates to embellishment;--a branch of art which artists are too apt to
+regard as not under the control of any principle, but subject only to
+their own taste and fancy. If the young architect commences his career
+with this erroneous notion, he will be undone, if there is any just
+notions of his art in the country.
+
+"It is, therefore, necessary, as he derives his models from the ancients,
+that he should enquire into the origin of those embellishments with which
+the architects of antiquity decorated their various edifices. In the
+prosecution of his enquiries, he will find that the ornaments of temples
+and mausolea, may be traced back to the periods of emblematic art, and
+become convinced that the spoils of victims, and instruments of sacrifice,
+were appropriate ornaments of the temple; while urns, containing the ashes
+of the dead, and the tears of the surviving friends, were the invariable
+decorations of the mausoleum. The good taste of the classic ancients
+prevented them from ever intermixing the respective emblems of different
+buildings, or rather, in their minds custom preserved them from falling
+into such an incongruous error, as to place the ornaments belonging to the
+depositaries of the dead on triumphal arches, palaces, and public offices.
+They considered in the ornaments the character and purpose of the edifice;
+and they would have been ashamed to have thought it possible that their
+palaces might be mistaken for mausolea, or their tombs for the mansions of
+festivity.
+
+"Is the country in which we live free from the absurdities which confound
+these necessary distinctions? Have we never beheld on the porticoes of
+palaces, public halls, or places of amusement, the skins of animals
+devoted to the rites of the pagan religion, or vases consecrated to the
+ashes of the dead, or the tears of the living? Violations of sense and
+character, in this respect, are daily committed. We might, with as much
+propriety, adorn the friezes of our palaces and theatres with the skulls
+and cross thigh-bones of the human figure, which are the emblems of death
+in every country throughout modern Europe!
+
+"I do not here allude to any particular work, nor do I speak of this want
+of principle as general. It is indeed impossible that I can be supposed to
+mean the latter; for we have among us men distinguished in the profession
+of architecture, who would do honour to the most refined periods of
+antiquity. But all are not equally chaste; and in addressing myself to the
+young, it is my duty to guard them against those deviations from good
+taste, which, without such a caution, they might conceive to be sanctioned
+by some degree of example. It is my wish to preserve them from the
+innovations of caprice and fashion, to which the public is always prone;
+and to assure the youth of genius, that while he continues to found the
+merit of his works on true principles, he will always find,
+notwithstanding the apparent generality of any fashion, that there is no
+surer way, either to fame or fortune, than by acting in art, as well as
+life, on those principles which have received the sanction of experience,
+and the approbation of the wise of all ages.
+
+"I shall now return to the consideration of painting and sculpture.
+
+"The Greeks, above all others, afford us the best and most decided proofs
+of the beauty arising from the philosophical consideration of the subject
+intended to be represented. To all their deities a fixed and appropriate
+character was given, from which it would have perhaps been profanity to
+depart. This character was the result of a careful consideration of the
+ideal beauty suitable to the respective attributes of the different
+deities. Thus in their Jupiter, Neptune, Hercules, Vulcan, Mars, and
+Pluto; the Apollo, Mercury, Hymen, and Cupid, and also in the goddesses
+Juno, Minerva, Venus, Hebe, the Nymphs and Graces; appeared a vast
+discrimination of character, at the same time as true an individuality as
+if the different forms had been the works of Nature herself.
+
+"In your progress through that mechanical part of your professional
+education, which is directed to the acquisition of a perfect knowledge of
+the human figure, I recommend to you a scrupulous exactness in imitating
+what is immediately before you, in order that you may acquire the habit of
+observing with precision every object that presents itself to your sight.
+Accustom yourselves to draw all the deviations of the figure, till you are
+as much acquainted with them as with the alphabet of your own language,
+and can make them with as much facility as your letters; for they are
+indeed the letters and alphabet of your profession, whether it be painting
+or sculpture.
+
+"These divisions consist of the head, with its features taken in three
+points of view, front, back, and profile; the neck in like manner, also
+the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis; thigh, knee, leg, ankle, the carpus,
+metacarpus, and toes; the clavicula, arm, fore-arm, wrist, carpus,
+metacarpus, and fingers. While you are employed on these, it would be
+highly proper to have before you the osteology of the part on which you
+are engaged, as in that consists the foundation of your pursuit. And, in
+this period of your studies, I recommend that your drawings be
+geometrical, as when you draw and study a column with its base and
+capital. At the same time you should not neglect to gain a few points in
+perspective, particularly so far as to give effect to the square and
+cylinder, in order to know what constitutes the vanishing point, and point
+of distance, in the subject you are going to draw.
+
+"After you have perfected yourselves in the parts of the figure, begin to
+draw the Greek figures entire, with the same attention to correctness as
+when you drew the divisions in your earlier lessons. Attend to the
+perspective according to the vanishing point opposite to your eye. You
+will naturally seek to possess your mind with the special character of the
+figure before you;--and of all the Grecian figures, I would advise you to
+make from the Apollo and Venus a general measurement or standard for man
+and woman, taking the head and its features, as the part by which you
+measure the divisions of those figures.
+
+"Light and shade must not be neglected; for what you effect in drawing by
+the contour of the figure, light and shade must effect with the
+projections of those parts which front you in the figure. Light and shade
+there produce what becomes outline to another drawing of the same object
+in a right angle to the place where you sit.
+
+"It seems not impossible to reduce to the simplicity of rule or principle,
+what may have appeared difficult in this branch of art to young students,
+and may have been too often pursued at random by others. All forms in
+nature, both animate and inanimate, partake of the round form more than
+of any other shape; and when lighted, whether by the sun or flame, or by
+apertures admitting light, must have two relative extremes of light and
+shadow, two balancing tints, the illuminated and the reflected, divided by
+a middle tint or the aerial. The effect of illumination by flame or
+aperture, differs from that of the sun in this respect; the sun
+illuminates with parallel rays, which fall over all parts of the
+enlightened side of the subject, while the light of a flame or an aperture
+only strikes directly on the nearest point of the object, producing an
+effect which more or less resembles the illumination of the sun in
+proportion to the distance and dimensions of the object.
+
+"Let us then suppose a ball to be the object on which the light falls, in
+a direction of forty-five degrees or the diagonal of a square, and at a
+right angle from the ball to the place where you stand. One half of the
+ball will appear illuminated, and the other dark. This state of the two
+hemispheres constitutes the two masses of light and shadow. In the centre
+of the mass of light falls the focus of the illumination in the ball;
+between the centre of the illumination and the circle of the ball, where
+the illumination, reaches its extremity, lies what may be called the
+transparent tint; and between it and the dark side of the ball lies the
+serial or middle tint. The point of darkness, the extreme of shade, is
+diametrically opposite to the focus of illumination, between which and
+the aerial tint lies the tint of reflection. If the ball rests on a
+plain, it will throw a shadow equal in length to one diameter and a
+quarter of the ball. That shadow will be darker than the shade on the
+ball, and the darkest part will be where the plain and ball come in
+contact with each other.
+
+"This simple experiment, whether performed in the open sun-shine, or with
+artificial illumination, will lead you to the true principles of light and
+shade over all objects in nature, whether mountains, clouds, rocks, trees,
+single figures, or groups of figures. It would therefore be of great use,
+when you are going to give light and shade to any object, first to make
+the experiment of the ball, and in giving that light and shade, follow the
+lessons with which it will furnish you.
+
+"You will find that this experiment will instruct you, not only in the
+principles of light and shade, but also of colours; for that there is a
+corresponding hue with respect to colours is not to be disputed. In order
+to demonstrate this, place in the ball which you have illuminated, the
+prismatic colours, suiting their hues to those of the tints. Yellow will
+answer to the focus of illumination, and the other secondary and primary
+hues will fall into their proper places. Hence, on the enlightened side of
+a group or figure, you may lay yellow, orange, red, and then violet, but
+never on the side where the light recedes. On that side must come the
+other prismatic colours in their natural order. Yellow must pass to green,
+the green to blue, and the blue to purple. The primary colours of yellow,
+orange, and red, are the warm colours, and belong to the illuminated side
+of objects; the violet is the intermediate, and green, blue, and purple
+are the cold colours, and belong to the retiring parts of your
+composition.
+
+"On the same principle, and in the same order, must be placed the tints
+which compose the fleshy bodies of men and women, but so blended with
+each other, as to give the softness appropriate to the luminous quality
+and texture of flesh; paying attention, at the same time, to reflections
+on its surface from other objects, and to its participation of their
+colours. The latter is a distinct circumstance arising from accident.
+
+"When the sun illuminates a human body, in the same manner as the ball,
+the focus of the illumination in that body will partake of the yellow; and
+the luminous or transparent tint, will have the orange and the red. These
+produce, what is called, the carnation. The pure red, occasioned by the
+blood, lies in the lips, cheeks, joints, and extremities of the figure,
+and no where else. On the receding side of the focus is the local colour
+of the flesh, and on the receding side of that is the greenish tint; in
+the shade will fall the cold or bluish, and in the reflection will fall
+the tint of purple. The most perfect tint of ground, from which to relieve
+this arrangement of colours, is either blue, grey, or purple, for those
+colours partake of the complexion of the watery sky in which the rainbow
+appears, or the ground which best exhibits the prismatic colours.
+
+"In acquiring a practical knowledge of the happiest manner of distributing
+your colours according to nature, it will assist you, if you will copy
+with attention some pieces of Titian, Correggio, Reubens, and Vandyke; the
+masters in whose works you will most eminently find the system pursued,
+which I have endeavoured to illustrate by the simple image of the ball.
+
+"Having passed from the antique school, to that in which you draw after
+the living figure, still adhere to that scrupulous exactness of drawing
+with which you first set out; marking with precision the divisions of the
+figure. After you have made yourselves acquainted with the drawing of the
+living figure, you must then begin to enlarge your lines, and to give
+softness and breadth, to direct your attention to what constitutes style
+and character, and to discriminate these from what constitutes manner.
+
+"To assist you in this nice discrimination, consult the prints and works
+of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Hannibal Carracci. In them you will find
+the strongest and purest evidence of style and character, yet all
+differing from each other, and all equally brought out of nature. I do not
+recommend them with a view that you should adopt the style and character
+of any of them; but to show from those great examples, that style and
+character, although ever founded in nature, are as various as the
+individual genius of every artist; that they are as free to you as they
+were to those masters; that if you will consult your own mind, you will
+draw forth a style and character of your own, and therefore no man can
+ever be excused for sinking into a mannerist.
+
+"And I cannot omit to observe here, that in the order of your studies,
+your mental powers should be cherished and brought into action by reading
+and reflection, but not until you have acquired practical facility in your
+art. Too often it happens, and I have seen it with concern, that the
+presumption of youth, or the errors of instruction, have reversed this
+order, and have carried many to attempt essays of research and learning,
+before they were well grounded in the principles of professional practice.
+What other consequences can follow from such a course, but that the
+student will turn in discontent from his own productions, because they
+fall short of the ideas in his mind; and induce him, perhaps, to abandon,
+with disgust, a profession in which he might have shone with distinction,
+had he taken a right method of cultivating his own powers!
+
+"The great masters were all at an early age great in the mechanical
+department of their art, before they established any name by their
+philosophical style and character. Michael Angelo, when a mere youth,
+modelled and drew in a manner which astonished his own master. Raphael, at
+not more than nineteen years of age, rivalled his instructor, Pietro
+Perugino, in his executive talent; and, owing to this, he was enabled, at
+the age of only twenty-five, to send forth his two great works, _the
+Dispute on the Sacrament_, and _the School of Athens_. Guido, Bernini, and
+many others of the first class, pursued the same course of study, and
+were in the full possession of their powers very young. Vandyke, before he
+was twenty years old, assisted Reubens in his greatest works; and on a
+certain occasion, when the pupils of Reubens were amusing themselves in
+the absence of their master, one of them happened to fall against 'the
+Mother,' in the Descent from the Cross, which Vandyke repaired in a manner
+so admirable, that when the painter came next to the picture, he expressed
+himself surprised at the excellence of his own work, and said, that he
+thought he had not done that arm so well. In a word, wherever we find the
+executive power high at an early age, whether in painting or sculpture, we
+have an assurance of future excellence, which nothing but indolence can
+prevent. And, to give that early facility correctness of execution,
+remember and pursue the great maxim of Apelles:--
+
+  "'_Nulla dies, sine linea._'
+
+"The young artist may, indeed, draw lines every day and every hour with
+advantage, whether it be to amuse himself in society or in the fields. He
+should accustom himself to sketch every thing, especially what is rare and
+singular in nature. Let nothing of the animate creation on the earth, or
+in the air, or in the water, pass you unnoticed; especially those which
+are distinguished for their picturesque beauty, or remarkable for dignity
+of form or elegance of colour. Fix them distinctly in your sketch-book and
+in your memory. Observe, with the same contemplative eye, the landscape,
+the appearance of trees, figures dispersed around, and their aerial
+distance, as well as lineal forms. In this class of observations, omit not
+to observe the light and shade, in consequence of the sun's rays being
+intercepted by clouds or other accidents. Besides this, let your mind be
+familiar with the characteristics of the ocean; mark its calm dignity when
+undisturbed by the winds, and all its various states between that and its
+terrible sublimity when agitated by the tempest. Sketch with attention its
+foaming and winding coasts with distant land, and that awful line which
+separates it from the Heavens. Replenished with these stores, your
+imagination will then come forth as a river, collected from little
+springs, spreads into might and majesty. The hand will then readily
+execute what it has been so practised in acquiring; while the mind will
+embrace its subjects with confidence, by being so well accustomed to
+observe their picturesque effect."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XI.
+
+
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.
+
+It is not my intention to give all the discourses which Mr. West addressed
+to the students of the Academy, but only those which contain, what may be
+called, illustrations of the principles of his art. The following,
+however, is so interesting and so various in its matter, that it would be
+improper in me to make any attempt to garble or abridge it, beyond
+omitting the mere incidental notice of temporary circumstances.
+
+"The discourse which I am about to deliver, according to usual custom on
+the return of this day, must be considered as addressed more immediately
+to those among the students, who have made so much progress in art, as to
+be masters of the human figure, of perspective, and of those other parts
+of study, which I have heretofore recommended as the elements of painting
+and sculpture; and who are therefore about to enter on the higher paths of
+professional excellence. It will consequently be my object, now, to show
+how that excellence is to be attained; and this will best be done, as I
+conceive, by showing how it has been attained by others, in whom that
+excellence has been most distinguished in the ancient and modern world. By
+pursuing the principles on which they moved, you have the best
+encouragement in their illustrious example, while, by neglecting those
+principles, you can have no more reason to hope for such success as they
+met with, than you can think of reaching a distant land, without road or
+compass to direct your steps.
+
+"The ground which I shall propose for your attention is this--to
+investigate those philosophical principles on which all truth of character
+is founded, and by which that sublime attainment, the highest refinement
+in art, and without which every thing else is merely mechanical, may be
+brought to a decided point, in all the variety by which it is
+distinguished through the animated world.
+
+"On this ground, and on this alone, rose Phidias and Apelles to the
+celebrity which they held among the Greeks; and among the Italians,
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, and some
+others, who became the completest models in sculpture and painting. Their
+predecessors, indeed, in both countries, had for a considerable time been
+preparing the way, but not having equally studied the best means, or those
+means not having been equally before them, it was reserved of course for
+the great characters I have mentioned, to unite philosophical with
+professional truth, and to exhibit to the world in their works the
+standards of style. From the same source arose another consequence, ever
+worthy and pleasing to be mentioned;--the exhibition of those perfections
+was always accompanied by that ardent patronage, which not only cheered
+their minds, and invigorated their powers, but has left a glory on their
+country, which no subsequent events have been able to obliterate, and
+which never will be obliterated in any country where the sublimity of art,
+involving the most refined embellishments of civilized life, is cherished
+by those who are in a capacity to cherish it.
+
+"In a very early period of the arts in Greece, we meet with a circumstance
+which shows the advantages derived from consulting with philosophy, if it
+does not also show the origin and outset of those advantages. The
+circumstance to which I allude is, that in the period when the sculptors
+contented themselves with the stationary forms and appearance of figures,
+in imitation of their predecessors, the Egyptians; at that time they began
+to submit their works to the judgment of philosophers, one of whom, being
+called in to survey a statue, which a sculptor, then eminent, was going to
+expose to public view, remarked, that the human figure before him wanted
+motion, or that expression of intellect and will, from which motion and
+character too must arise; for man had a soul and mind, which put him at
+the head of the animal creation, and, therefore, without that soul and
+mind, the form of man was degraded.
+
+"This observation touched the point, then, necessary to be obviated, in
+order to overcome the primitive rudeness which still attached to
+sculpture; and without the application of the principle contained in the
+observation, sculpture and painting too might have stood still for ages.
+And from what other source than the principles of philosophic study, or,
+in other words, from reflection on the moral powers or passions of man,
+their several effects, as produced in their workings on the human figure,
+could that improvement be obtained? It was the constant employment of the
+philosophic mind, to study those causes and effects, and to reduce them to
+a more distinct display for the truth and utility of their own writings.
+The philosophers were, therefore, the most likely to assist the artist in
+those displays of character which tended to illustrate the truth of his
+own works. Nor on this account is it any disparagement to the artists of
+those days, when philosophic studies were confined to particular classes
+of men, that this moral view of art was not sufficiently taken up by the
+more mechanical part of the profession.
+
+"Thus, however, the opening was made to the important expression of
+character. And the lesson suggested by the philosopher alluded to, is not
+confined to the Greeks alone. I wish, young gentlemen, to leave it in all
+its force upon your minds. For if the figures you design, whether singly
+or in groups, have not their actions correspondent to what their minds
+appear to be pursuing, they will suit any other subject as well as that in
+which they are placed. This remark is the more worthy of attention, as it
+does not apply to any of the figures of the Grecian masters whom I have
+mentioned. The figure by Phidias on Monte Cavallo at Rome, the Apollo, the
+Laocoon, the Venus, the Hercules, and the fighting gladiator, are all
+perfect on the just principles I have mentioned. There is no room for
+amendment; their propriety is unquestionable; their truth eternal. And so
+in the works of modern art, we see the same truth and perfection in the
+Capella Sestina by Michael Angelo, in the Supper by Leonardo da Vinci at
+Milan, in the Cartoons by Raphael, the St. Peter Martyr by Titian, and the
+Note by Correggio.
+
+"Having mentioned the figure on Monte Cavallo, representing, as you all
+know, a young man curbing a horse, I cannot help stopping to remark, that
+if any work of sculpture ever demonstrated more strongly the value of
+uniting philosophic science with that of art, for the production of
+character, it is that work by Phidias. Never did the power of art express
+more evidently than is done in the head of the young man, that every
+feature is moved by an internal mental power, and corresponds in the most
+perfect truth with what we see to be the labouring passion. When we view
+it in front we are astonished that the mouth does not speak. No observer
+ever thinks that the head is a block of stone. But the whole group is
+masterly on the most refined principles of science. It was intended to be
+seen at an elevated point, as well as at a distant one. All its forms,
+therefore, are grand without the minutiae of parts; its effects are
+striking and momentary; and in every circumstance considered, it is
+plainly the work of consummate genius and science united.
+
+"Was it possible that in an age which gave a Phidias to the Greeks,
+there should not have been a Pericles to reward, by his patronage, merit
+so exalted?
+
+"We may carry the same reflections into the progress of the pencil. As the
+Greeks became refined in their minds, they gained an Apelles to paint, and
+an Alexander to patronise. We are not enabled now to speak of the works of
+that great master. His figure of Alexander, in the character of young
+Ammon, is described as his master-piece. Such was the expression with
+which the hand grasped the thunder-bolt, that it seemed actually to start
+from the pannel. The expression and force of character given to the whole,
+was equally marvellous. And when we consider the refinement to which the
+human mind had then arrived among the Greeks, the immense value which
+they put upon the works of that artist, and that they were too wise to
+devote their applause to things which fell short of consummate excellence,
+we cannot doubt but it was by the cultivation of the public mind that the
+arts reached such attainments among them. What must have been their
+exquisite state when the simple line drawn by Protogenes,--in the
+consciousness of his acknowledged perfection, and which was intended to
+announce the man who drew it, as much as if he had told his name,--was so
+far excelled by another simple line over it by Apelles, that the former at
+once confessed himself outdone? Those two lines, simple as they were, were
+by no means trifling in their instruction. They gave us, as it were, an
+epitome of the progress which the arts had long been making in Greece. For
+if the drawing of a simple line, of such a master as Protogenes, who was
+conceived by many to hold the first pencil in the world, was surpassed, to
+his great surprise, by another, how high must refinement have been raised
+by the exertions of the artists in a period so emulous of perfection!
+
+"The stages in the progress of modern art, have been frequently
+distinguished by ages similar to those which succeed one another in the
+human growth. We may safely assert, that in the infantine and youthful
+period of modern art, literature and science were only seen in their
+infancy and growth. The opening of nature displayed in the works of
+Massaccio; the graces exhibited in those of Lorenzo Ghiberti; and the
+advancement in perspective made by one or two others, kept pace nearly
+with that progress in philosophy which appeared in the best writings of
+those days. As the one took a larger step in the next stage or period, the
+other stepped forth in a like degree at the same time; so that in Leonardo
+da Vinci we see the great painter and the great philosopher: his painting
+most clearly refined in its principles, and enlarged in its powers by his
+philosophical studies. As a philosopher, and especially in those parts of
+knowledge which were most interesting to his profession, he laid that
+foundation of science which has ever since been adopted and admired. As a
+painter, he not only went far beyond his predecessors, but laid down those
+principles of science in the expression of individual character, and of a
+soul and figure specifically and completely appropriated to each other,
+which opened the way to the greatness acquired by those who followed him
+in his studies. In that point of excellence, Leonardo da Vinci was
+original; and it was the natural result of a mind like his, formed to
+philosophical investigation, and deeply attentive to all the variety of
+appearances by which the passions are marked in the human countenance and
+frame. These he traced to their sources: he found them in their radical
+principles, and by his knowledge of these principles, his expression of
+character became perfected.
+
+"The _nature_ exhibited by Massaccio had not gone to that extent of
+expression. It however spoke a soul: he drew forth an inward mind on the
+outward countenance: he gave a character; but that character was not so
+discriminated as to become the index of one particular passion more than
+another; or to decide, for instance, the head of Jupiter from that of a
+Minerva: so at with the aid, of different types, it should not befit a
+Saviour or a Magdalene.
+
+"We must take along with us in this review, that the splendid patronage of
+the house of Medici came forward, to meet, and to cherish the happy
+advancements made by the masters of those days; so that Florence, which
+was then the greatest seat of the arts, was no less brilliant and
+illustrious in the generosity which strove to perpetuate them, than in the
+genius by which they had been cultivated.
+
+"Leonardo da Vinci, by the principles which he so effectually realised,
+has always been considered as having established the manly as well as the
+graceful age of modern art. But manhood is never so fixed as to be
+incapable of progress. The manhood then attained in art was capable of
+farther advancement beyond the growth which the powers of Da Vinci had
+given it. This was eminently illustrated by the sublimity of style which
+was attained by the genius of Michael Angelo and of Raphael;--quality
+equally original in both, although issuing from different principles. In
+the former, it was founded on that force and grandeur, allied to poetic
+spirit, which rises above all that is common, and leaves behind it all
+that is tame and simply correct; which, not content with engaging the
+senses, seizes on the imagination, while it never departs from truth. In
+the latter, it was made up of the beautiful and graceful, which attracts
+by the assemblage of whatever is most perfect and elevated in the
+character or subject.
+
+"Raphael coming somewhat later than Michael Angelo on the theatre of art,
+had the advantage of many of that master's works, as well as of all the
+improvements which had been made before. His life was a short one, and the
+first studies of it were almost lost in the dry school of Pietro Perugino.
+But he soon found his way to the philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci, and to
+the profound principles on which his admirable expression of character is
+founded. The dignity of drapery, and of light and shade, opened by
+Bartolomeo, invited his studies; and the sublimity of the human figure in
+the sculptures of his cotemporary, Michael Angelo, fastened on his
+contemplation. Thus he entered at once, as it were, into the inheritance
+of whatever excellencies had been produced before him. With these
+advantages he was called to adorn the apartments of the Vatican. And can
+we wonder that his first works there, at the age of seven-and-twenty, were
+the Dispute on the Sacrament, and the School of Athens?
+
+"But what was it that contributed very much to the production of those
+works? It was not the profound studies of Raphael's mind, but the spirit
+of the age which warmed those studies.--It was a great age, in which
+learning and science were become diffused, at least throughout Europe:--a
+great age replete with characters studious of philosophy; and, therefore,
+fond of the instruction conveyed by the arts;--fond of those high and
+more profound compositions which entered into the spirit of superior
+character, and made some study and research necessary to develope their
+beauties. To meet the taste of such an age, the two first public works of
+Raphael, above mentioned, were well suited, inasmuch as they were
+intended to convey the comparative views of theology and human science,
+or, in other words, the improvement of the human mind arising from the
+two great sources of national wisdom and revealed light. It must not also
+be forgotten, that while the spirit of the age was warming his mind to
+the peculiar dignity of theme and style which marks his works, the
+generous and noble patronage of the papal court was exerting its utmost
+power to immortalise him, and every other great master that arose within
+the circle of its influence. Their merit and their fame found as animated
+a protector in Leo X. as Phidias experienced in Pericles, or Apelles in
+Alexander the Great.
+
+"As the Florentine and Roman schools were thus gradually refined in the
+excellence of design and character, by the aid of philosophical studies;
+so the Venetian masters were equally indebted to the like studies, without
+which, they would never have reached their admirable system of colouring.
+If any have conceived otherwise, they have taken a very superficial view
+of their system. Where is there greater science concerned than in the
+whole theory of colours? It employed the investigation of Newton; and
+shall that pass for a common or easy attainment which took up so much of
+his profound studies? The Venetian masters had been long working their way
+to the radical principles of this science, not only for a just and perfect
+arrangement of their colouring, but for that clear and transparent system
+in the use of it, which have equally marked that school in the days of its
+maturity under Titian. He it was who established, on unerring principles,
+founded on nature and truth, that accomplished system which John Bellini
+had first laboured to discover, and in which Giorgioni had made further
+advancements. Besides his zeal in his profession, Titian was born in that
+higher rank of life which might be supposed to give him an easier access
+to the elegant studies of philosophic science; and he had prosecuted, with
+great ardour, the science of chemisty, the better to understand the
+properties of colour, their homogeneous blendings, purity, and duration;
+as well as the properties of oils, gums, and other fluids, which might
+form the fittest vehicles to convey his colours upon canvass.
+
+"The elegant Charles V. was to Titian in liberal pratronage what Leo X.
+was to Raphael. That munificent prince carried him into Spain, where his
+works laid the foundation of the Spanish school in painting, and gave a
+relish for that art to all the succeeding monarchs.
+
+"What has been remarked respecting Titian and the Venetian school, is
+equally true of that of Correggio among the Lombard painters. The mind of
+Correggio appears evidently, by his works, to have been profoundly
+enlightened; and especially in the philosophical arrangement and general
+doctrine of colours. What has been said by some concerning the low
+circumstances of his fortune, (which is not true,) neither proves the
+obscurity of his birth, nor that philosophical researches were out of his
+reach, or beside his emulation. The truth is, that he was born of a very
+honourable family, and was accomplished in the elegancies of life; not
+that it is necessary for any man to have the advantages of birth, in
+order to become enlightened by science in any way whatever. The patronage
+which attended him was of the most elevated kind, being dispensed by the
+illustrious houses of Mantua and Modena, as well as by the institution of
+the Doma of Parma. But what is by no means less worthy of our notice is,
+that of all the masters who have risen up in any of the schools of Italy,
+not one has been the means of giving success and reputation to those who
+have followed any of their respective styles equally with Correggio. The
+ineffable softness, sweetness, and grace in his paintings, have never
+varied in their effects with the course of time. And they who have since
+partaken of these powers in his style, have very generally become great
+masters, (distinguished by none of the excesses which have sometimes
+attended the imitation of other models,) and successful in gainng the
+approbation and favour of the world.
+
+"The paths pursued by those great examples must become yours, young
+gentlemen, or you can neither be eminent in colouring, nor sure in the
+execution of your art. It is possible, that by habits of practice, handed
+over from one to another, or by little managements in laying colours on
+the canvass, where little or nothing of the general science has been
+studied and attained, many may so far succeed as to avoid glaring errors,
+and a violation of those first principles which have their foundation in
+nature. But that success is at all times extremely hazardous and dependent
+on chance. More frequently it has introduced invincible conflicts between
+the primary and secondary colours, to the ruin of harmony and aerial
+perspective, and to the overthrow of the artist, whenever the picture is
+glanced upon by the eye of scientific discernment. Contemptible are the
+best of such managements, ever in the hands of those that know them best,
+compared with a full and masterly possession of the philosophy by which
+this part of your art must be guided. If the ordonnance of colour, on each
+figure and on the whole, is not disposed according to the immutable laws
+of the science, no fine effect, or accordant tones of colours, can
+possibly be produced. There is, therefore, but one way to make sure of
+success, and to raise your characters in this point, and that is by making
+yourselves masters of the whole philosophy of colours, as Titian and
+Correggio did, and some others, in whose works, from first to last, the
+minutest scrutiny will never find a colour misplaced or prejudiced by its
+disposition with others.
+
+"To be perfect, is the emulation which belongs to those arts in which you
+are engaged, and the anxious hope of the country in which you live. To
+animate you to that perfection, is the object of what I have now addressed
+to you. I am persuaded it is your ambition to be perfect. This Academy
+looks with pleasure on the progress of your studies, as it may look with
+pride on the high and cultivated state to which the arts have been raised
+among us ever since they have had the establishment of a regular school.
+It is no flattery to the present aera in Britain to say, that in no age of
+the world have the arts been carried in any country to such a summit as
+they now hold among us, in so short a period as half a century at most.
+Among the Greeks some centuries had elapsed, amidst no little emulation
+in the arts, before they obtained an Apelles. In modern Italy, without
+going as far back as we might, it took up a century from the appearance of
+Massaccio to the perfection of a Raphael. If, then, the British school has
+risen so much more speedily to that celebrity in art, which it is too well
+known and established to need any illustration here, what should hinder
+her professors from becoming the most distinguished rivals of the fame
+acquired by the Greeks and Italians, with a due perseverance in the
+studies which lead to perfection, and with those encouragements and
+support of patronage which are due to genius?
+
+"As the source of that patronage, we look up with affectionate gratitude
+to the benign and flattering attention of our most gracious Sovereign, to
+whose regard for the elegant arts, and munificent disposition to cherish
+every enlargement of science, and improvement of the human mind, his
+people are indebted for this public seminary, his own favoured
+Institution, and the first which this country has ever been so fortunate
+as to see established. Under his royal patronage and support, this Academy
+has risen to its present strength and flourishing condition. His
+patronage, which would be improperly estimated by mere expenditure, in a
+country not similar in the latitude of government, or in the controul over
+revenue, to ancient Greece or modern Italy, but properly by its diffusive
+influence, has been the source of every other patronage in the country;
+has inspired that refined taste and ardour for elegant arts, which have
+given in fact a new character to the people, and has raised within and
+without this Academy that body of distinguished men, whose works have
+contributed to immortalise his reign, as his love for the arts has become
+the means of immortalising them.
+
+"The patronage which has flowed from other quarters, deserves very
+honourable mention; and is of so much importance, that without it the
+spirit of art must droop, and the very profession of it be contracted in
+every situation whatever. It is not by the influence and support of any
+individual character, how elevated soever, or how warm soever in his
+attachment to taste and elegance, that the extent of professional talents
+spread through a country, can be effectually sustained with adequate
+encouragements. It is the wealthy and the great, who are commonly trained
+by their situations to the perception of what is elegant and refined, that
+must come forward in such an illustrious undertaking. It is only they who
+can meet every where the merit, let it be disseminated as it may, which is
+entitled, to distinction. Without the patronage of such, the arts could
+never have obtained their high meridian in Greece and Italy. Had not the
+communities and rich individuals in Greece taken the arts under their
+protection, not all the encouragement of Pericles, or of Alexander the
+Great, could have drawn forth that immense body of painting and sculpture
+which filled the country. Had the patronage of Italy rested with the popes
+and princes, unaccompanied by those munificent supports which flowed from
+the churches and convents, as well as from private individuals of rank and
+wealth, the galleries of that country could never have been so superbly
+filled as they were, nor could those collections have been made from
+thence, which have filled so many galleries and cabinets elsewhere.
+
+"These facts are not to be denied; but they also lead us to another
+lesson, which is, that the patronage so generally dispensed was for the
+protection of living genius, and that they by whom it was so dispensed
+sought no other collections than the works of native and living artists.
+On any other ground there can be no such thing as patronage. Nothing else
+is worthy of that name. The true and generous patron of great works
+selects those which are produced by the talents existing around him. By
+collecting from other countries, he may greatly enrich himself, but can
+never give celebrity to the country in which he lives. The encouragement
+extended to the genius of a single artist, though it may produce but one
+original work, adds more to the celebrity of a people, and is a higher
+proof of true patriotic ardour, and of a generous love for the progress of
+art, than all the collections that ever were made by the productions of
+other countries, and all the expenditures that ever were bestowed in
+making them. Did the habits of our domestic circumstances, like those of
+Italy, permit the ingenious student to have access to those works of
+established masters, procured by the spirit of their noble and wealthy
+possessors, and of many distinguished amateurs on the most liberal terms,
+and with the honourable purpose of forming the taste, as well as enriching
+the treasures, of the country, every thing would then be done, which is
+wanting to complete the public benefit of such collections, and the
+general gratitude to which they who have made them would be entitled. So
+abundant are the accomplished examples in art already introduced among us,
+that there would then be no necessity for students to run to other
+countries for those improvements which their own can furnish.
+
+"It cannot be improper at any time to make these remarks; while it must
+also be observed, that the patronage held forth by many great and noble
+characters needs no spur; and the means projected by other spirited
+individuals in opulent stations, for extending and perpetuating the works
+of British masters, fall short in no degree of the most fervid energies
+and examples, of which any country has been able to boast.
+
+"It is your duty, young gentlemen, to become accomplished in your
+professions, that you may keep alive those energies and examples of
+patronage, when you come to draw the attention of the world to your own
+works. It is by your success that the arts must be carried on and
+preserved here. Patronage can only be expected to follow what is eminently
+meritorious, and more especially that general patronage diffused through
+the more respectable ranks of society, which is to professional merit,
+what the ocean is to the earth;--the great fund from whence it must ever
+be refreshed, and without whose abundance, conveyed through innumerable
+channels, every thing must presently become dry, and all productions cease
+to exist."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XII.
+
+
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.
+
+After a careful examination of all the remaining notes of Mr. West, it
+appeared to me, that the discourse which he delivered on the 10th of
+December, 1811, was the only one that required particular notice, after
+those which I have already introduced. In some respects it will, perhaps,
+be deemed the most interesting of the whole.
+
+"The few points," said the President, "upon which I mean to touch in the
+present Discourse, are those which more immediately apply to the
+students, who are generously striving to attain excellence in the first
+class of refined art,--historical painting.
+
+"Whether their exertions are directed to painting, or the sister arts,
+architecture and sculpture, the first thing they must impress upon their
+minds, and engraft upon every shoot of their fancy, is that of the
+appropriate character, by which the subject they are about to treat, is
+distinguished from all other subjects. On this foundation, all the points
+of refined art which are, in the truest sense, intellectual, invariably
+rest; for without justness of character the works of the pencil can have
+but little value, and can never entitle the artist to the praise of a
+well-governed genius, or of possessing that philosophical precision of
+judgment, which is the source of excellence in the superior walk of his
+profession. At the same time, let it be indelibly fixed in your minds,
+that when decided character is to be given, that character must be
+accompanied by correctness of outline, whether it be in painting or in
+sculpture. Any representation of the human figure, in the higher
+department of art, wanting these requisites, is, to the feelings of the
+educated artist, deficient in that, for the loss of which no other
+excellency can compensate.
+
+"Architecture.--This department of art received its decided character from
+the Greeks. They distinctly fixed the embellishments to the several
+orders; and, by their adaptation of these embellishments and orders, their
+buildings obtained a distinct and appropriate character, which declared
+the uses for which they were erected.
+
+"The Romans, in their best era of taste, copied their Grecian instructors
+in that appropriate character of embellishment which explained, at a
+glance, the use of their respective buildings; but, in their latter ages,
+they declined from this original purity; and it is the fragments of that
+corruption, in which they lost the characteristic precision of the Greeks,
+that we have seen of late years employed upon many of our buildings. The
+want of mental reflection in employing the orders of architectures with a
+rational precision as to character, produces the same sort of deficiency
+which we find in an historical picture; where, although each figure, in
+correct proportion, be well drawn, with drapery elegantly folded, yet, not
+being employed appropriately to the subject, affords no satisfaction to
+the spectator.
+
+"The Greeks were in architecture what they were in sculpture; and it is to
+them you must look for the original purity of both. We feel rejoiced, that
+the exertions recently made by a noble personage to enrich our studies in
+both of these departments of art are such, that we may say, London has
+become the Athens for study. It is the mental power displayed in the Elgin
+marbles that I wish the juvenile artist to notice. Look at the equestrian
+groups of the young Athenians in this collection, and you will find in
+them that momentary motion which life gives on the occasion to the riders
+and their horses. The horse we perceive feels that power which the impulse
+of life has given to his rider; we see in him the animation of his whole
+frame; in the fire of his eyes, the distention of his nostrils, and in the
+rapid motion of his feet, yielding to the guidance of his rider, or in the
+speeding of his course: they are, therefore, in perfect unison with the
+life in each. At this moment of their animation, they appear to have been
+turned into stone by some majestic power, and not created by the human
+hand. The single head of the horse, in the same collection, seems as if it
+had, by the same influence, been struck into marble, when he was exerting
+all the energy of his motion.
+
+"These admirable sculptures, which now adorn our city, are the union of
+Athenian genius and philosophy, and illustrate my meaning respecting the
+mental impression which is so essentially to be given to works of refined
+art. It was this point which the Grecian philosophers wished to impress on
+the minds of their sculptors, not to follow their predecessors the
+Egyptians in sculpture, who represented their figures without motion,
+although nearly perfect in giving to them the external form. 'It is the
+passions,' said they, 'with which man is endowed, that we wish to see in
+the movements of your figures.' This advice of the philosophers was felt
+by the sculptors, and the Athenian marbles are the faithful records of the
+efficacy of that advice.
+
+"That you may distinctly perceive and invariably distinguish what we mean
+by appropriate character in art, particularly in sculpture, I would class
+with these sculptures, the Hercules, the Apollo, the Venus, the Laocoon,
+and the Gladiator. In these examples you will find what is appropriate in
+character to subject, united with correctness of outline; and it is this
+combination of truths which has arrested the attention of an admiring
+world, ever since they were produced; and which will attract to them the
+admiration of after ages, so long as the workings of the mind on the
+external form can be contemplated and understood.
+
+"Now let us see what works there are since the revival of art in the
+modern world, which rest on the same basis of appropriate character and
+correctness of outline, with those of the ancient Greeks.
+
+"The Moses which the powers of Michael Angelo's mind has presented to our
+view, claims our first attention. In this statue the points of character,
+in every mode of precise, determinate, and elevated expression, have been
+carried to a pitch of grandeur which modern art has not since excelled. In
+this figure of Moses, Michael Angelo has fixed the unalterable standard of
+the Jewish lawgiver,--a character delineated and justified by the text in
+inspired sculpture. The character of Moses was well suited to the grandeur
+of the artist's conceptions, and to the dreadful energy of his feelings.
+Accordingly, in mental character, this figure holds the first station in
+modern art; and I believe we may venture to say, had no competitor in
+ancient, except those of the Jupiter and Minerva by Phidias. But the
+Saviour, all meekness and benevolence, which Michael Angelo made to
+accompany the Moses, was not in unison with his genius. The figure is
+mean, but slightly removed from an academical figure, and in no point
+appropriate to the subject: so are most of the single figures of the
+artist, in his great work on the Day of Judgment; but his groups in that
+composition are every where in character, and have not their rivals
+either in painting or sculpture. His Bacchus claims our admiration, as
+being appropriate to the subject, by the same excellence in delineation
+which distinguish the groups in the Day of Judgment. No person can have a
+higher veneration than I have for that grandeur of character impressed on
+the figures by Michael Angelo; but it is the fitness of the characters and
+of the action to the subject, to which I wish to draw your attention, and
+not to pour out praise on those points, in which he and other eminent
+masters are deficient. On this occasion, I must therefore be permitted to
+repeat, that most of the single figures in his great work of the Day of
+Judgment, are deficient in the fitness of appropriate character, and in
+the fitness of appropriate action to the subject; although as single
+figures they demand our admiration. But excellent as they are, they are
+but the ingenious adaptation of legs, arms, and heads, to the celebrated
+Torso, which bears his name, and which served as the model to most of his
+figures. All figures in composition, however excellent they may be in
+delineation, which have not their actions and expressions springing from
+the subject in which they are the actors, can only be considered as
+academical efforts, without the impress of mental power, and without any
+philosophical attention to the truth of the subject which the artist
+intended to illustrate.
+
+"Leonardo da Vinci is the first who had a full and right conception of the
+principle which I wish to inculcate, and he has shown it in his picture of
+the Last Supper. But it is necessary to distinguish what parts of the
+picture deserve consideration. It is the decision, the appropriate
+character of the apostles to the subject; the significance of expression
+in their several countenances, and the diversity of action in each figure;
+their actions seemingly in perfect unison with their minds, and their
+figures individually in unison with their respective situations; some are
+confused at the words spoken by our Saviour: "There is one amongst you who
+shall betray me;" others are thrown under impressions of a different
+feeling. In this respect the picture has left us without an appeal,
+either to nature or to art. But Da Vinci failed in the head of our
+Saviour. He has failed in his attempt to combine the almost incompatible
+qualities of dignity and meekness which are demanded in the countenance of
+the Saviour. He had exhausted his powers of characteristic discrimination
+in the heads of the apostles; and in his attempt to give meekness to the
+countenance of Jesus, he sank into insipience. He had the prudence,
+therefore, to leave the face unfinished, that the imagination of the
+beholder might not be disappointed by an imperfect image, but form one in
+his mind more appropriate to his feelings and to the subject. The ruin of
+this picture, the report of which I understand is true, has deprived the
+world and the arts of one of the mental eyes of painting. But pleasing as
+the works of Leonardo da Vinci are in general, had he not produced this
+picture of the Last Supper, and the cartoon of the equestrian combatants
+for the standard of victory, he would scarcely have emerged, as a painter
+of strong character, above mediocrity. Indeed the back-ground, and general
+distribution of this picture, sufficiently mark their Gothic origin. But
+his pictures, generally speaking, are more characterised by their
+laborious finishing, gentleness, and sweetness of character, than by the
+energies of a lively imagination.
+
+"Fra. Bartolomeo di St. Marco, of Florence, was one of the first who
+became enamoured of that superiority which grandeur and decision of
+character gives to art; and, indeed, of all those higher excellences which
+the philosophical mind of Da Vinci had accomplished. In the pictures of
+Bartolomeo we behold, for the first time, that breadth of the
+clair-obscure--the deep tones of colour, with their philosophical
+arrangement, united to that noble folding of drapery appropriate to, and
+significant of, every character it covered; a point of excellence in this
+master, from which Raphael caught his first conception of that noble
+simplicity which distinguishes the dignity of his draperies, and which it
+became his pride through life to imitate.
+
+"Bartolomeo, in his figure of St. Mark, has convinced us how important and
+indispensable is the union of mental conception with truth of
+observation, in order to give a decided and appropriate character to an
+Evangelist of the Gospel. None of the pictures of this artist possess the
+excellence of his St. Mark except one, which is in the city of Lucca, the
+capital of the republic of that name; and, as that picture is but little
+known to travellers, and almost unknown to many artists who have visited
+Italy, a description of it may not be unacceptable.
+
+"The picture is on pannel, and its dimensions somewhat about twenty feet
+in height by fourteen in width. The subject is the Assumption of the
+Virgin Mary. The composition is divided into three groups; the Apostles
+and the sepulchre form the centre group, from the midst of which the
+Virgin ascends; her body-drapery is of a deep ruby colour, which is the
+only decided red in the picture, and her mantle blue, but in depth of tone
+approaching to black, and extended by angels to nearly each side of the
+picture. This mantle is relieved by a light, in tone resembling that of
+the break of day, seen over the summit of a dark mountain, which gives an
+awful grandeur to the effect of the picture on entering the chapel, in
+which it is placed over the altar. That awful light of the morning is
+contrasted with the golden effulgence above; in the midst of which, our
+Saviour is seen with extended arms, to receive and welcome his mother.
+
+"From the sepulchre, and the Apostles in the centre, to the fore-ground,
+the third group of figures partly lies in shade, occasioned by the
+over-shadowing of the Virgin's deep-toned mantle extended by angels. On
+the other part of the group, on the side where the light enters, the
+figures are seen in the broad blaze of day; and amongst them is the
+portrait of the artist.
+
+"When I first saw this picture, my sensations were in unison with its
+awful character; and I confess that I was touched with the same kind of
+sensibility as when I heard the inexpressibly harmonious blendings of
+vocal sounds in the solemn notes of _Non nobis Domine_. I never felt more
+forcibly the dignity of music and the dignity of painting, than from
+these two compositions of art.
+
+"When we consider the combination of excellence requisite to produce the
+sublime in painting; the union of propriety with dignity of character; the
+graceful grouping; the noble folding of drapery, and the deep sombrous
+tones of the clair-obscure, with appropriate colours harmoniously blending
+into one whole;--if there is a picture entitled to the appellation of
+_sublime_, from the union of all these excellences, It is that which I
+have described: considered in all its parts, it is, perhaps, superior to
+any work in painting, which has fallen under my observation.
+
+"When these powerful essays in art by Da Vinci, Bartolomeo di St. Marco,
+and Michael Angelo became celebrated, Raphael, having attained his adult
+age, made his appearance at Florence; where the influence of the works of
+those three great artists pervaded all the avenues to excellence in art.
+
+"The gentle sensibility of Raphael's mind was like the softened wax
+which makes more visible and distinct the form of the engraving with
+which it is touched. Blest by Nature with this endowment, he became like
+the heir to the treasured wealth of many families. Enriched by the
+accumulated experience which was then in Florence, united to the early
+tuition of delineating from nature under Pietro Perugino, and the
+subsequent discoveries of the Grecian relics, Raphael's mind became
+stored with all that was excellent; and he possessed a practised hand, to
+make his conceptions visible on his tablets. Possessing these powers, he
+was invited to Rome, and began his picture of _The Dispute on the
+Sacrament_. This picture he finished, together with _The School of
+Athens_, before he had attained his twenty-eighth year. At Rome he found
+himself amidst the splendour of a refined court, and in the focus of
+human endowment. He became sensible of the rare advantages of his
+situation; he had industry and ardour to combine and to embrace them all;
+and the effect is visible in his works. The theological arrangement of
+the disputants on the Sacrament, and the scholastic controversies at
+Athens, convince us of this truth. In the upper part of the Dispute on
+the Sacrament, something may be observed of that taste of Bartolomeo in
+drapery, and of the dryness and hardness of his first master Pietro
+Perugino; but in the parts which make the aggregate of that work, he has
+blended the result of his own observations. In his School of Athens, this
+is still more strikingly the case; and in his Heliodorus we see
+additional dignity and an enlargement of style.
+
+"At this period of his life, such was the desire of his society by the
+great, and such the ambition of standing forward amongst his patrons by
+all who were eminent for rank and taste, that he was seduced into courtly
+habits, and relaxed from that studious industry, with which he had
+formerly laboured; and there are evident marks in many of his works in the
+Vatican, of a decline of excellence, and that he was suffering pleasure
+and indolence to rob him of his fame. Sensible of this decline in his
+compositions, the powers of his mind re-assumed their energies; and that
+re-animation stands marked in his unrivalled compositions of the Cartoons
+which are in this country, and in the picture of the Transfiguration.
+
+"The transcendant excellence in composition, and in appropriate
+character to subject, in the cartoon of Paul preaching at Athens, has
+left us to desire or expect nothing farther to be done in telling this
+incident of history.
+
+"In the composition of the death of Ananias, and in the single figure of
+Elymas the sorcerer struck blind, we have the same example of excellence.
+We have indeed in many of the characters and groups in the cartoons, the
+various modes of reasoning, speaking, and feeling; but so blended with
+nature and truth, and so precise and determined in character, that
+criticism has nothing wherewith in that respect to ask for amendment.
+
+"Had the life of this illustrious painter, which closed on his birth-day
+in his thirty-seventh year, been prolonged to the period of that of
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, or Titian, when in the space of
+seventeen years at Rome he has given the world more unrivalled works of
+art, than has fallen to the lot of any other painter, what an additional
+excellence might we not have expected in his works for subsequent
+generations to admire.
+
+"The next distinguished artist who comes under our consideration is
+Titian. The grandeur which Michael Angelo gave to the human figure, Titian
+has rivalled in colour, and both were dignified during their lives with
+the appellation of The Divine.
+
+"I will pass over the many appropriate portraits which he painted of men,
+and the portraits of women, though not the most distinguished for beauty,
+in the character of Venus, to meet the fashion of the age in which he
+lived; and notice only those works of mental power, which have raised him
+to eminence in the class of refined artists. On this point, you will find
+that his picture of St. Peter Martyr will justify the claim he has to
+that rank.
+
+"St. Peter the Martyr was the head of a religious sect: when on his way
+from the confines of Germany to Milan with a companion, he was attacked by
+one in opposition to his religious principles while passing through a
+wood, and murdered. This is the subject of the picture. The prostrate
+figure of the Saint, just fallen by a blow from the assassin, raises one
+of his hands towards heaven, with a countenance of confidence in eternal
+reward for the firmness of his faith; while the assassin grasps with his
+left hand the mantle of his victim, the better to enable him, by his
+uplifted sword in the other hand, to give the fatal blow to the fallen
+saint. The companion is flying off in frantic dismay, and has received a
+wound in the head from the assassin.
+
+"The ferocious and determined action of the murderer bestriding the body
+of the fallen saint, completes a group of figures which have not a rival
+in art. The majestic trees, as well as the sable and rugged furze, form an
+awful back-ground to this tragical scene, every way appropriate to the
+subject. The heavenly messengers seen in the glory above, bearing the
+palm branches as the emblem of reward for martyrdom, form the second
+light; the first being the sky and cloud, which gives relief to the black
+drapery of the wounded companion; while the rays of light from the
+emanation above, sparkling on the dark branches of the trees as so many
+diamonds, tie together by their light all the others from the top to the
+bottom of the picture. The terror which the act of the murderer has
+spread, is denoted by the speed of the horseman passing into the gloomy
+recesses of a distant part of the forest.
+
+"This picture, taken in the aggregate, is the first work in art in which
+the human figure and landscape are combined as an historical landscape,
+and where all the objects are the full size of nature.
+
+"When I saw this picture at Venice in 1761, it was then in the same state
+of purity as when the Bologna artists saw and studied it; and it is
+recorded that Caracci declared this picture to be without fault. But we
+have to lament the fatal effects which the goddess Bellona has ever
+occasioned to the fine arts when she mounts her iron chariot of
+destruction. When this picture fell under her rapacious power, on board a
+French vessel passing down the Adriatic sea from Venice, one of our
+cruisers chased the vessel into the port of Ancona, and a cannon-shot
+pierced the pannel on which the picture was painted, and shivered a
+portion of it into pieces.
+
+"On its arrival at Paris, the committee of the fine arts found it
+necessary to remove the painting from the pannel, and place it on canvass;
+but the picture has lost the principal light.
+
+"But to sum up Titian's powers of conception, no one has equalled him in
+the propriety and fitness of colour. His pictures of St. Peter Martyr; the
+David and Goliah; and the Last Supper, which is in the Escurial, stand in
+the very highest rank in art. On the latter of these pictures being
+finished, Titian in his letter to the King, announcing the circumstance,
+says that it had been the labour of seven years. But by his original
+sketch in oil colours, which I have the good fortune to possess, and by
+which we may form an estimate, although the general effect and composition
+are unrivalled, the characters of the heads of the apostles are not equal
+to those of Leonardo da Vinci on the same subject.
+
+"Antonio Allegri da Correggio is the sixth source, whose emanating powers
+have illuminated the fine arts in the modern world. A superstitious mind,
+on seeing his works, would suppose that he had received his tuition in
+painting from the angels; as his figures seem to belong to another race of
+being than man, and to have something too celestial for the forms of earth
+to have presented to his view. Such have been the sayings of many on
+seeing his works at Parma, but, to my conception, he painted from the
+nature with which he was surrounded. His pictures of the Note, St.
+Gierolimo, and the St. George, are evident proofs of the observation. In
+the first of these pictures his mental conception shines supreme. It is
+the idea of illuminating the child in the subject of our Saviour's
+nativity. This splendid thought of giving light to the infant Christ,
+whose divine mission was to illuminate the human mind from Pagan darkness,
+no painter has since been so bold as to omit in any composition on the
+same subject. The two latter pictures have all the beauties seen in the
+paintings of this master, but they are deficient in appropriate character.
+
+"The inspiring power of Correggio's works illuminated the genius of
+Parmegiano, the energetic movements of whose graceful figures have never
+been equalled, nor are they deficient in the moral influence of the art.
+His Moses breaking the tables in a church at Parma, and his picture of the
+vision of St. Gierolimo, now in England, are filled with the impress of
+his intellectual powers, and stand pre-eminent over all his works.
+
+"I have thus taken a survey of the works of art, which stand supreme among
+the productions of Grecian and Italian genius, and which are the sources
+from which the subsequent schools have derived most of the principles of
+their celebrity.
+
+"The papal vortex drew into it nearly all the various powers of human
+refinement, and the inspiring influence of the first school in art having
+centered in Rome gave it superiority, till the Constable Bourbon, by
+sacking that city, obliged the fine arts to fly from their place, like
+doves from the vultures: they never re-appeared at Rome but with
+secondary power.
+
+"About a century subsequent to their flight from Rome they were
+re-animated, and formed the second school of art in Italy at the city of
+Bologna under the Carracci, at the head of which was Ludovico. He and his
+two relatives, Hanibal and Augustin Carracci, derived their principles
+from the Venetian School, from Titian, Paul Veronese, and Tintoret, and
+from the Lombard School of Correggio and Parmegiano. But the good sense of
+Ludovico raised by them and himself a school of their own, which excelled
+in the power of delineating the human figure, but which power gave to that
+school more academical taste than mental character.
+
+"Their great work was that in the convent of St. Michael in Boresco, near
+Bologna; but this work has perished by damp, and the only remains on
+record of what it was, are in the coarse prints which were done from
+copies executed when it was in good condition. But grand as it must have
+been according to the evidence of these prints, it was but an academical
+composition.
+
+"The picture by Ludovico, however, of our Saviour's Transfiguration on the
+Mount, consisting of six figures double the size of life, has embraced
+nearly all the points of art, and has placed the artist high in the first
+class of painters.
+
+"The masters of the Bolognese school going to Rome and other parts of
+Italy, their successors at Bologna contented themselves by retailing the
+several manners of the three Carracci--Guido, Domenichino and Guercino.
+This system of retailing continued to descend from master to pupil, until
+the school of Bologna sunk into irrecoverable imbecility.
+
+"The most esteemed work in painting by Augustine Carracci is the Communion
+of St. Jerom. It possesses grandeur of style, is bold in execution, and
+the faces are not deficient in the appropriate expression of sensibility
+towards the object before them. It was on the composition of this picture,
+that Domenichino formed his on the same subject, so much celebrated as to
+be considered next in merit to Raphael's Transfiguration. But fine as it
+is admitted to be, we must say, as a borrowed idea, it lessens the merit
+of the artist's originality of mind.
+
+"The finest picture by Guido is in a church at Genoa, where he has brought
+to a focus all the force of his powers in grace and beauty, with an
+expression and execution of pencil rarely to be met with in art. The
+subject is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The angels, who surround the
+Virgin, have something in their faces so celestial, that they seem as if
+they had really descended from Heaven, and sat to the artist while he
+painted them. The Virgin herself seems to have had the same complacency.
+The characters of the Apostles' heads are so exquisitely drawn and
+painted, as to be without competition in the works of any other painter.
+
+"The most esteemed picture by Guercino is is that of Santa Petranella,
+which he painted for St. Peter's Church, at Rome.
+
+"But, Gentlemen, if you aspire to excellence in your profession, you must
+not rest your future studies on the excellence of any individual, however
+exalted his name or genius; but, like the industrious bee, survey the
+whole face of nature, and sip the sweets from every flower. When thus
+enriched, lay up your acquisitions for future use; and with that
+enrichment from Nature's inexhaustible source, examine the great works of
+art to animate your feelings, and to excite your emulation. When you are
+thus mentally enriched, and your hand practised to obey the powers of
+your will, you will then find your pencils, or your chisels, as magic
+wands, calling into view creations of your own, to adorn your name and
+your country.
+
+"I cannot, however, close this Discourse, without acknowledging a debt due
+from this Academy, as well as that which is due to the Academy itself.
+Soon after His present Majesty had ascended the throne, his benign regard
+for the prosperity of the fine arts in these realms was manifested by his
+gracious commands to establish this favoured Institution.
+
+"The heart of every artist, and of the friend of art, glowed with mutual
+congratulation to see a British King, for the first time, at the head of
+the fine arts. His Majesty nominated forty members guardians to his infant
+academy; and that they have been faithful to the trust which he graciously
+reposed in them, the several apartments under this roof sufficiently
+testify. The professors are highly endowed with accomplishments and
+scientific knowledge in the several branches to which they are
+respectively appointed; and the funds able to render relief to the
+indigent and decayed artists, their widows and children.
+
+"Who can reflect for a moment on the rare advantages here held out for
+the instruction of youthful genius, and the aid given to the decayed,
+their widows and helpless offspring, without feeling the grateful emotions
+of the heart rise towards a patriot King, for giving to the arts this home
+within the walls of a stately mansion, and towards the members of this
+Academy, who, as his faithful guardians, have so ably fulfilled the
+purposes for which the Institution was formed.
+
+"United to what the Academicians have done, and are doing, another
+honourable establishment, sanctioned by His Majesty for promoting the fine
+arts, has been created and composed of noblemen and gentlemen whose known
+zeal for the success of refined art is so conspicuous and honourable to
+themselves.
+
+"Such have been the efforts to give splendour to the fine arts in this
+country, and such are the results which have attended these exertions;
+that knowing, as we do, the movements of the arts on the Continent, I may
+confidently say, that our annual exhibitions, both as to number and
+taste, engrafted on nature and the fruit of mental conception, are such
+that all the combined efforts in art on the continent of Europe in the
+same time have not been able to equal. To such attainments, were those in
+power but to bestow the crumbs from the national table to cherish the fine
+arts, we might pledge ourselves, that the genius of Britain would, in a
+few years, dispute the prize with the proudest periods of Grecian or
+Italian art. But, Gentlemen, let us not despair; we have heard from this
+place, the promise of patronage from the Prince Regent, the propitious
+light of a morning that will open into perfect day, invigorating the
+growth of all around--the assurance of a new era to the elevation of the
+fine arts, in the United Kingdom."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XIII.
+
+
+
+    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin
+    of the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.
+
+During the Peace of Amiens, Mr. West, like every other person who
+entertained any feeling of admiration for the fine arts, was desirous of
+seeing that magnificent assemblage of paintings and sculptures, which
+constituted the glory and the shame of Buonaparte's administration. He
+accordingly furnished himself with letters from Lord Hawkesbury, then
+Secretary of State, to Mr. Merry, the British representative at the
+consular court; and also with introductions from Monsieur Otto, the French
+minister in London, to the most distinguished members of his government.
+
+On delivering Lord Hawkesbury's letters to Mr. Merry, that gentleman
+informed him that one of the French ministers had, the preceding evening,
+mentioned that Monsieur Otto had written in such terms respecting him,
+that he and his colleagues were resolved to pay him every mark of the most
+distinguished attention. Mr. Merry, therefore, advised Mr. West to call on
+the several ministers himself with the letters, and leave them with his
+card. As the object for which the Artist had procured these introductions
+was only to obtain, with more facility, access to the different galleries,
+he was rather embarrassed by this information; and would have declined
+delivering the letters altogether; but Mr. Merry said, that, as his
+arrival in Paris was already known to the government, he could not with
+any propriety avoid paying his respects to the ministers.
+
+After delivering his letters and card accordingly, the hotel where he
+resided was, in the course of the week, visited by all the most
+distinguished of the French statesmen; and he had the honour of being
+invited to dine with them successively. At these parties, the
+conversation turned very much on the importance of the arts to all nations
+aspiring to fame and eminence; and he very soon perceived, that the vast
+collection of trophies which adorned the Louvre, had not been formed so
+much for ostentatious exhibition, as with a view to furnish models of
+study for artists; constituting, in fact, but the elementary part of a
+grand system of national decoration designed by Buonaparte, and by which
+he expected to leave such memorials to posterity as would convince the
+world that his magnificence was worthy of his military achievements.
+
+It happened at this particular period, that the galleries of the Louvre
+were closed to the public for some time, but a deputation from the Central
+Administration of the Arts, under whose care the collections were
+particularly placed, waited on Mr. West, and informed him, that orders
+were given to admit him and his friends at all times. Denon was at the
+head of this deputation; and in the course of the conversation which then
+took place, that accomplished enthusiast explained to Mr. West more
+circumstantially the extensive views entertained by the French government
+with respect to the arts, mentioning several of the superb schemes which
+were formed by the First Consul for the decoration of the capital.
+
+This information made a very deep impression on the mind of Mr. West, and
+he felt extremely sorrowful when he reflected, that hitherto the British
+government had done nothing decidedly with a view to promote the
+cultivation of those arts, which may justly be said to constitute the
+olive wreath on the brows of every great nation. Mr. Fox and Sir Francis
+Baring, who were at this same time in Paris, happened soon after the
+departure of Monsieur Denon to call, and they went with Mr. West to the
+Louvre, where, as they were walking in the gallery, he explained to them
+what he had heard. An interesting discussion took place in consequence;
+and Mr. West endeavoured to explain in what manner he considered the
+cultivation of the fine arts of the utmost importance even in a commercial
+point of view to England.
+
+Mr. Fox paid great attention to what he said, and observed, in a tone of
+regret, "I have been rocked in the cradle of politics from my infancy, and
+never before was so much struck with the advantage, even in a political
+bearing, of the fine arts to the prosperity, as well as the renown, of a
+kingdom; and I do assure you, Mr. West, that if ever I have it in my power
+to influence our government to promote the arts, the conversation that we
+have had to-day shall not be forgotten." Sir Francis Baring also concurred
+in opinion, that it was really become an imperious duty, on the part of
+the British nation, to do something for a class of art that, undoubtedly,
+tended to improve the beauty, and multiply the variety of manufactures,
+independent of all monumental considerations.
+
+When Mr. West had returned home, the subject was renewed with Sir Francis
+Baring; and he endeavoured to set on foot the formation of a society,
+which should have the encouragement of the line arts for its object, and
+thought that government might be induced to give it pecuniary assistance.
+Sir Thomas Barnard took up the idea with great zeal; and several meetings
+took place at Mr. West's house, at which Mr. Charles Long and Sir Abraham
+Hume were present, which terminated in the formation of that association
+that now constitutes the British Institution, in Pall Mall. Mr. Long
+undertook to confer with Mr. Pitt, who was then again in power, on the
+subject, and the proposal was received by him with much apparent
+sincerity. But a disastrous series of public events about the same time
+commenced: the attention of the Minister was absorbed in the immediate
+peril of the state; and he fell a victim to his anxieties, without having
+had it in his power to further the objects of the association.
+
+At the death of his great rival, Mr. Fox came into office; and he soon
+after called on Mr. West, and, reminding him of the conversation in the
+gallery of the Louvre, said, "It is my earnest intention, as soon as I am
+firmly seated on the saddle, to redeem the promise that I then made." But
+he also was frustrated in his intentions, and fell a sacrifice to disease,
+without being able to take any step in the business. In the mean time,
+the Shaksperian Gallery was offered for sale; and the gentlemen interested
+in this project raised a sum of money, by subscription, and purchased that
+building with the intention of making it the approach to a proposed
+national gallery.
+
+From Mr. Percival the scheme met with a far different reception. He
+listened to the representations which Mr. West made to him with a
+repressive coldness, it might almost be said with indifference, had it not
+been marked with a decided feeling; for he seemed to consider the whole
+objects of the British Institution, and the reasons adduced in support of
+the claims which the interests of the arts had on government, as the
+visionary purposes of vain enthusiasts. It was not within the small
+compass of that respectable individual's capacity to consider any generous
+maxim as founded in what _he_ deemed wisdom, or to comprehend, that the
+welfare of nations could be promoted by any other means than precedents of
+office, decisions of courts, and Acts of Parliament. An incident,
+however, occurred, which induced him to change his opinion of the utility
+of the fine arts.
+
+At the anniversary dinner, in 1812, before the opening of the Academy, he
+was present, with other public characters. On the right hand of the
+President was seated the Lord Chancellor Eldon, on his left Lord
+Liverpool, and on the right of the Chancellor Mr. Percival. A conversation
+took place, naturally inspired by the circumstances of the meeting, in
+which Mr. West recapitulated what he had formerly so often urged; and Mr.
+Percival, perceiving the impression which his observations made on those
+to whom they were particularly addressed, requested him to put his ideas
+on the subject in writing, and he would lay it before the Prince Regent.
+This took place on Saturday; on Wednesday Mr. West delivered his memorial;
+on the Friday following Mr. Percival was assassinated; and since that time
+nothing farther has been done in the business.
+
+It is perhaps necessary to notice here, that when it was first proposed to
+the King to sanction the establishment of the British Institution with
+his patronage, he made some objection, conceiving that it was likely to
+interfere with the Royal Academy, which he justly considered with the
+partiality of a parent. But on Mr. West explaining to him that the two
+institutions were very different in their objects, the Academy being
+formed for the instruction of pupils, and the other for the encouragement
+of artists arrived at maturity in their profession, His Majesty readily
+consented to receive the deputation of the association appointed to wait
+on him in form to solicit his patronage. Except, however, the honour of
+the King's name, the British Institution, formed expressly for the
+improvement of the public taste with a view to the encouragement of the
+arts, has received neither aid nor countenance as yet from the state.
+
+Before concluding this summary account of the origin and establishment of
+the British Institution, it may be expected of me to take some notice of
+the circumstances connected with the purchase and exhibition of Mr. West's
+picture of Christ Healing the Sick in the Temple; an event which formed
+an era in the history of the arts in Britain, and contributed in no small
+degree to promote the interests of the Institution. Perhaps the exhibition
+of no work of art ever attracted so much attention, or was attended with
+so much pecuniary advantage to the proprietors; independent of which, the
+history of the picture is itself interesting.
+
+Some years before, a number of gentlemen, of the society of Quakers in
+Philadelphia, set on foot a subscription for the purpose of erecting an
+hospital for the sick poor in that city. Among others to whom they applied
+for contributions in this country, they addressed themselves to Mr. West.
+He informed them, however, that his circumstances did not permit him to
+give so liberal a sum as he could wish, but that if they would provide a
+proper place in the building, he would paint a picture for it as his
+subscription, which perhaps would prove of more advantage than all the
+money he could afford to bestow, and with this intention he began the
+_Christ Healing the Sick_. While the work was going forward, it attracted
+a great deal of notice in his rooms, and finally had the effect of
+inducing the association of the British Institution to make him an offer
+of three thousand guineas for the picture. Mr. West accepted the offer,
+but on condition that he should be at liberty to make a copy for the
+hospital at Philadelphia, and to introduce into the copy such alterations
+and improvements as he might think fit. This copy he also executed, and
+the success which attended the exhibition of it in America was so
+extraordinary, that the proceeds have enabled the committee of the
+hospital to enlarge the building for the reception of no less than thirty
+additional patients.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XIV.
+
+
+
+    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Proceedings
+    respecting the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.
+
+
+Hitherto it has been my pleasant task to record the series of prosperous
+incidents by which Mr. West was raised to the highest honours of his
+profession; and had he survived the publication of this volume, I should
+have closed the narrative with the last chapter. But his death, which
+took place after the proof was sent to me for his inspection, has
+removed an obligation which I had promised to respect during his life,
+while it was understood between us that the circumstances to which it
+related were to be carefully preserved for a posthumous publication. The
+topics are painful, and calculated to afford a far different view of
+human nature from that which I have ever desired to contemplate: I do
+not allude to those things, connected with political matters, in which
+Mr. West was only by accident a witness, but of transactions which
+personally affected himself.
+
+During the time that he was engaged in the series of great pictures for
+Windsor Castle, he enjoyed, as I have already mentioned, an easy and
+confidential intercourse with the King, and I ought, perhaps, to have
+stated earlier, that when he was chosen President of the Royal Academy,
+the late Duke of Gloucester called on him, and mentioned that His Majesty
+was desirous to know if the honour of knighthood would be acceptable. Mr.
+West immediately replied, that no man had a greater respect for political
+honours and distinctions than himself, but that he really thought he had
+already earned by his pencil more eminence than could be conferred on him
+by that rank. "The chief value," said he, "of titles are, that they serve
+to preserve in families a respect for those principles by which such
+distinctions were originally obtained. But simple knighthood, to a man who
+is at least already as well known as he could ever hope to be from that
+honour, is not a legitimate object of ambition. To myself, then, Your
+Royal Highness must perceive the title could add no dignity, and as it
+would perish with myself, it could add none to my family. But were I
+possessed of a fortune, independent of my profession, sufficient to enable
+my posterity to maintain the rank, I think that with my hereditary
+descent, and the station I occupy among artists, a more permanent title
+than that of knighthood might become a desirable object. As it is,
+however, that cannot be, and I have been thus explicit with Your Royal
+Highness that no misconception may exist on the subject." The Duke was not
+only pleased with the answer, but took Mr. West cordially by both the
+hands, and said, "You have justified the opinion which the King has of
+you, and His Majesty will be delighted with your answer;" and when Mr.
+West next saw the King his reception was unusually warm and friendly.
+
+But notwithstanding all these enviable circumstances, Mr. West was doomed
+to share some of the consequences which naturally attach to all persons
+in immediate connection with the great. After his return from Paris, it
+was alleged, that the honourable reception which he allowed himself to
+receive from the French statesmen had offended the King. The result of
+this was the temporary elevation of the late Mr. Wyatt to the President's
+chair, merely, as I think, because that gentleman was then the royal
+architect; for it would be difficult to point out the merits which, as an
+artist, entitled him to that honour. But the election, so far from giving
+satisfaction in the quarter where it was expected to be the most
+acceptable, only excited displeasure; and Mr. West was, in due time,
+restored to his proper seat in the Academy.
+
+This, as a public affair, attracted a good deal of notice at the time; but
+it was, in its effects, of far less consequence to Mr. West than a private
+occurrence, originating in circumstances that tend to throw a light on
+some of the proceedings that were deemed expedient to be adopted during
+the occasional eclipses of the King's understanding.
+
+For upwards of twenty years Mr. West had received all his orders from the
+King in person: the prices of the pictures which he painted were adjusted
+with His Majesty; and the whole embellishment of Windsor Castle, in what
+related to the scriptural and historical pictures, was concerted between
+them, without the interference of any third party. But, in the summer of
+1801, when the Court was at Weymouth, Mr. Wyatt called on Mr. West, and
+said, that he was requested by authority to inform him, that the pictures
+painting for His Majesty's chapel at Windsor should be suspended till
+further orders.
+
+Mr. West was much surprised at this communication: but, upon interrogating
+Mr. Wyatt as to his authority, he found that it was not from the King; and
+he afterwards discovered that the orders were given at Weymouth by the
+Queen, the late Earl of Roslyn being present. What was the state of His
+Majesty's health at that time is now a matter of historical curiosity; but
+this extraordinary proceeding deserves particular notice. It rendered the
+studies of the best part of the Artist's life useless, and deprived him
+of that honourable provision, the fruit of his talents and industry, on
+which he had counted for the repose of his declining years. For some time
+it affected him deeply, and he was at a loss what steps to take; at last,
+however, in reflecting on the marked friendship and favour which the King
+had always shown him, he addressed to His Majesty a letter, of which the
+following is a copy of the rough draft, being the only one preserved: I
+give it verbatim:--
+
+"_The following is the Substance of a Letter I had the honour of writing
+to His Majesty, taken at Weymouth, by the conveyance of Mr. James Wyatt._
+
+"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
+
+"Gracious Sire, Newman St. Sept. 26. 1801.
+
+"On the fifteenth of last month Mr. Wyatt signified to me Your Majesty's
+pleasure,--'That the pictures by me now painting for His Majesty's chapel
+at Windsor, should be suspended until further orders.' I feel it a duty I
+owe to that communication, to lay before Your Majesty, by the return of
+Mr. Wyatt to Weymouth, a statement of those pictures which I have painted
+to add to those for the chapel, mentioned in the account I had the honour
+to transmit to Your Majesty in 1797 by the hands of Mr. Gabriel Mathias.
+Since that period I have finished three pictures, began several others,
+and composed the remainder of the subjects for the chapel, on the progress
+of Revealed Religion, from its commencement to its completion; and the
+whole arranged with that circumspection from the Four Dispensations, into
+five-and-thirty compositions, that the most scrupulous amongst the various
+religious sects in this country, about admitting pictures into churches,
+must acknowledge them as truths, or the Scriptures fabulous. Those are
+subjects so replete with dignity, character, and expression, as demanded
+the historian, the commentator, and the accomplished painter, to bring
+them into view. Your Majesty's gracious complacency and commands for my
+pencil on that extensive subject stimulated my humble abilities, and I
+commenced the work with zeal and enthusiasm. Animated by your commands,
+gracious Sire, I renewed my professional studies, and burnt my midnight
+lamp to attain and give that polish at the close of Your Majesty's chapel,
+which has since marked my subsequent scriptural pictures. Your Majesty's
+known zeal for promoting religion, and the elegant arts, had enrolled your
+virtues with all the civilized world; and your gracious protection of my
+pencil had given to it a celebrity throughout Europe, and spread a
+knowledge of the great work on Revealed Religion, which my pencil was
+engaged on, under Your Majesty's patronage: it is that work which all
+Christendom looks with a complacency for its completion.
+
+"Being distinguished by Your Majesty's benignity at an early period as a
+painter, and chosen by those professors highly endowed in the three
+branches of the fine arts to fill their highest station, and sanctioned by
+Your Majesty's signature in their choice;--in that station, I have been,
+for more than ten years, zealous in promoting merit in those three
+branches of art, which constitutes the views of Your Majesty's
+establishment for cultivating their growth. The ingenious artists have
+received my professional aid, and my galleries and my purse have been open
+to their studies and their distresses. The breath of envy, nor the whisper
+of detraction, never defiled my lips, nor the want of morality my
+character, and, through life, a strict adherer to truth; a zealous admirer
+of Your Majesty's virtues and goodness of heart, the exalted virtues of
+Her Majesty the Queen, and the high accomplishments of others of Your
+Majesty's illustrious family, have been the theme of my delight; and their
+gracious complacency my greatest pleasure and consolation for many years,
+with which I was honoured by many instances of friendly notice, and their
+warm attachment to the fine arts.
+
+"With these feelings of high sensibility, with which my breast has ever
+been inspired, I feel with great concern the suspension given by Mr. Wyatt
+to the work on Revealed Religion, my pencil had advanced to adorn
+Windsor-Castle. If, gracious Sire, this suspension is meant to be
+permanent, myself and the fine arts have to lament. For to me it will be
+ruinous, and, to the energetic artist, in the highest branches of his
+professional pursuits--a damp in the hope of more exalted minds, of
+patronage in the refined departments in painting. But I have this in
+store, for the grateful feeling of my heart, that, in the thirty-five
+years by which my pencil has been honoured by Your Majesty's commands, a
+great body of historical and scriptural compositions will be found in Your
+Majesty's possession, in the churches, and in the country. Their
+professional claims may be humble, but they have been produced by a loyal
+subject of Your Majesty, which may give them some claim to respect,
+similar works not having been attained before in this country by a
+subject; and this I will assert as my claim, that Your Majesty did not
+bestow your patronage and commands on an ungrateful and a lazy man, but on
+him who had a high sense of Your Majesty's honours and Your Majesty's
+interests in all cases, as a loyal and dutiful subject, as well as
+servant, to Your Majesty's gracious commands; and I humbly beg Your
+Majesty to be assured that
+
+"I am,
+"With profound duty,
+"Your Majesty's grateful
+"BENJAMIN WEST."
+
+
+To this letter Mr. West received no answer; but on the return of the Court
+to Windsor, he went to the Castle, and obtained a private audience of the
+King on the subject, by which it appeared that His Majesty was not at all
+acquainted with the communication of which Mr. Wyatt was the bearer, nor
+had he received Mr. West's letter. However, the result of the interview
+was, that the King said, "Go on with your work, West: go on with the
+pictures, and I will take care of you."
+
+This was the last interview that Mr. West was permitted to enjoy with his
+early, constant, and to him truly royal patron; but he continued to
+execute the pictures, and in the usual quarterly payments received the
+thousand pounds _per ann._. till His Majesty's final superannuation,
+when, without any intimation whatever, on calling to receive it, he was
+informed that it had been stopped, and that the intended design of the
+chapel of Revealed Religion was suspended.
+
+This was a severe stroke of misfortune to the Artist, now far advanced in
+life, but he submitted to it with resignation. He took no measures, nor
+employed any influence, either to procure the renewal of the quarterly
+allowance, or the payment of the balance of his account. But being thus
+cast off from his best anchor in his old age, he still possessed firmness
+of mind to think calmly of his situation. He considered that a taste for
+the fine arts had been greatly diffused by means of the exhibitions of the
+Royal Academy, and the eclat which the French had given to pictures and
+statues by making them objects of national conquest; and having thus lost
+the patronage of the King, he determined to appeal to the public. With
+this view he resolved to paint several large pictures; and in the
+prosecution of this determination, he has been amply indemnified for the
+effects of that poor economy that frustrated the nation from obtaining an
+honourable monument of the taste of the age, and the liberality of a
+popular king.
+
+Without imputing motives to any party concerned, or indeed without being
+at all acquainted with the circumstances that gave rise to it, I should
+mention that a paper was circulated among the higher classes of society,
+in which an account was stated of the amount of the money paid by His
+Majesty, in the course of more than thirty years, to Mr. West. In that
+paper the interval of time was not at all considered, nor the expense of
+living, nor the exclusive preference which Mr. West had given to His
+Majesty's orders, but the total sum;--which, shown by itself, and taken
+into view without any of these explanatory circumstances, was very
+large, and calculated to show that Mr. West might really indeed _do_
+without the thousand pounds a-year. In order, however, to place this
+proceeding in its true light, I have inserted in the Appendix an account
+of the works executed and designed by Mr. West for the King, and the
+prices allowed for them as charged in the audited account, of which the
+King himself had approved.
+
+Independent of the relation which this paper bears to the subject of these
+memoirs, it is a curious document, and will be interesting as such, as
+long as the history of the progress of the arts in this country excites
+the attention of posterity.
+
+I have now but little to add to these memoirs. But they would be deficient
+in an important event, were I to omit noticing the death of Mrs. West,
+which took place on the 6th of December, 1817. The malady with which she
+had been afflicted for several years smoothed the way for her relief from
+suffering, and softened the pang of sorrow for her loss. She was in many
+respects a woman of an elevated character; and her death, after a union of
+more than half a century, was to her husband one of those irreparable
+changes in life, for which no equivalent can ever be obtained.
+
+The last illness of Mr. West himself was slow and languishing. It was
+rather a general decay of nature, than any specific malady; and he
+continued to enjoy his mental faculties in perfect distinctness upon all
+subjects as long as the powers of articulation could be exercised. To his
+merits as an artist and a man I may be deemed partial, nor do I wish to be
+thought otherwise. I have enjoyed his frankest confidence for many years,
+and received from his conversation the advantages of a more valuable
+species of instruction, relative to the arts, than books alone can supply
+to one who is not an artist. While I therefore admit that the partiality
+of friendship may tincture my opinion of his character, I am yet confident
+that the general truth of the estimate will be admitted by all who knew
+the man, or are capable to appreciate the merits of his works.
+
+In his deportment, Mr. West was mild and considerate: his eye was keen,
+and his mind apt; but he was slow and methodical in his reflections, and
+the sedateness of his remarks must often in his younger years have seemed
+to strangers singularly at variance with the vivacity of his look. That
+vivacity, however, was not the result of any peculiar animation of
+temperament; it was rather the illumination of his genius; for when his
+features were studiously considered, they appeared to resemble those
+which we find associated with dignity of character in the best
+productions of art.
+
+As an artist, he will stand in the first rank. His name will be classed
+with those of Michael Angelo and Raphael; but he possessed little in
+common with either. As the former has been compared to Homer, and the
+latter to Virgil, in Shakspeare we shall perhaps find the best likeness to
+the genius of Mr. West. He undoubtedly possessed, but in a slight degree,
+that peculiar energy and physical expression of character in which Michael
+Angelo excelled, and in a still less that serene sublimity which
+constitutes the charm of Raphael's great productions. But he was their
+equal in the fulness, the perspicuity, and the propriety of his
+compositions. In all his great works the scene intended to be brought
+before the spectator is represented in such a manner that the imagination
+has nothing to supply. The incident, the time and the place, are there as
+we think they must have been; and it is this wonderful force of conception
+which renders the sketches of Mr. West so much more extraordinary than his
+finished pictures. In the finished pictures we naturally institute
+comparisons in colouring, and in beauty of figure, and in a thousand
+details which are never noticed in the sketches of this illustrious
+artist. But although his powers of conception were so superior,--equal in
+their excellence to Michael Angelo's energy, or Raphael's grandeur,--still
+in the inferior departments of drawing and colouring, he was one of the
+greatest artists of his age; it was not, however, till late in life that
+he executed any of those works in which he thought the splendour of the
+Venetian school might be judiciously imitated.
+
+At one time he intended to collect his works together, and to form a
+general exhibition of them all. Had he accomplished this, the greatness
+and versatility of his talents would have been established beyond all
+controversy; for unquestionably he was one of those great men, whose
+genius cannot be justly estimated by particular works, but only by a
+collective inspection of the variety, the extent, and the number of their
+productions.
+
+On the 10th of March Mr. West expired without a struggle, at his house
+in Newman Street, and on the 29th he was interred with great funeral
+pomp in St. Paul's Cathedral. An account of the ceremony is inserted in
+the Appendix.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix
+
+No. I.
+
+
+
+_The Account: of Pictures painted by Benjamin West for His Majesty, by his
+Gracious Commands, from 1768 to 1780. A True Copy from Mr. West's Account
+Books, with their several Charges and Dates_.
+
+
+When painted.       SUBJECTS.                     L.   s.
+
+1769.  1. Regulus, his Departure from Rome        420  0
+       2. Hamilcar swearing his Son
+          Hannibal at the Altar                   420  0
+1771   3. Bayard at the moment of his death
+          receiving the Constable Bourbon         315  0
+       4. The Death of Epaminondas                315  0
+       5. The Death of General Wolfe              315  0
+1772.  6. Cyrus receiving the King of
+          Armenia and family prisoners            157 10
+       7. Germanicus receiving Sagastis
+          and his Daughter prisoners              157 10
+       8. The portrait of Her Majesty,
+          the Kit-cat size.
+       9. The portrait of His Majesty,
+          the same size, (companion,)              84  0
+      10. Six of the Royal Children in one
+          picture, size of life                   315  0
+      11. Her Majesty and Princess Royal,
+          in one picture                          157  0
+      12. His R. H. the Prince of Wales
+          and Prince Frederic (Duke of
+          York), in one picture whole
+          length                                  210  0
+      13. A second picture of Ditto, for
+          the Empress of Russia, sent by
+          His Majesty                             210  0
+      14. A whole-length portrait of His
+          Majesty,--Lord Amherst and
+          the Marquis of Lothian in the
+          back-ground.                            262 10
+      15. A whole-length portrait of Her
+          Majesty, with all the Royal
+          Children in the back-ground             262 10
+      16. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          William (Duke of Clarence) and
+          Prince Edward (Duke of Kent),
+          in one picture                          262 10
+1779. 17. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          Adolphus and his sisters, in one
+          picture                                 262 10
+
+
+From the year 1769 the whole of the above pictures to 1779 were painted
+and paid for by His Majesty through the hands of Mr. R. Daulton and Mr.
+G. Mathias.
+
+1780. At this period His Majesty was graciously pleased to sanction my
+pencil with his commands for a great work on Revealed Religion, from its
+commencement to its completion, for pictures to embellish his intended New
+Chapel in Windsor Castle. I arranged the several subjects from the four
+Dispensations. His Majesty was pleased to approve the arrangement
+selected, as did several of the Bishops in whose hands he placed them for
+their consideration, and they highly approved the same.
+
+His Majesty then honoured me with his commands, and did at that time, the
+better to enable me to carry it into effect, order his deputy privy-purse,
+Mr. G. Mathias, to pay me one thousand a year by quarterly payments, which
+was regularly paid as commanded; and the following are the subjects which
+I have painted from the Four Dispensations, for the Chapel, of various
+dimensions.
+
+
+ANTIDELUVIAN DISPENSATION.
+
+When painted.           SUBJECTS.                L. s.
+
+1780.      1. The expulsion of Adam and Eve
+              from Paradise                      535  0
+           2. The Deluge                         525  0
+           3. Noah and his Family sacrificing    525  0
+
+PATRIARCHAL DISPENSATION.
+
+           4. The Call of Abraham going to
+              sacrifice his son Isaac            600  0
+           5. The Birth of Jacob and Esau        525  0
+           6. Joseph and his brothers in Egypt,
+              composed, not painted.
+           7. The Death of Jacob surrounded
+              by his sons in Egypt, ditto.
+
+THE MOSAICAL DISPENSATION.
+
+           8. The Call of Moses, his Rod
+              turned into a Serpent before the
+              Burning Bush, composed, but not
+              painted.
+           9. Moses and his brother Aaron
+              before Pharaoh, their Rods turned
+              into Serpents                     1050  0
+          10. Moses destroying Pharaoh said
+              his host in the Red Sea           1050  0
+          11. Moses receiving the Laws on
+              Mount Sinai                       1260  0
+          12. Moses consecrating Aaron and
+              his sons to the priesthood        1050  0
+          13. Moses showing the Brazen Serpent
+              to the infirm to be healed        1050  0
+          14. The Death of Aaron on Mount
+              Hor, composed, but not painted.
+          15. Moses presenting Joshua to
+              Eleazar the priest, and Congregation,
+              as commanded, composed,
+              but not painted.
+          16. Moses sees the Promised Land
+              from the top of Mount Abarim,
+              and Death, a sketch in oil colours.
+          17. Joshua commanding the Ark
+              and Congregation to pass the
+              river into the Promised Land, a
+              sketch in oil colour.
+THE PROPHETS.
+
+      18. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah       525  0
+      19. The prophet Samuel anointing
+          David the son of Jesse, a sketch.
+      20. The prophesying of Zacharias at
+          the birth of John his son              525  0
+      21. The Angels announcing the Birth
+          of our Saviour, a cartoon for a
+          painted-glass window, by Mr.
+          Forrest                                525  0
+      22. The Birth of our Saviour, ditto,
+          for painted glass, by ditto            525  0
+      23. The Wise Man's Offering, a
+          cartoon for ditto                      525  0
+      24. John the Baptist baptizing our
+          Saviour, on whom the Holy
+          Ghost descends                        1050  0
+      25. Christ's Temptation and Victory
+          in the Wilderness, a sketch.
+      26. Christ beginneth to preach at
+          Nazareth, his native place, a
+          sketch.
+      27. Christ healeth the Sick and
+          Blind; &c. in the Temple              1050  0
+      28. The Last Supper; which picture
+          His Majesty presented to St.
+          George's Chapel at Windsor             735  0
+      29. A Last Supper, painted for the
+          King's Chapel                          735  0
+      30. The Crucifixion, a study in oil
+          colour, for the glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from, and the cartoon the
+          size of the window                    1050  0
+      31. The west end window of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, for them to draw the
+          figures from on the glass             1050  0
+      32. The Resurrection, a study in
+          oil colour, for glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from                            525  0
+      33. And the cartoon the size of the
+          window at the east end of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, to draw from on the glass    1050  0
+             And two side pictures               525  0
+     34. The Assumption of our Saviour,
+         for the King's Chapel                  1050  0
+     35. Peter's first Sermon, or the
+         Apostles receiving the Cloven
+         Tongues                                1050  0
+     36. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the
+         Jews, and receiving the Gentiles       1050  0
+                                             -----------
+                                    [Total]  L21,705  0
+                                             -----------
+
+_Painted for His Majesty's State Rooms in Windsor Castle the following
+Pictures from the History of Edward III_.
+
+      1. Edward III. embracing his Son on
+         the field of battle at Cressy          1365  0
+      2. The Installation of the most noble
+         Order of the Garter                    1365  0
+      3. Edward the Black Prince receiving
+         John King of France and his
+         son as prisoners                       1365  0
+      4. St. George destroying the Dragon        630  0
+      5. Queen Philippa defeats David
+         King of Scotland, at Nevil's
+         Cross, and takes him prisoner           525  0
+      6. Queen Philippa soliciting Edward
+         III. to save St. Pierre and the
+         brave burgesses of Calais               525  0
+      7. Edward III. forcing the passage of
+         the river Somme in France               630  0
+      8. Edward III. crowning Ribemont
+         at Calais                               525  0
+                                             -----------
+                                     [Total]   L6930  0
+                                             -----------
+
+      By His Majesty's commands I made
+      nine designs for the ceiling in the
+      Queen's Lodge, Windsor, for Mr.
+      Haas to work the ceilings from.
+      Viz. 1. Genius inspiring the fine arts
+      to adorn the useful arts and sciences.
+      2. Agriculture. 3. Manufactures.
+      4. Commerce. 5. Botany. 6. Chemistry.
+      7. Celestial Science. 8. Terrestrial
+      Science; and 9. To adorn
+      Empire                                     525  0
+
+      Myself and son, with Mr. Rebecca,
+      for painting transparent and water
+      coloured pictures to adorn the marble
+      gallery at a great evening entertainment
+      in the Castle given by Their
+      Majesties to the nobility                  250  0
+
+      Painted for His Majesty a whole-length
+      portrait of Prince Octavius
+      holding the King's sword                    73 10
+
+      Painted for His Majesty the Apotheosis
+      of Prince Octavius and Prince
+      Alfred, in one picture, the size of life   315  0
+
+      A portrait of Prince Augustus, half
+      length, for the Queen.
+
+      A second whole length of Her
+      Majesty, with all the Royal children
+      in the back-ground, which was placed
+      in Windsor Castle, but at present in
+      the Queen's Palace, London                 262 10
+
+      A picture of Peter denying our,
+      Saviour, of which His Majesty honoured
+      me by accepting, two half-length
+      figures, the size of life.
+                                             -----------
+                                      [Total]  L1426  0
+                                             -----------
+
+This is a true statement of the numbers of pictures, cartoons, and
+drawings of designs, and sketches of scripture subjects, as well as
+historical events, British as well as Greek, Roman, and other nations,
+with which I had been honoured by the King's commands, from 1768, to 5th
+January 1801, to paint for His Majesty; and the charges I made for each
+was by him most graciously acknowledged, when my account was audited and
+allowed by Mr. G. Mathias, His Majesty's privy purse, who settled for
+debtor and creditor the whole amount between the above dates.
+
+
+Benjamin West.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix No. II.
+
+
+
+_A Catalogue of thee Works of Mr. West_.
+
+Regulus.
+
+Hanibal.
+
+Epaminondas.
+
+Bayard.
+
+Wolfe, the first and second.
+
+Cyrus and the King of Armenia with his Family, captives.
+
+Germanicus and Segestus with his Daughter, captives.
+
+The Apotheosis of Prince Alfred and Prince Octavius.
+
+The picture of the Damsel accusing Peter.
+
+The Queen, with the Princess Royal, in one picture.
+
+Prince Ernest and Prince Augustus; Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, and
+Mary, in one picture.
+
+Prince William and Prince Edward, in one picture.
+
+Prince Octavius.
+
+The whole-length portrait of His Majesty in Regimentals, with Lord Amherst
+and the Marquis of Lothian on Horseback, in the back-ground.
+
+The whole-length portrait of Her Majesty, with the fourteen Royal
+Children.
+
+The same repeated.
+
+The Battle of Cressy, when Edward III. embraced his son.
+
+The Battle of Poitiers, when John King of France is brought prisoner to
+the Prince.
+
+The Institution of the Order of the Garter.
+
+The Battle of Nevil's Cross.
+
+The Burgesses of Calais before Edward III.
+
+Edward III. crossing the Somme.
+
+Edward III. crowning Ribemont, at Calais.
+
+St. George destroying the Dragon.
+
+The design of our Saviour's Resurrection, painted in colours, with the
+Women going to the Sepulchre; also Peter and John.
+
+The cartoon from the above design, for the east window, painted in the
+Collegiate Church of Windsor, on glass, 36 feet high by 28 wide.
+
+The design of our Saviour's Crucifixion, painted in colours.
+
+The cartoon from the above design, for the west window in the Collegiate
+Church, painting on glass, 36 feet by 28.
+
+The cartoon of the Angels appearing to the Shepherds, ditto for ditto.
+
+The cartoon of the Nativity of our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.
+
+The cartoon of the Magi presenting Gifts to our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.
+
+The picture, in water-colours, representing Hymen leading and dancing with
+the Hours before Peace and and Plenty.
+
+The picture, in water-colours, of Boys with the Insignia of Riches.
+
+The companion, with Boys, and the Insignia of the Fine Arts.
+
+Genius calling forth the Fine Arts to adorn Manufactures and Commerce, and
+recording the names of eminent men in those pursuits.
+
+Husbandry aided by Arts and Commerce.
+
+Peace and Riches cherishing the Fine Arts.
+
+Manufactory giving support to Industry, in Boys and Girls.
+
+Marine and inland Navigation enriching Britannia.
+
+Printing aided by the Fine Arts.
+
+Astronomy making new discoveries in the Heavens.
+
+The Four Quarters of the World bringing Treasures to the Lap of Britannia.
+
+Civil and Military Architecture defending and adorning Empire.
+
+The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
+
+The Deluge.
+
+Noah sacrificing.
+
+Abraham and his son Isaac going to sacrifice.
+
+The Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+The Death of Jacob in Egypt, surrounded by his Twelve Sons.
+
+Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh; their Rods turned into Serpents.
+
+Pharaoh and his Host lost in the Red Sea, while Moses stretches his Rod
+over them.
+
+Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.
+
+Moses consecrateth Aaron and his Sons to the Priesthood.
+
+Moses showeth the Brazen Serpent to the People to be healed.
+
+Moses shown the Promised Land from the top of Mount Pisgah.
+
+Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.
+
+The Twelve Tribes drawing Lots for the Lands of their Inheritance, 6
+feet by 10.
+
+The Call of Isaiah and Jeremiah, each 5 by 14.
+
+David anointed King, 6 by 10.
+
+Christ's Birth, 6 by 10.
+
+The naming of John; or, the Prophecies of Zacharias, ditto.
+
+The Kings bringing Presents to Christ, 6 by 12.
+
+Christ among the Doctors, 6 by 10.
+
+The Descent of the Holy Ghost on our Saviour at the River Jordan, 10 by
+14.
+
+Christ healing the Sick in the Temple, ditto.
+
+Christ's Last Supper, 6 by 10.
+
+Christ's Crucifixion, 16 by 28.
+
+Christ's Ascension, 12 by 18.
+
+The Inspiration of St. Peter, 10 by 14.
+
+Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and receiving the Gentiles, ditto.
+
+John called to write the Revelation, 6 by 10.
+
+Saints prostrating themselves before the Throne of God.
+
+The opening of the Seven Seals; or, Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The overthrowing the Old Beast and False Prophet.
+
+The Last Judgment.
+
+The New Jerusalem.
+
+The picture of St. Michael and his Angels fighting and casting out the Red
+Dragon and his Angels.
+
+Do. of the Women clothed in the Sun.
+
+Do. of John called to write the Revelation.
+
+Do. of the Beast rising out of the Sea.
+
+Do. of the Mighty Angel, one Foot upon Sea and the other on Earth.
+
+Do. of St. Anthony of Padua.
+
+Do. of the Madra Dolo Roso.
+
+Do. of Simeon, with the Child in his arms.
+
+A picture of a small Landscape, with a Hunt passing In the back-ground.
+
+Do. of Abraham and Isaac going to sacrifice,
+
+Do. of a whole-length figure of Thomas a Becket, larger than life.
+
+Do. of the Angel in the Sun assembling the Birds of the Air, before the
+destruction of the Old Beast.
+
+Four half-lengths.
+
+The small picture of the Order of the Garter, differing in composition
+from the great picture at Windsor.
+
+The picture of the Shunamite's Son raised to Life by the Prophet Elisha.
+
+Do. of Jacob blessing Joseph's Sons.
+
+Do. of the Death of Wolfe, the third picture.
+
+Do. of the Battle of La Hogue.
+
+Do. of the Boyne.
+
+Do. of the Restoration of Charles II.
+
+Do. of Cromwell dissolving the Long Parliament.
+
+A small portrait of General Wolfe, when a Boy.
+
+The Picture of the Golden Age.
+
+The picture of St. Michael chaining the Dragon, in Trinity College,
+Cambridge, 15 by 8.
+
+Do. of the Angels announcing the Birth of our Saviour, in the Cathedral
+Church at Rochester, 10 by 6.
+
+Do. of the Death of St. Stephen, in the church of St. Stephen,
+Walbrook, 10 by 18.
+
+Do. of the Raising of Lazarus, in the Cathedral of Winchester, 10 by 14.
+
+Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper off his Finger, in the chapel at
+Greenwich, 27 by 15.
+
+The Supper, over the communion-table in the Collegiate Church at
+Windsor, 8 by 13.
+
+The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the east window of the Collegiate
+Church at Windsor, 28 by 32.
+
+The Crucifixion, in the window of ditto, 28 by 36.
+
+The Angel announcing our Saviour's Birth, in ditto, 10 by 14.
+
+The Birth of our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.
+
+The Kings presenting Gifts to our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.
+
+The picture of Peter denying our Saviour, in the chapel of Lord Newark.
+
+The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the church of Barbadoes, 10 by 6.
+
+The picture of Moses with the Law, and John the Baptist, in ditto, as
+large as life.
+
+The picture of Telemachus and Calypso.
+
+Do. of Angelica and Madora.
+
+Do. of the Damsel and Orlando.
+
+Do. of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.
+
+Do. of St. Paul's Conversion; his Persecution of the Christians; and the
+Restoration of his Sight, under the hands of Ananias, in one frame,
+divided in three parts.
+
+Do. of Mr. Hope's Family, containing nine figures as large as life.
+
+Large figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, Innocence, St. Matthew, St. Mark,
+St. Luke, St. John, St. Matthias, St. Thomas, St. Jude, St. Simon, St
+James the Major, St. Philip, St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St.
+James the Minor, Malachi, Micah, Zachariah, and Daniel.
+
+Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.
+
+Paul preaching at Athens.
+
+Elimas the Sorcerer struck blind.
+
+Cornelius and the Angel.
+
+Peter delivered from Prison.
+
+The Conversion of St. Paul.
+
+Paul before Felix.
+
+Two whole-lengths of the late Archbishop of York's two eldest Sons.
+
+A whole-length portrait of the late Lord Grosvenor.
+
+The picture of Jacob drawing Water at the Well for Rachael and her Flock,
+in the possession of Mrs. Evans.
+
+The picture of the Citizens of London offering the Crown to William the
+Conqueror.
+
+The Queen soliciting the King to pardon her son John.
+
+Moses showing the brazen Serpent.
+
+John showing the Lamb of God.
+
+Three of the Children of the late Archbishop of York, with the portrait of
+the Archbishop, half-lengths, in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Drummond.
+
+The Family-picture, half-lengths, of Mrs. Cartwright's Children.
+
+Do. of Sir Edmund Baker, Nephew and Niece, half-length.
+
+Do. of--Lunis, Esq.'s Children, half-lengths.
+
+A Lady leading three Children along the Path of Virtue to the Temple.
+
+A picture of Madora.
+
+The picture of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great
+Mogul, for Lord Clive.
+
+Christ receiving the Sick and Lame in the Temple, in the Pennsylvanian
+Hospital, Philadelphia, 11 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Pylades and Orestes, for Sir George Beaumont.
+
+The original sketch of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes, for ditto.
+
+The picture of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotas into Banishment, with his
+Wife and Children, for W. Smith, Esq.
+
+Do. of the Marys at the Sepulchre, for General Stibert.
+
+Do. of Alexander and his Physician, for ditto.
+
+Do. of Julius Caesar reading the Life of Alexander.
+
+Do. of the Return of the Prodigal Son, for Sir James Earle.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis, for--Knight, Esq. Portland Place.
+
+Do. of the Continence of Scipio, ditto.
+
+Do. of Venus and Cupid, oval, for Mr. Steers Temple.
+
+Do. of Alfred dividing his Loaf, presented to Stationers' Hall by
+Alderman Boydell.
+
+Do. of Helen brought to Paris, in the possession of a family in Kent.
+
+A small sketch of the Shunamite's Son restored, &c.
+
+Cupid stung by a Bee, oval, for--Vesey, Esq. in Ireland.
+
+Agrippina surrounded by her Children, and reclining her Head on the Urn
+containing the Ashes of Germanicus, ditto.
+
+The Death of Wolfe, the fourth picture, for Lord Bristol.
+
+A do. of do. the fourth picture, in the possession of the Prince of
+Waldeck.
+
+A small do. of do. the fifth picture, ditto Moncton family.
+
+A small picture of Romeo and Juliet, for the Duke of Courland.
+
+A small picture of King Lear and his Daughters, ditto.
+
+Do. of Belisarius and the Boy, for Sir Francis Baring.
+
+Do. of Sir Francis Baring and part of his Family, containing six figures
+as large as life, ditto.
+
+Do. of Simeon and the Child, as large as life, for the Provost of Eton.
+
+Do. of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great Mogul, a
+second picture, for Madras.
+
+The second picture of Philippa soliciting of Edward III. the pardon of the
+Burgesses of Calais, in the possession of--Willet, Esq.
+
+Do. of Europa on the back of the Bull, at Calcutta.
+
+Do. of the Death of Hyacinthus, painted for Lord Kerry, but now in the
+National Gallery at Paris.
+
+The picture of Venus presenting the Girdle to Juno, painted for
+Lord Kerry, and in the National Gallery; figures as large as life
+in both pictures.
+
+Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, for Caleb Whitford, Esq.
+
+Do. of Pharaoh's Daughter with the Child Moses, for--Park, Esq.: the
+original painted for General Lawrence.
+
+Do. of the Stolen Kiss, painted for ditto, and in the possession of ditto.
+
+Do. of Angelica and Madora, for ditto, ditto.
+
+Do. of the Woman of Samaria at the Well with Christ, ditto.
+
+Do. of Paetus and Arria, in the possession of Col. Smith, at the Tower.
+
+Do. of Rebecca coming to David, for Sir J. Ashley.
+
+The Drawing respecting Christ's Nativity, for Mr. Tomkins, Doctors'
+Commons.
+
+Do. of Rebecca receiving the Bracelets at the Well, for the late Lord
+Buckinghamshire.
+
+The drawing of the Stolen Kiss, ditto.
+
+Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, ditto.
+
+Do. of a Mother and Child, ditto.
+
+The whole-length portrait of Sir Thomas Strange, in the Town-hall
+of Halifax.
+
+Do. of Sir John Sinclair.
+
+The picture of Agrippina landing at Brundusium, (the first picture,) in
+the possession of Lord Kinnoul.
+
+Do. of do. for the Earl of Exeter, at Burleigh, second picture.
+
+Do. of do. (third picture,) in the possession of---- Hatch, Esq., in
+Essex.
+
+A small picture of Jupiter and Semele: the large picture lost at sea.
+
+Hector parting with his Wife and Child at the Sun Gate.
+
+The prophet Elisha raising the Shunamite's son.
+
+The raising of Lazarus.
+
+Edward III. crossing the River Somme.
+
+Queen Philippa at the Battle of Nevil's Cuoss.
+
+The Angels announcing to the Shepherds the Birth of our Saviour.
+
+The Magi bringing Presents to our Saviour.
+
+A view on the River Thames at Hammersmith.
+
+A do. on the banks of the River Susquehanna, in America.
+
+The picture of Tangire Mill, at Eton.
+
+Do. of Chryseis returned to her father Chyses.
+
+Venus and Adonis, large as life.
+
+The sixth picture of the Death of Wolfe.
+
+The first and second picture of the Battle of La Hogue.
+
+The sketch, of Macbeth and the Witches.
+
+The small picture of the Return of Tobias.
+
+The small picture of the Return of the Prodigal Son.
+
+Do. of Ariadne on the Sea-shore.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis.
+
+Do. of John King of France brought to the Black Prince.
+
+Do. of Antiochus and Stratonice.
+
+Do, of King Lear and his Daughter.
+
+The picture of Chryses on the Sea-shore.
+
+Do. of Nathan and David:--"Thou art the Man!" as large as life,
+
+Do. of Elijah raising the Widow's Son to Life.
+
+Do. of the Choice of Hercules.
+
+Do. of Venus and Europa.
+
+Do. of Daniel interpreting the Hand-writing on the Wall.
+
+Do. of the Ambassador from Tunis, with his Attendant, as he appeared in
+England in 1781.
+
+The drawing of Marius on the Ruins of Carthage.
+
+Do. of Cato giving his Daughter in Marriage on his Death, both in the
+possession of the Archduke Joseph.
+
+Do. of Belisarius brought to his Family.
+
+The large picture of the Stag, or the rescuing of Alexander the Third, for
+Lord Seaforth, 12 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Endymion and Diana, at Wentworth
+Castle, Yorkshire.
+
+Do. of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Angelica and Madora, in the possession of
+Mr. Mitton, of Shropshire, painted at Rome.
+
+Small picture of the Battle of Cressy.
+
+Small sketch of the Order of the Garter.
+
+Mr. West's small picture of his Family.
+
+The sketch of Edward the Third with his Queen, and the Citizens of
+Calais.
+
+Mr. West's small copy from Vandyke's picture of Cardinal Bentivoglio, now
+in the National Gallery at Paris.
+
+Mr. West's copy from Correggio's celebrated picture at Parma, viz. the St.
+Girolemo, now in the National Gallery.
+
+The large Landscape from Windsor Forest.
+
+The picture of Mark Antony showing the Robe and Will of Julius Caesar to
+the People.
+
+Do. of AEgistus viewing the Body of Clytemnestra.
+
+The large sketch of the window at Windsor, of the Magi presenting Gifts to
+the Infant Christ.
+
+The small sketch of the Battle of Nevil's Cross.
+
+The second small sketch of the Order of the Garter.
+
+The small picture of Ophelia before the King and Queen, with her
+brother Laertes.
+
+Do. of the Recovery of His Majesty in the year 1789.
+
+Do. from Thomson's Seasons, of Miranda and her Two Companions.
+
+Do. of Edward the Third crowning Ribemont at Calais, a sketch.
+
+The picture of Leonidas taking leave of his Family on his going to
+Thermopylae.
+
+Do. of a Bacchante, as large as life, half-length.
+
+First sketch of the Battle of Cressy.
+
+The picture of Phaeton soliciting Apollo for the Chariot of the Sun.
+
+The second picture of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.
+
+The small picture of Belisarius and the Boy, different from that in the
+possession of Sir Francis Baring.
+
+The small picture of the Eagle giving the Vase of Water to Psyche.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis, from Anacreon.
+
+Do. of Moonlight and the "Beckoning Ghost," from Pope's Elegy.
+
+Do. of the Angel sitting on the Stone at the Sepulchre.
+
+Second picture of the same, but differing in composition.
+
+A small sketch of ditto.
+
+A sketch of King Lear and his Daughter.
+
+The second picture of Angelica and Madora.
+
+Do. of a Damsel and Orlando.
+
+Mr. West's portrait, half-length.
+
+Sketch of his two Sons, when Children.
+
+Do. when Boys.
+
+Do. when young Men.
+
+Portrait of the Rev.---- Preston.
+
+Picture of the Bacchante Boys.
+
+Do. of the Good Samaritan.
+
+Picture of the Destruction of the Old Beast and False
+Prophet:--Revelation.
+
+Do. of Christ healing the Sick, Lame, and Blind, in the Tenrple.
+
+Do. of Tintern Abbey.
+
+Do. of Death on the Pale Horse; or, the Opening of the Seals.
+
+Do. of Jason and the Dragon, in imitation of Salvator Rosa.
+
+Do. of Venus and Adonis looking at Cupids bathing.
+
+Do. of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.
+
+Do. of the Uxbridge Passage-boat on the Canal.
+
+Do. of St. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and turning to the
+Gentiles.
+
+Picture of the Falling of Trees in the Great Park at Windsor.
+
+Do. of Diomed and his Chariot-horses struck by the Lightning of Jupiter.
+
+Do. of the Milk-woman in St. James's Park.
+
+Do. of King Lear in the Storm at the Hovel.
+
+Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
+
+Do. of the Order of the Garter.
+
+Do. of Orion on the Dolphin's back.
+
+Do. of Cupid complaining to Venus of a Bee having stung his finger.
+
+Do. of the Deluge.
+
+Do. of Queen Elizabeth's Procession to St. Paul's.
+
+Do. of Christ showing a Little Child as the Emblem of Heaven.
+
+Do. of Harvest-home.
+
+Do. of a View from the east end of Windsor Castle, looking over Datchet.
+
+Do. of Washing of Sheep.
+
+Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.
+
+Do. of the Sun setting behind a group of Trees on the banks of the Thames
+at Twickenham.
+
+Do. of the driving of Sheep and Cows to water.
+
+Do. of Cattle drinking at a Watering-place in the Great Park, Windsor,
+with Mr. West drawing.
+
+Do. of Pharaoh and his Host drowned in the Red Sea.
+
+Do. of Calypso and Telemachus on the Sea-shore; second picture.
+
+Do. of Gentlemen fishing in the Water at Dagenham Breach.
+
+Do. of Moses consecrating Aaron and his Sons to the priesthood.
+
+Picture of the View of Windsor-Castle from Snow-Hill, in the Great Park.
+
+Do. of a Mother inviting her little Boy to come to her through a small
+Stream of Water.
+
+Do. of the naming of Samuel, and the prophesying of Zacharias.
+
+Do. of the Ascension of our Saviour.
+
+Do of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+Do. of the Brewer's Porter and Hod Carrier.
+
+Do. of Venus attended by the Graces.
+
+Do. of Samuel, when a Boy, presented to Eli.
+
+Do. of Christ's Last Supper. (In brown colour.)
+
+Do. of the Reaping of Harvest, with Windsor in the back-ground.
+
+Do. of Adonis and his Dog going to the Chace.
+
+Do. of Christ among the Doctors in the Temple.
+
+Do. of Moses shown the Promised Land.
+
+Do. of Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.
+
+Do. of Christ's Nativity.
+
+Do. of Mothers with their Children, in water,
+
+Do. of Cranford Bridge.
+
+Do, of the sketch of Pyrrhus when a Child, before King Glaucus.
+
+Do. of the Traveller laying his Piece of Bread on the Bridle of the dead
+Ass. From Sterne.
+
+Do. of the Captivity. From ditto.
+
+Do. of Cupid letting loose Two Pigeons.
+
+Do. of Cupid asleep.
+
+Do. of Children eating Cherries.
+
+Sketch of a Mother and her Child on her Lap.
+
+The small picture of the Eagle bringing the Cup to
+Psyche.
+
+The picture of St. Anthony of Padua and the Child.
+
+Do. of Jacob, and Laban with his Two Daughters.
+
+Do. of the Women looking into the Sepulchre, and beholding Two Angels
+where the Lord lay.
+
+Do. of the Angel loosening the Chains of St. Peter in Prison.
+
+Do. of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.
+
+Do. of the Death of Epaminondas.
+
+Do. of the Death of Bayard.
+
+The small sketch of Christ's Ascension.
+
+The sketch of a Group of Legendary Saints. In imitation of Reubens.
+
+The picture of Kosciusco on a Couch, as he appeared in London, 1797.
+
+Do. of the Death of Cephalus.
+
+Do. of Abraham and Isaac:--"Here is the Wood and Fire, but where is the
+Lamb for Sacrifice."
+
+The sketch of the Bard. From Gray.
+
+Do. of the Pardoning of John by his brother King Henry, at the
+Solicitation of his Mother.
+
+Do. of St. George and the Dragon.
+
+The picture of Eponina with her Children, giving Bread to her Husband when
+in Concealment.
+
+The sketch on paper of Christ's Last Supper.
+
+The picture of the Pardoning of John, at his Mother's Solicitation.
+
+Do. of the Death of Lord Chatham.
+
+Do. of the Presentation of the Crown to William the Conqueror.
+
+Do. of Europa crowning the Bull with Flowers.
+
+Do. of Mr. West's Garden, Gallery, and Painting-Room.
+
+Do. of the Cave of Despair. From Spenser.
+
+The picture of Christ's Resurrection.
+
+The sketch of the Destruction of the Spanish Armada.
+
+The picture of Arethusa bathing.
+
+The sketch of Priam soliciting of Achilles the Body of Hector.
+
+The picture of Moonlight. (Small.)
+
+The small sketch of Cupid showing Venus his Finger stung by a Bee.
+
+The drawings of the Two Sides of the intended Chapel at Windsor, with the
+Arrangement of the Pictures, &c.
+
+The drawing of St. Matthew, with the Angel.
+
+Do. of Alcibiades and Timon of Athens.
+
+Do. of Penn's Treaty.
+
+Do. of Regulus.
+
+Do. of Mark Antony, showing the Robe and Will of Caesar.
+
+Do. of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+Do. of the Death of Dido.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Moses receiving the Laws on
+Mount Sinai.
+
+The large drawing of the Death of Hippolytus.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, of the Death of St. Stephen. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Caesar.
+
+Do. of the Swearing of Hannibal.
+
+Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve.
+
+Do. of the Deluge.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Landing of Agrippina. On paper.
+
+Do. of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotus into Banishment. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Epaminondas.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Death of Aaron. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.
+
+The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of David prostrate, whilst the destroying
+Angel sheathes the Sword.
+
+The drawing of the Women looking into the Sepulchre.
+
+Do. of St. John Preaching.
+
+Do. of the Golden Age.
+
+Do. of Antinous and Stratonice.
+
+Do. of the Death of Demosthenes.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The drawing of King John and the Barons with Magna Charta.
+
+Do. of La Hogue.
+
+Do. of Jacob and Laban.
+
+The large ditto of the Destruction of the Assyrian Camp by the
+destroying Angel.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Christ raising the Widow's Son.
+
+Do. in ditto, (on paper,) of the Water gushing from the Rock, when
+struck by Moses.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Socrates.
+
+Do. of the Boyne.
+
+Do. of the Death of Eustace St. Celaine.
+
+The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of the Procession of Agrippina with her
+Children and the Roman Ladies through the Roman Camp, when in Mutiny.
+
+The drawing of the Rescue of Alexander III. of Scotland from the Fury
+of the Stag.
+
+Do. of the Death of Wolfe.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of King Alfred dividing his Loaf with a Pilgrim.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Raising of Lazarus.
+
+The small whole-length of Thomas a Becket, in oil, on canvass.
+
+The small picture of the Death of the Stag.
+
+The drawing of ditto.
+
+Do. of Nathan and David.
+
+Do. of Joseph making himself known to his Brethren.
+
+The drawing of Narcissus in the Fountain.
+
+Do. sketch, in small, of the Duannic received by Lord Clive.
+
+Do. of the Continence of Scipio.
+
+Do. of the Last Judgment, and the Sea giving up its Dead.
+
+Do. of the Bard. From Gray;
+
+Do. of Belisarius and his Family.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of Aaron standing between the Dead and Living to stop
+the Plague.
+
+Do. on paper, of the Messenger announcing to Samuel the Loss of the
+Battle.
+
+The drawing of Sir Philip Sydney ordering the Water to be given to the
+wounded Soldier.
+
+The sketch of Christ Rejected.
+
+The great picture of Christ Rejected.
+
+Do. of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The second picture of Christ healing the Sick.
+
+The third great picture of Lord Clive receiving the Duannie.
+
+Portrait of the Duke of Portland.
+
+Portrait of Himself, left unfinished.
+
+
+N.B. Besides these productions, Mr. West has, in his portfolios, drawings
+and sketches exceeding two hundred in number.
+
+
+
+
+NATIONAL MONUMENT.
+
+
+
+[The following letter on an interesting subject is curious, and is
+inserted here to be preserved.]
+
+_Mr. West's Letter to Sir George Beaumont, Bart._
+
+East Cowes Castle, Isle of Wight,
+
+Sept. 30. 1815.
+
+"DEAR SIR GEORGE,
+
+"Your letter to me from Keswick of the thirty-first of last month I have
+received at this place: in that letter you have honoured me with the
+communication of 'the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having
+done you the honour, among others, to inform you of the commands of His
+Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that measures be forthwith taken for the
+erection of a monument to commemorate the victory of Waterloo, in
+pursuance of an address of the House of Commons; and to request you to
+apply to such artists as you think fit, for designs for this national
+column;' and you are pleased to say, that you believe at this distance you
+cannot better forward their views than by applying to me.
+
+"The honourable way in which you have noticed my humble abilities in the
+arts, by calling on them for a design for a monument, to perpetuate an
+occurrence of such high military glory and national greatness as that of
+the victory of Waterloo, demands my warmest acknowledgments, and I also
+feel a duty and profound respect for the sources of your instructions to
+procure appropriate designs from the artists. When a monument is to be
+raised by a great and victorious nation (such as England) in memory of her
+departed as well as her living heroes, I feel it of the highest importance
+to her national character, when her arts and her arms stand so high, that
+they should bear a proud record to posterity of both their powers in such
+a building as that now under consideration.
+
+"To raise a record to departed virtue in an individual, an obelisk, a
+column, or a statue, may bear an honourable name to posterity; but a
+record when thousands have devoted their lives to save their country from
+a rapacious enemy, as in those victories gained by the Greeks at
+Thermopylae and Marathon; the English at Blenheim and Trafalgar; and,
+lastly, that greatest of all, gained by the unsubdued valour and heroism
+of the armies of the United Kingdom at Waterloo, demands a building of
+greater magnitude and more national consequence than that of a column.
+
+"Such a design as I have conceived to record that victory I will give to
+yourself and others for your consideration; but not as a competitor
+presenting a drawing or model for a decision to be made on it as offered
+for competition: I therefore give you the following ideas on friendly
+motives for a dignified building.
+
+"All records to be transmitted, must be by the three means which have
+been established for that purpose; namely, the pen, the pencil, and the
+chisel. I therefore propose a building wherein these three may be
+employed to express the various incidents, and to mark that victory
+distinct from all others, by applying the several spoils and trophies
+taken; and to have the building of considerable magnitude. For as the
+subject is great, so should be its representative: nothing little or mean
+should be accepted, or permitted to appear in such a work, nothing but
+what will mark the great features of that event: all of which by dates,
+names, and sculptured trophies, as well as paintings, may be proclaimed
+and recorded to distant times.
+
+"The basis of such an erection being intended solely to commemorate the
+battle of Waterloo, its name should be in capital letters on the four
+faces, and the trophies of that victory should enrich the sides of the
+same; and the characters of the various military in British armies made
+conspicuous by their numbers shown; and on the summit of the lofty pile
+the sovereign's figure then in power should be placed.
+
+"The plan and dimensions of the building I present to you are as
+follows:--Its base a square of sixty feet, and its height thirty: this
+will make each of the four faces of the base a double square on its
+measurement. From the centre of this base a building to be erected in
+diameter thirty feet, and in height one hundred and twenty, formed out of
+the spoils of victory, and diminishing as it rises, and to be surmounted
+by a figure twelve feet in height, including the pedestal on which it
+stands, In the centre, over the front face of the great case, to be the
+equestrian group of the Duke of Wellington, under which, in large letters,
+WATERLOO to be inscribed; and the four angles of the great base
+perpendicular tablets, ornamented with military insignia expressive of the
+British armies, and inscribed on the four tablets the number of each
+regiment who shared in the glories of that day, and by the four tablets be
+placed the statues of distinguished generals. Thus I have presented you
+with the external appearance of my imaginary building in honour of the
+victory of Waterloo; and the interior of this building to be considered as
+the place of deposit for preserving the powers of the pen, the pencil, and
+other gems from perishing by water or by fire: to be built of stone, and
+all its ornaments to be made of durable metals: all of which to be
+illustrative of the victory for which such a building was erected.
+
+"The situation of this building should be a populous one, and that within
+a circus or square of a diameter not less than six hundred and fifty-eight
+feet. This size of space will give the spectator an opportunity of viewing
+the erection at double the distance of its elevation, which is the optical
+distance that pictures, statues, and buildings should always be seen at.
+
+"Should my ideas of a building to commemorate the military achievements of
+Waterloo be viewed with complacency by yourself and others, I shall feel a
+satisfaction, as President of the Royal Academy, to have done my duty; and
+should His Royal Highness the Prince Regent be pleased to signify his
+approbation, I shall be gratified and honoured. With the sincerity of
+profound respect,
+
+"I am,
+"My dear Sir George,
+"Your obliged and obedient Servant,
+"BENJAMIN WEST."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Suffolk Lane, 28th Jan,
+
+"MY DEAR SIR,
+
+"Sir Philip Francis's critique on the _Transfiguration_ appears very
+ingenious, so far as it explains the painter's design in representing the
+Demoniac Boy as the connecting link between the action _on the Mount_ and
+the groupe at the foot of it; but I cannot agree with Sir Philip in
+supposing the picture to represent the _Ascension_ and as you request
+me to state my reasons for this dissent, I shall briefly endeavour to
+specify them.
+
+"I have _not_ seen the original picture; but in the copy of it by Harlow,
+which was much admired in Rome, and which one would think must be
+accurate, at least in regard to so important a point, since it was
+exhibited beside the original--I say in Harlow's copy the raiment of our
+Saviour is _white,_ not _blue_. The white has, indeed, in the shaded part,
+a bluish tinge, but the colour is decidedly a _white_, and, therefore, Sir
+Philip's assumption that it is _blue_ appears contrary to the fact.
+
+"The _Transfiguration_ was witnessed by _only three_ of the Apostles,
+Peter, James, and John, (see St. Matthew, chap. xvii, v. 1, 2, and 3.)
+exactly as represented In the picture, 'and (see v. 9.) as they came down
+from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man,
+until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead."'
+
+"It maybe as well, to prevent the trouble of an reference, to quote at
+once from the Evangelist, the description of the subject which it appears
+to me the painter meant to represent.
+
+
+Chap. xvii. as before.
+
+1. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
+bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
+
+2. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
+and his raiment was white as the light.
+
+3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
+
+6. And when the disciples heard, they fell on their faces, and were
+sore afraid.
+
+14. And when they were come to the multitudes there came to him a man,
+kneeling down to him, and saying,
+
+15. Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic and sore vexed: and
+oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
+
+16. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him, &c.
+
+"Now this is exactly the scene delineated in the picture. There are _on
+the Mount_ the three disciples, fallen on the ground, and shading their
+faces from the '_bright cloud_' which _overshadows_ the transfigured
+Saviour; and Moses and Elias are the two figures of old men attending the
+Saviour, or '_talking with him._'
+
+"At the _foot of the Mount_, there are _the multitude_, the lunatic boy,
+_his father_ holding him, the _disciples_ who _could not cure him_; and
+one of whom appears in the act of attempting to cure him, by addressing or
+exorcising the demon who is in him. There are also _several women_ in the
+groupe; and it seems that instead of bringing 'different incidents
+together to constitute one plot,' the painter, on the contrary, has
+exactly followed the Evangelist, and represented the same instant of time
+in the action _on_ the Mount, among the _multitude_ at the foot of it.
+
+"I cannot imagine how Sir Philip Francis could have supposed the picture
+to represent the _Ascension_, which took place in the presence of the
+_Eleven Apostles_ and of them only, (see St. Luke, last chapter and last
+paragraph,) as follows:
+
+"And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and he
+blessed them. And it came to pass, when he blessed them, he was parted
+from them, and carried up into Heaven."
+
+"This bears no resemblance whatever to the scene represented in the
+picture, and the opinion given by Sir Philip can only have arisen from an
+imperfect recollection of the Sacred Writings, and from having neglected
+to refer to the text.
+
+"I am,
+"My dear Sir,
+"Yours truly,
+S.M'G-------."
+
+_John Galt, Esq._
+
+
+
+
+The Funeral of Mr. West.
+
+
+
+It would be improper to close this appendix without giving some account of
+the funeral of Mr. West.
+
+Soon after Mr. West's decease, a deputation from the Council of the Royal
+Academy waited on his sons and the executors, to apprise them of the
+intention of that body to honour the remains of their late President., by
+attending them to his grave, according to the ceremonial adopted on the
+public interment of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, in St. Paul's
+Cathedral. His Majesty having, as Patron of the Royal Academy, given his
+gracious sanction that similar honours should be paid to the late
+venerable President, his sons and executors adopted active preparations
+to carry the arrangement into effect. As the schools of the Royal Academy
+were closed, and all its functions suspended, by the death of the late
+President, it was of material importance on this account, and with the
+view to the usual preparatory arrangements for the annual exhibition,
+that the funeral should not be delayed; and as early a day as practicable
+was therefore fixed for the public interment in St. Paul's Cathedral. The
+obvious consequence, however, of this has been, that owing to the absence
+from town, at this particular season, of so many noblemen and gentlemen
+of the highest rank, and the indisposition of several others, many warm
+admirers and friends of this celebrated artist and amiable man, who
+have, during his long life, honoured him with their friendship, and who
+have been particularly desirous of paying their last tribute of respect
+to his remains, have been precluded attending the funeral. The corpse was
+privately brought to the Royal Academy on Tuesday evening, attended by
+the sons and grandson of the deceased, and two intimate friends, Mr.
+Henderson (one of the trustees and executors of the deceased) and Mr.
+Hayes (for many years his medical attendant), and was received by the
+council and officers of the Royal Academy, and their undertaker and his
+attendants, with every mark of respect. The body was then deposited in
+the smaller Exhibition-room, on the ground-floor, which was hung on the
+occasion with black.
+
+About half-past ten yesterday morning, the Academicians, Associates, and
+Students, assembled in the Great Exhibition-room, and the nobility,
+gentry, and the deceased's private friends, soon after arrived, and joined
+the mournful band. The chief mourners were in seclusion in the library of
+the Academy. About half-past twelve o'clock, the whole of the arrangements
+having been effected, the Procession moved from Somerset House to St.
+Paul's Cathedral in the following order:
+
+  Six Constables, by threes.
+  Four Marshalmen, two and two.
+  City Marshal on horseback.
+  Undertaker on horseback.
+  Six Cloakmen on horseback, by twos.
+  Four Mutes on horseback, by twos.
+  Lid of Feathers, with attendant Pages.
+
+Hearse and Six, with rich trappings, feathers, and velvets, attended by
+Eight Pages.
+
+Two Mourning Coaches and four, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Pall-bearers.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Sons and
+Grandson of the deceased, as CHIEF MOURNERS.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Family
+Trustees and Executors of the deceased.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Reverends the
+Vicar of Mary-la-bonne, the Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, and the Medical
+Attendant of the deceased.
+
+Then followed Sixteen Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with Attendant Pages,
+conveying the Right Rev. the Chaplain, the Secretary for Foreign
+Correspondence, and the Members of the Royal Academy and Students.
+
+Twenty Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Mourners and Private Friends of the deceased.
+
+The Procession was closed by above sixty carriages, arranged in rank by
+the junior City Marshal and Marshalmen--the servants wearing hat-bands
+and gloves.
+
+The Procession was attended on each side by fifty Constables, to preserve
+order; and the accesses from Bridge-street, Chancery-lane, the Old Bailey,
+&c. were stopped. On reaching St. Paul's Cathedral, where the senior City
+Marshal was in wailing, with several assistants, to arrange the
+Procession, it entered at the great Western Gate, and was met at the
+entrance of the Cathedral by the Church Dignitaries, &c. the whole then
+proceeded to the Choir in the following order:
+
+
+  The two junior Vergers.
+  The Marshals.
+  The young Gentlemen of the Choir, two by two.
+  Their Almoner, or Master.
+  The Vicars Choral, two by two.
+  The Sub-Dean and Junior Canons, two by two.
+  The Feathers, with Attendant Pages and Mutes.
+  The two Senior Vergers.
+  Honourable and Rev. Dr. Wellesley.
+  The Canon residentiary, and the Rev. the Prebendary.
+
+                       [THE CORPSE]
+  Pall-bearers.                  Pall-bearers.
+  The Earl of Aberdeen,          Right Honourable Sir
+  His Excellency the American    William Scott,
+  Ambassador,                    Honourable Gen. Phipps,
+  Hon. Augustus Phipps,          Sir George Beaumont,
+  Sir Thomas Baring.             Sir Robert Wilson.
+
+
+CHIEF MOURNERS.
+
+  The Sons and Grandson of deceased, namely,
+  Raphael Lamar West, Esq.
+  Benjamin West, Esq.
+  and
+  Mr. Benjamin West, jun.
+  followed by
+  Robert Brunning (the old Servant of deceased)
+  Henry Fauntleroy, Esq. and James Henry Henderson, Esq.
+  (the Family Trustees and Executors of deceased.)
+  and
+  The Rev. Dr. Heslop, Vicar of St. Mary-la-Bonne; the Rev.
+  Mr. Borrodaile, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor; and Joseph
+  Hayes, Esq. Medical Attendant on deceased (Dr. Baillie being unavoidably
+    absent).
+
+Then followed
+
+The Bishop of Salisbury, (As Chaplain to the Royal Academy; and an
+Honorary Member).
+
+Prince Hoare, Esq. (Secretary for Foreign Correspondence to the
+Royal Academy.)
+
+The body of Academicians and Associates of the Royal Academy, according to
+seniority, two by two, Students, two by two.
+
+And the private mourners of the deceased, consisting of--Aldermen Wood
+and Birch, Rev. ---- Est, Rev. Holt Oakes, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P.,
+William Smith, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq. M.P., George Watson
+Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P., Archibald Hamilton,
+Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Richard Payne Knight,
+Esq., Thomas Lister Parker, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Nash, Esq.,
+John Edwards, Esq., Major Payne, Captain Henry Wolseley, Captain Francis
+Halliday, James St. Aubyn, Esq., Henry Sansom, Esq., ---- Magniac, Esq.,
+George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., N. Ogle,
+Esq., George Repton, Esq., William Wadd, Esq., Henry Woodthorpe, jun.
+Esq., Christ. Hodgson, Esq., ---- Cockerell, sen. Esq., ---- Cockerell,
+jun. Esq., Leigh Hunt, Esq., P. Turnerelli, Esq., J. Holloway, Esq.,
+Charles Heath, Esq., Henry Eddridge, Esq., A. Robertson, Esq., W. J.
+Newton, Esq., John Taylor, Esq., T. Bonney, Esq., ---- Muss, Esq., ----
+Martin, Esq., J. Green, Esq., John Gait, Esq., William Carey, Esq., ----
+Leslie Esq., ---- Behnes, Esq., George Samuel, Esq., John Young, Esq.,
+Christopher Pack, Esq., W, Delamotte, Esq., E. Scriven Esq., J. M. Davis,
+Esq., C. Smart, Esq., &c.
+
+It being Passion Week, the usual chanting and performance of music in the
+Cathedral-service could not take place, but an Anthem was, by special
+permission, allowed to be sung; and the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley,
+assisted by the Rev. the Prebendary, performed the solemn service in a
+very impressive manner. The body was placed in the choir, and at the head
+were arranged, on chairs, the chief mourners and executors. The
+pall-bearers were seated on each side of the corpse, and the Members of
+the Royal Academy, and other mourners, were arranged on each side of the
+choir. After the Anthem, the body was attended to the vault-door by the
+pall-bearers, followed by the chief mourners and executors, and was
+conveyed into the crypt, and placed immediately beneath the perforated
+brass plate, under the centre of the dome. Dr. Wellesley, with the other
+canons, and the whole choir, then came under the dome, and the
+pall-bearers, chief mourners, and executors, stood by them. The Members
+of the Royal Academy were ranged on the right, and the other mourners on
+the left, forming a circle, the outside of which was protected by the
+Marshals and undertaker's attendants. Here the remainder of the service
+was completed, and the sexton, placed in the crypt below, at the proper
+period, let fall some earth, as usual, on the coffin. After the
+funeral-service was ended, the chief mourners and executors, accompanied
+by most of the other mourners, went into the crypt, and attended the
+corpse to its grave, which was sunk with brick-work under the pavement at
+the head of the grave of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, and adjoining to
+that of the late Mr. West's intimate and highly-valued friend, Dr.
+Newton, formerly Bishop of Bristol, and Dean of St. Paul's, the
+brick-work of whose grave forms one side of Mr. West's; thus uniting
+their remains in the silent tomb. Sir Christopher Wren, the great
+architect, lies interred close by, as well as those eminent artists, the
+late Mr. Opie and Mr. Barry.
+
+The Members of the Royal Academy, and all the mourners, then returned to
+Somerset-House, in the like order of procession (with the exception of the
+hearse and feathers,) where refreshments were provided for them.
+
+The whole of this affecting ceremony was conducted with great solemnity
+and respect, and was witnessed by an immense concourse of people.
+
+The carriages attending in the Procession were those of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of York, the Dukes of Norfolk, Northumberland, and Argyll;
+the Marquisses of Lansdowne and Stafford; the Earls of Liverpool, Essex,
+Aberdeen, Carlisle, Dartmouth, Powis, Mulgrave, Darnley, and Carysfort;
+Viscount Sidmouth; the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Carlisle, and
+Chester; Admiral Lord Radstock; the Right Honourables Sir William Scott,
+Charles Manners Sutton, and Charles Long; the American Ambassador; the
+Hon. General Phipps, Augustus Phipps; Sirs George Beaumont, J. Fleming
+Leicester, Thomas Baring, and Henry Fletcher; the Solicitor General, Sir
+Robert Wilson, Dr. Heslop, Dr. Baillie, Aldermen Birch and Wood, Mr.
+Chamberlain Clarke, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq.
+M.P., George Watson Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P.,
+Henry Fauntleroy, Esq., Archibald Hamilton, Esq., Thomas Courts, Esq.,
+John Penn, Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Walter
+Fawkes, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Yenn, Esq., John Soane, Esq.,
+Francis Chantry, Esq., Henry Sanson, Esq., John Nash, Esq., John Edwards,
+Esq., George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., Henry
+Meux, Esq. &c. &c.
+
+The following is the Inscription upon the Tombstone over the deceased:--
+
+Here lie the Remains of BENJAMIN WEST, Esq., President of the Royal
+Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture: born 10th Oct. 1738,
+at Springfield, in Pennsylvania, in America: died in London, 11th
+March, 1820.
+
+END OF PART II.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of
+Benjamin West, Esq., by John Galt
+
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+Title: The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+Author: John Galt
+
+Release Date: September, 2005  [EBook #8857]
+[This file was first posted on August 14, 2003]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LIFE, STUDIES, AND WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST, ESQ. ***
+
+
+
+
+E-text prepared by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+President of the Royal Academy of London
+
+Composed from Materials Furnished by Himself
+
+By John Galt, Esq.
+
+Author of the Life and Administration of Cardinal Wolsey, &c.
+
+
+
+1820.
+
+
+
+Part I.
+
+
+
+To
+Alexander Gordon, Esq.
+This little work
+Is respectfully inscribed
+By the Author.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+
+The professional life of Mr. West constitutes an important part of an
+historical work, in which the matter of this volume could only have been
+introduced as an episode, and, perhaps, not with much propriety even in
+that form. It was my intention, at one time, to have prepared the whole of
+his memoirs, separately, for publication; but a careful review of the
+manuscript convinced me, that the transactions in which he has been
+engaged, subsequently to his arrival in England, are so much of a public
+nature, and belong so immediately to the history of the Arts, that such a
+separation could not be effected without essentially impairing the
+interest and unity of the main design; and that the particular nature of
+this portion of his memoirs admitted of being easily detached and arranged
+into a whole, complete within itself.
+
+I do not think that there can be two opinions with respect to the utility
+of a work of this kind. Mr. West, in relating the circumstances by which
+he was led to approximate, without the aid of an instructor, to those
+principles and rules of art, which it is the object of schools and
+academies to disseminate, has conferred a greater benefit on young Artists
+than he could possibly have done by the most ingenious and eloquent
+lectures on the theories of his profession; and it was necessary that the
+narrative should appear in his own time, in order that the authenticity of
+the incidents might not rest on the authority of any biographer.
+
+_April_ 25,1816.
+
+John Galt.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.
+
+Chap. II.
+
+    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross.--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.
+
+Chap. III.
+
+    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led
+    to the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place
+    him in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers.--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.
+
+Chap. V.
+
+    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--- He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvator
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+    Anecdote of a famous Improvisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of West's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequence of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies
+    Mr. Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to Rome.
+    --Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian Obelisk.
+    --Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an anecdote of a
+    Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote of a Scottish
+    Fanatic who arrived in Rome to convert the Pope.--Sequel of the
+    Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit England.--Having completed
+    his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous picture, he is elected an
+    Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and invited to Court.--He
+    proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--Reflections on the Stale
+    of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French frontiers.--State of
+    Taste in France.
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Studies of Benjamin West
+
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+
+
+    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.
+
+Benjamin West, the subject of the following Memoirs, was the youngest son
+of John West and Sarah Pearson, and was born near Springfield, in Chester
+County, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 10th of October, 1738.
+
+The branch of the West family, to which he belongs, has been traced in an
+unbroken series to the Lord Delawarre, who distinguished himself in the
+great wars of King Edward the Third, and particularly at the battle of
+Cressy, under the immediate command of the Black Prince. In the reign of
+Richard the Second, the ancestors of Mr. West settled at Long Crandon in
+Buckinghamshire. About the year 1667 they embraced the tenets of the
+Quakers; and Colonel James West, the friend and companion in arms of the
+celebrated Hampden, is said to have been the first proselyte of the
+family. In 1699 they emigrated to America.
+
+Thomas Pearson, the maternal grandfather of the Artist, was the
+confidential friend of William Penn, and accompanied him to America. On
+their first landing, the venerable Founder of the State of Pennsylvania
+said to him, "Providence has brought us safely hither; thou hast been the
+companion of my perils, what wilt thou that I should call this place?" Mr,
+Pearson replied, that "since he had honoured him so far as to desire him
+to give that part of the country a name, he would, in remembrance of his
+native City, call it Chester." The exact spot where these patriarchs of
+the new world first landed, is still pointed out with reverence by the
+inhabitants. Mr. Pearson built a house and formed a plantation in the
+neighbourhood, which he called Springfield, in consequence of discovering
+a large spring of water in the first field cleared for cultivation; and it
+was near this place that Benjamin West was born.
+
+When the West family emigrated, John, the father of Benjamin, was left to
+complete his education at the great school of the Quakers at Uxbridge, and
+did not join his relations in America till the year 1714. Soon after his
+arrival he married the mother of the Artist; and of the worth and piety of
+his character we have a remarkable proof in the following transactions,
+which, perhaps, reflect more real glory on his family than the
+achievements of all his heroic ancestors.
+
+As a part of the marriage portion of Mrs. West he received a negro slave,
+whose diligence and fidelity very soon obtained his full confidence.
+Being engaged in trade, he had occasion to make a voyage in the West
+Indies, and left this young black to superintend the plantation in his
+absence, During his residence in Barbadoes, his feelings were greatly
+molested, and his principles shocked, by the cruelties to which he saw the
+negroes subjected in that island; and the debasing effects were forcibly
+contrasted in his mind with the morals and intelligence of his own slave.
+Conversing on this subject with Doctor Gammon, who was then at the head of
+the community of Friends in Barbadoes, the Doctor convinced him that it
+was contrary to the laws of God and Nature that any man should retain his
+fellow-creatures in slavery. This conviction could not rest long inactive
+in a character framed like that of Mr. West. On his return to America he
+gave the negro his freedom, and retained him as a hired servant.
+
+Not content with doing good himself, he endeavoured to make others follow
+his example, and in a short time his arguments had such an effect on his
+neighbours, that it was agreed to discuss publicly the general question of
+Slavery. This was done accordingly; and, after debating it at many
+meetings, it was resolved by a considerable majority THAT IT WAS THE DUTY
+OF CHRISTIANS TO GIVE FREEDOM TO THEIR SLAVES. The result of this
+discussion was soon afterwards followed by a similar proposal to the head
+meeting of the Quakers in the township of Goshen in Chester County; and
+the cause of Humanity was again victorious. Finally, about the year 1753,
+the same question was agitated in the annual general assembly at
+Philadelphia, when it was ultimately established as one of the tenets of
+the Quakers, that no person could remain a member of their community who
+held a human creature in slavery. This transaction is perhaps the first
+example in the history of communities, of a great public sacrifice of
+individual interest, not originating from considerations of policy or the
+exigences of public danger, but purely from moral and religious
+principles.
+
+The benevolent work of restoring their natural rights to the unfortunate
+Negroes, did not rest even at this great pecuniary sacrifice. The Society
+of Friends went farther, and established Schools for the education of
+their children; and some of the first characters among themselves
+volunteered to superintend the course of instruction.
+
+In the autumn of 1738, Edmund Peckover, a celebrated Orator among the
+Quakers, came to the neighbourhood of Springfield, and on the 28th of
+September preached in a meeting-house erected by the father of Mrs. West
+at the distance of about a mile and a half from his residence. Mrs. West
+was then the mother of nine children, and far advanced in her pregnancy
+with Benjamin.--Peckover possessed the most essential qualities of an
+impressive speaker, and on this occasion the subject of his address was of
+extraordinary interest to his auditors. He reviewed the rise and progress
+of society in America, and with an enthusiastic eloquence which partook of
+the sublimity and vehemence of the prophetic spirit, he predicted the
+future greatness of the country. He described the condition of the
+European nations, decrepid in their institutions, and corrupt in their
+morality, and contrasted them with the young and flourishing
+establishments of the New World. He held up to their abhorrence the
+licentious manners and atheistical principles of the French, among whom
+God was disregarded or forgotten; and, elevated by the importance of his
+subject, he described the Almighty as mustering his wrath to descend on
+that nation, and disperse it as chaff in a whirlwind. He called on them to
+look towards their home of England, and to see with what eager devotion
+the inhabitants worshiped the golden image of Commerce, and laid the
+tribute of all their thoughts on its altars; believing that with the power
+of the idol alone, they should be able to withstand all calamities. "The
+day and the hour are, however, hastening on, when the image shall be
+shaken from its pedestal by the tempest of Jehovah's descending vengeance,
+its altars overturned, and the worshipers terribly convinced that without
+the favour of the Almighty God there is no wisdom in man! But," continued
+this impassioned orator, "from the woes and the crimes of Europe let us
+turn aside our eyes; let us turn from the worshipers of Commerce, clinging
+round their idols of gold and silver, and, amidst the wrath, the storm,
+and the thunder, endeavouring to hold them up; let us not look at the land
+of blasphemies; for in the crashing of engines, the gushing of blood, and
+the shrieking of witnesses more to be pitied than the victims, the
+activity of God's purifying displeasure will be heard; while turning our
+eyes towards the mountains of this New World, the forests shall be seen
+fading away, cities rising along the shores, and the terrified nations of
+Europe flying out of the smoke and the burning to find refuge here."--All
+his auditors were deeply affected, particularly Mrs. West, who was taken
+with the pains of labour on the spot. The meeting was broken up; the women
+made a circle round her as they carried her home, and such was the
+agitation into which she was thrown, that the consequences had nearly
+proved fatal both to the mother and the infant, of which she was
+prematurely delivered.
+
+This occurrence naturally excited much attention, and became the subject
+of general conversation. It made a deep impression on the mind of Mr.
+West, who could not divest himself of a feeling that it indicated
+something extraordinary in the future fortunes of his child; and when
+Peckover, soon afterwards, on his leaving that part of the country, paid
+him a farewell visit, he took an opportunity of introducing the subject.
+The warm imagination of the Preacher eagerly sympathised with the feelings
+of his friend. He took him by the hand, and, with emphatic solemnity, said
+that a child sent into the world under such remarkable circumstances would
+prove no ordinary man; and he charged him to watch over the boy's
+character with the utmost degree of paternal solicitude. It will appear in
+the sequel, that this singular admonition was not lost on Mr. West.
+
+The first six years of Benjamin's life passed away in calm uniformity;
+leaving only the placid remembrance of enjoyment. In the month of June
+1745, one of his sisters, who had been married some time before, and who
+had a daughter, came with her infant to spend a few days at her father's.
+When the child was asleep in the cradle, Mrs. West invited her daughter to
+gather flowers in the garden, and committed the infant to the care of
+Benjamin during their absence; giving him a fan to flap away the flies
+from molesting his little charge. After some time the child happened to
+smile in its sleep, and its beauty attracted his attention. He looked at
+it with a pleasure which he had never before experienced, and observing
+some paper on a table, together with pens and red and black ink, he seized
+them with agitation, and endeavoured to delineate a portrait: although at
+this period he had never seen an engraving or a picture, and was only in
+the seventh year of his age.
+
+Hearing the approach of his mother and sister, he endeavoured to conceal
+what he had been doing; but the old lady observing his confusion, enquired
+what he was about, and requested him to show her the paper. He obeyed,
+entreating her not to be angry. Mrs. West, after looking some time at the
+drawing with evident pleasure, said to her daughter, "I declare he has
+made a likeness of little Sally," and kissed him with much fondness and
+satisfaction. This encouraged him to say, that if it would give her any
+pleasure, he would make pictures of the flowers which she held in her
+hand; for the instinct of his genius was now awakened, and he felt that he
+could imitate the forms of those things which pleased his sight.
+
+This curious incident deserves consideration in two points of view. The
+sketch must have had some merit, since the likeness was so obvious,
+indicating how early the hand of the young artist possessed the power of
+representing the observations of his eye. But it is still more remarkable
+as the birth of the fine arts in the New World, and as one of the few
+instances in the history of art, in which the first inspiration of genius
+can be distinctly traced to a particular circumstance. The drawing was
+shown by Mrs. West to her husband, who, remembering the prediction of
+Peckover, was delighted with this early indication of talent in his son.
+But the fact, though in itself very curious, will appear still more
+remarkable, when the state of the country at that period, and the peculiar
+manners of the Quakers, are taken into consideration.
+
+The institutions of William Penn had been sacredly preserved by the
+descendants of the first settlers, with whom the remembrance of the causes
+which had led their ancestors to forsake their native country, was
+cherished like the traditions of religion, and became a motive to
+themselves, for indulging in the exercise of those blameless principles,
+which had been so obnoxious to the arrogant spirit of the Old World. The
+associates of the Wests and the Pearsons, considered the patriarchs of
+Pennsylvania as having been driven from England, because their endeavours
+to regulate their conduct by the example of Jesus Christ, mortified the
+temporal pretensions of those who satisfied themselves with attempting to
+repeat his doctrines; and they thought that the asylum in America was
+chosen, to facilitate the enjoyment of that affectionate intercourse which
+their tenets enjoined, free from the military predilections and political
+jealousies of Europe. The effect of this opinion tended to produce a state
+of society more peaceful and pleasing than the World had ever before
+exhibited. When the American Poets shall in future times celebrate the
+golden age of their country, they will draw their descriptions from the
+authentic history of Pennsylvania in the reign of King George the Second.
+
+From the first emigration in 1681, the colony had continued to thrive with
+a rapidity unknown to the other European Settlements. It was blessed in
+the maxims upon which it had been founded, and richly exhibited the fruits
+of their beneficent operation. At the birth of Benjamin West it had
+obtained great wealth, and the population was increasing much more
+vigorously than the ordinary reproduction of the human species in any
+other part of the world. In the houses of the principal families, the
+patricians of the country, unlimited hospitality formed a part of their
+regular economy. It was the custom among those who resided near the
+highways, after supper and the last religious exercise of the evening, to
+make a large fire in the hall, and to set out a table with refreshments
+for such travellers as might have occasion to pass during the night; and
+when the families assembled in the morning they seldom found that their
+tables had been unvisited. This was particularly the case at Springfield.
+Poverty was never heard of in the land. The disposition to common charity
+having no objects, was blended with the domestic affections, and rendered
+the ties of friendship and kindred stronger and dearer. Acts of liberality
+were frequently performed to an extent that would have beggared the
+munificence of the Old World. With all these delightful indications of a
+better order of things, society in Pennsylvania retained, at this time,
+many of those respectable prejudices which gave a venerable grace to
+manners, and are regarded by the practical philosopher as little inferior
+in dignity to the virtues. William Penn was proud of his distinguished
+parentage, and many of his friends traced their lineage to the antient
+and noble families of England. In their descendants the pride of ancestry
+was so tempered with the meekness of their religious tenets, that it lent
+a kind of patriarchal dignity to their benevolence.
+
+In beautiful contrast to the systematic morality of the new inhabitants,
+was the simplicity of the Indians, who mingled safe and harmless among the
+Friends. In the annual visits which they were in the practice of paying to
+the Plantations, they raised their huts in the fields and orchards without
+asking leave, nor were they ever molested. Voltaire has observed, that the
+treaty which was concluded between the Indians and William Penn was the
+first public contract which connected the inhabitants of the Old and New
+World together, and, though not ratified by oaths, and without invoking
+the Trinity, is still the only treaty that has never been broken. It may
+be further said, that Pennsylvania is the first country which has not been
+subdued by the sword, for the inhabitants were conquered by the force of
+Christian benevolence.
+
+When the great founder of the State marked out the site of Philadelphia in
+the woods, he allotted a piece of ground for a public library. It was his
+opinion, that although the labour of clearing the country would long
+employ the settlers, hours of relaxation would still be requisite; and,
+with his usual sagacity, he judged that the reading of books was more
+conducive to good morals and to the formation of just sentiments, than any
+other species of amusement. The different counties afterwards instituted
+libraries, which the townships have also imitated: where the population
+was insufficient to establish a large collection of books, the
+neighbouring families formed themselves into societies for procuring the
+popular publications. But in these arrangements for cultivating the powers
+of the understanding, no provision was made, during the reign of George
+the Second, for improving the faculties of taste. The works of which the
+libraries then consisted, treated of useful and practical subjects. It was
+the policy of the Quakers to make mankind wiser and better; and they
+thought that, as the passions are the springs of all moral evil when in a
+state of excitement, whatever tends to awaken them is unfavourable to that
+placid tenour of mind which they wished to see diffused throughout the
+world. This notion is prudent, perhaps judicious; but works of imagination
+may be rendered subservient to the same purpose. Every thing in
+Pennsylvania was thus unpropitious to the fine arts. There were no cares
+in the bosoms of individuals to require public diversions, nor any
+emulation in the expenditure of wealth to encourage the ornamental
+manufactures. In the whole Christian world no spot was apparently so
+unlikely to produce a painter as Pennsylvania. It might, indeed, be
+supposed, according to a popular opinion, that a youth, reared among the
+concentrating elements of a new state, in the midst of boundless forests,
+tremendous waterfalls, and mountains whose summits were inaccessible to
+"the lightest foot and wildest wing," was the most favourable situation
+to imbibe the enthusiasm either of poetry or of painting, if scenery and
+such accidental circumstances are to be regarded as every thing, and
+original character as nothing. But it may reasonably be doubted if ever
+natural scenery has any assignable influence on the productions of genius.
+The idea has probably arisen from the impression which the magnificence of
+nature makes on persons of cultivated minds, who fall into the mistake of
+considering the elevated emotions arising in reality from their own
+associations, as being naturally connected with the objects that excite
+them. Of all the nations of Europe the Swiss are the least poetical, and
+yet the scenery of no other country seems so well calculated as that of
+Switzerland to awaken the imagination; and Shakespeare, the greatest of
+all modern Poets, was brought up in one of the least picturesque districts
+of England.
+
+Soon after the occurrence of the incident which has given rise to these
+observations, the young Artist was sent to a school in the neighbourhood.
+During his hours of leisure he was permitted to draw with pen and ink; for
+it did not occur to any of the family to provide him with better
+materials. In the course of the summer a party of Indians came to pay
+their annual visit to Springfield, and being amused with the sketches of
+birds and flowers which Benjamin shewed them, they taught him to prepare
+the red and yellow colours with which they painted their ornaments. To
+these his mother added blue, by giving him a piece of indigo, so that he
+was thus put in possession of the three primary colours. The fancy is
+disposed to expatiate on this interesting fact; for the mythologies of
+antiquity furnish no allegory more beautiful; and a Painter who would
+embody the metaphor of an Artist instructed by Nature, could scarcely
+imagine any thing more picturesque than the real incident of the Indians
+instructing West to prepare the prismatic colours. The Indians also taught
+him to be an expert archer, and he was sometimes in the practice of
+shooting birds for models, when he thought that their plumage would look
+well in a picture.
+
+His drawings at length attracted the attention of the neighbours; and some
+of them happening to regret that the Artist had no pencils, he enquired
+what kind of things these were, and they were described to him as small
+brushes made of camels' hair fastened in a quill. As there were, however,
+no camels in America, he could not think of any substitute, till he
+happened to cast his eyes on a black cat, the favourite of his father;
+when, in the tapering fur of her tail, he discovered the means of
+supplying what he wanted. He immediately armed himself with his mother's
+scissors, and, laying hold of Grimalkin with all due caution, and a proper
+attention to her feelings, cut off the fur at the end of her tail, and
+with this made his first pencil. But the tail only furnished him with one,
+which did not last long, and he soon stood in need of a further supply. He
+then had recourse to the animal's back, his depredations upon which were
+so frequently repeated, that his father observed the altered appearance of
+his favourite, and lamented it as the effect of disease. The Artist, with
+suitable marks of contrition, informed him of the true cause; and the old
+gentleman was so much amused with his ingenuity, that if he rebuked him,
+it was certainly not in anger.
+
+Anecdotes of this kind, trifling as they may seem, have an interest
+independent of the insight they afford into the character to which they
+relate. It will often appear, upon a careful study of authentic biography,
+that the means of giving body and effect to their conceptions, are rarely
+withheld from men of genius. If the circumstances of Fortune are
+unfavourable, Nature instructs them to draw assistance immediately from
+herself, by endowing them with the faculty of perceiving a fitness and
+correspondence in things which no force of reasoning, founded on the
+experience of others, could enable them to discover. This aptness is,
+perhaps, the surest indication of the possession of original talent. There
+are minds of a high class to which the world, in the latitude of its
+expressions, often ascribes genius, but which possess only a superior
+capacity for the application of other men's notions, unconnected with any
+unusual portion of the inventive faculty.
+
+In the following year Mr. Pennington, a merchant of Philadelphia, who was
+related to the West family, came to pay a visit to Mr. West. This
+gentleman was also a member of the Society of Friends, and, though
+strictly attentive to the peculiar observances of the sect, was a man of
+pleasant temper and indulgent dispositions. He noticed the drawings of
+birds and flowers round the room, unusual ornaments in the house of a
+Quaker; and heard with surprise that they were the work of his little
+cousin. Of their merit as pictures he did not pretend to judge, but he
+thought them wonderful productions for a boy only entering on his eighth
+year, and being told with what imperfect materials they had been executed,
+he promised to send the young Artist a box of paints and pencils from the
+city. On his return home he fulfilled his engagement, and at the bottom of
+the box placed several pieces of canvass prepared for the easel, and six
+engravings by Grevling.
+
+The arrival of the box was an aera in the history of the Painter and his
+art. It was received with feelings of delight which only a similar mind
+can justly appreciate. He opened it, and in the colours, the oils, and
+the pencils, found all his wants supplied, even beyond his utmost
+conceptions. But who can describe the surprise with which he beheld the
+engravings; he who had never seen any picture but his own drawings, nor
+knew that such an art as the Engraver's existed! He sat over the box with
+enamoured eyes; his mind was in a flutter of joy; and he could not refrain
+from constantly touching the different articles, to ascertain that they
+were real. At night he placed the box on a chair near his bed, and as
+often as he was overpowered by sleep, he started suddenly and stretched
+out his hand to satisfy himself that the possession of such a treasure was
+not merely a pleasing dream. He rose at the dawn of day, and carried the
+box to a room in the garret, where he spread a canvass, prepared a pallet,
+and immediately began to imitate the figures in the engravings. Enchanted
+by his art he forgot the school hours, and joined the family at dinner
+without mentioning the employment in which he had been engaged. In the
+afternoon he again retired to his study in the garret; and for several
+days successively he thus withdrew and devoted himself to painting. The
+schoolmaster, observing his absence, sent to ask the cause of it. Mrs.
+West, affecting not to take any particular notice of the message,
+recollected that she had seen Benjamin going up stairs every morning, and
+suspecting that the box occasioned his neglect of the school, went to the
+garret, and found him employed on the picture. Her anger was appeased by
+the sight of his performance, and changed to a very different feeling. She
+saw, not a mere copy, but a composition from two of the engravings. With
+no other guide than that delicacy of sight which renders the Painter's
+eye, with respect to colours, what the Musician's ear is with respect to
+sounds, he had formed a picture as complete, in the scientific arrangement
+of the tints, notwithstanding the necessary imperfection of the
+pencilling, as the most skilful Artist could have painted, assisted by the
+precepts of Newton. She kissed him with transports of affection, and
+assured him that she would not only intercede with his father to pardon
+him for having absented himself from school, but would go herself to the
+master, and beg that he might not be punished. The delightful
+encouragement which this well-judged kindness afforded to the young
+Painter may be easily imagined; but who will not regret that the mother's
+over-anxious admiration would not suffer him to finish the picture, lest
+he should spoil what was already in her opinion perfect, even with half
+the canvass bare? Sixty-seven years afterwards the writer of these Memoirs
+had the gratification to see this piece in the same room with the sublime
+painting of "Christ Rejected," on which occasion the Painter declared to
+him that there were inventive touches of art in his first and juvenile
+essay, which, with all his subsequent knowledge and experience, he had not
+been able to surpass.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. II.
+
+
+
+    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross,--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.
+
+In the course of a few days after the affair of the painting, Mr.
+Pennington paid another visit to Mr. West; and was so highly pleased with
+the effect of his present, and the promising talents of his young
+relation, that he entreated the old gentleman to allow Benjamin to
+accompany him for a few days to Philadelphia. This was cheerfully agreed
+to, and the Artist felt himself almost, as much delighted with the journey
+as with the box of colours. Every thing in the town filled him with
+astonishment; but the view of the shipping, which was entirely new,
+particularly attracted his eye, and interested him like the imaginary
+spectacles of magic.
+
+When the first emotions of his pleasure and wonder had subsided, he
+applied to Mr. Pennington to procure him materials for painting. That
+gentleman was desirous of getting possession of the first picture, and had
+only resigned what he jocularly alleged were his just claims, in
+consideration of the mother's feelings, and on being assured that the next
+picture should be purposely painted for him. The materials were procured,
+and the Artist composed a landscape, which comprehended a picturesque view
+of a river, with vessels on the water, and cattle pasturing on the banks.
+While he was engaged in this picture, an incident occurred which, though
+trivial in itself, was so much in unison with the other circumstances that
+favoured the bent of his genius, that it ought not to be omitted.
+
+Samuel Shoemaker [Footnote: This gentleman was afterwards introduced by
+Mr. West to the King, at Windsor, as one of the American Loyalists.], an
+intimate friend of Mr. Pennington, one of the principal merchants of
+Philadelphia, happened to meet in the street with one Williams, a Painter,
+carrying home a picture. Struck by the beauty of the performance, he
+enquired if it was intended for sale, and being told that it was already
+disposed of, he ordered another to be painted for himself. When the
+painting was finished, he requested the Artist to carry it to Mr.
+Pennington's house, in order that it might be shewn to young West. It was
+very well executed, and the boy was so much astonished at the sight of it,
+that his emotion and surprise attracted the attention of Williams, who was
+a man of observation, and judged correctly in thinking that such an
+uncommon manifestation of sensibility in so young a boy, indicated
+something extraordinary in his character. He entered into conversation
+with him, and enquired if he had read any books, or the lives of great
+men, The little amateur told him that he had read the Bible, and was well
+acquainted with the history of Adam, Joseph, David, Solomon, and the other
+great and good men whose actions are recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
+Williams was much pleased with the simplicity of the answer; and it might
+have occurred to him that histories more interesting have never been
+written, or written so well. Turning to Mr. Pennington, who was present,
+he asked if Benjamin was his son; advising him at the same time to indulge
+him in whatever might appear to be the bent of his talents, assuring him
+that he was no common boy.
+
+This interview was afterwards much spoken of by Williams, who in the mean
+time lent him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson on Painting, and invited
+him to see his pictures and drawings. The impression which these books
+made on the imagination of West finally decided his destination. He was
+allowed to carry them with him into the country; and his father and
+mother, soon perceiving a great change in his conversation, were referred
+to the books for an explanation of the cause. They read them for the first
+time themselves, and treasuring in their minds those anecdotes of the
+indications of the early symptoms of talent with which both works abound,
+they remembered the prophetic injunction of Edmund Peckover.
+
+The effect of the enthusiasm inspired by Richardson and Fresnoy may be
+conceived from the following incident. Soon after the young Artist had
+returned to Springfield, one of his schoolfellows, on a Saturday's half
+holiday, engaged him to give up a party at trap-ball to ride with him to
+one of the neighbouring plantations. At the time appointed the boy came,
+with the horse saddled. West enquired how he was to ride; "Behind me,"
+said the boy; but Benjamin, full of the dignity of the profession to which
+he felt himself destined, answered, that he never would ride behind any
+body. "O! very well then," said the good-natured boy, "you may take the
+saddle, and I will get up behind you." Thus mounted, they proceeded on
+their excursion; and the boy began to inform his companion that his father
+intended to send him to be an apprentice. "In what business?" enquired
+West; "A taylor," answered the boy. "Surely," said West, "you will never
+follow that trade;" animadverting upon its feminine character. The other,
+however, was a shrewd, sound-headed lad, and defended the election very
+stoutly, saying that his father had made choice of it for him, and that
+the person with whom he was to learn the business was much respected by
+all his neighbours. "But what do you intend to be, Benjamin?" West
+answered, that he had not thought at all on the subject, but he should
+like to be a painter. "A painter!" exclaimed the boy, "what sort of a
+trade is a painter? I never heard of such a thing." "A painter," said
+West, "is a companion for Kings and Emperors." "Surely you are mad,"
+replied the boy, "for there are no such people in America." "Very true,"
+answered Benjamin, "but there are plenty in other parts of the world." The
+other, still more amazed at the apparent absurdity of this speech,
+reiterated in a tone of greater surprise, "You are surely quite mad." To
+this the enthusiast replied by asking him if he really intended to be a
+taylor. "Most certainly," answered the other. "Then you may ride by
+yourself, for I will no longer keep your company," said West, and,
+alighting, immediately returned home.
+
+The report of this incident, with the affair of the picture, which had
+occasioned his absence from school, and visit to Philadelphia, made a
+great impression on the boys in the neighbourhood of Springfield. All
+their accustomed sports were neglected, and their play-hours devoted to
+drawing with chalk and oker. The little president was confessedly the most
+expert among them, but he has often since declared, that, according to his
+recollection, many of his juvenile companions evinced a degree of taste
+and skill in this exercise, that would not have discredited the students
+of any regular academy.
+
+Not far from the residence of Mr. West a cabinet-maker had a shop, in
+which Benjamin sometimes amused himself with the tools of the workmen. One
+day several large and beautiful boards of poplar tree were brought to it;
+and he happening to observe that they would answer very well for drawing
+on, the owner gave him two or three of them for that purpose, and he drew
+figures and compositions on them with ink, chalk, and charcoal. Mr. Wayne,
+a gentleman of the neighbourhood, having soon after occasion to call at
+his father's, noticed the boards in the room, and was so much pleased with
+the drawings, that he begged the young Artist to allow him to take two or
+three of them home, which, as but little value was set on them, was
+thought no great favour, either by the painter or his father. Next day Mr.
+Wayne called again, and after complimenting Benjamin on his taste and
+proficiency, gave him a dollar for each of the boards which he had taken
+away, and was resolved to preserve. Doctor Jonathan Moris, another
+neighbour, soon after, also made him a present of a few dollars to buy
+materials to paint with. These were the first public patrons of the
+Artist; and it is at his own request that their names are thus
+particularly inserted.
+
+About twelve months after the visit to Philadelphia, Mr. Flower, one of
+the Justices of the county of Chester, who possessed some taste in
+painting, requested Mr, West to allow Benjamin to spend a few weeks at his
+house. A short time before, this gentleman had met with a severe domestic
+misfortune in the loss of a wife, to whom he was much attached; and he
+resolved to shew his respect to her memory by devoting his attention
+exclusively to the improvement of his children: for this purpose he had
+sent to England for a governess qualified to undertake the education of
+his daughters, and he had the good fortune to obtain a lady eminently
+fitted for the trust. She arrived a few days only before the young Artist,
+and her natural discernment enabled her to appreciate that original bias
+of mind which she had heard ascribed to him, and of which she soon
+perceived the determination and the strength. Finding him unacquainted
+with any other books than the Bible, and the works of Richardson and
+Fresnoy, she frequently invited him to sit with her pupils, and, during
+the intervals of their tasks, she read to him the most striking and
+picturesque passages from translations of the antient historians and
+poetry, of which Mr. Flower had a choice and extensive collection. It was
+from this intelligent woman that he heard, for the first time, of the
+Greeks and Romans; and the impression which the story of those illustrious
+nations made on his mind, was answerable to her expectations.
+
+Among the acquaintance of Mr. Flower was a Mr. Ross, a lawyer in the town
+of Lancaster, a place at that time remarkable for its wealth, and which
+had the reputation of possessing the best and most intelligent society to
+be then found in America. It was chiefly inhabited by Germans, who of all
+people in the practice of emigrating, carry along with them the greatest
+stock of knowledge and accomplishments. The society of Lancaster,
+therefore, though it could not boast of any very distinguished character,
+yet comprehended many individuals who were capable of appreciating the
+merit of essays in art, and of discriminating the rude efforts of real
+genius from the more complete productions of mere mechanical skill. It was
+exactly in such a place that such a youth as Benjamin West was likely to
+meet with that flattering attention which is the best stimulus of juvenile
+talent. The wife of Mr. Ross was greatly admired for her beauty, and she
+had several children who were so remarkable in this respect as to be
+objects of general notice. One day when Mr. Flower was dining with them,
+he advised his friend to have their portraits taken; and mentioned that
+they would be excellent subjects for young West. Application was in
+consequence made to old Mr. West, and permission obtained for the little
+Artist to go to Lancaster for the purpose of taking the likenesses of Mrs.
+Ross and her family. Such was the success with which he executed this
+task, that the sphere of his celebrity was greatly enlarged; and so
+numerous were the applications for portraits, that it was with difficulty
+he could find time to satisfy the demands of his admirers.
+
+Among those who sent to him in this early stage of his career, was a
+person of the name of William Henry. He was an able mechanic, and had
+acquired a handsome fortune by his profession of a gunsmith. Henry was,
+indeed, in several respects, an extraordinary man, and possessed the power
+generally attendant upon genius under all circumstances, that of
+interesting the imagination of those with whom he conversed. On examining
+the young Artist's performance, he observed to him, that, if he could
+paint as well, he would not waste his time on portraits, but would devote
+himself to historical subjects; and he mentioned the Death of Socrates as
+affording one of the best topics for illustrating the moral effect of the
+art of painting. The Painter knew nothing of the history of the
+Philosopher; and, upon confessing his ignorance, Mr. Henry went to his
+library, and, taking down a volume of the English translation of Plutarch,
+read to him the account given by that writer of this affecting story.
+
+The suggestion and description wrought upon the imagination of West, and
+induced him to make a drawing, which he shewed to Mr. Henry, who commended
+it as a perspicuous delineation of the probable circumstances of the
+event, and requested him to paint it. West said that he would he happy to
+undertake the task, but, having hitherto painted only faces and men
+cloathed, he should be unable to do justice to the figure of the slave who
+presented the poison, and which he thought ought to be naked. Henry had
+among his workmen a very handsome young man, and, without waiting to
+answer the objection, he sent for him into the room. On his entrance he
+pointed him out to West, and said, "There is your model." The appearance
+of the young man, whose arms and breast were naked, instantaneously
+convinced the Artist that he had only to look into nature for the models
+which would impart grace and energy to his delineation of forms.
+
+When the death of Socrates was finished, it attracted much attention, and
+led to one of those fortunate acquaintances by which the subsequent career
+of the Artist has been so happily facilitated. About this period the
+inhabitants of Lancaster had resolved to erect a public grammar-school;
+and Dr. Smith, the Provost of the College at Philadelphia, was invited by
+them to arrange the course of instruction, and to place the institution in
+the way best calculated to answer the intention of the founders. This
+gentleman was an excellent classical scholar, and combined with his
+knowledge and admiration of the merits of the antients that liberality of
+respect for the endeavours of modern talent, with which the same kind of
+feeling is but rarely found connected. After seeing the picture and
+conversing with the Artist, he offered to undertake to make him to a
+certain degree acquainted with classical literature; while at the same
+time he would give him such a sketch of the taste and character of the
+spirit of antiquity, as would have all the effect of the regular education
+requisite to a painter. When this liberal proposal was communicated to old
+Mr. West, he readily agreed that Benjamin should go for some time to
+Philadelphia, in order to take advantage of the Provost's instructions;
+and accordingly, after returning home for a few days, Benjamin went to the
+capital, and resided at the house of Mr. Clarkson, his brother-in-law, a
+gentleman who had been educated at Leyden, and was much respected for the
+intelligence of his conversation, and the propriety of his manners.
+
+Provost Smith introduced West, among other persons, to four young men,
+pupils of his own, whom he particularly recommended to his acquaintance,
+as possessing endowments of mind greatly superior to the common standard
+of mankind. One of these was Francis Hopkins, who afterwards highly
+distinguished himself in the early proceedings of the Congress of the
+United States. Thomas Godfrey, the second, died after having given the
+most promising indications of an elegant genius for pathetic and
+descriptive poetry. He was an apprentice to a watchmaker, and had secretly
+written a poem, which he published anonymously in the Philadelphia
+newspaper, under the title of "The Temple of Fame." The attention which it
+attracted, and the encomiums which the Provost in particular bestowed on
+it, induced West, who was in the Poet's confidence, to mention to him who
+was the author. The information excited the alert benevolence of Smith's
+character, and he lost no time until he had procured the release of
+Godfrey from his indenture, and a respectable employment for him in the
+government of the state; but this he did not live long to enjoy: being
+sent on some public business to Carolina, he fell a victim to the climate.
+
+It is pleasant to redeem from oblivion the memory of early talent thus
+prematurely withdrawn from the world. Many of Godfrey's verses were
+composed under a clump of pines which grew near the upper ferry of the
+river Schuylkill, to which spot he sometimes accompanied West and their
+mutual friends to angle. In the heat of the day he used to stretch himself
+beneath the shade of the trees, and repeat to them his verses as he
+composed them. Reid was the name of the other young man, and the same
+person who first opposed the British troops in their passing through
+Jersey, when the rebellion of the Provinces commenced. Previous to the
+revolution, he was bred to the bar, and practised with distinction in the
+courts of Philadelphia. He was afterwards elected a Member of Congress,
+and is the same person who was appointed to meet Lord Carlisle on his
+mission from the British Court.
+
+Provost Smith was himself possessed of a fluent vein of powerful
+eloquence, and it happened that many of his pupils who distinguished
+themselves in the great struggle of their country, appeared to have
+imbibed his talent; but none of them more than Jacob Duchey, another of
+the four youths whom he recommended to the Artist. He became a Clergyman,
+and was celebrated throughout the whole of the British Provinces in
+America as a most pathetic and persuasive preacher. The publicity of his
+character in the world was, however, chiefly owing to a letter which he
+addressed to General Washington, soon after the appointment of that chief
+to the command of the army. The purport of this letter was to persuade the
+General to go over to the British cause. It was carried to him by a Mrs.
+Ferguson, a daughter of Doctor Graham, a Scottish Physician in
+Philadelphia. Washington, with his army, at that time lay at Valley-forge,
+and this lady, on the pretext of paying him a visit, as they were
+previously acquainted, went to the camp. The General received her in his
+tent with much respect, for he greatly admired the masculine vigour of her
+mind. When she had delivered the letter he read it attentively, and,
+rising from his seat, walked backwards and forwards upwards of an hour,
+without speaking. He appeared to be much agitated during the greatest part
+of the time; but at length, having decided with himself, he stopped, and
+addressed her in nearly the following words: "Madam, I have always
+esteemed your character and endowments, and I am fully sensible of the
+noble principles by which you are actuated on this occasion; nor has any
+man in the whole continent more confidence in the integrity of his friend,
+than I have in the honour of Mr. Duchey. But I am here entrusted by the
+people of America with sovereign authority. They have placed their lives
+and fortunes at my disposal, because they believe me to be an honest man.
+Were I, therefore, to desert their cause, and consign them again to the
+British, what would be the consequence? to myself perpetual infamy; and to
+them endless calamity. The seeds of everlasting division are sown between
+the two countries; and, were the British again to become our masters, they
+would have to maintain their dominion by force, and would, after all,
+retain us in subjection only so long as they could hold their bayonets to
+our breasts. No, Madam, the proposal of Mr. Duchey, though conceived with
+the best intention, is not framed in wisdom. America and England must be
+separate states; but they may have common interests, for they are but one
+people. It will, therefore, be the object of my life and ambition to
+establish the independence of America in the first place; and in the
+second, to arrange such a community of interests between the two nations
+as shall indemnify them for the calamities which they now suffer, and form
+a new aera in the history of nations. But, Madam, you are aware that I
+have many enemies; Congress may hear of your visit, and of this letter,
+and I should be suspected were I to conceal it from them. I respect you
+truly, as I have said; and I esteem the probity and motives of Mr. Duchey,
+and therefore you are free to depart from the camp, but the letter will be
+transmitted without delay to Congress."
+
+Mrs. Ferguson herself communicated the circumstances of this interesting
+transaction to Mr. West, after she came to England; for she, as well as
+Mr. Duchey, were obliged to quit the country. It is painful to add, that
+Duchey came to England, and was allowed to pine unnoticed by the
+Government, and was heard of no more.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. III.
+
+
+
+    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led to
+    the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place him
+    in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers,--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.
+
+There was something so judicious in the plan of study which Provost
+Smith had formed for his pupil, that it deserves to be particularly
+considered. He regarded him as destined to be a Painter; and on this
+account did not impose upon him those grammatical exercises of language
+which are usually required from the young student of the classics, but
+directed his attention to those incidents which were likely to interest
+his fancy, and to furnish him at some future time with subjects for the
+easel. He carried him immediately to those passages of antient history
+which make the most lasting impression on the imagination of the
+regular-bred scholar, and described the picturesque circumstances of the
+transactions with a minuteness of detail that would have been
+superfluous to a general student.
+
+In the midst of this course of education the Artist happened to be taken
+ill of a slight fever, and when it had subsided, he was in so weak a state
+as to be obliged to keep his bed, and to have the room darkened. In this
+situation he remained several days, with no other light than what was
+admitted by the seams and fissures in the window-shutters, which had the
+usual effect of expanding the pupil of his eyes to such a degree that he
+could distinctly see every object in the room, which to others appeared in
+complete obscurity. While he was thus lying in bed, he observed the
+apparitional form of a white cow enter at the one side of the roof, and
+walking over the bed, gradually vanish at the other. The phenomenon
+surprised him exceedingly, and he feared that his mind was impaired by his
+disease, which his sister also suspected, when on entering to inquire how
+he felt himself, he related to her what he had seen. Without, however,
+saying any thing, she went immediately and informed her husband, who
+accompanied her back to the apartment; and as they were standing near the
+bed, West repeated the story, exclaiming in his discourse that he saw, at
+the very moment in which he was then speaking, several little pigs running
+along the roof. This confirmed them in the apprehension of his delirium,
+and they sent for a physician. But the doctor could discover no symptoms
+of fever; the pulse was regular, the skin moist and cool, the thirst was
+abated, and indeed every thing about the patient indicated convalescence.
+Still the Painter persisted in his story, and assured them that he then
+saw the figures of several of their mutual friends passing on the roof,
+over the bed; and that he even saw fowls pecking, and the very stones of
+the street. All this seemed to them very extraordinary, for their eyes,
+not accustomed to the gloom of the chamber, could discern nothing; and the
+learned physician himself, in despite of the symptoms, began to suspect
+that the convalescent was really delirious. Prescribing, therefore, a
+composing mixture, which the Painter submitted to swallow, he took his
+fee and leave, requesting Mrs. Clarkson and her husband to come away and
+not disturb the patient. After they had retired, curiosity overcame the
+influence of the drug, and the Artist got up, determined to find out the
+cause of the strange apparitions which had so alarmed them all. In a short
+time he discovered a diagonal knot-hole in one of the window-shutters, and
+upon placing his hand over it, the visionary paintings on the roof
+disappeared. This confirmed him in an opinion that he began to form, that
+there must be some simple natural cause for what he had seen; and, having
+thus ascertained the way in which it acted, he called his sister and her
+husband into the room and explained it to them. When able to go down
+stairs, Mr. Clarkson gave him permission to perforate one of the parlour
+window-shutters horizontally, in order to obtain a representation on the
+wall of the buildings of the opposite side of the street. The effect was
+as he expected, but, to his astonishment, the objects appeared inverted.
+Without attempting to remedy this with the aid of glasses, as a
+mathematical genius would perhaps have done, he was delighted to see in it
+the means of studying the pictural appearance of Nature, and he hailed
+the discovery as a revelation to promote his improvement in the art of
+painting. On his return soon after to his father's, he had a box made with
+one of the sides perforated; and, adverting to the reflective power of the
+mirror, he contrived, without ever having heard of the instrument, to
+invent the _Camera_. Thus furnishing another proof, that although the
+faculty which enables a man to excel in any particular art or science is a
+natural endowment, it is seldom unaccompanied with a general superiority
+of observation. It will, however, not be disputed, that a boy under
+sixteen, who had thus, by the guidance of his own unassisted judgment,
+found out a method of ascertaining the colour and outline of natural
+objects as they should appear in painting, possessed no ordinary mind.
+Observations of this nature mark the difference between innate talent and
+instructed habits; and, whether in painting, or in poetry, in art, or in
+science, constitute the source of that peculiarity of intellect which is
+discriminated from the effects of education by the name of original
+talent. The self-educated man of genius, when his mind is formed, differs
+but little in the method of expressing his notions, from the most
+mechanical disciple of the schools; but the process by which he attains
+that result, renders his history interesting by its incidents, and
+valuable by the hints which it furnishes for the study of human character.
+It is, perhaps, also, one great cause of his own distinguishing features
+of mind, as the very contrivances to which he has recourse have the effect
+of taking, as it were, something extraneous into the matter of his
+experiments which tinges the product with curious and singular
+effects.--West, on afterwards mentioning his discovery to Williams the
+painter, was surprised to find himself anticipated, that Artist having
+received a complete Camera some time before from England.
+
+In this favourable state of things he attained his sixteenth year, when
+his father became anxious to see him settled in some established business.
+For, though reluctant to thwart the bias of a genius at once so decided
+and original, and to which the injunction of Peckover had rendered him
+favourable and indulgent, the old gentleman was sensible that the
+profession of a painter was not only precarious, but regarded by the
+religious association to which he belonged, as adverse to their tenets, by
+being only ornamental; and he was anxious, on his son's account and on his
+own, to avoid those animadversions to which he was exposed by the freedom
+he had hitherto granted to the predilections of Benjamin. He, therefore,
+consulted several of his neighbours on the subject; and a meeting of the
+Society of Friends in the vicinity was called, to consider, publicly, what
+ought to be the destiny of his son.
+
+The assembly met in the Meeting-house near Springfield, and after much
+debate, approaching to altercation, a man of the name of John Williamson
+rose, and delivered a very extraordinary speech upon the subject. He was
+much respected by all present, for the purity and integrity of his life,
+and enjoyed great influence in his sphere on account of the superiority
+of his natural wisdom, and, as a public preacher among the Friends,
+possessed an astonishing gift of convincing eloquence. He pointed to old
+Mr. West and his wife, and expatiated on the blameless reputation which
+they had so long maintained, and merited so well. "They have had," said
+he, "ten children, whom they have carefully brought up in the fear of
+God, and in the Christian religion; and the youth, whose lot in life we
+are now convened to consider, is Benjamin, their youngest child. It is
+known to you all that God is pleased, from time to time, to bestow upon
+some men extraordinary gifts of mind, and you need not be told by how
+wonderful an inspiration their son has been led to cultivate the art of
+painting. It is true that our tenets deny the utility of that art to
+mankind. But God has bestowed on the youth a genius for the art, and can
+we believe that Omniscience bestows His gifts but for great purposes?
+What God has given, who shall dare to throw away? Let us not estimate
+Almighty wisdom by our notions; let us not presume to arraign His
+judgment by our ignorance, but in the evident propensity of the young
+man, be assured that we see an impulse of the Divine hand operating
+towards some high and beneficent end."
+
+The effect of this argument, and the lofty commanding manner in which it
+was delivered, induced the assembly to agree that the Artist should be
+allowed to indulge the predilections of his genius; and a private
+meeting of the Friends was appointed to be holden at his father's house,
+at which the youth himself was requested to be present, in order to
+receive, in form, the assent and blessing of the Society. On the day of
+meeting, the great room was put in order, and a numerous company of both
+sexes assembled. Benjamin was placed by his father, and the men and
+women took their respective forms on each side. After sitting some time
+in silence, one of the women rose and addressed the meeting on the
+wisdom of God, and the various occasions on which He selected from among
+His creatures the agents of His goodness. When she had concluded her
+exhortation, John Williamson also rose, and in a speech than which,
+perhaps, the porticos of Athens never resounded with a more impressive
+oratory, he resumed the topic which had been the subject of his former
+address. He began by observing that it was fixed as one of their
+indisputable maxims, that things merely ornamental were not necessary to
+the well-being of man, and that all superfluous things should be
+excluded from the usages and manners of their society. "In this
+proscription, we have included," said he, "the study of the fine arts,
+for we see them applied only to embellish pleasures, and to strengthen
+our inducements to gratify the senses at the expense of our immortal
+claims. But, because we have seen painting put to this derogatory use,
+and have, in consequence, prohibited the cultivation of it among us, are
+we sure that it is not one of those gracious gifts which God has
+bestowed on the world, not to add to the sensual pleasures of man, but
+to facilitate his improvement as a social and a moral being? The fine
+arts are called the offspring and the emblems of peace. The Christian
+religion itself is the doctrine of good will to man. Can those things
+which only prosper in peace be contrary to the Christian religion? But,
+it is said, that the fine arts soften and emasculate the mind. In what
+way? is it by withdrawing those who study them from the robust exercises
+which enable nations and people to make war with success? Is it by
+lessening the disposition of mankind to destroy one another, and by
+taming the audacity of their animal fierceness? Is it for such a reason
+as this, that we who profess to live in unison and friendship, not only
+among ourselves, but with all the world that we should object to the
+cultivation of the fine arts, of those arts which disarm the natural
+ferocity of man? We may as well be told that the doctrine of peace and
+life ought to be proscribed in the world because it is pernicious to the
+practice of war and slaughter, as that the arts which call on man to
+exercise his intellectual powers more than his physical strength, can be
+contrary to Christianity, and adverse to the benevolence of the Deity. I
+speak not, however, of the fine arts as the means of amusement, nor the
+study of them as pastime to fill up the vacant hours of business, though
+even as such, the taste for them deserves to be regarded as a
+manifestation of Divine favour, in as much as they dispose the heart to
+kind and gentle inclinations. For, I think them ordained by God for some
+great and holy purpose. Do we not know that the professors of the fine
+arts are commonly men greatly distinguished by special gifts of a
+creative and discerning spirit? If there be any thing in the usual
+course of human affairs which exhibits the immediate interposition of
+the Deity, it is in the progress of the fine arts, in which it would
+appear he often raises up those great characters, the spirit of whose
+imaginations have an interminable influence on posterity, and who are
+themselves separated and elevated among the generality of mankind, by
+the name of men of genius. Can we believe that all this is not for some
+useful purpose? What that purpose is, ought we to pretend to
+investigate? Let us rather reflect that the Almighty God has been
+pleased among us, and in this remote wilderness, to endow, with the rich
+gifts of a peculiar spirit, that youth who has now our common consent to
+cultivate his talents for an art, which, according to our humble and
+human judgment, was previously thought an unnecessary ministration to
+the sensual propensities of our nature. May it be demonstrated by the
+life and works of the Artist, that the gift of God has not been bestowed
+on him in vain, nor the motives of the beneficent inspiration which
+induces us to suspend our particular tenets, prove barren of religious
+or moral effect. On the contrary, let us confidently hope that this
+occurrence has been for good, and that the consequences which may arise
+in the society of this new world, from the example which Benjamin West
+will be enabled to give, will be such a love of the arts of peace as
+shall tend to draw the ties of affection closer, and diffuse over a
+wider extent of community the interests and blessing of fraternal love."
+
+At the conclusion of this address, the women rose and kissed the young
+Artist, and the men, one by one, laid their hands on his head and prayed
+that the Lord might verify in his life the value of the gift which had
+induced them, in despite of their religious tenets, to allow him to
+cultivate the faculties of his genius.
+
+The history of no other individual affords an incident so extraordinary.
+This could not be called a presentiment, but the result of a clear
+expectation, that some important consequence would ensue. It may be added
+that a more beautiful instance of liberality is not to be found in the
+records of any religious society. Hitherto, all sects, even of Christians,
+were disposed to regard, with jealousy and hatred, all those members who
+embraced any pursuit that might tend to alienate them from their
+particular modes of discipline. The Quakers have, therefore, the honour of
+having been the first to allow, by a public act, that their conception of
+the religious duties of man was liable to the errors of the human
+judgment, and was not to be maintained on the presumption of being
+actually according to the will of God. There is something at once simple
+and venerable in the humility with which they regarded their own peculiar
+principles, especially contrasted with the sublime view they appeared to
+take of the wisdom and providence of the Deity. But, with whatever
+delightful feelings strangers and posterity may contemplate this beautiful
+example of Christian magnanimity, it would be impossible to convey any
+idea of the sentiments with which it affected the youth who was the object
+of its exercise. He must have been less than man had he not endeavoured,
+without ceasing, to attain an honourable eminence in his profession; or,
+had he forgotten, in the honours which he has since received from all
+polished nations, that he was authorized by his friends and his religion,
+to cultivate the art by which he obtained such distinctions, not for his
+own sake, but as an instrument chosen by Providence to disseminate the
+arts of peace in the world.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+
+
+    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.
+
+There is a regardless independence about minds of superior endowment,
+which, in similar characters, manifests itself differently according to
+the circumstances in which they happen to be placed. Devoted to the
+contemplation of the means of future celebrity, the man of genius
+frequently finds himself little disposed to set a proper value on the
+common interests of of life. When bred in affluence, and exempted from
+the necessity of considering the importance of money to the attainment of
+his object, he is often found, to a blameful degree, negligent of
+pecuniary concerns; and, on the contrary, when his situation is such that
+he may only hope for distinction by the practice of the most parsimonious
+frugality, he will as often appear in the social and propelling season of
+youth enduring voluntary privations with an equanimity which the
+ostentatious fanatic or contrite penitent would in vain attempt to
+surpass. This peculiar feature of the self-sustained mind of genius has
+often been misunderstood, and seldom valued as it ought to be. The
+presumptuous weak who mistake the wish of distinction for the workings of
+talent, admire the eccentricities of the gifted youth who is reared in
+opulence, and, mistaking the prodigality which is only the effect of his
+fortune, for the attributes of his talents, imitate his errors, and
+imagine that, by copying the blemishes of his conduct, they possess what
+is illustrious in his mind. Such men are incapable of appreciating the
+self-denial which Benjamin West made it a duty to impose upon himself on
+entering the world; but to those who are truly conscious of possessing
+the means of attracting the admiration of their contemporaries and
+posterity, the voluntary abstinence of a youth of genius will afford them
+delight in the contemplation, even though they may be happily free from
+the obligation of practising it themselves.
+
+When it was determined among the Friends that Benjamin West should be
+allowed to cultivate the art of Painting, he went to Lancaster, but he was
+hastily recalled by a severe domestic misfortune. His mother was seized by
+a dangerous illness, and being conscious that she could not live long, she
+requested that he might be sent for home. Benjamin hastily obeyed the
+summons, but, before he reached the house, her strength was exhausted, and
+she was only able to express by her look the satisfaction with which she
+saw him approach the bed, before she expired. Her funeral, and the
+distress which the event naturally occasioned to her family, by all of
+whom she was very tenderly beloved, detained the young Artist some time at
+his father's. About the end of August, in 1756, however, he took his
+final departure, and went to Philadelphia. But, before proceeding with
+the narrative of his professional career, it is necessary to advert to
+some of the public transactions of that period, by which his sensibility
+was powerfully excited. Indeed it will appear throughout the whole of
+these singular memoirs, that the subject of them was, perhaps, more
+immediately affected by the developement of national events, than usually
+falls to the lot of any individual so little connected with public men,
+and so far remote from the great thoroughfare of political occurrences.
+
+After the destruction of General Bradock's army, the Pennsylvanians being
+alarmed at the defenceless state in which they were placed by that
+calamity, the Assembly of the Province resolved to embody a militia force;
+and Mr, Wayne, who has been already mentioned, was appointed Colonel of
+the Regiment raised in Chester County. This defensive measure announced
+that the golden age of the country was past, and the change felt by the
+peaceful Quakers indicated an alteration in their harmless manners. West,
+among others, went to view the first muster of the troops under the
+command of Colonel Wayne, and the sight of men in arms, their purpose and
+array, warmed his lively imagination with military enthusiasm. In
+conjunction with a son of the Colonel, a boy of his own age, with whom he
+had become acquainted, he procured a gun, and determined also to be a
+soldier. Young Wayne was drilled by the diciplinarians of his father's
+corps, and he, in turn, exercised West, who, being more alert and active,
+soon obtained a decided superiority; but what different destinies were
+attached to them! West has attained, in the intellectual discipline of the
+arts of peace, an enviable reputation; and Wayne, who was inferior to him
+in the manual of the soldier, became an illustrious commander, and
+partook, as the companion in arms of Washington, of the glory of having
+established the independence of America.
+
+The martial preparations inspired all the youths of Pennsylvania with the
+love of arms, and diffused the principles of that military spirit which
+was afterwards exerted with so much effect against the erroneous policy
+of the mother country. West, soon after his drilling under young Wayne,
+visited Lancaster; and the boys of that town having formed themselves
+into a little corps, made choice of him for their commandant. Among
+others who caught the spirit of the time, was his brother Samuel, who
+possessed a bold character and an enterprising disposition. He was about
+six years older than the Artist, and, being appointed a Captain in
+Colonel Wayne's regiment, joined the troops under the command of General
+Forbes, who was sent to repair the disasters which had happened to the
+unfortunate Bradock.
+
+After the taking of Fort Duane, to which the new name of Pittsburgh was
+given, in compliment to the minister of the day, General Forbes resolved
+to search for the relics of Bradock's army. As the European soldiers were
+not so well qualified to explore the forests, Captain West was appointed,
+with his company of American sharpshooters, to assist in the execution of
+this duty; and a party of Indian warriors, who had returned to the British
+interests, were requested to conduct him to the places where the bones of
+the slain were likely to be found. In this solemn and affecting duty
+several officers belonging to the 42d regiment accompanied the detachment,
+and with them Major Sir Peter Halket, who had lost his father and a
+brother in the fatal destruction of the army. It might have been thought a
+hopeless task that he should be able to discriminate their remains from
+the common relics of the other soldiers; but he was induced to think
+otherwise, as one of the Indian warriors assured him that he had seen an
+officer fall near a remarkable tree, which he thought he could still
+discover; informing him at the same time, that the incident was impressed
+on his memory by observing a young subaltern, who, in running to the
+officer's assistance, was also shot dead on his reaching the spot, and
+fell across the other's body. The Major had a mournful conviction in his
+own mind that the two officers were his father and brother, and, indeed,
+it was chiefly owing to his anxiety on the subject, that this pious
+expedition, the second of the kind that History records, was undertaken.
+
+Captain West and his companions proceeded through the woods and along the
+banks of the river towards the scene of the battle. The Indians regarded
+the expedition as a religious service, and guided the troops with awe, and
+in profound silence. The soldiers were affected with sentiments not less
+serious; and as they explored the bewildering labyrinths of those vast
+forests, their hearts were often melted with inexpressible sorrow; for
+they frequently found skeletons lying across the trunks of fallen trees, a
+mournful proof to their imaginations that the men who sat there, had
+perished of hunger, in vainly attempting to find their way to the
+plantations. Sometimes their feelings were raised to the utmost pitch of
+horror by the sight of sculls and bones scattered on the ground--a certain
+indication that the bodies had been devoured by wild beasts; and in other
+places they saw the blackness of ashes amidst the relics,--the tremendous
+evidence of atrocious rites.
+
+At length they reached a turn of the river not far from the principal
+scene of destruction, and the Indian who remembered the death of the two
+officers, stopped; the detachment also halted. He then looked around in
+quest of some object which might recall, distinctly, his recollection of
+the ground, and suddenly darted into the wood. The soldiers rested their
+arms without speaking. A shrill cry was soon after heard; and the other
+guides made signs for the troops to follow them towards the spot from
+which it came. In the course of a short time they reached the Indian
+warrior, who, by his cry, had announced to his companions that he had
+found the place where he was posted on the day of battle. As the troops
+approached, he pointed to the tree under which the officers had fallen.
+Captain West halted his men round the spot, and with Sir Peter Halket and
+the other officers, formed a circle, while the Indians removed the leaves
+which thickly covered the ground. The skeletons were found, as the Indian
+expected, lying across each other. The officers having looked at them some
+time, the Major said, that as his father had an artificial tooth, he
+thought he might be able to ascertain if they were indeed his bones and
+those of his brother. The Indians were, therefore, ordered to remove the
+skeleton of the youth, and to bring to view that of the old officer. This
+was immediately done, and after a short examination, Major Halket
+exclaimed, "It is my father!" and fell back into the arms of his
+companions. The pioneers then dug a grave, and the bones being laid in it
+together, a highland plaid was spread over them, and they were interred
+with the customary honours.
+
+When Lord Grosvenor bought the picture of the death of Wolfe, Mr. West
+mentioned to him the finding of the bones of Bradock's army as a pictorial
+subject capable of being managed with great effect. The gloom of the vast
+forest, the naked and simple Indians supporting the skeletons, the grief
+of the son on recognizing the relics of his father, the subdued melancholy
+of the spectators, and the picturesque garb of the Pennsylvanian
+sharpshooters, undoubtedly furnished topics capable of every effect which
+the pencil could bestow, or the imagination require in the treatment of so
+sublime a scene. His Lordship admitted, that in possessing so affecting an
+incident as the discovery of the bones of the Halkets, it was superior
+even to that of the search for the remains of the army of Varus; the
+transaction, however, being little known, and not recorded by any
+historian, he thought it would not be interesting to the public. Other
+engagements have since prevented Mr. West from attempting it on his own
+account. But it is necessary that the regular narrative should be resumed;
+for the military history of the Artist terminated when he was recalled
+home by the last illness of his mother, although the excitement which the
+events that led to it occasioned never lost its influence on his mind,
+especially that of the incident which has been described, and which has
+ever been present to his imagination as one of the most affecting
+occurrences, whether considered with respect to the feelings of the
+gentlemen most immediately interested in it, or with respect to the wild
+and solemn circumstances under which the service was performed.
+
+On his return to Philadelphia, he again resided with Mr. Clarkson, his
+brother-in-law; and Provost Smith, in the evenings, continued to direct
+his attention to those topics of literature which were most suitable to
+cherish the expansion of his mind, and to enrich his imagination with
+ideas useful to his profession. While his leisure hours were thus
+profitably employed, his reputation as a portrait painter was rapidly
+extended. His youth, and the peculiar incidents of his history, attracted
+many sitters, and his merits verified the recommendations of his friends.
+This constancy of employment, no doubt materially tended to his
+improvement in the manipulation of his art; for whatever may be the native
+force of talent, it is impossible that the possessor can attain excellence
+by any other means than practice. Facility to express the conceptions of
+the mind must be acquired before the pen or the pencil can embody them
+appropriately, and the author who does not execute much, however little he
+may exhibit, can never expect to do justice to the truth and beauty of his
+own ideas. West was very soon duly impressed with the justness of this
+observation; and, while in the execution of his portraits, he was
+assiduous to acquire a ready knowledge of those characteristic traits
+which have since enabled him to throw so much variety into his
+compositions; he felt conscious that, without seeing better pictures than
+his own, he could neither hope to attain distinction, nor to appreciate
+his own peculiar powers. It was this consideration that induced him to
+adopt a most rigid system of frugality. He looked forward to a period when
+he might be enabled, by the fruits of his own industry, to visit the great
+scenes of the fine arts in Europe; and the care with which he treasured
+the money that he received for his portraits was rewarded even at the time
+with the assurance of realizing his expectations. The prices which he
+first fixed for his portraits, were two guineas and a half for a head, and
+five guineas for a half length.
+
+After what has already been mentioned of the state of Society in
+Pennsylvania, it is needless to say that at the period to which these
+memoirs refer, there were but few pictures in the British Plantations;
+indeed, without any other explanation, all that should be contended for by
+any person who might imagine it necessary to advocate the pretensions of
+Benjamin West to be placed in the list of original and self-instructed
+artists, would be readily granted, upon stating the single fact, that he
+was born in Pennsylvania, and did not leave America till the year 1760. At
+the same time, it might be construed into an injudicious concealment, if
+it were not mentioned that Governor Hamilton, who at that period presided
+with so much popularity over the affairs of the province, possessed a few
+pictures, consisting, however, chiefly of family portraits. Among them was
+a St. Ignatius, which was found in the course of the preceding war on
+board a Spanish prize, and which Mr. Pennington obtained leave for West to
+copy. The Artist had made choice of it himself, without being aware of its
+merits as a work of art, for it was not until several years after that he
+discovered it to be a fine piece of the Morillo school, and in the best
+style of the master.
+
+This copy was greatly admired by all who saw it, and by none more than his
+valuable friend Provost Smith, to whom it suggested the notion that
+portrait-painting might be raised to something greatly above the
+exhibition of a mere physical likeness; and he in consequence endeavoured
+to impress upon the mind of his pupil, that characteristic painting opened
+a new line in the art, only inferior in dignity to that of history, but
+requiring, perhaps, a nicer discriminative tact of mind. This judicious
+reflection of Dr. Smith was however anticipated by Sir Joshua Reynolds,
+who had already made the discovery, and was carrying it into effect with
+admirable success. The Provost, however, was unacquainted with that
+circumstance, and induced West to make an experiment by drawing his
+portrait in the style and attitude of the St. Ignatius.
+
+While he was thus employed on portraits, a gentleman of the name of Cox
+called on him to agree for a likeness of his daughter; and the picture of
+Dr. Smith attracted his attention. It indeed appeared to him to evince
+such a capacity for historical composition, that, instead of then
+determining any thing respecting his daughter's portrait, he gave an order
+for an historical picture, allowing the Artist himself to choose the
+subject. This task had peculiar charms; for the Painter in the course of
+reading the Bible to his mother some time before, had been led to think
+that the Trial of Susannah was a fine subject, and he was thus enabled, by
+the liberality of Mr. Cox, to embody the conceptions of his imagination
+while they were yet in all the freshness and vigour of original
+formation. He made his canvas about the size of a half length portrait, on
+which he introduced not fewer than forty figures. In the execution he
+followed the rule which he had adopted in painting the Death of Socrates,
+and drew the principal figures from living models.--It is not known what
+has become of the Trial of Susannah. In the rebellion of the Colonies, Mr.
+Cox adhered to the British interest; and his daughter, the last person
+into whose possession the picture has been traced, having married a
+British officer, came to England during the war, and the Artist has not
+heard where she has since resided.
+
+In point of composition, Mr. West is of opinion that the Trial of Susannah
+was superior to the Death of Socrates. In this he is probably correct; for
+during the interval between the execution of the one and the other, his
+mind had been enlarged in knowledge by reading, his eye improved by the
+study of pictorial outline and perspective in the _Camera_, and his touch
+softened by the portraits which he painted, and particularly by his
+careful copy of the St. Ignatius. In point of drawing, both pictures were
+no doubt greatly inferior to many of his subsequent works; but his son,
+long after he had acquired much celebrity, saw the picture of the Death of
+Socrates; and was of opinion that it was not surpassed by any of them in
+variety of composition, and in that perspicuity of narrative which is the
+grand characteristic of the Artist's genius.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. V.
+
+
+
+    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvador
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.
+
+
+But although West found himself in possession of abundant employment in
+Philadelphia, he was sensible that he could not expect to increase his
+prices with effect, if he continued constantly in the same place. He also
+became sensible that to view life in various lights was as necessary to
+his improvement as to exercise his pencil on different subjects. And,
+beyond all, he was profoundly sensible, by this time, that he could not
+hope to attain eminence in his profession, without inspecting the great
+master-pieces of art in Europe, and comparing them with his own works in
+order to ascertain the extent of his powers. This philosophical view of
+his situation was doubtless partly owing to the excellent precepts of
+Provost Smith, but mainly to his own just perception of what was necessary
+to the successful career of an Artist: indeed the principle upon which the
+notion was formed is universal, and applies to all intellectual pursuits.
+Accordingly, impressed with these considerations, he frugally treasured
+the earnings of his pencil, that he might undertake, in the first place, a
+professional journey from Philadelphia, as preparatory to acquiring the
+means of afterwards visiting Europe, and particularly Rome. When he found
+that the state of his funds enabled him to undertake the journey, he went
+to New York.
+
+The Society of New York was much less intelligent in matters of taste and
+knowledge than that of Philadelphia. In the latter city the institutions
+of the college and library, and the strict moral and political
+respectability of the first settlers, had contributed to form a community,
+which, though inferior in the elegancies of living, and the etiquettes of
+intercourse, to what is commonly found in the European capitals, was
+little behind them in point of practical and historical information. Dr.
+Smith, the Provost of the college, had largely contributed to elevate the
+taste, the sentiment and the topics of conversation in Philadelphia. He
+was full of the best spirit of antiquity, and there was a classical purity
+of mind and splendour of imagination sometimes met with in the families
+which he frequented, that would have done honour to the best periods of
+polished society.
+
+It would be difficult to assign any reason why it has so happened that no
+literary author of any general celebrity, with the exception of Franklin,
+has yet arisen in America. That men of learning and extensive reading,
+capable of vying with the same description of persons in Europe, are to
+be found in the United States, particularly in Philadelphia, is not to be
+denied; but of that class, whose talents tend to augment the stock of
+intellectual enjoyment in the world, no one, with the single exception
+already alluded to, has yet appeared.
+
+Poetry is the art of connecting ideas of sensible objects with moral
+sentiments; and without the previous existence of local feelings, there
+can be no poetry. America to the first European settlers had no objects
+interesting to the imagination, at least of the description thus strictly
+considered as poetical; for although the vigour and stupendous appearances
+of Nature were calculated to fill the mind with awe, and to exalt the
+contemplations of enthusiasm, there was nothing connected with the
+circumstances of the scene susceptible of that colouring from the memory,
+which gives to the ideas of local resemblance the peculiar qualities of
+poetry. The forests, though interminable, were but composed of trees; the
+mountains and rivers, though on a larger scale, were not associated in the
+mind with the exertions of patriotic valour, and the achievements of
+individual enterprize, like the Alps or the Danube, the Grampians or the
+Tweed. It is impossible to tread the depopulated and exhausted soil of
+Greece without meeting with innumerable relics and objects, which, like
+magical talismans, call up the genius of departed ages with the
+long-enriched roll of those great transactions, that, in their moral
+effect, have raised the nature of man, occasioning trains of reflection
+which want only the rythm of language to be poetry. But in the
+unstoried solitudes of America, the traveller meets with nothing to awaken
+the sympathy of his recollective feelings. Even the very character of the
+trees, though interesting to scientific research, chills, beneath the
+spaciousness of their shade, every poetical disposition. They bear little
+resemblance to those which the stranger has left behind in his native
+country. To the descendants of the first settlers, they wanted even the
+charm of those accidental associations which their appearance might have
+recalled to the minds of their fathers. Poetry is, doubtless, the first of
+the intellectual arts which mankind cultivate. In its earliest form it is
+the mode of expressing affection and admiration; but, before it can be
+invented, there must be objects beloved and admired, associated with
+things in nature endowed with a local habitation and a name. In America,
+therefore, although there has been no lack of clever versifiers, nor of
+men who have respectably echoed the ideas current in the old world, the
+country has produced nothing of any value descriptive of the peculiar
+associations connected with its scenery. Among some of the Indian tribes a
+vein of original poetry has, indeed, been discovered; but the riches of
+the mine are unexplored, and the charge of sterility of fancy, which is
+made by the Europeans against the citizens of the United States, still
+remains unrefuted. Since the period, however, to which these memoirs
+chiefly refer, events of great importance have occurred, and the
+recollections connected with them, no doubt, tend to imbue the American
+climate with the elements of poetical thought; but they are of too recent
+occurrence for the purposes either of the epic or the tragic muse. The
+facts of history in America are still seen too much in detail for the
+imagination to combine them with her own creation. The fields of battle
+are almost too fresh for the farmer to break the surface; and years must
+elapse before the ploughshare shall turn up those eroded arms of which the
+sight will call into poetical existence the sad and dreadful incidents of
+the civil war.
+
+In New York Mr. West found the society wholly devoted to mercantile
+pursuits. A disposition to estimate the value of things, not by their
+utility, or by their beauty, but by the price which they would bring in
+the market, almost universally prevailed. Mercantile men are habituated by
+the nature of their transactions to overlook the intrinsic qualities of
+the very commodities in which they deal; and though of all the community
+they are the most liberal and the most munificent, they set the least
+value on intellectual productions. The population of New York was formed
+of adventurers from all parts of Europe, who had come thither for the
+express purpose of making money, in order, afterwards, to appear with
+distinction at home. Although West, therefore, found in that city much
+employment in taking likenesses destined to be transmitted to relations
+and friends, he met with but few in whom he found any disposition
+congenial to his own; and the eleven months which he passed there, in
+consequence, contributed less to the improvement of his mind than might
+have been expected from a city so flourishing. Still, the time was not
+altogether barren of occurrences which tended to advance his progress in
+his art, independent of the advantage arising from constant practice.
+
+He happened, during his residence there, to see a beautiful Flemish
+picture of a hermit praying before a lamp, and he was resolved to paint a
+companion to it, of a man reading by candle-light. But before he
+discovered a method of producing, in day-light, an effect on his model
+similar to what he wished to imitate, he was frequently baffled in his
+attempts. At length, he hit on the expedient of persuading his landlord to
+sit with an open book before a candle in a dark closet; and he found that,
+by looking in upon him from his study, the appearance was exactly what he
+wished for. In the schools and academies of Europe, tradition has
+preserved the methods by which all the magical effects of light and
+shadow have been produced, with the exception, however, of Rembrandt's
+method, and which the author of these sketches ventures to suggest was
+attained, in general, by observing the effect of sunshine passing through
+chinks into a dark room. But the American Artist was as yet unacquainted
+with any of them, and had no other guides to the essential principles of
+his art but the delicacy of his sight, and that ingenious observation of
+Nature to which allusion has been already so often made.
+
+The picture of the Student, or man reading by candle-light, was bought by
+a Mr. Myers, who, in the revolution, continued to adhere to the English
+cause. The same gentleman also bought a copy which West made about the
+same time of Belisarius, from the engraving by Strange, of Salvator Rosa's
+painting. It is not known what has now become of these pictures; but when
+the Artist long afterwards saw the original of Salvator Rosa, he was
+gratified to observe that he had instinctively coloured his copy almost as
+faithfully as if it had been painted from the picture instead of the
+engraving.
+
+In the year 1759 the harvest in Italy fell far short of what was
+requisite for the ordinary consumption of the population, and a great
+dearth being foreseen, Messrs. Rutherford and Jackson, of Leghorn, a house
+of the first consequence then in the Mediterranean trade, and well known
+to all travellers for the hospitality of the partners, wrote to their
+correspondent Mr. Allen, at Philadelphia, to send them a cargo of wheat
+and flour. Mr. Allen was anxious that his son, before finally embarking in
+business, should see something of the world; and Provost Smith, hearing
+his intention of sending him to Leghorn with the vessel, immediately
+waited on the old gentleman, and begged him to allow West to accompany
+him, which was cheerfully acceded to, and the Provost immediately wrote to
+his pupil at New York on the subject. In the mean time, West had heard
+that there was a vessel at Philadelphia loading for Italy, and had
+expressed to Mr. William Kelly, a merchant, who was then sitting to him
+for his portrait, a strong desire to avail himself of this opportunity to
+visit the fountain-head of the arts. Before this period, he had raised his
+terms for a half-length to ten guineas, by which he acquired a sum of
+money adequate to the expenses of a short excursion to Italy. When he had
+finished Mr. Kelly's portrait, that gentleman, in paying him, requested
+that he would take charge of a letter to his agents in Philadelphia, and
+deliver it to them himself on his return to that city, which he was
+induced to do immediately, on receiving Dr. Smith's letter, informing him
+of the arrangement made with Mr. Allen. When this letter was opened, an
+instance of delicate munificence appeared on the part of Mr. Kelly, which
+cannot be too highly applauded. It stated to the concern to which it was
+addressed, that it would be delivered by an ingenious young gentleman,
+who, he understood, intended to visit Rome for the purpose of studying the
+fine arts, and ordered them to pay him fifty guineas as a present from him
+towards furnishing his stores for the voyage.
+
+While waiting till the vessel was clear to sail, West had the
+gratification to see, in Philadelphia, his old friend Mr. Henry, for whom
+he had painted the Death of Socrates. Towards him he always cherished the
+most grateful affection. He was the first who urged him to attempt
+historical composition; and, above all, he was the first who had made him
+acquainted with the magnanimous tales of Plutarch; perhaps, the greatest
+favour which could be conferred on a youthful mind, susceptible of
+impressions from the sublime and beautiful of human actions, which no
+author has better illustrated than that celebrated Biographer, who may
+indeed be regarded, almost without hyperbole, as the recorder of
+antient worth, and the tutor of modern genius. In his peculiar class,
+Plutarch still stands alone, at least no author in any of the living
+languages appears to be yet truly sensible of the secret cause by which
+his sketches give that direct impulse to the elements of genius, by which
+the vague and wandering feelings of unappropriated strength are converted
+into an uniform energy, endowed with productive action. Plutarch, like the
+sculptors of antiquity, has selected only the great and elegant traits of
+character; and hence his lives, like those statues which are the models of
+art, possess, with all that is graceful and noble in human nature, the
+particular features of individuals. He had no taste for the blemishes of
+mankind. His mind delighted in the contemplation of moral vigour; and he
+seems justly to have thought that it was nearly allied to virtue: hence
+many of those characters whose portraitures in his works furnish the
+youthful mind with inspiring examples of true greatness, more authentic
+historians represent in a light far different. It is the aim of all
+dignified art to exalt the mind by exciting the feelings as well as the
+judgment; and the immortal lessons of Plutarch would never have awakened
+the first stirrings of ambition in the innumerable great men who date
+their career from reading his pages, had he been actuated by the minute
+and invidious spirit of modern biography. These reflections have occurred
+the more forcibly at this juncture, as the subject of this narrative was
+on the point of leaving a country in which were men destined to acquire
+glory in such achievements as Plutarch would have delighted to record; and
+of parting from early associates who afterwards attained a degree of
+eminence in the public service that places them high in the roll of those
+who have emulated the exploits and virtues of the Heroes of that great
+Biographer.
+
+The Artist having embarked with young Allen had a speedy and pleasant
+passage to Gibraltar; where, in consequence of the war then raging, the
+ship stopped for convoy. As soon as they came to anchor, Commodore Carney
+and another officer came on board to examine the vessel's papers. It
+happened that some time before, the British Government had, on account of
+political circumstances, prohibited the carrying of provisions into Italy,
+by which prohibition the ship and cargo would have been forfeited had she
+been arrested in attempting to enter an Italian port, or, indeed, in
+proceeding with such an intention. But Captain Carney had scarcely taken
+his pen to write the replies to the questions which he put to the Master,
+as to the owners of the vessel and her destination, when he again threw it
+down, and, looking the other officer full in the face, said, "I am much
+affected by the situation in which I am now placed. This valuable ship is
+the property of some of my nearest relations, and the best friends that I
+have ever had in the world!" and he refrained from asking any more
+questions. There was, undoubtedly, much generosity in this conduct, for
+by the indulgence of the crown, all prizes taken in war become the
+property of the captors; and Captain Carney, rather than enrich himself at
+the expence of his friends, chose to run the hazard of having his own
+conduct called in question for the non-performance of his official duty.
+It perhaps deserves also to be considered as affording a favourable
+example of that manly confidence in the gentlemanly honour of each other
+which has so long distinguished the British officers. On the mind of West
+it tended to confirm that agreeable impression by which so many previous
+incidents had made him cherish a liberal opinion of mankind. In other
+respects, Captain Carney happening to be the officer who came on board,
+was a fortunate circumstance; for on learning that young Allen was in the
+ship, he invited the passengers to dine on board his frigate; and the
+company, consisting of the Governor, his staff, and principal officers in
+the garrison, tended to raise the consideration of the Artist, and his
+companion in the estimation of the fleet with which their vessel was to
+proceed to Leghorn. Indeed, throughout his whole life, Mr. West was, in
+this respect, singularly fortunate; for although the condescensions of
+rank do not in themselves confer any power on talent, they have the effect
+of producing that complacency of mind in those who are the objects of
+them, which is at once the reward and the solace of intellectual exertion,
+at the same time that they tend to mollify the spirit of contemporary
+invidiousness. The day after, the fleet sailed; and when they had passed
+the rock, the captains of the two men of war [Footnote: The two
+frigates, the Shannon, Captain Meadow, since Lord Manvers, whose intimacy
+still continues with Mr. West, and the Favourite sloop of war, Captain
+Pownell.] who had charge of the convoy, came on board the American, and
+invited Mr. Allen and Mr. West to take their passage in one of the
+frigates; this, however, they declined, but every day, when the weather
+was favourable, they were taken on board the one ship or the other, to
+dine; and when the weather did not permit this to be done with pleasure to
+the strangers, the officers sent them presents from their stock.
+
+After touching at several parts of the coast of Spain, the ship arrived
+safely at Leghorn, where mercantile enquiries detained Mr. Allen some
+time, and West being impatient to proceed to Rome, bade him adieu. Prior
+to his departure from Philadelphia, he had paid into the hands of old Mr.
+Allen the money which he thought would be requisite for his expenses in
+Italy, and had received from him a letter of credit on Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford. When they were made acquainted with the object of his voyage,
+and heard his history, they showed him a degree of attention beyond even
+their general great hospitality, and presented him with letters to
+Cardinal Albani, and several of the most distinguished characters for
+erudition and taste in Rome; and as he was unacquainted with French or
+Italian, they recommended him to the care of a French Courier, who had
+occasion to pass that way.
+
+When the travellers had reached the last stage of their journey, while
+their horses were baiting, West walked on alone. It was a beautiful
+morning; the air was perfectly placid, not a speck of vapour in the sky,
+and a profound tranquillity seemed almost sensibly diffused over the
+landscape. The appearance of Nature was calculated to lighten and elevate
+the spirits; but the general silence and nakedness of the scene touched
+the feelings with solemnity approaching to awe. Filled with the idea of
+the metropolitan city, the Artist hastened forward till he reached an
+elevated part of the high road, which afforded him a view of a spacious
+champaign country, bounded by hills, and in the midst of it the sublime
+dome of St. Peter's. The magnificence of this view of the Campagna
+excited, in his imagination, an agitated train of reflections that partook
+more of the nature of feeling than of thought. He looked for a spot to
+rest on, that he might contemplate at leisure a scene at once so noble and
+so interesting; and, near a pile of ruins fringed and trellissed with ivy,
+he saw a stone that appeared to be part of a column. On going towards it,
+he perceived that it was a mile-stone, and that he was then only eight
+miles from the Capitol. In looking before him, where every object seemed
+by the transparency of the Italian atmosphere to be brought nearer than it
+was in reality, he could not but reflect on the contrast between the
+circumstances of that view and the scenery of America; and his thoughts
+naturally adverted to the progress of civilization. The sun seemed, to
+his fancy, the image of truth and knowledge, arising in the East,
+continuing to illuminate and adorn the whole earth, and withdrawing from
+the eyes of the old world to enlighten the uncultivated regions of the
+new. He thought of that remote antiquity when the site of Rome itself was
+covered with unexplored forests; and passing with a rapid reminiscence
+over her eventful story, he was touched with sorrow at the solitude of
+decay with which she appeared to be environed, till he adverted to the
+condition of his native country, and was cheered by the thought of the
+greatness which even the fate of Rome seemed to assure to America. For he
+reflected that, although the progress of knowledge appeared to intimate
+that there was some great cycle in human affairs, and that the procession
+of the arts and sciences from the East to the West demonstrated their
+course to be neither stationary nor retrograde; he could not but rejoice,
+in contemplating the skeleton of the mighty capital before him, that they
+had improved as they advanced, and that the splendour which would precede
+their setting on the shores of Europe, would be the gorgeous omen of the
+glory which they would attain in their passage over America.
+
+While he was rapt in these reflections, he heard the drowsy tinkle of a
+pastoral bell behind him, and on turning round, he saw a peasant dressed
+in shaggy skins, driving a few goats from the ruins. The appearance and
+physiognomy of this peasant struck him as something more wild and
+ferocious than any thing about the Indians; and, perhaps, the observation
+was correctly philosophical. In the Indian, Nature is seen in that
+primitive vigour and simplicity, in which the actions are regulated by
+those feelings that are the elements of the virtues; but in the Italian
+bandit, for such he had reason afterwards to think was the real character
+of the goat-herd, he saw man in that second state of barbarity, in which
+his actions are instigated by wants that have often a vicious origin.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+
+
+    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.
+
+During the pontificate of Pope Rezzonico, the society of Rome had attained
+a pitch of elegance and a liberality of sentiment superior to that of any
+other city of Christendom. The theocratic nature of the government induced
+an exterior decorum in the public form of politeness, which, to strangers
+who took no interest in the abuses of the state, was so highly agreeable,
+that it tended even to appease their indignation against the laxity of
+private morals. If the traveller would forget that the name of
+Christianity was employed in supporting a baneful administration to the
+vices, or could withdraw his thoughts from the penury and suffering which
+such an administration necessarily entailed on the people, he had
+opportunities of access at Rome to the most various and delightful
+exercises of the faculties of memory, taste, and judgment, in the company
+of persons distinguished for their knowledge and genius. For, with all the
+social intercourse for which Paris was celebrated in the reign of Louis
+XV. the local objects at Rome gave a higher and richer tone to
+conversation there; even the living vices were there less offensive than
+at Paris, the rumours of them being almost lost in the remembrance of
+departed virtue, constantly kept awake by the sight of its monuments and
+vouchers. Tyranny in Rome was exercised more intellectually than in the
+French Capital. Injustice and oppression were used more in the form of
+persuasion; and though the crosier was not less pernicious than the
+bayonet, it inflicted a less irritating injury. The virtuous endured with
+patience the wrongs that their misguided judgment led them to believe were
+salutary to their eternal welfare. But it ought to be observed, that the
+immorality of the Romans was greatly exaggerated. Individuals redeemed by
+their merits the reproach of universal profligacy; and strangers, by being
+on their guard against the moral contagion, suffered a less dangerous
+taint than in the Atheistical coteries of Paris. Many, in consequence, who
+came prepared to be disgusted with the degenerated Romans, often bade them
+adieu with sentiments of respect, and remembered their urbanity and
+accomplishments with delightful satisfaction.
+
+It was not, however, the native inhabitants of Rome who constituted the
+chief attractions of society there, but the number of accomplished
+strangers of all countries and religions, who, in constant succession,
+came in pilgrimage to the shrine of antiquity; and who, by the
+contemplation of the merits and glories of departed worth, often felt
+themselves, as it were, miraculously endowed with new qualities. The
+collision of minds fraught with learning, in that high state of excitement
+which the genius of the place produced on the coldest imaginations,
+together with those innumerable brilliant and transitory topics which were
+never elicited in any other city, made the Roman conversations a
+continual exercise of the understanding. The details of political
+intrigue, and the follies of individuals, excited but little interest
+among the strangers in Rome. It seemed as if by an universal tacit
+resolution, national and personal peculiarities and prejudices were
+forgotten, and that all strangers simultaneously turned their attention to
+the transactions and affairs of former ages, and of statesmen and authors
+now no more. Their mornings were spent in surveying the monuments raised
+to public virtue, and in giving local features in their minds to the
+knowledge which they had acquired by the perusal of those works that have
+perpetuated the dignity of the Roman character. Their evenings were often
+allotted to the comparison of their respective conjectures, and to
+ascertain the authenticity and history of the relics which they had
+collected of ancient art. Sometimes the day was consumed in the study of
+those inestimable ornaments of religion, by which the fraudulent
+disposition of the priesthood had, in the decay of its power, rendered
+itself venerable to the most enlightened minds; and the night was devoted
+to the consideration of the causes which contribute to the developement
+of genius, or of the events which tend to stifle and overwhelm its powers.
+Every recreation of the stranger in Rome was an effort of the memory, of
+abstraction, and of fancy.--Society, in this elevated state of enjoyment,
+surrounded by the greatest works of human creation, and placed amidst the
+monuments of the most illustrious of mankind,--and that of the Quakers of
+Pennsylvania, employed in the mechanical industry of felling timber, and
+amid the sobriety of rural and commercial oeconomy, were like the extremes
+of a long series of events, in which, though the former is the necessary
+consequence of the latter, no resemblance can be traced in their
+respective characteristics. In America all was young, vigorous, and
+growing,--the spring of a nation, frugal, active, and simple. In Rome all
+was old, infirm, and decaying,--the autumn of a people who had gathered
+their glory, and were sinking into sleep under the disgraceful excesses of
+the vintage. On the most inert mind, passing from the one continent to the
+other, the contrast was sufficient to excite great emotion; on such a
+character as that of Mr. West, who was naturally disposed to the
+contemplation of the sublime and beautiful, both as to their moral and
+visible effect, it made a deep and indelible impression. It confirmed him
+in the wisdom of those strict religious principles which denied the
+utility of art when solely employed as the medium of amusement; and
+impelled him to attempt what could be done to approximate the uses of the
+pencil to those of the pen, in order to render Painting, indeed, the
+sister of Eloquence and Poetry.
+
+But the course of study in the Roman schools was not calculated to enable
+him to carry this grand purpose into effect; for the principles by which
+Michael Angelo and Raphael had attained their excellence, were no longer
+regarded. The study of Nature was deserted for that of the antique; and
+pictures were composed according to rules derived from other paintings,
+without respect to what the subject required, or what the circumstances of
+the scene probably appeared to be. It was, therefore, not one of the least
+happy occurrences in his life that he went to Rome when society was not
+only in the most favourable state for the improvement of his mind, and for
+convincing him of the deleterious influence of the arts when employed as
+the embellishments of voluptuousness and luxury; but also when the state
+of the arts was so mean, that the full effect of studying the antique
+only, and of grouping characters by academical rules, should appear so
+striking as to satisfy him that he could never hope for any eminence, if
+he did not attend more to the phenomena of Nature, than to the productions
+of the greatest genius. The perusal of the works of other painters, he was
+sensible, would improve his taste; but he was convinced, that the design
+which he had formed for establishing his own fame, could not be realised,
+if, for a single moment, he forgot that their works, however exquisite,
+were but the imitations and forms of those eternal models to which he had
+been instinctively directed.
+
+It was on the 10th of July, 1760, that he arrived at Rome. The French
+Courier conducted him to a hotel, and, having mentioned in the house that
+he was an American, and a Quaker, come to study the fine arts, the
+circumstance seemed so extraordinary, that it reached the ears of Mr.
+Robinson, afterwards Lord Grantham, who immediately found himself
+possessed by an irresistible desire to see him; and who, before he had
+time to dress or refresh himself, paid him a visit, and insisted that he
+should dine with him. In the course of dinner, that gentleman inquired
+what letters of introduction the Artist had brought with him; and West
+having informed him, he observed it was somewhat remarkable that the whole
+of them should be addressed to his most particular friends, adding, that
+as he was engaged to meet them at a party in the evening, he expected West
+would accompany him. This attention and frankness was acknowledged as it
+deserved to be, and is remembered by the Artist among those fortunate
+incidents which have rendered the recollection of his past life so
+pleasant, as scarcely to leave a wish for any part of it to have been
+spent otherwise than it was. At the hour appointed, Mr. Robinson conducted
+him to the house of Mr. Crispigne, an English gentleman who had long
+resided at Rome, where the evening party was held.
+
+Among the distinguished persons whom Mr. West found in the company, was
+the celebrated Cardinal Albani. His eminence, although quite blind, had
+acquired, by the exquisite delicacy of his touch, and the combining powers
+of his mind, such a sense of antient beauty, that he excelled all the
+virtuosi then in Rome, in the correctness of his knowledge of the verity
+and peculiarities of the smallest medals and intaglios. Mr. Robinson
+conducted the Artist to the inner apartment, where the Cardinal was
+sitting, and said, "I have the honour to present a young American, who has
+a letter of introduction to your eminence, and who has come to Italy for
+the purpose of studying the fine arts." The Cardinal fancying that the
+American must be an Indian, exclaimed, "Is he black or white?" and on
+being told that he was very fair, "What as fair as I am?" cried the
+Cardinal still more surprised. This latter expression excited a good deal
+of mirth at the Cardinal's expence, for his complexion was of the darkest
+Italian olive, and West's was even of more than the usual degree of
+English fairness. For some time after, if it be not still in use, the
+expression of "as fair as the Cardinal" acquired proverbial currency in
+the Roman conversations, applied to persons who had any inordinate conceit
+of their own beauty.
+
+The Cardinal, after some other short questions, invited West to come near
+him, and running his hands over his features, still more attracted the
+attention of the company to the stranger, by the admiration which he
+expressed at the form of his head. This occasioned inquiries respecting
+the youth; and the Italians concluding that, as he was an American, he
+must, of course, have received the education of a savage, became curious
+to witness the effect which the works of Art in the Belvidere and Vatican
+would produce on him. The whole company, which consisted of the principal
+Roman nobility, and strangers of distinction then in Rome, were interested
+in the event; and it was arranged in the course of the evening that on the
+following morning they should accompany Mr. Robinson and his protege to
+the palaces.
+
+At the hour appointed, the company assembled; and a procession, consisting
+of upwards of thirty of the most magnificent equipages in the capital of
+Christendom, and filled with some of the most erudite characters in
+Europe, conducted the young Quaker to view the master-pieces of art. It
+was agreed that the Apollo should be first submitted to his view, because
+it was the most perfect work among all the ornaments of Rome, and,
+consequently, the best calculated to produce that effect which the company
+were anxious to witness. The statue then stood in a case, enclosed with
+doors, which could be so opened as to disclose it at once to full view.
+West was placed in the situation where it was seen to the most advantage,
+and the spectators arranged themselves on each side. When the keeper threw
+open the doors, the Artist felt himself surprised with a sudden
+recollection altogether different from the gratification which he had
+expected; and without being aware of the force of what he said, exclaimed,
+"My God, how like it is to a young Mohawk warrior." The Italians,
+observing his surprise, and hearing the exclamation, requested Mr.
+Robinson to translate to them what he said; and they were excessively
+mortified to find that the god of their idolatry was compared to a
+savage. Mr. Robinson mentioned to West their chagrin, and asked him to
+give some more distinct explanation, by informing him what sort of people
+the Mohawk Indians were. He described to him their education; their
+dexterity with the bow and arrow; the admirable elasticity of their limbs;
+and how much their active life expands the chest, while the quick
+breathing of their speed in the chace, dilates the nostrils with that
+apparent consciousness of vigour which is so nobly depicted in the Apollo.
+"I have seen them often," added he, "standing in that very attitude, and
+pursuing, with an intense eye, the arrow which they had just discharged
+from the bow." This descriptive explanation did not lose by Mr. Robinson's
+translation. The Italians were delighted, and allowed that a better
+criticism had rarely been pronounced on the merits of the statue. The view
+of the other great works did not awaken the same vivid feelings. Those of
+Raphael, in the Vatican, did not at first particularly interest him; nor
+was it until he had often visited them alone, and studied them by himself,
+that he could appreciate the fulness of their excellence. His first view
+of the works of Michael Angelo, was still less satisfactory: indeed, he
+continued always to think, that, with the single exception of the Moses,
+that Artist had not succeeded in giving a probable character to any of his
+subjects, notwithstanding the masterly hand and mind which pervade the
+weakest of his productions.
+
+Among the first objects which particularly interested Mr. West, and which
+he never ceased to re-visit day after day with increasing pleasure, were
+the celebrated statues ascribed to Phidias, on the Monte Cavallo. The
+action of the human figure appeared to him so majestic, that it seemed to
+throw, as it were, a visible kind of awe into the very atmosphere, and
+over all the surrounding buildings. But the smallness of the horse struck
+him as exceedingly preposterous. He had often examined it before the idea
+occurred to him that it was probably reduced according to some unknown
+principle of antient art; and in this notion he was confirmed, by
+observing something of the same kind in the relative proportion of human
+figures and animals, on the different gems and bas-reliefs to which his
+attention was subsequently directed. The antient sculptors uniformly
+seemed to consider the human figure as the chief object, and sacrificed,
+to give it effect, the proportions of inferior parts. The author of the
+group on the Monte Cavallo, in the opinion of Mr. West, represented the
+horse smaller than the natural size, in order to augment the grandeur of
+the man. How far this notion, as the principle of a rule, may be sound, it
+would be unnecessary, perhaps impertinent, to inquire here; but its
+justness as applicable to the sculptures of antiquity, is abundantly
+verified by the bas-reliefs brought from the Parthenon of Athens. It is,
+indeed, so admitted a feature of antient art, as to be regarded by some
+critics as having for its object the same effect in sculpture, which is
+attained by light and shadow in painting.--In a picture, the Artist, by a
+judicious obscurity, so veils the magnitude of the car in which he places
+a victor, that notwithstanding its size, it may not appear the principal
+object; but this artifice is denied to the sculptor, who is necessitated
+to diminish the size of those things which are of least importance, in
+order to give dignity to the predominant figures. Raphael, in making the
+boat so small in the miraculous draught of fishes, is thought to have
+injudiciously applied this rule of antient sculpture; for he ought to have
+accomplished, by foreshortening, the same effect which he meant to produce
+by diminishing the size. It should, however, be observed, that great
+doubts are entertained if the statues on the Monte Cavallo were originally
+integral parts of the same group; but although this doubt may be well
+founded, it will not invalidate the supposed general principle of the
+antient sculptors, corroborated, as it is, by innumerable examples.
+
+In the evening, after visiting the palaces, Mr. Robinson carried Mr. West
+to see a grand religious ceremony in one of the churches. Hitherto he was
+acquainted only with the simple worship of the Quakers. The pomp of the
+papal ceremonies was as much beyond his comprehension, as the overpowering
+excellence of the music surpassed his utmost expectations. Undoubtedly, in
+all the spectacles and amusements of Rome, he possessed a keener sense of
+enjoyment, arising from the simplicity of his education, than most other
+travellers. That same sensibility to the beauty of forms and colours which
+had awakened his genius for painting, was, probably, accompanied with a
+general superior susceptibility of the other organs as well as the sight;
+for it is observed that a taste for any one of the fine arts is connected
+with a general predilection for them all. But neither the Apollo, the
+Vatican, nor the pomp of the Catholic ritual, excited his feelings to so
+great a degree as the spectacle which presented itself to his view around
+the portico of the church. Bred in the universal prosperity of
+Pennsylvania, where the benevolence of the human bosom was only employed
+in acts of hospitality and mutual kindness, he had never witnessed any
+spectacle of beggary, nor had he ever heard the name of God uttered to
+second an entreaty for alms. Here, however, all the lazars and the
+wretched in Rome were collected together; hundreds of young and old in
+that extreme of squalor, nakedness, and disease which affrights the
+English traveller in Italy, were seen on all sides; and their
+importunities and cries, for the love of God, and the mercy of Christ, to
+relieve them, thrilled in his ears, and smote upon his heart to such a
+degree, that his joints became as it were loosened, and his legs scarcely
+able to support him. Many of the beggars knew Mr. Robinson, and seeing him
+accompanied by a stranger, an Englishman, as they concluded the Artist to
+be from his appearance, surrounded them with confidence and clamours.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As they returned from the church, a woman somewhat advanced in life, and
+of a better appearance than the generality of the beggars, followed them,
+and Mr. West gave her a small piece of copper money, the first Roman coin
+which he had received in change, the relative value of which to the other
+coins of the country was unknown to him. Shortly afterwards they were
+joined by some of the Italians, whom they had seen in the morning, and
+while they were conversing together, he felt some one pull his coat, and
+turned round. It was the poor woman to whom he had given the piece of
+copper money. She held out in her hand several smaller pieces, and as he
+did not understand her language, he concluded that she was chiding him for
+having given her such a trifle, and coloured deeply with the idea. His
+English friend, observing his confusion, inquired what he had given her,
+and he answered that he did not know, but it was a piece of money which he
+had received in change. Robinson, after a short conversation with the
+beggar, told Mr. West that she had asked him to give her a farthing. "But
+as you gave her a two-penny piece," said he, "she has brought you the
+change." This instance of humble honesty, contrasted with the awful mass
+of misery with which it was united, gave him a favourable idea of the
+latent sentiments of the Italians. How much, indeed, is the character of
+that people traduced by the rest of Europe! How often is the traveller in
+Italy, when he dreads the approach of robbers, and prepares against
+murder, surprised at the bountiful disposition of the common Italians, and
+made to blush at having applied the charges against a few criminals to the
+character of a whole people--without reflecting that the nation is only
+weak because it is subdivided.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+
+    Anecdote of a famous Impoverisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of Wests's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequences of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies Mr.
+    Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
+
+It was not, however, the novelty, variety, and magnificence of the works
+of art and antiquity in Rome, that kept Mr. West in a constant state of
+high excitement; the vast difference in the manners of the people from
+those of the inhabitants of America, acted also as an incessant stimulus
+on his feelings and imagination: even that difference, great as it
+happened to be, was rendered particularly interesting to him by incidents
+arising out of his own peculiar situation. One night, soon after his
+arrival in Rome, Mr. Gavin Hamilton, the painter, to whom he had been
+introduced by Mr. Robinson, took him to a coffee-house, the usual resort
+of the British travellers. While they were sitting at one of the tables,
+a venerable old man, with a guitar suspended from his shoulder, entered
+the room, and coming immediately to their table, Mr. Hamilton addressed
+him by the name of Homer.--He was the most celebrated Improvisatore in
+all Italy, and the richness of expression, and nobleness of conception
+which he displayed in his effusions, had obtained for him that
+distinguished name. Those who once heard his poetry, never ceased to
+lament that it was lost in the same moment, affirming, that it often was
+so regular and dignified, as to equal the finest compositions of Tasso
+and Ariosto.--It will, perhaps, afford some gratification to the admirers
+of native genius to learn, that this old man, though led by the fine
+frenzy of his imagination to prefer a wild and wandering life to the
+offer of a settled independence, which had been often made to him in his
+youth, enjoyed in his old age, by the liberality of several Englishmen,
+who had raised a subscription for the purpose, a small pension,
+sufficient to keep him comfortable in his own way, when he became
+incapable of amusing the public.
+
+After some conversation, Homer requested Mr. Hamilton to give him a
+subject for a poem. In the mean time, a number of Italians had gathered
+round them to look at Mr. West, who they had heard was an American, and
+whom, like Cardinal Albani, they imagined to be an Indian. Some of them,
+on hearing Homer's request, observed, that he had exhausted his vein, and
+had already said and sung every subject over and over. Mr. Hamilton,
+however, remarked that he thought he could propose something new to the
+bard, and pointing to Mr. West, said, that he was an American come to
+study the fine arts in Rome; and that such an event furnished a new and
+magnificent theme. Homer took possession of the thought with the ardour of
+inspiration. He immediately unslung his guitar, and began to draw his
+fingers rapidly over the strings, swinging his body from side to side, and
+striking fine and impressive chords. When he had thus brought his motions
+and his feelings into unison with the instrument, he began an
+extemporaneous ode in a manner so dignified, so pathetic, and so
+enthusiastic, that Mr. West was scarcely less interested by his appearance
+than those who enjoyed the subject and melody of his numbers. He sung the
+darkness which for so many ages veiled America from the eyes of Science.
+He described the fulness of time when the purposes for which it had been
+raised from the deep were to be manifested. He painted the seraph of
+knowledge descending from heaven, and directing Columbus to undertake the
+discovery; and he related the leading incidents of the voyage. He invoked
+the fancy of his auditors to contemplate the wild magnificence of
+mountain, lake, and wood, in the new world; and he raised, as it were, in
+vivid perspective, the Indians in the chase, and at their horrible
+sacrifices. "But," he exclaimed, "the beneficent spririt of improvement is
+ever on the wing, and, like the ray from the throne of God which inspired
+the conception of the Virgin, it has descended on this youth, and the hope
+which ushered in its new miracle, like the star that guided the magi to
+Bethlehem, has led him to Rome. Methinks I behold in him an instrument
+chosen by heaven, to raise in America the taste for those arts which
+elevate the nature of man,--an assurance that his country will afford a
+refuge to science and knowledge, when in the old age of Europe they shall
+have forsaken her shores. But all things of heavenly origin, like the
+glorious sun, move Westward; and Truth and Art have their periods of
+shining, and of night. Rejoice then, O venerable Rome, in thy divine
+destiny, for though darkness overshadow thy seats, and though thy mitred
+head must descend into the dust, as deep as the earth that now covers thy
+antient helmet and imperial diadem, thy spirit, immortal and undecayed,
+already spreads towards a new world, where, like the soul of man in
+Paradise, it will be perfected in virtue and beauty more and more." The
+highest efforts of the greatest actors, even of Garrick himself delivering
+the poetry of Shakespeare, never produced a more immediate and inspiring
+effect than this rapid burst of genius. When the applause had abated, Mr.
+West being the stranger, and the party addressed, according to the common
+practice, made the bard a present. Mr. Hamilton explained the subject of
+the ode: though with the weakness of a verbal translation, and the
+imperfection of an indistinct echo, it was so connected with the
+appearance which the author made in the recital, that the incident has
+never been obliterated from Mr. West's recollection.
+
+While the Artist was gratifying himself with a cursory view of the works
+of art, and of the curiosities, Mr. Hope, of Amsterdam, the father of the
+gentlemen who have since become so well known in London for their taste in
+the arts, and their superb collections of pictures and marbles, arrived in
+Rome. Mr. West being introduced to him, accompanied him to Cardinal
+Albani, to whom he had letters of introduction, and witnessed a proof of
+the peculiar skill of his Eminence. The Cardinal requested Mr. Hope to
+come near him, and according to his usual custom with strangers, drew his
+hands over his face, observing that he was a German. In doing the same
+thing to Mr. West, he recognized him as the young American.
+
+At this time Mengs was in the zenith of his popularity, and West was
+introduced to him at the Cardinal's villa. He appeared to be as much
+struck as every other person, with the extraordinary circumstance of an
+American coming to study the fine arts; and begged that Mr. West would
+show him a speciman of his proficiency in drawing. In returning home, our
+Artist mentioned to Mr. Robinson that as he had never learnt to draw, he
+could not produce any sketch like those made by the other students; but
+that he could paint a little, and if Mr. Robinson would take the trouble
+to sit, he would execute his portrait to shew Mengs. The proposal was
+readily acceded to, and it was also agreed, that except to two of their
+most intimate acquaintances, the undertaking should be kept a profound
+secret. When the picture was finished, it was so advantageous to the
+Artist, that it tended to confirm the opinion which was entertained of his
+powers, founded only on the strength of the curiosity which had brought
+him from America. But, before shewing it to Mengs, it was resolved that
+the taste and judgment of the public with respect to its merits should be
+ascertained.
+
+Mr. Crespigne, one of the two friends in the secret, lived as a Roman
+gentleman, and twice a year gave a grand assembly at his house, to which
+all the nobility and strangers in Rome, the most eminent for rank, birth,
+and talents, were invited. It was agreed that the portrait should be
+exhibited at one of his parties, which happened to take place soon after
+it was finished. A suitable frame being provided, the painting was hung up
+in one of the rooms. The first guests who arrived, were Amateurs and
+Artists; and as it was known among them that Robinson was sitting to Mengs
+for his portrait, it was at once thought to be that picture, and they
+agreed that they had never seen any painting of the Artist so well
+coloured. As the guests assembled, the portrait became more and more the
+subject of attention, and Mr. West sat behind on a sofa equally agitated
+and delighted by their strictures, which Mr. Robinson reported to him from
+time to time. In the course of the evening Mr. Dance, an Englishman of
+great shrewdness, was observed looking with an eye of more than common
+scrutiny at the portrait, by Mr. Jenkins, another of the guests, who,
+congratulating Robinson in getting so good a portrait from Mengs, turned
+to Dance, and said, "The he must now acknowledge that Mengs could colour
+as well as he could draw." Dance confessed that he thought the picture
+much better coloured than those usually painted by Mengs, but added that
+he did not think the drawing either so firm or good as the usual style of
+that Artist. This remark occasioned some debate, in which Jenkins,
+attributing the strictures of Dance to some prejudice which he had early
+conceived against Mengs, drew the company around to take a part in the
+discussion. Mr. Crespigne seizing the proper moment in their conversation
+to produce the effect intended, said to Jenkins that he was mistaken, and
+that Dance was in the right, for, in truth, the picture was not painted by
+Mengs. By whom then, vociferated every one, "for there is no other painted
+now in Rome capable of executing any thing so?" "By that young gentleman
+there," said Mr. Crespigne, turning to West. At once all eyes were bent
+towards him, and the Italians, in their way, ran and embraced him. Thus
+did the best judges at once, by this picture, acknowledge him as only
+second in the executive department of the art to the first painter then in
+Rome. Mengs himself, on seeing the picture, expressed his opinion in terms
+that did great honour to his liberality, and gave the Artist an advice
+which he never forgot, nor remembered without gratitude. He told him that
+the portrait showed that he had no occasion to learn to paint at Rome.
+"You have already, sir," said he, "the mechanical part of your art: what I
+would, therefore, recommend to you, is to see and examine every thing
+deserving of your attention here, and after making a few drawings of about
+half a dozen of the best statues, go to Florence, and observe what has
+been done for Art in the collections there. Then proceed to Bologna, and
+study the works of the Caracci; afterwards visit Parma, and examine,
+attentively, the pictures of Corregio; and then go to Venice and view the
+productions of Tintoretti, Titian, and Paul Veronese. When you have made
+this tour, come back to Rome, and paint an historical composition to be
+exhibited to the Roman public; and the opinion which will then be formed
+of your talents should determine the line of our profession which you
+ought to follow." This judicious advice, so different from those absurd
+academical dogmas which would confine genius to the looking only to the
+works of art, for that perfection which they but dimly reflect from
+nature, West found accord so well with his own reflections and principles,
+that he resolved to follow it with care and attention. But the thought of
+being in Rome, and the constant excitement arising from extraordinary and
+interesting objects, so affected his mind, accustomed to the sober and
+uniform habits of the Quakers, that sleep deserted his pillow, and he
+became ill and constantly feverish. The public took an interest in his
+situation. A consultation of the best Physicians in Rome was held on his
+case, the result of which was a formal communication to Mr. Robinson, that
+his friend must immediately quit the capital, and seek relief from the
+irritated state of his sensibility in quiet and retirement. Accordingly,
+on the 20th of August he returned to Leghorn.
+
+Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, by whose most friendly recommendation he
+had obtained so much flattering distinction at Rome, received him into
+their own house, and treated him with a degree of hospitality that
+merits for them the honour of being considered among the number of his
+early patrons. Mr. (afterwards Sir John) Dick, then the British Consul
+at Leghorn, and his lady, also treated him with great partiality, and
+procured for him the use of the Imperial baths. His mind being thus
+relieved from the restless ecstasy which he had suffered in Rome, and
+the intensity of interest being diminished by the circumscribed nature
+of the society of Leghorn, together with the bracing effects of
+sea-bathing, he was soon again in a condition to resume his study in the
+capital. But the same overpowering attacks on his feelings and
+imagination soon produced a relapse of his former indisposition, and
+compelled him to return to Leghorn, where he was again speedily cured of
+his fever, but it left in its dregs a painful affection in the ancle,
+that threatened the loss of the limb. The well-known Nanoni, an eminent
+surgeon, who had introduced many improvements in the treatment of
+diseased joints, was at this period resident in Florence, and Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford wrote to Sir Horace Mann, then the British
+Minister at the Ducal Court, to consult him relative to the case of Mr.
+West: his answer induced them to advise the Artist to go to Florence.
+After a painful period of eleven months confinement to his couch and
+chamber, he was perfectly and radically cured.
+
+A state of pain and disease is adverse to mental improvement; but there
+were intervals in which Mr. West felt his anguish abate, and in which he
+could not only participate in the conversation of the gentlemen to whose
+kindness he had been recommended, but was able, occastionally, to exercise
+his pencil. The testimonies of friendship which he received at this
+perdiod from Sir Horace Mann, the Marquesses of Creni and Riccardi, the
+late Lord Cooper, and many others of the British nobility then travelling
+in Italy, made an indelible impression on his mind, and became a
+stimulating motive to his wishes to excel in his art, in order to
+demonstrate by his proficiency that he was not unworthy of their
+solicitude. He had a table constructed so as to enable him to draw while
+he lay in bed; and in that situation he amused and improved himself in
+delineating the picturesque conceptions which were constantly presenting
+themselves to his fancy.
+
+When he was so far recovered as to be able to take exercise, and to endure
+the fatigue of travelling, a circumstance happened which may be numbered
+among the many fortunate accidents of his professional career. Mr.
+Matthews, the manager of the important commercial concerns of Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford, was one of those singular men who are but rarely
+met with in mercantile life, combining the highest degree of literary and
+elegant accomplishments with the best talents for active business. He was
+not only confessedly one of the finest classical scholars in all Italy,
+but, out of all comparison, the best practical antiquary, perhaps, then in
+that country, uniting, along with the minutest accuracy of criticism, a
+delicacy of taste in the perception of the beauty and judgment of the
+antients, seldom found blended with an equal degree of classical
+erudition. Affairs connected with the business of the house, and a wish to
+see the principal cities of Italy, led Mr. Matthews, about the period of
+Mr. West's recovery, to visit Florence, and it was agreed between them
+that they should together make the tour recommended by Mengs.
+
+In the mean time, the good fortune of West was working to happy effects in
+another part of the world. The story of Mr. Robinson's portrait had made
+so great a noise among the travellers in Italy, that Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford, in sending back the ship to Philadelphia, in which the Artist
+had come passenger, mentioned it in their letters to Mr. Allen. It is
+seldom that commercial affairs are mingled with those of art, and it was
+only from the Italian shore that a mercantile house could introduce such a
+topic into their correspondence. It happened that on the very day this
+letter reached Mr. Allen, Mr. Hamilton, then Governor of Pennsylvania, and
+the principal members of the government, along with the most considerable
+citizens of Philadelphia, were dining with him. After dinner, Mr. Allen
+read the letter to the company, and mentioned the amount of the sum of
+money which West had paid into his hands at the period of his departure
+from America, adding that it must be pretty far reduced. But, said he with
+warmth, "I regard this young man as an honour to the country, and as he is
+the first that America has sent to cultivate the fine arts, he shall not
+be frustrated in his studies, for I have resolved to write to my
+correspondents at Leghorn, to give him, from myself, whatever money he may
+require." Mr. Hamilton felt the force of this generous declaration, and
+said, with equal animation, "I think exactly as you do, Sir, but you shall
+not have all the honour of it to yourself, and, therefore, I beg that you
+will consider me as joining you in the responsibility of the credit." The
+consequence of this was, that upon West going, previously to leaving
+Florence, to take a small sum of about ten pounds from the bankers to whom
+he had been recommended by Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, a letter was
+brought in, while he was waiting for his money, and the gentleman who
+opened it said to him, "that the contents of the letter would probably
+afford him unexpected pleasure, as it instructed them to give him
+unlimited credit." A more splendid instance of liberality is not to be
+found even in the records of Florence. The munificence of the Medici was
+excelled by that of the magistracy of Philadelphia.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+
+
+    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to
+    Rome.--Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian
+    Obelisk.--Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an
+    anecdote of a Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote
+    of a Scottish Fanatic who arrived in Rome, to convert the
+    Pope.--Sequel of the Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit
+    England.--Having completed his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous
+    picture, he is elected an Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and
+    invited to Court.--He proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--
+    Reflections on the State of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French
+    frontiers.--State of Taste in France.
+
+
+From Florence the Artist proceeded to Bologna, and having staid some time
+there, carefully inspecting every work of celebrity to which he could
+obtain access, he went on to Venice, visiting in his route all the objects
+which Mengs had recommended to his attention. The style of Titian, which
+in breadth and clearness of colouring so much excels that of almost every
+other painter, was the peculiar characteristic of the Venetian school
+which interested him the most, and seemed to him, at first, involved in
+inexplicable mystery. He was never satisfied with the explanations which
+the Italian amateurs attempted to give him of what they called the
+internal light of that master's productions. Repeated experiments,
+however, enabled him, at last, to make the discovery himself. Indeed, he
+was from the first persuaded that it was chiefly owing to the peculiar
+genius of the Artist himself,--to an exquisite delicacy of sight which
+enabled him to perceive the most approximate tints,--and not to any
+particular dexterity of pencilling, nor to any superiority in the
+materials of his colours. This notion led Mr. West to try the effect of
+painting in the first place with the pure primary colours, and softening
+them afterwards with the semi tints; and the result confirmed him in the
+notion that such was probably the peculiar method of Titian. But although
+this idea was suggested by his visits to the collections of Venice, he
+was not perfectly satisfied with its soundness as a rule, till many years
+after his arrival in London, and many unsuccessful experiments.
+
+Having completed his tour to the most celebrated repositories of art in
+Italy, and enriched his mind, and improved his taste, by the perusal
+rather than the imitation of their best pieces, he returned to Rome, and
+applied himself to a minute and assiduous study of the great ornaments of
+that capital, directing his principal attention to the works of Raphael,
+and improving his knowledge of the antient costume by the study of Cameos,
+in which he was assisted by Mr. Wilcox, the author of the Roman
+Conversations,--to whom he had been introduced by Mr. Robinson, at Mr.
+Crespigne's, on the occasion of the exhibition of the Portrait,--a man of
+singular attainments in learning, and of a serene and composed dignity of
+mind and manners that rendered him more remarkable to strangers than even
+his great classical knowledge.
+
+Of all the monuments of antient art in Rome, the Obelisk brought from
+Egypt, in the reign of Augustus, interested his curiosity the most, and
+even for a time affected him as much as those which so agitated him by
+their beauty. The hieroglyphics appeared to resemble so exactly the
+figures in the Wampum belts of the Indians, that it occurred to him, if
+ever the mysteries of Egypt were to be interpreted, it might be by the
+aborigines of America. This singular notion was not, however, the mere
+suggestion of fancy, but the effect of an opinion which his early friend
+and tutor Provost Smith conceived, in consequence of attending the grand
+meeting of the Indian chiefs, with the Governors of the British colonies,
+held at East town, in Pennsylvania, in the year following the disastrous
+fate of Bradock's army. The chiefs had requested this interview, in order
+to state to the officers the wrongs and injuries of which they complained;
+and at the meeting they evidently read the reports and circumstances of
+their grievances from the hieroglyphical chronicle of the Wampum belts,
+which they held in their hands, and by which, from the date of their grand
+alliance with William Penn, the man from the ocean, as they called him,
+they minutely related all the circumstances in which they conceived the
+terms and spirit of the treaty had been infringed by the British, defying
+the officers to show any one point in which the Indians had swerved from
+their engagements. It seemed to Dr. Smith that such a minute traditionary
+detail of facts could not have been preserved without some contemporary
+record; and he, therefore, imagined, that the constant reference made to
+the figures on the belts was a proof that they were chronicles. This
+notion was countenanced by another circumstance which Mr. West had himself
+often noticed. The course of some of the high roads through Pennsylvania
+lies along what were formerly the war tracks of the Indians; and he had
+frequently seen hieroglyphics engraved on the trees and rocks. He was told
+that they were inscriptions left by some of the tribes who had passed that
+way in order to apprize their friends of the route which they had taken,
+and of any other matter which it concerned them to know. He had also
+noticed among the Indians who annually visited Philadelphia, that there
+were certain old chiefs who occasionally instructed the young warriors to
+draw red and black figures, similar to those which are made on the belts,
+and who explained their signification with great emphasis, while the
+students listened to the recital with profound silence and attention. It
+was not, therefore, extraordinary, that, on seeing similar figures on the
+Egyptian trophy, he should have thought that they were intended to
+transmit the record of transactions like the Wampum belts.--A language of
+signs derived from natural objects, must have something universal in its
+very nature; for the qualities represented by the emblematic figure,
+would, doubtless, be those for which the original of the figure was most
+remarkable: and, therefore, if there be any resemblance between the
+Egyptian hieroglyphics and those used by the American Indians, the
+probability is, that there is also some similar intrinsic meaning in their
+signification. But the Wampum belts are probably not all chronicles; there
+is reason to believe that some of them partake of the nature of calendars,
+by which the Indians are regulated in proceedings dependant on the
+seasons; and that, in this respect, they answer to the household Gods of
+the patriarchal times, which are supposed to have been calendars, and the
+figure of each an emblem of some portion of the year, or sign of the
+Zodiac. It would be foreign to the nature of this work to investigate the
+evidence which may be adduced on this subject, or to collect those various
+and scattered hints which have given rise to the opinion, and with a
+faint, but not fallacious ray, have penetrated that obscure region of
+antient history, between the period when the devotion of mankind,
+withdrawn from the worship of the Deity, was transferred to the adoration
+of the stars, and prior to the still greater degradation of the human
+faculties when altars were raised to idols.
+
+The idea of the Indians being in possession of hieroglyphical writings, is
+calculated to lead us to form a very different opinion of them to that
+which is usually entertained by the world. Except in the mere enjoyments
+of sense, they do not appear to be inferior to the rest of mankind; and
+their notions of moral dignity are exactly those which are recommended to
+our imitation by the literature of all antiquity. But they have a
+systematic contempt for whatever either tends to increase their troubles,
+to encumber the freedom of their motions, or to fix them to settled
+habitations. In their unsheltered nakedness, they have a prouder
+consciousness of their importance in the scale of beings, than the
+philosophers of Europe, with all their multiplicity of sensual and
+intellectual gratifications, to supply which so many of the human race are
+degraded from their natural equality. The Indian, however, is not
+deficient in mental enjoyments, or a stranger to the exercise of the
+dignified faculties of our common nature. He delivers himself on suitable
+occasions with a majesty of eloquence that would beggar the oratory of the
+parliaments, and the pulpits of Christendom; and his poetry unfolds the
+loftiest imagery and sentiment of the epic and the hymn. He considers
+himself as the lord of the creation, and regards the starry heaven as his
+canopy, and the everlasting mountain as his throne. It would be absurd,
+however, to assert with Rousseau, that he is, therefore, better or happier
+than civilized man; but it would be equally so to deny him the same sense
+of dignity, the same feeling of dishonour, the same love of renown, or
+ascribe to his actions in war, and his recreations in peace, baser motives
+than to the luxurious warriors and statesmen of Europe. Before Mr. West
+left America, an attempt was made to educate three young Indians at New
+York; and their progress, notwithstanding that they still retained
+something of their original wildness of character, exceeded the utmost
+expectations of those who were interested in the experiment. Two of them,
+however, in the end, returned to their tribe, but they were rendered
+miserable by the contempt with which they were received; and the brother
+of the one who remained behind, was so affected with their degradation,
+that he came to the city determined to redeem his brother from the
+thraldom of civilization. On his arrival he found he had become an actor,
+and was fast rising into celebrity on the stage. On learning this
+circumstance, the resolute Indian went to the theatre, and seated himself
+in the pit. The moment that his brother appeared, he leapt upon the stage,
+and drawing his knife, threatened to sacrifice him on the spot unless he
+would immediately strip himself naked, and return with him to their home
+in the woods. He upbraided him with the meanness of his disposition, in
+consenting to make himself a slave. He demanded if he had forgotten that
+the Great Spirit had planted the Indian corn for their use, and filled the
+forests with game, the air with birds, and the waters with fish, that they
+might be free. He represented the institutions of civilized society as
+calculated to make him dependant on the labour of others, and subject to
+every chance that might interrupt their disposition to supply his wants.
+The actor obeyed his brother, and returning to the woods, was never seen
+again in the town. [A]
+
+It may, perhaps, not be an impertinent digression to contrast this
+singular occurrence in the theatre of New York with another truly
+European, to which Mr. West was a witness, in the Cathedral of St. Peter.
+Among other intelligent acquaintances which he formed in Rome was the
+Abate Grant, one of the adherents of that unfortunate family, whom the
+baseness of their confidential servants, and the factions of ambitious
+demagogues, deprived, collectively, of their birthright. This priest,
+though a firm Jacobite in principle, was, like many others of the same
+political sentiments, liberal and enlightened, refuting, by his conduct,
+the false and fraudulent calumnies which have been so long alleged against
+the gallant men who supported the cause of the ill-fated Stuarts. On St.
+Peter's day, when the Pope in person performs high mass in the cathedral,
+the Abate offered to take Mr. West to the church, as he could place him
+among the ecclesiastics, in an advantageous situation to witness the
+ceremony. Glad of such an offer, Mr. West willingly accompanied him. The
+vast edifice; the immense multitude of spectators; the sublimity of the
+music; and the effect of the pomp addressed to the sight, produced on the
+mind of the Painter feelings scarcely less enthusiastic than those which
+the devoutest of the worshippers experienced, or the craftiest inhabitant
+of the Vatican affected to feel. At the elevation of the host, and as he
+was kneeling beside the Abate, to their equal astonishment he heard a
+voice, exclaiming behind them in a broad Scottish accent, "O Lord, cast
+not the church down on them for this abomination!" The surrounding Italian
+priests, not understanding what the enthusiast was saying, listened with
+great comfort to such a lively manifestation of a zeal, which they
+attributed to the blessed effects of the performance. The Abate, however,
+with genuine Scottish partiality, was alarmed for his countryman, and
+endeavoured to persuade him to hold his tongue during the ceremony, as he
+ran the risk of being torn to pieces by the mob.
+
+It appeared that this zealous Presbyterian, without understanding a word
+of any civilized language, but only a dialect of his own, had come to Rome
+for the express purpose of attempting to convert the Pope, as the shortest
+way, in his opinion, of putting an end to the reign of Antichrist. When
+mass was over, the Abate, anxious to avert from him the consequences which
+his extravagance would undoubtedly entail, if he continued to persevere in
+it, entered into conversation with him. It appeared he had only that
+morning arrived in Babylon, and being unable to rest until he had seen a
+glimpse of the gorgeous harlot, he had not then provided himself with
+lodgings. The Abate conducted him to a house where he knew he would be
+carefully attended; and he also endeavoured to reason with him on the
+absurdity of his self-assumed mission, assuring him that unless he
+desisted, and behaved with circumspection, he would inevitably be seized
+by the Inquisition. But the prospect of Martyrdom augmented his zeal; and
+the representations of the benevolent Catholic only stimulated his
+enterprise; so that in the course of a few days, much to his own exceeding
+great joy, and with many comfortable salutations of the spirit, he was
+seized by the Inquisition, and lodged in a dungeon, On hearing this, the
+Abate applied to King James in his behalf, and by his Majesty's influence
+he was released, and sent to the British Consul at Leghorn, on condition
+of being immediately conveyed to his friends in Scotland. It happened,
+however, that no vessel was then ready to sail, and the taste of
+persecution partaking more of the relish of adventure than the pungency of
+suffering, the missionary was not to be so easily frustrated in his
+meritorious design; and, therefore, he took the first opportunity of
+stealing silently back to Rome, where he was again arrested and confined.
+By this time the affair had made some noise, and it was universally
+thought by all the English travellers, that the best way of treating the
+ridiculous madman was to allow him to remain some time in solitary
+confinement in the dungeons of the Inquisition. When he had been
+imprisoned about three months, he was again liberated, sent to Leghorn,
+and embarked for England, radically cured of his inclination to convert
+the Pope, but still believing that the punishment which he had suffered
+for his folly would be recorded as a trial which he had endured in the
+service of the faith.
+
+In the mean time West was carefully furnishing his mind by an attentive
+study of the costume of antiquity, and the beauties of the great works of
+modern genius. In doing this, he regarded Rome only as an university, in
+which he should graduate; and, as a thesis preparatory to taking his
+degree among the students, he painted a picture of Cimon and Iphigenia,
+and, subsequently, another of Angelica and Madoro. The applause which they
+received justified the opinion which Mengs had so early expressed of his
+talent, and certainly answered every object for which they were composed.
+He was honoured, in consequence, with the marks of academical
+approbation, usually bestowed on fortunate Artists. He then proposed to
+return to America, with a view to cultivate in his native country that
+profession in which he had already acquired so much celebrity. At this
+juncture he received a letter from his father, advising him, as peace had
+been concluded between France and England, to go home for a short time
+before coming to America; for the mother country was at that period still
+regarded as the home of her American offspring. The advice of his father
+was in unison with his own wishes, and he mentioned his intention to Mr.
+Wilcox. That gentleman, conceiving that he spoke of America as his home,
+expressed himself with grief and surprise at a determination so different
+from what he had expected; but, upon being informed of the ambiguity in
+the phrase, he exclaimed that he could hardly have resolved, on quitting
+Italy, more opportunely, for Dr. Patoune, a Scotish gentleman, of
+considerable learning, and some taste in painting, was then returning
+homeward, and waiting at that time in Rome, until he should be able to
+meet with a companion. It was therefore agreed that West should be
+introduced to him; and it was soon after arranged that the Doctor should
+proceed to Florence, while the Artist went to take leave of his friends at
+Leghorn, to express to them his gratitude for the advantages he had
+derived from their constant and extraordinary kindness, which he estimated
+so highly, that he could not think of leaving Italy without performing
+this pleasing and honourable pilgrimage. It was also agreed between him
+and his companion, that the Doctor should stop a short time at Parma,
+until West should have completed a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio,
+which he had begun during his visit to that city with Mr. Matthews.
+
+During their stay at Parma, the Academy elected Mr. West a member, an
+honour which the Academies of Florence and Bologna had previously
+conferred on him; and it was mentioned to the Prince that a young American
+had made a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio in a style of excellence
+such as the oldest Academicians had not witnessed. The Prince expressed a
+wish to see this extraordinary Artist, particularly when be heard that he
+was from Pennsylvania, and a Quaker. Mr. West was, in consequence,
+informed that a visit from him would be acceptable at Court: and it was
+arranged that he should be introduced to His Highness by the chief
+Minister. Mr. West thought that, in a matter of this kind, he should
+regulate his behaviour by what he understood to be the practice in the
+court of London; and, accordingly, to the astonishment of the whole of the
+courtiers, he kept his hat on during the audience. This, however, instead
+of offending the Prince, was observed with evident pleasure, and made his
+reception more particular and distinguished; for His Highness had heard of
+the peculiar simplicity of the Quakers, and of the singularly Christian
+conduct of William Penn.
+
+From Parma he proceeded to Genoa, and thence to Turin. Considering this
+City as the last stage of his professional observations in Italy, his mind
+unconsciously took a retrospective view of the different objects he had
+seen, and the knowledge which he had acquired since his departure from
+America. Although his art was always uppermost in his thoughts, and
+although he could not reflect on the course of his observations without
+pleasure and hope, he was often led to advert to the lamentable state into
+which every thing, as well as Art, had fallen in Italy, in consequence of
+the general theocratical despotism which over-spread the whole country,
+like an unwholesome vapour, and of those minute subdivisions of territory,
+in which political tyranny exercised its baleful influence even where the
+ecclesiastical oppression seemed disposed to spare. He saw, in the
+infamous establishment of the cicisbeo, the settled effect of that general
+disposition to palliate vice, which is the first symptom of decay in
+nations; and he was convinced that, before vice could be thus exalted into
+custom, there must exist in the community which would tolerate such an
+institution, a disregard of all those obligations which it is the pride of
+virtue to incur, and the object of law to preserve. It seemed to him that
+every thing in Italy was in a state of disease; and that the moral energy
+was subsiding, as the vital flame diminishes with the progress of old age.
+For although the forms and graces of the human character were often seen
+in all their genuine dignity among the common people, still even the
+general population seemed to be defective in that detestation of vice
+found in all countries in a healthful state of morals, and which is often
+strongest among the lowest of the vulgar, especially in what respects the
+conduct of the great. He thought that the commonalty of Italy had lost the
+tact by which the good and evil of actions are discriminated; and that,
+whatever was good in their disposition, was constitutional, and
+unconnected with any principle of religion, or sense of right. In the
+Papal states, this appeared to be particularly the case. All the creative
+powers of the mind seemed there to be extinct. The country was covered
+with ruins, and the human character was in ashes. Sometimes, indeed, a few
+embers of intellect were seen among the clergy; but the brightness of
+their scintillation was owing to the blackness of death with which they
+were contrasted. The splendour of the nobility struck him only as a more
+conspicuous poverty than the beggary of the common people; and the perfect
+contempt with which they treated the feelings of their dependants, seemed
+to him scarcely less despicable than the apathy with which it was endured.
+The innumerable examples of the effects of this moral paralysis to which
+he was a witness on his arrival in Rome, filled him for some time with
+indescribable anxiety, and all his veneration for the Roman majesty was
+lost in reflections on the offences which mankind may be brought to commit
+on one another. But at Genoa, Leghorn, and Venice, the Italians were seen
+to less disadvantage. Commerce, by diffusring opulence, and interweaving
+the interests of all classes, preserved in those cities some community of
+feeling, which was manifested in an interchange of respect and
+consideration between the higher and the lower orders; and Lucca he
+thought afforded a perfect exception to the general degeneracy of the
+country. The inhabitants of that little republic presented the finest view
+of human nature that he had ever witnessed. With the manliness of the
+British character they appeared to blend the suavity of the Italian
+manners; and their private morals were not inferior to the celebrity of
+their public virtues. So true it is, that man, under the police and
+vigilance of despotism, becomes more and more vicious; while, in
+proportion to the extension of his freedom, is the vigour of his private
+virtue. When deprived of the right of exercising his own judgment, he
+feels, as it were, his moral responsibility at an end, and naturally
+blames the system by which he is oppressed, for the crimes which his own
+unresisted passions instigate him to commit. To an Englishman the
+remembrance of a journey in Italy is however often more delightful than
+that of any other country, for no where else is his arrogance more
+patiently endured, his eccentricities more humourously indulged, nor the
+generosity of his character more publicly acknowledged.
+
+In coming from Italy into France, Mr. West was particularly struck with
+the picturesque difference in the character of the peasantry of the two
+countries; and while he thought, as an Artist, that to give appropriate
+effect to a national landscape it would not only be necessary to introduce
+figures in the costume of the country, but in employments and recreations
+no less national, he was sensible of the truth of a remark which occurs to
+almost every traveller, that there are different races of the human
+species, and that the nature of the dog and horse do not vary more in
+different climates than man himself. In making the observation, he was
+not, however, disposed to agree with the continental philosophers, that
+this difference, arising from climate, at all narrowed the powers of the
+mind, though it influenced the choice of objects of taste. For whatever
+tends to make the mind more familiar with one class of agreeable
+sensations than another, will, undoubtedly, contribute to form the cause
+of that preference for particular qualities in objects by which the
+characteristics of the taste of different nations is discriminated.
+Although, of all the general circumstances which modify the opinions of
+mankind, climate is, perhaps, the most permanent, it does not, therefore,
+follow that, because the climate of France or Italy induces the
+inhabitants to prefer, in works of art, certain qualities of the
+excellence of which the people of England are not so sensible, the climate
+of Great Britain does not, in like manner, lead the inhabitants to
+discover other qualities equally valuable as sources of enjoyment. Thus,
+in sculpture for example, it would seem that in naked figures the
+inhabitants of a cold climate can never hope to attain that degree of
+eminence which we see exemplified in the productions of the Grecian and
+Italian sculptors; not that the Artists may not execute as well, but
+because they will not so readily find models; or, what is perhaps more to
+the point, they will not find a taste so capable of appreciating the
+merits of their performances. In Italy the eye is familiar with the human
+form in a state of almost complete nudity; and the beauty of muscular
+expression, and of the osteological proportions of man, is there as well
+known as that of the features and complexion of his countenance; but the
+same degree of nakedness could not be endured in the climate of England,
+for it is associated with sentiments of modesty and shame, which render
+even the accidental innocent exposure of so much of the body offensive to
+the feelings of decorum. It is not, therefore, just to allege, that,
+because the Italians are a calm, persuasive, and pensive people, and the
+French all stir, talk, and inconstancy, they are respectively actuated by
+different moral causes. It will not be asserted that, though the sources
+of their taste in art spring from different qualities in the same common
+objects, any innate incapacity for excellence in the fine arts is induced
+by the English climate, merely because that climate has the effect of
+producing a different moral temperament among the inhabitants.
+
+On the morning after arriving at the first frontier town, in coming from
+Savoy into France, and while breakfast was preparing, Mr. West and his
+companion heard the noise of a crowd assembled in the yard of the inn. The
+Doctor rose and went to the window to inquire the occasion: immediately on
+his appearance the mob became turbulent, and seemed to menace him with
+some outrage.--The Peace of 1763 had been but lately concluded, and
+without having any other cause for the thought, it occurred to the
+travellers that the turbulence must have originated in some political
+occurrence, and they hastily summoned the landlord, who informed them,
+"That the people had, indeed, assembled in a tumultuous manner round the
+inn on hearing that two Englishmen were in the house, but that they might
+make themselves easy, as he had sent to inform the magistrates of the
+riot." Soon after, one of the magistrates arrived, and on being introduced
+by the landlord to the travellers, expressed himself to the following
+effect: "I am sorry that this occurrence should have happened, because had
+I known in time, I should, on hearing that you were Englishmen, have come
+with the other magistrates to express to you the sentiments of respect
+which we feel towards your illustrious nation; but, since it has not been
+in our power to give you that testimony of our esteem; on the contrary,
+since we are necessitated by our duty to protect you, I assure you that I
+feel exceedingly mortified. I trust, however, that you will suffer no
+inconvenience, for the people are dispersing, and you will be able to
+leave the town in safety!" "This place," he continued, "is a manufacturing
+town, which has been almost ruined by the war. Our goods went to the ocean
+from Marseilles and Toulon; but the vigilance of your fleets ruined our
+trade, and these poor people, who have felt the consequence, consider not
+the real cause of their distress. However, although the populace do not
+look beyond the effects which immediately press upon themselves, there are
+many among us well acquainted with the fountain-head of the misfortunes
+which afflict France, and who know that it is less to you than to
+ourselves that we ought to ascribe the disgraces of the late war. You had
+a man at the head of your government (alluding to the first Lord Chatham),
+and your counsellors are men. But it is the curse of France that she is
+ruled by one who is, in fact, but the agent and organ of valets and
+strumpets. The Court of France is no longer the focus of the great men of
+the country, but a band of profligates that have driven away the great.
+This state of things, however, cannot last long, the reign of the
+Pompadours must draw to an end, and Frenchmen will one day take a terrible
+revenge for the insults which they suffer in being regarded only as the
+materials of those who pander to the prodigality of the Court." This
+singular address, made in the year 1763, requires no comment; but it is a
+curious historical instance of the commencement of that, moral re-action
+to oppression which subsequently has so fully realized the prediction of
+the magistrate, and which, in its violence, has done so much mischief, and
+occasioned so many misfortunes to Europe.
+
+The travellers remained no longer in Paris than was necessary to inspect
+the principal works of the French Artists, and the royal collections. Mr.
+West, however, continued long enough to be satisfied that the true feeling
+for the fine arts did not exist among the French to that degree which he
+had observed in Italy. On the contrary, it seemed to him that there was an
+inherent affectation in the general style of art among them, which
+demonstrated, not only a deficiency of native sensibility, but an anxious
+endeavour to conceal that defect. The characteristics of the French
+School, and they have not yet been redeemed by the introduction of any
+better manner, might, to a cursory observer, appear to have arisen from a
+corrupted taste, while, in fact, they are the consequences only of that
+inordinate national vanity which in so many different ways has retarded
+the prosperity of the world. In the opinion of a Frenchman, there is a
+quality of excellence in every thing belonging to France, merely because
+it is French, which gives at all times a certain degree of superiority to
+the actions and productions of his countrymen; and this delusive notion
+has infested not only the literature and the politicks of the nation, but
+also the principles of Art, to such a deep and inveterate extent, that the
+morality of painting is not yet either felt or understood in that country.
+In the mechanical execution, in drawing, and in the arrangement of parts,
+the great French painters are probably equal to the Italians; but in
+producing any other sentiment in the spectator than that of admiration at
+their mechanical skill, they are greatly behind the English. Painting has
+much of a common character with dramatic literature, and the very best
+pictures of the French Artists have the same kind of resemblance to the
+probability of Nature, that the tragedies of their great dramatic authors
+have to the characters and actions of men. But in rejecting the
+pretensions of the French to superiority either in the one species of art
+or in the other, the rejection ought not to be extended too far. They are
+wrong in their theory; but their practice so admirably accords with it,
+that it must be allowed, were it possible for a people so enchanted by
+self-conceit to discover that the true subjects of Art exist only in
+Nature, they evince a capacity sufficient to enable them to acquire the
+pre-eminence which they unfortunately believe they have already attained.
+But these opinions, with respect to the peculiarities of the French taste,
+though deduced from incidental remarks in conversations with Mr. West,
+must not be considered as his. The respect which he has always entertained
+towards the different members of his own profession never allows him to
+express himself in any terms that might possibly be construed by malice or
+by ignorance to imply any thing derogatory to a class which he naturally
+considers among the teachers of mankind. He may think, indeed he has
+expressed as much, that the style of the French Artists is not the most
+perspicuous; and that it is, if the expression may be allowed, more
+rhetorical than eloquent; but still he regards them as having done honour
+to their country, and, in furnishing objects of innocent interest to the
+minds of mankind, as having withdrawn so far the inclinations of the heart
+from mere sensual objects. The true use of painting, he early thought,
+must reside in assisting the reason to arrive at correct moral inferences,
+by furnishing a probable view of the effects of motives and of passions;
+and to the enforcement of this great argument his long life has been
+devoted, whether with complete success it would be presumptuous in any
+contemporary to determine, and injudicious in the author of these memoirs
+to assert.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[A] The following Extract from the Journal of a Friend, who has
+lately travelled through the principal parts of the United States, will
+probably be found interesting, as it tends to throw some degree of light
+on the sentiments of the Indians; of which the little that is known has
+hitherto never been well elucidated.
+
+"One of my fellow-passengers was a settler in the new state of Tenessee,
+who had come to Charleston with Horses for sale, and was going to
+Baltimore and Philadelphia for the purpose of investing his money in an
+assortment of goods suited to the western country. The ideas of civilized
+and savage life were so curiously blended in this man, that his
+conversation afforded me considerable amusement. Under the garb and
+appearance of a methodist preacher, I found him a hunter and a warrior;
+with no small portion of the adventurous spirit proper to both those
+characters. He had served as a militia-man or volunteer under General
+Jackson, in his memorable campaign against the Creek Indians in 1813; and
+he related to me some interesting particulars of the principal and final
+action which decided the fate of the war. The Indians had posted
+themselves at a place called, in their language, _Talapoosie_, and by the
+Americans, the Horse-shoe; a position of great natural strength, the
+advantages of which they had improved to the best of their skill, by a
+breast-work seven feet high, extending across the neck of land which
+formed the only approach to their encampment. This seems to have been
+viewed by the Creeks themselves as the last stand of their nation: for,
+contrary to the usual practice of the Indians, they made every preparation
+for defence, but none for retreat. Their resistance was proportionably
+desperate and bloody. For several hours they supported a continued fire of
+musketry and cannon without shrinking; till at length the American
+General, finding that he had lost a great number of men, and that he
+could not otherwise dislodge the enemy, gave orders for a general assault.
+The breast-work was carried by storm; and the Indians, broken at all
+points, and surrounded by superior numbers, were nearly all put to the
+sword. Out of one thousand warriors who composed the Creek Army, scarcely
+twenty made their escape. A body of Choctaw Indians, who attended the
+American Army as auxiliaries, were the chief actors in this massacre, and
+displayed their usual barbarous ferocity. It affords a remarkable
+illustration of the savage character, that the whole of this bloody scene
+passed in the most perfect silence on the part of the Indians: there was
+no outcry, no supplication for mercy: each man met his fate without
+uttering a word, singly defending himself to the last. The lives of the
+women and children were spared, but many of the boys were killed in the
+action, fighting bravely in the ranks with their fathers and elder
+brothers. My Tenessee friend received four arrows from the bows of these
+juvenile warriors, while in the act of mounting the breast-work.
+
+"In hearing such a story, it is impossible not to be touched with a
+feeling of sympathy for a high-minded but expiring people, thus gallantly
+but vainly contending, against an overwhelming force, for their native
+woods, and their name as a Nation; or to refrain from lamenting that the
+settlement of the New World cannot be accomplished at a less price than
+the destruction of the original and rightful proprietors of the soil."
+
+
+
+END OF PART I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+By John Galt, Esq.
+
+Part II.
+
+
+To Simon M'Gillivray, Esq.
+This Work
+Is inscribed, with every sentiment of esteem, by the Author.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+
+Nearly the whole of this work was printed during the last illness of Mr.
+West. The manuscript had long previously been read to him. My custom was,
+to note down those points which seemed, in our conversations, to bear on
+his biography, and, from time to time, to submit an entire chapter to his
+perusal; afterwards, when the whole narrative was formed, it was again
+carefully read over to him. Still, however, I am apprehensive that some
+mistakes in the orthography of names may have been committed; for although
+the same custom was strictly observed in preparing the manuscript of the
+first part of his Memoirs for the press, yet, in perusing the proofs, he
+found several errors of that kind. It was intended that he should have
+read the proofs of this part also, but the progress of his disease
+unfortunately rendered it impracticable.
+
+
+J.G.
+
+_30th March, 1820_.
+
+
+
+
+Introduction.
+
+
+
+Although Mr. West was, strictly speaking, a self-taught artist, yet it
+must be allowed that in his education he enjoyed great and singular
+advantages. A strong presentiment was cherished in his family, that he
+would prove an extraordinary man, and his first rude sketch in childhood
+was hailed as an assurance of the fulfilment of the prediction of
+Peckover. The very endeavours of his boyish years were applauded as
+successful attainments; no domestic prejudices were opposed to the
+cultivation of his genius; even the religious principles of the community
+in which he lived were bent in his favour, from a persuasion that he was
+endowed by Heaven with a peculiar gift; and whatever the defects of his
+early essays may have been, it was not one of the least advantageous
+circumstances of his youth, that they were seen only by persons, who,
+without being competent judges of them, as works of art, were yet
+possessed of such a decided superiority of intellect, that their
+approbation in any case would have been esteemed great praise.
+
+The incidents attending his voyage to Italy, and his introduction to the
+artists, virtuosi, and travellers at Rome, were still more auspicious.
+Taken in connection with his previous history, they form one of the most
+remarkable illustrations of the doctrine of fortune, or destiny, that is
+to be found in authentic biography. Without any knowledge of his abilities
+or acquirements, his arrival in the capital of Christendom, the seat of
+the arts, was regarded as an interesting event: his person was
+contemplated as an object of curiosity; and a strong disposition to
+applaud his productions, was excited by the mere accident of his having
+come from America to study the fine arts. A prepossession so extraordinary
+has no parallel. It would almost seem, as if there had been some
+arrangement in the order of things that would have placed Mr. West in the
+first class of artists, although he had himself mistaken the workings of
+ambition for the consciousness of talent. Many men of no inconsiderable
+fame have set out in their career with high expectations in their favour;
+but few, of whom such hopes were entertained, have, by a succession of
+works, in which the powers of the mind were seemingly unfolded with more
+and more energy, so long continued to justify the presentiments of his
+early friends. It is not, however, the object of this undertaking to form
+any estimate of the genius of Mr. West, or of the merits of his works;
+another opportunity, distinct from his memoirs, will be taken for that
+purpose; but only to resume the narrative of his progress, in his
+profession, by which it will appear that a series of circumstances no less
+curious than those which tended to make him an artist, facilitated his
+success, and placed him in that precise station in society, where, in this
+country, at the time, there was the only chance of profitable employment
+as an historical painter.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+Part II.
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen.--Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote of
+    a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--Mr. West's Marriage.
+
+Chap. II.
+
+    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The
+    Altar-piece of St. Stephen's Walbrook.--State of public Taste with
+    respect to the Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.
+
+Chap. III.
+
+    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen,--The
+    King employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater.--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+    The King's personal Friendship for Mr, West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.
+
+Chap. V.
+
+    The Opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius,--Of
+    Lachlan McLean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his Opinion.
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of
+    the American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.
+
+Chap. IX.
+
+    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.
+
+Chap. X.
+
+    Discourse to the Academy in 1797--- On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks
+    in Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Draiwing.--Of
+    Light and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.
+    --Illustration.--Of the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine
+    Pictures.--Of Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from
+    Sketching.--and of the Advantage of being familiar with the
+    Characteristics of Objects in Nature.
+
+Chap. XI.
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.
+
+Chap. XII.
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.
+
+Chap. XIII.
+
+    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin of
+    the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.
+
+Chap. XIV.
+
+    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Intrigues respecting
+    the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.
+
+Appendix.
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Works of Benjamin West
+
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+
+
+    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen,--- Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote
+    of a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--- Mr West's Marriage.
+
+Mr. West arrived in England on the 20th of August, 1763. The sentiments
+with which he approached the shores of this island, were those of a
+stranger visiting interesting scenes, mingled with something of the
+solicitude and affections of a traveller returning home. He had no
+intention of remaining in London: he was only desirous to see the country
+of his ancestors, and his mind, in consequence, was more disengaged from
+professional feelings than at any period from that in which his genius
+was first awakened. He considered his visit to England as devoted to
+social leisure, the best kind of repose after mental exertion; but the
+good fortune which had hitherto attended him in so remarkable a manner,
+still followed him, and frustrated the intentions with which he was at
+that time actuated.
+
+Those who have at all attended to what was then the state of the arts in
+this country, and more particularly to the relative condition of artists
+in society, and who can compare them with the state of both at the present
+period, will not hesitate to regard the arrival of Mr. West as an
+important event. In the sequel of this work, it may be necessary to allude
+to the moral and political causes which affect the progress of the fine
+arts, and opportunities will, in consequence, arise to show how meanly
+they were considered, how justly, indeed, it may be said, they were
+rejected, not only by the British public in general, but even by the
+nobility. A few eminent literary characters were sensible of their
+importance, and lamented the neglect to which they were consigned; but the
+great body of the intelligent part of the nation neither felt their
+influence, nor were aware of their importance to the commerce and renown
+of the kingdom. Artists stood, if possible, lower in the scale of society
+than actors; for Garrick had redeemed the profession of the latter from
+the degradation to which it had been consigned from the time of the
+Commonwealth; but Reynolds, although in high repute as a portrait-painter,
+and affecting a gentlemanly liberality in the style of his living, was not
+so eminently before the public eye as to induce any change of the same
+consequence towards his profession.
+
+Mr. West found, on his arrival in London, several American families who
+had come across the Atlantic after the peace to visit their relations,
+and he had the unexpected pleasure of hearing that Mr. William Allen,
+Governor Hamilton, and Dr. Smith, his earliest friends and patrons, were
+in this country.
+
+Mr. Allen, like many others in the colonies at that time, was both a
+professional man and a merchant. He held indeed the dignified office of
+chief justice in Pennsylvania, and was a person of powerful and extensive
+connections in the mother-country. Hamilton, who had been many years
+governor, was chiefly indebted to him for the rank which he enjoyed, in
+consequence of having married his sister.
+
+The naval and military officers who had occasion, during the war, to visit
+Philadelphia, found in the houses of the governor and Mr. Allen a cordial
+hospitality which they never forgot. Many of these officers were related
+to persons of distinction in London, and being anxious to testify to the
+Americans their grateful sense of the kindness which they had experienced,
+rendered the strangers objects of hospitable solicitude and marked respect
+in the first circles of the metropolis. Mr. West, accordingly, on his
+arrival, participated in the advantages of their favourable reception,
+and before he was known as an artist, frequented the parties of several of
+the highest characters in the state.
+
+His first excursion from London was to Hampton Court to see the Cartoons
+of Raphael. Soon after, he visited Oxford, Blenheim, and Corsham; whence
+he proceeded to Bath, where Mr. Allen was at that time residing. Here he
+remained about a month; and in returning to town made a short tour, in the
+course of which he inspected the collections of art at Storehead,
+Fonthill, Wilton House, the Cathedral of Salisbury, and the Earl of
+Radnor's seat at Longford. At Reading he staid some time with his
+half-brother, Mr. Thomas West, the eldest son of his father. When he
+returned to London he was introduced by Mr. Patoune, his travelling
+companion from Rome, to Reynolds, and a friendship commenced between them
+which was only broken by death. He also, much about the same time, formed
+an acquaintance with Mr. Richard Wilson, the landscape painter, to whom
+indeed he had brought very warm letters of introduction, from some of
+that great artist's friends and admirers in Italy.
+
+The first lodgings which Mr. West occupied, in his professional capacity,
+were in Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, where, when it was understood that
+he intended to practise, he was visited by all the artists of eminence
+then in London, and welcomed among them with a cordiality that reflected
+great honour on the generosity of their dispositions. In this house the
+first picture which he painted in England was executed. The subject was
+Angelica and Medora, which, with the Cymon and Iphiginia, painted at
+Rome, and a portrait of General Moncton, (who acquired so much celebrity
+by his heroic conduct as second in command under General Wolfe at
+Quebec,) by the advice of Reynolds and Wilson, he sent to the exhibition
+in Spring Gardens in 1764.
+
+While he was engaged on the picture of Angelica and Medora, Dr. Markham,
+then Master of Westminster-School, paid him a visit and invited him to a
+dinner, at which he introduced him to Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke; Mr.
+Chracheroide, and Mr. Dyer. On being introduced to Burke he was so much
+surprised by the resemblance which that gentleman bore to the chief of the
+Benedictine monks at Parma, that when he spoke he could scarcely persuade
+himself he was not the same person. This resemblance was not accidental;
+the Protestant orator was, indeed, the brother of the monk.
+
+It always appeared to Mr. West that there was about Mr. Burke a degree of
+mystery, connected with his early life, which their long intercourse,
+subsequent to the introduction at Dr. Markham's, never tended to explain.
+He never spoke of any companions of his boyhood, nor seemed to have any of
+those pleasing recollections of the heedless and harmless days of youth,
+which afford to most men of genius some of the finest lights and breaks of
+their fancy; and his writings corroborate the observation. For, although
+no prose writer ever wrote more like a poet than this celebrated man, his
+imagery is principally drawn from general nature or from art, and but
+rarely from any thing local or particular.
+
+The conversation after dinner chiefly turned, on American subjects, in
+which Mr. Burke, as may well be supposed, took a distinguished part, and
+not more delighted the Artist with the rich variety and affluence of his
+mind, than surprised him by the correct circumstantiality of his
+descriptions; so much so, that he was never able to divest himself of an
+impression received on this occasion, that Mr. Burke had actually been in
+America, and visited the scenes, and been familiar with many of the places
+which he so minutely seemed to recollect. Upon a circumstance so singular,
+and so much at variance with all that has hitherto been said respecting
+the early history of this eminent person, it is needless to dilate. The
+wonder which it may excite I have no means of allaying; but I should not
+omit to mention here, when Mr. Burke was informed that Mr. West was a
+Quaker, that he observed, he had always regarded it among the most
+fortunate circumstances of his life, that his first preceptor was a
+member of the Society of Friends.
+
+Dr. Markham in 1765 introduced Mr. West to Dr. Newton, Bishop of Bristol,
+Dr. Johnson, Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. Drummond, Archbishop of York.
+Dr. Newton engaged him to paint the Parting of Hector and Andromache, and
+afterwards sat to him for his portrait, in the back ground of which a
+sketch of this picture was introduced: and for the Bishop of Worcester he
+painted the Return of the Prodigal Son. The encouragement which he thus
+received from these eminent divines was highly creditable to their taste
+and liberality, and is in honourable contrast to the negligence with which
+all that concerned the fine arts were treated by the nobility and opulent
+gentry. It is, however, necessary to mention one illustrious exception.
+Lord Rockingham offered Mr. West a regular, permanent engagement of L700
+per annum to paint historical subjects for his mansion in Yorkshire: but
+the Artist on consulting his friends found them unanimously of opinion,
+that although the prospect of encouragement which had opened to him ought
+to make him resolve to remain in England, he should not confine himself to
+the service of one patron, but trust to the public. The result of this
+conversation was a communication to Dr. Smith and Mr. Allen, of the
+attachment he had formed for the lady whom he afterwards married, and that
+it was his intention to return to America in order to be united to her. In
+consequence of this, an arrangement took place, by which the father of Mr.
+West came over to this country with the bride, and the marriage was
+solemnised on the 2d of September, 1765, in the church of St. Martin in
+the Fields.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. II.
+
+
+
+    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The Altarpiece
+    of St. Stephens, Walbrook.--State of public Taste with respect to the
+    Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.
+
+In Archbishop Drummond Mr. West found one of the most active and efficient
+patrons that he had yet met with. This eminent prelate was esteemed, by
+all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance, for a peculiar dignity
+of mind, and a liberality of sentiment that reflected lustre on his
+exalted rank. He had in his youth travelled on the Continent, and
+possessing an innate sensibility to the moral influence of the fine arts,
+had improved his natural taste by a careful inspection of every celebrated
+work to which he could obtain access. He lamented that in this great,
+flourishing, and triumphant nation, no just notion of the value of the
+fine arts was entertained; and on all occasions, when a suitable
+opportunity presented itself, he never failed to state this opinion, and
+to endeavour to impress it on others. He frequently invited Mr. West to
+his table; and the Artist remarked that he seemed to turn the conversation
+on the celebrity which the patronage of the arts had in all ages reflected
+on the most illustrious persons and families, addressing himself with
+particular emphasis to his sons. In the course of one of these
+conversations, he engaged Mr. West to paint for him the story of Agrippina
+landing with the ashes of Germanicus, and sent one of the young gentlemen
+to the library for the volume in which Tacitus describes the
+circumstances. Having read the passage, he commented on it at some length,
+in order to convey to Mr. West an idea of the manner in which he was
+desirous the subject should be treated.
+
+The painter, on returning home, felt his imagination so much excited by
+the historian's description, and the remarks of the Archbishop, that he
+immediately began to compose a sketch for the picture, and finished it
+before going to bed. Next morning he carried it to His Grace, who, equally
+surprised and delighted to find his own conception so soon embodied in a
+visible form, requested the Artist to proceed without delay in the
+execution of the picture.
+
+In the interim, the Archbishop endeavoured, by all the means in his power,
+to procure encouragement for Mr. West to devote himself exclusively to
+historical composition; and with this view he set on foot a scheme to
+raise three thousand guineas to constitute a fund, which would be a
+sufficient inducement for the Artist, in the first instance, to forego, at
+least for a time, the drudgery of portrait painting. But the attempt
+failed: so little was the public disposed to patronise historical subjects
+from the pencil of a living artist, that after fifteen hundred pounds were
+subscribed, it was agreed to relinquish the undertaking. As this fact is
+important to the history of the progress of the arts in this country, I
+present my readers with a copy of the subscription-paper, with the names
+and amount of the sums attached to them, by the respective subscribers,
+
+In 1766 Mr. West made a proposal to his friend Bishop Newton, who was then
+Dean of St. Paul's, to present a gratuitous offering to the Cathedral, by
+painting a religious subject to fill one of the large spaces which the
+architect of the building had allotted for the reception of pictures; and
+speaking on the design one day after dinner at the Bishop's when Reynolds
+was present, he said that the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai would make
+an appropriate subject. Reynolds was delighted with the idea of decorating
+St. Paul's by the voluntary offerings of artists, and offered to paint a
+Nativity as his contribution. A formal proposal was in consequence made to
+the Dean and Chapter, who embraced it with much satisfaction. But Dr.
+Terrick, the Bishop, felt some degree of jealousy at the design being
+adopted, without consulting him, and set himself so decidedly against it
+that it was necessarily abandoned. Dr. Newtorn had, in his capacity of
+Dean, obtained (without reflecting that Terrick had a veto over all) the
+consent of the other curators of the Cathedral, namely, of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the King. "But," exclaimed Dr. Terrick,
+with the energy of an ancient martyr, "I have heard of the proposition,
+and as I am head of the Cathedral of the metropolis, I will not suffer the
+doors to be opened to introduce popery." It is to be hoped that the
+declaration proceeded from the fear implied, and not because Dr. Newton
+omitted to ask his consent before applying to the King and the Archbishop.
+
+Mr. West was, however, too deeply impressed with the advantage which would
+accrue to the arts by inducing the guardians of the Church to allow the
+introduction of pictures, to be discouraged by the illiberality of the
+Bishop of London. He therefore made a proposal to paint an Altar-piece for
+the beautiful church of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and it was accepted. In
+the same year his friend, Mr. Wilcox, gave him a commission to execute
+another sacred subject, which he presented to the Cathedral of Rochester,
+and it is placed over the communion-table. In these biographical sketches
+it cannot be expected that a history of all Mr. West's numerous works
+should be related. It is the history of the Artist, not of his works, that
+is here written; and, therefore, except where the incidents connected with
+them are illustrative of the state of public feeling towards the arts, it
+is unnecessary to be more particular. I have, however, prepared a complete
+catalogue of his designs, with such remarks concerning them as must
+satisfy any want that may be felt by this systematic omission in the
+narrative. I should, however, mention that, in this stage of his career,
+the two of his earliest pictures, which attracted the greatest share of
+public attention, were _the Orestes and Pylades_, and _the Continence of
+Scipio_. He had undertaken them on speculation, and the applause which
+they obtained, when finished, were an assurance of his success and reward.
+His house was daily thronged with the opulent and the curious to see them;
+statesmen sent for them to their offices; princes to their bedchambers,
+and all loudly expressed their approbation, but not one ever enquired the
+price; and his imagination, which had been elevated in Italy to emulate
+the conceptions of those celebrated men who have given a second existence
+to the great events of religion, history, and poetry, was allowed in
+England to languish over the unmeaning faces of portrait-customers. It
+seemed to be thought that the genius of the Artist could in no other way
+be encouraged, than by his friends sitting for their own likenesses, and
+paying liberally for them. The moral influence of the art was unfelt and
+unknown; nor can a more impressive instance of this historical truth be
+adduced, than the following anecdote of Hogarth, which Garrick himself
+related to Mr. West.
+
+When that artist had published the plates of the Election, he wished to
+dispose of the paintings, and proposed to do so by a raffle of two hundred
+chances, at two guineas the stake; to be determined on an appointed day.
+Among a small number of subscribers, not half what Hogarth expected,
+Garrick had put down his name; and when the day arrived he went to the
+artist's house to throw for his chance. After waiting a considerable time
+no other person appeared, and Hogarth felt this neglect not only as
+derogatory to his profession, but implying that the subscription had
+something in it of a mendicant character. Vexed by such a mortifying
+result of a plan which he had sanguinely hoped would prove, at least, a
+morning's amusement to the fashionable subscribers, he insisted that, as
+they had not attended, nor even sent any request to him to throw for them,
+that Garrick should go through the formality of throwing the dice; but
+only for himself. The actor for some time opposed the irritated artist;
+but at last consented. Instead, however, of allowing Hogarth to send them
+home, he begged that they might be carefully packed up, until his servant
+should call for them; and on returning to his house, he dispatched a note
+to the painter, stating that he could not persuade himself to remove works
+so valuable and admired, without acquitting his conscience of an
+obligation due to the author and to his own good fortune in obtaining
+them. And knowing the humour of the person he addressed, and that if he
+had sent a cheque for the money it would in all probability be returned,
+he informed him that he had transferred two hundred guineas at his
+bankers, which would remain at the disposal of Hogarth or his heirs,
+whether it was or was not then accepted. The charge of habitual parsimony
+against Garrick was not well founded; and this incident shows that he knew
+when to be properly munificent. In the acquisition and management of his
+affluent fortune, it would have been more correct to have praised him for
+a judicious system of economy, than to have censured him for meanness. It
+ought to have been considered, that he was professionally required to deal
+with a class of persons not famed for prudence in pecuniary concerns, and
+to whom the methodical disbursements of most private gentlemen would
+probably have appeared penurious.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. III.
+
+
+
+    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen.--The King
+    employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater,--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.
+
+The coldness with which Archbishop Drummond's scheme for raising three
+thousand guineas had been received by the persons to whom he had applied,
+and the prejudice which he found almost universally entertained against
+the efforts of living genius, chagrined him exceedingly. He regarded the
+failure as a stigma on the age, and on his country; and, as a public man,
+he thought it affected himself personally. With this feeling, he declared
+to the gentlemen who had exerted themselves in the business, that he saw
+no way of engrafting a taste for the fine arts on the British public,
+unless the King could be so far engaged in the attempt, as to make it
+fashionable to employ living artists, according to the bent of their
+respective talents. But, about this period, the affair of Wilkes agitated
+the nation; and the Duke of Portland and Lord Rockingham, who were among
+the most strenuous of Mr. West's friends, being both of the Whig party,
+undervalued the importance attached to His Majesty's influence and
+countenance. The Archbishop was not, however, discouraged by their
+political prejudices; on the contrary, he thought that His Majesty was one
+of those characters who require to be personally interested in what it is
+desired they should undertake; and he resolved to make the attempt. The
+address with which His Grace managed the business, evinced great knowledge
+of human nature, and affords a pleasing view of the ingenuousness of the
+King's disposition.
+
+When the picture of Agrippina was finished, the Archbishop invited the
+most distinguished artists and amateurs to give him their opinion of the
+work; and satisfied by the approbation which they all expressed, he went
+to court, and took an opportunity of speaking on the subject to the King,
+informing His Majesty, at the same time, of all the circumstances
+connected with the history of the composition; and on what principle he
+had always turned his conversations with Mr. West to excite an interest
+for the promotion of the arts in the minds of his family. The dexterity
+with which he recapitulated these details produced the desired effect. The
+curiosity of the King was roused, and he told the Archbishop that he would
+certainly send for the Artist and the picture.
+
+This conversation probably lasted longer than the usual little
+reciprocities of the drawing-room; for it occasioned a very amusing
+instance of female officiousness. A lady of distinguished rank, having
+overheard what passed, could not resist the delightful temptation of being
+the first to communicate to Mr. West the intelligence of the honour that
+awaited him. On quitting the palace, instead of returning home, she went
+directly to his house, and, without disclosing her name, informed him of
+the whole particulars of the conversation which had passed between the
+Archbishop and the King. In the evening, Barnard, who had been an
+attendant on the King from the cradle, and who was not more attached to
+His Majesty, than he was himself in return affectionately beloved, came to
+Mr. West, and requested him to be in attendance next morning at the
+Queen's house, with the picture of Agrippina. In delivering the message,
+this faithful servant was prompted by his own feelings to give the Artist
+some idea of His Majesty's real character, which at that time was very
+much misrepresented to the public; and Mr. West during the long term of
+forty years of free and confidential intercourse with the King, found the
+account of Barnard to be in every essential and particular point correct.
+
+The King was described to him as a young man of great simplicity and
+candour of disposition, sedate in his affections, and deeply impressed
+with the sanctity of principle; scrupulous in forming private friendships;
+but, when he had taken any attachment, not easily swayed from it, without
+being convinced of the necessity and propriety of so doing.
+
+At the time appointed, Mr. West was in attendance with the picture; and
+His Majesty came into the room where he was waiting. After looking at it
+some time with much apparent satisfaction, he enquired if it was in a
+proper light; and, on being told that the situation was certainly not the
+most advantageous, he conducted the Artist through several apartments
+himself, till a more satisfactory place was found. He then called several
+of the domestics into the room, and, indeed, assisted them himself to
+remove the picture. When the servants had retired, and he had satisfied
+himself with looking at it, he went out of the apartment and brought in
+the Queen, to whom he introduced the Artist with so much warmth, that Mr.
+West felt it at the moment as something that might be described as
+friendliness.
+
+The Queen, though at this period very young, possessed a natural
+graciousness of manner, which her good sense and the consciousness of her
+dignity rendered peculiarly pleasing; so that our Artist was not only
+highly gratified by the unexpected honour of this distinguished
+introduction, but delighted with the affability and sweetness of her
+disposition.
+
+When Their Majesties had examined the picture, the King observed that he
+understood the same subject had seldom been properly treated. Mr. West
+answered, that it was, indeed, surprising it should have been neglected by
+Poussin, who was so well qualified to have done it justice, and to whose
+genius it was in so many respects so well adapted. His Majesty then told
+the Queen the history of the picture before them, dwelling with some
+expressions of admiration on the circumstance of the sketch having been
+made in the course of one evening after the artist had taken coffee with
+the Archbishop of York, and shown to His Grace the next morning. Turning
+briskly round to Mr. West, he said, "There is another noble Roman subject
+which corresponds to this one, and I believe it also has never been well
+painted; I mean the final departure of Regulus from Rome. Don't you think
+it would make a fine picture?" The Artist replied, that it was undoubtedly
+a magnificent subject. "Then," said His Majesty, "you shall paint it for
+me;" and, ringing the bell in the same moment, ordered the attendant who
+answered to bring the volume of Livy in which the event is related,
+observing to the Queen, in a sprightly manner, that the Archbishop had
+made one of his sons read to Mr. West; but "I will read to him myself the
+subject of my picture;" which, on the return of the servant with the book,
+he did accordingly. And the Artist was commanded to come with the sketch
+as soon as possible.
+
+The Archbishop was highly delighted at the successful result of his
+scheme, and augured from the event the happiest influence to the progress
+of the arts; nor has his patriotic anticipations been unrewarded; for,
+without question, so great and so eminent a taste for the fine arts as
+that which has been diffused throughout the nation, during the reign of
+George the Third, was never before produced in the life-time of one
+monarch, in any age or country.
+
+But in relating the different incidents which contributed to bring Mr.
+West into favourable notice, there is one of a peculiar nature, which
+should not be omitted. During winter, at Philadelphia, skating was one of
+the favourite amusements of the youth of that city, and many of them
+excelled in that elegant exercise. Mr. West, when a boy, had, along with
+his companions, acquired considerable facility in the art; and having
+become exceedingly fond of it, made himself, as he grew up to manhood, one
+of the most accomplished skaters in America. Some of the officers at that
+time quartered there, also practised the amusement; and, among others,
+Colonel Howe, who afterwards succeeded to the title of his elder brother,
+and who, under the name of General Howe, is so well known in the
+disastrous transactions of the subsequent civil war, which ended in
+establishing the independence of the United States. In the course of the
+winter preceding Mr. West's departure for Italy, they had become
+acquainted on the ice.
+
+In Italy Mr. West had no opportunity of skating; but when he reached
+Lombardy, where he saw so much beautiful frozen water, he regretted that
+he had not brought his skates with him from America. The winter, however,
+which succeeded his arrival in England, proved unusually severe; and one
+morning, when he happened to take a walk in St. James's park, he was
+surprised to see a great concourse of the populace assembled on the canal.
+He stopped to look at them, and seeing a person who lent skates on hire,
+he made choice of a pair, and went on the ice. A gentleman who had
+observed his movements, came up to him as he retired to unbuckle the
+skates, and said, "I perceive, Sir, you are a stranger, and do not perhaps
+know that there are much better places than this for the exercise of
+skating. The Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, is far superior, and the
+basin in Kensington Gardens still more preferable. Here, only the populace
+assemble; on the Serpentine, the company, although better, is also
+promiscuous; but the persons who frequent the basin in the Gardens are
+generally of the rank of gentlemen, and you will be less annoyed among
+them than at either of the other two places."
+
+In consequence of this information, on the day following, Mr. West
+resolved to visit the Gardens; and, in going along Piccadilly with that
+intention, bought a pair of skates, which, on reaching the margin of the
+ice, he put on, After a few trial-movements on the skirts of the basin,
+like a musician tuning his violin before attempting a regular piece of
+composition, he dashed off into the middle of the company, and performed
+several rounds in the same style which he had often practised in America.
+While engaged in this manner, a gentleman called to him by name; and, on
+stopping, he found it was his old acquaintance Colonel Howe.
+
+The Colonel immediately came up, and exclaimed, "Mr. West, I am truly glad
+to see you in this country, and at this time. I have not heard of you
+since we parted on the wharf at Philadelphia, when you sailed for Italy;
+but I have often since had occasion to recollect you. I am, therefore,
+particularly glad to see you here, and on the ice; for you must know that,
+in speaking of the American skaters, it has been alleged, that I have
+learnt to draw the long bow among them; but you are come in a lucky moment
+to vindicate my veracity."
+
+He then called to him Lord Spencer Hamilton, and some of the Cavendishes,
+who were also on the ice, and introduced Mr. West to them as one of the
+American skaters, of whom they had heard him so often speak, and would not
+credit what he had said of their performance; and he requested Mr. West to
+show them what, in Philadelphia, was called the Salute. Mr. West had been
+so long out of practice, that he was at first diffident of attempting this
+difficult and graceful movement: but, after a few trials, and feeling
+confidence in himself, he at last performed it with complete success. Out
+of this trivial incident, an acquaintance arose between him and the young
+noblemen present. They spoke of his talents as a skater; and their praise,
+in all their usual haunts, had such an effect, that, in the course of a
+few days, prodigious crowds of the fashionable world, and of all
+descriptions of people, assembled to see the American skater. When it was
+afterwards known to the public that he was an artist, many of the
+spectators called at his rooms; and he, perhaps, received more
+encouragement as a portrait-painter on account of his accomplishment as a
+skater, than he could have hoped for by any ordinary means to obtain.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+
+
+    The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.
+
+The King, at the period when he was pleased to take Mr. West under his own
+particular patronage, possessed great conversational powers, and a
+considerable tincture of humour. He had read much, and his memory was
+singularly exact and tenacious: his education had, indeed, been conducted
+with great prudence, and, independent of a much larger stock of literary
+information than is commonly acquired by princes, he was fairly entitled
+to be regarded as an accomplished gentleman. For the fine arts he had not,
+perhaps, any natural taste; he had, however, been carefully instructed in
+the principles of architecture by Chambers, of delineation by Moser, and
+of perspective by Kirby; and he was fully aware of the lustre which the
+arts have, in all ages, reflected on the different countries in which the
+cultivation of them has been encouraged to perpetuate the memory of great
+events. His employment of Mr. West, although altogether in his private
+capacity, was therefore not wholly without a view to the public advantage,
+and it is the more deserving of applause, as it was rather the result of
+principle than of personal predilection.
+
+When Mr. West had made a sketch for the Regulus, and submitted it to His
+Majesty, after some conversation, as to the dimensions, the King fixed on
+an advantageous part of the walls in one of the principal apartments, and
+directed that the picture should be painted of a size sufficient to fill
+the whole space. During the time that the work was going on, the Artist
+was frequently invited to spend the evening at Buckingham-house, where he
+was often detained by the King as late as eleven o'clock, on topics
+connected with the best means of promoting the study of the fine arts in
+the kingdom. It was in these conversations that the plan of the Royal
+Academy was digested; but it is necessary to state more particularly the
+different circumstances which co-operated at this period to the formation
+of that valuable institution.
+
+At the annual exhibitions of the paintings and drawings, which obtained
+the premiums of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Agriculture,
+and Commerce, it was then customary with artists to send occasionally
+their works to be exhibited with those of the competitors, as a convenient
+method of making themselves known to the public. But the visitors hearing
+from the newspapers only of the pictures which had gained the prizes,
+concluded that they were the best in the exhibition; and the works of the
+matured artists were overlooked in the attention paid to the efforts of
+juvenile emulation. This neglect mortified the artists, and induced them
+to form themselves into an association for the exhibition of their own
+productions. The novelty of this plan attracted much attention, and
+answered the expectations of those with whom it originated. Such was the
+state of things with the artists when Mr. West came to England; and to the
+first exhibition, after his arrival, he sent, as I have already mentioned,
+three pictures. The approbation which these works obtained, induced the
+association to elect him one of the directors, and he held this situation
+till, the society beginning to grow rich by the receipts of the
+exhibitions, the management of its concerns became an object of ambition.
+This association was incorporated in 1765, under the designation of the
+Incorporated Artists.
+
+Chambers and Payne, who were leading members in the Society, being both
+architects, were equally desirous that the funds should be laid out in the
+decoration of some edifice adapted to the objects of the institution. This
+occasioned so much debate, division, and rivalry, among their respective
+partisans, that Mr. West was induced to resign the office of director, and
+to withdraw along with Mr. Reynolds (afterwards Sir Joshua) and others,
+disgusted with the bickering animosities which disgraced the proceedings
+at their meetings. This transaction made some noise at the time, and it
+happened on the very day when Mr. West waited on the King, with his sketch
+of the Departure of Regulus, that the newspapers contained some account of
+the matter. His Majesty enquired the cause and particulars of the schism,
+and Mr. West, in stating what they were, mentioned that the principles of
+his religion made him regard such proceedings as exceedingly derogatory to
+the professors of the arts of peace.
+
+This led the King to say that he would gladly patronise any association
+which might be formed more immediately calculated to improve the arts. Mr.
+West, after retiring from the palace, communicated this to Chambers and
+Moser, and, upon conferring on the subject with Mr. Coats, it was agreed
+that the four should constitute themselves a committee of the dissenting
+artists, to draw up the plan of an academy. When this was mentioned to His
+Majesty, he not only approved of their determination, but took a great
+personal interest in the scheme, and even drew up several of the laws
+himself with his own hand. Nor should one remarkable circumstance be
+omitted; he was particularly anxious that the whole design should be kept
+a profound secret, being apprehensive that it might be converted into some
+vehicle of political influence.
+
+In the mean time the picture of the Departure of Regulus was going
+forward, and it was finished about the time that the code of rules for the
+academy was completed. The incorporated artists were also busy, and had
+elected as their president Mr. Kirby, who had been preceptor in
+perspective to the King, and who had deservedly gained great celebrity by
+his treatise on the principles of that branch of art. Kirby, having free
+access to the royal presence, and never hearing from His Majesty any thing
+respecting the academy, was so satisfied in his own mind that the rumours,
+respecting such an institution being intended, were untrue, that, in his
+inaugural address from the chair, he assured the incorporated artists
+there was not the slightest intention entertained of establishing a Royal
+Academy of Art.
+
+When the Departure of Regulus was finished, the King appointed a time for
+Mr. West to bring the picture to Buckingham-house. The Artist having
+carried it there, His Majesty, after looking at it some time, went and
+brought in the Queen by the hand, and seated her in a chair, which Mr.
+West placed in the best situation for seeing the picture to advantage.
+While they were conversing on the subject, one of the pages announced Mr.
+Kirby; and the King consulted Her Majesty in German about the propriety of
+admitting him at that moment. Mr. West, by his residence among the German
+inhabitants of Lancaster in America, knew enough of the language to
+understand what they said, and the opinion of the Queen was that Kirby
+might certainly be admitted, but for His Majesty to take his own pleasure.
+The attendant was in consequence ordered to show him in, and Mr. West was
+the more pleased at this incident, as it afforded him an advantageous
+opportunity of becoming personally known to Kirby, with whom, on account
+of his excellent treatise, he had for some time been desirous to become
+acquainted.
+
+When Kirby looked at the picture he expressed himself with great warmth
+in its praise, enquiring by whom it had been painted; upon which the King
+introduced Mr. West to him. It would perhaps be doing injustice to say
+that the surprise with which he appeared to be affected on finding it the
+production of so young a man, had in it any mixture of sinister feeling;
+but it nevertheless betrayed him into a fatal indiscretion. As a preceptor
+to the King, he had been accustomed to take liberties which ought to have
+terminated with the duties of that office; he, however, inadvertently
+said, "Your Majesty never mentioned any thing of this work to me." The
+tone in which this was uttered evidently displeased the King, but the
+discretion of the unfortunate man was gone, and he enquired in a still
+more disagreeable manner, "Who made this frame?" Mr. West, anxious to turn
+the conversation, mentioned the maker's name; but this only served to
+precipitate Mr. Kirby into still greater imprudence, and he answered
+somewhat sharply, "That person is not Your Majesty's workman;" and naming
+the King's carver and gilder said, "It ought to have been made by him."
+The King appeared a good deal surprised at all this, but replied in an
+easy good-humoured way, "Kirby, whenever you are able to paint me a
+picture like this, your friend shall make the frame." The unhappy man,
+however, could not be restrained, and he turned round to Mr. West, and in
+a tone which greatly lessened the compliment the words would otherwise
+have conveyed, said, "I hope you intend to exhibit this picture." The
+Artist answered, that as it was painted for His Majesty, the exhibition
+must depend on his pleasure; but that, before retiring, it was his
+intention to ask permission for that purpose. The King immediately said,
+"Assuredly I shall be very happy to let the work be shown to the
+public."--"Then, Mr. West," added Kirby, "you will send it to my
+exhibition," (meaning to the exhibition of the Incorporated Artists).
+"No," interposed the King, firmly, "it must go to my exhibition,--to the
+Royal Academy." Poor Kirby was thunderstruck; but only two nights before,
+in the confidence of his intercourse with the King, he had declared that
+even the design of forming such an institution was not contemplated. His
+colour forsook him, and his countenance became yellow with mortification.
+He bowed with profound humility, and instantly retired, nor did he long
+survive the shock.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On the day following, a meeting of the artists who had separated
+themselves from the incorporated association, was to be holden in the
+evening at the house of Wilton the sculptor, in order to receive the code
+of laws, and to nominate the office-bearers of the Academy. In the course
+of the morning, Mr. Penny, who was intended to be appointed professor of
+painting, called on Mr. West and mentioned that he had been with Reynolds,
+and that he thought, for some unfathomable reason or another, that
+distinguished artist would not attend the meeting. Soon after, Moser
+likewise called, and stated the same thing. Mr. West was much perplexed at
+this information; for it had been arranged with the King that Reynolds,
+although not in the secret, nor at all consulted in the formation of the
+Academy, should be the president. He therefore went immediately to his
+house, and finding him disengaged, mentioned, without alluding to what he
+had heard, the arrangements formed for instituting an academy, and that a
+meeting of thirty artists named by the King, of the forty members of which
+it was intended the Academy should consist, was that evening to take place
+at Wilton's. Reynolds was much surprised to hear matters were so far
+advanced, and explained to Mr. West that Kirby had assured him in the most
+decided manner, that there was no truth whatever in the rumour of any such
+design being in agitation, and that he thought it would be derogatory to
+attend a meeting, constituted, as Kirby represented it, by persons who had
+no sanction or authority for doing what they had undertaken. To this Mr.
+West answered, "As you have been told by Mr. Kirby that there is no
+intention to form any institution of the kind, and by me that there is,
+that even the rules are framed, and the officers condescended on, yourself
+to be president, I must insist on your going with me to the meeting, where
+you will be satisfied which of us deserves to be credited in this
+business."
+
+In the evening, at the usual hour, Mr. West went to take tea with
+Reynolds, before going to the meeting, and it so fell out, either from
+design or accident, that it was not served till a full hour later than
+common, not indeed till the hour fixed for the artists to assemble at
+Wilton's, so that, by the time they arrived there, the meeting was on the
+point of breaking up, conceiving that as neither Reynolds nor West had
+come, something unexpected and extraordinary must have happened. But on
+their appearing, a burst of satisfaction manifested the anxiety that had
+been felt, and without any farther delay the company proceeded to carry
+into effect the wishes of the King. The code of laws was read, and the
+gentlemen recommended by the King to fill the different offices being
+declared the officers, the code of laws was accepted. Reynolds was
+declared president, Chambers treasurer, Newton secretary, Moser keeper,
+Penny professor of painting, Wale professor of perspective, and Dr.
+William Hunter professor of anatomy. A report of the proceedings was made
+to His Majesty next morning, who gave his sanction to the election, and
+the Academy was thus constituted. The academicians afterwards met and
+chose a council to assist the president, and visitors to superintend the
+schools in three branches of art, painting, sculpture, and architecture.
+Thus, on the 10th December, 1768, under the title of the Royal Academy of
+the Arts in London, that Institution, which has done more to excite a
+taste for the fine arts in this country, than any similar institution ever
+did in any other, was finally formed and established.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. V.
+
+
+
+    The opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.
+
+When the Academy was opened, the approbation which _the Regulus_ received
+at the exhibition gratified the King, and he resolved to give Mr. West
+still farther encouragement. Accordingly, he soon after sent for him, and
+mentioned that he wished him to paint another picture, and that the
+subject he had chosen was Hamilcar making his son Hannibal swear
+implacable enmity against the Romans. The painting being finished it was
+earned to Buckingham-house, and His Majesty, after looking at it with
+visible satisfaction, said, that he thought Mr. West could not do better
+than provide him with suitable subjects to fill the unoccupied pannels of
+the room in which the two pictures were then placed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+About this period, Mr. West had finished his Death of Wolfe, which excited
+a great sensation, both on account of its general merits as a work of art,
+and for representing the characters in the modern military costume. The
+King mentioned that he heard much of the picture, but he was informed that
+the dignity of the subject had been impaired by the latter circumstance;
+observing that it was thought very ridiculous to exhibit heroes in coats,
+breeches, and cock'd hats. The Artist replied, that he was quite aware of
+the objection, but that it was founded in prejudice, adding, with His
+Majesty's permission, he would relate an anecdote connected with that
+particular point.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"When it was understood that I intended to paint the characters as they had
+actually appeared in the scene, the Archbishop of York called on Reynolds
+and asked his opinion, the result of which was that they came together to
+my house. For His Grace was apprehensive that, by persevering in my
+intention, I might lose some portion of the reputation which he was
+pleased to think I had acquired by his picture of Agrippina, and Your
+Majesty's of Regulus; and he was anxious to avert the misfortune by his
+friendly interposition. He informed me of the object of their visit, and
+that Reynolds wished to dissuade me from running so great a risk. I could
+not but feel highly gratified by so much solicitude, and acknowledged
+myself ready to attend to whatever Reynolds had to say, and even to adopt
+his advice, if it appeared to me founded on any proper principles.
+Reynolds then began a very ingenious and elegant dissertation on the state
+of the public taste in this country, and the danger which every attempt at
+innovation necessarily incurred of repulse or ridicule; and he concluded
+with urging me earnestly to adopt the classic costume of antiquity, as
+much more becoming the inherent greatness of my subject than the modern
+garb of war. I listened to him with the utmost attention in my power to
+give, but could perceive no principle in what he had delivered; only a
+strain of persuasion to induce me to comply with an existing prejudice,--a
+prejudice which I thought could not be too soon removed. When he had
+finished his discourse, I begged him to hear what I had to state in reply,
+and I began by remarking that the event intended to be commemorated took
+place on the 13th of September, 1758, in a region of the world unknown to
+the Greeks and Romans, and at a period of time when no such nations, nor
+heroes in their costume, any longer existed. The subject I have to
+represent is the conquest of a great province of America by the British
+troops. It is a topic that history will proudly record, and the same truth
+that guides the pen of the historian should govern the pencil of the
+artist. I consider myself as undertaking to tell this great event to the
+eye of the world; but if, instead of the facts of the transaction, I
+represent classical fictions, how shall I be understood by posterity! The
+only reason for adopting the Greek and Roman dresses, is the picturesque
+forms of which their drapery is susceptible; but is this an advantage for
+which all the truth and propriety of the subject should be sacrificed? I
+want to mark the date, the place, and the parties engaged in the event;
+and if I am not able to dispose of the circumstances in a picturesque
+manner, no academical distribution of Greek or Roman costume will enable
+me to do justice to the subject. However, without insisting upon
+principles to which I intend to adhere, I feel myself so profoundly
+impressed with the friendship of this interference, that when the picture
+is finished, if you do not approve of it, I will consign it to the closet,
+whatever may be my own opinion of the execution. They soon after took
+their leave, and in due time I called on the Archbishop, and fixed a day
+with him to come with Reynolds to see the painting. They came accordingly,
+and the latter without speaking, after his first cursory glance, seated
+himself before the picture, and examined it with deep and minute attention
+for about half an hour. He then rose, and said to His Grace, Mr. West has
+conquered. He has treated his subject as it ought to be treated. I retract
+my objections against the introduction of any other circumstances into
+historical pictures than those which are requisite and appropriate; and I
+foresee that this picture will not only become one of the most popular,
+but occasion a revolution in the art."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On Mr. West pausing, the King said, "I wish that I had known all this
+before, for the objection has been the means of Lord Grosvenor getting the
+picture; but you shall make a copy for me." His Majesty then entered into
+some further conversation respecting subjects for paintings to adorn the
+apartment; and Mr. West suggested that the Death of Epaminondas would, as
+a classic subject, and with Grecian circumstances, make a suitable
+contrast with the Death of Wolfe. The King received this idea with
+avidity; and the conversation being pursued further on the same topic, the
+Artist also proposed the Death of the Chevalier Bayard for another
+picture, which would serve to illustrate the heroism and peculiarities of
+the middle ages. Two pannels were still unprovided; and Mr. West, with
+submission to His Majesty, begged that he might be allowed to take the
+incident of Cyrus liberating the Family of the King of Armenia for the
+one, and of Segestus, and his daughter, brought before Germanicus, for
+the other. The King was much pleased with the latter idea; a notion being
+entertained by some antiquaries that the Hanoverian family are the
+descendants of the daughter.
+
+During the time that our Artist was engaged in these works, he was
+frequently at the palace with the King; and His Majesty always turned the
+conversation on the means of promoting the fine arts, and upon the
+principles which should govern artists in the cultivation of their genius.
+In one of these conversations, Mr. West happened to remark, that he had
+been much disgusted in Italy at seeing the base use to which the talents
+of the painters in that country had been too often employed; many of their
+noblest efforts being devoted to illustrate monkish legends, in which no
+one took any interest, while the great events in the history of their
+country were but seldom touched. This led to some further reflections; and
+the King, recollecting that Windsor-Castle had, in its present form,
+been erected by Edward the Third, said, that he thought the achievements
+of his splendid reign were well calculated for pictures, and would prove
+very suitable ornaments to the halls and chambers of that venerable
+edifice. To this incident, the arts are indebted for the series of
+pictures which bring the victories of Cressy and Poictiers, with the other
+triumphal incidents of that time, again, as it were, into form and being,
+with a veracity of historical fact and circumstance which render the
+masquerades by Vario even a greater disgrace to St. George's Hall than
+they are to the taste of the age in which they were painted.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In the execution of these different historical subjects, the King took a
+great personal interests, and one piece became the cause of another, until
+he actually acquired a feeling like enthusiasm for the arts. When he had
+resolved to adorn Windsor-Castle with the achievements and great events of
+the reign of Edward the Third, he began to think that the tolerant temper
+of the age was favourable to the introduction of pictures into the
+churches: at the same time, his scrupulous respect for what was
+understood to be the usage, if not the law, relative to the case,
+prevented him for some time from taking any decisive step. In the course
+of different conversations with Mr. West, on this subject, he formed the
+design of erecting a magnificent oratory, or private chapel, in the Horns'
+Court of Windsor-Castle, for the purpose of displaying a pictorial
+illustration of the history of revealed religion. But, before engaging in
+this superb project, he thought it necessary to consult some eminent
+members of the Church, who enjoyed his confidence, as to the propriety of
+the design. Accordingly, he desired Mr. West to draw up a list of subjects
+from the Bible, susceptible of pictorial representation, which Christians,
+of all denominations, might contemplate without offence to their tenets;
+and he invited Dr. Hurd, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, Dr. Douglas,
+Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Windsor, and several other dignitaries,
+along with the Artist, to consider the business. He explained to the
+meeting his scruples, declaring that he did not, in a matter of this kind,
+owing to his high station in the state, feel himself a free agent; that he
+was certainly desirous of seeing the churches adorned with the endeavours
+of art, and would deem it the greatest glory of his reign to be
+distinguished, above all others in the annals of the kingdom, for the
+progress and successful cultivation of the arts of peace. "But, when I
+reflect," said His Majesty, "how the ornaments of art in the churches were
+condemned at the Reformation, and still more recently in the unhappy times
+of Charles the First, I am anxious to govern my own wishes not only by
+what is right, but by what is prudent, in this matter. If it is conceived
+that I am tacitly bound, as Head of the Church of England, to prevent any
+such ornaments from being introduced into places of worship; or if it be
+considered as at all savouring in any degree of a popish practice, however
+decidedly I may myself think it innocent, I will proceed no farther in the
+business. But, if the church may be adorned with pictures, illustrative of
+great events in the history of religion, as the Bible itself often is with
+engravings, I will gladly proceed with the execution of this design."
+Little else passed at this interview; but he requested the churchmen to
+examine the matter thoroughly; and appointed a particular day for them to
+report to him the result of their investigation: presenting to them, at
+the same time, a paper, containing a list of thirty-five subjects which he
+had formed with the Artist, for the decorations of the intended chapel.
+
+On the day appointed, Mr. West again met those eminent members of the
+hierarchy in the royal presence: when Dr. Hurd reported to His Majesty,
+that they had very seriously considered the important business which had
+been confided to them; that, having bestowed on it their gravest
+attention, they were unanimously of opinion, that the introduction of
+paintings into the chapel, which His Majesty intended to erect, would, in
+no respect whatever, violate the laws or usages of the Church of England;
+and that, having examined the list of subjects, which he proposed should
+constitute the decorations, there was not one of them, but, which properly
+treated, even a Quaker might contemplate with edification. This
+inadvertent observation attracted the King's attention; and he said, that
+the Quakers were a body of Christians for whom he entertained the very
+highest respect, and that he thought, but for the obligations of his
+birth, he should himself have been a Quaker; and he particularly enlarged
+on their peaceful demeanour and benevolence towards one another.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The result of this conference was, that Mr. West immediately received
+instructions to make designs from the list of subjects; and afterwards
+with the King himself, he assisted to form an architectural plan of the
+chapel, which it was proposed should be ninety feet in length by fifty in
+breadth. When some progress had been made in the paintings, Mr. Wyat, who
+had succeeded Sir William Chambers as the royal architect, received orders
+to carry this plan into execution; and the grand flight of steps in the
+great staircase, executed by that architect, was designed to lead
+immediately to a door which should open into the royal closet, in the new
+chapel of REVEALED RELIGION.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+
+
+    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius.--Of
+    Lachlan M'Lean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his opinion.
+
+By the eminent station which Mr. West has so long held among the artists,
+and admirers of the fine arts, in this country, he became personally
+acquainted with almost every literary man of celebrity; and being for many
+years a general visitor at the literary club, immortalised as the haunt of
+Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Goldsmith, and Reynolds, he acquired, without
+particularly attending to the literature of the day, an extensive
+acquaintance with the principal topics which, from time to time, engaged
+the attention of men of letters. An incident, however, of a curious
+nature, has brought him to be a party, in some degree, with the singular
+question respecting the mysterious author of the celebrated letters of
+Junius. On the morning that the first of these famous invectives appeared,
+his friend Governor Hamilton happened to call, and enquiring the news, Mr.
+West informed him of that bold and daring epistle: ringing for his servant
+at the same time, he desired the newspaper to be brought in. Hamilton read
+it over with great attention, and when he had done, laid it on his knees,
+in a manner that particularly attracted the notice of the painter, who was
+standing at his easel. "This letter," said Hamilton, in a tone of vehement
+feeling, "is by that damned scoundrel M'Lean."--"What M'Lean?" enquired
+Mr. West.--"The surgeon of Otway's regiment: the fellow who attacked me so
+virulently in the Philadelphian newspaper, on account of the part I felt
+it my duty to take, against one of the officers, a captain, for a
+scandalous breach of the privileges of hospitality, in seducing the wife
+of a very respectable man. This letter is by him. I know these very words:
+I may well remember them," and he read over several phrases and sentences
+which M'Lean had employed against him. Mr. West then informed the
+Governor, that M'Lean was in this country, and that he was personally
+acquainted with him. "He came over," said Mr. West, "with Colonel Barry,
+by whom he was introduced to Lord Shelburn, (afterwards Marquis of
+Lansdowne,) and is at present private secretary to His Lordship."
+
+Throughout the progress of the controversy with Junius, Hamilton remained
+firm in his opinion, that the author was no other than the same Lachlan
+M'Lean, but at the literary club the general opinion ascribed the letters
+for some time to Samuel Dyer. The sequel of this anecdote is curious.
+M'Lean, owing to a great impediment in his utterance, never made any
+figure in conversation; and passed with most people as a person of no
+particular attainments. But when Lord Shelburn came into office, he was
+appointed Under Secretary of State, and subsequently nominated to a
+Governorship in India: a rapidity of promotion to a man without family or
+parliamentary interest, that can only be explained by a profound
+conviction, on the part of his patron, of his superior talents, and
+perhaps, also, from a strong sense of some peculiar obligation. M'Lean
+sailed for India in the Aurora frigate, and was lost, in the wreck of
+that ship, on the coast of Africa. That the letters of Junius were not
+ascribed to him by any party is not surprising, for his literary talents
+were unknown to the public; but the general opinion of all men at the
+time was that they were the production of some person in connection with
+Lord Shelburn.
+
+Upon this subject, I hold no particular opinion of my own; nor, indeed,
+should I have perhaps noticed the circumstance at all, but for a recent
+most ingenious publication which has ascribed these celebrated letters to
+the late Sir Philip Francis. One thing, however, merits attention in this
+curious controversy. In the Monthly Magazine for July, 1813, there is an
+interesting account of a conversation between Sir Richard Phillips and the
+Marquis of Lansdowne on this subject; in which His Lordship speaks of the
+obligation to secrecy imposed on himself in the question as having been
+removed by death; an incidental expression that at once intimated a
+knowledge of the author, and that he was dead at the time when this
+conversation took place. The importance of the matter, as an object of
+literary curiosity, will excuse the introduction, in an abbreviated form,
+of what passed at that interview, as well as of some minor circumstances
+connected with the question.
+
+During the printing of Almon's edition of Junius, in which he endeavoured
+to show that the letters were written by a Mr. Walter Boyd, Sir Richard
+Phillips, the publisher of that work, sought opinions among the characters
+then surviving, whose names had been mixed with the writings of Junius;
+and he addressed himself particularly to the Duke of Grafton, the Marquis
+of Lansdowne, Mr. Horne Tooke, and Mr. Grattan. Through two friends of the
+Duke of Grafton he was informed, "that His Grace had endeavoured to live
+down the calumnies of Junius, and to forget the name of the author; and
+that, at the period of the publication, offers were made to him of legal
+evidence on which to convict the author of a libel; but that, as he had
+then treated the man with contempt, he should decline to disturb him after
+so great a lapse of time." From this communication it would seem, that the
+Duke believed that he knew the author, and also that he was still alive.
+
+Sir Richard, on calling upon the Marquis of Lansdowne, to whom he was
+personally known, found him in his sick chamber, suffering under a general
+breaking up of the constitution, but in his usual flow of spirits,
+anecdote, and conversation. On mentioning Almon's new edition of Junius,
+and that the editor had fixed on Boyd as the author, the Marquis
+exclaimed, "I thought Almon had known better: I gave him credit for more
+discernment: the world will, however, not be deceived by him; for there is
+higher evidence than his opinion. Look at Boyd's other writings: he never
+did write like Junius; and never could write like Junius. Internal
+evidence destroys the hypothesis of Almon." Sir Richard then said, that
+many persons had ascribed these letters to His Lordship; and that the
+world at large conceived that, at least, he was not unacquainted with the
+author. The Marquis smiled, and said, "No, no: I am not equal to Junius:
+I could not be the author; but the grounds of secrecy are now so far
+removed by death, and changes of circumstances, that it is unnecessary the
+author of Junius should much longer be unknown. The world are curious
+about him; and I could make a very interesting publication on the subject.
+I knew Junius; and I knew all about the writing and production of those
+letters. But look at my own condition now: I don't think I can live
+another week: my legs, my strength, tell me so; but the doctors, who
+always flatter sick men, assure me I am in no immediate danger. They order
+me into the country, and I am going there. If I live over the summer,
+which, however, I do not expect, I promise you a very interesting pamphlet
+about Junius. I will put my name to it: I will set that question at rest
+for ever."
+
+Sir Richard looked at the swollen limbs and other symptoms threatening
+the dissolution of this distinguished nobleman; and, convinced that he
+was, in truth, never likely to see him again, and that the secret of
+Junius might be lost with him, turned the conversation to the various
+persons who had, at different times, been named as the Junius; and, after
+mentioning five or six whose respective pretensions the Marquis treated
+as ridiculous, His Lordship said, "It is of no use to pursue the matter
+further at this time. I will, however, tell you this for your guide,
+Junius has never yet been publicly named. None of the parties ever
+guessed at as Junius were the true Junius. Nobody has ever suspected him.
+I knew him, and knew all about it; and I pledge myself, if these legs
+will permit me, to give you a pamphlet on the subject, as soon as I feel
+myself equal to the labour." Sir Richard soon after took his leave; and
+about a week after the Marquis expired.
+
+From Horne Tooke no information could be obtained: whenever Junius was
+mentioned, he lost the balance of his mind, and indulged himself in so
+much vanity, conceit, and ingenuity, that it was almost useless to speak
+with him on the subject.
+
+Mr. Grattan wrote a very candid denial of any knowledge of the matter, in
+a letter which was printed in the preface to Almon's edition.
+
+Of the pretension afterwards set forward for Dr. Wilmot, I believe it was
+never entertained or supported by any good evidence: Dr. Francis, the
+father of Sir Philip, had been long before mentioned, but for what reason
+I have never been able to ascertain. The answer of Sir Philip himself on
+the subject is, however, curiously equivocal, at least it so strikes me;
+although it is generally considered as a decided denial. It is as follows:
+"The great civility of your letter induces me to answer it, which, with
+reference merely to its subject-matter, I should have declined. Whether
+you will assist in giving currency to a silly, malignant falsehood, is a
+question for your own discretion: to me it is a matter of perfect
+indifference." But notwithstanding all this, an amusingly mysterious
+circumstance has, I am informed, transpired since the death of Sir Philip.
+In a box, it is said, which he carefully deposited with his banker's, and
+which was not to be opened till after his death, a copy of the
+publication, "Junius identified," with a common copy of the letters of
+Junius, were found. I shall offer no comment on this occurrence, for even
+granting that it was true, it might have been but a playful trick--if Sir
+Philip Francis was, in any respect, a humorist. But I have already
+digressed too far from the immediate object of my work; and I cannot make
+a better amends to my readers than by inserting here a short paper,
+written by that eminent person, and addressed to Mr. West. It is a
+critique on the Transfiguration by Raphael, in which Sir Philip evinces
+considerable ingenuity, by attempting not only to explain a defect in the
+composition, felt by every man of taste, in the midst of the delight
+which, in other respects, it never fails to produce, but to show that, so
+far from being any defect, it is in fact a great beauty.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Transfiguration by Raphael._
+
+The title of this picture is a misnomer. The picture itself tells you it
+is _the Ascension_. The Transfiguration is another incident, which
+happened long before the Ascension, and is recited in the ninth chapter of
+St. Luke:--"When the countenance of Jesus was changed, and he became
+[Greek: etethon] and his clothing was _white_, and lightened." The robe of
+the ascending Christ is BLUE.
+
+The painter brings different incidents together to constitute one plot.
+The picture consists of three separate groupes, combined and united in one
+scheme or action.
+
+I. Jesus ascending perpendicularly into the air, clothed in blue raiment,
+and attended by two other figures.
+
+II. Some of his disciples on the Mount, who see the ascent, and lie
+dazzled and confounded by the sight.
+
+III. A number of persons at the bottom of the Mount, who appear to look
+intently on a young man possessed by a devil, and convulsed. None of them
+see the Ascension but the young man, or rather the devil, who was in him,
+does see it. On all similar occasions, those fallen angels know the
+Christ, and acknowledge him. The other figures are agitated with
+astonishment and terror, variously and distinctly expressed in every one
+of them, at sight of the effect which they see is made upon him by some
+object which _they_ do not see.
+
+This is the sublime imagination, by which the lower part of the picture is
+connected with the upper.
+
+P. FRANCIS.
+
+_13th July, 1816._
+
+But although it must be confessed that this comment is exceedingly
+ingenious, in so far as it explains the painter's design in representing
+the demoniac boy, as the connecting link between the action on the Mount,
+and the groupe at the foot of it; yet, upon an examination of the picture,
+it will be found that it does not exhibit the Ascension, but the
+Transfiguration; and I beg leave to refer to a letter, from my friend Mr.
+M'Gillivray, in the Appendix which seems to me as perfectly satisfactory
+on the subject as any thing of the kind I ever met with. Mr. West was of
+the same opinion as Mr. M'Gillivray; but in conversing with him on the
+subject, he did not enter into so distinct an explanation of his reasons
+for dissenting from the speculation of Sir Philip Francis. In criticism,
+however, whether the matter in question be works of art, or of literature,
+the best opinion is exactly that which is the most reasonable; and the
+point at issue here, is not one in which an artist's judgment can be
+allowed greater weight than that of any other man.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+
+
+    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of the
+    American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.
+
+While Mr. West was engaged on the series of religious and historical works
+for the King, he had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with
+political incidents, that a man less intent on his art, and more ambitious
+of fortune, might have turned to great advantage. This was particularly
+the case during the American War, for His Majesty knowing the Artist's
+connections with that country, and acquaintance with some of the most
+distinguished of the rebels, often conversed with him on the subject; and
+on different occasions Mr. West was enabled to supply the King with more
+circumstantial information respecting some important events than was
+furnished by the official channels. I do not consider myself at liberty,
+nor this a fit place, to enter upon subjects so little in unison with the
+arts of peace, or the noiseless tenour of an artist's life; but, among
+other curious matters that may be thrown out for the investigation of the
+future historian, is an opinion which prevailed among some of the best
+informed in America, that when General Washington was appointed to the
+supreme command of the army, it was with the view and intention of
+effecting a reconciliation between the two countries. A communication to
+this purpose is said to have been made by that illustrious man, which
+communication was never answered, nor ever laid formally before the Privy
+Council, at least not until more than six weeks after it had been
+received, and then it was too late. America was lost; and millions spent,
+and thousands sacrificed afterwards in vain. Whether, indeed, the King
+ever did know the whole affair, may be doubted.
+
+The mind of Mr. West, however, had no enjoyment in political cabals, in
+the petty enmities of partizans, or the factious intrigues of party
+leaders. He was by his art wholly enchanted, and saw in the prospect
+before him an adequate recompense in fame for all his exertions, his days
+of labour, and his nights of study. The historical pictures for Windsor
+Castle cost him many a patient hour of midnight research; for the means to
+assist his composition, especially in architecture, and the costume of the
+time, were then far from being so easy of access as they are at present. A
+long period of preference for classic literature, and the illustration of
+the Greek and Roman story, had withdrawn the public taste from the no less
+glorious events of our own annals. To mark, therefore, the epoch, and
+manners of the age of Poictiers and Cressy, of the Institution of the
+Garter, and the other heroic and magnificent incidents of the reign of
+Edward the Third, with that historical truth which the artist thought
+essential to historical painting, required the inspection of many an
+ancient volume, and much antiquarian research. In the composition for the
+Institution of the Garter, the late Marquis of Buckingham offered several
+suggestions, which were adopted; and on His Lordship mentioning to the
+King, that Mr. West was descended of the Delawarre family, the head of
+which bore a distinguished part in the great events of that time, His
+Majesty ordered Mr. West to insert his own portrait among the spectators
+represented in the gallery, and immediately over the shield bearing the
+arms of the Earl of Delawarre. Mr. West himself was not, at that period,
+acquainted with the descent of his pedigree; but it happened in a
+conversation one day with Lord Buckingham, that His Lordship enquired from
+what part of England his family had been originally, and upon Mr. West
+telling him, His Lordship said, that the land which his ancestors had
+formerly possessed was become his by purchase; and that the Wests of Long
+Crandon were sprung from the ancient Earls of Delawarre.
+
+But, except the historical information required for his pictures, in which
+he was indefatigable, until master of all that could be obtained, Mr.
+West, following the early and wise advice of Dr. Smith of Philadelphia,
+wasted none of his time in other literary pursuits. Among his learned and
+ingenious cotemporaries, however, he acquired a general knowledge of the
+passing literature of the day, and in consequence, there are few authors
+of any celebrity, especially the cotemporaries of Johnson, of whom he does
+not possess interesting anecdotes, as well as an acquaintance with the
+merit which they were severally allowed to possess.
+
+One day at Sir Joshua Reynolds, after dinner when Dr. Johnson, Goldsmith,
+and Burke were present, the conversation turned on the degree of
+excellence which sculpture attained among the Greeks. It was observed
+incidentally, that there was something in the opinion of the ancients, on
+this subject, quite inexplicable; for, in the time of Alexander the Great,
+although painting was allowed to have been progressive, sculpture was said
+to have declined, and yet the finest examples of the art, the Apollo and
+Venus, were considered as the works of that period. Different theories
+were sported on this occasion, to explain this seeming contradiction;
+none of them, however, were satisfactory. But, on the arrival of the
+Athenian marbles, which Lord Elgin brought to this country, Mr. West was
+convinced, at the first sight of them, of the justness of ancient
+criticism, and remembered the conversation alluded to.
+
+Perhaps I may be allowed to mention here, without impropriety, that I was
+at Athens when the second cargo of these celebrated sculptures was
+dispatched; that I took some interest in getting the vessel away; and that
+I went with her myself to the island of Idra. Two circumstances occasioned
+this interference on my part;--an Italian artist, the agent of Lord Elgin,
+had quarrelled about the marbles with Monsieur Fauvelle, the French
+Consul, a man of research and taste, to whom every traveller that visited
+Athens, even during the revolutionary war, might have felt himself
+obliged. Fauvelle was, no doubt, ambitious to obtain these precious
+fragments for the Napoleon Museum at Paris; and, certainly, exerted all
+his influence to get the removal of them interdicted. On the eve of the
+departure of the vessel, he sent in a strong representation on the
+subject to the governor of the city, stating, what I believe was very
+true, that Lord Elgin had never any sufficient firman or authority for the
+dilapidations that he had committed on the temples. Luseri, the Italian
+alluded to, was alarmed, and called on me at the monastery of the Roman
+propaganda, where I then resided; and it was agreed between us, that if
+any detention was attempted, I should remonstrate with the governor, and
+represent to him that such an arrest of British property would be
+considered as an act of hostility. But our fears were happily removed. No
+notice was taken by the governor of Monsieur Fauvelle's remonstrance. In
+the evening I embarked on board the vessel at the Pireus, and next morning
+was safely landed on the island of Idra, where the vessel, after remaining
+a day or two, sailed for Malta.
+
+But to return to the biographical narrative. On the death of Sir Joshua
+Reynolds, in 1791, Mr. West was unanimously elected President of the Royal
+Academy. The choice was not more a debt of gratitude on the part of the
+Institution, to one who had essentially contributed to its formation, than
+a testimony of respect deservedly merited by the conduct and genius of the
+Artist who, when the compass, number, and variety of his pictures are
+considered, was, at that period, decidedly the greatest historical painter
+then living, who had been born a British subject. This event, at once so
+honourable to his associates and himself, was confirmed by the sanction of
+His Majesty on the 24th of March, 1792; on which occasion, on taking the
+chair, Mr. West addressed the Academicians to the following effect:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"GENTLEMEN,
+
+"The free and unsolicited choice with which you have called me to fill
+this chair, vacated by the death of that great character, Sir JOSHUA
+REYNOLDS, is so marked an instance of your friendship and good opinion,
+that it demands the immediate acknowledgment of my thanks, which I beg you
+to accept.
+
+"I feel more sensibly the dignity to which you have raised me, as I am
+placed in succession after so eminent a character, whose exalted
+professional abilities, and very excellent discourses delivered under this
+roof, have secured a lasting honor to this Institution and to the
+country; while his amiable dispositions, as a man, will make his loss to
+be long regretted by all who had the happiness to know him.
+
+"HIS MAJESTY having been graciously pleased to approve and confirm the
+choice which you have made of me as your President, it becomes my duty, as
+far as my humble abilities will permit, to study and pursue whatever may
+be the true interest, the prosperity, and the glory of this ACADEMY. In
+the prosecution of this duty, I can make no doubt of success, when I
+reflect that all the departments and classes of this Institution are
+filled with men of established professional reputation, selected from
+professors of the three great branches of art, which constitute the
+objects of your studies and, when I see this union of abilities
+strengthened by many ingenious productions of other able artists, who,
+although they have not as yet the honour of belonging to this body, will,
+nevertheless, enable us to maintain the accustomed brilliancy of our
+Exhibitions, and, consequently, to secure to us the approbation of a
+liberal and judicious public.
+
+"The Exhibitions are of the greatest importance to this Institution; and
+the Institution is become of great importance to the country. Here
+ingenious youth are instructed in the art of design; and the instruction
+acquired in this place, has spread itself through the various manufactures
+of this country, to which it has given a taste that is able to convert the
+most common and simple materials into rare and valuable articles of
+commerce. Those articles the British merchant sends forth into all the
+quarters of the world, where they stand preeminent over the productions of
+other nations.
+
+"But important as this is, there is another consequence of a more exalted
+kind; I mean, the cultivating of those higher excellences in refined art,
+which have never failed to secure to nations and to the individuals who
+have nourished them, an immortality of fame, which no other circumstances
+have been equally able to perpetuate. For it is by those higher and more
+refined excellences of painting, sculpture, and architecture, that Grecian
+and Roman greatness are transmitted down to the age in which we live, as
+if it was still in existence. Many centuries have elapsed since Greeks and
+Romans have been overthrown and dissolved as a people; but other nations,
+by whom similar refinements were not cultivated, are erased from the face
+of the earth, without leaving any monument or vestige to give the
+demonstration that they were ever great.
+
+"It may, therefore, be fairly assumed, that an ACADEMY, whose objects and
+effects are so enlightened and extensive as those which are prosecuted
+here, is highly worthy of the protection of a patriot-king, of a dignified
+nobility, and of a wise people.
+
+"Another circumstance, permit me, gentlemen, to mention, because I can
+speak of it with peculiar satisfaction, as important to the best
+interests of this Institution, and with the fullest assurance of its
+truth, from the personal knowledge I have had of you all, and the intimacy
+in which I have stood with most of you; it is this, that I have ever found
+you steadily determined to support the regulations under which this
+ACADEMY has been governed, and brought to its present conspicuous
+situation, and by an attention to which, we shall always be sure to go on
+with the greatest prudence and advantage.
+
+"It is a matter of no less satisfaction to me, when I say, that I have
+always observed your bosoms to glow with gratitude and loyal affection to
+our August Founder, Patron, and Benefactor. I am convinced, it is your
+wish to retain His friendship, and the friendship of every branch of His
+Illustrious Family. I know these to be your sentiments, and they are
+sentiments in which I participate with you. In every situation of my life
+it shall be my invariable study to demonstrate my duty to my sovereign, my
+love for this Institution, and my zeal for the cultivation of genius, and
+the growth of universal virtue."
+
+Mr. West having thus been raised to the head of an institution, embracing
+within itself the most distinguished artists at that time in the world, it
+might be proper to pause here to review the merits of the works and
+exertions by which he acquired this eminent honour, had he not, since that
+time, attained still more distinction in his profession. I shall, however,
+for the present, suspend the consideration of his progress, as an artist,
+to trace his efforts, in the situation of President of the Royal Academy,
+to promote the improvement of the pupils, by those occasional discourses,
+which, in imitation of the excellent example of Sir Joshua Reynolds, he
+deemed it an essential part of his duty to deliver.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+
+
+    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.
+
+Mr. West's first discourse to the students of the Royal Academy was
+delivered on the 10th of December, 1792, on the occasion of the
+distribution of the prizes. Without ostensibly differing in his views from
+Sir Joshua Reynolds, who by his lectures acquired, as an author, a degree
+of celebrity equal to his fame as an artist, the new President confined
+himself more strictly to professional topics. He recalled to the
+remembrance of his auditors the circumstances in which the Academy
+originated, and reminded them of the encouragement which the efforts of
+artists had received from the countenance which the King had given to the
+arts. "Let those," said he, "who have traced the progress of the fine
+arts, say among what people did the arts rise, from such a state as that
+in which they were in this country about forty years ago, to the height
+which they have attained here in so short a period. In ancient Greece,
+from the retreat of Xerxes, when they were in their infancy, to the age of
+Alexander the Great, when they reached their maturity, we find a period of
+no less than one hundred and fifty years elapsed. In Rome we can make no
+calculation directly applicable; for among the Romans the habit of
+employing Greek artists, and the rage of collecting, suffered no distinct
+traces to be left of the progress of the arts among them. Even in
+architecture, to which their claims were most obviously decided, we see
+not sufficiently the gradations of their own peculiar taste and genius.
+But in modern Italy, leaving out of view the age of Cimabue, and even that
+of Giotto, and dating from the institution of the Academy of St. Luke at
+Florence, it required a hundred and fifty years to produce a Michael
+Angelo, a Raphael, and a Bramante."
+
+Mr. West, after a few general observations on the necessary union between
+moral conduct and good taste, adverts to the alleged influence which such
+institutions as the Royal Academy have in producing mannerism in the
+students, than which nothing can be more obnoxious to the progress of
+refined art. "But," said he, "while I am urging the advantage of freedom
+and nature in study to genius, let me not be misunderstood. There is no
+untruth in the idea that great wits are allied to great eccentricity.
+Genius is apt to run wild if not brought under some regulation. It is a
+flood whose current will be dangerous if it is not kept within proper
+banks. But it is one thing to regulate its impetuosity, and another very
+different to direct its natural courses. In every branch of art there are
+certain laws by which genius may be chastened; but the corrections gained
+by attention to these laws amputate nothing that is legitimate, pure, and
+elegant. Leaving these graces untouched, the schools of art have dominion
+enough in curbing what is wild, irregular, and absurd.
+
+"A college of art founded in this part of the world cannot be expected,
+like a college of literature, to lay before its young members all that may
+be necessary to complete their knowledge and taste. What is to be had from
+books may be obtained almost every where; but the books of instruction by
+which the artist alone can be perfected, are those great works which still
+remain immoveable in that part of the world, where the fine arts in modern
+times have been carried to their highest degree of perfection. I trust a
+period will come, when this Academy will be able to send the young artist,
+not from one spot or one seminary to another, but to gather improvement
+from every celebrated work of art wherever situated. But the progress and
+all future success of the artist must depend upon himself. He must be in
+love with his art or he will never excel in it.
+
+"That the arts of design were among the first suggestions vouchsafed by
+Heaven to mankind, is not a proposition at which any man needs to start.
+This truth is indeed manifested by every little child, whose first essay
+is to make for itself the resemblance of some object to which it has been
+accustomed in the nursery.
+
+"In the arts of design were conveyed the original means of communicating
+ideas, which the discoverers of countries show us to have been seized
+upon, as it were involuntarily, by all the first stages of society.
+Although the people were rude in knowledge and in manners, yet they were
+possessed of the means by which they could draw figures of things, and
+they could make those figures speak their purposes to others as well as to
+themselves. The Mexicans conversed in that way when Cortes came among
+them; and the savages of North America still employ the same means of
+communicating intelligence.
+
+"When, therefore, you have taken up the arts of design as your profession,
+you have embraced that which has not only been sanctioned by the
+cultivation of the earliest antiquity, but to which their is no antiquity
+prior, except that of the visible creation.
+
+"Religion itself in the earlier days of the world, would probably have
+failed in its progress without the arts of design, for religion was then
+emblematic; and what could an emblematic theology do without the aid of
+the fine arts, and especially the art of sculpture? Religion and the arts,
+in fact, sprung up together, were introduced by the same people, and went
+hand in hand, first through the continent of Asia, then through Egypt,
+next through Greece and her colonies, and in process of time through every
+part of Italy, and even to the north of Europe. In the pagodas of India,
+in some caverns of Media, and among various ruins in Persia, are still to
+be seen the early monuments of emblematic art, and wrought in all the
+possible difficulties of skill.
+
+"When in the space of two thousand years, after the erection of some of
+those monuments, the fine arts came to be established in Greece in a
+better spirit as to taste, a higher estimation could not be annexed to any
+circumstance in society, than was given to the arts by the wise and
+elegant inhabitants of that country. They regarded them as their public
+records, as the means of perpetuating all public fame, all private
+honour, and all valuable instruction. The professors of them were
+considered as public characters who watched over the events that were
+passing, and who had in their hands the power of embodying them for ever.
+And is not this still the case with the artists of every country, how
+varied soever may be its maxims, or its system of action, from those of
+Greece? Is the artist indeed not that watchman who observes the great
+incidents of his time, and rescues them from oblivion?
+
+"When he turns from these views to contemplate the patronage which has
+been given to the fine arts, will he have less reason to esteem his
+profession,--a profession so richly cherished by all the greatest
+characters of the earth? and which in return has immortalised its patrons.
+Posterity has never ceased to venerate the names of the Cosmos and
+Lorenzos who sought art, and fostered to their full maturity the various
+talents of their countrymen. The palace of the Medici, still existing in
+Florence, exhibits not only in its treasures the proofs of their
+munificence, but also within its walls those apartments and offices for
+artists, in every branch which those great men considered requisite to the
+decoration of their residence. And history has immortalised the solicitude
+with which the vast fortune of the family, acquired originally in
+honourable commerce, and rising gloriously to sovereign power, was made
+contributory to the nourishing of the arts and literature; of every thing
+that was intellectual, liberal, and great."
+
+Mr. West then continued to enumerate the honour which the successive
+illustrious patrons of the fine arts have acquired, deducing from it
+motives of emulation to the young students to strive for similar
+distinction, that their names may be mingled with those illustrious races
+and families to whom Heaven is pleased to give superior eminence and
+influence in human affairs. In doing this he took occasion to animadvert
+on the base adulation of the artists of France in the age of Louis XIV.;
+or rather of the dishonour which the patronage of that monarch has drawn
+upon himself, by the unworthy manner in which he required the artists to
+gratify his personal vanity. He then proceeded to give some professional
+advice. "I wish," said he, "to leave this impression on the minds of all
+who hear me, that the great alphabet of our art is the human figure. By a
+competent knowledge of that figure the painter will be enabled to give a
+more just character and motion to that which he intends to delineate. When
+that motion is actuated by passion, and combined with other figures,
+groups are formed. These groups make words, and these words make
+sentences; by which the painter's tablet speaks a universal language;" and
+he concluded with saying, "Gentlemen, It is a great treasure and a great
+trust which is put into our hands. The fine arts were late before they
+crossed the British Channel, but now we may fairly pronounce that they
+have made their special abode with us. There is nothing in this climate
+unpropitious to their growth; and if the idea has been conceived in the
+world, enough has been done by the artists of Great Britain to disprove
+it. I know that I am speaking to the first professional characters in
+Europe in every branch of elegant art, as well as those who are most
+distinguished in taste and judgment. If there be diffused through this
+country a spirit of encouragement equal to the abilities which are ripe to
+meet it, I may venture to predict that the sun of our arts will have a
+long and glorious career."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IX.
+
+
+
+    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.
+
+The prizes in the Royal Academy being distributed every second year, on
+the 10th of December, 1794, Mr. West delivered another Discourse, in which
+he took a more scientific view of the principles of the fine arts, than in
+the desultory observations which constituted the substance of his first
+lecture. As it contained much valuable information, mixed up with remarks
+incidental to the occasion, I have taken the liberty of abstracting the
+professional instruction from the less important matter, in order to give
+what deserves to be preserved and generally known in a concise and an
+unbroken form.
+
+"It may be assumed," said Mr. West, "as an unquestionable principle, that
+the artist who has made himself master of the drawing of the human figure,
+in its moral and physical expression, will succeed not only in
+portrait-painting, but in the delineation of animals, and even of still
+life, much better than if he had directed his attention to inferior
+objects. For the human figure in that point of consideration, in which it
+becomes a model to art, is more beautiful than any other in nature; and is
+distinguished, above every other, by the variety of the phenomena which it
+exhibits, arising from the different modifications of feeling and passion.
+In my opinion, it would, therefore, be of incalculable advantage to the
+public, if the drawing of the human figure were taught as an elementary
+essential in education. It would do more than any other species of oral or
+written instruction, to implant among the youth of the noble and opulent
+classes that correctness of taste which is so ornamental to their rank in
+society; while it would guide the artizan in the improvement of his
+productions in such a manner, as greatly to enrich the stock of
+manufactures, and to increase the articles of commerce; and, as the sight
+is perhaps the most delightful of all our senses, this education of the
+eye would multiply the sources of enjoyment.
+
+"The value of the cultivated ear is well understood; and the time bestowed
+on the acquisition of the universal language of music, is abundantly
+repaid by the gratification which it affords, although not employed in the
+communication of knowledge, but merely as a source of agreeable sensation.
+Were the same attention paid to the improvement of the eye, which is given
+to that of the ear, should we not be rewarded with as great an increase of
+the blameless pleasures of life,--from the power of discriminating hues
+and forms,--as we derive from the knowledge of musical proportions and
+sounds? The cultivation of the sense of sight would have such an effect in
+improving even the faculty of executing those productions of mechanical
+labour which constitute so large a portion of the riches of a commercial
+and refined people, that it ought to be regarded among the mere operative
+classes of society as a primary object in the education of their
+apprentices. Indeed, it may be confidently asserted, that an artizan,
+accustomed to an accurate discrimination of outline, will, more readily
+than another not educated with equal care in that particular, perceive the
+fitness or defects of every species of mechanical contrivance; and, in
+consequence, be enabled to suggest expedients which would tend to enlarge
+the field of invention. We can form no idea to ourselves how many of the
+imperfections in the most ingenious of our machines and engines would have
+been obviated, had the inventors been accustomed to draw with accuracy.
+
+"But, to the student of the fine arts, this important branch of education
+will yield but few of the advantages which it is calculated to afford,
+unless his studies are directed by a philosophical spirit, and the
+observation of physical expression rendered conducive to some moral
+purpose. Without the guidance of such a spirit, painting and sculpture
+are but ornamental manufactures; and the works of Raphael and Michael
+Angelo, considered without reference to the manifestations which they
+exhibit of moral influence, possess no merit beyond the productions of the
+ordinary paper-hanger.
+
+"The first operation of this philosophical spirit will lead the student to
+contemplate the general form of the figure as an object of beauty; and
+thence instruct him to analyse the use and form of every separate part;
+the relation and mutual aid of the parts to each other; and the necessary
+effect of the whole in unison.
+
+"By an investigation of this kind, he will arrive at what constitutes
+character in art; and, in pursuing his analysis, he will discover that the
+general construction of the human figure in the male indicates strength
+and activity; and that the form of the individual man, in proportion to
+the power of being active, is more or less perfect. In the male, the
+degree of beauty depends on the degree of activity with which all the
+parts of the body are capable of performing their respective and mutual
+functions; but the characteristics of perfection of form in the female are
+very different; delicacy of frame and modesty of demeanour, with less
+capability to be active, constitute the peculiar graces of woman.
+
+"When the student has settled in his own mind the general and primary
+characteristics, in either sex, of the human figure, the next step will
+enable him to reduce the particular character of his subject into its
+proper class, whether it rank under the sublime or the beautiful, the
+heroic or the graceful, the masculine or the feminine, or in any of its
+other softer or more spirited distinctions. For the course of his studies
+will have made him acquainted with the moral operations of character, as
+they are expressed upon the external form; and the habit of
+discrimination, thus acquired, will have taught him the action or attitude
+by which all moral movements of character are usually accompanied. By this
+knowledge of the general figure, this habitual aptitude to perceive the
+beauty and fitness of its parts, and of the correspondence between the
+emotions of the mind and the actions of the body, he will find himself in
+possession of all that Zeuxis sought for in the graces of the different
+beautiful women whom he collected together, that he might be enabled to
+paint a proper picture of Helen; and it is the happy result of this
+knowledge which we see in the Apollo Belvidere and the Venus de Medici,
+that renders them so valuable as objects of study.
+
+"But the student must be always careful to distinguish between objects of
+study and objects of imitation; for the works which will best improve his
+taste and exalt his imagination, are precisely those which he should least
+endeavour to imitate; because, in proportion to their appropriate
+excellences, their beauties are limited in their application.
+
+"The Apollo is represented by the mythologists as a perfect man, in the
+vigour of life; tall, handsome and animated; his locks rising and floating
+on the wind; accomplished in mind and body; skilled in the benevolent art
+of alleviating pain; music his delight, and poetry and song his continual
+recreation. His activity was shown in dancing, running, and the manly
+exercises of the quoit, the sling, and the bow. He was swift in his
+pursuits, and terrible in his anger.--Such was the Pythian Apollo; and
+were a sculptor to think of forming the statue of such a character, would
+he not determine that his body, strong and vigorous from constant
+exercise, should be nobly erect; that, as his lungs were expanded by
+habits of swiftness in the chase, his chest should be large and full; that
+his thighs, as the source of movement in his legs, should have the
+appearance of enlarged vigour and solidity; and that his legs, in a
+similar manner, should also possess uncommon strength to induce and
+propagate the action of the feet? The nostrils ought to be elevated,
+because the quick respirations of running and dancing would naturally
+produce that effect; and, for the same reason, the mouth should appear to
+be habitually a little open. While his arms, firm and nervous by the
+exercise of the quoit, the sling, and the bow, should participate in the
+general vigour and agility of the other members;--and would not this be
+the Apollo Belvidere?
+
+"Were the young artist, in like manner, to propose to himself a subject in
+which he would endeavour to represent the peculiar excellences of woman,
+would he not say, that these excellences consist in a virtuous mind, a
+modest mien, a tranquil deportment, and a gracefulness in motion? And, in
+embodying the combined beauty of these qualities, would he not bestow on
+the figure a general, smooth, and round fulness of form, to indicate the
+softness of character; bend the head gently forward, in the common
+attitude of modesty; and awaken our ideas of the slow and graceful
+movements peculiar to the sex, by limbs free from that masculine and
+sinewy expression which is the consequence of active exercise?--and such
+is the Venus de Medici. It would be utterly impossible to place a person
+so formed in the attitude of the Apollo, without destroying all those
+amiable and gentle associations of the mind which are inspired by
+contemplating 'the statue which enchants the world.'
+
+"Art affords no finer specimens of the successful application of the
+principles which I have laid down than in those two noble productions."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. X.
+
+
+
+    Discourse to the Academy in 1797.--On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks in
+    Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Drawing.--Of Light
+    and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.--Illustration.--Of
+    the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine Pictures.--Of
+    Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from Sketching;--and of
+    the Advantage of being familiar with the Characteristics of Objects
+    in Nature.
+
+In the discourse which Mr. West delivered from the chair of the Academy in
+1797, he resumed the subject which he had but slightly opened, in that of
+which the foregoing chapter contains the substance. I shall therefore
+endeavour in the same manner, and as correctly as I can, to present a view
+of the mode in which he treated his argument, and as nearly as possible in
+his own language.
+
+"As the foundation of those philosophical principles," said Mr. West, "on
+which the whole power of art must rest, I wish to direct the attention of
+the student, especially in painting and sculpture, to an early study of
+the human figure, with reference to proportion, expression, and character.
+
+"When I speak of painting and sculpture, it is not my intention to pass
+over architecture, as if it were less dependent on philosophical
+principles, although what I have chiefly to observe with respect to it
+relates to embellishment;--a branch of art which artists are too apt to
+regard as not under the control of any principle, but subject only to
+their own taste and fancy. If the young architect commences his career
+with this erroneous notion, he will be undone, if there is any just
+notions of his art in the country.
+
+"It is, therefore, necessary, as he derives his models from the ancients,
+that he should enquire into the origin of those embellishments with which
+the architects of antiquity decorated their various edifices. In the
+prosecution of his enquiries, he will find that the ornaments of temples
+and mausolea, may be traced back to the periods of emblematic art, and
+become convinced that the spoils of victims, and instruments of sacrifice,
+were appropriate ornaments of the temple; while urns, containing the ashes
+of the dead, and the tears of the surviving friends, were the invariable
+decorations of the mausoleum. The good taste of the classic ancients
+prevented them from ever intermixing the respective emblems of different
+buildings, or rather, in their minds custom preserved them from falling
+into such an incongruous error, as to place the ornaments belonging to the
+depositaries of the dead on triumphal arches, palaces, and public offices.
+They considered in the ornaments the character and purpose of the edifice;
+and they would have been ashamed to have thought it possible that their
+palaces might be mistaken for mausolea, or their tombs for the mansions of
+festivity.
+
+"Is the country in which we live free from the absurdities which confound
+these necessary distinctions? Have we never beheld on the porticoes of
+palaces, public halls, or places of amusement, the skins of animals
+devoted to the rites of the pagan religion, or vases consecrated to the
+ashes of the dead, or the tears of the living? Violations of sense and
+character, in this respect, are daily committed. We might, with as much
+propriety, adorn the friezes of our palaces and theatres with the skulls
+and cross thigh-bones of the human figure, which are the emblems of death
+in every country throughout modern Europe!
+
+"I do not here allude to any particular work, nor do I speak of this want
+of principle as general. It is indeed impossible that I can be supposed to
+mean the latter; for we have among us men distinguished in the profession
+of architecture, who would do honour to the most refined periods of
+antiquity. But all are not equally chaste; and in addressing myself to the
+young, it is my duty to guard them against those deviations from good
+taste, which, without such a caution, they might conceive to be sanctioned
+by some degree of example. It is my wish to preserve them from the
+innovations of caprice and fashion, to which the public is always prone;
+and to assure the youth of genius, that while he continues to found the
+merit of his works on true principles, he will always find,
+notwithstanding the apparent generality of any fashion, that there is no
+surer way, either to fame or fortune, than by acting in art, as well as
+life, on those principles which have received the sanction of experience,
+and the approbation of the wise of all ages.
+
+"I shall now return to the consideration of painting and sculpture.
+
+"The Greeks, above all others, afford us the best and most decided proofs
+of the beauty arising from the philosophical consideration of the subject
+intended to be represented. To all their deities a fixed and appropriate
+character was given, from which it would have perhaps been profanity to
+depart. This character was the result of a careful consideration of the
+ideal beauty suitable to the respective attributes of the different
+deities. Thus in their Jupiter, Neptune, Hercules, Vulcan, Mars, and
+Pluto; the Apollo, Mercury, Hymen, and Cupid, and also in the goddesses
+Juno, Minerva, Venus, Hebe, the Nymphs and Graces; appeared a vast
+discrimination of character, at the same time as true an individuality as
+if the different forms had been the works of Nature herself.
+
+"In your progress through that mechanical part of your professional
+education, which is directed to the acquisition of a perfect knowledge of
+the human figure, I recommend to you a scrupulous exactness in imitating
+what is immediately before you, in order that you may acquire the habit of
+observing with precision every object that presents itself to your sight.
+Accustom yourselves to draw all the deviations of the figure, till you are
+as much acquainted with them as with the alphabet of your own language,
+and can make them with as much facility as your letters; for they are
+indeed the letters and alphabet of your profession, whether it be painting
+or sculpture.
+
+"These divisions consist of the head, with its features taken in three
+points of view, front, back, and profile; the neck in like manner, also
+the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis; thigh, knee, leg, ankle, the carpus,
+metacarpus, and toes; the clavicula, arm, fore-arm, wrist, carpus,
+metacarpus, and fingers. While you are employed on these, it would be
+highly proper to have before you the osteology of the part on which you
+are engaged, as in that consists the foundation of your pursuit. And, in
+this period of your studies, I recommend that your drawings be
+geometrical, as when you draw and study a column with its base and
+capital. At the same time you should not neglect to gain a few points in
+perspective, particularly so far as to give effect to the square and
+cylinder, in order to know what constitutes the vanishing point, and point
+of distance, in the subject you are going to draw.
+
+"After you have perfected yourselves in the parts of the figure, begin to
+draw the Greek figures entire, with the same attention to correctness as
+when you drew the divisions in your earlier lessons. Attend to the
+perspective according to the vanishing point opposite to your eye. You
+will naturally seek to possess your mind with the special character of the
+figure before you;--and of all the Grecian figures, I would advise you to
+make from the Apollo and Venus a general measurement or standard for man
+and woman, taking the head and its features, as the part by which you
+measure the divisions of those figures.
+
+"Light and shade must not be neglected; for what you effect in drawing by
+the contour of the figure, light and shade must effect with the
+projections of those parts which front you in the figure. Light and shade
+there produce what becomes outline to another drawing of the same object
+in a right angle to the place where you sit.
+
+"It seems not impossible to reduce to the simplicity of rule or principle,
+what may have appeared difficult in this branch of art to young students,
+and may have been too often pursued at random by others. All forms in
+nature, both animate and inanimate, partake of the round form more than
+of any other shape; and when lighted, whether by the sun or flame, or by
+apertures admitting light, must have two relative extremes of light and
+shadow, two balancing tints, the illuminated and the reflected, divided by
+a middle tint or the aerial. The effect of illumination by flame or
+aperture, differs from that of the sun in this respect; the sun
+illuminates with parallel rays, which fall over all parts of the
+enlightened side of the subject, while the light of a flame or an aperture
+only strikes directly on the nearest point of the object, producing an
+effect which more or less resembles the illumination of the sun in
+proportion to the distance and dimensions of the object.
+
+"Let us then suppose a ball to be the object on which the light falls, in
+a direction of forty-five degrees or the diagonal of a square, and at a
+right angle from the ball to the place where you stand. One half of the
+ball will appear illuminated, and the other dark. This state of the two
+hemispheres constitutes the two masses of light and shadow. In the centre
+of the mass of light falls the focus of the illumination in the ball;
+between the centre of the illumination and the circle of the ball, where
+the illumination, reaches its extremity, lies what may be called the
+transparent tint; and between it and the dark side of the ball lies the
+serial or middle tint. The point of darkness, the extreme of shade, is
+diametrically opposite to the focus of illumination, between which and
+the aerial tint lies the tint of reflection. If the ball rests on a
+plain, it will throw a shadow equal in length to one diameter and a
+quarter of the ball. That shadow will be darker than the shade on the
+ball, and the darkest part will be where the plain and ball come in
+contact with each other.
+
+"This simple experiment, whether performed in the open sun-shine, or with
+artificial illumination, will lead you to the true principles of light and
+shade over all objects in nature, whether mountains, clouds, rocks, trees,
+single figures, or groups of figures. It would therefore be of great use,
+when you are going to give light and shade to any object, first to make
+the experiment of the ball, and in giving that light and shade, follow the
+lessons with which it will furnish you.
+
+"You will find that this experiment will instruct you, not only in the
+principles of light and shade, but also of colours; for that there is a
+corresponding hue with respect to colours is not to be disputed. In order
+to demonstrate this, place in the ball which you have illuminated, the
+prismatic colours, suiting their hues to those of the tints. Yellow will
+answer to the focus of illumination, and the other secondary and primary
+hues will fall into their proper places. Hence, on the enlightened side of
+a group or figure, you may lay yellow, orange, red, and then violet, but
+never on the side where the light recedes. On that side must come the
+other prismatic colours in their natural order. Yellow must pass to green,
+the green to blue, and the blue to purple. The primary colours of yellow,
+orange, and red, are the warm colours, and belong to the illuminated side
+of objects; the violet is the intermediate, and green, blue, and purple
+are the cold colours, and belong to the retiring parts of your
+composition.
+
+"On the same principle, and in the same order, must be placed the tints
+which compose the fleshy bodies of men and women, but so blended with
+each other, as to give the softness appropriate to the luminous quality
+and texture of flesh; paying attention, at the same time, to reflections
+on its surface from other objects, and to its participation of their
+colours. The latter is a distinct circumstance arising from accident.
+
+"When the sun illuminates a human body, in the same manner as the ball,
+the focus of the illumination in that body will partake of the yellow; and
+the luminous or transparent tint, will have the orange and the red. These
+produce, what is called, the carnation. The pure red, occasioned by the
+blood, lies in the lips, cheeks, joints, and extremities of the figure,
+and no where else. On the receding side of the focus is the local colour
+of the flesh, and on the receding side of that is the greenish tint; in
+the shade will fall the cold or bluish, and in the reflection will fall
+the tint of purple. The most perfect tint of ground, from which to relieve
+this arrangement of colours, is either blue, grey, or purple, for those
+colours partake of the complexion of the watery sky in which the rainbow
+appears, or the ground which best exhibits the prismatic colours.
+
+"In acquiring a practical knowledge of the happiest manner of distributing
+your colours according to nature, it will assist you, if you will copy
+with attention some pieces of Titian, Correggio, Reubens, and Vandyke; the
+masters in whose works you will most eminently find the system pursued,
+which I have endeavoured to illustrate by the simple image of the ball.
+
+"Having passed from the antique school, to that in which you draw after
+the living figure, still adhere to that scrupulous exactness of drawing
+with which you first set out; marking with precision the divisions of the
+figure. After you have made yourselves acquainted with the drawing of the
+living figure, you must then begin to enlarge your lines, and to give
+softness and breadth, to direct your attention to what constitutes style
+and character, and to discriminate these from what constitutes manner.
+
+"To assist you in this nice discrimination, consult the prints and works
+of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Hannibal Carracci. In them you will find
+the strongest and purest evidence of style and character, yet all
+differing from each other, and all equally brought out of nature. I do not
+recommend them with a view that you should adopt the style and character
+of any of them; but to show from those great examples, that style and
+character, although ever founded in nature, are as various as the
+individual genius of every artist; that they are as free to you as they
+were to those masters; that if you will consult your own mind, you will
+draw forth a style and character of your own, and therefore no man can
+ever be excused for sinking into a mannerist.
+
+"And I cannot omit to observe here, that in the order of your studies,
+your mental powers should be cherished and brought into action by reading
+and reflection, but not until you have acquired practical facility in your
+art. Too often it happens, and I have seen it with concern, that the
+presumption of youth, or the errors of instruction, have reversed this
+order, and have carried many to attempt essays of research and learning,
+before they were well grounded in the principles of professional practice.
+What other consequences can follow from such a course, but that the
+student will turn in discontent from his own productions, because they
+fall short of the ideas in his mind; and induce him, perhaps, to abandon,
+with disgust, a profession in which he might have shone with distinction,
+had he taken a right method of cultivating his own powers!
+
+"The great masters were all at an early age great in the mechanical
+department of their art, before they established any name by their
+philosophical style and character. Michael Angelo, when a mere youth,
+modelled and drew in a manner which astonished his own master. Raphael, at
+not more than nineteen years of age, rivalled his instructor, Pietro
+Perugino, in his executive talent; and, owing to this, he was enabled, at
+the age of only twenty-five, to send forth his two great works, _the
+Dispute on the Sacrament_, and _the School of Athens_. Guido, Bernini, and
+many others of the first class, pursued the same course of study, and
+were in the full possession of their powers very young. Vandyke, before he
+was twenty years old, assisted Reubens in his greatest works; and on a
+certain occasion, when the pupils of Reubens were amusing themselves in
+the absence of their master, one of them happened to fall against 'the
+Mother,' in the Descent from the Cross, which Vandyke repaired in a manner
+so admirable, that when the painter came next to the picture, he expressed
+himself surprised at the excellence of his own work, and said, that he
+thought he had not done that arm so well. In a word, wherever we find the
+executive power high at an early age, whether in painting or sculpture, we
+have an assurance of future excellence, which nothing but indolence can
+prevent. And, to give that early facility correctness of execution,
+remember and pursue the great maxim of Apelles:--
+
+  "'_Nulla dies, sine linea._'
+
+"The young artist may, indeed, draw lines every day and every hour with
+advantage, whether it be to amuse himself in society or in the fields. He
+should accustom himself to sketch every thing, especially what is rare and
+singular in nature. Let nothing of the animate creation on the earth, or
+in the air, or in the water, pass you unnoticed; especially those which
+are distinguished for their picturesque beauty, or remarkable for dignity
+of form or elegance of colour. Fix them distinctly in your sketch-book and
+in your memory. Observe, with the same contemplative eye, the landscape,
+the appearance of trees, figures dispersed around, and their aerial
+distance, as well as lineal forms. In this class of observations, omit not
+to observe the light and shade, in consequence of the sun's rays being
+intercepted by clouds or other accidents. Besides this, let your mind be
+familiar with the characteristics of the ocean; mark its calm dignity when
+undisturbed by the winds, and all its various states between that and its
+terrible sublimity when agitated by the tempest. Sketch with attention its
+foaming and winding coasts with distant land, and that awful line which
+separates it from the Heavens. Replenished with these stores, your
+imagination will then come forth as a river, collected from little
+springs, spreads into might and majesty. The hand will then readily
+execute what it has been so practised in acquiring; while the mind will
+embrace its subjects with confidence, by being so well accustomed to
+observe their picturesque effect."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XI.
+
+
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.
+
+It is not my intention to give all the discourses which Mr. West addressed
+to the students of the Academy, but only those which contain, what may be
+called, illustrations of the principles of his art. The following,
+however, is so interesting and so various in its matter, that it would be
+improper in me to make any attempt to garble or abridge it, beyond
+omitting the mere incidental notice of temporary circumstances.
+
+"The discourse which I am about to deliver, according to usual custom on
+the return of this day, must be considered as addressed more immediately
+to those among the students, who have made so much progress in art, as to
+be masters of the human figure, of perspective, and of those other parts
+of study, which I have heretofore recommended as the elements of painting
+and sculpture; and who are therefore about to enter on the higher paths of
+professional excellence. It will consequently be my object, now, to show
+how that excellence is to be attained; and this will best be done, as I
+conceive, by showing how it has been attained by others, in whom that
+excellence has been most distinguished in the ancient and modern world. By
+pursuing the principles on which they moved, you have the best
+encouragement in their illustrious example, while, by neglecting those
+principles, you can have no more reason to hope for such success as they
+met with, than you can think of reaching a distant land, without road or
+compass to direct your steps.
+
+"The ground which I shall propose for your attention is this--to
+investigate those philosophical principles on which all truth of character
+is founded, and by which that sublime attainment, the highest refinement
+in art, and without which every thing else is merely mechanical, may be
+brought to a decided point, in all the variety by which it is
+distinguished through the animated world.
+
+"On this ground, and on this alone, rose Phidias and Apelles to the
+celebrity which they held among the Greeks; and among the Italians,
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, and some
+others, who became the completest models in sculpture and painting. Their
+predecessors, indeed, in both countries, had for a considerable time been
+preparing the way, but not having equally studied the best means, or those
+means not having been equally before them, it was reserved of course for
+the great characters I have mentioned, to unite philosophical with
+professional truth, and to exhibit to the world in their works the
+standards of style. From the same source arose another consequence, ever
+worthy and pleasing to be mentioned;--the exhibition of those perfections
+was always accompanied by that ardent patronage, which not only cheered
+their minds, and invigorated their powers, but has left a glory on their
+country, which no subsequent events have been able to obliterate, and
+which never will be obliterated in any country where the sublimity of art,
+involving the most refined embellishments of civilized life, is cherished
+by those who are in a capacity to cherish it.
+
+"In a very early period of the arts in Greece, we meet with a circumstance
+which shows the advantages derived from consulting with philosophy, if it
+does not also show the origin and outset of those advantages. The
+circumstance to which I allude is, that in the period when the sculptors
+contented themselves with the stationary forms and appearance of figures,
+in imitation of their predecessors, the Egyptians; at that time they began
+to submit their works to the judgment of philosophers, one of whom, being
+called in to survey a statue, which a sculptor, then eminent, was going to
+expose to public view, remarked, that the human figure before him wanted
+motion, or that expression of intellect and will, from which motion and
+character too must arise; for man had a soul and mind, which put him at
+the head of the animal creation, and, therefore, without that soul and
+mind, the form of man was degraded.
+
+"This observation touched the point, then, necessary to be obviated, in
+order to overcome the primitive rudeness which still attached to
+sculpture; and without the application of the principle contained in the
+observation, sculpture and painting too might have stood still for ages.
+And from what other source than the principles of philosophic study, or,
+in other words, from reflection on the moral powers or passions of man,
+their several effects, as produced in their workings on the human figure,
+could that improvement be obtained? It was the constant employment of the
+philosophic mind, to study those causes and effects, and to reduce them to
+a more distinct display for the truth and utility of their own writings.
+The philosophers were, therefore, the most likely to assist the artist in
+those displays of character which tended to illustrate the truth of his
+own works. Nor on this account is it any disparagement to the artists of
+those days, when philosophic studies were confined to particular classes
+of men, that this moral view of art was not sufficiently taken up by the
+more mechanical part of the profession.
+
+"Thus, however, the opening was made to the important expression of
+character. And the lesson suggested by the philosopher alluded to, is not
+confined to the Greeks alone. I wish, young gentlemen, to leave it in all
+its force upon your minds. For if the figures you design, whether singly
+or in groups, have not their actions correspondent to what their minds
+appear to be pursuing, they will suit any other subject as well as that in
+which they are placed. This remark is the more worthy of attention, as it
+does not apply to any of the figures of the Grecian masters whom I have
+mentioned. The figure by Phidias on Monte Cavallo at Rome, the Apollo, the
+Laocoon, the Venus, the Hercules, and the fighting gladiator, are all
+perfect on the just principles I have mentioned. There is no room for
+amendment; their propriety is unquestionable; their truth eternal. And so
+in the works of modern art, we see the same truth and perfection in the
+Capella Sestina by Michael Angelo, in the Supper by Leonardo da Vinci at
+Milan, in the Cartoons by Raphael, the St. Peter Martyr by Titian, and the
+Note by Correggio.
+
+"Having mentioned the figure on Monte Cavallo, representing, as you all
+know, a young man curbing a horse, I cannot help stopping to remark, that
+if any work of sculpture ever demonstrated more strongly the value of
+uniting philosophic science with that of art, for the production of
+character, it is that work by Phidias. Never did the power of art express
+more evidently than is done in the head of the young man, that every
+feature is moved by an internal mental power, and corresponds in the most
+perfect truth with what we see to be the labouring passion. When we view
+it in front we are astonished that the mouth does not speak. No observer
+ever thinks that the head is a block of stone. But the whole group is
+masterly on the most refined principles of science. It was intended to be
+seen at an elevated point, as well as at a distant one. All its forms,
+therefore, are grand without the minutiae of parts; its effects are
+striking and momentary; and in every circumstance considered, it is
+plainly the work of consummate genius and science united.
+
+"Was it possible that in an age which gave a Phidias to the Greeks,
+there should not have been a Pericles to reward, by his patronage, merit
+so exalted?
+
+"We may carry the same reflections into the progress of the pencil. As the
+Greeks became refined in their minds, they gained an Apelles to paint, and
+an Alexander to patronise. We are not enabled now to speak of the works of
+that great master. His figure of Alexander, in the character of young
+Ammon, is described as his master-piece. Such was the expression with
+which the hand grasped the thunder-bolt, that it seemed actually to start
+from the pannel. The expression and force of character given to the whole,
+was equally marvellous. And when we consider the refinement to which the
+human mind had then arrived among the Greeks, the immense value which
+they put upon the works of that artist, and that they were too wise to
+devote their applause to things which fell short of consummate excellence,
+we cannot doubt but it was by the cultivation of the public mind that the
+arts reached such attainments among them. What must have been their
+exquisite state when the simple line drawn by Protogenes,--in the
+consciousness of his acknowledged perfection, and which was intended to
+announce the man who drew it, as much as if he had told his name,--was so
+far excelled by another simple line over it by Apelles, that the former at
+once confessed himself outdone? Those two lines, simple as they were, were
+by no means trifling in their instruction. They gave us, as it were, an
+epitome of the progress which the arts had long been making in Greece. For
+if the drawing of a simple line, of such a master as Protogenes, who was
+conceived by many to hold the first pencil in the world, was surpassed, to
+his great surprise, by another, how high must refinement have been raised
+by the exertions of the artists in a period so emulous of perfection!
+
+"The stages in the progress of modern art, have been frequently
+distinguished by ages similar to those which succeed one another in the
+human growth. We may safely assert, that in the infantine and youthful
+period of modern art, literature and science were only seen in their
+infancy and growth. The opening of nature displayed in the works of
+Massaccio; the graces exhibited in those of Lorenzo Ghiberti; and the
+advancement in perspective made by one or two others, kept pace nearly
+with that progress in philosophy which appeared in the best writings of
+those days. As the one took a larger step in the next stage or period, the
+other stepped forth in a like degree at the same time; so that in Leonardo
+da Vinci we see the great painter and the great philosopher: his painting
+most clearly refined in its principles, and enlarged in its powers by his
+philosophical studies. As a philosopher, and especially in those parts of
+knowledge which were most interesting to his profession, he laid that
+foundation of science which has ever since been adopted and admired. As a
+painter, he not only went far beyond his predecessors, but laid down those
+principles of science in the expression of individual character, and of a
+soul and figure specifically and completely appropriated to each other,
+which opened the way to the greatness acquired by those who followed him
+in his studies. In that point of excellence, Leonardo da Vinci was
+original; and it was the natural result of a mind like his, formed to
+philosophical investigation, and deeply attentive to all the variety of
+appearances by which the passions are marked in the human countenance and
+frame. These he traced to their sources: he found them in their radical
+principles, and by his knowledge of these principles, his expression of
+character became perfected.
+
+"The _nature_ exhibited by Massaccio had not gone to that extent of
+expression. It however spoke a soul: he drew forth an inward mind on the
+outward countenance: he gave a character; but that character was not so
+discriminated as to become the index of one particular passion more than
+another; or to decide, for instance, the head of Jupiter from that of a
+Minerva: so at with the aid, of different types, it should not befit a
+Saviour or a Magdalene.
+
+"We must take along with us in this review, that the splendid patronage of
+the house of Medici came forward, to meet, and to cherish the happy
+advancements made by the masters of those days; so that Florence, which
+was then the greatest seat of the arts, was no less brilliant and
+illustrious in the generosity which strove to perpetuate them, than in the
+genius by which they had been cultivated.
+
+"Leonardo da Vinci, by the principles which he so effectually realised,
+has always been considered as having established the manly as well as the
+graceful age of modern art. But manhood is never so fixed as to be
+incapable of progress. The manhood then attained in art was capable of
+farther advancement beyond the growth which the powers of Da Vinci had
+given it. This was eminently illustrated by the sublimity of style which
+was attained by the genius of Michael Angelo and of Raphael;--quality
+equally original in both, although issuing from different principles. In
+the former, it was founded on that force and grandeur, allied to poetic
+spirit, which rises above all that is common, and leaves behind it all
+that is tame and simply correct; which, not content with engaging the
+senses, seizes on the imagination, while it never departs from truth. In
+the latter, it was made up of the beautiful and graceful, which attracts
+by the assemblage of whatever is most perfect and elevated in the
+character or subject.
+
+"Raphael coming somewhat later than Michael Angelo on the theatre of art,
+had the advantage of many of that master's works, as well as of all the
+improvements which had been made before. His life was a short one, and the
+first studies of it were almost lost in the dry school of Pietro Perugino.
+But he soon found his way to the philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci, and to
+the profound principles on which his admirable expression of character is
+founded. The dignity of drapery, and of light and shade, opened by
+Bartolomeo, invited his studies; and the sublimity of the human figure in
+the sculptures of his cotemporary, Michael Angelo, fastened on his
+contemplation. Thus he entered at once, as it were, into the inheritance
+of whatever excellencies had been produced before him. With these
+advantages he was called to adorn the apartments of the Vatican. And can
+we wonder that his first works there, at the age of seven-and-twenty, were
+the Dispute on the Sacrament, and the School of Athens?
+
+"But what was it that contributed very much to the production of those
+works? It was not the profound studies of Raphael's mind, but the spirit
+of the age which warmed those studies.--It was a great age, in which
+learning and science were become diffused, at least throughout Europe:--a
+great age replete with characters studious of philosophy; and, therefore,
+fond of the instruction conveyed by the arts;--fond of those high and
+more profound compositions which entered into the spirit of superior
+character, and made some study and research necessary to develope their
+beauties. To meet the taste of such an age, the two first public works of
+Raphael, above mentioned, were well suited, inasmuch as they were
+intended to convey the comparative views of theology and human science,
+or, in other words, the improvement of the human mind arising from the
+two great sources of national wisdom and revealed light. It must not also
+be forgotten, that while the spirit of the age was warming his mind to
+the peculiar dignity of theme and style which marks his works, the
+generous and noble patronage of the papal court was exerting its utmost
+power to immortalise him, and every other great master that arose within
+the circle of its influence. Their merit and their fame found as animated
+a protector in Leo X. as Phidias experienced in Pericles, or Apelles in
+Alexander the Great.
+
+"As the Florentine and Roman schools were thus gradually refined in the
+excellence of design and character, by the aid of philosophical studies;
+so the Venetian masters were equally indebted to the like studies, without
+which, they would never have reached their admirable system of colouring.
+If any have conceived otherwise, they have taken a very superficial view
+of their system. Where is there greater science concerned than in the
+whole theory of colours? It employed the investigation of Newton; and
+shall that pass for a common or easy attainment which took up so much of
+his profound studies? The Venetian masters had been long working their way
+to the radical principles of this science, not only for a just and perfect
+arrangement of their colouring, but for that clear and transparent system
+in the use of it, which have equally marked that school in the days of its
+maturity under Titian. He it was who established, on unerring principles,
+founded on nature and truth, that accomplished system which John Bellini
+had first laboured to discover, and in which Giorgioni had made further
+advancements. Besides his zeal in his profession, Titian was born in that
+higher rank of life which might be supposed to give him an easier access
+to the elegant studies of philosophic science; and he had prosecuted, with
+great ardour, the science of chemisty, the better to understand the
+properties of colour, their homogeneous blendings, purity, and duration;
+as well as the properties of oils, gums, and other fluids, which might
+form the fittest vehicles to convey his colours upon canvass.
+
+"The elegant Charles V. was to Titian in liberal pratronage what Leo X.
+was to Raphael. That munificent prince carried him into Spain, where his
+works laid the foundation of the Spanish school in painting, and gave a
+relish for that art to all the succeeding monarchs.
+
+"What has been remarked respecting Titian and the Venetian school, is
+equally true of that of Correggio among the Lombard painters. The mind of
+Correggio appears evidently, by his works, to have been profoundly
+enlightened; and especially in the philosophical arrangement and general
+doctrine of colours. What has been said by some concerning the low
+circumstances of his fortune, (which is not true,) neither proves the
+obscurity of his birth, nor that philosophical researches were out of his
+reach, or beside his emulation. The truth is, that he was born of a very
+honourable family, and was accomplished in the elegancies of life; not
+that it is necessary for any man to have the advantages of birth, in
+order to become enlightened by science in any way whatever. The patronage
+which attended him was of the most elevated kind, being dispensed by the
+illustrious houses of Mantua and Modena, as well as by the institution of
+the Doma of Parma. But what is by no means less worthy of our notice is,
+that of all the masters who have risen up in any of the schools of Italy,
+not one has been the means of giving success and reputation to those who
+have followed any of their respective styles equally with Correggio. The
+ineffable softness, sweetness, and grace in his paintings, have never
+varied in their effects with the course of time. And they who have since
+partaken of these powers in his style, have very generally become great
+masters, (distinguished by none of the excesses which have sometimes
+attended the imitation of other models,) and successful in gainng the
+approbation and favour of the world.
+
+"The paths pursued by those great examples must become yours, young
+gentlemen, or you can neither be eminent in colouring, nor sure in the
+execution of your art. It is possible, that by habits of practice, handed
+over from one to another, or by little managements in laying colours on
+the canvass, where little or nothing of the general science has been
+studied and attained, many may so far succeed as to avoid glaring errors,
+and a violation of those first principles which have their foundation in
+nature. But that success is at all times extremely hazardous and dependent
+on chance. More frequently it has introduced invincible conflicts between
+the primary and secondary colours, to the ruin of harmony and aerial
+perspective, and to the overthrow of the artist, whenever the picture is
+glanced upon by the eye of scientific discernment. Contemptible are the
+best of such managements, ever in the hands of those that know them best,
+compared with a full and masterly possession of the philosophy by which
+this part of your art must be guided. If the ordonnance of colour, on each
+figure and on the whole, is not disposed according to the immutable laws
+of the science, no fine effect, or accordant tones of colours, can
+possibly be produced. There is, therefore, but one way to make sure of
+success, and to raise your characters in this point, and that is by making
+yourselves masters of the whole philosophy of colours, as Titian and
+Correggio did, and some others, in whose works, from first to last, the
+minutest scrutiny will never find a colour misplaced or prejudiced by its
+disposition with others.
+
+"To be perfect, is the emulation which belongs to those arts in which you
+are engaged, and the anxious hope of the country in which you live. To
+animate you to that perfection, is the object of what I have now addressed
+to you. I am persuaded it is your ambition to be perfect. This Academy
+looks with pleasure on the progress of your studies, as it may look with
+pride on the high and cultivated state to which the arts have been raised
+among us ever since they have had the establishment of a regular school.
+It is no flattery to the present aera in Britain to say, that in no age of
+the world have the arts been carried in any country to such a summit as
+they now hold among us, in so short a period as half a century at most.
+Among the Greeks some centuries had elapsed, amidst no little emulation
+in the arts, before they obtained an Apelles. In modern Italy, without
+going as far back as we might, it took up a century from the appearance of
+Massaccio to the perfection of a Raphael. If, then, the British school has
+risen so much more speedily to that celebrity in art, which it is too well
+known and established to need any illustration here, what should hinder
+her professors from becoming the most distinguished rivals of the fame
+acquired by the Greeks and Italians, with a due perseverance in the
+studies which lead to perfection, and with those encouragements and
+support of patronage which are due to genius?
+
+"As the source of that patronage, we look up with affectionate gratitude
+to the benign and flattering attention of our most gracious Sovereign, to
+whose regard for the elegant arts, and munificent disposition to cherish
+every enlargement of science, and improvement of the human mind, his
+people are indebted for this public seminary, his own favoured
+Institution, and the first which this country has ever been so fortunate
+as to see established. Under his royal patronage and support, this Academy
+has risen to its present strength and flourishing condition. His
+patronage, which would be improperly estimated by mere expenditure, in a
+country not similar in the latitude of government, or in the controul over
+revenue, to ancient Greece or modern Italy, but properly by its diffusive
+influence, has been the source of every other patronage in the country;
+has inspired that refined taste and ardour for elegant arts, which have
+given in fact a new character to the people, and has raised within and
+without this Academy that body of distinguished men, whose works have
+contributed to immortalise his reign, as his love for the arts has become
+the means of immortalising them.
+
+"The patronage which has flowed from other quarters, deserves very
+honourable mention; and is of so much importance, that without it the
+spirit of art must droop, and the very profession of it be contracted in
+every situation whatever. It is not by the influence and support of any
+individual character, how elevated soever, or how warm soever in his
+attachment to taste and elegance, that the extent of professional talents
+spread through a country, can be effectually sustained with adequate
+encouragements. It is the wealthy and the great, who are commonly trained
+by their situations to the perception of what is elegant and refined, that
+must come forward in such an illustrious undertaking. It is only they who
+can meet every where the merit, let it be disseminated as it may, which is
+entitled, to distinction. Without the patronage of such, the arts could
+never have obtained their high meridian in Greece and Italy. Had not the
+communities and rich individuals in Greece taken the arts under their
+protection, not all the encouragement of Pericles, or of Alexander the
+Great, could have drawn forth that immense body of painting and sculpture
+which filled the country. Had the patronage of Italy rested with the popes
+and princes, unaccompanied by those munificent supports which flowed from
+the churches and convents, as well as from private individuals of rank and
+wealth, the galleries of that country could never have been so superbly
+filled as they were, nor could those collections have been made from
+thence, which have filled so many galleries and cabinets elsewhere.
+
+"These facts are not to be denied; but they also lead us to another
+lesson, which is, that the patronage so generally dispensed was for the
+protection of living genius, and that they by whom it was so dispensed
+sought no other collections than the works of native and living artists.
+On any other ground there can be no such thing as patronage. Nothing else
+is worthy of that name. The true and generous patron of great works
+selects those which are produced by the talents existing around him. By
+collecting from other countries, he may greatly enrich himself, but can
+never give celebrity to the country in which he lives. The encouragement
+extended to the genius of a single artist, though it may produce but one
+original work, adds more to the celebrity of a people, and is a higher
+proof of true patriotic ardour, and of a generous love for the progress of
+art, than all the collections that ever were made by the productions of
+other countries, and all the expenditures that ever were bestowed in
+making them. Did the habits of our domestic circumstances, like those of
+Italy, permit the ingenious student to have access to those works of
+established masters, procured by the spirit of their noble and wealthy
+possessors, and of many distinguished amateurs on the most liberal terms,
+and with the honourable purpose of forming the taste, as well as enriching
+the treasures, of the country, every thing would then be done, which is
+wanting to complete the public benefit of such collections, and the
+general gratitude to which they who have made them would be entitled. So
+abundant are the accomplished examples in art already introduced among us,
+that there would then be no necessity for students to run to other
+countries for those improvements which their own can furnish.
+
+"It cannot be improper at any time to make these remarks; while it must
+also be observed, that the patronage held forth by many great and noble
+characters needs no spur; and the means projected by other spirited
+individuals in opulent stations, for extending and perpetuating the works
+of British masters, fall short in no degree of the most fervid energies
+and examples, of which any country has been able to boast.
+
+"It is your duty, young gentlemen, to become accomplished in your
+professions, that you may keep alive those energies and examples of
+patronage, when you come to draw the attention of the world to your own
+works. It is by your success that the arts must be carried on and
+preserved here. Patronage can only be expected to follow what is eminently
+meritorious, and more especially that general patronage diffused through
+the more respectable ranks of society, which is to professional merit,
+what the ocean is to the earth;--the great fund from whence it must ever
+be refreshed, and without whose abundance, conveyed through innumerable
+channels, every thing must presently become dry, and all productions cease
+to exist."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XII.
+
+
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.
+
+After a careful examination of all the remaining notes of Mr. West, it
+appeared to me, that the discourse which he delivered on the 10th of
+December, 1811, was the only one that required particular notice, after
+those which I have already introduced. In some respects it will, perhaps,
+be deemed the most interesting of the whole.
+
+"The few points," said the President, "upon which I mean to touch in the
+present Discourse, are those which more immediately apply to the
+students, who are generously striving to attain excellence in the first
+class of refined art,--historical painting.
+
+"Whether their exertions are directed to painting, or the sister arts,
+architecture and sculpture, the first thing they must impress upon their
+minds, and engraft upon every shoot of their fancy, is that of the
+appropriate character, by which the subject they are about to treat, is
+distinguished from all other subjects. On this foundation, all the points
+of refined art which are, in the truest sense, intellectual, invariably
+rest; for without justness of character the works of the pencil can have
+but little value, and can never entitle the artist to the praise of a
+well-governed genius, or of possessing that philosophical precision of
+judgment, which is the source of excellence in the superior walk of his
+profession. At the same time, let it be indelibly fixed in your minds,
+that when decided character is to be given, that character must be
+accompanied by correctness of outline, whether it be in painting or in
+sculpture. Any representation of the human figure, in the higher
+department of art, wanting these requisites, is, to the feelings of the
+educated artist, deficient in that, for the loss of which no other
+excellency can compensate.
+
+"Architecture.--This department of art received its decided character from
+the Greeks. They distinctly fixed the embellishments to the several
+orders; and, by their adaptation of these embellishments and orders, their
+buildings obtained a distinct and appropriate character, which declared
+the uses for which they were erected.
+
+"The Romans, in their best era of taste, copied their Grecian instructors
+in that appropriate character of embellishment which explained, at a
+glance, the use of their respective buildings; but, in their latter ages,
+they declined from this original purity; and it is the fragments of that
+corruption, in which they lost the characteristic precision of the Greeks,
+that we have seen of late years employed upon many of our buildings. The
+want of mental reflection in employing the orders of architectures with a
+rational precision as to character, produces the same sort of deficiency
+which we find in an historical picture; where, although each figure, in
+correct proportion, be well drawn, with drapery elegantly folded, yet, not
+being employed appropriately to the subject, affords no satisfaction to
+the spectator.
+
+"The Greeks were in architecture what they were in sculpture; and it is to
+them you must look for the original purity of both. We feel rejoiced, that
+the exertions recently made by a noble personage to enrich our studies in
+both of these departments of art are such, that we may say, London has
+become the Athens for study. It is the mental power displayed in the Elgin
+marbles that I wish the juvenile artist to notice. Look at the equestrian
+groups of the young Athenians in this collection, and you will find in
+them that momentary motion which life gives on the occasion to the riders
+and their horses. The horse we perceive feels that power which the impulse
+of life has given to his rider; we see in him the animation of his whole
+frame; in the fire of his eyes, the distention of his nostrils, and in the
+rapid motion of his feet, yielding to the guidance of his rider, or in the
+speeding of his course: they are, therefore, in perfect unison with the
+life in each. At this moment of their animation, they appear to have been
+turned into stone by some majestic power, and not created by the human
+hand. The single head of the horse, in the same collection, seems as if it
+had, by the same influence, been struck into marble, when he was exerting
+all the energy of his motion.
+
+"These admirable sculptures, which now adorn our city, are the union of
+Athenian genius and philosophy, and illustrate my meaning respecting the
+mental impression which is so essentially to be given to works of refined
+art. It was this point which the Grecian philosophers wished to impress on
+the minds of their sculptors, not to follow their predecessors the
+Egyptians in sculpture, who represented their figures without motion,
+although nearly perfect in giving to them the external form. 'It is the
+passions,' said they, 'with which man is endowed, that we wish to see in
+the movements of your figures.' This advice of the philosophers was felt
+by the sculptors, and the Athenian marbles are the faithful records of the
+efficacy of that advice.
+
+"That you may distinctly perceive and invariably distinguish what we mean
+by appropriate character in art, particularly in sculpture, I would class
+with these sculptures, the Hercules, the Apollo, the Venus, the Laocoon,
+and the Gladiator. In these examples you will find what is appropriate in
+character to subject, united with correctness of outline; and it is this
+combination of truths which has arrested the attention of an admiring
+world, ever since they were produced; and which will attract to them the
+admiration of after ages, so long as the workings of the mind on the
+external form can be contemplated and understood.
+
+"Now let us see what works there are since the revival of art in the
+modern world, which rest on the same basis of appropriate character and
+correctness of outline, with those of the ancient Greeks.
+
+"The Moses which the powers of Michael Angelo's mind has presented to our
+view, claims our first attention. In this statue the points of character,
+in every mode of precise, determinate, and elevated expression, have been
+carried to a pitch of grandeur which modern art has not since excelled. In
+this figure of Moses, Michael Angelo has fixed the unalterable standard of
+the Jewish lawgiver,--a character delineated and justified by the text in
+inspired sculpture. The character of Moses was well suited to the grandeur
+of the artist's conceptions, and to the dreadful energy of his feelings.
+Accordingly, in mental character, this figure holds the first station in
+modern art; and I believe we may venture to say, had no competitor in
+ancient, except those of the Jupiter and Minerva by Phidias. But the
+Saviour, all meekness and benevolence, which Michael Angelo made to
+accompany the Moses, was not in unison with his genius. The figure is
+mean, but slightly removed from an academical figure, and in no point
+appropriate to the subject: so are most of the single figures of the
+artist, in his great work on the Day of Judgment; but his groups in that
+composition are every where in character, and have not their rivals
+either in painting or sculpture. His Bacchus claims our admiration, as
+being appropriate to the subject, by the same excellence in delineation
+which distinguish the groups in the Day of Judgment. No person can have a
+higher veneration than I have for that grandeur of character impressed on
+the figures by Michael Angelo; but it is the fitness of the characters and
+of the action to the subject, to which I wish to draw your attention, and
+not to pour out praise on those points, in which he and other eminent
+masters are deficient. On this occasion, I must therefore be permitted to
+repeat, that most of the single figures in his great work of the Day of
+Judgment, are deficient in the fitness of appropriate character, and in
+the fitness of appropriate action to the subject; although as single
+figures they demand our admiration. But excellent as they are, they are
+but the ingenious adaptation of legs, arms, and heads, to the celebrated
+Torso, which bears his name, and which served as the model to most of his
+figures. All figures in composition, however excellent they may be in
+delineation, which have not their actions and expressions springing from
+the subject in which they are the actors, can only be considered as
+academical efforts, without the impress of mental power, and without any
+philosophical attention to the truth of the subject which the artist
+intended to illustrate.
+
+"Leonardo da Vinci is the first who had a full and right conception of the
+principle which I wish to inculcate, and he has shown it in his picture of
+the Last Supper. But it is necessary to distinguish what parts of the
+picture deserve consideration. It is the decision, the appropriate
+character of the apostles to the subject; the significance of expression
+in their several countenances, and the diversity of action in each figure;
+their actions seemingly in perfect unison with their minds, and their
+figures individually in unison with their respective situations; some are
+confused at the words spoken by our Saviour: "There is one amongst you who
+shall betray me;" others are thrown under impressions of a different
+feeling. In this respect the picture has left us without an appeal,
+either to nature or to art. But Da Vinci failed in the head of our
+Saviour. He has failed in his attempt to combine the almost incompatible
+qualities of dignity and meekness which are demanded in the countenance of
+the Saviour. He had exhausted his powers of characteristic discrimination
+in the heads of the apostles; and in his attempt to give meekness to the
+countenance of Jesus, he sank into insipience. He had the prudence,
+therefore, to leave the face unfinished, that the imagination of the
+beholder might not be disappointed by an imperfect image, but form one in
+his mind more appropriate to his feelings and to the subject. The ruin of
+this picture, the report of which I understand is true, has deprived the
+world and the arts of one of the mental eyes of painting. But pleasing as
+the works of Leonardo da Vinci are in general, had he not produced this
+picture of the Last Supper, and the cartoon of the equestrian combatants
+for the standard of victory, he would scarcely have emerged, as a painter
+of strong character, above mediocrity. Indeed the back-ground, and general
+distribution of this picture, sufficiently mark their Gothic origin. But
+his pictures, generally speaking, are more characterised by their
+laborious finishing, gentleness, and sweetness of character, than by the
+energies of a lively imagination.
+
+"Fra. Bartolomeo di St. Marco, of Florence, was one of the first who
+became enamoured of that superiority which grandeur and decision of
+character gives to art; and, indeed, of all those higher excellences which
+the philosophical mind of Da Vinci had accomplished. In the pictures of
+Bartolomeo we behold, for the first time, that breadth of the
+clair-obscure--the deep tones of colour, with their philosophical
+arrangement, united to that noble folding of drapery appropriate to, and
+significant of, every character it covered; a point of excellence in this
+master, from which Raphael caught his first conception of that noble
+simplicity which distinguishes the dignity of his draperies, and which it
+became his pride through life to imitate.
+
+"Bartolomeo, in his figure of St. Mark, has convinced us how important and
+indispensable is the union of mental conception with truth of
+observation, in order to give a decided and appropriate character to an
+Evangelist of the Gospel. None of the pictures of this artist possess the
+excellence of his St. Mark except one, which is in the city of Lucca, the
+capital of the republic of that name; and, as that picture is but little
+known to travellers, and almost unknown to many artists who have visited
+Italy, a description of it may not be unacceptable.
+
+"The picture is on pannel, and its dimensions somewhat about twenty feet
+in height by fourteen in width. The subject is the Assumption of the
+Virgin Mary. The composition is divided into three groups; the Apostles
+and the sepulchre form the centre group, from the midst of which the
+Virgin ascends; her body-drapery is of a deep ruby colour, which is the
+only decided red in the picture, and her mantle blue, but in depth of tone
+approaching to black, and extended by angels to nearly each side of the
+picture. This mantle is relieved by a light, in tone resembling that of
+the break of day, seen over the summit of a dark mountain, which gives an
+awful grandeur to the effect of the picture on entering the chapel, in
+which it is placed over the altar. That awful light of the morning is
+contrasted with the golden effulgence above; in the midst of which, our
+Saviour is seen with extended arms, to receive and welcome his mother.
+
+"From the sepulchre, and the Apostles in the centre, to the fore-ground,
+the third group of figures partly lies in shade, occasioned by the
+over-shadowing of the Virgin's deep-toned mantle extended by angels. On
+the other part of the group, on the side where the light enters, the
+figures are seen in the broad blaze of day; and amongst them is the
+portrait of the artist.
+
+"When I first saw this picture, my sensations were in unison with its
+awful character; and I confess that I was touched with the same kind of
+sensibility as when I heard the inexpressibly harmonious blendings of
+vocal sounds in the solemn notes of _Non nobis Domine_. I never felt more
+forcibly the dignity of music and the dignity of painting, than from
+these two compositions of art.
+
+"When we consider the combination of excellence requisite to produce the
+sublime in painting; the union of propriety with dignity of character; the
+graceful grouping; the noble folding of drapery, and the deep sombrous
+tones of the clair-obscure, with appropriate colours harmoniously blending
+into one whole;--if there is a picture entitled to the appellation of
+_sublime_, from the union of all these excellences, It is that which I
+have described: considered in all its parts, it is, perhaps, superior to
+any work in painting, which has fallen under my observation.
+
+"When these powerful essays in art by Da Vinci, Bartolomeo di St. Marco,
+and Michael Angelo became celebrated, Raphael, having attained his adult
+age, made his appearance at Florence; where the influence of the works of
+those three great artists pervaded all the avenues to excellence in art.
+
+"The gentle sensibility of Raphael's mind was like the softened wax
+which makes more visible and distinct the form of the engraving with
+which it is touched. Blest by Nature with this endowment, he became like
+the heir to the treasured wealth of many families. Enriched by the
+accumulated experience which was then in Florence, united to the early
+tuition of delineating from nature under Pietro Perugino, and the
+subsequent discoveries of the Grecian relics, Raphael's mind became
+stored with all that was excellent; and he possessed a practised hand, to
+make his conceptions visible on his tablets. Possessing these powers, he
+was invited to Rome, and began his picture of _The Dispute on the
+Sacrament_. This picture he finished, together with _The School of
+Athens_, before he had attained his twenty-eighth year. At Rome he found
+himself amidst the splendour of a refined court, and in the focus of
+human endowment. He became sensible of the rare advantages of his
+situation; he had industry and ardour to combine and to embrace them all;
+and the effect is visible in his works. The theological arrangement of
+the disputants on the Sacrament, and the scholastic controversies at
+Athens, convince us of this truth. In the upper part of the Dispute on
+the Sacrament, something may be observed of that taste of Bartolomeo in
+drapery, and of the dryness and hardness of his first master Pietro
+Perugino; but in the parts which make the aggregate of that work, he has
+blended the result of his own observations. In his School of Athens, this
+is still more strikingly the case; and in his Heliodorus we see
+additional dignity and an enlargement of style.
+
+"At this period of his life, such was the desire of his society by the
+great, and such the ambition of standing forward amongst his patrons by
+all who were eminent for rank and taste, that he was seduced into courtly
+habits, and relaxed from that studious industry, with which he had
+formerly laboured; and there are evident marks in many of his works in the
+Vatican, of a decline of excellence, and that he was suffering pleasure
+and indolence to rob him of his fame. Sensible of this decline in his
+compositions, the powers of his mind re-assumed their energies; and that
+re-animation stands marked in his unrivalled compositions of the Cartoons
+which are in this country, and in the picture of the Transfiguration.
+
+"The transcendant excellence in composition, and in appropriate
+character to subject, in the cartoon of Paul preaching at Athens, has
+left us to desire or expect nothing farther to be done in telling this
+incident of history.
+
+"In the composition of the death of Ananias, and in the single figure of
+Elymas the sorcerer struck blind, we have the same example of excellence.
+We have indeed in many of the characters and groups in the cartoons, the
+various modes of reasoning, speaking, and feeling; but so blended with
+nature and truth, and so precise and determined in character, that
+criticism has nothing wherewith in that respect to ask for amendment.
+
+"Had the life of this illustrious painter, which closed on his birth-day
+in his thirty-seventh year, been prolonged to the period of that of
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, or Titian, when in the space of
+seventeen years at Rome he has given the world more unrivalled works of
+art, than has fallen to the lot of any other painter, what an additional
+excellence might we not have expected in his works for subsequent
+generations to admire.
+
+"The next distinguished artist who comes under our consideration is
+Titian. The grandeur which Michael Angelo gave to the human figure, Titian
+has rivalled in colour, and both were dignified during their lives with
+the appellation of The Divine.
+
+"I will pass over the many appropriate portraits which he painted of men,
+and the portraits of women, though not the most distinguished for beauty,
+in the character of Venus, to meet the fashion of the age in which he
+lived; and notice only those works of mental power, which have raised him
+to eminence in the class of refined artists. On this point, you will find
+that his picture of St. Peter Martyr will justify the claim he has to
+that rank.
+
+"St. Peter the Martyr was the head of a religious sect: when on his way
+from the confines of Germany to Milan with a companion, he was attacked by
+one in opposition to his religious principles while passing through a
+wood, and murdered. This is the subject of the picture. The prostrate
+figure of the Saint, just fallen by a blow from the assassin, raises one
+of his hands towards heaven, with a countenance of confidence in eternal
+reward for the firmness of his faith; while the assassin grasps with his
+left hand the mantle of his victim, the better to enable him, by his
+uplifted sword in the other hand, to give the fatal blow to the fallen
+saint. The companion is flying off in frantic dismay, and has received a
+wound in the head from the assassin.
+
+"The ferocious and determined action of the murderer bestriding the body
+of the fallen saint, completes a group of figures which have not a rival
+in art. The majestic trees, as well as the sable and rugged furze, form an
+awful back-ground to this tragical scene, every way appropriate to the
+subject. The heavenly messengers seen in the glory above, bearing the
+palm branches as the emblem of reward for martyrdom, form the second
+light; the first being the sky and cloud, which gives relief to the black
+drapery of the wounded companion; while the rays of light from the
+emanation above, sparkling on the dark branches of the trees as so many
+diamonds, tie together by their light all the others from the top to the
+bottom of the picture. The terror which the act of the murderer has
+spread, is denoted by the speed of the horseman passing into the gloomy
+recesses of a distant part of the forest.
+
+"This picture, taken in the aggregate, is the first work in art in which
+the human figure and landscape are combined as an historical landscape,
+and where all the objects are the full size of nature.
+
+"When I saw this picture at Venice in 1761, it was then in the same state
+of purity as when the Bologna artists saw and studied it; and it is
+recorded that Caracci declared this picture to be without fault. But we
+have to lament the fatal effects which the goddess Bellona has ever
+occasioned to the fine arts when she mounts her iron chariot of
+destruction. When this picture fell under her rapacious power, on board a
+French vessel passing down the Adriatic sea from Venice, one of our
+cruisers chased the vessel into the port of Ancona, and a cannon-shot
+pierced the pannel on which the picture was painted, and shivered a
+portion of it into pieces.
+
+"On its arrival at Paris, the committee of the fine arts found it
+necessary to remove the painting from the pannel, and place it on canvass;
+but the picture has lost the principal light.
+
+"But to sum up Titian's powers of conception, no one has equalled him in
+the propriety and fitness of colour. His pictures of St. Peter Martyr; the
+David and Goliah; and the Last Supper, which is in the Escurial, stand in
+the very highest rank in art. On the latter of these pictures being
+finished, Titian in his letter to the King, announcing the circumstance,
+says that it had been the labour of seven years. But by his original
+sketch in oil colours, which I have the good fortune to possess, and by
+which we may form an estimate, although the general effect and composition
+are unrivalled, the characters of the heads of the apostles are not equal
+to those of Leonardo da Vinci on the same subject.
+
+"Antonio Allegri da Correggio is the sixth source, whose emanating powers
+have illuminated the fine arts in the modern world. A superstitious mind,
+on seeing his works, would suppose that he had received his tuition in
+painting from the angels; as his figures seem to belong to another race of
+being than man, and to have something too celestial for the forms of earth
+to have presented to his view. Such have been the sayings of many on
+seeing his works at Parma, but, to my conception, he painted from the
+nature with which he was surrounded. His pictures of the Note, St.
+Gierolimo, and the St. George, are evident proofs of the observation. In
+the first of these pictures his mental conception shines supreme. It is
+the idea of illuminating the child in the subject of our Saviour's
+nativity. This splendid thought of giving light to the infant Christ,
+whose divine mission was to illuminate the human mind from Pagan darkness,
+no painter has since been so bold as to omit in any composition on the
+same subject. The two latter pictures have all the beauties seen in the
+paintings of this master, but they are deficient in appropriate character.
+
+"The inspiring power of Correggio's works illuminated the genius of
+Parmegiano, the energetic movements of whose graceful figures have never
+been equalled, nor are they deficient in the moral influence of the art.
+His Moses breaking the tables in a church at Parma, and his picture of the
+vision of St. Gierolimo, now in England, are filled with the impress of
+his intellectual powers, and stand pre-eminent over all his works.
+
+"I have thus taken a survey of the works of art, which stand supreme among
+the productions of Grecian and Italian genius, and which are the sources
+from which the subsequent schools have derived most of the principles of
+their celebrity.
+
+"The papal vortex drew into it nearly all the various powers of human
+refinement, and the inspiring influence of the first school in art having
+centered in Rome gave it superiority, till the Constable Bourbon, by
+sacking that city, obliged the fine arts to fly from their place, like
+doves from the vultures: they never re-appeared at Rome but with
+secondary power.
+
+"About a century subsequent to their flight from Rome they were
+re-animated, and formed the second school of art in Italy at the city of
+Bologna under the Carracci, at the head of which was Ludovico. He and his
+two relatives, Hanibal and Augustin Carracci, derived their principles
+from the Venetian School, from Titian, Paul Veronese, and Tintoret, and
+from the Lombard School of Correggio and Parmegiano. But the good sense of
+Ludovico raised by them and himself a school of their own, which excelled
+in the power of delineating the human figure, but which power gave to that
+school more academical taste than mental character.
+
+"Their great work was that in the convent of St. Michael in Boresco, near
+Bologna; but this work has perished by damp, and the only remains on
+record of what it was, are in the coarse prints which were done from
+copies executed when it was in good condition. But grand as it must have
+been according to the evidence of these prints, it was but an academical
+composition.
+
+"The picture by Ludovico, however, of our Saviour's Transfiguration on the
+Mount, consisting of six figures double the size of life, has embraced
+nearly all the points of art, and has placed the artist high in the first
+class of painters.
+
+"The masters of the Bolognese school going to Rome and other parts of
+Italy, their successors at Bologna contented themselves by retailing the
+several manners of the three Carracci--Guido, Domenichino and Guercino.
+This system of retailing continued to descend from master to pupil, until
+the school of Bologna sunk into irrecoverable imbecility.
+
+"The most esteemed work in painting by Augustine Carracci is the Communion
+of St. Jerom. It possesses grandeur of style, is bold in execution, and
+the faces are not deficient in the appropriate expression of sensibility
+towards the object before them. It was on the composition of this picture,
+that Domenichino formed his on the same subject, so much celebrated as to
+be considered next in merit to Raphael's Transfiguration. But fine as it
+is admitted to be, we must say, as a borrowed idea, it lessens the merit
+of the artist's originality of mind.
+
+"The finest picture by Guido is in a church at Genoa, where he has brought
+to a focus all the force of his powers in grace and beauty, with an
+expression and execution of pencil rarely to be met with in art. The
+subject is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The angels, who surround the
+Virgin, have something in their faces so celestial, that they seem as if
+they had really descended from Heaven, and sat to the artist while he
+painted them. The Virgin herself seems to have had the same complacency.
+The characters of the Apostles' heads are so exquisitely drawn and
+painted, as to be without competition in the works of any other painter.
+
+"The most esteemed picture by Guercino is is that of Santa Petranella,
+which he painted for St. Peter's Church, at Rome.
+
+"But, Gentlemen, if you aspire to excellence in your profession, you must
+not rest your future studies on the excellence of any individual, however
+exalted his name or genius; but, like the industrious bee, survey the
+whole face of nature, and sip the sweets from every flower. When thus
+enriched, lay up your acquisitions for future use; and with that
+enrichment from Nature's inexhaustible source, examine the great works of
+art to animate your feelings, and to excite your emulation. When you are
+thus mentally enriched, and your hand practised to obey the powers of
+your will, you will then find your pencils, or your chisels, as magic
+wands, calling into view creations of your own, to adorn your name and
+your country.
+
+"I cannot, however, close this Discourse, without acknowledging a debt due
+from this Academy, as well as that which is due to the Academy itself.
+Soon after His present Majesty had ascended the throne, his benign regard
+for the prosperity of the fine arts in these realms was manifested by his
+gracious commands to establish this favoured Institution.
+
+"The heart of every artist, and of the friend of art, glowed with mutual
+congratulation to see a British King, for the first time, at the head of
+the fine arts. His Majesty nominated forty members guardians to his infant
+academy; and that they have been faithful to the trust which he graciously
+reposed in them, the several apartments under this roof sufficiently
+testify. The professors are highly endowed with accomplishments and
+scientific knowledge in the several branches to which they are
+respectively appointed; and the funds able to render relief to the
+indigent and decayed artists, their widows and children.
+
+"Who can reflect for a moment on the rare advantages here held out for
+the instruction of youthful genius, and the aid given to the decayed,
+their widows and helpless offspring, without feeling the grateful emotions
+of the heart rise towards a patriot King, for giving to the arts this home
+within the walls of a stately mansion, and towards the members of this
+Academy, who, as his faithful guardians, have so ably fulfilled the
+purposes for which the Institution was formed.
+
+"United to what the Academicians have done, and are doing, another
+honourable establishment, sanctioned by His Majesty for promoting the fine
+arts, has been created and composed of noblemen and gentlemen whose known
+zeal for the success of refined art is so conspicuous and honourable to
+themselves.
+
+"Such have been the efforts to give splendour to the fine arts in this
+country, and such are the results which have attended these exertions;
+that knowing, as we do, the movements of the arts on the Continent, I may
+confidently say, that our annual exhibitions, both as to number and
+taste, engrafted on nature and the fruit of mental conception, are such
+that all the combined efforts in art on the continent of Europe in the
+same time have not been able to equal. To such attainments, were those in
+power but to bestow the crumbs from the national table to cherish the fine
+arts, we might pledge ourselves, that the genius of Britain would, in a
+few years, dispute the prize with the proudest periods of Grecian or
+Italian art. But, Gentlemen, let us not despair; we have heard from this
+place, the promise of patronage from the Prince Regent, the propitious
+light of a morning that will open into perfect day, invigorating the
+growth of all around--the assurance of a new era to the elevation of the
+fine arts, in the United Kingdom."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XIII.
+
+
+
+    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin
+    of the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.
+
+During the Peace of Amiens, Mr. West, like every other person who
+entertained any feeling of admiration for the fine arts, was desirous of
+seeing that magnificent assemblage of paintings and sculptures, which
+constituted the glory and the shame of Buonaparte's administration. He
+accordingly furnished himself with letters from Lord Hawkesbury, then
+Secretary of State, to Mr. Merry, the British representative at the
+consular court; and also with introductions from Monsieur Otto, the French
+minister in London, to the most distinguished members of his government.
+
+On delivering Lord Hawkesbury's letters to Mr. Merry, that gentleman
+informed him that one of the French ministers had, the preceding evening,
+mentioned that Monsieur Otto had written in such terms respecting him,
+that he and his colleagues were resolved to pay him every mark of the most
+distinguished attention. Mr. Merry, therefore, advised Mr. West to call on
+the several ministers himself with the letters, and leave them with his
+card. As the object for which the Artist had procured these introductions
+was only to obtain, with more facility, access to the different galleries,
+he was rather embarrassed by this information; and would have declined
+delivering the letters altogether; but Mr. Merry said, that, as his
+arrival in Paris was already known to the government, he could not with
+any propriety avoid paying his respects to the ministers.
+
+After delivering his letters and card accordingly, the hotel where he
+resided was, in the course of the week, visited by all the most
+distinguished of the French statesmen; and he had the honour of being
+invited to dine with them successively. At these parties, the
+conversation turned very much on the importance of the arts to all nations
+aspiring to fame and eminence; and he very soon perceived, that the vast
+collection of trophies which adorned the Louvre, had not been formed so
+much for ostentatious exhibition, as with a view to furnish models of
+study for artists; constituting, in fact, but the elementary part of a
+grand system of national decoration designed by Buonaparte, and by which
+he expected to leave such memorials to posterity as would convince the
+world that his magnificence was worthy of his military achievements.
+
+It happened at this particular period, that the galleries of the Louvre
+were closed to the public for some time, but a deputation from the Central
+Administration of the Arts, under whose care the collections were
+particularly placed, waited on Mr. West, and informed him, that orders
+were given to admit him and his friends at all times. Denon was at the
+head of this deputation; and in the course of the conversation which then
+took place, that accomplished enthusiast explained to Mr. West more
+circumstantially the extensive views entertained by the French government
+with respect to the arts, mentioning several of the superb schemes which
+were formed by the First Consul for the decoration of the capital.
+
+This information made a very deep impression on the mind of Mr. West, and
+he felt extremely sorrowful when he reflected, that hitherto the British
+government had done nothing decidedly with a view to promote the
+cultivation of those arts, which may justly be said to constitute the
+olive wreath on the brows of every great nation. Mr. Fox and Sir Francis
+Baring, who were at this same time in Paris, happened soon after the
+departure of Monsieur Denon to call, and they went with Mr. West to the
+Louvre, where, as they were walking in the gallery, he explained to them
+what he had heard. An interesting discussion took place in consequence;
+and Mr. West endeavoured to explain in what manner he considered the
+cultivation of the fine arts of the utmost importance even in a commercial
+point of view to England.
+
+Mr. Fox paid great attention to what he said, and observed, in a tone of
+regret, "I have been rocked in the cradle of politics from my infancy, and
+never before was so much struck with the advantage, even in a political
+bearing, of the fine arts to the prosperity, as well as the renown, of a
+kingdom; and I do assure you, Mr. West, that if ever I have it in my power
+to influence our government to promote the arts, the conversation that we
+have had to-day shall not be forgotten." Sir Francis Baring also concurred
+in opinion, that it was really become an imperious duty, on the part of
+the British nation, to do something for a class of art that, undoubtedly,
+tended to improve the beauty, and multiply the variety of manufactures,
+independent of all monumental considerations.
+
+When Mr. West had returned home, the subject was renewed with Sir Francis
+Baring; and he endeavoured to set on foot the formation of a society,
+which should have the encouragement of the line arts for its object, and
+thought that government might be induced to give it pecuniary assistance.
+Sir Thomas Barnard took up the idea with great zeal; and several meetings
+took place at Mr. West's house, at which Mr. Charles Long and Sir Abraham
+Hume were present, which terminated in the formation of that association
+that now constitutes the British Institution, in Pall Mall. Mr. Long
+undertook to confer with Mr. Pitt, who was then again in power, on the
+subject, and the proposal was received by him with much apparent
+sincerity. But a disastrous series of public events about the same time
+commenced: the attention of the Minister was absorbed in the immediate
+peril of the state; and he fell a victim to his anxieties, without having
+had it in his power to further the objects of the association.
+
+At the death of his great rival, Mr. Fox came into office; and he soon
+after called on Mr. West, and, reminding him of the conversation in the
+gallery of the Louvre, said, "It is my earnest intention, as soon as I am
+firmly seated on the saddle, to redeem the promise that I then made." But
+he also was frustrated in his intentions, and fell a sacrifice to disease,
+without being able to take any step in the business. In the mean time,
+the Shaksperian Gallery was offered for sale; and the gentlemen interested
+in this project raised a sum of money, by subscription, and purchased that
+building with the intention of making it the approach to a proposed
+national gallery.
+
+From Mr. Percival the scheme met with a far different reception. He
+listened to the representations which Mr. West made to him with a
+repressive coldness, it might almost be said with indifference, had it not
+been marked with a decided feeling; for he seemed to consider the whole
+objects of the British Institution, and the reasons adduced in support of
+the claims which the interests of the arts had on government, as the
+visionary purposes of vain enthusiasts. It was not within the small
+compass of that respectable individual's capacity to consider any generous
+maxim as founded in what _he_ deemed wisdom, or to comprehend, that the
+welfare of nations could be promoted by any other means than precedents of
+office, decisions of courts, and Acts of Parliament. An incident,
+however, occurred, which induced him to change his opinion of the utility
+of the fine arts.
+
+At the anniversary dinner, in 1812, before the opening of the Academy, he
+was present, with other public characters. On the right hand of the
+President was seated the Lord Chancellor Eldon, on his left Lord
+Liverpool, and on the right of the Chancellor Mr. Percival. A conversation
+took place, naturally inspired by the circumstances of the meeting, in
+which Mr. West recapitulated what he had formerly so often urged; and Mr.
+Percival, perceiving the impression which his observations made on those
+to whom they were particularly addressed, requested him to put his ideas
+on the subject in writing, and he would lay it before the Prince Regent.
+This took place on Saturday; on Wednesday Mr. West delivered his memorial;
+on the Friday following Mr. Percival was assassinated; and since that time
+nothing farther has been done in the business.
+
+It is perhaps necessary to notice here, that when it was first proposed to
+the King to sanction the establishment of the British Institution with
+his patronage, he made some objection, conceiving that it was likely to
+interfere with the Royal Academy, which he justly considered with the
+partiality of a parent. But on Mr. West explaining to him that the two
+institutions were very different in their objects, the Academy being
+formed for the instruction of pupils, and the other for the encouragement
+of artists arrived at maturity in their profession, His Majesty readily
+consented to receive the deputation of the association appointed to wait
+on him in form to solicit his patronage. Except, however, the honour of
+the King's name, the British Institution, formed expressly for the
+improvement of the public taste with a view to the encouragement of the
+arts, has received neither aid nor countenance as yet from the state.
+
+Before concluding this summary account of the origin and establishment of
+the British Institution, it may be expected of me to take some notice of
+the circumstances connected with the purchase and exhibition of Mr. West's
+picture of Christ Healing the Sick in the Temple; an event which formed
+an era in the history of the arts in Britain, and contributed in no small
+degree to promote the interests of the Institution. Perhaps the exhibition
+of no work of art ever attracted so much attention, or was attended with
+so much pecuniary advantage to the proprietors; independent of which, the
+history of the picture is itself interesting.
+
+Some years before, a number of gentlemen, of the society of Quakers in
+Philadelphia, set on foot a subscription for the purpose of erecting an
+hospital for the sick poor in that city. Among others to whom they applied
+for contributions in this country, they addressed themselves to Mr. West.
+He informed them, however, that his circumstances did not permit him to
+give so liberal a sum as he could wish, but that if they would provide a
+proper place in the building, he would paint a picture for it as his
+subscription, which perhaps would prove of more advantage than all the
+money he could afford to bestow, and with this intention he began the
+_Christ Healing the Sick_. While the work was going forward, it attracted
+a great deal of notice in his rooms, and finally had the effect of
+inducing the association of the British Institution to make him an offer
+of three thousand guineas for the picture. Mr. West accepted the offer,
+but on condition that he should be at liberty to make a copy for the
+hospital at Philadelphia, and to introduce into the copy such alterations
+and improvements as he might think fit. This copy he also executed, and
+the success which attended the exhibition of it in America was so
+extraordinary, that the proceeds have enabled the committee of the
+hospital to enlarge the building for the reception of no less than thirty
+additional patients.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XIV.
+
+
+
+    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Proceedings
+    respecting the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.
+
+
+Hitherto it has been my pleasant task to record the series of prosperous
+incidents by which Mr. West was raised to the highest honours of his
+profession; and had he survived the publication of this volume, I should
+have closed the narrative with the last chapter. But his death, which
+took place after the proof was sent to me for his inspection, has
+removed an obligation which I had promised to respect during his life,
+while it was understood between us that the circumstances to which it
+related were to be carefully preserved for a posthumous publication. The
+topics are painful, and calculated to afford a far different view of
+human nature from that which I have ever desired to contemplate: I do
+not allude to those things, connected with political matters, in which
+Mr. West was only by accident a witness, but of transactions which
+personally affected himself.
+
+During the time that he was engaged in the series of great pictures for
+Windsor Castle, he enjoyed, as I have already mentioned, an easy and
+confidential intercourse with the King, and I ought, perhaps, to have
+stated earlier, that when he was chosen President of the Royal Academy,
+the late Duke of Gloucester called on him, and mentioned that His Majesty
+was desirous to know if the honour of knighthood would be acceptable. Mr.
+West immediately replied, that no man had a greater respect for political
+honours and distinctions than himself, but that he really thought he had
+already earned by his pencil more eminence than could be conferred on him
+by that rank. "The chief value," said he, "of titles are, that they serve
+to preserve in families a respect for those principles by which such
+distinctions were originally obtained. But simple knighthood, to a man who
+is at least already as well known as he could ever hope to be from that
+honour, is not a legitimate object of ambition. To myself, then, Your
+Royal Highness must perceive the title could add no dignity, and as it
+would perish with myself, it could add none to my family. But were I
+possessed of a fortune, independent of my profession, sufficient to enable
+my posterity to maintain the rank, I think that with my hereditary
+descent, and the station I occupy among artists, a more permanent title
+than that of knighthood might become a desirable object. As it is,
+however, that cannot be, and I have been thus explicit with Your Royal
+Highness that no misconception may exist on the subject." The Duke was not
+only pleased with the answer, but took Mr. West cordially by both the
+hands, and said, "You have justified the opinion which the King has of
+you, and His Majesty will be delighted with your answer;" and when Mr.
+West next saw the King his reception was unusually warm and friendly.
+
+But notwithstanding all these enviable circumstances, Mr. West was doomed
+to share some of the consequences which naturally attach to all persons
+in immediate connection with the great. After his return from Paris, it
+was alleged, that the honourable reception which he allowed himself to
+receive from the French statesmen had offended the King. The result of
+this was the temporary elevation of the late Mr. Wyatt to the President's
+chair, merely, as I think, because that gentleman was then the royal
+architect; for it would be difficult to point out the merits which, as an
+artist, entitled him to that honour. But the election, so far from giving
+satisfaction in the quarter where it was expected to be the most
+acceptable, only excited displeasure; and Mr. West was, in due time,
+restored to his proper seat in the Academy.
+
+This, as a public affair, attracted a good deal of notice at the time; but
+it was, in its effects, of far less consequence to Mr. West than a private
+occurrence, originating in circumstances that tend to throw a light on
+some of the proceedings that were deemed expedient to be adopted during
+the occasional eclipses of the King's understanding.
+
+For upwards of twenty years Mr. West had received all his orders from the
+King in person: the prices of the pictures which he painted were adjusted
+with His Majesty; and the whole embellishment of Windsor Castle, in what
+related to the scriptural and historical pictures, was concerted between
+them, without the interference of any third party. But, in the summer of
+1801, when the Court was at Weymouth, Mr, Wyatt called on Mr. West, and
+said, that he was requested by authority to inform him, that the pictures
+painting for His Majesty's chapel at Windsor should be suspended till
+further orders.
+
+Mr. West was much surprised at this communication: but, upon interrogating
+Mr. Wyatt as to his authority, he found that it was not from the King; and
+he afterwards discovered that the orders were given at Weymouth by the
+Queen, the late Earl of Roslyn being present. What was the state of His
+Majesty's health at that time is now a matter of historical curiosity; but
+this extraordinary proceeding deserves particular notice. It rendered the
+studies of the best part of the Artist's life useless, and deprived him
+of that honourable provision, the fruit of his talents and industry, on
+which he had counted for the repose of his declining years. For some time
+it affected him deeply, and he was at a loss what steps to take; at last,
+however, in reflecting on the marked friendship and favour which the King
+had always shown him, he addressed to His Majesty a letter, of which the
+following is a copy of the rough draft, being the only one preserved: I
+give it verbatim:--
+
+"_The following is the Substance of a Letter I had the honour of writing
+to His Majesty, taken at Weymouth, by the conveyance of Mr. James Wyatt._
+
+"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
+
+"Gracious Sire, Newman St. Sept. 26. 1801.
+
+"On the fifteenth of last month Mr. Wyatt signified to me Your Majesty's
+pleasure,--'That the pictures by me now painting for His Majesty's chapel
+at Windsor, should be suspended until further orders.' I feel it a duty I
+owe to that communication, to lay before Your Majesty, by the return of
+Mr. Wyatt to Weymouth, a statement of those pictures which I have painted
+to add to those for the chapel, mentioned in the account I had the honour
+to transmit to Your Majesty in 1797 by the hands of Mr. Gabriel Mathias.
+Since that period I have finished three pictures, began several others,
+and composed the remainder of the subjects for the chapel, on the progress
+of Revealed Religion, from its commencement to its completion; and the
+whole arranged with that circumspection from the Four Dispensations, into
+five-and-thirty compositions, that the most scrupulous amongst the various
+religious sects in this country, about admitting pictures into churches,
+must acknowledge them as truths, or the Scriptures fabulous. Those are
+subjects so replete with dignity, character, and expression, as demanded
+the historian, the commentator, and the accomplished painter, to bring
+them into view. Your Majesty's gracious complacency and commands for my
+pencil on that extensive subject stimulated my humble abilities, and I
+commenced the work with zeal and enthusiasm. Animated by your commands,
+gracious Sire, I renewed my professional studies, and burnt my midnight
+lamp to attain and give that polish at the close of Your Majesty's chapel,
+which has since marked my subsequent scriptural pictures. Your Majesty's
+known zeal for promoting religion, and the elegant arts, had enrolled your
+virtues with all the civilized world; and your gracious protection of my
+pencil had given to it a celebrity throughout Europe, and spread a
+knowledge of the great work on Revealed Religion, which my pencil was
+engaged on, under Your Majesty's patronage: it is that work which all
+Christendom looks with a complacency for its completion.
+
+"Being distinguished by Your Majesty's benignity at an early period as a
+painter, and chosen by those professors highly endowed in the three
+branches of the fine arts to fill their highest station, and sanctioned by
+Your Majesty's signature in their choice;--in that station, I have been,
+for more than ten years, zealous in promoting merit in those three
+branches of art, which constitutes the views of Your Majesty's
+establishment for cultivating their growth. The ingenious artists have
+received my professional aid, and my galleries and my purse have been open
+to their studies and their distresses. The breath of envy, nor the whisper
+of detraction, never defiled my lips, nor the want of morality my
+character, and, through life, a strict adherer to truth; a zealous admirer
+of Your Majesty's virtues and goodness of heart, the exalted virtues of
+Her Majesty the Queen, and the high accomplishments of others of Your
+Majesty's illustrious family, have been the theme of my delight; and their
+gracious complacency my greatest pleasure and consolation for many years,
+with which I was honoured by many instances of friendly notice, and their
+warm attachment to the fine arts.
+
+"With these feelings of high sensibility, with which my breast has ever
+been inspired, I feel with great concern the suspension given by Mr. Wyatt
+to the work on Revealed Religion, my pencil had advanced to adorn
+Windsor-Castle. If, gracious Sire, this suspension is meant to be
+permanent, myself and the fine arts have to lament. For to me it will be
+ruinous, and, to the energetic artist, in the highest branches of his
+professional pursuits--a damp in the hope of more exalted minds, of
+patronage in the refined departments in painting. But I have this in
+store, for the grateful feeling of my heart, that, in the thirty-five
+years by which my pencil has been honoured by Your Majesty's commands, a
+great body of historical and scriptural compositions will be found in Your
+Majesty's possession, in the churches, and in the country. Their
+professional claims may be humble, but they have been produced by a loyal
+subject of Your Majesty, which may give them some claim to respect,
+similar works not having been attained before in this country by a
+subject; and this I will assert as my claim, that Your Majesty did not
+bestow your patronage and commands on an ungrateful and a lazy man, but on
+him who had a high sense of Your Majesty's honours and Your Majesty's
+interests in all cases, as a loyal and dutiful subject, as well as
+servant, to Your Majesty's gracious commands; and I humbly beg Your
+Majesty to be assured that
+
+"I am,
+"With profound duty,
+"Your Majesty's grateful
+"BENJAMIN WEST."
+
+
+To this letter Mr. West received no answer; but on the return of the Court
+to Windsor, he went to the Castle, and obtained a private audience of the
+King on the subject, by which it appeared that His Majesty was not at all
+acquainted with the communication of which Mr. Wyatt was the bearer, nor
+had he received Mr. West's letter. However, the result of the interview
+was, that the King said, "Go on with your work, West: go on with the
+pictures, and I will take care of you."
+
+This was the last interview that Mr. West was permitted to enjoy with his
+early, constant, and to him truly royal patron; but he continued to
+execute the pictures, and in the usual quarterly payments received the
+thousand pounds _per ann._. till His Majesty's final superannuation,
+when, without any intimation whatever, on calling to receive it, he was
+informed that it had been stopped, and that the intended design of the
+chapel of Revealed Religion was suspended.
+
+This was a severe stroke of misfortune to the Artist, now far advanced in
+life, but he submitted to it with resignation. He took no measures, nor
+employed any influence, either to procure the renewal of the quarterly
+allowance, or the payment of the balance of his account. But being thus
+cast off from his best anchor in his old age, he still possessed firmness
+of mind to think calmly of his situation. He considered that a taste for
+the fine arts had been greatly diffused by means of the exhibitions of the
+Royal Academy, and the eclat which the French had given to pictures and
+statues by making them objects of national conquest; and having thus lost
+the patronage of the King, he determined to appeal to the public. With
+this view he resolved to paint several large pictures; and in the
+prosecution of this determination, he has been amply indemnified for the
+effects of that poor economy that frustrated the nation from obtaining an
+honourable monument of the taste of the age, and the liberality of a
+popular king.
+
+Without imputing motives to any party concerned, or indeed without being
+at all acquainted with the circumstances that gave rise to it, I should
+mention that a paper was circulated among the higher classes of society,
+in which an account was stated of the amount of the money paid by His
+Majesty, in the course of more than thirty years, to Mr. West. In that
+paper the interval of time was not at all considered, nor the expense of
+living, nor the exclusive preference which Mr. West had given to His
+Majesty's orders, but the total sum;--which, shown by itself, and taken
+into view without any of these explanatory circumstances, was very
+large, and calculated to show that Mr. West might really indeed _do_
+without the thousand pounds a-year. In order, however, to place this
+proceeding in its true light, I have inserted in the Appendix an account
+of the works executed and designed by Mr. West for the King, and the
+prices allowed for them as charged in the audited account, of which the
+King himself had approved.
+
+Independent of the relation which this paper bears to the subject of these
+memoirs, it is a curious document, and will be interesting as such, as
+long as the history of the progress of the arts in this country excites
+the attention of posterity.
+
+I have now but little to add to these memoirs. But they would be deficient
+in an important event, were I to omit noticing the death of Mrs. West,
+which took place on the 6th of December, 1817. The malady with which she
+had been afflicted for several years smoothed the way for her relief from
+suffering, and softened the pang of sorrow for her loss. She was in many
+respects a woman of an elevated character; and her death, after a union of
+more than half a century, was to her husband one of those irreparable
+changes in life, for which no equivalent can ever be obtained.
+
+The last illness of Mr. West himself was slow and languishing. It was
+rather a general decay of nature, than any specific malady; and he
+continued to enjoy his mental faculties in perfect distinctness upon all
+subjects as long as the powers of articulation could be exercised. To his
+merits as an artist and a man I may be deemed partial, nor do I wish to be
+thought otherwise. I have enjoyed his frankest confidence for many years,
+and received from his conversation the advantages of a more valuable
+species of instruction, relative to the arts, than books alone can supply
+to one who is not an artist. While I therefore admit that the partiality
+of friendship may tincture my opinion of his character, I am yet confident
+that the general truth of the estimate will be admitted by all who knew
+the man, or are capable to appreciate the merits of his works.
+
+In his deportment, Mr. West was mild and considerate: his eye was keen,
+and his mind apt; but he was slow and methodical in his reflections, and
+the sedateness of his remarks must often in his younger years have seemed
+to strangers singularly at variance with the vivacity of his look. That
+vivacity, however, was not the result of any peculiar animation of
+temperament; it was rather the illumination of his genius; for when his
+features were studiously considered, they appeared to resemble those
+which we find associated with dignity of character in the best
+productions of art.
+
+As an artist, he will stand in the first rank. His name will be classed
+with those of Michael Angelo and Raphael; but he possessed little in
+common with either. As the former has been compared to Homer, and the
+latter to Virgil, in Shakspeare we shall perhaps find the best likeness to
+the genius of Mr. West. He undoubtedly possessed, but in a slight degree,
+that peculiar energy and physical expression of character in which Michael
+Angelo excelled, and in a still less that serene sublimity which
+constitutes the charm of Raphael's great productions. But he was their
+equal in the fulness, the perspicuity, and the propriety of his
+compositions. In all his great works the scene intended to be brought
+before the spectator is represented in such a manner that the imagination
+has nothing to supply. The incident, the time and the place, are there as
+we think they must have been; and it is this wonderful force of conception
+which renders the sketches of Mr. West so much more extraordinary than his
+finished pictures. In the finished pictures we naturally institute
+comparisons in colouring, and in beauty of figure, and in a thousand
+details which are never noticed in the sketches of this illustrious
+artist. But although his powers of conception were so superior,--equal in
+their excellence to Michael Angelo's energy, or Raphael's grandeur,--still
+in the inferior departments of drawing and colouring, he was one of the
+greatest artists of his age; it was not, however, till late in life that
+he executed any of those works in which he thought the splendour of the
+Venetian school might be judiciously imitated.
+
+At one time he intended to collect his works together, and to form a
+general exhibition of them all. Had he accomplished this, the greatness
+and versatility of his talents would have been established beyond all
+controversy; for unquestionably he was one of those great men, whose
+genius cannot be justly estimated by particular works, but only by a
+collective inspection of the variety, the extent, and the number of their
+productions.
+
+On the 10th of March Mr. West expired without a struggle, at his house
+in Newman Street, and on the 29th he was interred with great funeral
+pomp in St. Paul's Cathedral. An account of the ceremony is inserted in
+the Appendix.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix
+
+No. I.
+
+
+
+_The Account: of Pictures painted by Benjamin West for His Majesty, by his
+Gracious Commands, from 1768 to 1780. A True Copy from Mr. West's Account
+Books, with their several Charges and Dates_.
+
+
+When painted.       SUBJECTS.                     L.   s.
+
+1769.  1. Regulus, his Departure from Rome        420  0
+       2. Hamilcar swearing his Son
+          Hannibal at the Altar                   420  0
+1771   3. Bayard at the moment of his death
+          receiving the Constable Bourbon         315  0
+       4. The Death of Epaminondas                315  0
+       5. The Death of General Wolfe              315  0
+1772.  6. Cyrus receiving the King of
+          Armenia and family prisoners            157 10
+       7. Germanicus receiving Sagastis
+          and his Daughter prisoners              157 10
+       8. The portrait of Her Majesty,
+          the Kit-cat size.
+       9. The portrait of His Majesty,
+          the same size, (companion,)              84  0
+      10. Six of the Royal Children in one
+          picture, size of life                   315  0
+      11. Her Majesty and Princess Royal,
+          in one picture                          157  0
+      12. His R. H. the Prince of Wales
+          and Prince Frederic (Duke of
+          York), in one picture whole
+          length                                  210  0
+      13. A second picture of Ditto, for
+          the Empress of Russia, sent by
+          His Majesty                             210  0
+      14. A whole-length portrait of His
+          Majesty,--Lord Amherst and
+          the Marquis of Lothian in the
+          back-ground.                            262 10
+      15. A whole-length portrait of Her
+          Majesty, with all the Royal
+          Children in the back-ground             262 10
+      16. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          William (Duke of Clarence) and
+          Prince Edward (Duke of Kent),
+          in one picture                          262 10
+1779. 17. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          Adolphus and his sisters, in one
+          picture                                 262 10
+
+
+From the year 1769 the whole of the above pictures to 1779 were painted
+and paid for by His Majesty through the hands of Mr. R. Daulton and Mr.
+G. Mathias.
+
+1780. At this period His Majesty was graciously pleased to sanction my
+pencil with his commands for a great work on Revealed Religion, from its
+commencement to its completion, for pictures to embellish his intended New
+Chapel in Windsor Castle. I arranged the several subjects from the four
+Dispensations. His Majesty was pleased to approve the arrangement
+selected, as did several of the Bishops in whose hands he placed them for
+their consideration, and they highly approved the same.
+
+His Majesty then honoured me with his commands, and did at that time, the
+better to enable me to carry it into effect, order his deputy privy-purse,
+Mr. G. Mathias, to pay me one thousand a year by quarterly payments, which
+was regularly paid as commanded; and the following are the subjects which
+I have painted from the Four Dispensations, for the Chapel, of various
+dimensions.
+
+
+ANTIDELUVIAN DISPENSATION.
+
+When painted.           SUBJECTS.                L. s.
+
+1780.      1. The expulsion of Adam and Eve
+              from Paradise                      535  0
+           2. The Deluge                         525  0
+           3. Noah and his Family sacrificing    525  0
+
+PATRIARCHAL DISPENSATION.
+
+           4. The Call of Abraham going to
+              sacrifice his son Isaac            600  0
+           5. The Birth of Jacob and Esau        525  0
+           6. Joseph and his brothers in Egypt,
+              composed, not painted.
+           7. The Death of Jacob surrounded
+              by his sons in Egypt, ditto.
+
+THE MOSAICAL DISPENSATION.
+
+           8. The Call of Moses, his Rod
+              turned into a Serpent before the
+              Burning Bush, composed, but not
+              painted.
+           9. Moses and his brother Aaron
+              before Pharaoh, their Rods turned
+              into Serpents                     1050  0
+          10. Moses destroying Pharaoh said
+              his host in the Red Sea           1050  0
+          11. Moses receiving the Laws on
+              Mount Sinai                       1260  0
+          12. Moses consecrating Aaron and
+              his sons to the priesthood        1050  0
+          13. Moses showing the Brazen Serpent
+              to the infirm to be healed        1050  0
+          14. The Death of Aaron on Mount
+              Hor, composed, but not painted.
+          15. Moses presenting Joshua to
+              Eleazar the priest, and Congregation,
+              as commanded, composed,
+              but not painted.
+          16. Moses sees the Promised Land
+              from the top of Mount Abarim,
+              and Death, a sketch in oil colours.
+          17. Joshua commanding the Ark
+              and Congregation to pass the
+              river into the Promised Land, a
+              sketch in oil colour.
+THE PROPHETS.
+
+      18. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah       525  0
+      19. The prophet Samuel anointing
+          David the son of Jesse, a sketch.
+      20. The prophesying of Zacharias at
+          the birth of John his son              525  0
+      21. The Angels announcing the Birth
+          of our Saviour, a cartoon for a
+          painted-glass window, by Mr.
+          Forrest                                525  0
+      22. The Birth of our Saviour, ditto,
+          for painted glass, by ditto            525  0
+      23. The Wise Man's Offering, a
+          cartoon for ditto                      525  0
+      24. John the Baptist baptizing our
+          Saviour, on whom the Holy
+          Ghost descends                        1050  0
+      25. Christ's Temptation and Victory
+          in the Wilderness, a sketch.
+      26. Christ beginneth to preach at
+          Nazareth, his native place, a
+          sketch.
+      27. Christ healeth the Sick and
+          Blind; &c. in the Temple              1050  0
+      28. The Last Supper; which picture
+          His Majesty presented to St.
+          George's Chapel at Windsor             735  0
+      29. A Last Supper, painted for the
+          King's Chapel                          735  0
+      30. The Crucifixion, a study in oil
+          colour, for the glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from, and the cartoon the
+          size of the window                    1050  0
+      31. The west end window of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, for them to draw the
+          figures from on the glass             1050  0
+      32. The Resurrection, a study in
+          oil colour, for glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from                            525  0
+      33. And the cartoon the size of the
+          window at the east end of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, to draw from on the glass    1050  0
+             And two side pictures               525  0
+     34. The Assumption of our Saviour,
+         for the King's Chapel                  1050  0
+     35. Peter's first Sermon, or the
+         Apostles receiving the Cloven
+         Tongues                                1050  0
+     36. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the
+         Jews, and receiving the Gentiles       1050  0
+                                             -----------
+                                    [Total]  L21,705  0
+                                             -----------
+
+_Painted for His Majesty's State Rooms in Windsor Castle the following
+Pictures from the History of Edward III_.
+
+      1. Edward III. embracing his Son on
+         the field of battle at Cressy          1365  0
+      2. The Installation of the most noble
+         Order of the Garter                    1365  0
+      3. Edward the Black Prince receiving
+         John King of France and his
+         son as prisoners                       1365  0
+      4. St. George destroying the Dragon        630  0
+      5. Queen Philippa defeats David
+         King of Scotland, at Nevil's
+         Cross, and takes him prisoner           525  0
+      6. Queen Philippa soliciting Edward
+         III. to save St. Pierre and the
+         brave burgesses of Calais               525  0
+      7. Edward III. forcing the passage of
+         the river Somme in France               630  0
+      8. Edward III. crowning Ribemont
+         at Calais                               525  0
+                                             -----------
+                                     [Total]   L6930  0
+                                             -----------
+
+      By His Majesty's commands I made
+      nine designs for the ceiling in the
+      Queen's Lodge, Windsor, for Mr.
+      Haas to work the ceilings from.
+      Viz. 1. Genius inspiring the fine arts
+      to adorn the useful arts and sciences.
+      2. Agriculture. 3. Manufactures.
+      4. Commerce. 5. Botany. 6. Chemistry.
+      7. Celestial Science. 8. Terrestrial
+      Science; and 9. To adorn
+      Empire                                     525  0
+
+      Myself and son, with Mr. Rebecca,
+      for painting transparent and water
+      coloured pictures to adorn the marble
+      gallery at a great evening entertainment
+      in the Castle given by Their
+      Majesties to the nobility                  250  0
+
+      Painted for His Majesty a whole-length
+      portrait of Prince Octavius
+      holding the King's sword                    73 10
+
+      Painted for His Majesty the Apotheosis
+      of Prince Octavius and Prince
+      Alfred, in one picture, the size of life   315  0
+
+      A portrait of Prince Augustus, half
+      length, for the Queen.
+
+      A second whole length of Her
+      Majesty, with all the Royal children
+      in the back-ground, which was placed
+      in Windsor Castle, but at present in
+      the Queen's Palace, London                 262 10
+
+      A picture of Peter denying our,
+      Saviour, of which His Majesty honoured
+      me by accepting, two half-length
+      figures, the size of life.
+                                             -----------
+                                      [Total]  L1426  0
+                                             -----------
+
+This is a true statement of the numbers of pictures, cartoons, and
+drawings of designs, and sketches of scripture subjects, as well as
+historical events, British as well as Greek, Roman, and other nations,
+with which I had been honoured by the King's commands, from 1768, to 5th
+January 1801, to paint for His Majesty; and the charges I made for each
+was by him most graciously acknowledged, when my account was audited and
+allowed by Mr. G. Mathias, His Majesty's privy purse, who settled for
+debtor and creditor the whole amount between the above dates.
+
+
+Benjamin West.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix No. II.
+
+
+
+_A Catalogue of thee Works of Mr. West_.
+
+Regulus.
+
+Hanibal.
+
+Epaminondas.
+
+Bayard.
+
+Wolfe, the first and second.
+
+Cyrus and the King of Armenia with his Family, captives.
+
+Germanicus and Segestus with his Daughter, captives.
+
+The Apotheosis of Prince Alfred and Prince Octavius.
+
+The picture of the Damsel accusing Peter.
+
+The Queen, with the Princess Royal, in one picture.
+
+Prince Ernest and Prince Augustus; Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, and
+Mary, in one picture.
+
+Prince William and Prince Edward, in one picture.
+
+Prince Octavius.
+
+The whole-length portrait of His Majesty in Regimentals, with Lord Amherst
+and the Marquis of Lothian on Horseback, in the back-ground.
+
+The whole-length portrait of Her Majesty, with the fourteen Royal
+Children.
+
+The same repeated.
+
+The Battle of Cressy, when Edward III. embraced his son.
+
+The Battle of Poitiers, when John King of France is brought prisoner to
+the Prince.
+
+The Institution of the Order of the Garter.
+
+The Battle of Nevil's Cross.
+
+The Burgesses of Calais before Edward III.
+
+Edward III. crossing the Somme.
+
+Edward III. crowning Ribemont, at Calais.
+
+St. George destroying the Dragon.
+
+The design of our Saviour's Resurrection, painted in colours, with the
+Women going to the Sepulchre; also Peter and John.
+
+The cartoon from the above design, for the east window, painted in the
+Collegiate Church of Windsor, on glass, 36 feet high by 28 wide.
+
+The design of our Saviour's Crucifixion, painted in colours.
+
+The cartoon from the above design, for the west window in the Collegiate
+Church, painting on glass, 36 feet by 28.
+
+The cartoon of the Angels appearing to the Shepherds, ditto for ditto.
+
+The cartoon of the Nativity of our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.
+
+The cartoon of the Magi presenting Gifts to our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.
+
+The picture, in water-colours, representing Hymen leading and dancing with
+the Hours before Peace and and Plenty.
+
+The picture, in water-colours, of Boys with the Insignia of Riches.
+
+The companion, with Boys, and the Insignia of the Fine Arts.
+
+Genius calling forth the Fine Arts to adorn Manufactures and Commerce, and
+recording the names of eminent men in those pursuits.
+
+Husbandry aided by Arts and Commerce.
+
+Peace and Riches cherishing the Fine Arts.
+
+Manufactory giving support to Industry, in Boys and Girls.
+
+Marine and inland Navigation enriching Britannia.
+
+Printing aided by the Fine Arts.
+
+Astronomy making new discoveries in the Heavens.
+
+The Four Quarters of the World bringing Treasures to the Lap of Britannia.
+
+Civil and Military Architecture defending and adorning Empire.
+
+The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
+
+The Deluge.
+
+Noah sacrificing.
+
+Abraham and his son Isaac going to sacrifice.
+
+The Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+The Death of Jacob in Egypt, surrounded by his Twelve Sons.
+
+Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh; their Rods turned into Serpents.
+
+Pharaoh and his Host lost in the Red Sea, while Moses stretches his Rod
+over them.
+
+Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.
+
+Moses consecrateth Aaron and his Sons to the Priesthood.
+
+Moses showeth the Brazen Serpent to the People to be healed.
+
+Moses shown the Promised Land from the top of Mount Pisgah.
+
+Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.
+
+The Twelve Tribes drawing Lots for the Lands of their Inheritance, 6
+feet by 10.
+
+The Call of Isaiah and Jeremiah, each 5 by 14.
+
+David anointed King, 6 by 10.
+
+Christ's Birth, 6 by 10.
+
+The naming of John; or, the Prophecies of Zacharias, ditto.
+
+The Kings bringing Presents to Christ, 6 by 12.
+
+Christ among the Doctors, 6 by 10.
+
+The Descent of the Holy Ghost on our Saviour at the River Jordan, 10 by
+14.
+
+Christ healing the Sick in the Temple, ditto.
+
+Christ's Last Supper, 6 by 10.
+
+Christ's Crucifixion, 16 by 28.
+
+Christ's Ascension, 12 by 18.
+
+The Inspiration of St. Peter, 10 by 14.
+
+Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and receiving the Gentiles, ditto.
+
+John called to write the Revelation, 6 by 10.
+
+Saints prostrating themselves before the Throne of God.
+
+The opening of the Seven Seals; or, Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The overthrowing the Old Beast and False Prophet.
+
+The Last Judgment.
+
+The New Jerusalem.
+
+The picture of St. Michael and his Angels fighting and casting out the Red
+Dragon and his Angels.
+
+Do. of the Women clothed in the Sun.
+
+Do. of John called to write the Revelation.
+
+Do. of the Beast rising out of the Sea.
+
+Do. of the Mighty Angel, one Foot upon Sea and the other on Earth.
+
+Do. of St. Anthony of Padua.
+
+Do. of the Madra Dolo Roso.
+
+Do. of Simeon, with the Child in his arms.
+
+A picture of a small Landscape, with a Hunt passing In the back-ground.
+
+Do. of Abraham and Isaac going to sacrifice,
+
+Do. of a whole-length figure of Thomas a Becket, larger than life.
+
+Do. of the Angel in the Sun assembling the Birds of the Air, before the
+destruction of the Old Beast.
+
+Four half-lengths.
+
+The small picture of the Order of the Garter, differing in composition
+from the great picture at Windsor.
+
+The picture of the Shunamite's Son raised to Life by the Prophet Elisha.
+
+Do. of Jacob blessing Joseph's Sons.
+
+Do. of the Death of Wolfe, the third picture.
+
+Do. of the Battle of La Hogue.
+
+Do. of the Boyne.
+
+Do. of the Restoration of Charles II.
+
+Do. of Cromwell dissolving the Long Parliament.
+
+A small portrait of General Wolfe, when a Boy.
+
+The Picture of the Golden Age.
+
+The picture of St. Michael chaining the Dragon, in Trinity College,
+Cambridge, 15 by 8.
+
+Do. of the Angels announcing the Birth of our Saviour, in the Cathedral
+Church at Rochester, 10 by 6.
+
+Do. of the Death of St. Stephen, in the church of St. Stephen,
+Walbrook, 10 by 18.
+
+Do. of the Raising of Lazarus, in the Cathedral of Winchester, 10 by 14.
+
+Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper off his Finger, in the chapel at
+Greenwich, 27 by 15.
+
+The Supper, over the communion-table in the Collegiate Church at
+Windsor, 8 by 13.
+
+The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the east window of the Collegiate
+Church at Windsor, 28 by 32.
+
+The Crucifixion, in the window of ditto, 28 by 36.
+
+The Angel announcing our Saviour's Birth, in ditto, 10 by 14.
+
+The Birth of our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.
+
+The Kings presenting Gifts to our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.
+
+The picture of Peter denying our Saviour, in the chapel of Lord Newark.
+
+The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the church of Barbadoes, 10 by 6.
+
+The picture of Moses with the Law, and John the Baptist, in ditto, as
+large as life.
+
+The picture of Telemachus and Calypso.
+
+Do. of Angelica and Madora.
+
+Do. of the Damsel and Orlando.
+
+Do. of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.
+
+Do. of St. Paul's Conversion; his Persecution of the Christians; and the
+Restoration of his Sight, under the hands of Ananias, in one frame,
+divided in three parts.
+
+Do. of Mr. Hope's Family, containing nine figures as large as life.
+
+Large figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, Innocence, St. Matthew, St. Mark,
+St. Luke, St. John, St. Matthias, St. Thomas, St. Jude, St. Simon, St
+James the Major, St. Philip, St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St.
+James the Minor, Malachi, Micah, Zachariah, and Daniel.
+
+Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.
+
+Paul preaching at Athens.
+
+Elimas the Sorcerer struck blind.
+
+Cornelius and the Angel.
+
+Peter delivered from Prison.
+
+The Conversion of St. Paul.
+
+Paul before Felix.
+
+Two whole-lengths of the late Archbishop of York's two eldest Sons.
+
+A whole-length portrait of the late Lord Grosvenor.
+
+The picture of Jacob drawing Water at the Well for Rachael and her Flock,
+in the possession of Mrs. Evans.
+
+The picture of the Citizens of London offering the Crown to William the
+Conqueror.
+
+The Queen soliciting the King to pardon her son John.
+
+Moses showing the brazen Serpent.
+
+John showing the Lamb of God.
+
+Three of the Children of the late Archbishop of York, with the portrait of
+the Archbishop, half-lengths, in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Drummond.
+
+The Family-picture, half-lengths, of Mrs. Cartwright's Children.
+
+Do. of Sir Edmund Baker, Nephew and Niece, half-length.
+
+Do. of--Lunis, Esq.'s Children, half-lengths.
+
+A Lady leading three Children along the Path of Virtue to the Temple.
+
+A picture of Madora.
+
+The picture of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great
+Mogul, for Lord Clive.
+
+Christ receiving the Sick and Lame in the Temple, in the Pennsylvanian
+Hospital, Philadelphia, 11 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Pylades and Orestes, for Sir George Beaumont.
+
+The original sketch of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes, for ditto.
+
+The picture of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotas into Banishment, with his
+Wife and Children, for W. Smith, Esq.
+
+Do. of the Marys at the Sepulchre, for General Stibert.
+
+Do. of Alexander and his Physician, for ditto.
+
+Do. of Julius Caesar reading the Life of Alexander.
+
+Do. of the Return of the Prodigal Son, for Sir James Earle.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis, for--Knight, Esq. Portland Place.
+
+Do. of the Continence of Scipio, ditto.
+
+Do. of Venus and Cupid, oval, for Mr. Steers Temple.
+
+Do. of Alfred dividing his Loaf, presented to Stationers' Hall by
+Alderman Boydell.
+
+Do. of Helen brought to Paris, in the possession of a family in Kent.
+
+A small sketch of the Shunamite's Son restored, &c.
+
+Cupid stung by a Bee, oval, for--Vesey, Esq. in Ireland.
+
+Agrippina surrounded by her Children, and reclining her Head on the Urn
+containing the Ashes of Germanicus, ditto.
+
+The Death of Wolfe, the fourth picture, for Lord Bristol.
+
+A do. of do. the fourth picture, in the possession of the Prince of
+Waldeck.
+
+A small do. of do. the fifth picture, ditto Moncton family.
+
+A small picture of Romeo and Juliet, for the Duke of Courland.
+
+A small picture of King Lear and his Daughters, ditto.
+
+Do. of Belisarius and the Boy, for Sir Francis Baring.
+
+Do. of Sir Francis Baring and part of his Family, containing six figures
+as large as life, ditto.
+
+Do. of Simeon and the Child, as large as life, for the Provost of Eton.
+
+Do. of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great Mogul, a
+second picture, for Madras.
+
+The second picture of Philippa soliciting of Edward III. the pardon of the
+Burgesses of Calais, in the possession of--Willet, Esq.
+
+Do. of Europa on the back of the Bull, at Calcutta.
+
+Do. of the Death of Hyacinthus, painted for Lord Kerry, but now in the
+National Gallery at Paris.
+
+The picture of Venus presenting the Girdle to Juno, painted for
+Lord Kerry, and in the National Gallery; figures as large as life
+in both pictures.
+
+Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, for Caleb Whitford, Esq.
+
+Do. of Pharaoh's Daughter with the Child Moses, for--Park, Esq.: the
+original painted for General Lawrence.
+
+Do. of the Stolen Kiss, painted for ditto, and in the possession of ditto.
+
+Do. of Angelica and Madora, for ditto, ditto.
+
+Do. of the Woman of Samaria at the Well with Christ, ditto.
+
+Do. of Paetus and Arria, in the possession of Col. Smith, at the Tower.
+
+Do. of Rebecca coming to David, for Sir J. Ashley.
+
+The Drawing respecting Christ's Nativity, for Mr. Tomkins, Doctors'
+Commons.
+
+Do. of Rebecca receiving the Bracelets at the Well, for the late Lord
+Buckinghamshire.
+
+The drawing of the Stolen Kiss, ditto.
+
+Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, ditto.
+
+Do. of a Mother and Child, ditto.
+
+The whole-length portrait of Sir Thomas Strange, in the Town-hall
+of Halifax.
+
+Do. of Sir John Sinclair.
+
+The picture of Agrippina landing at Brundusium, (the first picture,) in
+the possession of Lord Kinnoul.
+
+Do. of do. for the Earl of Exeter, at Burleigh, second picture.
+
+Do. of do. (third picture,) in the possession of---- Hatch, Esq., in
+Essex.
+
+A small picture of Jupiter and Semele: the large picture lost at sea.
+
+Hector parting with his Wife and Child at the Sun Gate.
+
+The prophet Elisha raising the Shunamite's son.
+
+The raising of Lazarus.
+
+Edward III. crossing the River Somme.
+
+Queen Philippa at the Battle of Nevil's Cuoss.
+
+The Angels announcing to the Shepherds the Birth of our Saviour.
+
+The Magi bringing Presents to our Saviour.
+
+A view on the River Thames at Hammersmith.
+
+A do. on the banks of the River Susquehanna, in America.
+
+The picture of Tangire Mill, at Eton.
+
+Do. of Chryseis returned to her father Chyses.
+
+Venus and Adonis, large as life.
+
+The sixth picture of the Death of Wolfe.
+
+The first and second picture of the Battle of La Hogue.
+
+The sketch, of Macbeth and the Witches.
+
+The small picture of the Return of Tobias.
+
+The small picture of the Return of the Prodigal Son.
+
+Do. of Ariadne on the Sea-shore.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis.
+
+Do. of John King of France brought to the Black Prince.
+
+Do. of Antiochus and Stratonice.
+
+Do, of King Lear and his Daughter.
+
+The picture of Chryses on the Sea-shore.
+
+Do. of Nathan and David:--"Thou art the Man!" as large as life,
+
+Do. of Elijah raising the Widow's Son to Life.
+
+Do. of the Choice of Hercules.
+
+Do. of Venus and Europa.
+
+Do. of Daniel interpreting the Hand-writing on the Wall.
+
+Do. of the Ambassador from Tunis, with his Attendant, as he appeared in
+England in 1781.
+
+The drawing of Marius on the Ruins of Carthage.
+
+Do. of Cato giving his Daughter in Marriage on his Death, both in the
+possession of the Archduke Joseph.
+
+Do. of Belisarius brought to his Family.
+
+The large picture of the Stag, or the rescuing of Alexander the Third, for
+Lord Seaforth, 12 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Endymion and Diana, at Wentworth
+Castle, Yorkshire.
+
+Do. of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Angelica and Madora, in the possession of
+Mr. Mitton, of Shropshire, painted at Rome.
+
+Small picture of the Battle of Cressy.
+
+Small sketch of the Order of the Garter.
+
+Mr. West's small picture of his Family.
+
+The sketch of Edward the Third with his Queen, and the Citizens of
+Calais.
+
+Mr. West's small copy from Vandyke's picture of Cardinal Bentivoglio, now
+in the National Gallery at Paris.
+
+Mr. West's copy from Correggio's celebrated picture at Parma, viz. the St.
+Girolemo, now in the National Gallery.
+
+The large Landscape from Windsor Forest.
+
+The picture of Mark Antony showing the Robe and Will of Julius Caesar to
+the People.
+
+Do. of AEgistus viewing the Body of Clytemnestra.
+
+The large sketch of the window at Windsor, of the Magi presenting Gifts to
+the Infant Christ.
+
+The small sketch of the Battle of Nevil's Cross.
+
+The second small sketch of the Order of the Garter.
+
+The small picture of Ophelia before the King and Queen, with her
+brother Laertes.
+
+Do. of the Recovery of His Majesty in the year 1789.
+
+Do. from Thomson's Seasons, of Miranda and her Two Companions.
+
+Do. of Edward the Third crowning Ribemont at Calais, a sketch.
+
+The picture of Leonidas taking leave of his Family on his going to
+Thermopylae.
+
+Do. of a Bacchante, as large as life, half-length.
+
+First sketch of the Battle of Cressy.
+
+The picture of Phaeton soliciting Apollo for the Chariot of the Sun.
+
+The second picture of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.
+
+The small picture of Belisarius and the Boy, different from that in the
+possession of Sir Francis Baring.
+
+The small picture of the Eagle giving the Vase of Water to Psyche.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis, from Anacreon.
+
+Do. of Moonlight and the "Beckoning Ghost," from Pope's Elegy.
+
+Do. of the Angel sitting on the Stone at the Sepulchre.
+
+Second picture of the same, but differing in composition.
+
+A small sketch of ditto.
+
+A sketch of King Lear and his Daughter.
+
+The second picture of Angelica and Madora.
+
+Do. of a Damsel and Orlando.
+
+Mr. West's portrait, half-length.
+
+Sketch of his two Sons, when Children.
+
+Do. when Boys.
+
+Do. when young Men.
+
+Portrait of the Rev.---- Preston.
+
+Picture of the Bacchante Boys.
+
+Do. of the Good Samaritan.
+
+Picture of the Destruction of the Old Beast and False
+Prophet:--Revelation.
+
+Do. of Christ healing the Sick, Lame, and Blind, in the Tenrple.
+
+Do. of Tintern Abbey.
+
+Do. of Death on the Pale Horse; or, the Opening of the Seals.
+
+Do. of Jason and the Dragon, in imitation of Salvator Rosa.
+
+Do. of Venus and Adonis looking at Cupids bathing.
+
+Do. of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.
+
+Do. of the Uxbridge Passage-boat on the Canal.
+
+Do. of St. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and turning to the
+Gentiles.
+
+Picture of the Falling of Trees in the Great Park at Windsor.
+
+Do. of Diomed and his Chariot-horses struck by the Lightning of Jupiter.
+
+Do. of the Milk-woman in St. James's Park.
+
+Do. of King Lear in the Storm at the Hovel.
+
+Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
+
+Do. of the Order of the Garter.
+
+Do. of Orion on the Dolphin's back.
+
+Do. of Cupid complaining to Venus of a Bee having stung his finger.
+
+Do. of the Deluge.
+
+Do. of Queen Elizabeth's Procession to St. Paul's.
+
+Do. of Christ showing a Little Child as the Emblem of Heaven.
+
+Do. of Harvest-home.
+
+Do. of a View from the east end of Windsor Castle, looking over Datchet.
+
+Do. of Washing of Sheep.
+
+Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.
+
+Do. of the Sun setting behind a group of Trees on the banks of the Thames
+at Twickenham.
+
+Do. of the driving of Sheep and Cows to water.
+
+Do. of Cattle drinking at a Watering-place in the Great Park, Windsor,
+with Mr. West drawing.
+
+Do. of Pharaoh and his Host drowned in the Red Sea.
+
+Do. of Calypso and Telemachus on the Sea-shore; second picture.
+
+Do. of Gentlemen fishing in the Water at Dagenham Breach.
+
+Do. of Moses consecrating Aaron and his Sons to the priesthood.
+
+Picture of the View of Windsor-Castle from Snow-Hill, in the Great Park.
+
+Do. of a Mother inviting her little Boy to come to her through a small
+Stream of Water.
+
+Do. of the naming of Samuel, and the prophesying of Zacharias.
+
+Do. of the Ascension of our Saviour.
+
+Do of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+Do. of the Brewer's Porter and Hod Carrier.
+
+Do. of Venus attended by the Graces.
+
+Do. of Samuel, when a Boy, presented to Eli.
+
+Do. of Christ's Last Supper. (In brown colour.)
+
+Do. of the Reaping of Harvest, with Windsor in the back-ground.
+
+Do. of Adonis and his Dog going to the Chace.
+
+Do. of Christ among the Doctors in the Temple.
+
+Do. of Moses shown the Promised Land.
+
+Do. of Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.
+
+Do. of Christ's Nativity.
+
+Do. of Mothers with their Children, in water,
+
+Do. of Cranford Bridge.
+
+Do, of the sketch of Pyrrhus when a Child, before King Glaucus.
+
+Do. of the Traveller laying his Piece of Bread on the Bridle of the dead
+Ass. From Sterne.
+
+Do. of the Captivity. From ditto.
+
+Do. of Cupid letting loose Two Pigeons.
+
+Do. of Cupid asleep.
+
+Do. of Children eating Cherries.
+
+Sketch of a Mother and her Child on her Lap.
+
+The small picture of the Eagle bringing the Cup to
+Psyche.
+
+The picture of St. Anthony of Padua and the Child.
+
+Do. of Jacob, and Laban with his Two Daughters.
+
+Do. of the Women looking into the Sepulchre, and beholding Two Angels
+where the Lord lay.
+
+Do. of the Angel loosening the Chains of St. Peter in Prison.
+
+Do. of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.
+
+Do. of the Death of Epaminondas.
+
+Do. of the Death of Bayard.
+
+The small sketch of Christ's Ascension.
+
+The sketch of a Group of Legendary Saints. In imitation of Reubens.
+
+The picture of Kosciusco on a Couch, as he appeared in London, 1797.
+
+Do. of the Death of Cephalus.
+
+Do. of Abraham and Isaac:--"Here is the Wood and Fire, but where is the
+Lamb for Sacrifice."
+
+The sketch of the Bard. From Gray.
+
+Do. of the Pardoning of John by his brother King Henry, at the
+Solicitation of his Mother.
+
+Do. of St. George and the Dragon.
+
+The picture of Eponina with her Children, giving Bread to her Husband when
+in Concealment.
+
+The sketch on paper of Christ's Last Supper.
+
+The picture of the Pardoning of John, at his Mother's Solicitation.
+
+Do. of the Death of Lord Chatham.
+
+Do. of the Presentation of the Crown to William the Conqueror.
+
+Do. of Europa crowning the Bull with Flowers.
+
+Do. of Mr. West's Garden, Gallery, and Painting-Room.
+
+Do. of the Cave of Despair. From Spenser.
+
+The picture of Christ's Resurrection.
+
+The sketch of the Destruction of the Spanish Armada.
+
+The picture of Arethusa bathing.
+
+The sketch of Priam soliciting of Achilles the Body of Hector.
+
+The picture of Moonlight. (Small.)
+
+The small sketch of Cupid showing Venus his Finger stung by a Bee.
+
+The drawings of the Two Sides of the intended Chapel at Windsor, with the
+Arrangement of the Pictures, &c.
+
+The drawing of St. Matthew, with the Angel.
+
+Do. of Alcibiades and Timon of Athens.
+
+Do. of Penn's Treaty.
+
+Do. of Regulus.
+
+Do. of Mark Antony, showing the Robe and Will of Caesar.
+
+Do. of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+Do. of the Death of Dido.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Moses receiving the Laws on
+Mount Sinai.
+
+The large drawing of the Death of Hippolytus.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, of the Death of St. Stephen. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Caesar.
+
+Do. of the Swearing of Hannibal.
+
+Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve.
+
+Do. of the Deluge.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Landing of Agrippina. On paper.
+
+Do. of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotus into Banishment. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Epaminondas.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Death of Aaron. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.
+
+The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of David prostrate, whilst the destroying
+Angel sheathes the Sword.
+
+The drawing of the Women looking into the Sepulchre.
+
+Do. of St. John Preaching.
+
+Do. of the Golden Age.
+
+Do. of Antinous and Stratonice.
+
+Do. of the Death of Demosthenes.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The drawing of King John and the Barons with Magna Charta.
+
+Do. of La Hogue.
+
+Do. of Jacob and Laban.
+
+The large ditto of the Destruction of the Assyrian Camp by the
+destroying Angel.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Christ raising the Widow's Son.
+
+Do. in ditto, (on paper,) of the Water gushing from the Rock, when
+struck by Moses.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Socrates.
+
+Do. of the Boyne.
+
+Do. of the Death of Eustace St. Celaine.
+
+The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of the Procession of Agrippina with her
+Children and the Roman Ladies through the Roman Camp, when in Mutiny.
+
+The drawing of the Rescue of Alexander III. of Scotland from the Fury
+of the Stag.
+
+Do. of the Death of Wolfe.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of King Alfred dividing his Loaf with a Pilgrim.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Raising of Lazarus.
+
+The small whole-length of Thomas a Becket, in oil, on canvass.
+
+The small picture of the Death of the Stag.
+
+The drawing of ditto.
+
+Do. of Nathan and David.
+
+Do. of Joseph making himself known to his Brethren.
+
+The drawing of Narcissus in the Fountain.
+
+Do. sketch, in small, of the Duannic received by Lord Clive.
+
+Do. of the Continence of Scipio.
+
+Do. of the Last Judgment, and the Sea giving up its Dead.
+
+Do. of the Bard. From Gray;
+
+Do. of Belisarius and his Family.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of Aaron standing between the Dead and Living to stop
+the Plague.
+
+Do. on paper, of the Messenger announcing to Samuel the Loss of the
+Battle.
+
+The drawing of Sir Philip Sydney ordering the Water to be given to the
+wounded Soldier.
+
+The sketch of Christ Rejected.
+
+The great picture of Christ Rejected.
+
+Do. of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The second picture of Christ healing the Sick.
+
+The third great picture of Lord Clive receiving the Duannie.
+
+Portrait of the Duke of Portland.
+
+Portrait of Himself, left unfinished.
+
+
+N.B. Besides these productions, Mr. West has, in his portfolios, drawings
+and sketches exceeding two hundred in number.
+
+
+
+
+NATIONAL MONUMENT.
+
+
+
+[The following letter on an interesting subject is curious, and is
+inserted here to be preserved.]
+
+_Mr. West's Letter to Sir George Beaumont, Bart._
+
+East Cowes Castle, Isle of Wight,
+
+Sept. 30. 1815.
+
+"DEAR SIR GEORGE,
+
+"Your letter to me from Keswick of the thirty-first of last month I have
+received at this place: in that letter you have honoured me with the
+communication of 'the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having
+done you the honour, among others, to inform you of the commands of His
+Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that measures be forthwith taken for the
+erection of a monument to commemorate the victory of Waterloo, in
+pursuance of an address of the House of Commons; and to request you to
+apply to such artists as you think fit, for designs for this national
+column;' and you are pleased to say, that you believe at this distance you
+cannot better forward their views than by applying to me.
+
+"The honourable way in which you have noticed my humble abilities in the
+arts, by calling on them for a design for a monument, to perpetuate an
+occurrence of such high military glory and national greatness as that of
+the victory of Waterloo, demands my warmest acknowledgments, and I also
+feel a duty and profound respect for the sources of your instructions to
+procure appropriate designs from the artists. When a monument is to be
+raised by a great and victorious nation (such as England) in memory of her
+departed as well as her living heroes, I feel it of the highest importance
+to her national character, when her arts and her arms stand so high, that
+they should bear a proud record to posterity of both their powers in such
+a building as that now under consideration.
+
+"To raise a record to departed virtue in an individual, an obelisk, a
+column, or a statue, may bear an honourable name to posterity; but a
+record when thousands have devoted their lives to save their country from
+a rapacious enemy, as in those victories gained by the Greeks at
+Thermopylae and Marathon; the English at Blenheim and Trafalgar; and,
+lastly, that greatest of all, gained by the unsubdued valour and heroism
+of the armies of the United Kingdom at Waterloo, demands a building of
+greater magnitude and more national consequence than that of a column.
+
+"Such a design as I have conceived to record that victory I will give to
+yourself and others for your consideration; but not as a competitor
+presenting a drawing or model for a decision to be made on it as offered
+for competition: I therefore give you the following ideas on friendly
+motives for a dignified building.
+
+"All records to be transmitted, must be by the three means which have
+been established for that purpose; namely, the pen, the pencil, and the
+chisel. I therefore propose a building wherein these three may be
+employed to express the various incidents, and to mark that victory
+distinct from all others, by applying the several spoils and trophies
+taken; and to have the building of considerable magnitude. For as the
+subject is great, so should be its representative: nothing little or mean
+should be accepted, or permitted to appear in such a work, nothing but
+what will mark the great features of that event: all of which by dates,
+names, and sculptured trophies, as well as paintings, may be proclaimed
+and recorded to distant times.
+
+"The basis of such an erection being intended solely to commemorate the
+battle of Waterloo, its name should be in capital letters on the four
+faces, and the trophies of that victory should enrich the sides of the
+same; and the characters of the various military in British armies made
+conspicuous by their numbers shown; and on the summit of the lofty pile
+the sovereign's figure then in power should be placed.
+
+"The plan and dimensions of the building I present to you are as
+follows:--Its base a square of sixty feet, and its height thirty: this
+will make each of the four faces of the base a double square on its
+measurement. From the centre of this base a building to be erected in
+diameter thirty feet, and in height one hundred and twenty, formed out of
+the spoils of victory, and diminishing as it rises, and to be surmounted
+by a figure twelve feet in height, including the pedestal on which it
+stands, In the centre, over the front face of the great case, to be the
+equestrian group of the Duke of Wellington, under which, in large letters,
+WATERLOO to be inscribed; and the four angles of the great base
+perpendicular tablets, ornamented with military insignia expressive of the
+British armies, and inscribed on the four tablets the number of each
+regiment who shared in the glories of that day, and by the four tablets be
+placed the statues of distinguished generals. Thus I have presented you
+with the external appearance of my imaginary building in honour of the
+victory of Waterloo; and the interior of this building to be considered as
+the place of deposit for preserving the powers of the pen, the pencil, and
+other gems from perishing by water or by fire: to be built of stone, and
+all its ornaments to be made of durable metals: all of which to be
+illustrative of the victory for which such a building was erected.
+
+"The situation of this building should be a populous one, and that within
+a circus or square of a diameter not less than six hundred and fifty-eight
+feet. This size of space will give the spectator an opportunity of viewing
+the erection at double the distance of its elevation, which is the optical
+distance that pictures, statues, and buildings should always be seen at.
+
+"Should my ideas of a building to commemorate the military achievements of
+Waterloo be viewed with complacency by yourself and others, I shall feel a
+satisfaction, as President of the Royal Academy, to have done my duty; and
+should His Royal Highness the Prince Regent be pleased to signify his
+approbation, I shall be gratified and honoured. With the sincerity of
+profound respect,
+
+"I am,
+"My dear Sir George,
+"Your obliged and obedient Servant,
+"BENJAMIN WEST."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Suffolk Lane, 28th Jan,
+
+"MY DEAR SIR,
+
+"Sir Philip Francis's critique on the _Transfiguration_ appears very
+ingenious, so far as it explains the painter's design in representing the
+Demoniac Boy as the connecting link between the action _on the Mount_ and
+the groupe at the foot of it; but I cannot agree with Sir Philip in
+supposing the picture to represent the _Ascension_ and as you request
+me to state my reasons for this dissent, I shall briefly endeavour to
+specify them.
+
+"I have _not_ seen the original picture; but in the copy of it by Harlow,
+which was much admired in Rome, and which one would think must be
+accurate, at least in regard to so important a point, since it was
+exhibited beside the original--I say in Harlow's copy the raiment of our
+Saviour is _white,_ not _blue_. The white has, indeed, in the shaded part,
+a bluish tinge, but the colour is decidedly a _white_, and, therefore, Sir
+Philip's assumption that it is _blue_ appears contrary to the fact.
+
+"The _Transfiguration_ was witnessed by _only three_ of the Apostles,
+Peter, James, and John, (see St. Matthew, chap. xvii, v. 1, 2, and 3.)
+exactly as represented In the picture, 'and (see v. 9.) as they came down
+from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man,
+until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead."'
+
+"It maybe as well, to prevent the trouble of an reference, to quote at
+once from the Evangelist, the description of the subject which it appears
+to me the painter meant to represent.
+
+
+Chap. xvii. as before.
+
+1. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
+bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
+
+2. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
+and his raiment was white as the light.
+
+3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
+
+6. And when the disciples heard, they fell on their faces, and were
+sore afraid.
+
+14. And when they were come to the multitudes there came to him a man,
+kneeling down to him, and saying,
+
+15. Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic and sore vexed: and
+oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
+
+16. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him, &c.
+
+"Now this is exactly the scene delineated in the picture. There are _on
+the Mount_ the three disciples, fallen on the ground, and shading their
+faces from the '_bright cloud_' which _overshadows_ the transfigured
+Saviour; and Moses and Elias are the two figures of old men attending the
+Saviour, or '_talking with him._'
+
+"At the _foot of the Mount_, there are _the multitude_, the lunatic boy,
+_his father_ holding him, the _disciples_ who _could not cure him_; and
+one of whom appears in the act of attempting to cure him, by addressing or
+exorcising the demon who is in him. There are also _several women_ in the
+groupe; and it seems that instead of bringing 'different incidents
+together to constitute one plot,' the painter, on the contrary, has
+exactly followed the Evangelist, and represented the same instant of time
+in the action _on_ the Mount, among the _multitude_ at the foot of it.
+
+"I cannot imagine how Sir Philip Francis could have supposed the picture
+to represent the _Ascension_, which took place in the presence of the
+_Eleven Apostles_ and of them only, (see St. Luke, last chapter and last
+paragraph,) as follows:
+
+"And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and he
+blessed them. And it came to pass, when he blessed them, he was parted
+from them, and carried up into Heaven."
+
+"This bears no resemblance whatever to the scene represented in the
+picture, and the opinion given by Sir Philip can only have arisen from an
+imperfect recollection of the Sacred Writings, and from having neglected
+to refer to the text.
+
+"I am,
+"My dear Sir,
+"Yours truly,
+S.M'G-------."
+
+_John Galt, Esq._
+
+
+
+
+The Funeral of Mr. West.
+
+
+
+It would be improper to close this appendix without giving some account of
+the funeral of Mr. West.
+
+Soon after Mr. West's decease, a deputation from the Council of the Royal
+Academy waited on his sons and the executors, to apprise them of the
+intention of that body to honour the remains of their late President., by
+attending them to his grave, according to the ceremonial adopted on the
+public interment of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, in St. Paul's
+Cathedral. His Majesty having, as Patron of the Royal Academy, given his
+gracious sanction that similar honours should be paid to the late
+venerable President, his sons and executors adopted active preparations
+to carry the arrangement into effect. As the schools of the Royal Academy
+were closed, and all its functions suspended, by the death of the late
+President, it was of material importance on this account, and with the
+view to the usual preparatory arrangements for the annual exhibition,
+that the funeral should not be delayed; and as early a day as practicable
+was therefore fixed for the public interment in St. Paul's Cathedral. The
+obvious consequence, however, of this has been, that owing to the absence
+from town, at this particular season, of so many noblemen and gentlemen
+of the highest rank, and the indisposition of several others, many warm
+admirers and friends of this celebrated artist and amiable man, who
+have, during his long life, honoured him with their friendship, and who
+have been particularly desirous of paying their last tribute of respect
+to his remains, have been precluded attending the funeral. The corpse was
+privately brought to the Royal Academy on Tuesday evening, attended by
+the sons and grandson of the deceased, and two intimate friends, Mr.
+Henderson (one of the trustees and executors of the deceased) and Mr.
+Hayes (for many years his medical attendant), and was received by the
+council and officers of the Royal Academy, and their undertaker and his
+attendants, with every mark of respect. The body was then deposited in
+the smaller Exhibition-room, on the ground-floor, which was hung on the
+occasion with black.
+
+About half-past ten yesterday morning, the Academicians, Associates, and
+Students, assembled in the Great Exhibition-room, and the nobility,
+gentry, and the deceased's private friends, soon after arrived, and joined
+the mournful band. The chief mourners were in seclusion in the library of
+the Academy. About half-past twelve o'clock, the whole of the arrangements
+having been effected, the Procession moved from Somerset House to St.
+Paul's Cathedral in the following order:
+
+  Six Constables, by threes.
+  Four Marshalmen, two and two.
+  City Marshal on horseback.
+  Undertaker on horseback.
+  Six Cloakmen on horseback, by twos.
+  Four Mutes on horseback, by twos.
+  Lid of Feathers, with attendant Pages.
+
+Hearse and Six, with rich trappings, feathers, and velvets, attended by
+Eight Pages.
+
+Two Mourning Coaches and four, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Pall-bearers.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Sons and
+Grandson of the deceased, as CHIEF MOURNERS.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Family
+Trustees and Executors of the deceased.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Reverends the
+Vicar of Mary-la-bonne, the Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, and the Medical
+Attendant of the deceased.
+
+Then followed Sixteen Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with Attendant Pages,
+conveying the Right Rev. the Chaplain, the Secretary for Foreign
+Correspondence, and the Members of the Royal Academy and Students.
+
+Twenty Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Mourners and Private Friends of the deceased.
+
+The Procession was closed by above sixty carriages, arranged in rank by
+the junior City Marshal and Marshalmen--the servants wearing hat-bands
+and gloves.
+
+The Procession was attended on each side by fifty Constables, to preserve
+order; and the accesses from Bridge-street, Chancery-lane, the Old Bailey,
+&c. were stopped. On reaching St. Paul's Cathedral, where the senior City
+Marshal was in wailing, with several assistants, to arrange the
+Procession, it entered at the great Western Gate, and was met at the
+entrance of the Cathedral by the Church Dignitaries, &c. the whole then
+proceeded to the Choir in the following order:
+
+
+  The two junior Vergers.
+  The Marshals.
+  The young Gentlemen of the Choir, two by two.
+  Their Almoner, or Master.
+  The Vicars Choral, two by two.
+  The Sub-Dean and Junior Canons, two by two.
+  The Feathers, with Attendant Pages and Mutes.
+  The two Senior Vergers.
+  Honourable and Rev. Dr. Wellesley.
+  The Canon residentiary, and the Rev. the Prebendary.
+
+                       [THE CORPSE]
+  Pall-bearers.                  Pall-bearers.
+  The Earl of Aberdeen,          Right Honourable Sir
+  His Excellency the American    William Scott,
+  Ambassador,                    Honourable Gen. Phipps,
+  Hon. Augustus Phipps,          Sir George Beaumont,
+  Sir Thomas Baring.             Sir Robert Wilson.
+
+
+CHIEF MOURNERS.
+
+  The Sons and Grandson of deceased, namely,
+  Raphael Lamar West, Esq.
+  Benjamin West, Esq.
+  and
+  Mr. Benjamin West, jun.
+  followed by
+  Robert Brunning (the old Servant of deceased)
+  Henry Fauntleroy, Esq. and James Henry Henderson, Esq.
+  (the Family Trustees and Executors of deceased.)
+  and
+  The Rev. Dr. Heslop, Vicar of St. Mary-la-Bonne; the Rev.
+  Mr. Borrodaile, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor; and Joseph
+  Hayes, Esq. Medical Attendant on deceased (Dr. Baillie being unavoidably
+    absent).
+
+Then followed
+
+The Bishop of Salisbury, (As Chaplain to the Royal Academy; and an
+Honorary Member).
+
+Prince Hoare, Esq. (Secretary for Foreign Correspondence to the
+Royal Academy.)
+
+The body of Academicians and Associates of the Royal Academy, according to
+seniority, two by two, Students, two by two.
+
+And the private mourners of the deceased, consisting of--Aldermen Wood
+and Birch, Rev. ---- Est, Rev. Holt Oakes, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P.,
+William Smith, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq. M.P., George Watson
+Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P., Archibald Hamilton,
+Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Richard Payne Knight,
+Esq., Thomas Lister Parker, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Nash, Esq.,
+John Edwards, Esq., Major Payne, Captain Henry Wolseley, Captain Francis
+Halliday, James St. Aubyn, Esq., Henry Sansom, Esq., ---- Magniac, Esq.,
+George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., N. Ogle,
+Esq., George Repton, Esq., William Wadd, Esq., Henry Woodthorpe, jun.
+Esq., Christ. Hodgson, Esq., ---- Cockerell, sen. Esq., ---- Cockerell,
+jun. Esq., Leigh Hunt, Esq., P. Turnerelli, Esq., J. Holloway, Esq.,
+Charles Heath, Esq., Henry Eddridge, Esq., A. Robertson, Esq., W. J.
+Newton, Esq., John Taylor, Esq., T. Bonney, Esq., ---- Muss, Esq., ----
+Martin, Esq., J. Green, Esq., John Gait, Esq., William Carey, Esq., ----
+Leslie Esq., ---- Behnes, Esq., George Samuel, Esq., John Young, Esq.,
+Christopher Pack, Esq., W, Delamotte, Esq., E. Scriven Esq., J. M. Davis,
+Esq., C. Smart, Esq., &c.
+
+It being Passion Week, the usual chanting and performance of music in the
+Cathedral-service could not take place, but an Anthem was, by special
+permission, allowed to be sung; and the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley,
+assisted by the Rev. the Prebendary, performed the solemn service in a
+very impressive manner. The body was placed in the choir, and at the head
+were arranged, on chairs, the chief mourners and executors. The
+pall-bearers were seated on each side of the corpse, and the Members of
+the Royal Academy, and other mourners, were arranged on each side of the
+choir. After the Anthem, the body was attended to the vault-door by the
+pall-bearers, followed by the chief mourners and executors, and was
+conveyed into the crypt, and placed immediately beneath the perforated
+brass plate, under the centre of the dome. Dr. Wellesley, with the other
+canons, and the whole choir, then came under the dome, and the
+pall-bearers, chief mourners, and executors, stood by them. The Members
+of the Royal Academy were ranged on the right, and the other mourners on
+the left, forming a circle, the outside of which was protected by the
+Marshals and undertaker's attendants. Here the remainder of the service
+was completed, and the sexton, placed in the crypt below, at the proper
+period, let fall some earth, as usual, on the coffin. After the
+funeral-service was ended, the chief mourners and executors, accompanied
+by most of the other mourners, went into the crypt, and attended the
+corpse to its grave, which was sunk with brick-work under the pavement at
+the head of the grave of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, and adjoining to
+that of the late Mr. West's intimate and highly-valued friend, Dr.
+Newton, formerly Bishop of Bristol, and Dean of St. Paul's, the
+brick-work of whose grave forms one side of Mr. West's; thus uniting
+their remains in the silent tomb. Sir Christopher Wren, the great
+architect, lies interred close by, as well as those eminent artists, the
+late Mr. Opie and Mr. Barry.
+
+The Members of the Royal Academy, and all the mourners, then returned to
+Somerset-House, in the like order of procession (with the exception of the
+hearse and feathers,) where refreshments were provided for them.
+
+The whole of this affecting ceremony was conducted with great solemnity
+and respect, and was witnessed by an immense concourse of people.
+
+The carriages attending in the Procession were those of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of York, the Dukes of Norfolk, Northumberland, and Argyll;
+the Marquisses of Lansdowne and Stafford; the Earls of Liverpool, Essex,
+Aberdeen, Carlisle, Dartmouth, Powis, Mulgrave, Darnley, and Carysfort;
+Viscount Sidmouth; the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Carlisle, and
+Chester; Admiral Lord Radstock; the Right Honourables Sir William Scott,
+Charles Manners Sutton, and Charles Long; the American Ambassador; the
+Hon. General Phipps, Augustus Phipps; Sirs George Beaumont, J. Fleming
+Leicester, Thomas Baring, and Henry Fletcher; the Solicitor General, Sir
+Robert Wilson, Dr. Heslop, Dr. Baillie, Aldermen Birch and Wood, Mr.
+Chamberlain Clarke, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq.
+M.P., George Watson Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P.,
+Henry Fauntleroy, Esq., Archibald Hamilton, Esq., Thomas Courts, Esq.,
+John Penn, Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Walter
+Fawkes, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Yenn, Esq., John Soane, Esq.,
+Francis Chantry, Esq., Henry Sanson, Esq., John Nash, Esq., John Edwards,
+Esq., George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., Henry
+Meux, Esq. &c. &c.
+
+The following is the Inscription upon the Tombstone over the deceased:--
+
+Here lie the Remains of BENJAMIN WEST, Esq., President of the Royal
+Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture: born 10th Oct. 1738,
+at Springfield, in Pennsylvania, in America: died in London, 11th
+March, 1820.
+
+END OF PART II.
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LIFE, STUDIES, AND WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST, ESQ. ***
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq.
+by John Galt
+
+Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the
+copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing
+this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.
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+**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**
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+*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
+
+
+Title: The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+Author: John Galt
+
+Release Date: September, 2005  [EBook #8857]
+[This file was first posted on August 14, 2003]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LIFE, STUDIES, AND WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST, ESQ. ***
+
+
+
+
+E-text prepared by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+President of the Royal Academy of London
+
+Composed from Materials Furnished by Himself
+
+By John Galt, Esq.
+
+Author of the Life and Administration of Cardinal Wolsey, &c.
+
+
+
+1820.
+
+
+
+Part I.
+
+
+
+To
+Alexander Gordon, Esq.
+This little work
+Is respectfully inscribed
+By the Author.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+
+The professional life of Mr. West constitutes an important part of an
+historical work, in which the matter of this volume could only have been
+introduced as an episode, and, perhaps, not with much propriety even in
+that form. It was my intention, at one time, to have prepared the whole of
+his memoirs, separately, for publication; but a careful review of the
+manuscript convinced me, that the transactions in which he has been
+engaged, subsequently to his arrival in England, are so much of a public
+nature, and belong so immediately to the history of the Arts, that such a
+separation could not be effected without essentially impairing the
+interest and unity of the main design; and that the particular nature of
+this portion of his memoirs admitted of being easily detached and arranged
+into a whole, complete within itself.
+
+I do not think that there can be two opinions with respect to the utility
+of a work of this kind. Mr. West, in relating the circumstances by which
+he was led to approximate, without the aid of an instructor, to those
+principles and rules of art, which it is the object of schools and
+academies to disseminate, has conferred a greater benefit on young Artists
+than he could possibly have done by the most ingenious and eloquent
+lectures on the theories of his profession; and it was necessary that the
+narrative should appear in his own time, in order that the authenticity of
+the incidents might not rest on the authority of any biographer.
+
+_April_ 25,1816.
+
+John Galt.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.
+
+Chap. II.
+
+    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross.--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.
+
+Chap. III.
+
+    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led
+    to the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place
+    him in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers.--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.
+
+Chap. V.
+
+    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--- He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvator
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+    Anecdote of a famous Improvisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of West's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequence of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies
+    Mr. Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to Rome.
+    --Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian Obelisk.
+    --Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an anecdote of a
+    Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote of a Scottish
+    Fanatic who arrived in Rome to convert the Pope.--Sequel of the
+    Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit England.--Having completed
+    his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous picture, he is elected an
+    Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and invited to Court.--He
+    proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--Reflections on the Stale
+    of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French frontiers.--State of
+    Taste in France.
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Studies of Benjamin West
+
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+
+
+    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.
+
+Benjamin West, the subject of the following Memoirs, was the youngest son
+of John West and Sarah Pearson, and was born near Springfield, in Chester
+County, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 10th of October, 1738.
+
+The branch of the West family, to which he belongs, has been traced in an
+unbroken series to the Lord Delawarre, who distinguished himself in the
+great wars of King Edward the Third, and particularly at the battle of
+Cressy, under the immediate command of the Black Prince. In the reign of
+Richard the Second, the ancestors of Mr. West settled at Long Crandon in
+Buckinghamshire. About the year 1667 they embraced the tenets of the
+Quakers; and Colonel James West, the friend and companion in arms of the
+celebrated Hampden, is said to have been the first proselyte of the
+family. In 1699 they emigrated to America.
+
+Thomas Pearson, the maternal grandfather of the Artist, was the
+confidential friend of William Penn, and accompanied him to America. On
+their first landing, the venerable Founder of the State of Pennsylvania
+said to him, "Providence has brought us safely hither; thou hast been the
+companion of my perils, what wilt thou that I should call this place?" Mr,
+Pearson replied, that "since he had honoured him so far as to desire him
+to give that part of the country a name, he would, in remembrance of his
+native City, call it Chester." The exact spot where these patriarchs of
+the new world first landed, is still pointed out with reverence by the
+inhabitants. Mr. Pearson built a house and formed a plantation in the
+neighbourhood, which he called Springfield, in consequence of discovering
+a large spring of water in the first field cleared for cultivation; and it
+was near this place that Benjamin West was born.
+
+When the West family emigrated, John, the father of Benjamin, was left to
+complete his education at the great school of the Quakers at Uxbridge, and
+did not join his relations in America till the year 1714. Soon after his
+arrival he married the mother of the Artist; and of the worth and piety of
+his character we have a remarkable proof in the following transactions,
+which, perhaps, reflect more real glory on his family than the
+achievements of all his heroic ancestors.
+
+As a part of the marriage portion of Mrs. West he received a negro slave,
+whose diligence and fidelity very soon obtained his full confidence.
+Being engaged in trade, he had occasion to make a voyage in the West
+Indies, and left this young black to superintend the plantation in his
+absence, During his residence in Barbadoes, his feelings were greatly
+molested, and his principles shocked, by the cruelties to which he saw the
+negroes subjected in that island; and the debasing effects were forcibly
+contrasted in his mind with the morals and intelligence of his own slave.
+Conversing on this subject with Doctor Gammon, who was then at the head of
+the community of Friends in Barbadoes, the Doctor convinced him that it
+was contrary to the laws of God and Nature that any man should retain his
+fellow-creatures in slavery. This conviction could not rest long inactive
+in a character framed like that of Mr. West. On his return to America he
+gave the negro his freedom, and retained him as a hired servant.
+
+Not content with doing good himself, he endeavoured to make others follow
+his example, and in a short time his arguments had such an effect on his
+neighbours, that it was agreed to discuss publicly the general question of
+Slavery. This was done accordingly; and, after debating it at many
+meetings, it was resolved by a considerable majority THAT IT WAS THE DUTY
+OF CHRISTIANS TO GIVE FREEDOM TO THEIR SLAVES. The result of this
+discussion was soon afterwards followed by a similar proposal to the head
+meeting of the Quakers in the township of Goshen in Chester County; and
+the cause of Humanity was again victorious. Finally, about the year 1753,
+the same question was agitated in the annual general assembly at
+Philadelphia, when it was ultimately established as one of the tenets of
+the Quakers, that no person could remain a member of their community who
+held a human creature in slavery. This transaction is perhaps the first
+example in the history of communities, of a great public sacrifice of
+individual interest, not originating from considerations of policy or the
+exigences of public danger, but purely from moral and religious
+principles.
+
+The benevolent work of restoring their natural rights to the unfortunate
+Negroes, did not rest even at this great pecuniary sacrifice. The Society
+of Friends went farther, and established Schools for the education of
+their children; and some of the first characters among themselves
+volunteered to superintend the course of instruction.
+
+In the autumn of 1738, Edmund Peckover, a celebrated Orator among the
+Quakers, came to the neighbourhood of Springfield, and on the 28th of
+September preached in a meeting-house erected by the father of Mrs. West
+at the distance of about a mile and a half from his residence. Mrs. West
+was then the mother of nine children, and far advanced in her pregnancy
+with Benjamin.--Peckover possessed the most essential qualities of an
+impressive speaker, and on this occasion the subject of his address was of
+extraordinary interest to his auditors. He reviewed the rise and progress
+of society in America, and with an enthusiastic eloquence which partook of
+the sublimity and vehemence of the prophetic spirit, he predicted the
+future greatness of the country. He described the condition of the
+European nations, decrepid in their institutions, and corrupt in their
+morality, and contrasted them with the young and flourishing
+establishments of the New World. He held up to their abhorrence the
+licentious manners and atheistical principles of the French, among whom
+God was disregarded or forgotten; and, elevated by the importance of his
+subject, he described the Almighty as mustering his wrath to descend on
+that nation, and disperse it as chaff in a whirlwind. He called on them to
+look towards their home of England, and to see with what eager devotion
+the inhabitants worshiped the golden image of Commerce, and laid the
+tribute of all their thoughts on its altars; believing that with the power
+of the idol alone, they should be able to withstand all calamities. "The
+day and the hour are, however, hastening on, when the image shall be
+shaken from its pedestal by the tempest of Jehovah's descending vengeance,
+its altars overturned, and the worshipers terribly convinced that without
+the favour of the Almighty God there is no wisdom in man! But," continued
+this impassioned orator, "from the woes and the crimes of Europe let us
+turn aside our eyes; let us turn from the worshipers of Commerce, clinging
+round their idols of gold and silver, and, amidst the wrath, the storm,
+and the thunder, endeavouring to hold them up; let us not look at the land
+of blasphemies; for in the crashing of engines, the gushing of blood, and
+the shrieking of witnesses more to be pitied than the victims, the
+activity of God's purifying displeasure will be heard; while turning our
+eyes towards the mountains of this New World, the forests shall be seen
+fading away, cities rising along the shores, and the terrified nations of
+Europe flying out of the smoke and the burning to find refuge here."--All
+his auditors were deeply affected, particularly Mrs. West, who was taken
+with the pains of labour on the spot. The meeting was broken up; the women
+made a circle round her as they carried her home, and such was the
+agitation into which she was thrown, that the consequences had nearly
+proved fatal both to the mother and the infant, of which she was
+prematurely delivered.
+
+This occurrence naturally excited much attention, and became the subject
+of general conversation. It made a deep impression on the mind of Mr.
+West, who could not divest himself of a feeling that it indicated
+something extraordinary in the future fortunes of his child; and when
+Peckover, soon afterwards, on his leaving that part of the country, paid
+him a farewell visit, he took an opportunity of introducing the subject.
+The warm imagination of the Preacher eagerly sympathised with the feelings
+of his friend. He took him by the hand, and, with emphatic solemnity, said
+that a child sent into the world under such remarkable circumstances would
+prove no ordinary man; and he charged him to watch over the boy's
+character with the utmost degree of paternal solicitude. It will appear in
+the sequel, that this singular admonition was not lost on Mr. West.
+
+The first six years of Benjamin's life passed away in calm uniformity;
+leaving only the placid remembrance of enjoyment. In the month of June
+1745, one of his sisters, who had been married some time before, and who
+had a daughter, came with her infant to spend a few days at her father's.
+When the child was asleep in the cradle, Mrs. West invited her daughter to
+gather flowers in the garden, and committed the infant to the care of
+Benjamin during their absence; giving him a fan to flap away the flies
+from molesting his little charge. After some time the child happened to
+smile in its sleep, and its beauty attracted his attention. He looked at
+it with a pleasure which he had never before experienced, and observing
+some paper on a table, together with pens and red and black ink, he seized
+them with agitation, and endeavoured to delineate a portrait: although at
+this period he had never seen an engraving or a picture, and was only in
+the seventh year of his age.
+
+Hearing the approach of his mother and sister, he endeavoured to conceal
+what he had been doing; but the old lady observing his confusion, enquired
+what he was about, and requested him to show her the paper. He obeyed,
+entreating her not to be angry. Mrs. West, after looking some time at the
+drawing with evident pleasure, said to her daughter, "I declare he has
+made a likeness of little Sally," and kissed him with much fondness and
+satisfaction. This encouraged him to say, that if it would give her any
+pleasure, he would make pictures of the flowers which she held in her
+hand; for the instinct of his genius was now awakened, and he felt that he
+could imitate the forms of those things which pleased his sight.
+
+This curious incident deserves consideration in two points of view. The
+sketch must have had some merit, since the likeness was so obvious,
+indicating how early the hand of the young artist possessed the power of
+representing the observations of his eye. But it is still more remarkable
+as the birth of the fine arts in the New World, and as one of the few
+instances in the history of art, in which the first inspiration of genius
+can be distinctly traced to a particular circumstance. The drawing was
+shown by Mrs. West to her husband, who, remembering the prediction of
+Peckover, was delighted with this early indication of talent in his son.
+But the fact, though in itself very curious, will appear still more
+remarkable, when the state of the country at that period, and the peculiar
+manners of the Quakers, are taken into consideration.
+
+The institutions of William Penn had been sacredly preserved by the
+descendants of the first settlers, with whom the remembrance of the causes
+which had led their ancestors to forsake their native country, was
+cherished like the traditions of religion, and became a motive to
+themselves, for indulging in the exercise of those blameless principles,
+which had been so obnoxious to the arrogant spirit of the Old World. The
+associates of the Wests and the Pearsons, considered the patriarchs of
+Pennsylvania as having been driven from England, because their endeavours
+to regulate their conduct by the example of Jesus Christ, mortified the
+temporal pretensions of those who satisfied themselves with attempting to
+repeat his doctrines; and they thought that the asylum in America was
+chosen, to facilitate the enjoyment of that affectionate intercourse which
+their tenets enjoined, free from the military predilections and political
+jealousies of Europe. The effect of this opinion tended to produce a state
+of society more peaceful and pleasing than the World had ever before
+exhibited. When the American Poets shall in future times celebrate the
+golden age of their country, they will draw their descriptions from the
+authentic history of Pennsylvania in the reign of King George the Second.
+
+From the first emigration in 1681, the colony had continued to thrive with
+a rapidity unknown to the other European Settlements. It was blessed in
+the maxims upon which it had been founded, and richly exhibited the fruits
+of their beneficent operation. At the birth of Benjamin West it had
+obtained great wealth, and the population was increasing much more
+vigorously than the ordinary reproduction of the human species in any
+other part of the world. In the houses of the principal families, the
+patricians of the country, unlimited hospitality formed a part of their
+regular economy. It was the custom among those who resided near the
+highways, after supper and the last religious exercise of the evening, to
+make a large fire in the hall, and to set out a table with refreshments
+for such travellers as might have occasion to pass during the night; and
+when the families assembled in the morning they seldom found that their
+tables had been unvisited. This was particularly the case at Springfield.
+Poverty was never heard of in the land. The disposition to common charity
+having no objects, was blended with the domestic affections, and rendered
+the ties of friendship and kindred stronger and dearer. Acts of liberality
+were frequently performed to an extent that would have beggared the
+munificence of the Old World. With all these delightful indications of a
+better order of things, society in Pennsylvania retained, at this time,
+many of those respectable prejudices which gave a venerable grace to
+manners, and are regarded by the practical philosopher as little inferior
+in dignity to the virtues. William Penn was proud of his distinguished
+parentage, and many of his friends traced their lineage to the antient
+and noble families of England. In their descendants the pride of ancestry
+was so tempered with the meekness of their religious tenets, that it lent
+a kind of patriarchal dignity to their benevolence.
+
+In beautiful contrast to the systematic morality of the new inhabitants,
+was the simplicity of the Indians, who mingled safe and harmless among the
+Friends. In the annual visits which they were in the practice of paying to
+the Plantations, they raised their huts in the fields and orchards without
+asking leave, nor were they ever molested. Voltaire has observed, that the
+treaty which was concluded between the Indians and William Penn was the
+first public contract which connected the inhabitants of the Old and New
+World together, and, though not ratified by oaths, and without invoking
+the Trinity, is still the only treaty that has never been broken. It may
+be further said, that Pennsylvania is the first country which has not been
+subdued by the sword, for the inhabitants were conquered by the force of
+Christian benevolence.
+
+When the great founder of the State marked out the site of Philadelphia in
+the woods, he allotted a piece of ground for a public library. It was his
+opinion, that although the labour of clearing the country would long
+employ the settlers, hours of relaxation would still be requisite; and,
+with his usual sagacity, he judged that the reading of books was more
+conducive to good morals and to the formation of just sentiments, than any
+other species of amusement. The different counties afterwards instituted
+libraries, which the townships have also imitated: where the population
+was insufficient to establish a large collection of books, the
+neighbouring families formed themselves into societies for procuring the
+popular publications. But in these arrangements for cultivating the powers
+of the understanding, no provision was made, during the reign of George
+the Second, for improving the faculties of taste. The works of which the
+libraries then consisted, treated of useful and practical subjects. It was
+the policy of the Quakers to make mankind wiser and better; and they
+thought that, as the passions are the springs of all moral evil when in a
+state of excitement, whatever tends to awaken them is unfavourable to that
+placid tenour of mind which they wished to see diffused throughout the
+world. This notion is prudent, perhaps judicious; but works of imagination
+may be rendered subservient to the same purpose. Every thing in
+Pennsylvania was thus unpropitious to the fine arts. There were no cares
+in the bosoms of individuals to require public diversions, nor any
+emulation in the expenditure of wealth to encourage the ornamental
+manufactures. In the whole Christian world no spot was apparently so
+unlikely to produce a painter as Pennsylvania. It might, indeed, be
+supposed, according to a popular opinion, that a youth, reared among the
+concentrating elements of a new state, in the midst of boundless forests,
+tremendous waterfalls, and mountains whose summits were inaccessible to
+"the lightest foot and wildest wing," was the most favourable situation
+to imbibe the enthusiasm either of poetry or of painting, if scenery and
+such accidental circumstances are to be regarded as every thing, and
+original character as nothing. But it may reasonably be doubted if ever
+natural scenery has any assignable influence on the productions of genius.
+The idea has probably arisen from the impression which the magnificence of
+nature makes on persons of cultivated minds, who fall into the mistake of
+considering the elevated emotions arising in reality from their own
+associations, as being naturally connected with the objects that excite
+them. Of all the nations of Europe the Swiss are the least poetical, and
+yet the scenery of no other country seems so well calculated as that of
+Switzerland to awaken the imagination; and Shakespeare, the greatest of
+all modern Poets, was brought up in one of the least picturesque districts
+of England.
+
+Soon after the occurrence of the incident which has given rise to these
+observations, the young Artist was sent to a school in the neighbourhood.
+During his hours of leisure he was permitted to draw with pen and ink; for
+it did not occur to any of the family to provide him with better
+materials. In the course of the summer a party of Indians came to pay
+their annual visit to Springfield, and being amused with the sketches of
+birds and flowers which Benjamin shewed them, they taught him to prepare
+the red and yellow colours with which they painted their ornaments. To
+these his mother added blue, by giving him a piece of indigo, so that he
+was thus put in possession of the three primary colours. The fancy is
+disposed to expatiate on this interesting fact; for the mythologies of
+antiquity furnish no allegory more beautiful; and a Painter who would
+embody the metaphor of an Artist instructed by Nature, could scarcely
+imagine any thing more picturesque than the real incident of the Indians
+instructing West to prepare the prismatic colours. The Indians also taught
+him to be an expert archer, and he was sometimes in the practice of
+shooting birds for models, when he thought that their plumage would look
+well in a picture.
+
+His drawings at length attracted the attention of the neighbours; and some
+of them happening to regret that the Artist had no pencils, he enquired
+what kind of things these were, and they were described to him as small
+brushes made of camels' hair fastened in a quill. As there were, however,
+no camels in America, he could not think of any substitute, till he
+happened to cast his eyes on a black cat, the favourite of his father;
+when, in the tapering fur of her tail, he discovered the means of
+supplying what he wanted. He immediately armed himself with his mother's
+scissors, and, laying hold of Grimalkin with all due caution, and a proper
+attention to her feelings, cut off the fur at the end of her tail, and
+with this made his first pencil. But the tail only furnished him with one,
+which did not last long, and he soon stood in need of a further supply. He
+then had recourse to the animal's back, his depredations upon which were
+so frequently repeated, that his father observed the altered appearance of
+his favourite, and lamented it as the effect of disease. The Artist, with
+suitable marks of contrition, informed him of the true cause; and the old
+gentleman was so much amused with his ingenuity, that if he rebuked him,
+it was certainly not in anger.
+
+Anecdotes of this kind, trifling as they may seem, have an interest
+independent of the insight they afford into the character to which they
+relate. It will often appear, upon a careful study of authentic biography,
+that the means of giving body and effect to their conceptions, are rarely
+withheld from men of genius. If the circumstances of Fortune are
+unfavourable, Nature instructs them to draw assistance immediately from
+herself, by endowing them with the faculty of perceiving a fitness and
+correspondence in things which no force of reasoning, founded on the
+experience of others, could enable them to discover. This aptness is,
+perhaps, the surest indication of the possession of original talent. There
+are minds of a high class to which the world, in the latitude of its
+expressions, often ascribes genius, but which possess only a superior
+capacity for the application of other men's notions, unconnected with any
+unusual portion of the inventive faculty.
+
+In the following year Mr. Pennington, a merchant of Philadelphia, who was
+related to the West family, came to pay a visit to Mr. West. This
+gentleman was also a member of the Society of Friends, and, though
+strictly attentive to the peculiar observances of the sect, was a man of
+pleasant temper and indulgent dispositions. He noticed the drawings of
+birds and flowers round the room, unusual ornaments in the house of a
+Quaker; and heard with surprise that they were the work of his little
+cousin. Of their merit as pictures he did not pretend to judge, but he
+thought them wonderful productions for a boy only entering on his eighth
+year, and being told with what imperfect materials they had been executed,
+he promised to send the young Artist a box of paints and pencils from the
+city. On his return home he fulfilled his engagement, and at the bottom of
+the box placed several pieces of canvass prepared for the easel, and six
+engravings by Grevling.
+
+The arrival of the box was an æra in the history of the Painter and his
+art. It was received with feelings of delight which only a similar mind
+can justly appreciate. He opened it, and in the colours, the oils, and
+the pencils, found all his wants supplied, even beyond his utmost
+conceptions. But who can describe the surprise with which he beheld the
+engravings; he who had never seen any picture but his own drawings, nor
+knew that such an art as the Engraver's existed! He sat over the box with
+enamoured eyes; his mind was in a flutter of joy; and he could not refrain
+from constantly touching the different articles, to ascertain that they
+were real. At night he placed the box on a chair near his bed, and as
+often as he was overpowered by sleep, he started suddenly and stretched
+out his hand to satisfy himself that the possession of such a treasure was
+not merely a pleasing dream. He rose at the dawn of day, and carried the
+box to a room in the garret, where he spread a canvass, prepared a pallet,
+and immediately began to imitate the figures in the engravings. Enchanted
+by his art he forgot the school hours, and joined the family at dinner
+without mentioning the employment in which he had been engaged. In the
+afternoon he again retired to his study in the garret; and for several
+days successively he thus withdrew and devoted himself to painting. The
+schoolmaster, observing his absence, sent to ask the cause of it. Mrs.
+West, affecting not to take any particular notice of the message,
+recollected that she had seen Benjamin going up stairs every morning, and
+suspecting that the box occasioned his neglect of the school, went to the
+garret, and found him employed on the picture. Her anger was appeased by
+the sight of his performance, and changed to a very different feeling. She
+saw, not a mere copy, but a composition from two of the engravings. With
+no other guide than that delicacy of sight which renders the Painter's
+eye, with respect to colours, what the Musician's ear is with respect to
+sounds, he had formed a picture as complete, in the scientific arrangement
+of the tints, notwithstanding the necessary imperfection of the
+pencilling, as the most skilful Artist could have painted, assisted by the
+precepts of Newton. She kissed him with transports of affection, and
+assured him that she would not only intercede with his father to pardon
+him for having absented himself from school, but would go herself to the
+master, and beg that he might not be punished. The delightful
+encouragement which this well-judged kindness afforded to the young
+Painter may be easily imagined; but who will not regret that the mother's
+over-anxious admiration would not suffer him to finish the picture, lest
+he should spoil what was already in her opinion perfect, even with half
+the canvass bare? Sixty-seven years afterwards the writer of these Memoirs
+had the gratification to see this piece in the same room with the sublime
+painting of "Christ Rejected," on which occasion the Painter declared to
+him that there were inventive touches of art in his first and juvenile
+essay, which, with all his subsequent knowledge and experience, he had not
+been able to surpass.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. II.
+
+
+
+    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross,--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.
+
+In the course of a few days after the affair of the painting, Mr.
+Pennington paid another visit to Mr. West; and was so highly pleased with
+the effect of his present, and the promising talents of his young
+relation, that he entreated the old gentleman to allow Benjamin to
+accompany him for a few days to Philadelphia. This was cheerfully agreed
+to, and the Artist felt himself almost, as much delighted with the journey
+as with the box of colours. Every thing in the town filled him with
+astonishment; but the view of the shipping, which was entirely new,
+particularly attracted his eye, and interested him like the imaginary
+spectacles of magic.
+
+When the first emotions of his pleasure and wonder had subsided, he
+applied to Mr. Pennington to procure him materials for painting. That
+gentleman was desirous of getting possession of the first picture, and had
+only resigned what he jocularly alleged were his just claims, in
+consideration of the mother's feelings, and on being assured that the next
+picture should be purposely painted for him. The materials were procured,
+and the Artist composed a landscape, which comprehended a picturesque view
+of a river, with vessels on the water, and cattle pasturing on the banks.
+While he was engaged in this picture, an incident occurred which, though
+trivial in itself, was so much in unison with the other circumstances that
+favoured the bent of his genius, that it ought not to be omitted.
+
+Samuel Shoemaker [Footnote: This gentleman was afterwards introduced by
+Mr. West to the King, at Windsor, as one of the American Loyalists.], an
+intimate friend of Mr. Pennington, one of the principal merchants of
+Philadelphia, happened to meet in the street with one Williams, a Painter,
+carrying home a picture. Struck by the beauty of the performance, he
+enquired if it was intended for sale, and being told that it was already
+disposed of, he ordered another to be painted for himself. When the
+painting was finished, he requested the Artist to carry it to Mr.
+Pennington's house, in order that it might be shewn to young West. It was
+very well executed, and the boy was so much astonished at the sight of it,
+that his emotion and surprise attracted the attention of Williams, who was
+a man of observation, and judged correctly in thinking that such an
+uncommon manifestation of sensibility in so young a boy, indicated
+something extraordinary in his character. He entered into conversation
+with him, and enquired if he had read any books, or the lives of great
+men, The little amateur told him that he had read the Bible, and was well
+acquainted with the history of Adam, Joseph, David, Solomon, and the other
+great and good men whose actions are recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
+Williams was much pleased with the simplicity of the answer; and it might
+have occurred to him that histories more interesting have never been
+written, or written so well. Turning to Mr. Pennington, who was present,
+he asked if Benjamin was his son; advising him at the same time to indulge
+him in whatever might appear to be the bent of his talents, assuring him
+that he was no common boy.
+
+This interview was afterwards much spoken of by Williams, who in the mean
+time lent him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson on Painting, and invited
+him to see his pictures and drawings. The impression which these books
+made on the imagination of West finally decided his destination. He was
+allowed to carry them with him into the country; and his father and
+mother, soon perceiving a great change in his conversation, were referred
+to the books for an explanation of the cause. They read them for the first
+time themselves, and treasuring in their minds those anecdotes of the
+indications of the early symptoms of talent with which both works abound,
+they remembered the prophetic injunction of Edmund Peckover.
+
+The effect of the enthusiasm inspired by Richardson and Fresnoy may be
+conceived from the following incident. Soon after the young Artist had
+returned to Springfield, one of his schoolfellows, on a Saturday's half
+holiday, engaged him to give up a party at trap-ball to ride with him to
+one of the neighbouring plantations. At the time appointed the boy came,
+with the horse saddled. West enquired how he was to ride; "Behind me,"
+said the boy; but Benjamin, full of the dignity of the profession to which
+he felt himself destined, answered, that he never would ride behind any
+body. "O! very well then," said the good-natured boy, "you may take the
+saddle, and I will get up behind you." Thus mounted, they proceeded on
+their excursion; and the boy began to inform his companion that his father
+intended to send him to be an apprentice. "In what business?" enquired
+West; "A taylor," answered the boy. "Surely," said West, "you will never
+follow that trade;" animadverting upon its feminine character. The other,
+however, was a shrewd, sound-headed lad, and defended the election very
+stoutly, saying that his father had made choice of it for him, and that
+the person with whom he was to learn the business was much respected by
+all his neighbours. "But what do you intend to be, Benjamin?" West
+answered, that he had not thought at all on the subject, but he should
+like to be a painter. "A painter!" exclaimed the boy, "what sort of a
+trade is a painter? I never heard of such a thing." "A painter," said
+West, "is a companion for Kings and Emperors." "Surely you are mad,"
+replied the boy, "for there are no such people in America." "Very true,"
+answered Benjamin, "but there are plenty in other parts of the world." The
+other, still more amazed at the apparent absurdity of this speech,
+reiterated in a tone of greater surprise, "You are surely quite mad." To
+this the enthusiast replied by asking him if he really intended to be a
+taylor. "Most certainly," answered the other. "Then you may ride by
+yourself, for I will no longer keep your company," said West, and,
+alighting, immediately returned home.
+
+The report of this incident, with the affair of the picture, which had
+occasioned his absence from school, and visit to Philadelphia, made a
+great impression on the boys in the neighbourhood of Springfield. All
+their accustomed sports were neglected, and their play-hours devoted to
+drawing with chalk and oker. The little president was confessedly the most
+expert among them, but he has often since declared, that, according to his
+recollection, many of his juvenile companions evinced a degree of taste
+and skill in this exercise, that would not have discredited the students
+of any regular academy.
+
+Not far from the residence of Mr. West a cabinet-maker had a shop, in
+which Benjamin sometimes amused himself with the tools of the workmen. One
+day several large and beautiful boards of poplar tree were brought to it;
+and he happening to observe that they would answer very well for drawing
+on, the owner gave him two or three of them for that purpose, and he drew
+figures and compositions on them with ink, chalk, and charcoal. Mr. Wayne,
+a gentleman of the neighbourhood, having soon after occasion to call at
+his father's, noticed the boards in the room, and was so much pleased with
+the drawings, that he begged the young Artist to allow him to take two or
+three of them home, which, as but little value was set on them, was
+thought no great favour, either by the painter or his father. Next day Mr.
+Wayne called again, and after complimenting Benjamin on his taste and
+proficiency, gave him a dollar for each of the boards which he had taken
+away, and was resolved to preserve. Doctor Jonathan Moris, another
+neighbour, soon after, also made him a present of a few dollars to buy
+materials to paint with. These were the first public patrons of the
+Artist; and it is at his own request that their names are thus
+particularly inserted.
+
+About twelve months after the visit to Philadelphia, Mr. Flower, one of
+the Justices of the county of Chester, who possessed some taste in
+painting, requested Mr, West to allow Benjamin to spend a few weeks at his
+house. A short time before, this gentleman had met with a severe domestic
+misfortune in the loss of a wife, to whom he was much attached; and he
+resolved to shew his respect to her memory by devoting his attention
+exclusively to the improvement of his children: for this purpose he had
+sent to England for a governess qualified to undertake the education of
+his daughters, and he had the good fortune to obtain a lady eminently
+fitted for the trust. She arrived a few days only before the young Artist,
+and her natural discernment enabled her to appreciate that original bias
+of mind which she had heard ascribed to him, and of which she soon
+perceived the determination and the strength. Finding him unacquainted
+with any other books than the Bible, and the works of Richardson and
+Fresnoy, she frequently invited him to sit with her pupils, and, during
+the intervals of their tasks, she read to him the most striking and
+picturesque passages from translations of the antient historians and
+poetry, of which Mr. Flower had a choice and extensive collection. It was
+from this intelligent woman that he heard, for the first time, of the
+Greeks and Romans; and the impression which the story of those illustrious
+nations made on his mind, was answerable to her expectations.
+
+Among the acquaintance of Mr. Flower was a Mr. Ross, a lawyer in the town
+of Lancaster, a place at that time remarkable for its wealth, and which
+had the reputation of possessing the best and most intelligent society to
+be then found in America. It was chiefly inhabited by Germans, who of all
+people in the practice of emigrating, carry along with them the greatest
+stock of knowledge and accomplishments. The society of Lancaster,
+therefore, though it could not boast of any very distinguished character,
+yet comprehended many individuals who were capable of appreciating the
+merit of essays in art, and of discriminating the rude efforts of real
+genius from the more complete productions of mere mechanical skill. It was
+exactly in such a place that such a youth as Benjamin West was likely to
+meet with that flattering attention which is the best stimulus of juvenile
+talent. The wife of Mr. Ross was greatly admired for her beauty, and she
+had several children who were so remarkable in this respect as to be
+objects of general notice. One day when Mr. Flower was dining with them,
+he advised his friend to have their portraits taken; and mentioned that
+they would be excellent subjects for young West. Application was in
+consequence made to old Mr. West, and permission obtained for the little
+Artist to go to Lancaster for the purpose of taking the likenesses of Mrs.
+Ross and her family. Such was the success with which he executed this
+task, that the sphere of his celebrity was greatly enlarged; and so
+numerous were the applications for portraits, that it was with difficulty
+he could find time to satisfy the demands of his admirers.
+
+Among those who sent to him in this early stage of his career, was a
+person of the name of William Henry. He was an able mechanic, and had
+acquired a handsome fortune by his profession of a gunsmith. Henry was,
+indeed, in several respects, an extraordinary man, and possessed the power
+generally attendant upon genius under all circumstances, that of
+interesting the imagination of those with whom he conversed. On examining
+the young Artist's performance, he observed to him, that, if he could
+paint as well, he would not waste his time on portraits, but would devote
+himself to historical subjects; and he mentioned the Death of Socrates as
+affording one of the best topics for illustrating the moral effect of the
+art of painting. The Painter knew nothing of the history of the
+Philosopher; and, upon confessing his ignorance, Mr. Henry went to his
+library, and, taking down a volume of the English translation of Plutarch,
+read to him the account given by that writer of this affecting story.
+
+The suggestion and description wrought upon the imagination of West, and
+induced him to make a drawing, which he shewed to Mr. Henry, who commended
+it as a perspicuous delineation of the probable circumstances of the
+event, and requested him to paint it. West said that he would he happy to
+undertake the task, but, having hitherto painted only faces and men
+cloathed, he should be unable to do justice to the figure of the slave who
+presented the poison, and which he thought ought to be naked. Henry had
+among his workmen a very handsome young man, and, without waiting to
+answer the objection, he sent for him into the room. On his entrance he
+pointed him out to West, and said, "There is your model." The appearance
+of the young man, whose arms and breast were naked, instantaneously
+convinced the Artist that he had only to look into nature for the models
+which would impart grace and energy to his delineation of forms.
+
+When the death of Socrates was finished, it attracted much attention, and
+led to one of those fortunate acquaintances by which the subsequent career
+of the Artist has been so happily facilitated. About this period the
+inhabitants of Lancaster had resolved to erect a public grammar-school;
+and Dr. Smith, the Provost of the College at Philadelphia, was invited by
+them to arrange the course of instruction, and to place the institution in
+the way best calculated to answer the intention of the founders. This
+gentleman was an excellent classical scholar, and combined with his
+knowledge and admiration of the merits of the antients that liberality of
+respect for the endeavours of modern talent, with which the same kind of
+feeling is but rarely found connected. After seeing the picture and
+conversing with the Artist, he offered to undertake to make him to a
+certain degree acquainted with classical literature; while at the same
+time he would give him such a sketch of the taste and character of the
+spirit of antiquity, as would have all the effect of the regular education
+requisite to a painter. When this liberal proposal was communicated to old
+Mr. West, he readily agreed that Benjamin should go for some time to
+Philadelphia, in order to take advantage of the Provost's instructions;
+and accordingly, after returning home for a few days, Benjamin went to the
+capital, and resided at the house of Mr. Clarkson, his brother-in-law, a
+gentleman who had been educated at Leyden, and was much respected for the
+intelligence of his conversation, and the propriety of his manners.
+
+Provost Smith introduced West, among other persons, to four young men,
+pupils of his own, whom he particularly recommended to his acquaintance,
+as possessing endowments of mind greatly superior to the common standard
+of mankind. One of these was Francis Hopkins, who afterwards highly
+distinguished himself in the early proceedings of the Congress of the
+United States. Thomas Godfrey, the second, died after having given the
+most promising indications of an elegant genius for pathetic and
+descriptive poetry. He was an apprentice to a watchmaker, and had secretly
+written a poem, which he published anonymously in the Philadelphia
+newspaper, under the title of "The Temple of Fame." The attention which it
+attracted, and the encomiums which the Provost in particular bestowed on
+it, induced West, who was in the Poet's confidence, to mention to him who
+was the author. The information excited the alert benevolence of Smith's
+character, and he lost no time until he had procured the release of
+Godfrey from his indenture, and a respectable employment for him in the
+government of the state; but this he did not live long to enjoy: being
+sent on some public business to Carolina, he fell a victim to the climate.
+
+It is pleasant to redeem from oblivion the memory of early talent thus
+prematurely withdrawn from the world. Many of Godfrey's verses were
+composed under a clump of pines which grew near the upper ferry of the
+river Schuylkill, to which spot he sometimes accompanied West and their
+mutual friends to angle. In the heat of the day he used to stretch himself
+beneath the shade of the trees, and repeat to them his verses as he
+composed them. Reid was the name of the other young man, and the same
+person who first opposed the British troops in their passing through
+Jersey, when the rebellion of the Provinces commenced. Previous to the
+revolution, he was bred to the bar, and practised with distinction in the
+courts of Philadelphia. He was afterwards elected a Member of Congress,
+and is the same person who was appointed to meet Lord Carlisle on his
+mission from the British Court.
+
+Provost Smith was himself possessed of a fluent vein of powerful
+eloquence, and it happened that many of his pupils who distinguished
+themselves in the great struggle of their country, appeared to have
+imbibed his talent; but none of them more than Jacob Duchey, another of
+the four youths whom he recommended to the Artist. He became a Clergyman,
+and was celebrated throughout the whole of the British Provinces in
+America as a most pathetic and persuasive preacher. The publicity of his
+character in the world was, however, chiefly owing to a letter which he
+addressed to General Washington, soon after the appointment of that chief
+to the command of the army. The purport of this letter was to persuade the
+General to go over to the British cause. It was carried to him by a Mrs.
+Ferguson, a daughter of Doctor Graham, a Scottish Physician in
+Philadelphia. Washington, with his army, at that time lay at Valley-forge,
+and this lady, on the pretext of paying him a visit, as they were
+previously acquainted, went to the camp. The General received her in his
+tent with much respect, for he greatly admired the masculine vigour of her
+mind. When she had delivered the letter he read it attentively, and,
+rising from his seat, walked backwards and forwards upwards of an hour,
+without speaking. He appeared to be much agitated during the greatest part
+of the time; but at length, having decided with himself, he stopped, and
+addressed her in nearly the following words: "Madam, I have always
+esteemed your character and endowments, and I am fully sensible of the
+noble principles by which you are actuated on this occasion; nor has any
+man in the whole continent more confidence in the integrity of his friend,
+than I have in the honour of Mr. Duchey. But I am here entrusted by the
+people of America with sovereign authority. They have placed their lives
+and fortunes at my disposal, because they believe me to be an honest man.
+Were I, therefore, to desert their cause, and consign them again to the
+British, what would be the consequence? to myself perpetual infamy; and to
+them endless calamity. The seeds of everlasting division are sown between
+the two countries; and, were the British again to become our masters, they
+would have to maintain their dominion by force, and would, after all,
+retain us in subjection only so long as they could hold their bayonets to
+our breasts. No, Madam, the proposal of Mr. Duchey, though conceived with
+the best intention, is not framed in wisdom. America and England must be
+separate states; but they may have common interests, for they are but one
+people. It will, therefore, be the object of my life and ambition to
+establish the independence of America in the first place; and in the
+second, to arrange such a community of interests between the two nations
+as shall indemnify them for the calamities which they now suffer, and form
+a new æra in the history of nations. But, Madam, you are aware that I
+have many enemies; Congress may hear of your visit, and of this letter,
+and I should be suspected were I to conceal it from them. I respect you
+truly, as I have said; and I esteem the probity and motives of Mr. Duchey,
+and therefore you are free to depart from the camp, but the letter will be
+transmitted without delay to Congress."
+
+Mrs. Ferguson herself communicated the circumstances of this interesting
+transaction to Mr. West, after she came to England; for she, as well as
+Mr. Duchey, were obliged to quit the country. It is painful to add, that
+Duchey came to England, and was allowed to pine unnoticed by the
+Government, and was heard of no more.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. III.
+
+
+
+    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led to
+    the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place him
+    in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers,--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.
+
+There was something so judicious in the plan of study which Provost
+Smith had formed for his pupil, that it deserves to be particularly
+considered. He regarded him as destined to be a Painter; and on this
+account did not impose upon him those grammatical exercises of language
+which are usually required from the young student of the classics, but
+directed his attention to those incidents which were likely to interest
+his fancy, and to furnish him at some future time with subjects for the
+easel. He carried him immediately to those passages of antient history
+which make the most lasting impression on the imagination of the
+regular-bred scholar, and described the picturesque circumstances of the
+transactions with a minuteness of detail that would have been
+superfluous to a general student.
+
+In the midst of this course of education the Artist happened to be taken
+ill of a slight fever, and when it had subsided, he was in so weak a state
+as to be obliged to keep his bed, and to have the room darkened. In this
+situation he remained several days, with no other light than what was
+admitted by the seams and fissures in the window-shutters, which had the
+usual effect of expanding the pupil of his eyes to such a degree that he
+could distinctly see every object in the room, which to others appeared in
+complete obscurity. While he was thus lying in bed, he observed the
+apparitional form of a white cow enter at the one side of the roof, and
+walking over the bed, gradually vanish at the other. The phenomenon
+surprised him exceedingly, and he feared that his mind was impaired by his
+disease, which his sister also suspected, when on entering to inquire how
+he felt himself, he related to her what he had seen. Without, however,
+saying any thing, she went immediately and informed her husband, who
+accompanied her back to the apartment; and as they were standing near the
+bed, West repeated the story, exclaiming in his discourse that he saw, at
+the very moment in which he was then speaking, several little pigs running
+along the roof. This confirmed them in the apprehension of his delirium,
+and they sent for a physician. But the doctor could discover no symptoms
+of fever; the pulse was regular, the skin moist and cool, the thirst was
+abated, and indeed every thing about the patient indicated convalescence.
+Still the Painter persisted in his story, and assured them that he then
+saw the figures of several of their mutual friends passing on the roof,
+over the bed; and that he even saw fowls pecking, and the very stones of
+the street. All this seemed to them very extraordinary, for their eyes,
+not accustomed to the gloom of the chamber, could discern nothing; and the
+learned physician himself, in despite of the symptoms, began to suspect
+that the convalescent was really delirious. Prescribing, therefore, a
+composing mixture, which the Painter submitted to swallow, he took his
+fee and leave, requesting Mrs. Clarkson and her husband to come away and
+not disturb the patient. After they had retired, curiosity overcame the
+influence of the drug, and the Artist got up, determined to find out the
+cause of the strange apparitions which had so alarmed them all. In a short
+time he discovered a diagonal knot-hole in one of the window-shutters, and
+upon placing his hand over it, the visionary paintings on the roof
+disappeared. This confirmed him in an opinion that he began to form, that
+there must be some simple natural cause for what he had seen; and, having
+thus ascertained the way in which it acted, he called his sister and her
+husband into the room and explained it to them. When able to go down
+stairs, Mr. Clarkson gave him permission to perforate one of the parlour
+window-shutters horizontally, in order to obtain a representation on the
+wall of the buildings of the opposite side of the street. The effect was
+as he expected, but, to his astonishment, the objects appeared inverted.
+Without attempting to remedy this with the aid of glasses, as a
+mathematical genius would perhaps have done, he was delighted to see in it
+the means of studying the pictural appearance of Nature, and he hailed
+the discovery as a revelation to promote his improvement in the art of
+painting. On his return soon after to his father's, he had a box made with
+one of the sides perforated; and, adverting to the reflective power of the
+mirror, he contrived, without ever having heard of the instrument, to
+invent the _Camera_. Thus furnishing another proof, that although the
+faculty which enables a man to excel in any particular art or science is a
+natural endowment, it is seldom unaccompanied with a general superiority
+of observation. It will, however, not be disputed, that a boy under
+sixteen, who had thus, by the guidance of his own unassisted judgment,
+found out a method of ascertaining the colour and outline of natural
+objects as they should appear in painting, possessed no ordinary mind.
+Observations of this nature mark the difference between innate talent and
+instructed habits; and, whether in painting, or in poetry, in art, or in
+science, constitute the source of that peculiarity of intellect which is
+discriminated from the effects of education by the name of original
+talent. The self-educated man of genius, when his mind is formed, differs
+but little in the method of expressing his notions, from the most
+mechanical disciple of the schools; but the process by which he attains
+that result, renders his history interesting by its incidents, and
+valuable by the hints which it furnishes for the study of human character.
+It is, perhaps, also, one great cause of his own distinguishing features
+of mind, as the very contrivances to which he has recourse have the effect
+of taking, as it were, something extraneous into the matter of his
+experiments which tinges the product with curious and singular
+effects.--West, on afterwards mentioning his discovery to Williams the
+painter, was surprised to find himself anticipated, that Artist having
+received a complete Camera some time before from England.
+
+In this favourable state of things he attained his sixteenth year, when
+his father became anxious to see him settled in some established business.
+For, though reluctant to thwart the bias of a genius at once so decided
+and original, and to which the injunction of Peckover had rendered him
+favourable and indulgent, the old gentleman was sensible that the
+profession of a painter was not only precarious, but regarded by the
+religious association to which he belonged, as adverse to their tenets, by
+being only ornamental; and he was anxious, on his son's account and on his
+own, to avoid those animadversions to which he was exposed by the freedom
+he had hitherto granted to the predilections of Benjamin. He, therefore,
+consulted several of his neighbours on the subject; and a meeting of the
+Society of Friends in the vicinity was called, to consider, publicly, what
+ought to be the destiny of his son.
+
+The assembly met in the Meeting-house near Springfield, and after much
+debate, approaching to altercation, a man of the name of John Williamson
+rose, and delivered a very extraordinary speech upon the subject. He was
+much respected by all present, for the purity and integrity of his life,
+and enjoyed great influence in his sphere on account of the superiority
+of his natural wisdom, and, as a public preacher among the Friends,
+possessed an astonishing gift of convincing eloquence. He pointed to old
+Mr. West and his wife, and expatiated on the blameless reputation which
+they had so long maintained, and merited so well. "They have had," said
+he, "ten children, whom they have carefully brought up in the fear of
+God, and in the Christian religion; and the youth, whose lot in life we
+are now convened to consider, is Benjamin, their youngest child. It is
+known to you all that God is pleased, from time to time, to bestow upon
+some men extraordinary gifts of mind, and you need not be told by how
+wonderful an inspiration their son has been led to cultivate the art of
+painting. It is true that our tenets deny the utility of that art to
+mankind. But God has bestowed on the youth a genius for the art, and can
+we believe that Omniscience bestows His gifts but for great purposes?
+What God has given, who shall dare to throw away? Let us not estimate
+Almighty wisdom by our notions; let us not presume to arraign His
+judgment by our ignorance, but in the evident propensity of the young
+man, be assured that we see an impulse of the Divine hand operating
+towards some high and beneficent end."
+
+The effect of this argument, and the lofty commanding manner in which it
+was delivered, induced the assembly to agree that the Artist should be
+allowed to indulge the predilections of his genius; and a private
+meeting of the Friends was appointed to be holden at his father's house,
+at which the youth himself was requested to be present, in order to
+receive, in form, the assent and blessing of the Society. On the day of
+meeting, the great room was put in order, and a numerous company of both
+sexes assembled. Benjamin was placed by his father, and the men and
+women took their respective forms on each side. After sitting some time
+in silence, one of the women rose and addressed the meeting on the
+wisdom of God, and the various occasions on which He selected from among
+His creatures the agents of His goodness. When she had concluded her
+exhortation, John Williamson also rose, and in a speech than which,
+perhaps, the porticos of Athens never resounded with a more impressive
+oratory, he resumed the topic which had been the subject of his former
+address. He began by observing that it was fixed as one of their
+indisputable maxims, that things merely ornamental were not necessary to
+the well-being of man, and that all superfluous things should be
+excluded from the usages and manners of their society. "In this
+proscription, we have included," said he, "the study of the fine arts,
+for we see them applied only to embellish pleasures, and to strengthen
+our inducements to gratify the senses at the expense of our immortal
+claims. But, because we have seen painting put to this derogatory use,
+and have, in consequence, prohibited the cultivation of it among us, are
+we sure that it is not one of those gracious gifts which God has
+bestowed on the world, not to add to the sensual pleasures of man, but
+to facilitate his improvement as a social and a moral being? The fine
+arts are called the offspring and the emblems of peace. The Christian
+religion itself is the doctrine of good will to man. Can those things
+which only prosper in peace be contrary to the Christian religion? But,
+it is said, that the fine arts soften and emasculate the mind. In what
+way? is it by withdrawing those who study them from the robust exercises
+which enable nations and people to make war with success? Is it by
+lessening the disposition of mankind to destroy one another, and by
+taming the audacity of their animal fierceness? Is it for such a reason
+as this, that we who profess to live in unison and friendship, not only
+among ourselves, but with all the world that we should object to the
+cultivation of the fine arts, of those arts which disarm the natural
+ferocity of man? We may as well be told that the doctrine of peace and
+life ought to be proscribed in the world because it is pernicious to the
+practice of war and slaughter, as that the arts which call on man to
+exercise his intellectual powers more than his physical strength, can be
+contrary to Christianity, and adverse to the benevolence of the Deity. I
+speak not, however, of the fine arts as the means of amusement, nor the
+study of them as pastime to fill up the vacant hours of business, though
+even as such, the taste for them deserves to be regarded as a
+manifestation of Divine favour, in as much as they dispose the heart to
+kind and gentle inclinations. For, I think them ordained by God for some
+great and holy purpose. Do we not know that the professors of the fine
+arts are commonly men greatly distinguished by special gifts of a
+creative and discerning spirit? If there be any thing in the usual
+course of human affairs which exhibits the immediate interposition of
+the Deity, it is in the progress of the fine arts, in which it would
+appear he often raises up those great characters, the spirit of whose
+imaginations have an interminable influence on posterity, and who are
+themselves separated and elevated among the generality of mankind, by
+the name of men of genius. Can we believe that all this is not for some
+useful purpose? What that purpose is, ought we to pretend to
+investigate? Let us rather reflect that the Almighty God has been
+pleased among us, and in this remote wilderness, to endow, with the rich
+gifts of a peculiar spirit, that youth who has now our common consent to
+cultivate his talents for an art, which, according to our humble and
+human judgment, was previously thought an unnecessary ministration to
+the sensual propensities of our nature. May it be demonstrated by the
+life and works of the Artist, that the gift of God has not been bestowed
+on him in vain, nor the motives of the beneficent inspiration which
+induces us to suspend our particular tenets, prove barren of religious
+or moral effect. On the contrary, let us confidently hope that this
+occurrence has been for good, and that the consequences which may arise
+in the society of this new world, from the example which Benjamin West
+will be enabled to give, will be such a love of the arts of peace as
+shall tend to draw the ties of affection closer, and diffuse over a
+wider extent of community the interests and blessing of fraternal love."
+
+At the conclusion of this address, the women rose and kissed the young
+Artist, and the men, one by one, laid their hands on his head and prayed
+that the Lord might verify in his life the value of the gift which had
+induced them, in despite of their religious tenets, to allow him to
+cultivate the faculties of his genius.
+
+The history of no other individual affords an incident so extraordinary.
+This could not be called a presentiment, but the result of a clear
+expectation, that some important consequence would ensue. It may be added
+that a more beautiful instance of liberality is not to be found in the
+records of any religious society. Hitherto, all sects, even of Christians,
+were disposed to regard, with jealousy and hatred, all those members who
+embraced any pursuit that might tend to alienate them from their
+particular modes of discipline. The Quakers have, therefore, the honour of
+having been the first to allow, by a public act, that their conception of
+the religious duties of man was liable to the errors of the human
+judgment, and was not to be maintained on the presumption of being
+actually according to the will of God. There is something at once simple
+and venerable in the humility with which they regarded their own peculiar
+principles, especially contrasted with the sublime view they appeared to
+take of the wisdom and providence of the Deity. But, with whatever
+delightful feelings strangers and posterity may contemplate this beautiful
+example of Christian magnanimity, it would be impossible to convey any
+idea of the sentiments with which it affected the youth who was the object
+of its exercise. He must have been less than man had he not endeavoured,
+without ceasing, to attain an honourable eminence in his profession; or,
+had he forgotten, in the honours which he has since received from all
+polished nations, that he was authorized by his friends and his religion,
+to cultivate the art by which he obtained such distinctions, not for his
+own sake, but as an instrument chosen by Providence to disseminate the
+arts of peace in the world.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+
+
+    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.
+
+There is a regardless independence about minds of superior endowment,
+which, in similar characters, manifests itself differently according to
+the circumstances in which they happen to be placed. Devoted to the
+contemplation of the means of future celebrity, the man of genius
+frequently finds himself little disposed to set a proper value on the
+common interests of of life. When bred in affluence, and exempted from
+the necessity of considering the importance of money to the attainment of
+his object, he is often found, to a blameful degree, negligent of
+pecuniary concerns; and, on the contrary, when his situation is such that
+he may only hope for distinction by the practice of the most parsimonious
+frugality, he will as often appear in the social and propelling season of
+youth enduring voluntary privations with an equanimity which the
+ostentatious fanatic or contrite penitent would in vain attempt to
+surpass. This peculiar feature of the self-sustained mind of genius has
+often been misunderstood, and seldom valued as it ought to be. The
+presumptuous weak who mistake the wish of distinction for the workings of
+talent, admire the eccentricities of the gifted youth who is reared in
+opulence, and, mistaking the prodigality which is only the effect of his
+fortune, for the attributes of his talents, imitate his errors, and
+imagine that, by copying the blemishes of his conduct, they possess what
+is illustrious in his mind. Such men are incapable of appreciating the
+self-denial which Benjamin West made it a duty to impose upon himself on
+entering the world; but to those who are truly conscious of possessing
+the means of attracting the admiration of their contemporaries and
+posterity, the voluntary abstinence of a youth of genius will afford them
+delight in the contemplation, even though they may be happily free from
+the obligation of practising it themselves.
+
+When it was determined among the Friends that Benjamin West should be
+allowed to cultivate the art of Painting, he went to Lancaster, but he was
+hastily recalled by a severe domestic misfortune. His mother was seized by
+a dangerous illness, and being conscious that she could not live long, she
+requested that he might be sent for home. Benjamin hastily obeyed the
+summons, but, before he reached the house, her strength was exhausted, and
+she was only able to express by her look the satisfaction with which she
+saw him approach the bed, before she expired. Her funeral, and the
+distress which the event naturally occasioned to her family, by all of
+whom she was very tenderly beloved, detained the young Artist some time at
+his father's. About the end of August, in 1756, however, he took his
+final departure, and went to Philadelphia. But, before proceeding with
+the narrative of his professional career, it is necessary to advert to
+some of the public transactions of that period, by which his sensibility
+was powerfully excited. Indeed it will appear throughout the whole of
+these singular memoirs, that the subject of them was, perhaps, more
+immediately affected by the developement of national events, than usually
+falls to the lot of any individual so little connected with public men,
+and so far remote from the great thoroughfare of political occurrences.
+
+After the destruction of General Bradock's army, the Pennsylvanians being
+alarmed at the defenceless state in which they were placed by that
+calamity, the Assembly of the Province resolved to embody a militia force;
+and Mr, Wayne, who has been already mentioned, was appointed Colonel of
+the Regiment raised in Chester County. This defensive measure announced
+that the golden age of the country was past, and the change felt by the
+peaceful Quakers indicated an alteration in their harmless manners. West,
+among others, went to view the first muster of the troops under the
+command of Colonel Wayne, and the sight of men in arms, their purpose and
+array, warmed his lively imagination with military enthusiasm. In
+conjunction with a son of the Colonel, a boy of his own age, with whom he
+had become acquainted, he procured a gun, and determined also to be a
+soldier. Young Wayne was drilled by the diciplinarians of his father's
+corps, and he, in turn, exercised West, who, being more alert and active,
+soon obtained a decided superiority; but what different destinies were
+attached to them! West has attained, in the intellectual discipline of the
+arts of peace, an enviable reputation; and Wayne, who was inferior to him
+in the manual of the soldier, became an illustrious commander, and
+partook, as the companion in arms of Washington, of the glory of having
+established the independence of America.
+
+The martial preparations inspired all the youths of Pennsylvania with the
+love of arms, and diffused the principles of that military spirit which
+was afterwards exerted with so much effect against the erroneous policy
+of the mother country. West, soon after his drilling under young Wayne,
+visited Lancaster; and the boys of that town having formed themselves
+into a little corps, made choice of him for their commandant. Among
+others who caught the spirit of the time, was his brother Samuel, who
+possessed a bold character and an enterprising disposition. He was about
+six years older than the Artist, and, being appointed a Captain in
+Colonel Wayne's regiment, joined the troops under the command of General
+Forbes, who was sent to repair the disasters which had happened to the
+unfortunate Bradock.
+
+After the taking of Fort Duane, to which the new name of Pittsburgh was
+given, in compliment to the minister of the day, General Forbes resolved
+to search for the relics of Bradock's army. As the European soldiers were
+not so well qualified to explore the forests, Captain West was appointed,
+with his company of American sharpshooters, to assist in the execution of
+this duty; and a party of Indian warriors, who had returned to the British
+interests, were requested to conduct him to the places where the bones of
+the slain were likely to be found. In this solemn and affecting duty
+several officers belonging to the 42d regiment accompanied the detachment,
+and with them Major Sir Peter Halket, who had lost his father and a
+brother in the fatal destruction of the army. It might have been thought a
+hopeless task that he should be able to discriminate their remains from
+the common relics of the other soldiers; but he was induced to think
+otherwise, as one of the Indian warriors assured him that he had seen an
+officer fall near a remarkable tree, which he thought he could still
+discover; informing him at the same time, that the incident was impressed
+on his memory by observing a young subaltern, who, in running to the
+officer's assistance, was also shot dead on his reaching the spot, and
+fell across the other's body. The Major had a mournful conviction in his
+own mind that the two officers were his father and brother, and, indeed,
+it was chiefly owing to his anxiety on the subject, that this pious
+expedition, the second of the kind that History records, was undertaken.
+
+Captain West and his companions proceeded through the woods and along the
+banks of the river towards the scene of the battle. The Indians regarded
+the expedition as a religious service, and guided the troops with awe, and
+in profound silence. The soldiers were affected with sentiments not less
+serious; and as they explored the bewildering labyrinths of those vast
+forests, their hearts were often melted with inexpressible sorrow; for
+they frequently found skeletons lying across the trunks of fallen trees, a
+mournful proof to their imaginations that the men who sat there, had
+perished of hunger, in vainly attempting to find their way to the
+plantations. Sometimes their feelings were raised to the utmost pitch of
+horror by the sight of sculls and bones scattered on the ground--a certain
+indication that the bodies had been devoured by wild beasts; and in other
+places they saw the blackness of ashes amidst the relics,--the tremendous
+evidence of atrocious rites.
+
+At length they reached a turn of the river not far from the principal
+scene of destruction, and the Indian who remembered the death of the two
+officers, stopped; the detachment also halted. He then looked around in
+quest of some object which might recall, distinctly, his recollection of
+the ground, and suddenly darted into the wood. The soldiers rested their
+arms without speaking. A shrill cry was soon after heard; and the other
+guides made signs for the troops to follow them towards the spot from
+which it came. In the course of a short time they reached the Indian
+warrior, who, by his cry, had announced to his companions that he had
+found the place where he was posted on the day of battle. As the troops
+approached, he pointed to the tree under which the officers had fallen.
+Captain West halted his men round the spot, and with Sir Peter Halket and
+the other officers, formed a circle, while the Indians removed the leaves
+which thickly covered the ground. The skeletons were found, as the Indian
+expected, lying across each other. The officers having looked at them some
+time, the Major said, that as his father had an artificial tooth, he
+thought he might be able to ascertain if they were indeed his bones and
+those of his brother. The Indians were, therefore, ordered to remove the
+skeleton of the youth, and to bring to view that of the old officer. This
+was immediately done, and after a short examination, Major Halket
+exclaimed, "It is my father!" and fell back into the arms of his
+companions. The pioneers then dug a grave, and the bones being laid in it
+together, a highland plaid was spread over them, and they were interred
+with the customary honours.
+
+When Lord Grosvenor bought the picture of the death of Wolfe, Mr. West
+mentioned to him the finding of the bones of Bradock's army as a pictorial
+subject capable of being managed with great effect. The gloom of the vast
+forest, the naked and simple Indians supporting the skeletons, the grief
+of the son on recognizing the relics of his father, the subdued melancholy
+of the spectators, and the picturesque garb of the Pennsylvanian
+sharpshooters, undoubtedly furnished topics capable of every effect which
+the pencil could bestow, or the imagination require in the treatment of so
+sublime a scene. His Lordship admitted, that in possessing so affecting an
+incident as the discovery of the bones of the Halkets, it was superior
+even to that of the search for the remains of the army of Varus; the
+transaction, however, being little known, and not recorded by any
+historian, he thought it would not be interesting to the public. Other
+engagements have since prevented Mr. West from attempting it on his own
+account. But it is necessary that the regular narrative should be resumed;
+for the military history of the Artist terminated when he was recalled
+home by the last illness of his mother, although the excitement which the
+events that led to it occasioned never lost its influence on his mind,
+especially that of the incident which has been described, and which has
+ever been present to his imagination as one of the most affecting
+occurrences, whether considered with respect to the feelings of the
+gentlemen most immediately interested in it, or with respect to the wild
+and solemn circumstances under which the service was performed.
+
+On his return to Philadelphia, he again resided with Mr. Clarkson, his
+brother-in-law; and Provost Smith, in the evenings, continued to direct
+his attention to those topics of literature which were most suitable to
+cherish the expansion of his mind, and to enrich his imagination with
+ideas useful to his profession. While his leisure hours were thus
+profitably employed, his reputation as a portrait painter was rapidly
+extended. His youth, and the peculiar incidents of his history, attracted
+many sitters, and his merits verified the recommendations of his friends.
+This constancy of employment, no doubt materially tended to his
+improvement in the manipulation of his art; for whatever may be the native
+force of talent, it is impossible that the possessor can attain excellence
+by any other means than practice. Facility to express the conceptions of
+the mind must be acquired before the pen or the pencil can embody them
+appropriately, and the author who does not execute much, however little he
+may exhibit, can never expect to do justice to the truth and beauty of his
+own ideas. West was very soon duly impressed with the justness of this
+observation; and, while in the execution of his portraits, he was
+assiduous to acquire a ready knowledge of those characteristic traits
+which have since enabled him to throw so much variety into his
+compositions; he felt conscious that, without seeing better pictures than
+his own, he could neither hope to attain distinction, nor to appreciate
+his own peculiar powers. It was this consideration that induced him to
+adopt a most rigid system of frugality. He looked forward to a period when
+he might be enabled, by the fruits of his own industry, to visit the great
+scenes of the fine arts in Europe; and the care with which he treasured
+the money that he received for his portraits was rewarded even at the time
+with the assurance of realizing his expectations. The prices which he
+first fixed for his portraits, were two guineas and a half for a head, and
+five guineas for a half length.
+
+After what has already been mentioned of the state of Society in
+Pennsylvania, it is needless to say that at the period to which these
+memoirs refer, there were but few pictures in the British Plantations;
+indeed, without any other explanation, all that should be contended for by
+any person who might imagine it necessary to advocate the pretensions of
+Benjamin West to be placed in the list of original and self-instructed
+artists, would be readily granted, upon stating the single fact, that he
+was born in Pennsylvania, and did not leave America till the year 1760. At
+the same time, it might be construed into an injudicious concealment, if
+it were not mentioned that Governor Hamilton, who at that period presided
+with so much popularity over the affairs of the province, possessed a few
+pictures, consisting, however, chiefly of family portraits. Among them was
+a St. Ignatius, which was found in the course of the preceding war on
+board a Spanish prize, and which Mr. Pennington obtained leave for West to
+copy. The Artist had made choice of it himself, without being aware of its
+merits as a work of art, for it was not until several years after that he
+discovered it to be a fine piece of the Morillo school, and in the best
+style of the master.
+
+This copy was greatly admired by all who saw it, and by none more than his
+valuable friend Provost Smith, to whom it suggested the notion that
+portrait-painting might be raised to something greatly above the
+exhibition of a mere physical likeness; and he in consequence endeavoured
+to impress upon the mind of his pupil, that characteristic painting opened
+a new line in the art, only inferior in dignity to that of history, but
+requiring, perhaps, a nicer discriminative tact of mind. This judicious
+reflection of Dr. Smith was however anticipated by Sir Joshua Reynolds,
+who had already made the discovery, and was carrying it into effect with
+admirable success. The Provost, however, was unacquainted with that
+circumstance, and induced West to make an experiment by drawing his
+portrait in the style and attitude of the St. Ignatius.
+
+While he was thus employed on portraits, a gentleman of the name of Cox
+called on him to agree for a likeness of his daughter; and the picture of
+Dr. Smith attracted his attention. It indeed appeared to him to evince
+such a capacity for historical composition, that, instead of then
+determining any thing respecting his daughter's portrait, he gave an order
+for an historical picture, allowing the Artist himself to choose the
+subject. This task had peculiar charms; for the Painter in the course of
+reading the Bible to his mother some time before, had been led to think
+that the Trial of Susannah was a fine subject, and he was thus enabled, by
+the liberality of Mr. Cox, to embody the conceptions of his imagination
+while they were yet in all the freshness and vigour of original
+formation. He made his canvas about the size of a half length portrait, on
+which he introduced not fewer than forty figures. In the execution he
+followed the rule which he had adopted in painting the Death of Socrates,
+and drew the principal figures from living models.--It is not known what
+has become of the Trial of Susannah. In the rebellion of the Colonies, Mr.
+Cox adhered to the British interest; and his daughter, the last person
+into whose possession the picture has been traced, having married a
+British officer, came to England during the war, and the Artist has not
+heard where she has since resided.
+
+In point of composition, Mr. West is of opinion that the Trial of Susannah
+was superior to the Death of Socrates. In this he is probably correct; for
+during the interval between the execution of the one and the other, his
+mind had been enlarged in knowledge by reading, his eye improved by the
+study of pictorial outline and perspective in the _Camera_, and his touch
+softened by the portraits which he painted, and particularly by his
+careful copy of the St. Ignatius. In point of drawing, both pictures were
+no doubt greatly inferior to many of his subsequent works; but his son,
+long after he had acquired much celebrity, saw the picture of the Death of
+Socrates; and was of opinion that it was not surpassed by any of them in
+variety of composition, and in that perspicuity of narrative which is the
+grand characteristic of the Artist's genius.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. V.
+
+
+
+    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvador
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.
+
+
+But although West found himself in possession of abundant employment in
+Philadelphia, he was sensible that he could not expect to increase his
+prices with effect, if he continued constantly in the same place. He also
+became sensible that to view life in various lights was as necessary to
+his improvement as to exercise his pencil on different subjects. And,
+beyond all, he was profoundly sensible, by this time, that he could not
+hope to attain eminence in his profession, without inspecting the great
+master-pieces of art in Europe, and comparing them with his own works in
+order to ascertain the extent of his powers. This philosophical view of
+his situation was doubtless partly owing to the excellent precepts of
+Provost Smith, but mainly to his own just perception of what was necessary
+to the successful career of an Artist: indeed the principle upon which the
+notion was formed is universal, and applies to all intellectual pursuits.
+Accordingly, impressed with these considerations, he frugally treasured
+the earnings of his pencil, that he might undertake, in the first place, a
+professional journey from Philadelphia, as preparatory to acquiring the
+means of afterwards visiting Europe, and particularly Rome. When he found
+that the state of his funds enabled him to undertake the journey, he went
+to New York.
+
+The Society of New York was much less intelligent in matters of taste and
+knowledge than that of Philadelphia. In the latter city the institutions
+of the college and library, and the strict moral and political
+respectability of the first settlers, had contributed to form a community,
+which, though inferior in the elegancies of living, and the etiquettes of
+intercourse, to what is commonly found in the European capitals, was
+little behind them in point of practical and historical information. Dr.
+Smith, the Provost of the college, had largely contributed to elevate the
+taste, the sentiment and the topics of conversation in Philadelphia. He
+was full of the best spirit of antiquity, and there was a classical purity
+of mind and splendour of imagination sometimes met with in the families
+which he frequented, that would have done honour to the best periods of
+polished society.
+
+It would be difficult to assign any reason why it has so happened that no
+literary author of any general celebrity, with the exception of Franklin,
+has yet arisen in America. That men of learning and extensive reading,
+capable of vying with the same description of persons in Europe, are to
+be found in the United States, particularly in Philadelphia, is not to be
+denied; but of that class, whose talents tend to augment the stock of
+intellectual enjoyment in the world, no one, with the single exception
+already alluded to, has yet appeared.
+
+Poetry is the art of connecting ideas of sensible objects with moral
+sentiments; and without the previous existence of local feelings, there
+can be no poetry. America to the first European settlers had no objects
+interesting to the imagination, at least of the description thus strictly
+considered as poetical; for although the vigour and stupendous appearances
+of Nature were calculated to fill the mind with awe, and to exalt the
+contemplations of enthusiasm, there was nothing connected with the
+circumstances of the scene susceptible of that colouring from the memory,
+which gives to the ideas of local resemblance the peculiar qualities of
+poetry. The forests, though interminable, were but composed of trees; the
+mountains and rivers, though on a larger scale, were not associated in the
+mind with the exertions of patriotic valour, and the achievements of
+individual enterprize, like the Alps or the Danube, the Grampians or the
+Tweed. It is impossible to tread the depopulated and exhausted soil of
+Greece without meeting with innumerable relics and objects, which, like
+magical talismans, call up the genius of departed ages with the
+long-enriched roll of those great transactions, that, in their moral
+effect, have raised the nature of man, occasioning trains of reflection
+which want only the rythm of language to be poetry. But in the
+unstoried solitudes of America, the traveller meets with nothing to awaken
+the sympathy of his recollective feelings. Even the very character of the
+trees, though interesting to scientific research, chills, beneath the
+spaciousness of their shade, every poetical disposition. They bear little
+resemblance to those which the stranger has left behind in his native
+country. To the descendants of the first settlers, they wanted even the
+charm of those accidental associations which their appearance might have
+recalled to the minds of their fathers. Poetry is, doubtless, the first of
+the intellectual arts which mankind cultivate. In its earliest form it is
+the mode of expressing affection and admiration; but, before it can be
+invented, there must be objects beloved and admired, associated with
+things in nature endowed with a local habitation and a name. In America,
+therefore, although there has been no lack of clever versifiers, nor of
+men who have respectably echoed the ideas current in the old world, the
+country has produced nothing of any value descriptive of the peculiar
+associations connected with its scenery. Among some of the Indian tribes a
+vein of original poetry has, indeed, been discovered; but the riches of
+the mine are unexplored, and the charge of sterility of fancy, which is
+made by the Europeans against the citizens of the United States, still
+remains unrefuted. Since the period, however, to which these memoirs
+chiefly refer, events of great importance have occurred, and the
+recollections connected with them, no doubt, tend to imbue the American
+climate with the elements of poetical thought; but they are of too recent
+occurrence for the purposes either of the epic or the tragic muse. The
+facts of history in America are still seen too much in detail for the
+imagination to combine them with her own creation. The fields of battle
+are almost too fresh for the farmer to break the surface; and years must
+elapse before the ploughshare shall turn up those eroded arms of which the
+sight will call into poetical existence the sad and dreadful incidents of
+the civil war.
+
+In New York Mr. West found the society wholly devoted to mercantile
+pursuits. A disposition to estimate the value of things, not by their
+utility, or by their beauty, but by the price which they would bring in
+the market, almost universally prevailed. Mercantile men are habituated by
+the nature of their transactions to overlook the intrinsic qualities of
+the very commodities in which they deal; and though of all the community
+they are the most liberal and the most munificent, they set the least
+value on intellectual productions. The population of New York was formed
+of adventurers from all parts of Europe, who had come thither for the
+express purpose of making money, in order, afterwards, to appear with
+distinction at home. Although West, therefore, found in that city much
+employment in taking likenesses destined to be transmitted to relations
+and friends, he met with but few in whom he found any disposition
+congenial to his own; and the eleven months which he passed there, in
+consequence, contributed less to the improvement of his mind than might
+have been expected from a city so flourishing. Still, the time was not
+altogether barren of occurrences which tended to advance his progress in
+his art, independent of the advantage arising from constant practice.
+
+He happened, during his residence there, to see a beautiful Flemish
+picture of a hermit praying before a lamp, and he was resolved to paint a
+companion to it, of a man reading by candle-light. But before he
+discovered a method of producing, in day-light, an effect on his model
+similar to what he wished to imitate, he was frequently baffled in his
+attempts. At length, he hit on the expedient of persuading his landlord to
+sit with an open book before a candle in a dark closet; and he found that,
+by looking in upon him from his study, the appearance was exactly what he
+wished for. In the schools and academies of Europe, tradition has
+preserved the methods by which all the magical effects of light and
+shadow have been produced, with the exception, however, of Rembrandt's
+method, and which the author of these sketches ventures to suggest was
+attained, in general, by observing the effect of sunshine passing through
+chinks into a dark room. But the American Artist was as yet unacquainted
+with any of them, and had no other guides to the essential principles of
+his art but the delicacy of his sight, and that ingenious observation of
+Nature to which allusion has been already so often made.
+
+The picture of the Student, or man reading by candle-light, was bought by
+a Mr. Myers, who, in the revolution, continued to adhere to the English
+cause. The same gentleman also bought a copy which West made about the
+same time of Belisarius, from the engraving by Strange, of Salvator Rosa's
+painting. It is not known what has now become of these pictures; but when
+the Artist long afterwards saw the original of Salvator Rosa, he was
+gratified to observe that he had instinctively coloured his copy almost as
+faithfully as if it had been painted from the picture instead of the
+engraving.
+
+In the year 1759 the harvest in Italy fell far short of what was
+requisite for the ordinary consumption of the population, and a great
+dearth being foreseen, Messrs. Rutherford and Jackson, of Leghorn, a house
+of the first consequence then in the Mediterranean trade, and well known
+to all travellers for the hospitality of the partners, wrote to their
+correspondent Mr. Allen, at Philadelphia, to send them a cargo of wheat
+and flour. Mr. Allen was anxious that his son, before finally embarking in
+business, should see something of the world; and Provost Smith, hearing
+his intention of sending him to Leghorn with the vessel, immediately
+waited on the old gentleman, and begged him to allow West to accompany
+him, which was cheerfully acceded to, and the Provost immediately wrote to
+his pupil at New York on the subject. In the mean time, West had heard
+that there was a vessel at Philadelphia loading for Italy, and had
+expressed to Mr. William Kelly, a merchant, who was then sitting to him
+for his portrait, a strong desire to avail himself of this opportunity to
+visit the fountain-head of the arts. Before this period, he had raised his
+terms for a half-length to ten guineas, by which he acquired a sum of
+money adequate to the expenses of a short excursion to Italy. When he had
+finished Mr. Kelly's portrait, that gentleman, in paying him, requested
+that he would take charge of a letter to his agents in Philadelphia, and
+deliver it to them himself on his return to that city, which he was
+induced to do immediately, on receiving Dr. Smith's letter, informing him
+of the arrangement made with Mr. Allen. When this letter was opened, an
+instance of delicate munificence appeared on the part of Mr. Kelly, which
+cannot be too highly applauded. It stated to the concern to which it was
+addressed, that it would be delivered by an ingenious young gentleman,
+who, he understood, intended to visit Rome for the purpose of studying the
+fine arts, and ordered them to pay him fifty guineas as a present from him
+towards furnishing his stores for the voyage.
+
+While waiting till the vessel was clear to sail, West had the
+gratification to see, in Philadelphia, his old friend Mr. Henry, for whom
+he had painted the Death of Socrates. Towards him he always cherished the
+most grateful affection. He was the first who urged him to attempt
+historical composition; and, above all, he was the first who had made him
+acquainted with the magnanimous tales of Plutarch; perhaps, the greatest
+favour which could be conferred on a youthful mind, susceptible of
+impressions from the sublime and beautiful of human actions, which no
+author has better illustrated than that celebrated Biographer, who may
+indeed be regarded, almost without hyperbole, as the recorder of
+antient worth, and the tutor of modern genius. In his peculiar class,
+Plutarch still stands alone, at least no author in any of the living
+languages appears to be yet truly sensible of the secret cause by which
+his sketches give that direct impulse to the elements of genius, by which
+the vague and wandering feelings of unappropriated strength are converted
+into an uniform energy, endowed with productive action. Plutarch, like the
+sculptors of antiquity, has selected only the great and elegant traits of
+character; and hence his lives, like those statues which are the models of
+art, possess, with all that is graceful and noble in human nature, the
+particular features of individuals. He had no taste for the blemishes of
+mankind. His mind delighted in the contemplation of moral vigour; and he
+seems justly to have thought that it was nearly allied to virtue: hence
+many of those characters whose portraitures in his works furnish the
+youthful mind with inspiring examples of true greatness, more authentic
+historians represent in a light far different. It is the aim of all
+dignified art to exalt the mind by exciting the feelings as well as the
+judgment; and the immortal lessons of Plutarch would never have awakened
+the first stirrings of ambition in the innumerable great men who date
+their career from reading his pages, had he been actuated by the minute
+and invidious spirit of modern biography. These reflections have occurred
+the more forcibly at this juncture, as the subject of this narrative was
+on the point of leaving a country in which were men destined to acquire
+glory in such achievements as Plutarch would have delighted to record; and
+of parting from early associates who afterwards attained a degree of
+eminence in the public service that places them high in the roll of those
+who have emulated the exploits and virtues of the Heroes of that great
+Biographer.
+
+The Artist having embarked with young Allen had a speedy and pleasant
+passage to Gibraltar; where, in consequence of the war then raging, the
+ship stopped for convoy. As soon as they came to anchor, Commodore Carney
+and another officer came on board to examine the vessel's papers. It
+happened that some time before, the British Government had, on account of
+political circumstances, prohibited the carrying of provisions into Italy,
+by which prohibition the ship and cargo would have been forfeited had she
+been arrested in attempting to enter an Italian port, or, indeed, in
+proceeding with such an intention. But Captain Carney had scarcely taken
+his pen to write the replies to the questions which he put to the Master,
+as to the owners of the vessel and her destination, when he again threw it
+down, and, looking the other officer full in the face, said, "I am much
+affected by the situation in which I am now placed. This valuable ship is
+the property of some of my nearest relations, and the best friends that I
+have ever had in the world!" and he refrained from asking any more
+questions. There was, undoubtedly, much generosity in this conduct, for
+by the indulgence of the crown, all prizes taken in war become the
+property of the captors; and Captain Carney, rather than enrich himself at
+the expence of his friends, chose to run the hazard of having his own
+conduct called in question for the non-performance of his official duty.
+It perhaps deserves also to be considered as affording a favourable
+example of that manly confidence in the gentlemanly honour of each other
+which has so long distinguished the British officers. On the mind of West
+it tended to confirm that agreeable impression by which so many previous
+incidents had made him cherish a liberal opinion of mankind. In other
+respects, Captain Carney happening to be the officer who came on board,
+was a fortunate circumstance; for on learning that young Allen was in the
+ship, he invited the passengers to dine on board his frigate; and the
+company, consisting of the Governor, his staff, and principal officers in
+the garrison, tended to raise the consideration of the Artist, and his
+companion in the estimation of the fleet with which their vessel was to
+proceed to Leghorn. Indeed, throughout his whole life, Mr. West was, in
+this respect, singularly fortunate; for although the condescensions of
+rank do not in themselves confer any power on talent, they have the effect
+of producing that complacency of mind in those who are the objects of
+them, which is at once the reward and the solace of intellectual exertion,
+at the same time that they tend to mollify the spirit of contemporary
+invidiousness. The day after, the fleet sailed; and when they had passed
+the rock, the captains of the two men of war [Footnote: The two
+frigates, the Shannon, Captain Meadow, since Lord Manvers, whose intimacy
+still continues with Mr. West, and the Favourite sloop of war, Captain
+Pownell.] who had charge of the convoy, came on board the American, and
+invited Mr. Allen and Mr. West to take their passage in one of the
+frigates; this, however, they declined, but every day, when the weather
+was favourable, they were taken on board the one ship or the other, to
+dine; and when the weather did not permit this to be done with pleasure to
+the strangers, the officers sent them presents from their stock.
+
+After touching at several parts of the coast of Spain, the ship arrived
+safely at Leghorn, where mercantile enquiries detained Mr. Allen some
+time, and West being impatient to proceed to Rome, bade him adieu. Prior
+to his departure from Philadelphia, he had paid into the hands of old Mr.
+Allen the money which he thought would be requisite for his expenses in
+Italy, and had received from him a letter of credit on Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford. When they were made acquainted with the object of his voyage,
+and heard his history, they showed him a degree of attention beyond even
+their general great hospitality, and presented him with letters to
+Cardinal Albani, and several of the most distinguished characters for
+erudition and taste in Rome; and as he was unacquainted with French or
+Italian, they recommended him to the care of a French Courier, who had
+occasion to pass that way.
+
+When the travellers had reached the last stage of their journey, while
+their horses were baiting, West walked on alone. It was a beautiful
+morning; the air was perfectly placid, not a speck of vapour in the sky,
+and a profound tranquillity seemed almost sensibly diffused over the
+landscape. The appearance of Nature was calculated to lighten and elevate
+the spirits; but the general silence and nakedness of the scene touched
+the feelings with solemnity approaching to awe. Filled with the idea of
+the metropolitan city, the Artist hastened forward till he reached an
+elevated part of the high road, which afforded him a view of a spacious
+champaign country, bounded by hills, and in the midst of it the sublime
+dome of St. Peter's. The magnificence of this view of the Campagna
+excited, in his imagination, an agitated train of reflections that partook
+more of the nature of feeling than of thought. He looked for a spot to
+rest on, that he might contemplate at leisure a scene at once so noble and
+so interesting; and, near a pile of ruins fringed and trellissed with ivy,
+he saw a stone that appeared to be part of a column. On going towards it,
+he perceived that it was a mile-stone, and that he was then only eight
+miles from the Capitol. In looking before him, where every object seemed
+by the transparency of the Italian atmosphere to be brought nearer than it
+was in reality, he could not but reflect on the contrast between the
+circumstances of that view and the scenery of America; and his thoughts
+naturally adverted to the progress of civilization. The sun seemed, to
+his fancy, the image of truth and knowledge, arising in the East,
+continuing to illuminate and adorn the whole earth, and withdrawing from
+the eyes of the old world to enlighten the uncultivated regions of the
+new. He thought of that remote antiquity when the site of Rome itself was
+covered with unexplored forests; and passing with a rapid reminiscence
+over her eventful story, he was touched with sorrow at the solitude of
+decay with which she appeared to be environed, till he adverted to the
+condition of his native country, and was cheered by the thought of the
+greatness which even the fate of Rome seemed to assure to America. For he
+reflected that, although the progress of knowledge appeared to intimate
+that there was some great cycle in human affairs, and that the procession
+of the arts and sciences from the East to the West demonstrated their
+course to be neither stationary nor retrograde; he could not but rejoice,
+in contemplating the skeleton of the mighty capital before him, that they
+had improved as they advanced, and that the splendour which would precede
+their setting on the shores of Europe, would be the gorgeous omen of the
+glory which they would attain in their passage over America.
+
+While he was rapt in these reflections, he heard the drowsy tinkle of a
+pastoral bell behind him, and on turning round, he saw a peasant dressed
+in shaggy skins, driving a few goats from the ruins. The appearance and
+physiognomy of this peasant struck him as something more wild and
+ferocious than any thing about the Indians; and, perhaps, the observation
+was correctly philosophical. In the Indian, Nature is seen in that
+primitive vigour and simplicity, in which the actions are regulated by
+those feelings that are the elements of the virtues; but in the Italian
+bandit, for such he had reason afterwards to think was the real character
+of the goat-herd, he saw man in that second state of barbarity, in which
+his actions are instigated by wants that have often a vicious origin.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+
+
+    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.
+
+During the pontificate of Pope Rezzonico, the society of Rome had attained
+a pitch of elegance and a liberality of sentiment superior to that of any
+other city of Christendom. The theocratic nature of the government induced
+an exterior decorum in the public form of politeness, which, to strangers
+who took no interest in the abuses of the state, was so highly agreeable,
+that it tended even to appease their indignation against the laxity of
+private morals. If the traveller would forget that the name of
+Christianity was employed in supporting a baneful administration to the
+vices, or could withdraw his thoughts from the penury and suffering which
+such an administration necessarily entailed on the people, he had
+opportunities of access at Rome to the most various and delightful
+exercises of the faculties of memory, taste, and judgment, in the company
+of persons distinguished for their knowledge and genius. For, with all the
+social intercourse for which Paris was celebrated in the reign of Louis
+XV. the local objects at Rome gave a higher and richer tone to
+conversation there; even the living vices were there less offensive than
+at Paris, the rumours of them being almost lost in the remembrance of
+departed virtue, constantly kept awake by the sight of its monuments and
+vouchers. Tyranny in Rome was exercised more intellectually than in the
+French Capital. Injustice and oppression were used more in the form of
+persuasion; and though the crosier was not less pernicious than the
+bayonet, it inflicted a less irritating injury. The virtuous endured with
+patience the wrongs that their misguided judgment led them to believe were
+salutary to their eternal welfare. But it ought to be observed, that the
+immorality of the Romans was greatly exaggerated. Individuals redeemed by
+their merits the reproach of universal profligacy; and strangers, by being
+on their guard against the moral contagion, suffered a less dangerous
+taint than in the Atheistical coteries of Paris. Many, in consequence, who
+came prepared to be disgusted with the degenerated Romans, often bade them
+adieu with sentiments of respect, and remembered their urbanity and
+accomplishments with delightful satisfaction.
+
+It was not, however, the native inhabitants of Rome who constituted the
+chief attractions of society there, but the number of accomplished
+strangers of all countries and religions, who, in constant succession,
+came in pilgrimage to the shrine of antiquity; and who, by the
+contemplation of the merits and glories of departed worth, often felt
+themselves, as it were, miraculously endowed with new qualities. The
+collision of minds fraught with learning, in that high state of excitement
+which the genius of the place produced on the coldest imaginations,
+together with those innumerable brilliant and transitory topics which were
+never elicited in any other city, made the Roman conversations a
+continual exercise of the understanding. The details of political
+intrigue, and the follies of individuals, excited but little interest
+among the strangers in Rome. It seemed as if by an universal tacit
+resolution, national and personal peculiarities and prejudices were
+forgotten, and that all strangers simultaneously turned their attention to
+the transactions and affairs of former ages, and of statesmen and authors
+now no more. Their mornings were spent in surveying the monuments raised
+to public virtue, and in giving local features in their minds to the
+knowledge which they had acquired by the perusal of those works that have
+perpetuated the dignity of the Roman character. Their evenings were often
+allotted to the comparison of their respective conjectures, and to
+ascertain the authenticity and history of the relics which they had
+collected of ancient art. Sometimes the day was consumed in the study of
+those inestimable ornaments of religion, by which the fraudulent
+disposition of the priesthood had, in the decay of its power, rendered
+itself venerable to the most enlightened minds; and the night was devoted
+to the consideration of the causes which contribute to the developement
+of genius, or of the events which tend to stifle and overwhelm its powers.
+Every recreation of the stranger in Rome was an effort of the memory, of
+abstraction, and of fancy.--Society, in this elevated state of enjoyment,
+surrounded by the greatest works of human creation, and placed amidst the
+monuments of the most illustrious of mankind,--and that of the Quakers of
+Pennsylvania, employed in the mechanical industry of felling timber, and
+amid the sobriety of rural and commercial oeconomy, were like the extremes
+of a long series of events, in which, though the former is the necessary
+consequence of the latter, no resemblance can be traced in their
+respective characteristics. In America all was young, vigorous, and
+growing,--the spring of a nation, frugal, active, and simple. In Rome all
+was old, infirm, and decaying,--the autumn of a people who had gathered
+their glory, and were sinking into sleep under the disgraceful excesses of
+the vintage. On the most inert mind, passing from the one continent to the
+other, the contrast was sufficient to excite great emotion; on such a
+character as that of Mr. West, who was naturally disposed to the
+contemplation of the sublime and beautiful, both as to their moral and
+visible effect, it made a deep and indelible impression. It confirmed him
+in the wisdom of those strict religious principles which denied the
+utility of art when solely employed as the medium of amusement; and
+impelled him to attempt what could be done to approximate the uses of the
+pencil to those of the pen, in order to render Painting, indeed, the
+sister of Eloquence and Poetry.
+
+But the course of study in the Roman schools was not calculated to enable
+him to carry this grand purpose into effect; for the principles by which
+Michael Angelo and Raphael had attained their excellence, were no longer
+regarded. The study of Nature was deserted for that of the antique; and
+pictures were composed according to rules derived from other paintings,
+without respect to what the subject required, or what the circumstances of
+the scene probably appeared to be. It was, therefore, not one of the least
+happy occurrences in his life that he went to Rome when society was not
+only in the most favourable state for the improvement of his mind, and for
+convincing him of the deleterious influence of the arts when employed as
+the embellishments of voluptuousness and luxury; but also when the state
+of the arts was so mean, that the full effect of studying the antique
+only, and of grouping characters by academical rules, should appear so
+striking as to satisfy him that he could never hope for any eminence, if
+he did not attend more to the phenomena of Nature, than to the productions
+of the greatest genius. The perusal of the works of other painters, he was
+sensible, would improve his taste; but he was convinced, that the design
+which he had formed for establishing his own fame, could not be realised,
+if, for a single moment, he forgot that their works, however exquisite,
+were but the imitations and forms of those eternal models to which he had
+been instinctively directed.
+
+It was on the 10th of July, 1760, that he arrived at Rome. The French
+Courier conducted him to a hotel, and, having mentioned in the house that
+he was an American, and a Quaker, come to study the fine arts, the
+circumstance seemed so extraordinary, that it reached the ears of Mr.
+Robinson, afterwards Lord Grantham, who immediately found himself
+possessed by an irresistible desire to see him; and who, before he had
+time to dress or refresh himself, paid him a visit, and insisted that he
+should dine with him. In the course of dinner, that gentleman inquired
+what letters of introduction the Artist had brought with him; and West
+having informed him, he observed it was somewhat remarkable that the whole
+of them should be addressed to his most particular friends, adding, that
+as he was engaged to meet them at a party in the evening, he expected West
+would accompany him. This attention and frankness was acknowledged as it
+deserved to be, and is remembered by the Artist among those fortunate
+incidents which have rendered the recollection of his past life so
+pleasant, as scarcely to leave a wish for any part of it to have been
+spent otherwise than it was. At the hour appointed, Mr. Robinson conducted
+him to the house of Mr. Crispigné, an English gentleman who had long
+resided at Rome, where the evening party was held.
+
+Among the distinguished persons whom Mr. West found in the company, was
+the celebrated Cardinal Albani. His eminence, although quite blind, had
+acquired, by the exquisite delicacy of his touch, and the combining powers
+of his mind, such a sense of antient beauty, that he excelled all the
+virtuosi then in Rome, in the correctness of his knowledge of the verity
+and peculiarities of the smallest medals and intaglios. Mr. Robinson
+conducted the Artist to the inner apartment, where the Cardinal was
+sitting, and said, "I have the honour to present a young American, who has
+a letter of introduction to your eminence, and who has come to Italy for
+the purpose of studying the fine arts." The Cardinal fancying that the
+American must be an Indian, exclaimed, "Is he black or white?" and on
+being told that he was very fair, "What as fair as I am?" cried the
+Cardinal still more surprised. This latter expression excited a good deal
+of mirth at the Cardinal's expence, for his complexion was of the darkest
+Italian olive, and West's was even of more than the usual degree of
+English fairness. For some time after, if it be not still in use, the
+expression of "as fair as the Cardinal" acquired proverbial currency in
+the Roman conversations, applied to persons who had any inordinate conceit
+of their own beauty.
+
+The Cardinal, after some other short questions, invited West to come near
+him, and running his hands over his features, still more attracted the
+attention of the company to the stranger, by the admiration which he
+expressed at the form of his head. This occasioned inquiries respecting
+the youth; and the Italians concluding that, as he was an American, he
+must, of course, have received the education of a savage, became curious
+to witness the effect which the works of Art in the Belvidere and Vatican
+would produce on him. The whole company, which consisted of the principal
+Roman nobility, and strangers of distinction then in Rome, were interested
+in the event; and it was arranged in the course of the evening that on the
+following morning they should accompany Mr. Robinson and his protegé to
+the palaces.
+
+At the hour appointed, the company assembled; and a procession, consisting
+of upwards of thirty of the most magnificent equipages in the capital of
+Christendom, and filled with some of the most erudite characters in
+Europe, conducted the young Quaker to view the master-pieces of art. It
+was agreed that the Apollo should be first submitted to his view, because
+it was the most perfect work among all the ornaments of Rome, and,
+consequently, the best calculated to produce that effect which the company
+were anxious to witness. The statue then stood in a case, enclosed with
+doors, which could be so opened as to disclose it at once to full view.
+West was placed in the situation where it was seen to the most advantage,
+and the spectators arranged themselves on each side. When the keeper threw
+open the doors, the Artist felt himself surprised with a sudden
+recollection altogether different from the gratification which he had
+expected; and without being aware of the force of what he said, exclaimed,
+"My God, how like it is to a young Mohawk warrior." The Italians,
+observing his surprise, and hearing the exclamation, requested Mr.
+Robinson to translate to them what he said; and they were excessively
+mortified to find that the god of their idolatry was compared to a
+savage. Mr. Robinson mentioned to West their chagrin, and asked him to
+give some more distinct explanation, by informing him what sort of people
+the Mohawk Indians were. He described to him their education; their
+dexterity with the bow and arrow; the admirable elasticity of their limbs;
+and how much their active life expands the chest, while the quick
+breathing of their speed in the chace, dilates the nostrils with that
+apparent consciousness of vigour which is so nobly depicted in the Apollo.
+"I have seen them often," added he, "standing in that very attitude, and
+pursuing, with an intense eye, the arrow which they had just discharged
+from the bow." This descriptive explanation did not lose by Mr. Robinson's
+translation. The Italians were delighted, and allowed that a better
+criticism had rarely been pronounced on the merits of the statue. The view
+of the other great works did not awaken the same vivid feelings. Those of
+Raphael, in the Vatican, did not at first particularly interest him; nor
+was it until he had often visited them alone, and studied them by himself,
+that he could appreciate the fulness of their excellence. His first view
+of the works of Michael Angelo, was still less satisfactory: indeed, he
+continued always to think, that, with the single exception of the Moses,
+that Artist had not succeeded in giving a probable character to any of his
+subjects, notwithstanding the masterly hand and mind which pervade the
+weakest of his productions.
+
+Among the first objects which particularly interested Mr. West, and which
+he never ceased to re-visit day after day with increasing pleasure, were
+the celebrated statues ascribed to Phidias, on the Monte Cavallo. The
+action of the human figure appeared to him so majestic, that it seemed to
+throw, as it were, a visible kind of awe into the very atmosphere, and
+over all the surrounding buildings. But the smallness of the horse struck
+him as exceedingly preposterous. He had often examined it before the idea
+occurred to him that it was probably reduced according to some unknown
+principle of antient art; and in this notion he was confirmed, by
+observing something of the same kind in the relative proportion of human
+figures and animals, on the different gems and bas-reliefs to which his
+attention was subsequently directed. The antient sculptors uniformly
+seemed to consider the human figure as the chief object, and sacrificed,
+to give it effect, the proportions of inferior parts. The author of the
+group on the Monte Cavallo, in the opinion of Mr. West, represented the
+horse smaller than the natural size, in order to augment the grandeur of
+the man. How far this notion, as the principle of a rule, may be sound, it
+would be unnecessary, perhaps impertinent, to inquire here; but its
+justness as applicable to the sculptures of antiquity, is abundantly
+verified by the bas-reliefs brought from the Parthenon of Athens. It is,
+indeed, so admitted a feature of antient art, as to be regarded by some
+critics as having for its object the same effect in sculpture, which is
+attained by light and shadow in painting.--In a picture, the Artist, by a
+judicious obscurity, so veils the magnitude of the car in which he places
+a victor, that notwithstanding its size, it may not appear the principal
+object; but this artifice is denied to the sculptor, who is necessitated
+to diminish the size of those things which are of least importance, in
+order to give dignity to the predominant figures. Raphael, in making the
+boat so small in the miraculous draught of fishes, is thought to have
+injudiciously applied this rule of antient sculpture; for he ought to have
+accomplished, by foreshortening, the same effect which he meant to produce
+by diminishing the size. It should, however, be observed, that great
+doubts are entertained if the statues on the Monte Cavallo were originally
+integral parts of the same group; but although this doubt may be well
+founded, it will not invalidate the supposed general principle of the
+antient sculptors, corroborated, as it is, by innumerable examples.
+
+In the evening, after visiting the palaces, Mr. Robinson carried Mr. West
+to see a grand religious ceremony in one of the churches. Hitherto he was
+acquainted only with the simple worship of the Quakers. The pomp of the
+papal ceremonies was as much beyond his comprehension, as the overpowering
+excellence of the music surpassed his utmost expectations. Undoubtedly, in
+all the spectacles and amusements of Rome, he possessed a keener sense of
+enjoyment, arising from the simplicity of his education, than most other
+travellers. That same sensibility to the beauty of forms and colours which
+had awakened his genius for painting, was, probably, accompanied with a
+general superior susceptibility of the other organs as well as the sight;
+for it is observed that a taste for any one of the fine arts is connected
+with a general predilection for them all. But neither the Apollo, the
+Vatican, nor the pomp of the Catholic ritual, excited his feelings to so
+great a degree as the spectacle which presented itself to his view around
+the portico of the church. Bred in the universal prosperity of
+Pennsylvania, where the benevolence of the human bosom was only employed
+in acts of hospitality and mutual kindness, he had never witnessed any
+spectacle of beggary, nor had he ever heard the name of God uttered to
+second an entreaty for alms. Here, however, all the lazars and the
+wretched in Rome were collected together; hundreds of young and old in
+that extreme of squalor, nakedness, and disease which affrights the
+English traveller in Italy, were seen on all sides; and their
+importunities and cries, for the love of God, and the mercy of Christ, to
+relieve them, thrilled in his ears, and smote upon his heart to such a
+degree, that his joints became as it were loosened, and his legs scarcely
+able to support him. Many of the beggars knew Mr. Robinson, and seeing him
+accompanied by a stranger, an Englishman, as they concluded the Artist to
+be from his appearance, surrounded them with confidence and clamours.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+As they returned from the church, a woman somewhat advanced in life, and
+of a better appearance than the generality of the beggars, followed them,
+and Mr. West gave her a small piece of copper money, the first Roman coin
+which he had received in change, the relative value of which to the other
+coins of the country was unknown to him. Shortly afterwards they were
+joined by some of the Italians, whom they had seen in the morning, and
+while they were conversing together, he felt some one pull his coat, and
+turned round. It was the poor woman to whom he had given the piece of
+copper money. She held out in her hand several smaller pieces, and as he
+did not understand her language, he concluded that she was chiding him for
+having given her such a trifle, and coloured deeply with the idea. His
+English friend, observing his confusion, inquired what he had given her,
+and he answered that he did not know, but it was a piece of money which he
+had received in change. Robinson, after a short conversation with the
+beggar, told Mr. West that she had asked him to give her a farthing. "But
+as you gave her a two-penny piece," said he, "she has brought you the
+change." This instance of humble honesty, contrasted with the awful mass
+of misery with which it was united, gave him a favourable idea of the
+latent sentiments of the Italians. How much, indeed, is the character of
+that people traduced by the rest of Europe! How often is the traveller in
+Italy, when he dreads the approach of robbers, and prepares against
+murder, surprised at the bountiful disposition of the common Italians, and
+made to blush at having applied the charges against a few criminals to the
+character of a whole people--without reflecting that the nation is only
+weak because it is subdivided.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+
+    Anecdote of a famous Impoverisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of Wests's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequences of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies Mr.
+    Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
+
+It was not, however, the novelty, variety, and magnificence of the works
+of art and antiquity in Rome, that kept Mr. West in a constant state of
+high excitement; the vast difference in the manners of the people from
+those of the inhabitants of America, acted also as an incessant stimulus
+on his feelings and imagination: even that difference, great as it
+happened to be, was rendered particularly interesting to him by incidents
+arising out of his own peculiar situation. One night, soon after his
+arrival in Rome, Mr. Gavin Hamilton, the painter, to whom he had been
+introduced by Mr. Robinson, took him to a coffee-house, the usual resort
+of the British travellers. While they were sitting at one of the tables,
+a venerable old man, with a guitar suspended from his shoulder, entered
+the room, and coming immediately to their table, Mr. Hamilton addressed
+him by the name of Homer.--He was the most celebrated Improvisatore in
+all Italy, and the richness of expression, and nobleness of conception
+which he displayed in his effusions, had obtained for him that
+distinguished name. Those who once heard his poetry, never ceased to
+lament that it was lost in the same moment, affirming, that it often was
+so regular and dignified, as to equal the finest compositions of Tasso
+and Ariosto.--It will, perhaps, afford some gratification to the admirers
+of native genius to learn, that this old man, though led by the fine
+frenzy of his imagination to prefer a wild and wandering life to the
+offer of a settled independence, which had been often made to him in his
+youth, enjoyed in his old age, by the liberality of several Englishmen,
+who had raised a subscription for the purpose, a small pension,
+sufficient to keep him comfortable in his own way, when he became
+incapable of amusing the public.
+
+After some conversation, Homer requested Mr. Hamilton to give him a
+subject for a poem. In the mean time, a number of Italians had gathered
+round them to look at Mr. West, who they had heard was an American, and
+whom, like Cardinal Albani, they imagined to be an Indian. Some of them,
+on hearing Homer's request, observed, that he had exhausted his vein, and
+had already said and sung every subject over and over. Mr. Hamilton,
+however, remarked that he thought he could propose something new to the
+bard, and pointing to Mr. West, said, that he was an American come to
+study the fine arts in Rome; and that such an event furnished a new and
+magnificent theme. Homer took possession of the thought with the ardour of
+inspiration. He immediately unslung his guitar, and began to draw his
+fingers rapidly over the strings, swinging his body from side to side, and
+striking fine and impressive chords. When he had thus brought his motions
+and his feelings into unison with the instrument, he began an
+extemporaneous ode in a manner so dignified, so pathetic, and so
+enthusiastic, that Mr. West was scarcely less interested by his appearance
+than those who enjoyed the subject and melody of his numbers. He sung the
+darkness which for so many ages veiled America from the eyes of Science.
+He described the fulness of time when the purposes for which it had been
+raised from the deep were to be manifested. He painted the seraph of
+knowledge descending from heaven, and directing Columbus to undertake the
+discovery; and he related the leading incidents of the voyage. He invoked
+the fancy of his auditors to contemplate the wild magnificence of
+mountain, lake, and wood, in the new world; and he raised, as it were, in
+vivid perspective, the Indians in the chase, and at their horrible
+sacrifices. "But," he exclaimed, "the beneficent spririt of improvement is
+ever on the wing, and, like the ray from the throne of God which inspired
+the conception of the Virgin, it has descended on this youth, and the hope
+which ushered in its new miracle, like the star that guided the magi to
+Bethlehem, has led him to Rome. Methinks I behold in him an instrument
+chosen by heaven, to raise in America the taste for those arts which
+elevate the nature of man,--an assurance that his country will afford a
+refuge to science and knowledge, when in the old age of Europe they shall
+have forsaken her shores. But all things of heavenly origin, like the
+glorious sun, move Westward; and Truth and Art have their periods of
+shining, and of night. Rejoice then, O venerable Rome, in thy divine
+destiny, for though darkness overshadow thy seats, and though thy mitred
+head must descend into the dust, as deep as the earth that now covers thy
+antient helmet and imperial diadem, thy spirit, immortal and undecayed,
+already spreads towards a new world, where, like the soul of man in
+Paradise, it will be perfected in virtue and beauty more and more." The
+highest efforts of the greatest actors, even of Garrick himself delivering
+the poetry of Shakespeare, never produced a more immediate and inspiring
+effect than this rapid burst of genius. When the applause had abated, Mr.
+West being the stranger, and the party addressed, according to the common
+practice, made the bard a present. Mr. Hamilton explained the subject of
+the ode: though with the weakness of a verbal translation, and the
+imperfection of an indistinct echo, it was so connected with the
+appearance which the author made in the recital, that the incident has
+never been obliterated from Mr. West's recollection.
+
+While the Artist was gratifying himself with a cursory view of the works
+of art, and of the curiosities, Mr. Hope, of Amsterdam, the father of the
+gentlemen who have since become so well known in London for their taste in
+the arts, and their superb collections of pictures and marbles, arrived in
+Rome. Mr. West being introduced to him, accompanied him to Cardinal
+Albani, to whom he had letters of introduction, and witnessed a proof of
+the peculiar skill of his Eminence. The Cardinal requested Mr. Hope to
+come near him, and according to his usual custom with strangers, drew his
+hands over his face, observing that he was a German. In doing the same
+thing to Mr. West, he recognized him as the young American.
+
+At this time Mengs was in the zenith of his popularity, and West was
+introduced to him at the Cardinal's villa. He appeared to be as much
+struck as every other person, with the extraordinary circumstance of an
+American coming to study the fine arts; and begged that Mr. West would
+show him a speciman of his proficiency in drawing. In returning home, our
+Artist mentioned to Mr. Robinson that as he had never learnt to draw, he
+could not produce any sketch like those made by the other students; but
+that he could paint a little, and if Mr. Robinson would take the trouble
+to sit, he would execute his portrait to shew Mengs. The proposal was
+readily acceded to, and it was also agreed, that except to two of their
+most intimate acquaintances, the undertaking should be kept a profound
+secret. When the picture was finished, it was so advantageous to the
+Artist, that it tended to confirm the opinion which was entertained of his
+powers, founded only on the strength of the curiosity which had brought
+him from America. But, before shewing it to Mengs, it was resolved that
+the taste and judgment of the public with respect to its merits should be
+ascertained.
+
+Mr. Crespigné, one of the two friends in the secret, lived as a Roman
+gentleman, and twice a year gave a grand assembly at his house, to which
+all the nobility and strangers in Rome, the most eminent for rank, birth,
+and talents, were invited. It was agreed that the portrait should be
+exhibited at one of his parties, which happened to take place soon after
+it was finished. A suitable frame being provided, the painting was hung up
+in one of the rooms. The first guests who arrived, were Amateurs and
+Artists; and as it was known among them that Robinson was sitting to Mengs
+for his portrait, it was at once thought to be that picture, and they
+agreed that they had never seen any painting of the Artist so well
+coloured. As the guests assembled, the portrait became more and more the
+subject of attention, and Mr. West sat behind on a sofa equally agitated
+and delighted by their strictures, which Mr. Robinson reported to him from
+time to time. In the course of the evening Mr. Dance, an Englishman of
+great shrewdness, was observed looking with an eye of more than common
+scrutiny at the portrait, by Mr. Jenkins, another of the guests, who,
+congratulating Robinson in getting so good a portrait from Mengs, turned
+to Dance, and said, "The he must now acknowledge that Mengs could colour
+as well as he could draw." Dance confessed that he thought the picture
+much better coloured than those usually painted by Mengs, but added that
+he did not think the drawing either so firm or good as the usual style of
+that Artist. This remark occasioned some debate, in which Jenkins,
+attributing the strictures of Dance to some prejudice which he had early
+conceived against Mengs, drew the company around to take a part in the
+discussion. Mr. Crespigné seizing the proper moment in their conversation
+to produce the effect intended, said to Jenkins that he was mistaken, and
+that Dance was in the right, for, in truth, the picture was not painted by
+Mengs. By whom then, vociferated every one, "for there is no other painted
+now in Rome capable of executing any thing so?" "By that young gentleman
+there," said Mr. Crespigné, turning to West. At once all eyes were bent
+towards him, and the Italians, in their way, ran and embraced him. Thus
+did the best judges at once, by this picture, acknowledge him as only
+second in the executive department of the art to the first painter then in
+Rome. Mengs himself, on seeing the picture, expressed his opinion in terms
+that did great honour to his liberality, and gave the Artist an advice
+which he never forgot, nor remembered without gratitude. He told him that
+the portrait showed that he had no occasion to learn to paint at Rome.
+"You have already, sir," said he, "the mechanical part of your art: what I
+would, therefore, recommend to you, is to see and examine every thing
+deserving of your attention here, and after making a few drawings of about
+half a dozen of the best statues, go to Florence, and observe what has
+been done for Art in the collections there. Then proceed to Bologna, and
+study the works of the Caracci; afterwards visit Parma, and examine,
+attentively, the pictures of Corregio; and then go to Venice and view the
+productions of Tintoretti, Titian, and Paul Veronese. When you have made
+this tour, come back to Rome, and paint an historical composition to be
+exhibited to the Roman public; and the opinion which will then be formed
+of your talents should determine the line of our profession which you
+ought to follow." This judicious advice, so different from those absurd
+academical dogmas which would confine genius to the looking only to the
+works of art, for that perfection which they but dimly reflect from
+nature, West found accord so well with his own reflections and principles,
+that he resolved to follow it with care and attention. But the thought of
+being in Rome, and the constant excitement arising from extraordinary and
+interesting objects, so affected his mind, accustomed to the sober and
+uniform habits of the Quakers, that sleep deserted his pillow, and he
+became ill and constantly feverish. The public took an interest in his
+situation. A consultation of the best Physicians in Rome was held on his
+case, the result of which was a formal communication to Mr. Robinson, that
+his friend must immediately quit the capital, and seek relief from the
+irritated state of his sensibility in quiet and retirement. Accordingly,
+on the 20th of August he returned to Leghorn.
+
+Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, by whose most friendly recommendation he
+had obtained so much flattering distinction at Rome, received him into
+their own house, and treated him with a degree of hospitality that
+merits for them the honour of being considered among the number of his
+early patrons. Mr. (afterwards Sir John) Dick, then the British Consul
+at Leghorn, and his lady, also treated him with great partiality, and
+procured for him the use of the Imperial baths. His mind being thus
+relieved from the restless ecstasy which he had suffered in Rome, and
+the intensity of interest being diminished by the circumscribed nature
+of the society of Leghorn, together with the bracing effects of
+sea-bathing, he was soon again in a condition to resume his study in the
+capital. But the same overpowering attacks on his feelings and
+imagination soon produced a relapse of his former indisposition, and
+compelled him to return to Leghorn, where he was again speedily cured of
+his fever, but it left in its dregs a painful affection in the ancle,
+that threatened the loss of the limb. The well-known Nanoni, an eminent
+surgeon, who had introduced many improvements in the treatment of
+diseased joints, was at this period resident in Florence, and Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford wrote to Sir Horace Mann, then the British
+Minister at the Ducal Court, to consult him relative to the case of Mr.
+West: his answer induced them to advise the Artist to go to Florence.
+After a painful period of eleven months confinement to his couch and
+chamber, he was perfectly and radically cured.
+
+A state of pain and disease is adverse to mental improvement; but there
+were intervals in which Mr. West felt his anguish abate, and in which he
+could not only participate in the conversation of the gentlemen to whose
+kindness he had been recommended, but was able, occastionally, to exercise
+his pencil. The testimonies of friendship which he received at this
+perdiod from Sir Horace Mann, the Marquesses of Creni and Riccardi, the
+late Lord Cooper, and many others of the British nobility then travelling
+in Italy, made an indelible impression on his mind, and became a
+stimulating motive to his wishes to excel in his art, in order to
+demonstrate by his proficiency that he was not unworthy of their
+solicitude. He had a table constructed so as to enable him to draw while
+he lay in bed; and in that situation he amused and improved himself in
+delineating the picturesque conceptions which were constantly presenting
+themselves to his fancy.
+
+When he was so far recovered as to be able to take exercise, and to endure
+the fatigue of travelling, a circumstance happened which may be numbered
+among the many fortunate accidents of his professional career. Mr.
+Matthews, the manager of the important commercial concerns of Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford, was one of those singular men who are but rarely
+met with in mercantile life, combining the highest degree of literary and
+elegant accomplishments with the best talents for active business. He was
+not only confessedly one of the finest classical scholars in all Italy,
+but, out of all comparison, the best practical antiquary, perhaps, then in
+that country, uniting, along with the minutest accuracy of criticism, a
+delicacy of taste in the perception of the beauty and judgment of the
+antients, seldom found blended with an equal degree of classical
+erudition. Affairs connected with the business of the house, and a wish to
+see the principal cities of Italy, led Mr. Matthews, about the period of
+Mr. West's recovery, to visit Florence, and it was agreed between them
+that they should together make the tour recommended by Mengs.
+
+In the mean time, the good fortune of West was working to happy effects in
+another part of the world. The story of Mr. Robinson's portrait had made
+so great a noise among the travellers in Italy, that Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford, in sending back the ship to Philadelphia, in which the Artist
+had come passenger, mentioned it in their letters to Mr. Allen. It is
+seldom that commercial affairs are mingled with those of art, and it was
+only from the Italian shore that a mercantile house could introduce such a
+topic into their correspondence. It happened that on the very day this
+letter reached Mr. Allen, Mr. Hamilton, then Governor of Pennsylvania, and
+the principal members of the government, along with the most considerable
+citizens of Philadelphia, were dining with him. After dinner, Mr. Allen
+read the letter to the company, and mentioned the amount of the sum of
+money which West had paid into his hands at the period of his departure
+from America, adding that it must be pretty far reduced. But, said he with
+warmth, "I regard this young man as an honour to the country, and as he is
+the first that America has sent to cultivate the fine arts, he shall not
+be frustrated in his studies, for I have resolved to write to my
+correspondents at Leghorn, to give him, from myself, whatever money he may
+require." Mr. Hamilton felt the force of this generous declaration, and
+said, with equal animation, "I think exactly as you do, Sir, but you shall
+not have all the honour of it to yourself, and, therefore, I beg that you
+will consider me as joining you in the responsibility of the credit." The
+consequence of this was, that upon West going, previously to leaving
+Florence, to take a small sum of about ten pounds from the bankers to whom
+he had been recommended by Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, a letter was
+brought in, while he was waiting for his money, and the gentleman who
+opened it said to him, "that the contents of the letter would probably
+afford him unexpected pleasure, as it instructed them to give him
+unlimited credit." A more splendid instance of liberality is not to be
+found even in the records of Florence. The munificence of the Medici was
+excelled by that of the magistracy of Philadelphia.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+
+
+    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to
+    Rome.--Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian
+    Obelisk.--Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an
+    anecdote of a Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote
+    of a Scottish Fanatic who arrived in Rome, to convert the
+    Pope.--Sequel of the Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit
+    England.--Having completed his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous
+    picture, he is elected an Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and
+    invited to Court.--He proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--
+    Reflections on the State of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French
+    frontiers.--State of Taste in France.
+
+
+From Florence the Artist proceeded to Bologna, and having staid some time
+there, carefully inspecting every work of celebrity to which he could
+obtain access, he went on to Venice, visiting in his route all the objects
+which Mengs had recommended to his attention. The style of Titian, which
+in breadth and clearness of colouring so much excels that of almost every
+other painter, was the peculiar characteristic of the Venetian school
+which interested him the most, and seemed to him, at first, involved in
+inexplicable mystery. He was never satisfied with the explanations which
+the Italian amateurs attempted to give him of what they called the
+internal light of that master's productions. Repeated experiments,
+however, enabled him, at last, to make the discovery himself. Indeed, he
+was from the first persuaded that it was chiefly owing to the peculiar
+genius of the Artist himself,--to an exquisite delicacy of sight which
+enabled him to perceive the most approximate tints,--and not to any
+particular dexterity of pencilling, nor to any superiority in the
+materials of his colours. This notion led Mr. West to try the effect of
+painting in the first place with the pure primary colours, and softening
+them afterwards with the semi tints; and the result confirmed him in the
+notion that such was probably the peculiar method of Titian. But although
+this idea was suggested by his visits to the collections of Venice, he
+was not perfectly satisfied with its soundness as a rule, till many years
+after his arrival in London, and many unsuccessful experiments.
+
+Having completed his tour to the most celebrated repositories of art in
+Italy, and enriched his mind, and improved his taste, by the perusal
+rather than the imitation of their best pieces, he returned to Rome, and
+applied himself to a minute and assiduous study of the great ornaments of
+that capital, directing his principal attention to the works of Raphael,
+and improving his knowledge of the antient costume by the study of Cameos,
+in which he was assisted by Mr. Wilcox, the author of the Roman
+Conversations,--to whom he had been introduced by Mr. Robinson, at Mr.
+Crespigné's, on the occasion of the exhibition of the Portrait,--a man of
+singular attainments in learning, and of a serene and composed dignity of
+mind and manners that rendered him more remarkable to strangers than even
+his great classical knowledge.
+
+Of all the monuments of antient art in Rome, the Obelisk brought from
+Egypt, in the reign of Augustus, interested his curiosity the most, and
+even for a time affected him as much as those which so agitated him by
+their beauty. The hieroglyphics appeared to resemble so exactly the
+figures in the Wampum belts of the Indians, that it occurred to him, if
+ever the mysteries of Egypt were to be interpreted, it might be by the
+aborigines of America. This singular notion was not, however, the mere
+suggestion of fancy, but the effect of an opinion which his early friend
+and tutor Provost Smith conceived, in consequence of attending the grand
+meeting of the Indian chiefs, with the Governors of the British colonies,
+held at East town, in Pennsylvania, in the year following the disastrous
+fate of Bradock's army. The chiefs had requested this interview, in order
+to state to the officers the wrongs and injuries of which they complained;
+and at the meeting they evidently read the reports and circumstances of
+their grievances from the hieroglyphical chronicle of the Wampum belts,
+which they held in their hands, and by which, from the date of their grand
+alliance with William Penn, the man from the ocean, as they called him,
+they minutely related all the circumstances in which they conceived the
+terms and spirit of the treaty had been infringed by the British, defying
+the officers to show any one point in which the Indians had swerved from
+their engagements. It seemed to Dr. Smith that such a minute traditionary
+detail of facts could not have been preserved without some contemporary
+record; and he, therefore, imagined, that the constant reference made to
+the figures on the belts was a proof that they were chronicles. This
+notion was countenanced by another circumstance which Mr. West had himself
+often noticed. The course of some of the high roads through Pennsylvania
+lies along what were formerly the war tracks of the Indians; and he had
+frequently seen hieroglyphics engraved on the trees and rocks. He was told
+that they were inscriptions left by some of the tribes who had passed that
+way in order to apprize their friends of the route which they had taken,
+and of any other matter which it concerned them to know. He had also
+noticed among the Indians who annually visited Philadelphia, that there
+were certain old chiefs who occasionally instructed the young warriors to
+draw red and black figures, similar to those which are made on the belts,
+and who explained their signification with great emphasis, while the
+students listened to the recital with profound silence and attention. It
+was not, therefore, extraordinary, that, on seeing similar figures on the
+Egyptian trophy, he should have thought that they were intended to
+transmit the record of transactions like the Wampum belts.--A language of
+signs derived from natural objects, must have something universal in its
+very nature; for the qualities represented by the emblematic figure,
+would, doubtless, be those for which the original of the figure was most
+remarkable: and, therefore, if there be any resemblance between the
+Egyptian hieroglyphics and those used by the American Indians, the
+probability is, that there is also some similar intrinsic meaning in their
+signification. But the Wampum belts are probably not all chronicles; there
+is reason to believe that some of them partake of the nature of calendars,
+by which the Indians are regulated in proceedings dependant on the
+seasons; and that, in this respect, they answer to the household Gods of
+the patriarchal times, which are supposed to have been calendars, and the
+figure of each an emblem of some portion of the year, or sign of the
+Zodiac. It would be foreign to the nature of this work to investigate the
+evidence which may be adduced on this subject, or to collect those various
+and scattered hints which have given rise to the opinion, and with a
+faint, but not fallacious ray, have penetrated that obscure region of
+antient history, between the period when the devotion of mankind,
+withdrawn from the worship of the Deity, was transferred to the adoration
+of the stars, and prior to the still greater degradation of the human
+faculties when altars were raised to idols.
+
+The idea of the Indians being in possession of hieroglyphical writings, is
+calculated to lead us to form a very different opinion of them to that
+which is usually entertained by the world. Except in the mere enjoyments
+of sense, they do not appear to be inferior to the rest of mankind; and
+their notions of moral dignity are exactly those which are recommended to
+our imitation by the literature of all antiquity. But they have a
+systematic contempt for whatever either tends to increase their troubles,
+to encumber the freedom of their motions, or to fix them to settled
+habitations. In their unsheltered nakedness, they have a prouder
+consciousness of their importance in the scale of beings, than the
+philosophers of Europe, with all their multiplicity of sensual and
+intellectual gratifications, to supply which so many of the human race are
+degraded from their natural equality. The Indian, however, is not
+deficient in mental enjoyments, or a stranger to the exercise of the
+dignified faculties of our common nature. He delivers himself on suitable
+occasions with a majesty of eloquence that would beggar the oratory of the
+parliaments, and the pulpits of Christendom; and his poetry unfolds the
+loftiest imagery and sentiment of the epic and the hymn. He considers
+himself as the lord of the creation, and regards the starry heaven as his
+canopy, and the everlasting mountain as his throne. It would be absurd,
+however, to assert with Rousseau, that he is, therefore, better or happier
+than civilized man; but it would be equally so to deny him the same sense
+of dignity, the same feeling of dishonour, the same love of renown, or
+ascribe to his actions in war, and his recreations in peace, baser motives
+than to the luxurious warriors and statesmen of Europe. Before Mr. West
+left America, an attempt was made to educate three young Indians at New
+York; and their progress, notwithstanding that they still retained
+something of their original wildness of character, exceeded the utmost
+expectations of those who were interested in the experiment. Two of them,
+however, in the end, returned to their tribe, but they were rendered
+miserable by the contempt with which they were received; and the brother
+of the one who remained behind, was so affected with their degradation,
+that he came to the city determined to redeem his brother from the
+thraldom of civilization. On his arrival he found he had become an actor,
+and was fast rising into celebrity on the stage. On learning this
+circumstance, the resolute Indian went to the theatre, and seated himself
+in the pit. The moment that his brother appeared, he leapt upon the stage,
+and drawing his knife, threatened to sacrifice him on the spot unless he
+would immediately strip himself naked, and return with him to their home
+in the woods. He upbraided him with the meanness of his disposition, in
+consenting to make himself a slave. He demanded if he had forgotten that
+the Great Spirit had planted the Indian corn for their use, and filled the
+forests with game, the air with birds, and the waters with fish, that they
+might be free. He represented the institutions of civilized society as
+calculated to make him dependant on the labour of others, and subject to
+every chance that might interrupt their disposition to supply his wants.
+The actor obeyed his brother, and returning to the woods, was never seen
+again in the town. [A]
+
+It may, perhaps, not be an impertinent digression to contrast this
+singular occurrence in the theatre of New York with another truly
+European, to which Mr. West was a witness, in the Cathedral of St. Peter.
+Among other intelligent acquaintances which he formed in Rome was the
+Abaté Grant, one of the adherents of that unfortunate family, whom the
+baseness of their confidential servants, and the factions of ambitious
+demagogues, deprived, collectively, of their birthright. This priest,
+though a firm Jacobite in principle, was, like many others of the same
+political sentiments, liberal and enlightened, refuting, by his conduct,
+the false and fraudulent calumnies which have been so long alleged against
+the gallant men who supported the cause of the ill-fated Stuarts. On St.
+Peter's day, when the Pope in person performs high mass in the cathedral,
+the Abaté offered to take Mr. West to the church, as he could place him
+among the ecclesiastics, in an advantageous situation to witness the
+ceremony. Glad of such an offer, Mr. West willingly accompanied him. The
+vast edifice; the immense multitude of spectators; the sublimity of the
+music; and the effect of the pomp addressed to the sight, produced on the
+mind of the Painter feelings scarcely less enthusiastic than those which
+the devoutest of the worshippers experienced, or the craftiest inhabitant
+of the Vatican affected to feel. At the elevation of the host, and as he
+was kneeling beside the Abaté, to their equal astonishment he heard a
+voice, exclaiming behind them in a broad Scottish accent, "O Lord, cast
+not the church down on them for this abomination!" The surrounding Italian
+priests, not understanding what the enthusiast was saying, listened with
+great comfort to such a lively manifestation of a zeal, which they
+attributed to the blessed effects of the performance. The Abaté, however,
+with genuine Scottish partiality, was alarmed for his countryman, and
+endeavoured to persuade him to hold his tongue during the ceremony, as he
+ran the risk of being torn to pieces by the mob.
+
+It appeared that this zealous Presbyterian, without understanding a word
+of any civilized language, but only a dialect of his own, had come to Rome
+for the express purpose of attempting to convert the Pope, as the shortest
+way, in his opinion, of putting an end to the reign of Antichrist. When
+mass was over, the Abaté, anxious to avert from him the consequences which
+his extravagance would undoubtedly entail, if he continued to persevere in
+it, entered into conversation with him. It appeared he had only that
+morning arrived in Babylon, and being unable to rest until he had seen a
+glimpse of the gorgeous harlot, he had not then provided himself with
+lodgings. The Abaté conducted him to a house where he knew he would be
+carefully attended; and he also endeavoured to reason with him on the
+absurdity of his self-assumed mission, assuring him that unless he
+desisted, and behaved with circumspection, he would inevitably be seized
+by the Inquisition. But the prospect of Martyrdom augmented his zeal; and
+the representations of the benevolent Catholic only stimulated his
+enterprise; so that in the course of a few days, much to his own exceeding
+great joy, and with many comfortable salutations of the spirit, he was
+seized by the Inquisition, and lodged in a dungeon, On hearing this, the
+Abaté applied to King James in his behalf, and by his Majesty's influence
+he was released, and sent to the British Consul at Leghorn, on condition
+of being immediately conveyed to his friends in Scotland. It happened,
+however, that no vessel was then ready to sail, and the taste of
+persecution partaking more of the relish of adventure than the pungency of
+suffering, the missionary was not to be so easily frustrated in his
+meritorious design; and, therefore, he took the first opportunity of
+stealing silently back to Rome, where he was again arrested and confined.
+By this time the affair had made some noise, and it was universally
+thought by all the English travellers, that the best way of treating the
+ridiculous madman was to allow him to remain some time in solitary
+confinement in the dungeons of the Inquisition. When he had been
+imprisoned about three months, he was again liberated, sent to Leghorn,
+and embarked for England, radically cured of his inclination to convert
+the Pope, but still believing that the punishment which he had suffered
+for his folly would be recorded as a trial which he had endured in the
+service of the faith.
+
+In the mean time West was carefully furnishing his mind by an attentive
+study of the costume of antiquity, and the beauties of the great works of
+modern genius. In doing this, he regarded Rome only as an university, in
+which he should graduate; and, as a thesis preparatory to taking his
+degree among the students, he painted a picture of Cimon and Iphigenia,
+and, subsequently, another of Angelica and Madoro. The applause which they
+received justified the opinion which Mengs had so early expressed of his
+talent, and certainly answered every object for which they were composed.
+He was honoured, in consequence, with the marks of academical
+approbation, usually bestowed on fortunate Artists. He then proposed to
+return to America, with a view to cultivate in his native country that
+profession in which he had already acquired so much celebrity. At this
+juncture he received a letter from his father, advising him, as peace had
+been concluded between France and England, to go home for a short time
+before coming to America; for the mother country was at that period still
+regarded as the home of her American offspring. The advice of his father
+was in unison with his own wishes, and he mentioned his intention to Mr.
+Wilcox. That gentleman, conceiving that he spoke of America as his home,
+expressed himself with grief and surprise at a determination so different
+from what he had expected; but, upon being informed of the ambiguity in
+the phrase, he exclaimed that he could hardly have resolved, on quitting
+Italy, more opportunely, for Dr. Patoune, a Scotish gentleman, of
+considerable learning, and some taste in painting, was then returning
+homeward, and waiting at that time in Rome, until he should be able to
+meet with a companion. It was therefore agreed that West should be
+introduced to him; and it was soon after arranged that the Doctor should
+proceed to Florence, while the Artist went to take leave of his friends at
+Leghorn, to express to them his gratitude for the advantages he had
+derived from their constant and extraordinary kindness, which he estimated
+so highly, that he could not think of leaving Italy without performing
+this pleasing and honourable pilgrimage. It was also agreed between him
+and his companion, that the Doctor should stop a short time at Parma,
+until West should have completed a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio,
+which he had begun during his visit to that city with Mr. Matthews.
+
+During their stay at Parma, the Academy elected Mr. West a member, an
+honour which the Academies of Florence and Bologna had previously
+conferred on him; and it was mentioned to the Prince that a young American
+had made a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio in a style of excellence
+such as the oldest Academicians had not witnessed. The Prince expressed a
+wish to see this extraordinary Artist, particularly when be heard that he
+was from Pennsylvania, and a Quaker. Mr. West was, in consequence,
+informed that a visit from him would be acceptable at Court: and it was
+arranged that he should be introduced to His Highness by the chief
+Minister. Mr. West thought that, in a matter of this kind, he should
+regulate his behaviour by what he understood to be the practice in the
+court of London; and, accordingly, to the astonishment of the whole of the
+courtiers, he kept his hat on during the audience. This, however, instead
+of offending the Prince, was observed with evident pleasure, and made his
+reception more particular and distinguished; for His Highness had heard of
+the peculiar simplicity of the Quakers, and of the singularly Christian
+conduct of William Penn.
+
+From Parma he proceeded to Genoa, and thence to Turin. Considering this
+City as the last stage of his professional observations in Italy, his mind
+unconsciously took a retrospective view of the different objects he had
+seen, and the knowledge which he had acquired since his departure from
+America. Although his art was always uppermost in his thoughts, and
+although he could not reflect on the course of his observations without
+pleasure and hope, he was often led to advert to the lamentable state into
+which every thing, as well as Art, had fallen in Italy, in consequence of
+the general theocratical despotism which over-spread the whole country,
+like an unwholesome vapour, and of those minute subdivisions of territory,
+in which political tyranny exercised its baleful influence even where the
+ecclesiastical oppression seemed disposed to spare. He saw, in the
+infamous establishment of the cicisbeo, the settled effect of that general
+disposition to palliate vice, which is the first symptom of decay in
+nations; and he was convinced that, before vice could be thus exalted into
+custom, there must exist in the community which would tolerate such an
+institution, a disregard of all those obligations which it is the pride of
+virtue to incur, and the object of law to preserve. It seemed to him that
+every thing in Italy was in a state of disease; and that the moral energy
+was subsiding, as the vital flame diminishes with the progress of old age.
+For although the forms and graces of the human character were often seen
+in all their genuine dignity among the common people, still even the
+general population seemed to be defective in that detestation of vice
+found in all countries in a healthful state of morals, and which is often
+strongest among the lowest of the vulgar, especially in what respects the
+conduct of the great. He thought that the commonalty of Italy had lost the
+tact by which the good and evil of actions are discriminated; and that,
+whatever was good in their disposition, was constitutional, and
+unconnected with any principle of religion, or sense of right. In the
+Papal states, this appeared to be particularly the case. All the creative
+powers of the mind seemed there to be extinct. The country was covered
+with ruins, and the human character was in ashes. Sometimes, indeed, a few
+embers of intellect were seen among the clergy; but the brightness of
+their scintillation was owing to the blackness of death with which they
+were contrasted. The splendour of the nobility struck him only as a more
+conspicuous poverty than the beggary of the common people; and the perfect
+contempt with which they treated the feelings of their dependants, seemed
+to him scarcely less despicable than the apathy with which it was endured.
+The innumerable examples of the effects of this moral paralysis to which
+he was a witness on his arrival in Rome, filled him for some time with
+indescribable anxiety, and all his veneration for the Roman majesty was
+lost in reflections on the offences which mankind may be brought to commit
+on one another. But at Genoa, Leghorn, and Venice, the Italians were seen
+to less disadvantage. Commerce, by diffusring opulence, and interweaving
+the interests of all classes, preserved in those cities some community of
+feeling, which was manifested in an interchange of respect and
+consideration between the higher and the lower orders; and Lucca he
+thought afforded a perfect exception to the general degeneracy of the
+country. The inhabitants of that little republic presented the finest view
+of human nature that he had ever witnessed. With the manliness of the
+British character they appeared to blend the suavity of the Italian
+manners; and their private morals were not inferior to the celebrity of
+their public virtues. So true it is, that man, under the police and
+vigilance of despotism, becomes more and more vicious; while, in
+proportion to the extension of his freedom, is the vigour of his private
+virtue. When deprived of the right of exercising his own judgment, he
+feels, as it were, his moral responsibility at an end, and naturally
+blames the system by which he is oppressed, for the crimes which his own
+unresisted passions instigate him to commit. To an Englishman the
+remembrance of a journey in Italy is however often more delightful than
+that of any other country, for no where else is his arrogance more
+patiently endured, his eccentricities more humourously indulged, nor the
+generosity of his character more publicly acknowledged.
+
+In coming from Italy into France, Mr. West was particularly struck with
+the picturesque difference in the character of the peasantry of the two
+countries; and while he thought, as an Artist, that to give appropriate
+effect to a national landscape it would not only be necessary to introduce
+figures in the costume of the country, but in employments and recreations
+no less national, he was sensible of the truth of a remark which occurs to
+almost every traveller, that there are different races of the human
+species, and that the nature of the dog and horse do not vary more in
+different climates than man himself. In making the observation, he was
+not, however, disposed to agree with the continental philosophers, that
+this difference, arising from climate, at all narrowed the powers of the
+mind, though it influenced the choice of objects of taste. For whatever
+tends to make the mind more familiar with one class of agreeable
+sensations than another, will, undoubtedly, contribute to form the cause
+of that preference for particular qualities in objects by which the
+characteristics of the taste of different nations is discriminated.
+Although, of all the general circumstances which modify the opinions of
+mankind, climate is, perhaps, the most permanent, it does not, therefore,
+follow that, because the climate of France or Italy induces the
+inhabitants to prefer, in works of art, certain qualities of the
+excellence of which the people of England are not so sensible, the climate
+of Great Britain does not, in like manner, lead the inhabitants to
+discover other qualities equally valuable as sources of enjoyment. Thus,
+in sculpture for example, it would seem that in naked figures the
+inhabitants of a cold climate can never hope to attain that degree of
+eminence which we see exemplified in the productions of the Grecian and
+Italian sculptors; not that the Artists may not execute as well, but
+because they will not so readily find models; or, what is perhaps more to
+the point, they will not find a taste so capable of appreciating the
+merits of their performances. In Italy the eye is familiar with the human
+form in a state of almost complete nudity; and the beauty of muscular
+expression, and of the osteological proportions of man, is there as well
+known as that of the features and complexion of his countenance; but the
+same degree of nakedness could not be endured in the climate of England,
+for it is associated with sentiments of modesty and shame, which render
+even the accidental innocent exposure of so much of the body offensive to
+the feelings of decorum. It is not, therefore, just to allege, that,
+because the Italians are a calm, persuasive, and pensive people, and the
+French all stir, talk, and inconstancy, they are respectively actuated by
+different moral causes. It will not be asserted that, though the sources
+of their taste in art spring from different qualities in the same common
+objects, any innate incapacity for excellence in the fine arts is induced
+by the English climate, merely because that climate has the effect of
+producing a different moral temperament among the inhabitants.
+
+On the morning after arriving at the first frontier town, in coming from
+Savoy into France, and while breakfast was preparing, Mr. West and his
+companion heard the noise of a crowd assembled in the yard of the inn. The
+Doctor rose and went to the window to inquire the occasion: immediately on
+his appearance the mob became turbulent, and seemed to menace him with
+some outrage.--The Peace of 1763 had been but lately concluded, and
+without having any other cause for the thought, it occurred to the
+travellers that the turbulence must have originated in some political
+occurrence, and they hastily summoned the landlord, who informed them,
+"That the people had, indeed, assembled in a tumultuous manner round the
+inn on hearing that two Englishmen were in the house, but that they might
+make themselves easy, as he had sent to inform the magistrates of the
+riot." Soon after, one of the magistrates arrived, and on being introduced
+by the landlord to the travellers, expressed himself to the following
+effect: "I am sorry that this occurrence should have happened, because had
+I known in time, I should, on hearing that you were Englishmen, have come
+with the other magistrates to express to you the sentiments of respect
+which we feel towards your illustrious nation; but, since it has not been
+in our power to give you that testimony of our esteem; on the contrary,
+since we are necessitated by our duty to protect you, I assure you that I
+feel exceedingly mortified. I trust, however, that you will suffer no
+inconvenience, for the people are dispersing, and you will be able to
+leave the town in safety!" "This place," he continued, "is a manufacturing
+town, which has been almost ruined by the war. Our goods went to the ocean
+from Marseilles and Toulon; but the vigilance of your fleets ruined our
+trade, and these poor people, who have felt the consequence, consider not
+the real cause of their distress. However, although the populace do not
+look beyond the effects which immediately press upon themselves, there are
+many among us well acquainted with the fountain-head of the misfortunes
+which afflict France, and who know that it is less to you than to
+ourselves that we ought to ascribe the disgraces of the late war. You had
+a man at the head of your government (alluding to the first Lord Chatham),
+and your counsellors are men. But it is the curse of France that she is
+ruled by one who is, in fact, but the agent and organ of valets and
+strumpets. The Court of France is no longer the focus of the great men of
+the country, but a band of profligates that have driven away the great.
+This state of things, however, cannot last long, the reign of the
+Pompadours must draw to an end, and Frenchmen will one day take a terrible
+revenge for the insults which they suffer in being regarded only as the
+materials of those who pander to the prodigality of the Court." This
+singular address, made in the year 1763, requires no comment; but it is a
+curious historical instance of the commencement of that, moral re-action
+to oppression which subsequently has so fully realized the prediction of
+the magistrate, and which, in its violence, has done so much mischief, and
+occasioned so many misfortunes to Europe.
+
+The travellers remained no longer in Paris than was necessary to inspect
+the principal works of the French Artists, and the royal collections. Mr.
+West, however, continued long enough to be satisfied that the true feeling
+for the fine arts did not exist among the French to that degree which he
+had observed in Italy. On the contrary, it seemed to him that there was an
+inherent affectation in the general style of art among them, which
+demonstrated, not only a deficiency of native sensibility, but an anxious
+endeavour to conceal that defect. The characteristics of the French
+School, and they have not yet been redeemed by the introduction of any
+better manner, might, to a cursory observer, appear to have arisen from a
+corrupted taste, while, in fact, they are the consequences only of that
+inordinate national vanity which in so many different ways has retarded
+the prosperity of the world. In the opinion of a Frenchman, there is a
+quality of excellence in every thing belonging to France, merely because
+it is French, which gives at all times a certain degree of superiority to
+the actions and productions of his countrymen; and this delusive notion
+has infested not only the literature and the politicks of the nation, but
+also the principles of Art, to such a deep and inveterate extent, that the
+morality of painting is not yet either felt or understood in that country.
+In the mechanical execution, in drawing, and in the arrangement of parts,
+the great French painters are probably equal to the Italians; but in
+producing any other sentiment in the spectator than that of admiration at
+their mechanical skill, they are greatly behind the English. Painting has
+much of a common character with dramatic literature, and the very best
+pictures of the French Artists have the same kind of resemblance to the
+probability of Nature, that the tragedies of their great dramatic authors
+have to the characters and actions of men. But in rejecting the
+pretensions of the French to superiority either in the one species of art
+or in the other, the rejection ought not to be extended too far. They are
+wrong in their theory; but their practice so admirably accords with it,
+that it must be allowed, were it possible for a people so enchanted by
+self-conceit to discover that the true subjects of Art exist only in
+Nature, they evince a capacity sufficient to enable them to acquire the
+pre-eminence which they unfortunately believe they have already attained.
+But these opinions, with respect to the peculiarities of the French taste,
+though deduced from incidental remarks in conversations with Mr. West,
+must not be considered as his. The respect which he has always entertained
+towards the different members of his own profession never allows him to
+express himself in any terms that might possibly be construed by malice or
+by ignorance to imply any thing derogatory to a class which he naturally
+considers among the teachers of mankind. He may think, indeed he has
+expressed as much, that the style of the French Artists is not the most
+perspicuous; and that it is, if the expression may be allowed, more
+rhetorical than eloquent; but still he regards them as having done honour
+to their country, and, in furnishing objects of innocent interest to the
+minds of mankind, as having withdrawn so far the inclinations of the heart
+from mere sensual objects. The true use of painting, he early thought,
+must reside in assisting the reason to arrive at correct moral inferences,
+by furnishing a probable view of the effects of motives and of passions;
+and to the enforcement of this great argument his long life has been
+devoted, whether with complete success it would be presumptuous in any
+contemporary to determine, and injudicious in the author of these memoirs
+to assert.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[A] The following Extract from the Journal of a Friend, who has
+lately travelled through the principal parts of the United States, will
+probably be found interesting, as it tends to throw some degree of light
+on the sentiments of the Indians; of which the little that is known has
+hitherto never been well elucidated.
+
+"One of my fellow-passengers was a settler in the new state of Tenessee,
+who had come to Charleston with Horses for sale, and was going to
+Baltimore and Philadelphia for the purpose of investing his money in an
+assortment of goods suited to the western country. The ideas of civilized
+and savage life were so curiously blended in this man, that his
+conversation afforded me considerable amusement. Under the garb and
+appearance of a methodist preacher, I found him a hunter and a warrior;
+with no small portion of the adventurous spirit proper to both those
+characters. He had served as a militia-man or volunteer under General
+Jackson, in his memorable campaign against the Creek Indians in 1813; and
+he related to me some interesting particulars of the principal and final
+action which decided the fate of the war. The Indians had posted
+themselves at a place called, in their language, _Talapoosie_, and by the
+Americans, the Horse-shoe; a position of great natural strength, the
+advantages of which they had improved to the best of their skill, by a
+breast-work seven feet high, extending across the neck of land which
+formed the only approach to their encampment. This seems to have been
+viewed by the Creeks themselves as the last stand of their nation: for,
+contrary to the usual practice of the Indians, they made every preparation
+for defence, but none for retreat. Their resistance was proportionably
+desperate and bloody. For several hours they supported a continued fire of
+musketry and cannon without shrinking; till at length the American
+General, finding that he had lost a great number of men, and that he
+could not otherwise dislodge the enemy, gave orders for a general assault.
+The breast-work was carried by storm; and the Indians, broken at all
+points, and surrounded by superior numbers, were nearly all put to the
+sword. Out of one thousand warriors who composed the Creek Army, scarcely
+twenty made their escape. A body of Choctaw Indians, who attended the
+American Army as auxiliaries, were the chief actors in this massacre, and
+displayed their usual barbarous ferocity. It affords a remarkable
+illustration of the savage character, that the whole of this bloody scene
+passed in the most perfect silence on the part of the Indians: there was
+no outcry, no supplication for mercy: each man met his fate without
+uttering a word, singly defending himself to the last. The lives of the
+women and children were spared, but many of the boys were killed in the
+action, fighting bravely in the ranks with their fathers and elder
+brothers. My Tenessee friend received four arrows from the bows of these
+juvenile warriors, while in the act of mounting the breast-work.
+
+"In hearing such a story, it is impossible not to be touched with a
+feeling of sympathy for a high-minded but expiring people, thus gallantly
+but vainly contending, against an overwhelming force, for their native
+woods, and their name as a Nation; or to refrain from lamenting that the
+settlement of the New World cannot be accomplished at a less price than
+the destruction of the original and rightful proprietors of the soil."
+
+
+
+END OF PART I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+By John Galt, Esq.
+
+Part II.
+
+
+To Simon M'Gillivray, Esq.
+This Work
+Is inscribed, with every sentiment of esteem, by the Author.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+
+Nearly the whole of this work was printed during the last illness of Mr.
+West. The manuscript had long previously been read to him. My custom was,
+to note down those points which seemed, in our conversations, to bear on
+his biography, and, from time to time, to submit an entire chapter to his
+perusal; afterwards, when the whole narrative was formed, it was again
+carefully read over to him. Still, however, I am apprehensive that some
+mistakes in the orthography of names may have been committed; for although
+the same custom was strictly observed in preparing the manuscript of the
+first part of his Memoirs for the press, yet, in perusing the proofs, he
+found several errors of that kind. It was intended that he should have
+read the proofs of this part also, but the progress of his disease
+unfortunately rendered it impracticable.
+
+
+J.G.
+
+_30th March, 1820_.
+
+
+
+
+Introduction.
+
+
+
+Although Mr. West was, strictly speaking, a self-taught artist, yet it
+must be allowed that in his education he enjoyed great and singular
+advantages. A strong presentiment was cherished in his family, that he
+would prove an extraordinary man, and his first rude sketch in childhood
+was hailed as an assurance of the fulfilment of the prediction of
+Peckover. The very endeavours of his boyish years were applauded as
+successful attainments; no domestic prejudices were opposed to the
+cultivation of his genius; even the religious principles of the community
+in which he lived were bent in his favour, from a persuasion that he was
+endowed by Heaven with a peculiar gift; and whatever the defects of his
+early essays may have been, it was not one of the least advantageous
+circumstances of his youth, that they were seen only by persons, who,
+without being competent judges of them, as works of art, were yet
+possessed of such a decided superiority of intellect, that their
+approbation in any case would have been esteemed great praise.
+
+The incidents attending his voyage to Italy, and his introduction to the
+artists, virtuosi, and travellers at Rome, were still more auspicious.
+Taken in connection with his previous history, they form one of the most
+remarkable illustrations of the doctrine of fortune, or destiny, that is
+to be found in authentic biography. Without any knowledge of his abilities
+or acquirements, his arrival in the capital of Christendom, the seat of
+the arts, was regarded as an interesting event: his person was
+contemplated as an object of curiosity; and a strong disposition to
+applaud his productions, was excited by the mere accident of his having
+come from America to study the fine arts. A prepossession so extraordinary
+has no parallel. It would almost seem, as if there had been some
+arrangement in the order of things that would have placed Mr. West in the
+first class of artists, although he had himself mistaken the workings of
+ambition for the consciousness of talent. Many men of no inconsiderable
+fame have set out in their career with high expectations in their favour;
+but few, of whom such hopes were entertained, have, by a succession of
+works, in which the powers of the mind were seemingly unfolded with more
+and more energy, so long continued to justify the presentiments of his
+early friends. It is not, however, the object of this undertaking to form
+any estimate of the genius of Mr. West, or of the merits of his works;
+another opportunity, distinct from his memoirs, will be taken for that
+purpose; but only to resume the narrative of his progress, in his
+profession, by which it will appear that a series of circumstances no less
+curious than those which tended to make him an artist, facilitated his
+success, and placed him in that precise station in society, where, in this
+country, at the time, there was the only chance of profitable employment
+as an historical painter.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+Part II.
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen.--Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote of
+    a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--Mr. West's Marriage.
+
+Chap. II.
+
+    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The
+    Altar-piece of St. Stephen's Walbrook.--State of public Taste with
+    respect to the Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.
+
+Chap. III.
+
+    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen,--The
+    King employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater.--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+    The King's personal Friendship for Mr, West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.
+
+Chap. V.
+
+    The Opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius,--Of
+    Lachlan McLean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his Opinion.
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of
+    the American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.
+
+Chap. IX.
+
+    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.
+
+Chap. X.
+
+    Discourse to the Academy in 1797--- On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks
+    in Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Draiwing.--Of
+    Light and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.
+    --Illustration.--Of the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine
+    Pictures.--Of Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from
+    Sketching.--and of the Advantage of being familiar with the
+    Characteristics of Objects in Nature.
+
+Chap. XI.
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.
+
+Chap. XII.
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.
+
+Chap. XIII.
+
+    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin of
+    the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.
+
+Chap. XIV.
+
+    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Intrigues respecting
+    the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.
+
+Appendix.
+
+
+
+
+
+The Life and Works of Benjamin West
+
+
+
+
+Chap. I.
+
+
+
+    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen,--- Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote
+    of a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--- Mr West's Marriage.
+
+Mr. West arrived in England on the 20th of August, 1763. The sentiments
+with which he approached the shores of this island, were those of a
+stranger visiting interesting scenes, mingled with something of the
+solicitude and affections of a traveller returning home. He had no
+intention of remaining in London: he was only desirous to see the country
+of his ancestors, and his mind, in consequence, was more disengaged from
+professional feelings than at any period from that in which his genius
+was first awakened. He considered his visit to England as devoted to
+social leisure, the best kind of repose after mental exertion; but the
+good fortune which had hitherto attended him in so remarkable a manner,
+still followed him, and frustrated the intentions with which he was at
+that time actuated.
+
+Those who have at all attended to what was then the state of the arts in
+this country, and more particularly to the relative condition of artists
+in society, and who can compare them with the state of both at the present
+period, will not hesitate to regard the arrival of Mr. West as an
+important event. In the sequel of this work, it may be necessary to allude
+to the moral and political causes which affect the progress of the fine
+arts, and opportunities will, in consequence, arise to show how meanly
+they were considered, how justly, indeed, it may be said, they were
+rejected, not only by the British public in general, but even by the
+nobility. A few eminent literary characters were sensible of their
+importance, and lamented the neglect to which they were consigned; but the
+great body of the intelligent part of the nation neither felt their
+influence, nor were aware of their importance to the commerce and renown
+of the kingdom. Artists stood, if possible, lower in the scale of society
+than actors; for Garrick had redeemed the profession of the latter from
+the degradation to which it had been consigned from the time of the
+Commonwealth; but Reynolds, although in high repute as a portrait-painter,
+and affecting a gentlemanly liberality in the style of his living, was not
+so eminently before the public eye as to induce any change of the same
+consequence towards his profession.
+
+Mr. West found, on his arrival in London, several American families who
+had come across the Atlantic after the peace to visit their relations,
+and he had the unexpected pleasure of hearing that Mr. William Allen,
+Governor Hamilton, and Dr. Smith, his earliest friends and patrons, were
+in this country.
+
+Mr. Allen, like many others in the colonies at that time, was both a
+professional man and a merchant. He held indeed the dignified office of
+chief justice in Pennsylvania, and was a person of powerful and extensive
+connections in the mother-country. Hamilton, who had been many years
+governor, was chiefly indebted to him for the rank which he enjoyed, in
+consequence of having married his sister.
+
+The naval and military officers who had occasion, during the war, to visit
+Philadelphia, found in the houses of the governor and Mr. Allen a cordial
+hospitality which they never forgot. Many of these officers were related
+to persons of distinction in London, and being anxious to testify to the
+Americans their grateful sense of the kindness which they had experienced,
+rendered the strangers objects of hospitable solicitude and marked respect
+in the first circles of the metropolis. Mr. West, accordingly, on his
+arrival, participated in the advantages of their favourable reception,
+and before he was known as an artist, frequented the parties of several of
+the highest characters in the state.
+
+His first excursion from London was to Hampton Court to see the Cartoons
+of Raphael. Soon after, he visited Oxford, Blenheim, and Corsham; whence
+he proceeded to Bath, where Mr. Allen was at that time residing. Here he
+remained about a month; and in returning to town made a short tour, in the
+course of which he inspected the collections of art at Storehead,
+Fonthill, Wilton House, the Cathedral of Salisbury, and the Earl of
+Radnor's seat at Longford. At Reading he staid some time with his
+half-brother, Mr. Thomas West, the eldest son of his father. When he
+returned to London he was introduced by Mr. Patoune, his travelling
+companion from Rome, to Reynolds, and a friendship commenced between them
+which was only broken by death. He also, much about the same time, formed
+an acquaintance with Mr. Richard Wilson, the landscape painter, to whom
+indeed he had brought very warm letters of introduction, from some of
+that great artist's friends and admirers in Italy.
+
+The first lodgings which Mr. West occupied, in his professional capacity,
+were in Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, where, when it was understood that
+he intended to practise, he was visited by all the artists of eminence
+then in London, and welcomed among them with a cordiality that reflected
+great honour on the generosity of their dispositions. In this house the
+first picture which he painted in England was executed. The subject was
+Angelica and Medora, which, with the Cymon and Iphiginia, painted at
+Rome, and a portrait of General Moncton, (who acquired so much celebrity
+by his heroic conduct as second in command under General Wolfe at
+Quebec,) by the advice of Reynolds and Wilson, he sent to the exhibition
+in Spring Gardens in 1764.
+
+While he was engaged on the picture of Angelica and Medora, Dr. Markham,
+then Master of Westminster-School, paid him a visit and invited him to a
+dinner, at which he introduced him to Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke; Mr.
+Chracheroide, and Mr. Dyer. On being introduced to Burke he was so much
+surprised by the resemblance which that gentleman bore to the chief of the
+Benedictine monks at Parma, that when he spoke he could scarcely persuade
+himself he was not the same person. This resemblance was not accidental;
+the Protestant orator was, indeed, the brother of the monk.
+
+It always appeared to Mr. West that there was about Mr. Burke a degree of
+mystery, connected with his early life, which their long intercourse,
+subsequent to the introduction at Dr. Markham's, never tended to explain.
+He never spoke of any companions of his boyhood, nor seemed to have any of
+those pleasing recollections of the heedless and harmless days of youth,
+which afford to most men of genius some of the finest lights and breaks of
+their fancy; and his writings corroborate the observation. For, although
+no prose writer ever wrote more like a poet than this celebrated man, his
+imagery is principally drawn from general nature or from art, and but
+rarely from any thing local or particular.
+
+The conversation after dinner chiefly turned, on American subjects, in
+which Mr. Burke, as may well be supposed, took a distinguished part, and
+not more delighted the Artist with the rich variety and affluence of his
+mind, than surprised him by the correct circumstantiality of his
+descriptions; so much so, that he was never able to divest himself of an
+impression received on this occasion, that Mr. Burke had actually been in
+America, and visited the scenes, and been familiar with many of the places
+which he so minutely seemed to recollect. Upon a circumstance so singular,
+and so much at variance with all that has hitherto been said respecting
+the early history of this eminent person, it is needless to dilate. The
+wonder which it may excite I have no means of allaying; but I should not
+omit to mention here, when Mr. Burke was informed that Mr. West was a
+Quaker, that he observed, he had always regarded it among the most
+fortunate circumstances of his life, that his first preceptor was a
+member of the Society of Friends.
+
+Dr. Markham in 1765 introduced Mr. West to Dr. Newton, Bishop of Bristol,
+Dr. Johnson, Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. Drummond, Archbishop of York.
+Dr. Newton engaged him to paint the Parting of Hector and Andromache, and
+afterwards sat to him for his portrait, in the back ground of which a
+sketch of this picture was introduced: and for the Bishop of Worcester he
+painted the Return of the Prodigal Son. The encouragement which he thus
+received from these eminent divines was highly creditable to their taste
+and liberality, and is in honourable contrast to the negligence with which
+all that concerned the fine arts were treated by the nobility and opulent
+gentry. It is, however, necessary to mention one illustrious exception.
+Lord Rockingham offered Mr. West a regular, permanent engagement of £700
+per annum to paint historical subjects for his mansion in Yorkshire: but
+the Artist on consulting his friends found them unanimously of opinion,
+that although the prospect of encouragement which had opened to him ought
+to make him resolve to remain in England, he should not confine himself to
+the service of one patron, but trust to the public. The result of this
+conversation was a communication to Dr. Smith and Mr. Allen, of the
+attachment he had formed for the lady whom he afterwards married, and that
+it was his intention to return to America in order to be united to her. In
+consequence of this, an arrangement took place, by which the father of Mr.
+West came over to this country with the bride, and the marriage was
+solemnised on the 2d of September, 1765, in the church of St. Martin in
+the Fields.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. II.
+
+
+
+    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The Altarpiece
+    of St. Stephens, Walbrook.--State of public Taste with respect to the
+    Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.
+
+In Archbishop Drummond Mr. West found one of the most active and efficient
+patrons that he had yet met with. This eminent prelate was esteemed, by
+all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance, for a peculiar dignity
+of mind, and a liberality of sentiment that reflected lustre on his
+exalted rank. He had in his youth travelled on the Continent, and
+possessing an innate sensibility to the moral influence of the fine arts,
+had improved his natural taste by a careful inspection of every celebrated
+work to which he could obtain access. He lamented that in this great,
+flourishing, and triumphant nation, no just notion of the value of the
+fine arts was entertained; and on all occasions, when a suitable
+opportunity presented itself, he never failed to state this opinion, and
+to endeavour to impress it on others. He frequently invited Mr. West to
+his table; and the Artist remarked that he seemed to turn the conversation
+on the celebrity which the patronage of the arts had in all ages reflected
+on the most illustrious persons and families, addressing himself with
+particular emphasis to his sons. In the course of one of these
+conversations, he engaged Mr. West to paint for him the story of Agrippina
+landing with the ashes of Germanicus, and sent one of the young gentlemen
+to the library for the volume in which Tacitus describes the
+circumstances. Having read the passage, he commented on it at some length,
+in order to convey to Mr. West an idea of the manner in which he was
+desirous the subject should be treated.
+
+The painter, on returning home, felt his imagination so much excited by
+the historian's description, and the remarks of the Archbishop, that he
+immediately began to compose a sketch for the picture, and finished it
+before going to bed. Next morning he carried it to His Grace, who, equally
+surprised and delighted to find his own conception so soon embodied in a
+visible form, requested the Artist to proceed without delay in the
+execution of the picture.
+
+In the interim, the Archbishop endeavoured, by all the means in his power,
+to procure encouragement for Mr. West to devote himself exclusively to
+historical composition; and with this view he set on foot a scheme to
+raise three thousand guineas to constitute a fund, which would be a
+sufficient inducement for the Artist, in the first instance, to forego, at
+least for a time, the drudgery of portrait painting. But the attempt
+failed: so little was the public disposed to patronise historical subjects
+from the pencil of a living artist, that after fifteen hundred pounds were
+subscribed, it was agreed to relinquish the undertaking. As this fact is
+important to the history of the progress of the arts in this country, I
+present my readers with a copy of the subscription-paper, with the names
+and amount of the sums attached to them, by the respective subscribers,
+
+In 1766 Mr. West made a proposal to his friend Bishop Newton, who was then
+Dean of St. Paul's, to present a gratuitous offering to the Cathedral, by
+painting a religious subject to fill one of the large spaces which the
+architect of the building had allotted for the reception of pictures; and
+speaking on the design one day after dinner at the Bishop's when Reynolds
+was present, he said that the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai would make
+an appropriate subject. Reynolds was delighted with the idea of decorating
+St. Paul's by the voluntary offerings of artists, and offered to paint a
+Nativity as his contribution. A formal proposal was in consequence made to
+the Dean and Chapter, who embraced it with much satisfaction. But Dr.
+Terrick, the Bishop, felt some degree of jealousy at the design being
+adopted, without consulting him, and set himself so decidedly against it
+that it was necessarily abandoned. Dr. Newtorn had, in his capacity of
+Dean, obtained (without reflecting that Terrick had a veto over all) the
+consent of the other curators of the Cathedral, namely, of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the King. "But," exclaimed Dr. Terrick,
+with the energy of an ancient martyr, "I have heard of the proposition,
+and as I am head of the Cathedral of the metropolis, I will not suffer the
+doors to be opened to introduce popery." It is to be hoped that the
+declaration proceeded from the fear implied, and not because Dr. Newton
+omitted to ask his consent before applying to the King and the Archbishop.
+
+Mr. West was, however, too deeply impressed with the advantage which would
+accrue to the arts by inducing the guardians of the Church to allow the
+introduction of pictures, to be discouraged by the illiberality of the
+Bishop of London. He therefore made a proposal to paint an Altar-piece for
+the beautiful church of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and it was accepted. In
+the same year his friend, Mr. Wilcox, gave him a commission to execute
+another sacred subject, which he presented to the Cathedral of Rochester,
+and it is placed over the communion-table. In these biographical sketches
+it cannot be expected that a history of all Mr. West's numerous works
+should be related. It is the history of the Artist, not of his works, that
+is here written; and, therefore, except where the incidents connected with
+them are illustrative of the state of public feeling towards the arts, it
+is unnecessary to be more particular. I have, however, prepared a complete
+catalogue of his designs, with such remarks concerning them as must
+satisfy any want that may be felt by this systematic omission in the
+narrative. I should, however, mention that, in this stage of his career,
+the two of his earliest pictures, which attracted the greatest share of
+public attention, were _the Orestes and Pylades_, and _the Continence of
+Scipio_. He had undertaken them on speculation, and the applause which
+they obtained, when finished, were an assurance of his success and reward.
+His house was daily thronged with the opulent and the curious to see them;
+statesmen sent for them to their offices; princes to their bedchambers,
+and all loudly expressed their approbation, but not one ever enquired the
+price; and his imagination, which had been elevated in Italy to emulate
+the conceptions of those celebrated men who have given a second existence
+to the great events of religion, history, and poetry, was allowed in
+England to languish over the unmeaning faces of portrait-customers. It
+seemed to be thought that the genius of the Artist could in no other way
+be encouraged, than by his friends sitting for their own likenesses, and
+paying liberally for them. The moral influence of the art was unfelt and
+unknown; nor can a more impressive instance of this historical truth be
+adduced, than the following anecdote of Hogarth, which Garrick himself
+related to Mr. West.
+
+When that artist had published the plates of the Election, he wished to
+dispose of the paintings, and proposed to do so by a raffle of two hundred
+chances, at two guineas the stake; to be determined on an appointed day.
+Among a small number of subscribers, not half what Hogarth expected,
+Garrick had put down his name; and when the day arrived he went to the
+artist's house to throw for his chance. After waiting a considerable time
+no other person appeared, and Hogarth felt this neglect not only as
+derogatory to his profession, but implying that the subscription had
+something in it of a mendicant character. Vexed by such a mortifying
+result of a plan which he had sanguinely hoped would prove, at least, a
+morning's amusement to the fashionable subscribers, he insisted that, as
+they had not attended, nor even sent any request to him to throw for them,
+that Garrick should go through the formality of throwing the dice; but
+only for himself. The actor for some time opposed the irritated artist;
+but at last consented. Instead, however, of allowing Hogarth to send them
+home, he begged that they might be carefully packed up, until his servant
+should call for them; and on returning to his house, he dispatched a note
+to the painter, stating that he could not persuade himself to remove works
+so valuable and admired, without acquitting his conscience of an
+obligation due to the author and to his own good fortune in obtaining
+them. And knowing the humour of the person he addressed, and that if he
+had sent a cheque for the money it would in all probability be returned,
+he informed him that he had transferred two hundred guineas at his
+bankers, which would remain at the disposal of Hogarth or his heirs,
+whether it was or was not then accepted. The charge of habitual parsimony
+against Garrick was not well founded; and this incident shows that he knew
+when to be properly munificent. In the acquisition and management of his
+affluent fortune, it would have been more correct to have praised him for
+a judicious system of economy, than to have censured him for meanness. It
+ought to have been considered, that he was professionally required to deal
+with a class of persons not famed for prudence in pecuniary concerns, and
+to whom the methodical disbursements of most private gentlemen would
+probably have appeared penurious.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. III.
+
+
+
+    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen.--The King
+    employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater,--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.
+
+The coldness with which Archbishop Drummond's scheme for raising three
+thousand guineas had been received by the persons to whom he had applied,
+and the prejudice which he found almost universally entertained against
+the efforts of living genius, chagrined him exceedingly. He regarded the
+failure as a stigma on the age, and on his country; and, as a public man,
+he thought it affected himself personally. With this feeling, he declared
+to the gentlemen who had exerted themselves in the business, that he saw
+no way of engrafting a taste for the fine arts on the British public,
+unless the King could be so far engaged in the attempt, as to make it
+fashionable to employ living artists, according to the bent of their
+respective talents. But, about this period, the affair of Wilkes agitated
+the nation; and the Duke of Portland and Lord Rockingham, who were among
+the most strenuous of Mr. West's friends, being both of the Whig party,
+undervalued the importance attached to His Majesty's influence and
+countenance. The Archbishop was not, however, discouraged by their
+political prejudices; on the contrary, he thought that His Majesty was one
+of those characters who require to be personally interested in what it is
+desired they should undertake; and he resolved to make the attempt. The
+address with which His Grace managed the business, evinced great knowledge
+of human nature, and affords a pleasing view of the ingenuousness of the
+King's disposition.
+
+When the picture of Agrippina was finished, the Archbishop invited the
+most distinguished artists and amateurs to give him their opinion of the
+work; and satisfied by the approbation which they all expressed, he went
+to court, and took an opportunity of speaking on the subject to the King,
+informing His Majesty, at the same time, of all the circumstances
+connected with the history of the composition; and on what principle he
+had always turned his conversations with Mr. West to excite an interest
+for the promotion of the arts in the minds of his family. The dexterity
+with which he recapitulated these details produced the desired effect. The
+curiosity of the King was roused, and he told the Archbishop that he would
+certainly send for the Artist and the picture.
+
+This conversation probably lasted longer than the usual little
+reciprocities of the drawing-room; for it occasioned a very amusing
+instance of female officiousness. A lady of distinguished rank, having
+overheard what passed, could not resist the delightful temptation of being
+the first to communicate to Mr. West the intelligence of the honour that
+awaited him. On quitting the palace, instead of returning home, she went
+directly to his house, and, without disclosing her name, informed him of
+the whole particulars of the conversation which had passed between the
+Archbishop and the King. In the evening, Barnard, who had been an
+attendant on the King from the cradle, and who was not more attached to
+His Majesty, than he was himself in return affectionately beloved, came to
+Mr. West, and requested him to be in attendance next morning at the
+Queen's house, with the picture of Agrippina. In delivering the message,
+this faithful servant was prompted by his own feelings to give the Artist
+some idea of His Majesty's real character, which at that time was very
+much misrepresented to the public; and Mr. West during the long term of
+forty years of free and confidential intercourse with the King, found the
+account of Barnard to be in every essential and particular point correct.
+
+The King was described to him as a young man of great simplicity and
+candour of disposition, sedate in his affections, and deeply impressed
+with the sanctity of principle; scrupulous in forming private friendships;
+but, when he had taken any attachment, not easily swayed from it, without
+being convinced of the necessity and propriety of so doing.
+
+At the time appointed, Mr. West was in attendance with the picture; and
+His Majesty came into the room where he was waiting. After looking at it
+some time with much apparent satisfaction, he enquired if it was in a
+proper light; and, on being told that the situation was certainly not the
+most advantageous, he conducted the Artist through several apartments
+himself, till a more satisfactory place was found. He then called several
+of the domestics into the room, and, indeed, assisted them himself to
+remove the picture. When the servants had retired, and he had satisfied
+himself with looking at it, he went out of the apartment and brought in
+the Queen, to whom he introduced the Artist with so much warmth, that Mr.
+West felt it at the moment as something that might be described as
+friendliness.
+
+The Queen, though at this period very young, possessed a natural
+graciousness of manner, which her good sense and the consciousness of her
+dignity rendered peculiarly pleasing; so that our Artist was not only
+highly gratified by the unexpected honour of this distinguished
+introduction, but delighted with the affability and sweetness of her
+disposition.
+
+When Their Majesties had examined the picture, the King observed that he
+understood the same subject had seldom been properly treated. Mr. West
+answered, that it was, indeed, surprising it should have been neglected by
+Poussin, who was so well qualified to have done it justice, and to whose
+genius it was in so many respects so well adapted. His Majesty then told
+the Queen the history of the picture before them, dwelling with some
+expressions of admiration on the circumstance of the sketch having been
+made in the course of one evening after the artist had taken coffee with
+the Archbishop of York, and shown to His Grace the next morning. Turning
+briskly round to Mr. West, he said, "There is another noble Roman subject
+which corresponds to this one, and I believe it also has never been well
+painted; I mean the final departure of Regulus from Rome. Don't you think
+it would make a fine picture?" The Artist replied, that it was undoubtedly
+a magnificent subject. "Then," said His Majesty, "you shall paint it for
+me;" and, ringing the bell in the same moment, ordered the attendant who
+answered to bring the volume of Livy in which the event is related,
+observing to the Queen, in a sprightly manner, that the Archbishop had
+made one of his sons read to Mr. West; but "I will read to him myself the
+subject of my picture;" which, on the return of the servant with the book,
+he did accordingly. And the Artist was commanded to come with the sketch
+as soon as possible.
+
+The Archbishop was highly delighted at the successful result of his
+scheme, and augured from the event the happiest influence to the progress
+of the arts; nor has his patriotic anticipations been unrewarded; for,
+without question, so great and so eminent a taste for the fine arts as
+that which has been diffused throughout the nation, during the reign of
+George the Third, was never before produced in the life-time of one
+monarch, in any age or country.
+
+But in relating the different incidents which contributed to bring Mr.
+West into favourable notice, there is one of a peculiar nature, which
+should not be omitted. During winter, at Philadelphia, skating was one of
+the favourite amusements of the youth of that city, and many of them
+excelled in that elegant exercise. Mr. West, when a boy, had, along with
+his companions, acquired considerable facility in the art; and having
+become exceedingly fond of it, made himself, as he grew up to manhood, one
+of the most accomplished skaters in America. Some of the officers at that
+time quartered there, also practised the amusement; and, among others,
+Colonel Howe, who afterwards succeeded to the title of his elder brother,
+and who, under the name of General Howe, is so well known in the
+disastrous transactions of the subsequent civil war, which ended in
+establishing the independence of the United States. In the course of the
+winter preceding Mr. West's departure for Italy, they had become
+acquainted on the ice.
+
+In Italy Mr. West had no opportunity of skating; but when he reached
+Lombardy, where he saw so much beautiful frozen water, he regretted that
+he had not brought his skates with him from America. The winter, however,
+which succeeded his arrival in England, proved unusually severe; and one
+morning, when he happened to take a walk in St. James's park, he was
+surprised to see a great concourse of the populace assembled on the canal.
+He stopped to look at them, and seeing a person who lent skates on hire,
+he made choice of a pair, and went on the ice. A gentleman who had
+observed his movements, came up to him as he retired to unbuckle the
+skates, and said, "I perceive, Sir, you are a stranger, and do not perhaps
+know that there are much better places than this for the exercise of
+skating. The Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, is far superior, and the
+basin in Kensington Gardens still more preferable. Here, only the populace
+assemble; on the Serpentine, the company, although better, is also
+promiscuous; but the persons who frequent the basin in the Gardens are
+generally of the rank of gentlemen, and you will be less annoyed among
+them than at either of the other two places."
+
+In consequence of this information, on the day following, Mr. West
+resolved to visit the Gardens; and, in going along Piccadilly with that
+intention, bought a pair of skates, which, on reaching the margin of the
+ice, he put on, After a few trial-movements on the skirts of the basin,
+like a musician tuning his violin before attempting a regular piece of
+composition, he dashed off into the middle of the company, and performed
+several rounds in the same style which he had often practised in America.
+While engaged in this manner, a gentleman called to him by name; and, on
+stopping, he found it was his old acquaintance Colonel Howe.
+
+The Colonel immediately came up, and exclaimed, "Mr. West, I am truly glad
+to see you in this country, and at this time. I have not heard of you
+since we parted on the wharf at Philadelphia, when you sailed for Italy;
+but I have often since had occasion to recollect you. I am, therefore,
+particularly glad to see you here, and on the ice; for you must know that,
+in speaking of the American skaters, it has been alleged, that I have
+learnt to draw the long bow among them; but you are come in a lucky moment
+to vindicate my veracity."
+
+He then called to him Lord Spencer Hamilton, and some of the Cavendishes,
+who were also on the ice, and introduced Mr. West to them as one of the
+American skaters, of whom they had heard him so often speak, and would not
+credit what he had said of their performance; and he requested Mr. West to
+show them what, in Philadelphia, was called the Salute. Mr. West had been
+so long out of practice, that he was at first diffident of attempting this
+difficult and graceful movement: but, after a few trials, and feeling
+confidence in himself, he at last performed it with complete success. Out
+of this trivial incident, an acquaintance arose between him and the young
+noblemen present. They spoke of his talents as a skater; and their praise,
+in all their usual haunts, had such an effect, that, in the course of a
+few days, prodigious crowds of the fashionable world, and of all
+descriptions of people, assembled to see the American skater. When it was
+afterwards known to the public that he was an artist, many of the
+spectators called at his rooms; and he, perhaps, received more
+encouragement as a portrait-painter on account of his accomplishment as a
+skater, than he could have hoped for by any ordinary means to obtain.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IV.
+
+
+
+    The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.
+
+The King, at the period when he was pleased to take Mr. West under his own
+particular patronage, possessed great conversational powers, and a
+considerable tincture of humour. He had read much, and his memory was
+singularly exact and tenacious: his education had, indeed, been conducted
+with great prudence, and, independent of a much larger stock of literary
+information than is commonly acquired by princes, he was fairly entitled
+to be regarded as an accomplished gentleman. For the fine arts he had not,
+perhaps, any natural taste; he had, however, been carefully instructed in
+the principles of architecture by Chambers, of delineation by Moser, and
+of perspective by Kirby; and he was fully aware of the lustre which the
+arts have, in all ages, reflected on the different countries in which the
+cultivation of them has been encouraged to perpetuate the memory of great
+events. His employment of Mr. West, although altogether in his private
+capacity, was therefore not wholly without a view to the public advantage,
+and it is the more deserving of applause, as it was rather the result of
+principle than of personal predilection.
+
+When Mr. West had made a sketch for the Regulus, and submitted it to His
+Majesty, after some conversation, as to the dimensions, the King fixed on
+an advantageous part of the walls in one of the principal apartments, and
+directed that the picture should be painted of a size sufficient to fill
+the whole space. During the time that the work was going on, the Artist
+was frequently invited to spend the evening at Buckingham-house, where he
+was often detained by the King as late as eleven o'clock, on topics
+connected with the best means of promoting the study of the fine arts in
+the kingdom. It was in these conversations that the plan of the Royal
+Academy was digested; but it is necessary to state more particularly the
+different circumstances which co-operated at this period to the formation
+of that valuable institution.
+
+At the annual exhibitions of the paintings and drawings, which obtained
+the premiums of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Agriculture,
+and Commerce, it was then customary with artists to send occasionally
+their works to be exhibited with those of the competitors, as a convenient
+method of making themselves known to the public. But the visitors hearing
+from the newspapers only of the pictures which had gained the prizes,
+concluded that they were the best in the exhibition; and the works of the
+matured artists were overlooked in the attention paid to the efforts of
+juvenile emulation. This neglect mortified the artists, and induced them
+to form themselves into an association for the exhibition of their own
+productions. The novelty of this plan attracted much attention, and
+answered the expectations of those with whom it originated. Such was the
+state of things with the artists when Mr. West came to England; and to the
+first exhibition, after his arrival, he sent, as I have already mentioned,
+three pictures. The approbation which these works obtained, induced the
+association to elect him one of the directors, and he held this situation
+till, the society beginning to grow rich by the receipts of the
+exhibitions, the management of its concerns became an object of ambition.
+This association was incorporated in 1765, under the designation of the
+Incorporated Artists.
+
+Chambers and Payne, who were leading members in the Society, being both
+architects, were equally desirous that the funds should be laid out in the
+decoration of some edifice adapted to the objects of the institution. This
+occasioned so much debate, division, and rivalry, among their respective
+partisans, that Mr. West was induced to resign the office of director, and
+to withdraw along with Mr. Reynolds (afterwards Sir Joshua) and others,
+disgusted with the bickering animosities which disgraced the proceedings
+at their meetings. This transaction made some noise at the time, and it
+happened on the very day when Mr. West waited on the King, with his sketch
+of the Departure of Regulus, that the newspapers contained some account of
+the matter. His Majesty enquired the cause and particulars of the schism,
+and Mr. West, in stating what they were, mentioned that the principles of
+his religion made him regard such proceedings as exceedingly derogatory to
+the professors of the arts of peace.
+
+This led the King to say that he would gladly patronise any association
+which might be formed more immediately calculated to improve the arts. Mr.
+West, after retiring from the palace, communicated this to Chambers and
+Moser, and, upon conferring on the subject with Mr. Coats, it was agreed
+that the four should constitute themselves a committee of the dissenting
+artists, to draw up the plan of an academy. When this was mentioned to His
+Majesty, he not only approved of their determination, but took a great
+personal interest in the scheme, and even drew up several of the laws
+himself with his own hand. Nor should one remarkable circumstance be
+omitted; he was particularly anxious that the whole design should be kept
+a profound secret, being apprehensive that it might be converted into some
+vehicle of political influence.
+
+In the mean time the picture of the Departure of Regulus was going
+forward, and it was finished about the time that the code of rules for the
+academy was completed. The incorporated artists were also busy, and had
+elected as their president Mr. Kirby, who had been preceptor in
+perspective to the King, and who had deservedly gained great celebrity by
+his treatise on the principles of that branch of art. Kirby, having free
+access to the royal presence, and never hearing from His Majesty any thing
+respecting the academy, was so satisfied in his own mind that the rumours,
+respecting such an institution being intended, were untrue, that, in his
+inaugural address from the chair, he assured the incorporated artists
+there was not the slightest intention entertained of establishing a Royal
+Academy of Art.
+
+When the Departure of Regulus was finished, the King appointed a time for
+Mr. West to bring the picture to Buckingham-house. The Artist having
+carried it there, His Majesty, after looking at it some time, went and
+brought in the Queen by the hand, and seated her in a chair, which Mr.
+West placed in the best situation for seeing the picture to advantage.
+While they were conversing on the subject, one of the pages announced Mr.
+Kirby; and the King consulted Her Majesty in German about the propriety of
+admitting him at that moment. Mr. West, by his residence among the German
+inhabitants of Lancaster in America, knew enough of the language to
+understand what they said, and the opinion of the Queen was that Kirby
+might certainly be admitted, but for His Majesty to take his own pleasure.
+The attendant was in consequence ordered to show him in, and Mr. West was
+the more pleased at this incident, as it afforded him an advantageous
+opportunity of becoming personally known to Kirby, with whom, on account
+of his excellent treatise, he had for some time been desirous to become
+acquainted.
+
+When Kirby looked at the picture he expressed himself with great warmth
+in its praise, enquiring by whom it had been painted; upon which the King
+introduced Mr. West to him. It would perhaps be doing injustice to say
+that the surprise with which he appeared to be affected on finding it the
+production of so young a man, had in it any mixture of sinister feeling;
+but it nevertheless betrayed him into a fatal indiscretion. As a preceptor
+to the King, he had been accustomed to take liberties which ought to have
+terminated with the duties of that office; he, however, inadvertently
+said, "Your Majesty never mentioned any thing of this work to me." The
+tone in which this was uttered evidently displeased the King, but the
+discretion of the unfortunate man was gone, and he enquired in a still
+more disagreeable manner, "Who made this frame?" Mr. West, anxious to turn
+the conversation, mentioned the maker's name; but this only served to
+precipitate Mr. Kirby into still greater imprudence, and he answered
+somewhat sharply, "That person is not Your Majesty's workman;" and naming
+the King's carver and gilder said, "It ought to have been made by him."
+The King appeared a good deal surprised at all this, but replied in an
+easy good-humoured way, "Kirby, whenever you are able to paint me a
+picture like this, your friend shall make the frame." The unhappy man,
+however, could not be restrained, and he turned round to Mr. West, and in
+a tone which greatly lessened the compliment the words would otherwise
+have conveyed, said, "I hope you intend to exhibit this picture." The
+Artist answered, that as it was painted for His Majesty, the exhibition
+must depend on his pleasure; but that, before retiring, it was his
+intention to ask permission for that purpose. The King immediately said,
+"Assuredly I shall be very happy to let the work be shown to the
+public."--"Then, Mr. West," added Kirby, "you will send it to my
+exhibition," (meaning to the exhibition of the Incorporated Artists).
+"No," interposed the King, firmly, "it must go to my exhibition,--to the
+Royal Academy." Poor Kirby was thunderstruck; but only two nights before,
+in the confidence of his intercourse with the King, he had declared that
+even the design of forming such an institution was not contemplated. His
+colour forsook him, and his countenance became yellow with mortification.
+He bowed with profound humility, and instantly retired, nor did he long
+survive the shock.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On the day following, a meeting of the artists who had separated
+themselves from the incorporated association, was to be holden in the
+evening at the house of Wilton the sculptor, in order to receive the code
+of laws, and to nominate the office-bearers of the Academy. In the course
+of the morning, Mr. Penny, who was intended to be appointed professor of
+painting, called on Mr. West and mentioned that he had been with Reynolds,
+and that he thought, for some unfathomable reason or another, that
+distinguished artist would not attend the meeting. Soon after, Moser
+likewise called, and stated the same thing. Mr. West was much perplexed at
+this information; for it had been arranged with the King that Reynolds,
+although not in the secret, nor at all consulted in the formation of the
+Academy, should be the president. He therefore went immediately to his
+house, and finding him disengaged, mentioned, without alluding to what he
+had heard, the arrangements formed for instituting an academy, and that a
+meeting of thirty artists named by the King, of the forty members of which
+it was intended the Academy should consist, was that evening to take place
+at Wilton's. Reynolds was much surprised to hear matters were so far
+advanced, and explained to Mr. West that Kirby had assured him in the most
+decided manner, that there was no truth whatever in the rumour of any such
+design being in agitation, and that he thought it would be derogatory to
+attend a meeting, constituted, as Kirby represented it, by persons who had
+no sanction or authority for doing what they had undertaken. To this Mr.
+West answered, "As you have been told by Mr. Kirby that there is no
+intention to form any institution of the kind, and by me that there is,
+that even the rules are framed, and the officers condescended on, yourself
+to be president, I must insist on your going with me to the meeting, where
+you will be satisfied which of us deserves to be credited in this
+business."
+
+In the evening, at the usual hour, Mr. West went to take tea with
+Reynolds, before going to the meeting, and it so fell out, either from
+design or accident, that it was not served till a full hour later than
+common, not indeed till the hour fixed for the artists to assemble at
+Wilton's, so that, by the time they arrived there, the meeting was on the
+point of breaking up, conceiving that as neither Reynolds nor West had
+come, something unexpected and extraordinary must have happened. But on
+their appearing, a burst of satisfaction manifested the anxiety that had
+been felt, and without any farther delay the company proceeded to carry
+into effect the wishes of the King. The code of laws was read, and the
+gentlemen recommended by the King to fill the different offices being
+declared the officers, the code of laws was accepted. Reynolds was
+declared president, Chambers treasurer, Newton secretary, Moser keeper,
+Penny professor of painting, Wale professor of perspective, and Dr.
+William Hunter professor of anatomy. A report of the proceedings was made
+to His Majesty next morning, who gave his sanction to the election, and
+the Academy was thus constituted. The academicians afterwards met and
+chose a council to assist the president, and visitors to superintend the
+schools in three branches of art, painting, sculpture, and architecture.
+Thus, on the 10th December, 1768, under the title of the Royal Academy of
+the Arts in London, that Institution, which has done more to excite a
+taste for the fine arts in this country, than any similar institution ever
+did in any other, was finally formed and established.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. V.
+
+
+
+    The opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.
+
+When the Academy was opened, the approbation which _the Regulus_ received
+at the exhibition gratified the King, and he resolved to give Mr. West
+still farther encouragement. Accordingly, he soon after sent for him, and
+mentioned that he wished him to paint another picture, and that the
+subject he had chosen was Hamilcar making his son Hannibal swear
+implacable enmity against the Romans. The painting being finished it was
+earned to Buckingham-house, and His Majesty, after looking at it with
+visible satisfaction, said, that he thought Mr. West could not do better
+than provide him with suitable subjects to fill the unoccupied pannels of
+the room in which the two pictures were then placed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+About this period, Mr. West had finished his Death of Wolfe, which excited
+a great sensation, both on account of its general merits as a work of art,
+and for representing the characters in the modern military costume. The
+King mentioned that he heard much of the picture, but he was informed that
+the dignity of the subject had been impaired by the latter circumstance;
+observing that it was thought very ridiculous to exhibit heroes in coats,
+breeches, and cock'd hats. The Artist replied, that he was quite aware of
+the objection, but that it was founded in prejudice, adding, with His
+Majesty's permission, he would relate an anecdote connected with that
+particular point.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"When it was understood that I intended to paint the characters as they had
+actually appeared in the scene, the Archbishop of York called on Reynolds
+and asked his opinion, the result of which was that they came together to
+my house. For His Grace was apprehensive that, by persevering in my
+intention, I might lose some portion of the reputation which he was
+pleased to think I had acquired by his picture of Agrippina, and Your
+Majesty's of Regulus; and he was anxious to avert the misfortune by his
+friendly interposition. He informed me of the object of their visit, and
+that Reynolds wished to dissuade me from running so great a risk. I could
+not but feel highly gratified by so much solicitude, and acknowledged
+myself ready to attend to whatever Reynolds had to say, and even to adopt
+his advice, if it appeared to me founded on any proper principles.
+Reynolds then began a very ingenious and elegant dissertation on the state
+of the public taste in this country, and the danger which every attempt at
+innovation necessarily incurred of repulse or ridicule; and he concluded
+with urging me earnestly to adopt the classic costume of antiquity, as
+much more becoming the inherent greatness of my subject than the modern
+garb of war. I listened to him with the utmost attention in my power to
+give, but could perceive no principle in what he had delivered; only a
+strain of persuasion to induce me to comply with an existing prejudice,--a
+prejudice which I thought could not be too soon removed. When he had
+finished his discourse, I begged him to hear what I had to state in reply,
+and I began by remarking that the event intended to be commemorated took
+place on the 13th of September, 1758, in a region of the world unknown to
+the Greeks and Romans, and at a period of time when no such nations, nor
+heroes in their costume, any longer existed. The subject I have to
+represent is the conquest of a great province of America by the British
+troops. It is a topic that history will proudly record, and the same truth
+that guides the pen of the historian should govern the pencil of the
+artist. I consider myself as undertaking to tell this great event to the
+eye of the world; but if, instead of the facts of the transaction, I
+represent classical fictions, how shall I be understood by posterity! The
+only reason for adopting the Greek and Roman dresses, is the picturesque
+forms of which their drapery is susceptible; but is this an advantage for
+which all the truth and propriety of the subject should be sacrificed? I
+want to mark the date, the place, and the parties engaged in the event;
+and if I am not able to dispose of the circumstances in a picturesque
+manner, no academical distribution of Greek or Roman costume will enable
+me to do justice to the subject. However, without insisting upon
+principles to which I intend to adhere, I feel myself so profoundly
+impressed with the friendship of this interference, that when the picture
+is finished, if you do not approve of it, I will consign it to the closet,
+whatever may be my own opinion of the execution. They soon after took
+their leave, and in due time I called on the Archbishop, and fixed a day
+with him to come with Reynolds to see the painting. They came accordingly,
+and the latter without speaking, after his first cursory glance, seated
+himself before the picture, and examined it with deep and minute attention
+for about half an hour. He then rose, and said to His Grace, Mr. West has
+conquered. He has treated his subject as it ought to be treated. I retract
+my objections against the introduction of any other circumstances into
+historical pictures than those which are requisite and appropriate; and I
+foresee that this picture will not only become one of the most popular,
+but occasion a revolution in the art."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+On Mr. West pausing, the King said, "I wish that I had known all this
+before, for the objection has been the means of Lord Grosvenor getting the
+picture; but you shall make a copy for me." His Majesty then entered into
+some further conversation respecting subjects for paintings to adorn the
+apartment; and Mr. West suggested that the Death of Epaminondas would, as
+a classic subject, and with Grecian circumstances, make a suitable
+contrast with the Death of Wolfe. The King received this idea with
+avidity; and the conversation being pursued further on the same topic, the
+Artist also proposed the Death of the Chevalier Bayard for another
+picture, which would serve to illustrate the heroism and peculiarities of
+the middle ages. Two pannels were still unprovided; and Mr. West, with
+submission to His Majesty, begged that he might be allowed to take the
+incident of Cyrus liberating the Family of the King of Armenia for the
+one, and of Segestus, and his daughter, brought before Germanicus, for
+the other. The King was much pleased with the latter idea; a notion being
+entertained by some antiquaries that the Hanoverian family are the
+descendants of the daughter.
+
+During the time that our Artist was engaged in these works, he was
+frequently at the palace with the King; and His Majesty always turned the
+conversation on the means of promoting the fine arts, and upon the
+principles which should govern artists in the cultivation of their genius.
+In one of these conversations, Mr. West happened to remark, that he had
+been much disgusted in Italy at seeing the base use to which the talents
+of the painters in that country had been too often employed; many of their
+noblest efforts being devoted to illustrate monkish legends, in which no
+one took any interest, while the great events in the history of their
+country were but seldom touched. This led to some further reflections; and
+the King, recollecting that Windsor-Castle had, in its present form,
+been erected by Edward the Third, said, that he thought the achievements
+of his splendid reign were well calculated for pictures, and would prove
+very suitable ornaments to the halls and chambers of that venerable
+edifice. To this incident, the arts are indebted for the series of
+pictures which bring the victories of Cressy and Poictiers, with the other
+triumphal incidents of that time, again, as it were, into form and being,
+with a veracity of historical fact and circumstance which render the
+masquerades by Vario even a greater disgrace to St. George's Hall than
+they are to the taste of the age in which they were painted.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In the execution of these different historical subjects, the King took a
+great personal interests, and one piece became the cause of another, until
+he actually acquired a feeling like enthusiasm for the arts. When he had
+resolved to adorn Windsor-Castle with the achievements and great events of
+the reign of Edward the Third, he began to think that the tolerant temper
+of the age was favourable to the introduction of pictures into the
+churches: at the same time, his scrupulous respect for what was
+understood to be the usage, if not the law, relative to the case,
+prevented him for some time from taking any decisive step. In the course
+of different conversations with Mr. West, on this subject, he formed the
+design of erecting a magnificent oratory, or private chapel, in the Horns'
+Court of Windsor-Castle, for the purpose of displaying a pictorial
+illustration of the history of revealed religion. But, before engaging in
+this superb project, he thought it necessary to consult some eminent
+members of the Church, who enjoyed his confidence, as to the propriety of
+the design. Accordingly, he desired Mr. West to draw up a list of subjects
+from the Bible, susceptible of pictorial representation, which Christians,
+of all denominations, might contemplate without offence to their tenets;
+and he invited Dr. Hurd, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, Dr. Douglas,
+Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Windsor, and several other dignitaries,
+along with the Artist, to consider the business. He explained to the
+meeting his scruples, declaring that he did not, in a matter of this kind,
+owing to his high station in the state, feel himself a free agent; that he
+was certainly desirous of seeing the churches adorned with the endeavours
+of art, and would deem it the greatest glory of his reign to be
+distinguished, above all others in the annals of the kingdom, for the
+progress and successful cultivation of the arts of peace. "But, when I
+reflect," said His Majesty, "how the ornaments of art in the churches were
+condemned at the Reformation, and still more recently in the unhappy times
+of Charles the First, I am anxious to govern my own wishes not only by
+what is right, but by what is prudent, in this matter. If it is conceived
+that I am tacitly bound, as Head of the Church of England, to prevent any
+such ornaments from being introduced into places of worship; or if it be
+considered as at all savouring in any degree of a popish practice, however
+decidedly I may myself think it innocent, I will proceed no farther in the
+business. But, if the church may be adorned with pictures, illustrative of
+great events in the history of religion, as the Bible itself often is with
+engravings, I will gladly proceed with the execution of this design."
+Little else passed at this interview; but he requested the churchmen to
+examine the matter thoroughly; and appointed a particular day for them to
+report to him the result of their investigation: presenting to them, at
+the same time, a paper, containing a list of thirty-five subjects which he
+had formed with the Artist, for the decorations of the intended chapel.
+
+On the day appointed, Mr. West again met those eminent members of the
+hierarchy in the royal presence: when Dr. Hurd reported to His Majesty,
+that they had very seriously considered the important business which had
+been confided to them; that, having bestowed on it their gravest
+attention, they were unanimously of opinion, that the introduction of
+paintings into the chapel, which His Majesty intended to erect, would, in
+no respect whatever, violate the laws or usages of the Church of England;
+and that, having examined the list of subjects, which he proposed should
+constitute the decorations, there was not one of them, but, which properly
+treated, even a Quaker might contemplate with edification. This
+inadvertent observation attracted the King's attention; and he said, that
+the Quakers were a body of Christians for whom he entertained the very
+highest respect, and that he thought, but for the obligations of his
+birth, he should himself have been a Quaker; and he particularly enlarged
+on their peaceful demeanour and benevolence towards one another.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The result of this conference was, that Mr. West immediately received
+instructions to make designs from the list of subjects; and afterwards
+with the King himself, he assisted to form an architectural plan of the
+chapel, which it was proposed should be ninety feet in length by fifty in
+breadth. When some progress had been made in the paintings, Mr. Wyat, who
+had succeeded Sir William Chambers as the royal architect, received orders
+to carry this plan into execution; and the grand flight of steps in the
+great staircase, executed by that architect, was designed to lead
+immediately to a door which should open into the royal closet, in the new
+chapel of REVEALED RELIGION.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VI.
+
+
+
+    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius.--Of
+    Lachlan M'Lean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his opinion.
+
+By the eminent station which Mr. West has so long held among the artists,
+and admirers of the fine arts, in this country, he became personally
+acquainted with almost every literary man of celebrity; and being for many
+years a general visitor at the literary club, immortalised as the haunt of
+Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Goldsmith, and Reynolds, he acquired, without
+particularly attending to the literature of the day, an extensive
+acquaintance with the principal topics which, from time to time, engaged
+the attention of men of letters. An incident, however, of a curious
+nature, has brought him to be a party, in some degree, with the singular
+question respecting the mysterious author of the celebrated letters of
+Junius. On the morning that the first of these famous invectives appeared,
+his friend Governor Hamilton happened to call, and enquiring the news, Mr.
+West informed him of that bold and daring epistle: ringing for his servant
+at the same time, he desired the newspaper to be brought in. Hamilton read
+it over with great attention, and when he had done, laid it on his knees,
+in a manner that particularly attracted the notice of the painter, who was
+standing at his easel. "This letter," said Hamilton, in a tone of vehement
+feeling, "is by that damned scoundrel M'Lean."--"What M'Lean?" enquired
+Mr. West.--"The surgeon of Otway's regiment: the fellow who attacked me so
+virulently in the Philadelphian newspaper, on account of the part I felt
+it my duty to take, against one of the officers, a captain, for a
+scandalous breach of the privileges of hospitality, in seducing the wife
+of a very respectable man. This letter is by him. I know these very words:
+I may well remember them," and he read over several phrases and sentences
+which M'Lean had employed against him. Mr. West then informed the
+Governor, that M'Lean was in this country, and that he was personally
+acquainted with him. "He came over," said Mr. West, "with Colonel Barry,
+by whom he was introduced to Lord Shelburn, (afterwards Marquis of
+Lansdowne,) and is at present private secretary to His Lordship."
+
+Throughout the progress of the controversy with Junius, Hamilton remained
+firm in his opinion, that the author was no other than the same Lachlan
+M'Lean, but at the literary club the general opinion ascribed the letters
+for some time to Samuel Dyer. The sequel of this anecdote is curious.
+M'Lean, owing to a great impediment in his utterance, never made any
+figure in conversation; and passed with most people as a person of no
+particular attainments. But when Lord Shelburn came into office, he was
+appointed Under Secretary of State, and subsequently nominated to a
+Governorship in India: a rapidity of promotion to a man without family or
+parliamentary interest, that can only be explained by a profound
+conviction, on the part of his patron, of his superior talents, and
+perhaps, also, from a strong sense of some peculiar obligation. M'Lean
+sailed for India in the Aurora frigate, and was lost, in the wreck of
+that ship, on the coast of Africa. That the letters of Junius were not
+ascribed to him by any party is not surprising, for his literary talents
+were unknown to the public; but the general opinion of all men at the
+time was that they were the production of some person in connection with
+Lord Shelburn.
+
+Upon this subject, I hold no particular opinion of my own; nor, indeed,
+should I have perhaps noticed the circumstance at all, but for a recent
+most ingenious publication which has ascribed these celebrated letters to
+the late Sir Philip Francis. One thing, however, merits attention in this
+curious controversy. In the Monthly Magazine for July, 1813, there is an
+interesting account of a conversation between Sir Richard Phillips and the
+Marquis of Lansdowne on this subject; in which His Lordship speaks of the
+obligation to secrecy imposed on himself in the question as having been
+removed by death; an incidental expression that at once intimated a
+knowledge of the author, and that he was dead at the time when this
+conversation took place. The importance of the matter, as an object of
+literary curiosity, will excuse the introduction, in an abbreviated form,
+of what passed at that interview, as well as of some minor circumstances
+connected with the question.
+
+During the printing of Almon's edition of Junius, in which he endeavoured
+to show that the letters were written by a Mr. Walter Boyd, Sir Richard
+Phillips, the publisher of that work, sought opinions among the characters
+then surviving, whose names had been mixed with the writings of Junius;
+and he addressed himself particularly to the Duke of Grafton, the Marquis
+of Lansdowne, Mr. Horne Tooke, and Mr. Grattan. Through two friends of the
+Duke of Grafton he was informed, "that His Grace had endeavoured to live
+down the calumnies of Junius, and to forget the name of the author; and
+that, at the period of the publication, offers were made to him of legal
+evidence on which to convict the author of a libel; but that, as he had
+then treated the man with contempt, he should decline to disturb him after
+so great a lapse of time." From this communication it would seem, that the
+Duke believed that he knew the author, and also that he was still alive.
+
+Sir Richard, on calling upon the Marquis of Lansdowne, to whom he was
+personally known, found him in his sick chamber, suffering under a general
+breaking up of the constitution, but in his usual flow of spirits,
+anecdote, and conversation. On mentioning Almon's new edition of Junius,
+and that the editor had fixed on Boyd as the author, the Marquis
+exclaimed, "I thought Almon had known better: I gave him credit for more
+discernment: the world will, however, not be deceived by him; for there is
+higher evidence than his opinion. Look at Boyd's other writings: he never
+did write like Junius; and never could write like Junius. Internal
+evidence destroys the hypothesis of Almon." Sir Richard then said, that
+many persons had ascribed these letters to His Lordship; and that the
+world at large conceived that, at least, he was not unacquainted with the
+author. The Marquis smiled, and said, "No, no: I am not equal to Junius:
+I could not be the author; but the grounds of secrecy are now so far
+removed by death, and changes of circumstances, that it is unnecessary the
+author of Junius should much longer be unknown. The world are curious
+about him; and I could make a very interesting publication on the subject.
+I knew Junius; and I knew all about the writing and production of those
+letters. But look at my own condition now: I don't think I can live
+another week: my legs, my strength, tell me so; but the doctors, who
+always flatter sick men, assure me I am in no immediate danger. They order
+me into the country, and I am going there. If I live over the summer,
+which, however, I do not expect, I promise you a very interesting pamphlet
+about Junius. I will put my name to it: I will set that question at rest
+for ever."
+
+Sir Richard looked at the swollen limbs and other symptoms threatening
+the dissolution of this distinguished nobleman; and, convinced that he
+was, in truth, never likely to see him again, and that the secret of
+Junius might be lost with him, turned the conversation to the various
+persons who had, at different times, been named as the Junius; and, after
+mentioning five or six whose respective pretensions the Marquis treated
+as ridiculous, His Lordship said, "It is of no use to pursue the matter
+further at this time. I will, however, tell you this for your guide,
+Junius has never yet been publicly named. None of the parties ever
+guessed at as Junius were the true Junius. Nobody has ever suspected him.
+I knew him, and knew all about it; and I pledge myself, if these legs
+will permit me, to give you a pamphlet on the subject, as soon as I feel
+myself equal to the labour." Sir Richard soon after took his leave; and
+about a week after the Marquis expired.
+
+From Horne Tooke no information could be obtained: whenever Junius was
+mentioned, he lost the balance of his mind, and indulged himself in so
+much vanity, conceit, and ingenuity, that it was almost useless to speak
+with him on the subject.
+
+Mr. Grattan wrote a very candid denial of any knowledge of the matter, in
+a letter which was printed in the preface to Almon's edition.
+
+Of the pretension afterwards set forward for Dr. Wilmot, I believe it was
+never entertained or supported by any good evidence: Dr. Francis, the
+father of Sir Philip, had been long before mentioned, but for what reason
+I have never been able to ascertain. The answer of Sir Philip himself on
+the subject is, however, curiously equivocal, at least it so strikes me;
+although it is generally considered as a decided denial. It is as follows:
+"The great civility of your letter induces me to answer it, which, with
+reference merely to its subject-matter, I should have declined. Whether
+you will assist in giving currency to a silly, malignant falsehood, is a
+question for your own discretion: to me it is a matter of perfect
+indifference." But notwithstanding all this, an amusingly mysterious
+circumstance has, I am informed, transpired since the death of Sir Philip.
+In a box, it is said, which he carefully deposited with his banker's, and
+which was not to be opened till after his death, a copy of the
+publication, "Junius identified," with a common copy of the letters of
+Junius, were found. I shall offer no comment on this occurrence, for even
+granting that it was true, it might have been but a playful trick--if Sir
+Philip Francis was, in any respect, a humorist. But I have already
+digressed too far from the immediate object of my work; and I cannot make
+a better amends to my readers than by inserting here a short paper,
+written by that eminent person, and addressed to Mr. West. It is a
+critique on the Transfiguration by Raphael, in which Sir Philip evinces
+considerable ingenuity, by attempting not only to explain a defect in the
+composition, felt by every man of taste, in the midst of the delight
+which, in other respects, it never fails to produce, but to show that, so
+far from being any defect, it is in fact a great beauty.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Transfiguration by Raphael._
+
+The title of this picture is a misnomer. The picture itself tells you it
+is _the Ascension_. The Transfiguration is another incident, which
+happened long before the Ascension, and is recited in the ninth chapter of
+St. Luke:--"When the countenance of Jesus was changed, and he became
+[Greek: etethon] and his clothing was _white_, and lightened." The robe of
+the ascending Christ is BLUE.
+
+The painter brings different incidents together to constitute one plot.
+The picture consists of three separate groupes, combined and united in one
+scheme or action.
+
+I. Jesus ascending perpendicularly into the air, clothed in blue raiment,
+and attended by two other figures.
+
+II. Some of his disciples on the Mount, who see the ascent, and lie
+dazzled and confounded by the sight.
+
+III. A number of persons at the bottom of the Mount, who appear to look
+intently on a young man possessed by a devil, and convulsed. None of them
+see the Ascension but the young man, or rather the devil, who was in him,
+does see it. On all similar occasions, those fallen angels know the
+Christ, and acknowledge him. The other figures are agitated with
+astonishment and terror, variously and distinctly expressed in every one
+of them, at sight of the effect which they see is made upon him by some
+object which _they_ do not see.
+
+This is the sublime imagination, by which the lower part of the picture is
+connected with the upper.
+
+P. FRANCIS.
+
+_13th July, 1816._
+
+But although it must be confessed that this comment is exceedingly
+ingenious, in so far as it explains the painter's design in representing
+the demoniac boy, as the connecting link between the action on the Mount,
+and the groupe at the foot of it; yet, upon an examination of the picture,
+it will be found that it does not exhibit the Ascension, but the
+Transfiguration; and I beg leave to refer to a letter, from my friend Mr.
+M'Gillivray, in the Appendix which seems to me as perfectly satisfactory
+on the subject as any thing of the kind I ever met with. Mr. West was of
+the same opinion as Mr. M'Gillivray; but in conversing with him on the
+subject, he did not enter into so distinct an explanation of his reasons
+for dissenting from the speculation of Sir Philip Francis. In criticism,
+however, whether the matter in question be works of art, or of literature,
+the best opinion is exactly that which is the most reasonable; and the
+point at issue here, is not one in which an artist's judgment can be
+allowed greater weight than that of any other man.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VII.
+
+
+
+    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of the
+    American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.
+
+While Mr. West was engaged on the series of religious and historical works
+for the King, he had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with
+political incidents, that a man less intent on his art, and more ambitious
+of fortune, might have turned to great advantage. This was particularly
+the case during the American War, for His Majesty knowing the Artist's
+connections with that country, and acquaintance with some of the most
+distinguished of the rebels, often conversed with him on the subject; and
+on different occasions Mr. West was enabled to supply the King with more
+circumstantial information respecting some important events than was
+furnished by the official channels. I do not consider myself at liberty,
+nor this a fit place, to enter upon subjects so little in unison with the
+arts of peace, or the noiseless tenour of an artist's life; but, among
+other curious matters that may be thrown out for the investigation of the
+future historian, is an opinion which prevailed among some of the best
+informed in America, that when General Washington was appointed to the
+supreme command of the army, it was with the view and intention of
+effecting a reconciliation between the two countries. A communication to
+this purpose is said to have been made by that illustrious man, which
+communication was never answered, nor ever laid formally before the Privy
+Council, at least not until more than six weeks after it had been
+received, and then it was too late. America was lost; and millions spent,
+and thousands sacrificed afterwards in vain. Whether, indeed, the King
+ever did know the whole affair, may be doubted.
+
+The mind of Mr. West, however, had no enjoyment in political cabals, in
+the petty enmities of partizans, or the factious intrigues of party
+leaders. He was by his art wholly enchanted, and saw in the prospect
+before him an adequate recompense in fame for all his exertions, his days
+of labour, and his nights of study. The historical pictures for Windsor
+Castle cost him many a patient hour of midnight research; for the means to
+assist his composition, especially in architecture, and the costume of the
+time, were then far from being so easy of access as they are at present. A
+long period of preference for classic literature, and the illustration of
+the Greek and Roman story, had withdrawn the public taste from the no less
+glorious events of our own annals. To mark, therefore, the epoch, and
+manners of the age of Poictiers and Cressy, of the Institution of the
+Garter, and the other heroic and magnificent incidents of the reign of
+Edward the Third, with that historical truth which the artist thought
+essential to historical painting, required the inspection of many an
+ancient volume, and much antiquarian research. In the composition for the
+Institution of the Garter, the late Marquis of Buckingham offered several
+suggestions, which were adopted; and on His Lordship mentioning to the
+King, that Mr. West was descended of the Delawarre family, the head of
+which bore a distinguished part in the great events of that time, His
+Majesty ordered Mr. West to insert his own portrait among the spectators
+represented in the gallery, and immediately over the shield bearing the
+arms of the Earl of Delawarre. Mr. West himself was not, at that period,
+acquainted with the descent of his pedigree; but it happened in a
+conversation one day with Lord Buckingham, that His Lordship enquired from
+what part of England his family had been originally, and upon Mr. West
+telling him, His Lordship said, that the land which his ancestors had
+formerly possessed was become his by purchase; and that the Wests of Long
+Crandon were sprung from the ancient Earls of Delawarre.
+
+But, except the historical information required for his pictures, in which
+he was indefatigable, until master of all that could be obtained, Mr.
+West, following the early and wise advice of Dr. Smith of Philadelphia,
+wasted none of his time in other literary pursuits. Among his learned and
+ingenious cotemporaries, however, he acquired a general knowledge of the
+passing literature of the day, and in consequence, there are few authors
+of any celebrity, especially the cotemporaries of Johnson, of whom he does
+not possess interesting anecdotes, as well as an acquaintance with the
+merit which they were severally allowed to possess.
+
+One day at Sir Joshua Reynolds, after dinner when Dr. Johnson, Goldsmith,
+and Burke were present, the conversation turned on the degree of
+excellence which sculpture attained among the Greeks. It was observed
+incidentally, that there was something in the opinion of the ancients, on
+this subject, quite inexplicable; for, in the time of Alexander the Great,
+although painting was allowed to have been progressive, sculpture was said
+to have declined, and yet the finest examples of the art, the Apollo and
+Venus, were considered as the works of that period. Different theories
+were sported on this occasion, to explain this seeming contradiction;
+none of them, however, were satisfactory. But, on the arrival of the
+Athenian marbles, which Lord Elgin brought to this country, Mr. West was
+convinced, at the first sight of them, of the justness of ancient
+criticism, and remembered the conversation alluded to.
+
+Perhaps I may be allowed to mention here, without impropriety, that I was
+at Athens when the second cargo of these celebrated sculptures was
+dispatched; that I took some interest in getting the vessel away; and that
+I went with her myself to the island of Idra. Two circumstances occasioned
+this interference on my part;--an Italian artist, the agent of Lord Elgin,
+had quarrelled about the marbles with Monsieur Fauvelle, the French
+Consul, a man of research and taste, to whom every traveller that visited
+Athens, even during the revolutionary war, might have felt himself
+obliged. Fauvelle was, no doubt, ambitious to obtain these precious
+fragments for the Napoleon Museum at Paris; and, certainly, exerted all
+his influence to get the removal of them interdicted. On the eve of the
+departure of the vessel, he sent in a strong representation on the
+subject to the governor of the city, stating, what I believe was very
+true, that Lord Elgin had never any sufficient firman or authority for the
+dilapidations that he had committed on the temples. Luseri, the Italian
+alluded to, was alarmed, and called on me at the monastery of the Roman
+propaganda, where I then resided; and it was agreed between us, that if
+any detention was attempted, I should remonstrate with the governor, and
+represent to him that such an arrest of British property would be
+considered as an act of hostility. But our fears were happily removed. No
+notice was taken by the governor of Monsieur Fauvelle's remonstrance. In
+the evening I embarked on board the vessel at the Pireus, and next morning
+was safely landed on the island of Idra, where the vessel, after remaining
+a day or two, sailed for Malta.
+
+But to return to the biographical narrative. On the death of Sir Joshua
+Reynolds, in 1791, Mr. West was unanimously elected President of the Royal
+Academy. The choice was not more a debt of gratitude on the part of the
+Institution, to one who had essentially contributed to its formation, than
+a testimony of respect deservedly merited by the conduct and genius of the
+Artist who, when the compass, number, and variety of his pictures are
+considered, was, at that period, decidedly the greatest historical painter
+then living, who had been born a British subject. This event, at once so
+honourable to his associates and himself, was confirmed by the sanction of
+His Majesty on the 24th of March, 1792; on which occasion, on taking the
+chair, Mr. West addressed the Academicians to the following effect:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"GENTLEMEN,
+
+"The free and unsolicited choice with which you have called me to fill
+this chair, vacated by the death of that great character, Sir JOSHUA
+REYNOLDS, is so marked an instance of your friendship and good opinion,
+that it demands the immediate acknowledgment of my thanks, which I beg you
+to accept.
+
+"I feel more sensibly the dignity to which you have raised me, as I am
+placed in succession after so eminent a character, whose exalted
+professional abilities, and very excellent discourses delivered under this
+roof, have secured a lasting honor to this Institution and to the
+country; while his amiable dispositions, as a man, will make his loss to
+be long regretted by all who had the happiness to know him.
+
+"HIS MAJESTY having been graciously pleased to approve and confirm the
+choice which you have made of me as your President, it becomes my duty, as
+far as my humble abilities will permit, to study and pursue whatever may
+be the true interest, the prosperity, and the glory of this ACADEMY. In
+the prosecution of this duty, I can make no doubt of success, when I
+reflect that all the departments and classes of this Institution are
+filled with men of established professional reputation, selected from
+professors of the three great branches of art, which constitute the
+objects of your studies and, when I see this union of abilities
+strengthened by many ingenious productions of other able artists, who,
+although they have not as yet the honour of belonging to this body, will,
+nevertheless, enable us to maintain the accustomed brilliancy of our
+Exhibitions, and, consequently, to secure to us the approbation of a
+liberal and judicious public.
+
+"The Exhibitions are of the greatest importance to this Institution; and
+the Institution is become of great importance to the country. Here
+ingenious youth are instructed in the art of design; and the instruction
+acquired in this place, has spread itself through the various manufactures
+of this country, to which it has given a taste that is able to convert the
+most common and simple materials into rare and valuable articles of
+commerce. Those articles the British merchant sends forth into all the
+quarters of the world, where they stand preeminent over the productions of
+other nations.
+
+"But important as this is, there is another consequence of a more exalted
+kind; I mean, the cultivating of those higher excellences in refined art,
+which have never failed to secure to nations and to the individuals who
+have nourished them, an immortality of fame, which no other circumstances
+have been equally able to perpetuate. For it is by those higher and more
+refined excellences of painting, sculpture, and architecture, that Grecian
+and Roman greatness are transmitted down to the age in which we live, as
+if it was still in existence. Many centuries have elapsed since Greeks and
+Romans have been overthrown and dissolved as a people; but other nations,
+by whom similar refinements were not cultivated, are erased from the face
+of the earth, without leaving any monument or vestige to give the
+demonstration that they were ever great.
+
+"It may, therefore, be fairly assumed, that an ACADEMY, whose objects and
+effects are so enlightened and extensive as those which are prosecuted
+here, is highly worthy of the protection of a patriot-king, of a dignified
+nobility, and of a wise people.
+
+"Another circumstance, permit me, gentlemen, to mention, because I can
+speak of it with peculiar satisfaction, as important to the best
+interests of this Institution, and with the fullest assurance of its
+truth, from the personal knowledge I have had of you all, and the intimacy
+in which I have stood with most of you; it is this, that I have ever found
+you steadily determined to support the regulations under which this
+ACADEMY has been governed, and brought to its present conspicuous
+situation, and by an attention to which, we shall always be sure to go on
+with the greatest prudence and advantage.
+
+"It is a matter of no less satisfaction to me, when I say, that I have
+always observed your bosoms to glow with gratitude and loyal affection to
+our August Founder, Patron, and Benefactor. I am convinced, it is your
+wish to retain His friendship, and the friendship of every branch of His
+Illustrious Family. I know these to be your sentiments, and they are
+sentiments in which I participate with you. In every situation of my life
+it shall be my invariable study to demonstrate my duty to my sovereign, my
+love for this Institution, and my zeal for the cultivation of genius, and
+the growth of universal virtue."
+
+Mr. West having thus been raised to the head of an institution, embracing
+within itself the most distinguished artists at that time in the world, it
+might be proper to pause here to review the merits of the works and
+exertions by which he acquired this eminent honour, had he not, since that
+time, attained still more distinction in his profession. I shall, however,
+for the present, suspend the consideration of his progress, as an artist,
+to trace his efforts, in the situation of President of the Royal Academy,
+to promote the improvement of the pupils, by those occasional discourses,
+which, in imitation of the excellent example of Sir Joshua Reynolds, he
+deemed it an essential part of his duty to deliver.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. VIII.
+
+
+
+    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.
+
+Mr. West's first discourse to the students of the Royal Academy was
+delivered on the 10th of December, 1792, on the occasion of the
+distribution of the prizes. Without ostensibly differing in his views from
+Sir Joshua Reynolds, who by his lectures acquired, as an author, a degree
+of celebrity equal to his fame as an artist, the new President confined
+himself more strictly to professional topics. He recalled to the
+remembrance of his auditors the circumstances in which the Academy
+originated, and reminded them of the encouragement which the efforts of
+artists had received from the countenance which the King had given to the
+arts. "Let those," said he, "who have traced the progress of the fine
+arts, say among what people did the arts rise, from such a state as that
+in which they were in this country about forty years ago, to the height
+which they have attained here in so short a period. In ancient Greece,
+from the retreat of Xerxes, when they were in their infancy, to the age of
+Alexander the Great, when they reached their maturity, we find a period of
+no less than one hundred and fifty years elapsed. In Rome we can make no
+calculation directly applicable; for among the Romans the habit of
+employing Greek artists, and the rage of collecting, suffered no distinct
+traces to be left of the progress of the arts among them. Even in
+architecture, to which their claims were most obviously decided, we see
+not sufficiently the gradations of their own peculiar taste and genius.
+But in modern Italy, leaving out of view the age of Cimabue, and even that
+of Giotto, and dating from the institution of the Academy of St. Luke at
+Florence, it required a hundred and fifty years to produce a Michael
+Angelo, a Raphael, and a Bramante."
+
+Mr. West, after a few general observations on the necessary union between
+moral conduct and good taste, adverts to the alleged influence which such
+institutions as the Royal Academy have in producing mannerism in the
+students, than which nothing can be more obnoxious to the progress of
+refined art. "But," said he, "while I am urging the advantage of freedom
+and nature in study to genius, let me not be misunderstood. There is no
+untruth in the idea that great wits are allied to great eccentricity.
+Genius is apt to run wild if not brought under some regulation. It is a
+flood whose current will be dangerous if it is not kept within proper
+banks. But it is one thing to regulate its impetuosity, and another very
+different to direct its natural courses. In every branch of art there are
+certain laws by which genius may be chastened; but the corrections gained
+by attention to these laws amputate nothing that is legitimate, pure, and
+elegant. Leaving these graces untouched, the schools of art have dominion
+enough in curbing what is wild, irregular, and absurd.
+
+"A college of art founded in this part of the world cannot be expected,
+like a college of literature, to lay before its young members all that may
+be necessary to complete their knowledge and taste. What is to be had from
+books may be obtained almost every where; but the books of instruction by
+which the artist alone can be perfected, are those great works which still
+remain immoveable in that part of the world, where the fine arts in modern
+times have been carried to their highest degree of perfection. I trust a
+period will come, when this Academy will be able to send the young artist,
+not from one spot or one seminary to another, but to gather improvement
+from every celebrated work of art wherever situated. But the progress and
+all future success of the artist must depend upon himself. He must be in
+love with his art or he will never excel in it.
+
+"That the arts of design were among the first suggestions vouchsafed by
+Heaven to mankind, is not a proposition at which any man needs to start.
+This truth is indeed manifested by every little child, whose first essay
+is to make for itself the resemblance of some object to which it has been
+accustomed in the nursery.
+
+"In the arts of design were conveyed the original means of communicating
+ideas, which the discoverers of countries show us to have been seized
+upon, as it were involuntarily, by all the first stages of society.
+Although the people were rude in knowledge and in manners, yet they were
+possessed of the means by which they could draw figures of things, and
+they could make those figures speak their purposes to others as well as to
+themselves. The Mexicans conversed in that way when Cortes came among
+them; and the savages of North America still employ the same means of
+communicating intelligence.
+
+"When, therefore, you have taken up the arts of design as your profession,
+you have embraced that which has not only been sanctioned by the
+cultivation of the earliest antiquity, but to which their is no antiquity
+prior, except that of the visible creation.
+
+"Religion itself in the earlier days of the world, would probably have
+failed in its progress without the arts of design, for religion was then
+emblematic; and what could an emblematic theology do without the aid of
+the fine arts, and especially the art of sculpture? Religion and the arts,
+in fact, sprung up together, were introduced by the same people, and went
+hand in hand, first through the continent of Asia, then through Egypt,
+next through Greece and her colonies, and in process of time through every
+part of Italy, and even to the north of Europe. In the pagodas of India,
+in some caverns of Media, and among various ruins in Persia, are still to
+be seen the early monuments of emblematic art, and wrought in all the
+possible difficulties of skill.
+
+"When in the space of two thousand years, after the erection of some of
+those monuments, the fine arts came to be established in Greece in a
+better spirit as to taste, a higher estimation could not be annexed to any
+circumstance in society, than was given to the arts by the wise and
+elegant inhabitants of that country. They regarded them as their public
+records, as the means of perpetuating all public fame, all private
+honour, and all valuable instruction. The professors of them were
+considered as public characters who watched over the events that were
+passing, and who had in their hands the power of embodying them for ever.
+And is not this still the case with the artists of every country, how
+varied soever may be its maxims, or its system of action, from those of
+Greece? Is the artist indeed not that watchman who observes the great
+incidents of his time, and rescues them from oblivion?
+
+"When he turns from these views to contemplate the patronage which has
+been given to the fine arts, will he have less reason to esteem his
+profession,--a profession so richly cherished by all the greatest
+characters of the earth? and which in return has immortalised its patrons.
+Posterity has never ceased to venerate the names of the Cosmos and
+Lorenzos who sought art, and fostered to their full maturity the various
+talents of their countrymen. The palace of the Medici, still existing in
+Florence, exhibits not only in its treasures the proofs of their
+munificence, but also within its walls those apartments and offices for
+artists, in every branch which those great men considered requisite to the
+decoration of their residence. And history has immortalised the solicitude
+with which the vast fortune of the family, acquired originally in
+honourable commerce, and rising gloriously to sovereign power, was made
+contributory to the nourishing of the arts and literature; of every thing
+that was intellectual, liberal, and great."
+
+Mr. West then continued to enumerate the honour which the successive
+illustrious patrons of the fine arts have acquired, deducing from it
+motives of emulation to the young students to strive for similar
+distinction, that their names may be mingled with those illustrious races
+and families to whom Heaven is pleased to give superior eminence and
+influence in human affairs. In doing this he took occasion to animadvert
+on the base adulation of the artists of France in the age of Louis XIV.;
+or rather of the dishonour which the patronage of that monarch has drawn
+upon himself, by the unworthy manner in which he required the artists to
+gratify his personal vanity. He then proceeded to give some professional
+advice. "I wish," said he, "to leave this impression on the minds of all
+who hear me, that the great alphabet of our art is the human figure. By a
+competent knowledge of that figure the painter will be enabled to give a
+more just character and motion to that which he intends to delineate. When
+that motion is actuated by passion, and combined with other figures,
+groups are formed. These groups make words, and these words make
+sentences; by which the painter's tablet speaks a universal language;" and
+he concluded with saying, "Gentlemen, It is a great treasure and a great
+trust which is put into our hands. The fine arts were late before they
+crossed the British Channel, but now we may fairly pronounce that they
+have made their special abode with us. There is nothing in this climate
+unpropitious to their growth; and if the idea has been conceived in the
+world, enough has been done by the artists of Great Britain to disprove
+it. I know that I am speaking to the first professional characters in
+Europe in every branch of elegant art, as well as those who are most
+distinguished in taste and judgment. If there be diffused through this
+country a spirit of encouragement equal to the abilities which are ripe to
+meet it, I may venture to predict that the sun of our arts will have a
+long and glorious career."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. IX.
+
+
+
+    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.
+
+The prizes in the Royal Academy being distributed every second year, on
+the 10th of December, 1794, Mr. West delivered another Discourse, in which
+he took a more scientific view of the principles of the fine arts, than in
+the desultory observations which constituted the substance of his first
+lecture. As it contained much valuable information, mixed up with remarks
+incidental to the occasion, I have taken the liberty of abstracting the
+professional instruction from the less important matter, in order to give
+what deserves to be preserved and generally known in a concise and an
+unbroken form.
+
+"It may be assumed," said Mr. West, "as an unquestionable principle, that
+the artist who has made himself master of the drawing of the human figure,
+in its moral and physical expression, will succeed not only in
+portrait-painting, but in the delineation of animals, and even of still
+life, much better than if he had directed his attention to inferior
+objects. For the human figure in that point of consideration, in which it
+becomes a model to art, is more beautiful than any other in nature; and is
+distinguished, above every other, by the variety of the phenomena which it
+exhibits, arising from the different modifications of feeling and passion.
+In my opinion, it would, therefore, be of incalculable advantage to the
+public, if the drawing of the human figure were taught as an elementary
+essential in education. It would do more than any other species of oral or
+written instruction, to implant among the youth of the noble and opulent
+classes that correctness of taste which is so ornamental to their rank in
+society; while it would guide the artizan in the improvement of his
+productions in such a manner, as greatly to enrich the stock of
+manufactures, and to increase the articles of commerce; and, as the sight
+is perhaps the most delightful of all our senses, this education of the
+eye would multiply the sources of enjoyment.
+
+"The value of the cultivated ear is well understood; and the time bestowed
+on the acquisition of the universal language of music, is abundantly
+repaid by the gratification which it affords, although not employed in the
+communication of knowledge, but merely as a source of agreeable sensation.
+Were the same attention paid to the improvement of the eye, which is given
+to that of the ear, should we not be rewarded with as great an increase of
+the blameless pleasures of life,--from the power of discriminating hues
+and forms,--as we derive from the knowledge of musical proportions and
+sounds? The cultivation of the sense of sight would have such an effect in
+improving even the faculty of executing those productions of mechanical
+labour which constitute so large a portion of the riches of a commercial
+and refined people, that it ought to be regarded among the mere operative
+classes of society as a primary object in the education of their
+apprentices. Indeed, it may be confidently asserted, that an artizan,
+accustomed to an accurate discrimination of outline, will, more readily
+than another not educated with equal care in that particular, perceive the
+fitness or defects of every species of mechanical contrivance; and, in
+consequence, be enabled to suggest expedients which would tend to enlarge
+the field of invention. We can form no idea to ourselves how many of the
+imperfections in the most ingenious of our machines and engines would have
+been obviated, had the inventors been accustomed to draw with accuracy.
+
+"But, to the student of the fine arts, this important branch of education
+will yield but few of the advantages which it is calculated to afford,
+unless his studies are directed by a philosophical spirit, and the
+observation of physical expression rendered conducive to some moral
+purpose. Without the guidance of such a spirit, painting and sculpture
+are but ornamental manufactures; and the works of Raphael and Michael
+Angelo, considered without reference to the manifestations which they
+exhibit of moral influence, possess no merit beyond the productions of the
+ordinary paper-hanger.
+
+"The first operation of this philosophical spirit will lead the student to
+contemplate the general form of the figure as an object of beauty; and
+thence instruct him to analyse the use and form of every separate part;
+the relation and mutual aid of the parts to each other; and the necessary
+effect of the whole in unison.
+
+"By an investigation of this kind, he will arrive at what constitutes
+character in art; and, in pursuing his analysis, he will discover that the
+general construction of the human figure in the male indicates strength
+and activity; and that the form of the individual man, in proportion to
+the power of being active, is more or less perfect. In the male, the
+degree of beauty depends on the degree of activity with which all the
+parts of the body are capable of performing their respective and mutual
+functions; but the characteristics of perfection of form in the female are
+very different; delicacy of frame and modesty of demeanour, with less
+capability to be active, constitute the peculiar graces of woman.
+
+"When the student has settled in his own mind the general and primary
+characteristics, in either sex, of the human figure, the next step will
+enable him to reduce the particular character of his subject into its
+proper class, whether it rank under the sublime or the beautiful, the
+heroic or the graceful, the masculine or the feminine, or in any of its
+other softer or more spirited distinctions. For the course of his studies
+will have made him acquainted with the moral operations of character, as
+they are expressed upon the external form; and the habit of
+discrimination, thus acquired, will have taught him the action or attitude
+by which all moral movements of character are usually accompanied. By this
+knowledge of the general figure, this habitual aptitude to perceive the
+beauty and fitness of its parts, and of the correspondence between the
+emotions of the mind and the actions of the body, he will find himself in
+possession of all that Zeuxis sought for in the graces of the different
+beautiful women whom he collected together, that he might be enabled to
+paint a proper picture of Helen; and it is the happy result of this
+knowledge which we see in the Apollo Belvidere and the Venus de Medici,
+that renders them so valuable as objects of study.
+
+"But the student must be always careful to distinguish between objects of
+study and objects of imitation; for the works which will best improve his
+taste and exalt his imagination, are precisely those which he should least
+endeavour to imitate; because, in proportion to their appropriate
+excellences, their beauties are limited in their application.
+
+"The Apollo is represented by the mythologists as a perfect man, in the
+vigour of life; tall, handsome and animated; his locks rising and floating
+on the wind; accomplished in mind and body; skilled in the benevolent art
+of alleviating pain; music his delight, and poetry and song his continual
+recreation. His activity was shown in dancing, running, and the manly
+exercises of the quoit, the sling, and the bow. He was swift in his
+pursuits, and terrible in his anger.--Such was the Pythian Apollo; and
+were a sculptor to think of forming the statue of such a character, would
+he not determine that his body, strong and vigorous from constant
+exercise, should be nobly erect; that, as his lungs were expanded by
+habits of swiftness in the chase, his chest should be large and full; that
+his thighs, as the source of movement in his legs, should have the
+appearance of enlarged vigour and solidity; and that his legs, in a
+similar manner, should also possess uncommon strength to induce and
+propagate the action of the feet? The nostrils ought to be elevated,
+because the quick respirations of running and dancing would naturally
+produce that effect; and, for the same reason, the mouth should appear to
+be habitually a little open. While his arms, firm and nervous by the
+exercise of the quoit, the sling, and the bow, should participate in the
+general vigour and agility of the other members;--and would not this be
+the Apollo Belvidere?
+
+"Were the young artist, in like manner, to propose to himself a subject in
+which he would endeavour to represent the peculiar excellences of woman,
+would he not say, that these excellences consist in a virtuous mind, a
+modest mien, a tranquil deportment, and a gracefulness in motion? And, in
+embodying the combined beauty of these qualities, would he not bestow on
+the figure a general, smooth, and round fulness of form, to indicate the
+softness of character; bend the head gently forward, in the common
+attitude of modesty; and awaken our ideas of the slow and graceful
+movements peculiar to the sex, by limbs free from that masculine and
+sinewy expression which is the consequence of active exercise?--and such
+is the Venus de Medici. It would be utterly impossible to place a person
+so formed in the attitude of the Apollo, without destroying all those
+amiable and gentle associations of the mind which are inspired by
+contemplating 'the statue which enchants the world.'
+
+"Art affords no finer specimens of the successful application of the
+principles which I have laid down than in those two noble productions."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. X.
+
+
+
+    Discourse to the Academy in 1797.--On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks in
+    Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Drawing.--Of Light
+    and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.--Illustration.--Of
+    the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine Pictures.--Of
+    Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from Sketching;--and of
+    the Advantage of being familiar with the Characteristics of Objects
+    in Nature.
+
+In the discourse which Mr. West delivered from the chair of the Academy in
+1797, he resumed the subject which he had but slightly opened, in that of
+which the foregoing chapter contains the substance. I shall therefore
+endeavour in the same manner, and as correctly as I can, to present a view
+of the mode in which he treated his argument, and as nearly as possible in
+his own language.
+
+"As the foundation of those philosophical principles," said Mr. West, "on
+which the whole power of art must rest, I wish to direct the attention of
+the student, especially in painting and sculpture, to an early study of
+the human figure, with reference to proportion, expression, and character.
+
+"When I speak of painting and sculpture, it is not my intention to pass
+over architecture, as if it were less dependent on philosophical
+principles, although what I have chiefly to observe with respect to it
+relates to embellishment;--a branch of art which artists are too apt to
+regard as not under the control of any principle, but subject only to
+their own taste and fancy. If the young architect commences his career
+with this erroneous notion, he will be undone, if there is any just
+notions of his art in the country.
+
+"It is, therefore, necessary, as he derives his models from the ancients,
+that he should enquire into the origin of those embellishments with which
+the architects of antiquity decorated their various edifices. In the
+prosecution of his enquiries, he will find that the ornaments of temples
+and mausolea, may be traced back to the periods of emblematic art, and
+become convinced that the spoils of victims, and instruments of sacrifice,
+were appropriate ornaments of the temple; while urns, containing the ashes
+of the dead, and the tears of the surviving friends, were the invariable
+decorations of the mausoleum. The good taste of the classic ancients
+prevented them from ever intermixing the respective emblems of different
+buildings, or rather, in their minds custom preserved them from falling
+into such an incongruous error, as to place the ornaments belonging to the
+depositaries of the dead on triumphal arches, palaces, and public offices.
+They considered in the ornaments the character and purpose of the edifice;
+and they would have been ashamed to have thought it possible that their
+palaces might be mistaken for mausolea, or their tombs for the mansions of
+festivity.
+
+"Is the country in which we live free from the absurdities which confound
+these necessary distinctions? Have we never beheld on the porticoes of
+palaces, public halls, or places of amusement, the skins of animals
+devoted to the rites of the pagan religion, or vases consecrated to the
+ashes of the dead, or the tears of the living? Violations of sense and
+character, in this respect, are daily committed. We might, with as much
+propriety, adorn the friezes of our palaces and theatres with the skulls
+and cross thigh-bones of the human figure, which are the emblems of death
+in every country throughout modern Europe!
+
+"I do not here allude to any particular work, nor do I speak of this want
+of principle as general. It is indeed impossible that I can be supposed to
+mean the latter; for we have among us men distinguished in the profession
+of architecture, who would do honour to the most refined periods of
+antiquity. But all are not equally chaste; and in addressing myself to the
+young, it is my duty to guard them against those deviations from good
+taste, which, without such a caution, they might conceive to be sanctioned
+by some degree of example. It is my wish to preserve them from the
+innovations of caprice and fashion, to which the public is always prone;
+and to assure the youth of genius, that while he continues to found the
+merit of his works on true principles, he will always find,
+notwithstanding the apparent generality of any fashion, that there is no
+surer way, either to fame or fortune, than by acting in art, as well as
+life, on those principles which have received the sanction of experience,
+and the approbation of the wise of all ages.
+
+"I shall now return to the consideration of painting and sculpture.
+
+"The Greeks, above all others, afford us the best and most decided proofs
+of the beauty arising from the philosophical consideration of the subject
+intended to be represented. To all their deities a fixed and appropriate
+character was given, from which it would have perhaps been profanity to
+depart. This character was the result of a careful consideration of the
+ideal beauty suitable to the respective attributes of the different
+deities. Thus in their Jupiter, Neptune, Hercules, Vulcan, Mars, and
+Pluto; the Apollo, Mercury, Hymen, and Cupid, and also in the goddesses
+Juno, Minerva, Venus, Hebe, the Nymphs and Graces; appeared a vast
+discrimination of character, at the same time as true an individuality as
+if the different forms had been the works of Nature herself.
+
+"In your progress through that mechanical part of your professional
+education, which is directed to the acquisition of a perfect knowledge of
+the human figure, I recommend to you a scrupulous exactness in imitating
+what is immediately before you, in order that you may acquire the habit of
+observing with precision every object that presents itself to your sight.
+Accustom yourselves to draw all the deviations of the figure, till you are
+as much acquainted with them as with the alphabet of your own language,
+and can make them with as much facility as your letters; for they are
+indeed the letters and alphabet of your profession, whether it be painting
+or sculpture.
+
+"These divisions consist of the head, with its features taken in three
+points of view, front, back, and profile; the neck in like manner, also
+the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis; thigh, knee, leg, ankle, the carpus,
+metacarpus, and toes; the clavicula, arm, fore-arm, wrist, carpus,
+metacarpus, and fingers. While you are employed on these, it would be
+highly proper to have before you the osteology of the part on which you
+are engaged, as in that consists the foundation of your pursuit. And, in
+this period of your studies, I recommend that your drawings be
+geometrical, as when you draw and study a column with its base and
+capital. At the same time you should not neglect to gain a few points in
+perspective, particularly so far as to give effect to the square and
+cylinder, in order to know what constitutes the vanishing point, and point
+of distance, in the subject you are going to draw.
+
+"After you have perfected yourselves in the parts of the figure, begin to
+draw the Greek figures entire, with the same attention to correctness as
+when you drew the divisions in your earlier lessons. Attend to the
+perspective according to the vanishing point opposite to your eye. You
+will naturally seek to possess your mind with the special character of the
+figure before you;--and of all the Grecian figures, I would advise you to
+make from the Apollo and Venus a general measurement or standard for man
+and woman, taking the head and its features, as the part by which you
+measure the divisions of those figures.
+
+"Light and shade must not be neglected; for what you effect in drawing by
+the contour of the figure, light and shade must effect with the
+projections of those parts which front you in the figure. Light and shade
+there produce what becomes outline to another drawing of the same object
+in a right angle to the place where you sit.
+
+"It seems not impossible to reduce to the simplicity of rule or principle,
+what may have appeared difficult in this branch of art to young students,
+and may have been too often pursued at random by others. All forms in
+nature, both animate and inanimate, partake of the round form more than
+of any other shape; and when lighted, whether by the sun or flame, or by
+apertures admitting light, must have two relative extremes of light and
+shadow, two balancing tints, the illuminated and the reflected, divided by
+a middle tint or the aerial. The effect of illumination by flame or
+aperture, differs from that of the sun in this respect; the sun
+illuminates with parallel rays, which fall over all parts of the
+enlightened side of the subject, while the light of a flame or an aperture
+only strikes directly on the nearest point of the object, producing an
+effect which more or less resembles the illumination of the sun in
+proportion to the distance and dimensions of the object.
+
+"Let us then suppose a ball to be the object on which the light falls, in
+a direction of forty-five degrees or the diagonal of a square, and at a
+right angle from the ball to the place where you stand. One half of the
+ball will appear illuminated, and the other dark. This state of the two
+hemispheres constitutes the two masses of light and shadow. In the centre
+of the mass of light falls the focus of the illumination in the ball;
+between the centre of the illumination and the circle of the ball, where
+the illumination, reaches its extremity, lies what may be called the
+transparent tint; and between it and the dark side of the ball lies the
+serial or middle tint. The point of darkness, the extreme of shade, is
+diametrically opposite to the focus of illumination, between which and
+the aerial tint lies the tint of reflection. If the ball rests on a
+plain, it will throw a shadow equal in length to one diameter and a
+quarter of the ball. That shadow will be darker than the shade on the
+ball, and the darkest part will be where the plain and ball come in
+contact with each other.
+
+"This simple experiment, whether performed in the open sun-shine, or with
+artificial illumination, will lead you to the true principles of light and
+shade over all objects in nature, whether mountains, clouds, rocks, trees,
+single figures, or groups of figures. It would therefore be of great use,
+when you are going to give light and shade to any object, first to make
+the experiment of the ball, and in giving that light and shade, follow the
+lessons with which it will furnish you.
+
+"You will find that this experiment will instruct you, not only in the
+principles of light and shade, but also of colours; for that there is a
+corresponding hue with respect to colours is not to be disputed. In order
+to demonstrate this, place in the ball which you have illuminated, the
+prismatic colours, suiting their hues to those of the tints. Yellow will
+answer to the focus of illumination, and the other secondary and primary
+hues will fall into their proper places. Hence, on the enlightened side of
+a group or figure, you may lay yellow, orange, red, and then violet, but
+never on the side where the light recedes. On that side must come the
+other prismatic colours in their natural order. Yellow must pass to green,
+the green to blue, and the blue to purple. The primary colours of yellow,
+orange, and red, are the warm colours, and belong to the illuminated side
+of objects; the violet is the intermediate, and green, blue, and purple
+are the cold colours, and belong to the retiring parts of your
+composition.
+
+"On the same principle, and in the same order, must be placed the tints
+which compose the fleshy bodies of men and women, but so blended with
+each other, as to give the softness appropriate to the luminous quality
+and texture of flesh; paying attention, at the same time, to reflections
+on its surface from other objects, and to its participation of their
+colours. The latter is a distinct circumstance arising from accident.
+
+"When the sun illuminates a human body, in the same manner as the ball,
+the focus of the illumination in that body will partake of the yellow; and
+the luminous or transparent tint, will have the orange and the red. These
+produce, what is called, the carnation. The pure red, occasioned by the
+blood, lies in the lips, cheeks, joints, and extremities of the figure,
+and no where else. On the receding side of the focus is the local colour
+of the flesh, and on the receding side of that is the greenish tint; in
+the shade will fall the cold or bluish, and in the reflection will fall
+the tint of purple. The most perfect tint of ground, from which to relieve
+this arrangement of colours, is either blue, grey, or purple, for those
+colours partake of the complexion of the watery sky in which the rainbow
+appears, or the ground which best exhibits the prismatic colours.
+
+"In acquiring a practical knowledge of the happiest manner of distributing
+your colours according to nature, it will assist you, if you will copy
+with attention some pieces of Titian, Correggio, Reubens, and Vandyke; the
+masters in whose works you will most eminently find the system pursued,
+which I have endeavoured to illustrate by the simple image of the ball.
+
+"Having passed from the antique school, to that in which you draw after
+the living figure, still adhere to that scrupulous exactness of drawing
+with which you first set out; marking with precision the divisions of the
+figure. After you have made yourselves acquainted with the drawing of the
+living figure, you must then begin to enlarge your lines, and to give
+softness and breadth, to direct your attention to what constitutes style
+and character, and to discriminate these from what constitutes manner.
+
+"To assist you in this nice discrimination, consult the prints and works
+of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Hannibal Carracci. In them you will find
+the strongest and purest evidence of style and character, yet all
+differing from each other, and all equally brought out of nature. I do not
+recommend them with a view that you should adopt the style and character
+of any of them; but to show from those great examples, that style and
+character, although ever founded in nature, are as various as the
+individual genius of every artist; that they are as free to you as they
+were to those masters; that if you will consult your own mind, you will
+draw forth a style and character of your own, and therefore no man can
+ever be excused for sinking into a mannerist.
+
+"And I cannot omit to observe here, that in the order of your studies,
+your mental powers should be cherished and brought into action by reading
+and reflection, but not until you have acquired practical facility in your
+art. Too often it happens, and I have seen it with concern, that the
+presumption of youth, or the errors of instruction, have reversed this
+order, and have carried many to attempt essays of research and learning,
+before they were well grounded in the principles of professional practice.
+What other consequences can follow from such a course, but that the
+student will turn in discontent from his own productions, because they
+fall short of the ideas in his mind; and induce him, perhaps, to abandon,
+with disgust, a profession in which he might have shone with distinction,
+had he taken a right method of cultivating his own powers!
+
+"The great masters were all at an early age great in the mechanical
+department of their art, before they established any name by their
+philosophical style and character. Michael Angelo, when a mere youth,
+modelled and drew in a manner which astonished his own master. Raphael, at
+not more than nineteen years of age, rivalled his instructor, Pietro
+Perugino, in his executive talent; and, owing to this, he was enabled, at
+the age of only twenty-five, to send forth his two great works, _the
+Dispute on the Sacrament_, and _the School of Athens_. Guido, Bernini, and
+many others of the first class, pursued the same course of study, and
+were in the full possession of their powers very young. Vandyke, before he
+was twenty years old, assisted Reubens in his greatest works; and on a
+certain occasion, when the pupils of Reubens were amusing themselves in
+the absence of their master, one of them happened to fall against 'the
+Mother,' in the Descent from the Cross, which Vandyke repaired in a manner
+so admirable, that when the painter came next to the picture, he expressed
+himself surprised at the excellence of his own work, and said, that he
+thought he had not done that arm so well. In a word, wherever we find the
+executive power high at an early age, whether in painting or sculpture, we
+have an assurance of future excellence, which nothing but indolence can
+prevent. And, to give that early facility correctness of execution,
+remember and pursue the great maxim of Apelles:--
+
+  "'_Nulla dies, sine linea._'
+
+"The young artist may, indeed, draw lines every day and every hour with
+advantage, whether it be to amuse himself in society or in the fields. He
+should accustom himself to sketch every thing, especially what is rare and
+singular in nature. Let nothing of the animate creation on the earth, or
+in the air, or in the water, pass you unnoticed; especially those which
+are distinguished for their picturesque beauty, or remarkable for dignity
+of form or elegance of colour. Fix them distinctly in your sketch-book and
+in your memory. Observe, with the same contemplative eye, the landscape,
+the appearance of trees, figures dispersed around, and their aerial
+distance, as well as lineal forms. In this class of observations, omit not
+to observe the light and shade, in consequence of the sun's rays being
+intercepted by clouds or other accidents. Besides this, let your mind be
+familiar with the characteristics of the ocean; mark its calm dignity when
+undisturbed by the winds, and all its various states between that and its
+terrible sublimity when agitated by the tempest. Sketch with attention its
+foaming and winding coasts with distant land, and that awful line which
+separates it from the Heavens. Replenished with these stores, your
+imagination will then come forth as a river, collected from little
+springs, spreads into might and majesty. The hand will then readily
+execute what it has been so practised in acquiring; while the mind will
+embrace its subjects with confidence, by being so well accustomed to
+observe their picturesque effect."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XI.
+
+
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.
+
+It is not my intention to give all the discourses which Mr. West addressed
+to the students of the Academy, but only those which contain, what may be
+called, illustrations of the principles of his art. The following,
+however, is so interesting and so various in its matter, that it would be
+improper in me to make any attempt to garble or abridge it, beyond
+omitting the mere incidental notice of temporary circumstances.
+
+"The discourse which I am about to deliver, according to usual custom on
+the return of this day, must be considered as addressed more immediately
+to those among the students, who have made so much progress in art, as to
+be masters of the human figure, of perspective, and of those other parts
+of study, which I have heretofore recommended as the elements of painting
+and sculpture; and who are therefore about to enter on the higher paths of
+professional excellence. It will consequently be my object, now, to show
+how that excellence is to be attained; and this will best be done, as I
+conceive, by showing how it has been attained by others, in whom that
+excellence has been most distinguished in the ancient and modern world. By
+pursuing the principles on which they moved, you have the best
+encouragement in their illustrious example, while, by neglecting those
+principles, you can have no more reason to hope for such success as they
+met with, than you can think of reaching a distant land, without road or
+compass to direct your steps.
+
+"The ground which I shall propose for your attention is this--to
+investigate those philosophical principles on which all truth of character
+is founded, and by which that sublime attainment, the highest refinement
+in art, and without which every thing else is merely mechanical, may be
+brought to a decided point, in all the variety by which it is
+distinguished through the animated world.
+
+"On this ground, and on this alone, rose Phidias and Apelles to the
+celebrity which they held among the Greeks; and among the Italians,
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, and some
+others, who became the completest models in sculpture and painting. Their
+predecessors, indeed, in both countries, had for a considerable time been
+preparing the way, but not having equally studied the best means, or those
+means not having been equally before them, it was reserved of course for
+the great characters I have mentioned, to unite philosophical with
+professional truth, and to exhibit to the world in their works the
+standards of style. From the same source arose another consequence, ever
+worthy and pleasing to be mentioned;--the exhibition of those perfections
+was always accompanied by that ardent patronage, which not only cheered
+their minds, and invigorated their powers, but has left a glory on their
+country, which no subsequent events have been able to obliterate, and
+which never will be obliterated in any country where the sublimity of art,
+involving the most refined embellishments of civilized life, is cherished
+by those who are in a capacity to cherish it.
+
+"In a very early period of the arts in Greece, we meet with a circumstance
+which shows the advantages derived from consulting with philosophy, if it
+does not also show the origin and outset of those advantages. The
+circumstance to which I allude is, that in the period when the sculptors
+contented themselves with the stationary forms and appearance of figures,
+in imitation of their predecessors, the Egyptians; at that time they began
+to submit their works to the judgment of philosophers, one of whom, being
+called in to survey a statue, which a sculptor, then eminent, was going to
+expose to public view, remarked, that the human figure before him wanted
+motion, or that expression of intellect and will, from which motion and
+character too must arise; for man had a soul and mind, which put him at
+the head of the animal creation, and, therefore, without that soul and
+mind, the form of man was degraded.
+
+"This observation touched the point, then, necessary to be obviated, in
+order to overcome the primitive rudeness which still attached to
+sculpture; and without the application of the principle contained in the
+observation, sculpture and painting too might have stood still for ages.
+And from what other source than the principles of philosophic study, or,
+in other words, from reflection on the moral powers or passions of man,
+their several effects, as produced in their workings on the human figure,
+could that improvement be obtained? It was the constant employment of the
+philosophic mind, to study those causes and effects, and to reduce them to
+a more distinct display for the truth and utility of their own writings.
+The philosophers were, therefore, the most likely to assist the artist in
+those displays of character which tended to illustrate the truth of his
+own works. Nor on this account is it any disparagement to the artists of
+those days, when philosophic studies were confined to particular classes
+of men, that this moral view of art was not sufficiently taken up by the
+more mechanical part of the profession.
+
+"Thus, however, the opening was made to the important expression of
+character. And the lesson suggested by the philosopher alluded to, is not
+confined to the Greeks alone. I wish, young gentlemen, to leave it in all
+its force upon your minds. For if the figures you design, whether singly
+or in groups, have not their actions correspondent to what their minds
+appear to be pursuing, they will suit any other subject as well as that in
+which they are placed. This remark is the more worthy of attention, as it
+does not apply to any of the figures of the Grecian masters whom I have
+mentioned. The figure by Phidias on Monte Cavallo at Rome, the Apollo, the
+Laocoon, the Venus, the Hercules, and the fighting gladiator, are all
+perfect on the just principles I have mentioned. There is no room for
+amendment; their propriety is unquestionable; their truth eternal. And so
+in the works of modern art, we see the same truth and perfection in the
+Capella Sestina by Michael Angelo, in the Supper by Leonardo da Vinci at
+Milan, in the Cartoons by Raphael, the St. Peter Martyr by Titian, and the
+Note by Correggio.
+
+"Having mentioned the figure on Monte Cavallo, representing, as you all
+know, a young man curbing a horse, I cannot help stopping to remark, that
+if any work of sculpture ever demonstrated more strongly the value of
+uniting philosophic science with that of art, for the production of
+character, it is that work by Phidias. Never did the power of art express
+more evidently than is done in the head of the young man, that every
+feature is moved by an internal mental power, and corresponds in the most
+perfect truth with what we see to be the labouring passion. When we view
+it in front we are astonished that the mouth does not speak. No observer
+ever thinks that the head is a block of stone. But the whole group is
+masterly on the most refined principles of science. It was intended to be
+seen at an elevated point, as well as at a distant one. All its forms,
+therefore, are grand without the minutiae of parts; its effects are
+striking and momentary; and in every circumstance considered, it is
+plainly the work of consummate genius and science united.
+
+"Was it possible that in an age which gave a Phidias to the Greeks,
+there should not have been a Pericles to reward, by his patronage, merit
+so exalted?
+
+"We may carry the same reflections into the progress of the pencil. As the
+Greeks became refined in their minds, they gained an Apelles to paint, and
+an Alexander to patronise. We are not enabled now to speak of the works of
+that great master. His figure of Alexander, in the character of young
+Ammon, is described as his master-piece. Such was the expression with
+which the hand grasped the thunder-bolt, that it seemed actually to start
+from the pannel. The expression and force of character given to the whole,
+was equally marvellous. And when we consider the refinement to which the
+human mind had then arrived among the Greeks, the immense value which
+they put upon the works of that artist, and that they were too wise to
+devote their applause to things which fell short of consummate excellence,
+we cannot doubt but it was by the cultivation of the public mind that the
+arts reached such attainments among them. What must have been their
+exquisite state when the simple line drawn by Protogenes,--in the
+consciousness of his acknowledged perfection, and which was intended to
+announce the man who drew it, as much as if he had told his name,--was so
+far excelled by another simple line over it by Apelles, that the former at
+once confessed himself outdone? Those two lines, simple as they were, were
+by no means trifling in their instruction. They gave us, as it were, an
+epitome of the progress which the arts had long been making in Greece. For
+if the drawing of a simple line, of such a master as Protogenes, who was
+conceived by many to hold the first pencil in the world, was surpassed, to
+his great surprise, by another, how high must refinement have been raised
+by the exertions of the artists in a period so emulous of perfection!
+
+"The stages in the progress of modern art, have been frequently
+distinguished by ages similar to those which succeed one another in the
+human growth. We may safely assert, that in the infantine and youthful
+period of modern art, literature and science were only seen in their
+infancy and growth. The opening of nature displayed in the works of
+Massaccio; the graces exhibited in those of Lorenzo Ghiberti; and the
+advancement in perspective made by one or two others, kept pace nearly
+with that progress in philosophy which appeared in the best writings of
+those days. As the one took a larger step in the next stage or period, the
+other stepped forth in a like degree at the same time; so that in Leonardo
+da Vinci we see the great painter and the great philosopher: his painting
+most clearly refined in its principles, and enlarged in its powers by his
+philosophical studies. As a philosopher, and especially in those parts of
+knowledge which were most interesting to his profession, he laid that
+foundation of science which has ever since been adopted and admired. As a
+painter, he not only went far beyond his predecessors, but laid down those
+principles of science in the expression of individual character, and of a
+soul and figure specifically and completely appropriated to each other,
+which opened the way to the greatness acquired by those who followed him
+in his studies. In that point of excellence, Leonardo da Vinci was
+original; and it was the natural result of a mind like his, formed to
+philosophical investigation, and deeply attentive to all the variety of
+appearances by which the passions are marked in the human countenance and
+frame. These he traced to their sources: he found them in their radical
+principles, and by his knowledge of these principles, his expression of
+character became perfected.
+
+"The _nature_ exhibited by Massaccio had not gone to that extent of
+expression. It however spoke a soul: he drew forth an inward mind on the
+outward countenance: he gave a character; but that character was not so
+discriminated as to become the index of one particular passion more than
+another; or to decide, for instance, the head of Jupiter from that of a
+Minerva: so at with the aid, of different types, it should not befit a
+Saviour or a Magdalene.
+
+"We must take along with us in this review, that the splendid patronage of
+the house of Medici came forward, to meet, and to cherish the happy
+advancements made by the masters of those days; so that Florence, which
+was then the greatest seat of the arts, was no less brilliant and
+illustrious in the generosity which strove to perpetuate them, than in the
+genius by which they had been cultivated.
+
+"Leonardo da Vinci, by the principles which he so effectually realised,
+has always been considered as having established the manly as well as the
+graceful age of modern art. But manhood is never so fixed as to be
+incapable of progress. The manhood then attained in art was capable of
+farther advancement beyond the growth which the powers of Da Vinci had
+given it. This was eminently illustrated by the sublimity of style which
+was attained by the genius of Michael Angelo and of Raphael;--quality
+equally original in both, although issuing from different principles. In
+the former, it was founded on that force and grandeur, allied to poetic
+spirit, which rises above all that is common, and leaves behind it all
+that is tame and simply correct; which, not content with engaging the
+senses, seizes on the imagination, while it never departs from truth. In
+the latter, it was made up of the beautiful and graceful, which attracts
+by the assemblage of whatever is most perfect and elevated in the
+character or subject.
+
+"Raphael coming somewhat later than Michael Angelo on the theatre of art,
+had the advantage of many of that master's works, as well as of all the
+improvements which had been made before. His life was a short one, and the
+first studies of it were almost lost in the dry school of Pietro Perugino.
+But he soon found his way to the philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci, and to
+the profound principles on which his admirable expression of character is
+founded. The dignity of drapery, and of light and shade, opened by
+Bartolomeo, invited his studies; and the sublimity of the human figure in
+the sculptures of his cotemporary, Michael Angelo, fastened on his
+contemplation. Thus he entered at once, as it were, into the inheritance
+of whatever excellencies had been produced before him. With these
+advantages he was called to adorn the apartments of the Vatican. And can
+we wonder that his first works there, at the age of seven-and-twenty, were
+the Dispute on the Sacrament, and the School of Athens?
+
+"But what was it that contributed very much to the production of those
+works? It was not the profound studies of Raphael's mind, but the spirit
+of the age which warmed those studies.--It was a great age, in which
+learning and science were become diffused, at least throughout Europe:--a
+great age replete with characters studious of philosophy; and, therefore,
+fond of the instruction conveyed by the arts;--fond of those high and
+more profound compositions which entered into the spirit of superior
+character, and made some study and research necessary to develope their
+beauties. To meet the taste of such an age, the two first public works of
+Raphael, above mentioned, were well suited, inasmuch as they were
+intended to convey the comparative views of theology and human science,
+or, in other words, the improvement of the human mind arising from the
+two great sources of national wisdom and revealed light. It must not also
+be forgotten, that while the spirit of the age was warming his mind to
+the peculiar dignity of theme and style which marks his works, the
+generous and noble patronage of the papal court was exerting its utmost
+power to immortalise him, and every other great master that arose within
+the circle of its influence. Their merit and their fame found as animated
+a protector in Leo X. as Phidias experienced in Pericles, or Apelles in
+Alexander the Great.
+
+"As the Florentine and Roman schools were thus gradually refined in the
+excellence of design and character, by the aid of philosophical studies;
+so the Venetian masters were equally indebted to the like studies, without
+which, they would never have reached their admirable system of colouring.
+If any have conceived otherwise, they have taken a very superficial view
+of their system. Where is there greater science concerned than in the
+whole theory of colours? It employed the investigation of Newton; and
+shall that pass for a common or easy attainment which took up so much of
+his profound studies? The Venetian masters had been long working their way
+to the radical principles of this science, not only for a just and perfect
+arrangement of their colouring, but for that clear and transparent system
+in the use of it, which have equally marked that school in the days of its
+maturity under Titian. He it was who established, on unerring principles,
+founded on nature and truth, that accomplished system which John Bellini
+had first laboured to discover, and in which Giorgioni had made further
+advancements. Besides his zeal in his profession, Titian was born in that
+higher rank of life which might be supposed to give him an easier access
+to the elegant studies of philosophic science; and he had prosecuted, with
+great ardour, the science of chemisty, the better to understand the
+properties of colour, their homogeneous blendings, purity, and duration;
+as well as the properties of oils, gums, and other fluids, which might
+form the fittest vehicles to convey his colours upon canvass.
+
+"The elegant Charles V. was to Titian in liberal pratronage what Leo X.
+was to Raphael. That munificent prince carried him into Spain, where his
+works laid the foundation of the Spanish school in painting, and gave a
+relish for that art to all the succeeding monarchs.
+
+"What has been remarked respecting Titian and the Venetian school, is
+equally true of that of Correggio among the Lombard painters. The mind of
+Correggio appears evidently, by his works, to have been profoundly
+enlightened; and especially in the philosophical arrangement and general
+doctrine of colours. What has been said by some concerning the low
+circumstances of his fortune, (which is not true,) neither proves the
+obscurity of his birth, nor that philosophical researches were out of his
+reach, or beside his emulation. The truth is, that he was born of a very
+honourable family, and was accomplished in the elegancies of life; not
+that it is necessary for any man to have the advantages of birth, in
+order to become enlightened by science in any way whatever. The patronage
+which attended him was of the most elevated kind, being dispensed by the
+illustrious houses of Mantua and Modena, as well as by the institution of
+the Doma of Parma. But what is by no means less worthy of our notice is,
+that of all the masters who have risen up in any of the schools of Italy,
+not one has been the means of giving success and reputation to those who
+have followed any of their respective styles equally with Correggio. The
+ineffable softness, sweetness, and grace in his paintings, have never
+varied in their effects with the course of time. And they who have since
+partaken of these powers in his style, have very generally become great
+masters, (distinguished by none of the excesses which have sometimes
+attended the imitation of other models,) and successful in gainng the
+approbation and favour of the world.
+
+"The paths pursued by those great examples must become yours, young
+gentlemen, or you can neither be eminent in colouring, nor sure in the
+execution of your art. It is possible, that by habits of practice, handed
+over from one to another, or by little managements in laying colours on
+the canvass, where little or nothing of the general science has been
+studied and attained, many may so far succeed as to avoid glaring errors,
+and a violation of those first principles which have their foundation in
+nature. But that success is at all times extremely hazardous and dependent
+on chance. More frequently it has introduced invincible conflicts between
+the primary and secondary colours, to the ruin of harmony and aerial
+perspective, and to the overthrow of the artist, whenever the picture is
+glanced upon by the eye of scientific discernment. Contemptible are the
+best of such managements, ever in the hands of those that know them best,
+compared with a full and masterly possession of the philosophy by which
+this part of your art must be guided. If the ordonnance of colour, on each
+figure and on the whole, is not disposed according to the immutable laws
+of the science, no fine effect, or accordant tones of colours, can
+possibly be produced. There is, therefore, but one way to make sure of
+success, and to raise your characters in this point, and that is by making
+yourselves masters of the whole philosophy of colours, as Titian and
+Correggio did, and some others, in whose works, from first to last, the
+minutest scrutiny will never find a colour misplaced or prejudiced by its
+disposition with others.
+
+"To be perfect, is the emulation which belongs to those arts in which you
+are engaged, and the anxious hope of the country in which you live. To
+animate you to that perfection, is the object of what I have now addressed
+to you. I am persuaded it is your ambition to be perfect. This Academy
+looks with pleasure on the progress of your studies, as it may look with
+pride on the high and cultivated state to which the arts have been raised
+among us ever since they have had the establishment of a regular school.
+It is no flattery to the present æra in Britain to say, that in no age of
+the world have the arts been carried in any country to such a summit as
+they now hold among us, in so short a period as half a century at most.
+Among the Greeks some centuries had elapsed, amidst no little emulation
+in the arts, before they obtained an Apelles. In modern Italy, without
+going as far back as we might, it took up a century from the appearance of
+Massaccio to the perfection of a Raphael. If, then, the British school has
+risen so much more speedily to that celebrity in art, which it is too well
+known and established to need any illustration here, what should hinder
+her professors from becoming the most distinguished rivals of the fame
+acquired by the Greeks and Italians, with a due perseverance in the
+studies which lead to perfection, and with those encouragements and
+support of patronage which are due to genius?
+
+"As the source of that patronage, we look up with affectionate gratitude
+to the benign and flattering attention of our most gracious Sovereign, to
+whose regard for the elegant arts, and munificent disposition to cherish
+every enlargement of science, and improvement of the human mind, his
+people are indebted for this public seminary, his own favoured
+Institution, and the first which this country has ever been so fortunate
+as to see established. Under his royal patronage and support, this Academy
+has risen to its present strength and flourishing condition. His
+patronage, which would be improperly estimated by mere expenditure, in a
+country not similar in the latitude of government, or in the controul over
+revenue, to ancient Greece or modern Italy, but properly by its diffusive
+influence, has been the source of every other patronage in the country;
+has inspired that refined taste and ardour for elegant arts, which have
+given in fact a new character to the people, and has raised within and
+without this Academy that body of distinguished men, whose works have
+contributed to immortalise his reign, as his love for the arts has become
+the means of immortalising them.
+
+"The patronage which has flowed from other quarters, deserves very
+honourable mention; and is of so much importance, that without it the
+spirit of art must droop, and the very profession of it be contracted in
+every situation whatever. It is not by the influence and support of any
+individual character, how elevated soever, or how warm soever in his
+attachment to taste and elegance, that the extent of professional talents
+spread through a country, can be effectually sustained with adequate
+encouragements. It is the wealthy and the great, who are commonly trained
+by their situations to the perception of what is elegant and refined, that
+must come forward in such an illustrious undertaking. It is only they who
+can meet every where the merit, let it be disseminated as it may, which is
+entitled, to distinction. Without the patronage of such, the arts could
+never have obtained their high meridian in Greece and Italy. Had not the
+communities and rich individuals in Greece taken the arts under their
+protection, not all the encouragement of Pericles, or of Alexander the
+Great, could have drawn forth that immense body of painting and sculpture
+which filled the country. Had the patronage of Italy rested with the popes
+and princes, unaccompanied by those munificent supports which flowed from
+the churches and convents, as well as from private individuals of rank and
+wealth, the galleries of that country could never have been so superbly
+filled as they were, nor could those collections have been made from
+thence, which have filled so many galleries and cabinets elsewhere.
+
+"These facts are not to be denied; but they also lead us to another
+lesson, which is, that the patronage so generally dispensed was for the
+protection of living genius, and that they by whom it was so dispensed
+sought no other collections than the works of native and living artists.
+On any other ground there can be no such thing as patronage. Nothing else
+is worthy of that name. The true and generous patron of great works
+selects those which are produced by the talents existing around him. By
+collecting from other countries, he may greatly enrich himself, but can
+never give celebrity to the country in which he lives. The encouragement
+extended to the genius of a single artist, though it may produce but one
+original work, adds more to the celebrity of a people, and is a higher
+proof of true patriotic ardour, and of a generous love for the progress of
+art, than all the collections that ever were made by the productions of
+other countries, and all the expenditures that ever were bestowed in
+making them. Did the habits of our domestic circumstances, like those of
+Italy, permit the ingenious student to have access to those works of
+established masters, procured by the spirit of their noble and wealthy
+possessors, and of many distinguished amateurs on the most liberal terms,
+and with the honourable purpose of forming the taste, as well as enriching
+the treasures, of the country, every thing would then be done, which is
+wanting to complete the public benefit of such collections, and the
+general gratitude to which they who have made them would be entitled. So
+abundant are the accomplished examples in art already introduced among us,
+that there would then be no necessity for students to run to other
+countries for those improvements which their own can furnish.
+
+"It cannot be improper at any time to make these remarks; while it must
+also be observed, that the patronage held forth by many great and noble
+characters needs no spur; and the means projected by other spirited
+individuals in opulent stations, for extending and perpetuating the works
+of British masters, fall short in no degree of the most fervid energies
+and examples, of which any country has been able to boast.
+
+"It is your duty, young gentlemen, to become accomplished in your
+professions, that you may keep alive those energies and examples of
+patronage, when you come to draw the attention of the world to your own
+works. It is by your success that the arts must be carried on and
+preserved here. Patronage can only be expected to follow what is eminently
+meritorious, and more especially that general patronage diffused through
+the more respectable ranks of society, which is to professional merit,
+what the ocean is to the earth;--the great fund from whence it must ever
+be refreshed, and without whose abundance, conveyed through innumerable
+channels, every thing must presently become dry, and all productions cease
+to exist."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XII.
+
+
+
+    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.
+
+After a careful examination of all the remaining notes of Mr. West, it
+appeared to me, that the discourse which he delivered on the 10th of
+December, 1811, was the only one that required particular notice, after
+those which I have already introduced. In some respects it will, perhaps,
+be deemed the most interesting of the whole.
+
+"The few points," said the President, "upon which I mean to touch in the
+present Discourse, are those which more immediately apply to the
+students, who are generously striving to attain excellence in the first
+class of refined art,--historical painting.
+
+"Whether their exertions are directed to painting, or the sister arts,
+architecture and sculpture, the first thing they must impress upon their
+minds, and engraft upon every shoot of their fancy, is that of the
+appropriate character, by which the subject they are about to treat, is
+distinguished from all other subjects. On this foundation, all the points
+of refined art which are, in the truest sense, intellectual, invariably
+rest; for without justness of character the works of the pencil can have
+but little value, and can never entitle the artist to the praise of a
+well-governed genius, or of possessing that philosophical precision of
+judgment, which is the source of excellence in the superior walk of his
+profession. At the same time, let it be indelibly fixed in your minds,
+that when decided character is to be given, that character must be
+accompanied by correctness of outline, whether it be in painting or in
+sculpture. Any representation of the human figure, in the higher
+department of art, wanting these requisites, is, to the feelings of the
+educated artist, deficient in that, for the loss of which no other
+excellency can compensate.
+
+"Architecture.--This department of art received its decided character from
+the Greeks. They distinctly fixed the embellishments to the several
+orders; and, by their adaptation of these embellishments and orders, their
+buildings obtained a distinct and appropriate character, which declared
+the uses for which they were erected.
+
+"The Romans, in their best era of taste, copied their Grecian instructors
+in that appropriate character of embellishment which explained, at a
+glance, the use of their respective buildings; but, in their latter ages,
+they declined from this original purity; and it is the fragments of that
+corruption, in which they lost the characteristic precision of the Greeks,
+that we have seen of late years employed upon many of our buildings. The
+want of mental reflection in employing the orders of architectures with a
+rational precision as to character, produces the same sort of deficiency
+which we find in an historical picture; where, although each figure, in
+correct proportion, be well drawn, with drapery elegantly folded, yet, not
+being employed appropriately to the subject, affords no satisfaction to
+the spectator.
+
+"The Greeks were in architecture what they were in sculpture; and it is to
+them you must look for the original purity of both. We feel rejoiced, that
+the exertions recently made by a noble personage to enrich our studies in
+both of these departments of art are such, that we may say, London has
+become the Athens for study. It is the mental power displayed in the Elgin
+marbles that I wish the juvenile artist to notice. Look at the equestrian
+groups of the young Athenians in this collection, and you will find in
+them that momentary motion which life gives on the occasion to the riders
+and their horses. The horse we perceive feels that power which the impulse
+of life has given to his rider; we see in him the animation of his whole
+frame; in the fire of his eyes, the distention of his nostrils, and in the
+rapid motion of his feet, yielding to the guidance of his rider, or in the
+speeding of his course: they are, therefore, in perfect unison with the
+life in each. At this moment of their animation, they appear to have been
+turned into stone by some majestic power, and not created by the human
+hand. The single head of the horse, in the same collection, seems as if it
+had, by the same influence, been struck into marble, when he was exerting
+all the energy of his motion.
+
+"These admirable sculptures, which now adorn our city, are the union of
+Athenian genius and philosophy, and illustrate my meaning respecting the
+mental impression which is so essentially to be given to works of refined
+art. It was this point which the Grecian philosophers wished to impress on
+the minds of their sculptors, not to follow their predecessors the
+Egyptians in sculpture, who represented their figures without motion,
+although nearly perfect in giving to them the external form. 'It is the
+passions,' said they, 'with which man is endowed, that we wish to see in
+the movements of your figures.' This advice of the philosophers was felt
+by the sculptors, and the Athenian marbles are the faithful records of the
+efficacy of that advice.
+
+"That you may distinctly perceive and invariably distinguish what we mean
+by appropriate character in art, particularly in sculpture, I would class
+with these sculptures, the Hercules, the Apollo, the Venus, the Laocoon,
+and the Gladiator. In these examples you will find what is appropriate in
+character to subject, united with correctness of outline; and it is this
+combination of truths which has arrested the attention of an admiring
+world, ever since they were produced; and which will attract to them the
+admiration of after ages, so long as the workings of the mind on the
+external form can be contemplated and understood.
+
+"Now let us see what works there are since the revival of art in the
+modern world, which rest on the same basis of appropriate character and
+correctness of outline, with those of the ancient Greeks.
+
+"The Moses which the powers of Michael Angelo's mind has presented to our
+view, claims our first attention. In this statue the points of character,
+in every mode of precise, determinate, and elevated expression, have been
+carried to a pitch of grandeur which modern art has not since excelled. In
+this figure of Moses, Michael Angelo has fixed the unalterable standard of
+the Jewish lawgiver,--a character delineated and justified by the text in
+inspired sculpture. The character of Moses was well suited to the grandeur
+of the artist's conceptions, and to the dreadful energy of his feelings.
+Accordingly, in mental character, this figure holds the first station in
+modern art; and I believe we may venture to say, had no competitor in
+ancient, except those of the Jupiter and Minerva by Phidias. But the
+Saviour, all meekness and benevolence, which Michael Angelo made to
+accompany the Moses, was not in unison with his genius. The figure is
+mean, but slightly removed from an academical figure, and in no point
+appropriate to the subject: so are most of the single figures of the
+artist, in his great work on the Day of Judgment; but his groups in that
+composition are every where in character, and have not their rivals
+either in painting or sculpture. His Bacchus claims our admiration, as
+being appropriate to the subject, by the same excellence in delineation
+which distinguish the groups in the Day of Judgment. No person can have a
+higher veneration than I have for that grandeur of character impressed on
+the figures by Michael Angelo; but it is the fitness of the characters and
+of the action to the subject, to which I wish to draw your attention, and
+not to pour out praise on those points, in which he and other eminent
+masters are deficient. On this occasion, I must therefore be permitted to
+repeat, that most of the single figures in his great work of the Day of
+Judgment, are deficient in the fitness of appropriate character, and in
+the fitness of appropriate action to the subject; although as single
+figures they demand our admiration. But excellent as they are, they are
+but the ingenious adaptation of legs, arms, and heads, to the celebrated
+Torso, which bears his name, and which served as the model to most of his
+figures. All figures in composition, however excellent they may be in
+delineation, which have not their actions and expressions springing from
+the subject in which they are the actors, can only be considered as
+academical efforts, without the impress of mental power, and without any
+philosophical attention to the truth of the subject which the artist
+intended to illustrate.
+
+"Leonardo da Vinci is the first who had a full and right conception of the
+principle which I wish to inculcate, and he has shown it in his picture of
+the Last Supper. But it is necessary to distinguish what parts of the
+picture deserve consideration. It is the decision, the appropriate
+character of the apostles to the subject; the significance of expression
+in their several countenances, and the diversity of action in each figure;
+their actions seemingly in perfect unison with their minds, and their
+figures individually in unison with their respective situations; some are
+confused at the words spoken by our Saviour: "There is one amongst you who
+shall betray me;" others are thrown under impressions of a different
+feeling. In this respect the picture has left us without an appeal,
+either to nature or to art. But Da Vinci failed in the head of our
+Saviour. He has failed in his attempt to combine the almost incompatible
+qualities of dignity and meekness which are demanded in the countenance of
+the Saviour. He had exhausted his powers of characteristic discrimination
+in the heads of the apostles; and in his attempt to give meekness to the
+countenance of Jesus, he sank into insipience. He had the prudence,
+therefore, to leave the face unfinished, that the imagination of the
+beholder might not be disappointed by an imperfect image, but form one in
+his mind more appropriate to his feelings and to the subject. The ruin of
+this picture, the report of which I understand is true, has deprived the
+world and the arts of one of the mental eyes of painting. But pleasing as
+the works of Leonardo da Vinci are in general, had he not produced this
+picture of the Last Supper, and the cartoon of the equestrian combatants
+for the standard of victory, he would scarcely have emerged, as a painter
+of strong character, above mediocrity. Indeed the back-ground, and general
+distribution of this picture, sufficiently mark their Gothic origin. But
+his pictures, generally speaking, are more characterised by their
+laborious finishing, gentleness, and sweetness of character, than by the
+energies of a lively imagination.
+
+"Fra. Bartolomeo di St. Marco, of Florence, was one of the first who
+became enamoured of that superiority which grandeur and decision of
+character gives to art; and, indeed, of all those higher excellences which
+the philosophical mind of Da Vinci had accomplished. In the pictures of
+Bartolomeo we behold, for the first time, that breadth of the
+clair-obscure--the deep tones of colour, with their philosophical
+arrangement, united to that noble folding of drapery appropriate to, and
+significant of, every character it covered; a point of excellence in this
+master, from which Raphael caught his first conception of that noble
+simplicity which distinguishes the dignity of his draperies, and which it
+became his pride through life to imitate.
+
+"Bartolomeo, in his figure of St. Mark, has convinced us how important and
+indispensable is the union of mental conception with truth of
+observation, in order to give a decided and appropriate character to an
+Evangelist of the Gospel. None of the pictures of this artist possess the
+excellence of his St. Mark except one, which is in the city of Lucca, the
+capital of the republic of that name; and, as that picture is but little
+known to travellers, and almost unknown to many artists who have visited
+Italy, a description of it may not be unacceptable.
+
+"The picture is on pannel, and its dimensions somewhat about twenty feet
+in height by fourteen in width. The subject is the Assumption of the
+Virgin Mary. The composition is divided into three groups; the Apostles
+and the sepulchre form the centre group, from the midst of which the
+Virgin ascends; her body-drapery is of a deep ruby colour, which is the
+only decided red in the picture, and her mantle blue, but in depth of tone
+approaching to black, and extended by angels to nearly each side of the
+picture. This mantle is relieved by a light, in tone resembling that of
+the break of day, seen over the summit of a dark mountain, which gives an
+awful grandeur to the effect of the picture on entering the chapel, in
+which it is placed over the altar. That awful light of the morning is
+contrasted with the golden effulgence above; in the midst of which, our
+Saviour is seen with extended arms, to receive and welcome his mother.
+
+"From the sepulchre, and the Apostles in the centre, to the fore-ground,
+the third group of figures partly lies in shade, occasioned by the
+over-shadowing of the Virgin's deep-toned mantle extended by angels. On
+the other part of the group, on the side where the light enters, the
+figures are seen in the broad blaze of day; and amongst them is the
+portrait of the artist.
+
+"When I first saw this picture, my sensations were in unison with its
+awful character; and I confess that I was touched with the same kind of
+sensibility as when I heard the inexpressibly harmonious blendings of
+vocal sounds in the solemn notes of _Non nobis Domine_. I never felt more
+forcibly the dignity of music and the dignity of painting, than from
+these two compositions of art.
+
+"When we consider the combination of excellence requisite to produce the
+sublime in painting; the union of propriety with dignity of character; the
+graceful grouping; the noble folding of drapery, and the deep sombrous
+tones of the clair-obscure, with appropriate colours harmoniously blending
+into one whole;--if there is a picture entitled to the appellation of
+_sublime_, from the union of all these excellences, It is that which I
+have described: considered in all its parts, it is, perhaps, superior to
+any work in painting, which has fallen under my observation.
+
+"When these powerful essays in art by Da Vinci, Bartolomeo di St. Marco,
+and Michael Angelo became celebrated, Raphael, having attained his adult
+age, made his appearance at Florence; where the influence of the works of
+those three great artists pervaded all the avenues to excellence in art.
+
+"The gentle sensibility of Raphael's mind was like the softened wax
+which makes more visible and distinct the form of the engraving with
+which it is touched. Blest by Nature with this endowment, he became like
+the heir to the treasured wealth of many families. Enriched by the
+accumulated experience which was then in Florence, united to the early
+tuition of delineating from nature under Pietro Perugino, and the
+subsequent discoveries of the Grecian relics, Raphael's mind became
+stored with all that was excellent; and he possessed a practised hand, to
+make his conceptions visible on his tablets. Possessing these powers, he
+was invited to Rome, and began his picture of _The Dispute on the
+Sacrament_. This picture he finished, together with _The School of
+Athens_, before he had attained his twenty-eighth year. At Rome he found
+himself amidst the splendour of a refined court, and in the focus of
+human endowment. He became sensible of the rare advantages of his
+situation; he had industry and ardour to combine and to embrace them all;
+and the effect is visible in his works. The theological arrangement of
+the disputants on the Sacrament, and the scholastic controversies at
+Athens, convince us of this truth. In the upper part of the Dispute on
+the Sacrament, something may be observed of that taste of Bartolomeo in
+drapery, and of the dryness and hardness of his first master Pietro
+Perugino; but in the parts which make the aggregate of that work, he has
+blended the result of his own observations. In his School of Athens, this
+is still more strikingly the case; and in his Heliodorus we see
+additional dignity and an enlargement of style.
+
+"At this period of his life, such was the desire of his society by the
+great, and such the ambition of standing forward amongst his patrons by
+all who were eminent for rank and taste, that he was seduced into courtly
+habits, and relaxed from that studious industry, with which he had
+formerly laboured; and there are evident marks in many of his works in the
+Vatican, of a decline of excellence, and that he was suffering pleasure
+and indolence to rob him of his fame. Sensible of this decline in his
+compositions, the powers of his mind re-assumed their energies; and that
+re-animation stands marked in his unrivalled compositions of the Cartoons
+which are in this country, and in the picture of the Transfiguration.
+
+"The transcendant excellence in composition, and in appropriate
+character to subject, in the cartoon of Paul preaching at Athens, has
+left us to desire or expect nothing farther to be done in telling this
+incident of history.
+
+"In the composition of the death of Ananias, and in the single figure of
+Elymas the sorcerer struck blind, we have the same example of excellence.
+We have indeed in many of the characters and groups in the cartoons, the
+various modes of reasoning, speaking, and feeling; but so blended with
+nature and truth, and so precise and determined in character, that
+criticism has nothing wherewith in that respect to ask for amendment.
+
+"Had the life of this illustrious painter, which closed on his birth-day
+in his thirty-seventh year, been prolonged to the period of that of
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, or Titian, when in the space of
+seventeen years at Rome he has given the world more unrivalled works of
+art, than has fallen to the lot of any other painter, what an additional
+excellence might we not have expected in his works for subsequent
+generations to admire.
+
+"The next distinguished artist who comes under our consideration is
+Titian. The grandeur which Michael Angelo gave to the human figure, Titian
+has rivalled in colour, and both were dignified during their lives with
+the appellation of The Divine.
+
+"I will pass over the many appropriate portraits which he painted of men,
+and the portraits of women, though not the most distinguished for beauty,
+in the character of Venus, to meet the fashion of the age in which he
+lived; and notice only those works of mental power, which have raised him
+to eminence in the class of refined artists. On this point, you will find
+that his picture of St. Peter Martyr will justify the claim he has to
+that rank.
+
+"St. Peter the Martyr was the head of a religious sect: when on his way
+from the confines of Germany to Milan with a companion, he was attacked by
+one in opposition to his religious principles while passing through a
+wood, and murdered. This is the subject of the picture. The prostrate
+figure of the Saint, just fallen by a blow from the assassin, raises one
+of his hands towards heaven, with a countenance of confidence in eternal
+reward for the firmness of his faith; while the assassin grasps with his
+left hand the mantle of his victim, the better to enable him, by his
+uplifted sword in the other hand, to give the fatal blow to the fallen
+saint. The companion is flying off in frantic dismay, and has received a
+wound in the head from the assassin.
+
+"The ferocious and determined action of the murderer bestriding the body
+of the fallen saint, completes a group of figures which have not a rival
+in art. The majestic trees, as well as the sable and rugged furze, form an
+awful back-ground to this tragical scene, every way appropriate to the
+subject. The heavenly messengers seen in the glory above, bearing the
+palm branches as the emblem of reward for martyrdom, form the second
+light; the first being the sky and cloud, which gives relief to the black
+drapery of the wounded companion; while the rays of light from the
+emanation above, sparkling on the dark branches of the trees as so many
+diamonds, tie together by their light all the others from the top to the
+bottom of the picture. The terror which the act of the murderer has
+spread, is denoted by the speed of the horseman passing into the gloomy
+recesses of a distant part of the forest.
+
+"This picture, taken in the aggregate, is the first work in art in which
+the human figure and landscape are combined as an historical landscape,
+and where all the objects are the full size of nature.
+
+"When I saw this picture at Venice in 1761, it was then in the same state
+of purity as when the Bologna artists saw and studied it; and it is
+recorded that Caracci declared this picture to be without fault. But we
+have to lament the fatal effects which the goddess Bellona has ever
+occasioned to the fine arts when she mounts her iron chariot of
+destruction. When this picture fell under her rapacious power, on board a
+French vessel passing down the Adriatic sea from Venice, one of our
+cruisers chased the vessel into the port of Ancona, and a cannon-shot
+pierced the pannel on which the picture was painted, and shivered a
+portion of it into pieces.
+
+"On its arrival at Paris, the committee of the fine arts found it
+necessary to remove the painting from the pannel, and place it on canvass;
+but the picture has lost the principal light.
+
+"But to sum up Titian's powers of conception, no one has equalled him in
+the propriety and fitness of colour. His pictures of St. Peter Martyr; the
+David and Goliah; and the Last Supper, which is in the Escurial, stand in
+the very highest rank in art. On the latter of these pictures being
+finished, Titian in his letter to the King, announcing the circumstance,
+says that it had been the labour of seven years. But by his original
+sketch in oil colours, which I have the good fortune to possess, and by
+which we may form an estimate, although the general effect and composition
+are unrivalled, the characters of the heads of the apostles are not equal
+to those of Leonardo da Vinci on the same subject.
+
+"Antonio Allegri da Correggio is the sixth source, whose emanating powers
+have illuminated the fine arts in the modern world. A superstitious mind,
+on seeing his works, would suppose that he had received his tuition in
+painting from the angels; as his figures seem to belong to another race of
+being than man, and to have something too celestial for the forms of earth
+to have presented to his view. Such have been the sayings of many on
+seeing his works at Parma, but, to my conception, he painted from the
+nature with which he was surrounded. His pictures of the Note, St.
+Gierolimo, and the St. George, are evident proofs of the observation. In
+the first of these pictures his mental conception shines supreme. It is
+the idea of illuminating the child in the subject of our Saviour's
+nativity. This splendid thought of giving light to the infant Christ,
+whose divine mission was to illuminate the human mind from Pagan darkness,
+no painter has since been so bold as to omit in any composition on the
+same subject. The two latter pictures have all the beauties seen in the
+paintings of this master, but they are deficient in appropriate character.
+
+"The inspiring power of Correggio's works illuminated the genius of
+Parmegiano, the energetic movements of whose graceful figures have never
+been equalled, nor are they deficient in the moral influence of the art.
+His Moses breaking the tables in a church at Parma, and his picture of the
+vision of St. Gierolimo, now in England, are filled with the impress of
+his intellectual powers, and stand pre-eminent over all his works.
+
+"I have thus taken a survey of the works of art, which stand supreme among
+the productions of Grecian and Italian genius, and which are the sources
+from which the subsequent schools have derived most of the principles of
+their celebrity.
+
+"The papal vortex drew into it nearly all the various powers of human
+refinement, and the inspiring influence of the first school in art having
+centered in Rome gave it superiority, till the Constable Bourbon, by
+sacking that city, obliged the fine arts to fly from their place, like
+doves from the vultures: they never re-appeared at Rome but with
+secondary power.
+
+"About a century subsequent to their flight from Rome they were
+re-animated, and formed the second school of art in Italy at the city of
+Bologna under the Carracci, at the head of which was Ludovico. He and his
+two relatives, Hanibal and Augustin Carracci, derived their principles
+from the Venetian School, from Titian, Paul Veronese, and Tintoret, and
+from the Lombard School of Correggio and Parmegiano. But the good sense of
+Ludovico raised by them and himself a school of their own, which excelled
+in the power of delineating the human figure, but which power gave to that
+school more academical taste than mental character.
+
+"Their great work was that in the convent of St. Michael in Boresco, near
+Bologna; but this work has perished by damp, and the only remains on
+record of what it was, are in the coarse prints which were done from
+copies executed when it was in good condition. But grand as it must have
+been according to the evidence of these prints, it was but an academical
+composition.
+
+"The picture by Ludovico, however, of our Saviour's Transfiguration on the
+Mount, consisting of six figures double the size of life, has embraced
+nearly all the points of art, and has placed the artist high in the first
+class of painters.
+
+"The masters of the Bolognese school going to Rome and other parts of
+Italy, their successors at Bologna contented themselves by retailing the
+several manners of the three Carracci--Guido, Domenichino and Guercino.
+This system of retailing continued to descend from master to pupil, until
+the school of Bologna sunk into irrecoverable imbecility.
+
+"The most esteemed work in painting by Augustine Carracci is the Communion
+of St. Jerom. It possesses grandeur of style, is bold in execution, and
+the faces are not deficient in the appropriate expression of sensibility
+towards the object before them. It was on the composition of this picture,
+that Domenichino formed his on the same subject, so much celebrated as to
+be considered next in merit to Raphael's Transfiguration. But fine as it
+is admitted to be, we must say, as a borrowed idea, it lessens the merit
+of the artist's originality of mind.
+
+"The finest picture by Guido is in a church at Genoa, where he has brought
+to a focus all the force of his powers in grace and beauty, with an
+expression and execution of pencil rarely to be met with in art. The
+subject is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The angels, who surround the
+Virgin, have something in their faces so celestial, that they seem as if
+they had really descended from Heaven, and sat to the artist while he
+painted them. The Virgin herself seems to have had the same complacency.
+The characters of the Apostles' heads are so exquisitely drawn and
+painted, as to be without competition in the works of any other painter.
+
+"The most esteemed picture by Guercino is is that of Santa Petranella,
+which he painted for St. Peter's Church, at Rome.
+
+"But, Gentlemen, if you aspire to excellence in your profession, you must
+not rest your future studies on the excellence of any individual, however
+exalted his name or genius; but, like the industrious bee, survey the
+whole face of nature, and sip the sweets from every flower. When thus
+enriched, lay up your acquisitions for future use; and with that
+enrichment from Nature's inexhaustible source, examine the great works of
+art to animate your feelings, and to excite your emulation. When you are
+thus mentally enriched, and your hand practised to obey the powers of
+your will, you will then find your pencils, or your chisels, as magic
+wands, calling into view creations of your own, to adorn your name and
+your country.
+
+"I cannot, however, close this Discourse, without acknowledging a debt due
+from this Academy, as well as that which is due to the Academy itself.
+Soon after His present Majesty had ascended the throne, his benign regard
+for the prosperity of the fine arts in these realms was manifested by his
+gracious commands to establish this favoured Institution.
+
+"The heart of every artist, and of the friend of art, glowed with mutual
+congratulation to see a British King, for the first time, at the head of
+the fine arts. His Majesty nominated forty members guardians to his infant
+academy; and that they have been faithful to the trust which he graciously
+reposed in them, the several apartments under this roof sufficiently
+testify. The professors are highly endowed with accomplishments and
+scientific knowledge in the several branches to which they are
+respectively appointed; and the funds able to render relief to the
+indigent and decayed artists, their widows and children.
+
+"Who can reflect for a moment on the rare advantages here held out for
+the instruction of youthful genius, and the aid given to the decayed,
+their widows and helpless offspring, without feeling the grateful emotions
+of the heart rise towards a patriot King, for giving to the arts this home
+within the walls of a stately mansion, and towards the members of this
+Academy, who, as his faithful guardians, have so ably fulfilled the
+purposes for which the Institution was formed.
+
+"United to what the Academicians have done, and are doing, another
+honourable establishment, sanctioned by His Majesty for promoting the fine
+arts, has been created and composed of noblemen and gentlemen whose known
+zeal for the success of refined art is so conspicuous and honourable to
+themselves.
+
+"Such have been the efforts to give splendour to the fine arts in this
+country, and such are the results which have attended these exertions;
+that knowing, as we do, the movements of the arts on the Continent, I may
+confidently say, that our annual exhibitions, both as to number and
+taste, engrafted on nature and the fruit of mental conception, are such
+that all the combined efforts in art on the continent of Europe in the
+same time have not been able to equal. To such attainments, were those in
+power but to bestow the crumbs from the national table to cherish the fine
+arts, we might pledge ourselves, that the genius of Britain would, in a
+few years, dispute the prize with the proudest periods of Grecian or
+Italian art. But, Gentlemen, let us not despair; we have heard from this
+place, the promise of patronage from the Prince Regent, the propitious
+light of a morning that will open into perfect day, invigorating the
+growth of all around--the assurance of a new era to the elevation of the
+fine arts, in the United Kingdom."
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XIII.
+
+
+
+    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin
+    of the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.
+
+During the Peace of Amiens, Mr. West, like every other person who
+entertained any feeling of admiration for the fine arts, was desirous of
+seeing that magnificent assemblage of paintings and sculptures, which
+constituted the glory and the shame of Buonaparte's administration. He
+accordingly furnished himself with letters from Lord Hawkesbury, then
+Secretary of State, to Mr. Merry, the British representative at the
+consular court; and also with introductions from Monsieur Otto, the French
+minister in London, to the most distinguished members of his government.
+
+On delivering Lord Hawkesbury's letters to Mr. Merry, that gentleman
+informed him that one of the French ministers had, the preceding evening,
+mentioned that Monsieur Otto had written in such terms respecting him,
+that he and his colleagues were resolved to pay him every mark of the most
+distinguished attention. Mr. Merry, therefore, advised Mr. West to call on
+the several ministers himself with the letters, and leave them with his
+card. As the object for which the Artist had procured these introductions
+was only to obtain, with more facility, access to the different galleries,
+he was rather embarrassed by this information; and would have declined
+delivering the letters altogether; but Mr. Merry said, that, as his
+arrival in Paris was already known to the government, he could not with
+any propriety avoid paying his respects to the ministers.
+
+After delivering his letters and card accordingly, the hotel where he
+resided was, in the course of the week, visited by all the most
+distinguished of the French statesmen; and he had the honour of being
+invited to dine with them successively. At these parties, the
+conversation turned very much on the importance of the arts to all nations
+aspiring to fame and eminence; and he very soon perceived, that the vast
+collection of trophies which adorned the Louvre, had not been formed so
+much for ostentatious exhibition, as with a view to furnish models of
+study for artists; constituting, in fact, but the elementary part of a
+grand system of national decoration designed by Buonaparte, and by which
+he expected to leave such memorials to posterity as would convince the
+world that his magnificence was worthy of his military achievements.
+
+It happened at this particular period, that the galleries of the Louvre
+were closed to the public for some time, but a deputation from the Central
+Administration of the Arts, under whose care the collections were
+particularly placed, waited on Mr. West, and informed him, that orders
+were given to admit him and his friends at all times. Denon was at the
+head of this deputation; and in the course of the conversation which then
+took place, that accomplished enthusiast explained to Mr. West more
+circumstantially the extensive views entertained by the French government
+with respect to the arts, mentioning several of the superb schemes which
+were formed by the First Consul for the decoration of the capital.
+
+This information made a very deep impression on the mind of Mr. West, and
+he felt extremely sorrowful when he reflected, that hitherto the British
+government had done nothing decidedly with a view to promote the
+cultivation of those arts, which may justly be said to constitute the
+olive wreath on the brows of every great nation. Mr. Fox and Sir Francis
+Baring, who were at this same time in Paris, happened soon after the
+departure of Monsieur Denon to call, and they went with Mr. West to the
+Louvre, where, as they were walking in the gallery, he explained to them
+what he had heard. An interesting discussion took place in consequence;
+and Mr. West endeavoured to explain in what manner he considered the
+cultivation of the fine arts of the utmost importance even in a commercial
+point of view to England.
+
+Mr. Fox paid great attention to what he said, and observed, in a tone of
+regret, "I have been rocked in the cradle of politics from my infancy, and
+never before was so much struck with the advantage, even in a political
+bearing, of the fine arts to the prosperity, as well as the renown, of a
+kingdom; and I do assure you, Mr. West, that if ever I have it in my power
+to influence our government to promote the arts, the conversation that we
+have had to-day shall not be forgotten." Sir Francis Baring also concurred
+in opinion, that it was really become an imperious duty, on the part of
+the British nation, to do something for a class of art that, undoubtedly,
+tended to improve the beauty, and multiply the variety of manufactures,
+independent of all monumental considerations.
+
+When Mr. West had returned home, the subject was renewed with Sir Francis
+Baring; and he endeavoured to set on foot the formation of a society,
+which should have the encouragement of the line arts for its object, and
+thought that government might be induced to give it pecuniary assistance.
+Sir Thomas Barnard took up the idea with great zeal; and several meetings
+took place at Mr. West's house, at which Mr. Charles Long and Sir Abraham
+Hume were present, which terminated in the formation of that association
+that now constitutes the British Institution, in Pall Mall. Mr. Long
+undertook to confer with Mr. Pitt, who was then again in power, on the
+subject, and the proposal was received by him with much apparent
+sincerity. But a disastrous series of public events about the same time
+commenced: the attention of the Minister was absorbed in the immediate
+peril of the state; and he fell a victim to his anxieties, without having
+had it in his power to further the objects of the association.
+
+At the death of his great rival, Mr. Fox came into office; and he soon
+after called on Mr. West, and, reminding him of the conversation in the
+gallery of the Louvre, said, "It is my earnest intention, as soon as I am
+firmly seated on the saddle, to redeem the promise that I then made." But
+he also was frustrated in his intentions, and fell a sacrifice to disease,
+without being able to take any step in the business. In the mean time,
+the Shaksperian Gallery was offered for sale; and the gentlemen interested
+in this project raised a sum of money, by subscription, and purchased that
+building with the intention of making it the approach to a proposed
+national gallery.
+
+From Mr. Percival the scheme met with a far different reception. He
+listened to the representations which Mr. West made to him with a
+repressive coldness, it might almost be said with indifference, had it not
+been marked with a decided feeling; for he seemed to consider the whole
+objects of the British Institution, and the reasons adduced in support of
+the claims which the interests of the arts had on government, as the
+visionary purposes of vain enthusiasts. It was not within the small
+compass of that respectable individual's capacity to consider any generous
+maxim as founded in what _he_ deemed wisdom, or to comprehend, that the
+welfare of nations could be promoted by any other means than precedents of
+office, decisions of courts, and Acts of Parliament. An incident,
+however, occurred, which induced him to change his opinion of the utility
+of the fine arts.
+
+At the anniversary dinner, in 1812, before the opening of the Academy, he
+was present, with other public characters. On the right hand of the
+President was seated the Lord Chancellor Eldon, on his left Lord
+Liverpool, and on the right of the Chancellor Mr. Percival. A conversation
+took place, naturally inspired by the circumstances of the meeting, in
+which Mr. West recapitulated what he had formerly so often urged; and Mr.
+Percival, perceiving the impression which his observations made on those
+to whom they were particularly addressed, requested him to put his ideas
+on the subject in writing, and he would lay it before the Prince Regent.
+This took place on Saturday; on Wednesday Mr. West delivered his memorial;
+on the Friday following Mr. Percival was assassinated; and since that time
+nothing farther has been done in the business.
+
+It is perhaps necessary to notice here, that when it was first proposed to
+the King to sanction the establishment of the British Institution with
+his patronage, he made some objection, conceiving that it was likely to
+interfere with the Royal Academy, which he justly considered with the
+partiality of a parent. But on Mr. West explaining to him that the two
+institutions were very different in their objects, the Academy being
+formed for the instruction of pupils, and the other for the encouragement
+of artists arrived at maturity in their profession, His Majesty readily
+consented to receive the deputation of the association appointed to wait
+on him in form to solicit his patronage. Except, however, the honour of
+the King's name, the British Institution, formed expressly for the
+improvement of the public taste with a view to the encouragement of the
+arts, has received neither aid nor countenance as yet from the state.
+
+Before concluding this summary account of the origin and establishment of
+the British Institution, it may be expected of me to take some notice of
+the circumstances connected with the purchase and exhibition of Mr. West's
+picture of Christ Healing the Sick in the Temple; an event which formed
+an era in the history of the arts in Britain, and contributed in no small
+degree to promote the interests of the Institution. Perhaps the exhibition
+of no work of art ever attracted so much attention, or was attended with
+so much pecuniary advantage to the proprietors; independent of which, the
+history of the picture is itself interesting.
+
+Some years before, a number of gentlemen, of the society of Quakers in
+Philadelphia, set on foot a subscription for the purpose of erecting an
+hospital for the sick poor in that city. Among others to whom they applied
+for contributions in this country, they addressed themselves to Mr. West.
+He informed them, however, that his circumstances did not permit him to
+give so liberal a sum as he could wish, but that if they would provide a
+proper place in the building, he would paint a picture for it as his
+subscription, which perhaps would prove of more advantage than all the
+money he could afford to bestow, and with this intention he began the
+_Christ Healing the Sick_. While the work was going forward, it attracted
+a great deal of notice in his rooms, and finally had the effect of
+inducing the association of the British Institution to make him an offer
+of three thousand guineas for the picture. Mr. West accepted the offer,
+but on condition that he should be at liberty to make a copy for the
+hospital at Philadelphia, and to introduce into the copy such alterations
+and improvements as he might think fit. This copy he also executed, and
+the success which attended the exhibition of it in America was so
+extraordinary, that the proceeds have enabled the committee of the
+hospital to enlarge the building for the reception of no less than thirty
+additional patients.
+
+
+
+
+Chap. XIV.
+
+
+
+    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Proceedings
+    respecting the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.
+
+
+Hitherto it has been my pleasant task to record the series of prosperous
+incidents by which Mr. West was raised to the highest honours of his
+profession; and had he survived the publication of this volume, I should
+have closed the narrative with the last chapter. But his death, which
+took place after the proof was sent to me for his inspection, has
+removed an obligation which I had promised to respect during his life,
+while it was understood between us that the circumstances to which it
+related were to be carefully preserved for a posthumous publication. The
+topics are painful, and calculated to afford a far different view of
+human nature from that which I have ever desired to contemplate: I do
+not allude to those things, connected with political matters, in which
+Mr. West was only by accident a witness, but of transactions which
+personally affected himself.
+
+During the time that he was engaged in the series of great pictures for
+Windsor Castle, he enjoyed, as I have already mentioned, an easy and
+confidential intercourse with the King, and I ought, perhaps, to have
+stated earlier, that when he was chosen President of the Royal Academy,
+the late Duke of Gloucester called on him, and mentioned that His Majesty
+was desirous to know if the honour of knighthood would be acceptable. Mr.
+West immediately replied, that no man had a greater respect for political
+honours and distinctions than himself, but that he really thought he had
+already earned by his pencil more eminence than could be conferred on him
+by that rank. "The chief value," said he, "of titles are, that they serve
+to preserve in families a respect for those principles by which such
+distinctions were originally obtained. But simple knighthood, to a man who
+is at least already as well known as he could ever hope to be from that
+honour, is not a legitimate object of ambition. To myself, then, Your
+Royal Highness must perceive the title could add no dignity, and as it
+would perish with myself, it could add none to my family. But were I
+possessed of a fortune, independent of my profession, sufficient to enable
+my posterity to maintain the rank, I think that with my hereditary
+descent, and the station I occupy among artists, a more permanent title
+than that of knighthood might become a desirable object. As it is,
+however, that cannot be, and I have been thus explicit with Your Royal
+Highness that no misconception may exist on the subject." The Duke was not
+only pleased with the answer, but took Mr. West cordially by both the
+hands, and said, "You have justified the opinion which the King has of
+you, and His Majesty will be delighted with your answer;" and when Mr.
+West next saw the King his reception was unusually warm and friendly.
+
+But notwithstanding all these enviable circumstances, Mr. West was doomed
+to share some of the consequences which naturally attach to all persons
+in immediate connection with the great. After his return from Paris, it
+was alleged, that the honourable reception which he allowed himself to
+receive from the French statesmen had offended the King. The result of
+this was the temporary elevation of the late Mr. Wyatt to the President's
+chair, merely, as I think, because that gentleman was then the royal
+architect; for it would be difficult to point out the merits which, as an
+artist, entitled him to that honour. But the election, so far from giving
+satisfaction in the quarter where it was expected to be the most
+acceptable, only excited displeasure; and Mr. West was, in due time,
+restored to his proper seat in the Academy.
+
+This, as a public affair, attracted a good deal of notice at the time; but
+it was, in its effects, of far less consequence to Mr. West than a private
+occurrence, originating in circumstances that tend to throw a light on
+some of the proceedings that were deemed expedient to be adopted during
+the occasional eclipses of the King's understanding.
+
+For upwards of twenty years Mr. West had received all his orders from the
+King in person: the prices of the pictures which he painted were adjusted
+with His Majesty; and the whole embellishment of Windsor Castle, in what
+related to the scriptural and historical pictures, was concerted between
+them, without the interference of any third party. But, in the summer of
+1801, when the Court was at Weymouth, Mr, Wyatt called on Mr. West, and
+said, that he was requested by authority to inform him, that the pictures
+painting for His Majesty's chapel at Windsor should be suspended till
+further orders.
+
+Mr. West was much surprised at this communication: but, upon interrogating
+Mr. Wyatt as to his authority, he found that it was not from the King; and
+he afterwards discovered that the orders were given at Weymouth by the
+Queen, the late Earl of Roslyn being present. What was the state of His
+Majesty's health at that time is now a matter of historical curiosity; but
+this extraordinary proceeding deserves particular notice. It rendered the
+studies of the best part of the Artist's life useless, and deprived him
+of that honourable provision, the fruit of his talents and industry, on
+which he had counted for the repose of his declining years. For some time
+it affected him deeply, and he was at a loss what steps to take; at last,
+however, in reflecting on the marked friendship and favour which the King
+had always shown him, he addressed to His Majesty a letter, of which the
+following is a copy of the rough draft, being the only one preserved: I
+give it verbatim:--
+
+"_The following is the Substance of a Letter I had the honour of writing
+to His Majesty, taken at Weymouth, by the conveyance of Mr. James Wyatt._
+
+"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
+
+"Gracious Sire, Newman St. Sept. 26. 1801.
+
+"On the fifteenth of last month Mr. Wyatt signified to me Your Majesty's
+pleasure,--'That the pictures by me now painting for His Majesty's chapel
+at Windsor, should be suspended until further orders.' I feel it a duty I
+owe to that communication, to lay before Your Majesty, by the return of
+Mr. Wyatt to Weymouth, a statement of those pictures which I have painted
+to add to those for the chapel, mentioned in the account I had the honour
+to transmit to Your Majesty in 1797 by the hands of Mr. Gabriel Mathias.
+Since that period I have finished three pictures, began several others,
+and composed the remainder of the subjects for the chapel, on the progress
+of Revealed Religion, from its commencement to its completion; and the
+whole arranged with that circumspection from the Four Dispensations, into
+five-and-thirty compositions, that the most scrupulous amongst the various
+religious sects in this country, about admitting pictures into churches,
+must acknowledge them as truths, or the Scriptures fabulous. Those are
+subjects so replete with dignity, character, and expression, as demanded
+the historian, the commentator, and the accomplished painter, to bring
+them into view. Your Majesty's gracious complacency and commands for my
+pencil on that extensive subject stimulated my humble abilities, and I
+commenced the work with zeal and enthusiasm. Animated by your commands,
+gracious Sire, I renewed my professional studies, and burnt my midnight
+lamp to attain and give that polish at the close of Your Majesty's chapel,
+which has since marked my subsequent scriptural pictures. Your Majesty's
+known zeal for promoting religion, and the elegant arts, had enrolled your
+virtues with all the civilized world; and your gracious protection of my
+pencil had given to it a celebrity throughout Europe, and spread a
+knowledge of the great work on Revealed Religion, which my pencil was
+engaged on, under Your Majesty's patronage: it is that work which all
+Christendom looks with a complacency for its completion.
+
+"Being distinguished by Your Majesty's benignity at an early period as a
+painter, and chosen by those professors highly endowed in the three
+branches of the fine arts to fill their highest station, and sanctioned by
+Your Majesty's signature in their choice;--in that station, I have been,
+for more than ten years, zealous in promoting merit in those three
+branches of art, which constitutes the views of Your Majesty's
+establishment for cultivating their growth. The ingenious artists have
+received my professional aid, and my galleries and my purse have been open
+to their studies and their distresses. The breath of envy, nor the whisper
+of detraction, never defiled my lips, nor the want of morality my
+character, and, through life, a strict adherer to truth; a zealous admirer
+of Your Majesty's virtues and goodness of heart, the exalted virtues of
+Her Majesty the Queen, and the high accomplishments of others of Your
+Majesty's illustrious family, have been the theme of my delight; and their
+gracious complacency my greatest pleasure and consolation for many years,
+with which I was honoured by many instances of friendly notice, and their
+warm attachment to the fine arts.
+
+"With these feelings of high sensibility, with which my breast has ever
+been inspired, I feel with great concern the suspension given by Mr. Wyatt
+to the work on Revealed Religion, my pencil had advanced to adorn
+Windsor-Castle. If, gracious Sire, this suspension is meant to be
+permanent, myself and the fine arts have to lament. For to me it will be
+ruinous, and, to the energetic artist, in the highest branches of his
+professional pursuits--a damp in the hope of more exalted minds, of
+patronage in the refined departments in painting. But I have this in
+store, for the grateful feeling of my heart, that, in the thirty-five
+years by which my pencil has been honoured by Your Majesty's commands, a
+great body of historical and scriptural compositions will be found in Your
+Majesty's possession, in the churches, and in the country. Their
+professional claims may be humble, but they have been produced by a loyal
+subject of Your Majesty, which may give them some claim to respect,
+similar works not having been attained before in this country by a
+subject; and this I will assert as my claim, that Your Majesty did not
+bestow your patronage and commands on an ungrateful and a lazy man, but on
+him who had a high sense of Your Majesty's honours and Your Majesty's
+interests in all cases, as a loyal and dutiful subject, as well as
+servant, to Your Majesty's gracious commands; and I humbly beg Your
+Majesty to be assured that
+
+"I am,
+"With profound duty,
+"Your Majesty's grateful
+"BENJAMIN WEST."
+
+
+To this letter Mr. West received no answer; but on the return of the Court
+to Windsor, he went to the Castle, and obtained a private audience of the
+King on the subject, by which it appeared that His Majesty was not at all
+acquainted with the communication of which Mr. Wyatt was the bearer, nor
+had he received Mr. West's letter. However, the result of the interview
+was, that the King said, "Go on with your work, West: go on with the
+pictures, and I will take care of you."
+
+This was the last interview that Mr. West was permitted to enjoy with his
+early, constant, and to him truly royal patron; but he continued to
+execute the pictures, and in the usual quarterly payments received the
+thousand pounds _per ann._. till His Majesty's final superannuation,
+when, without any intimation whatever, on calling to receive it, he was
+informed that it had been stopped, and that the intended design of the
+chapel of Revealed Religion was suspended.
+
+This was a severe stroke of misfortune to the Artist, now far advanced in
+life, but he submitted to it with resignation. He took no measures, nor
+employed any influence, either to procure the renewal of the quarterly
+allowance, or the payment of the balance of his account. But being thus
+cast off from his best anchor in his old age, he still possessed firmness
+of mind to think calmly of his situation. He considered that a taste for
+the fine arts had been greatly diffused by means of the exhibitions of the
+Royal Academy, and the eclat which the French had given to pictures and
+statues by making them objects of national conquest; and having thus lost
+the patronage of the King, he determined to appeal to the public. With
+this view he resolved to paint several large pictures; and in the
+prosecution of this determination, he has been amply indemnified for the
+effects of that poor economy that frustrated the nation from obtaining an
+honourable monument of the taste of the age, and the liberality of a
+popular king.
+
+Without imputing motives to any party concerned, or indeed without being
+at all acquainted with the circumstances that gave rise to it, I should
+mention that a paper was circulated among the higher classes of society,
+in which an account was stated of the amount of the money paid by His
+Majesty, in the course of more than thirty years, to Mr. West. In that
+paper the interval of time was not at all considered, nor the expense of
+living, nor the exclusive preference which Mr. West had given to His
+Majesty's orders, but the total sum;--which, shown by itself, and taken
+into view without any of these explanatory circumstances, was very
+large, and calculated to show that Mr. West might really indeed _do_
+without the thousand pounds a-year. In order, however, to place this
+proceeding in its true light, I have inserted in the Appendix an account
+of the works executed and designed by Mr. West for the King, and the
+prices allowed for them as charged in the audited account, of which the
+King himself had approved.
+
+Independent of the relation which this paper bears to the subject of these
+memoirs, it is a curious document, and will be interesting as such, as
+long as the history of the progress of the arts in this country excites
+the attention of posterity.
+
+I have now but little to add to these memoirs. But they would be deficient
+in an important event, were I to omit noticing the death of Mrs. West,
+which took place on the 6th of December, 1817. The malady with which she
+had been afflicted for several years smoothed the way for her relief from
+suffering, and softened the pang of sorrow for her loss. She was in many
+respects a woman of an elevated character; and her death, after a union of
+more than half a century, was to her husband one of those irreparable
+changes in life, for which no equivalent can ever be obtained.
+
+The last illness of Mr. West himself was slow and languishing. It was
+rather a general decay of nature, than any specific malady; and he
+continued to enjoy his mental faculties in perfect distinctness upon all
+subjects as long as the powers of articulation could be exercised. To his
+merits as an artist and a man I may be deemed partial, nor do I wish to be
+thought otherwise. I have enjoyed his frankest confidence for many years,
+and received from his conversation the advantages of a more valuable
+species of instruction, relative to the arts, than books alone can supply
+to one who is not an artist. While I therefore admit that the partiality
+of friendship may tincture my opinion of his character, I am yet confident
+that the general truth of the estimate will be admitted by all who knew
+the man, or are capable to appreciate the merits of his works.
+
+In his deportment, Mr. West was mild and considerate: his eye was keen,
+and his mind apt; but he was slow and methodical in his reflections, and
+the sedateness of his remarks must often in his younger years have seemed
+to strangers singularly at variance with the vivacity of his look. That
+vivacity, however, was not the result of any peculiar animation of
+temperament; it was rather the illumination of his genius; for when his
+features were studiously considered, they appeared to resemble those
+which we find associated with dignity of character in the best
+productions of art.
+
+As an artist, he will stand in the first rank. His name will be classed
+with those of Michael Angelo and Raphael; but he possessed little in
+common with either. As the former has been compared to Homer, and the
+latter to Virgil, in Shakspeare we shall perhaps find the best likeness to
+the genius of Mr. West. He undoubtedly possessed, but in a slight degree,
+that peculiar energy and physical expression of character in which Michael
+Angelo excelled, and in a still less that serene sublimity which
+constitutes the charm of Raphael's great productions. But he was their
+equal in the fulness, the perspicuity, and the propriety of his
+compositions. In all his great works the scene intended to be brought
+before the spectator is represented in such a manner that the imagination
+has nothing to supply. The incident, the time and the place, are there as
+we think they must have been; and it is this wonderful force of conception
+which renders the sketches of Mr. West so much more extraordinary than his
+finished pictures. In the finished pictures we naturally institute
+comparisons in colouring, and in beauty of figure, and in a thousand
+details which are never noticed in the sketches of this illustrious
+artist. But although his powers of conception were so superior,--equal in
+their excellence to Michael Angelo's energy, or Raphael's grandeur,--still
+in the inferior departments of drawing and colouring, he was one of the
+greatest artists of his age; it was not, however, till late in life that
+he executed any of those works in which he thought the splendour of the
+Venetian school might be judiciously imitated.
+
+At one time he intended to collect his works together, and to form a
+general exhibition of them all. Had he accomplished this, the greatness
+and versatility of his talents would have been established beyond all
+controversy; for unquestionably he was one of those great men, whose
+genius cannot be justly estimated by particular works, but only by a
+collective inspection of the variety, the extent, and the number of their
+productions.
+
+On the 10th of March Mr. West expired without a struggle, at his house
+in Newman Street, and on the 29th he was interred with great funeral
+pomp in St. Paul's Cathedral. An account of the ceremony is inserted in
+the Appendix.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix
+
+No. I.
+
+
+
+_The Account: of Pictures painted by Benjamin West for His Majesty, by his
+Gracious Commands, from 1768 to 1780. A True Copy from Mr. West's Account
+Books, with their several Charges and Dates_.
+
+
+When painted.       SUBJECTS.                     £.   s.
+
+1769.  1. Regulus, his Departure from Rome        420  0
+       2. Hamilcar swearing his Son
+          Hannibal at the Altar                   420  0
+1771   3. Bayard at the moment of his death
+          receiving the Constable Bourbon         315  0
+       4. The Death of Epaminondas                315  0
+       5. The Death of General Wolfe              315  0
+1772.  6. Cyrus receiving the King of
+          Armenia and family prisoners            157 10
+       7. Germanicus receiving Sagastis
+          and his Daughter prisoners              157 10
+       8. The portrait of Her Majesty,
+          the Kit-cat size.
+       9. The portrait of His Majesty,
+          the same size, (companion,)              84  0
+      10. Six of the Royal Children in one
+          picture, size of life                   315  0
+      11. Her Majesty and Princess Royal,
+          in one picture                          157  0
+      12. His R. H. the Prince of Wales
+          and Prince Frederic (Duke of
+          York), in one picture whole
+          length                                  210  0
+      13. A second picture of Ditto, for
+          the Empress of Russia, sent by
+          His Majesty                             210  0
+      14. A whole-length portrait of His
+          Majesty,--Lord Amherst and
+          the Marquis of Lothian in the
+          back-ground.                            262 10
+      15. A whole-length portrait of Her
+          Majesty, with all the Royal
+          Children in the back-ground             262 10
+      16. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          William (Duke of Clarence) and
+          Prince Edward (Duke of Kent),
+          in one picture                          262 10
+1779. 17. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          Adolphus and his sisters, in one
+          picture                                 262 10
+
+
+From the year 1769 the whole of the above pictures to 1779 were painted
+and paid for by His Majesty through the hands of Mr. R. Daulton and Mr.
+G. Mathias.
+
+1780. At this period His Majesty was graciously pleased to sanction my
+pencil with his commands for a great work on Revealed Religion, from its
+commencement to its completion, for pictures to embellish his intended New
+Chapel in Windsor Castle. I arranged the several subjects from the four
+Dispensations. His Majesty was pleased to approve the arrangement
+selected, as did several of the Bishops in whose hands he placed them for
+their consideration, and they highly approved the same.
+
+His Majesty then honoured me with his commands, and did at that time, the
+better to enable me to carry it into effect, order his deputy privy-purse,
+Mr. G. Mathias, to pay me one thousand a year by quarterly payments, which
+was regularly paid as commanded; and the following are the subjects which
+I have painted from the Four Dispensations, for the Chapel, of various
+dimensions.
+
+
+ANTIDELUVIAN DISPENSATION.
+
+When painted.           SUBJECTS.                £. s.
+
+1780.      1. The expulsion of Adam and Eve
+              from Paradise                      535  0
+           2. The Deluge                         525  0
+           3. Noah and his Family sacrificing    525  0
+
+PATRIARCHAL DISPENSATION.
+
+           4. The Call of Abraham going to
+              sacrifice his son Isaac            600  0
+           5. The Birth of Jacob and Esau        525  0
+           6. Joseph and his brothers in Egypt,
+              composed, not painted.
+           7. The Death of Jacob surrounded
+              by his sons in Egypt, ditto.
+
+THE MOSAICAL DISPENSATION.
+
+           8. The Call of Moses, his Rod
+              turned into a Serpent before the
+              Burning Bush, composed, but not
+              painted.
+           9. Moses and his brother Aaron
+              before Pharaoh, their Rods turned
+              into Serpents                     1050  0
+          10. Moses destroying Pharaoh said
+              his host in the Red Sea           1050  0
+          11. Moses receiving the Laws on
+              Mount Sinai                       1260  0
+          12. Moses consecrating Aaron and
+              his sons to the priesthood        1050  0
+          13. Moses showing the Brazen Serpent
+              to the infirm to be healed        1050  0
+          14. The Death of Aaron on Mount
+              Hor, composed, but not painted.
+          15. Moses presenting Joshua to
+              Eleazar the priest, and Congregation,
+              as commanded, composed,
+              but not painted.
+          16. Moses sees the Promised Land
+              from the top of Mount Abarim,
+              and Death, a sketch in oil colours.
+          17. Joshua commanding the Ark
+              and Congregation to pass the
+              river into the Promised Land, a
+              sketch in oil colour.
+THE PROPHETS.
+
+      18. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah       525  0
+      19. The prophet Samuel anointing
+          David the son of Jesse, a sketch.
+      20. The prophesying of Zacharias at
+          the birth of John his son              525  0
+      21. The Angels announcing the Birth
+          of our Saviour, a cartoon for a
+          painted-glass window, by Mr.
+          Forrest                                525  0
+      22. The Birth of our Saviour, ditto,
+          for painted glass, by ditto            525  0
+      23. The Wise Man's Offering, a
+          cartoon for ditto                      525  0
+      24. John the Baptist baptizing our
+          Saviour, on whom the Holy
+          Ghost descends                        1050  0
+      25. Christ's Temptation and Victory
+          in the Wilderness, a sketch.
+      26. Christ beginneth to preach at
+          Nazareth, his native place, a
+          sketch.
+      27. Christ healeth the Sick and
+          Blind; &c. in the Temple              1050  0
+      28. The Last Supper; which picture
+          His Majesty presented to St.
+          George's Chapel at Windsor             735  0
+      29. A Last Supper, painted for the
+          King's Chapel                          735  0
+      30. The Crucifixion, a study in oil
+          colour, for the glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from, and the cartoon the
+          size of the window                    1050  0
+      31. The west end window of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, for them to draw the
+          figures from on the glass             1050  0
+      32. The Resurrection, a study in
+          oil colour, for glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from                            525  0
+      33. And the cartoon the size of the
+          window at the east end of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, to draw from on the glass    1050  0
+             And two side pictures               525  0
+     34. The Assumption of our Saviour,
+         for the King's Chapel                  1050  0
+     35. Peter's first Sermon, or the
+         Apostles receiving the Cloven
+         Tongues                                1050  0
+     36. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the
+         Jews, and receiving the Gentiles       1050  0
+                                             -----------
+                                    [Total]  £21,705  0
+                                             -----------
+
+_Painted for His Majesty's State Rooms in Windsor Castle the following
+Pictures from the History of Edward III_.
+
+      1. Edward III. embracing his Son on
+         the field of battle at Cressy          1365  0
+      2. The Installation of the most noble
+         Order of the Garter                    1365  0
+      3. Edward the Black Prince receiving
+         John King of France and his
+         son as prisoners                       1365  0
+      4. St. George destroying the Dragon        630  0
+      5. Queen Philippa defeats David
+         King of Scotland, at Nevil's
+         Cross, and takes him prisoner           525  0
+      6. Queen Philippa soliciting Edward
+         III. to save St. Pierre and the
+         brave burgesses of Calais               525  0
+      7. Edward III. forcing the passage of
+         the river Somme in France               630  0
+      8. Edward III. crowning Ribemont
+         at Calais                               525  0
+                                             -----------
+                                     [Total]   £6930  0
+                                             -----------
+
+      By His Majesty's commands I made
+      nine designs for the ceiling in the
+      Queen's Lodge, Windsor, for Mr.
+      Haas to work the ceilings from.
+      Viz. 1. Genius inspiring the fine arts
+      to adorn the useful arts and sciences.
+      2. Agriculture. 3. Manufactures.
+      4. Commerce. 5. Botany. 6. Chemistry.
+      7. Celestial Science. 8. Terrestrial
+      Science; and 9. To adorn
+      Empire                                     525  0
+
+      Myself and son, with Mr. Rebecca,
+      for painting transparent and water
+      coloured pictures to adorn the marble
+      gallery at a great evening entertainment
+      in the Castle given by Their
+      Majesties to the nobility                  250  0
+
+      Painted for His Majesty a whole-length
+      portrait of Prince Octavius
+      holding the King's sword                    73 10
+
+      Painted for His Majesty the Apotheosis
+      of Prince Octavius and Prince
+      Alfred, in one picture, the size of life   315  0
+
+      A portrait of Prince Augustus, half
+      length, for the Queen.
+
+      A second whole length of Her
+      Majesty, with all the Royal children
+      in the back-ground, which was placed
+      in Windsor Castle, but at present in
+      the Queen's Palace, London                 262 10
+
+      A picture of Peter denying our,
+      Saviour, of which His Majesty honoured
+      me by accepting, two half-length
+      figures, the size of life.
+                                             -----------
+                                      [Total]  £1426  0
+                                             -----------
+
+This is a true statement of the numbers of pictures, cartoons, and
+drawings of designs, and sketches of scripture subjects, as well as
+historical events, British as well as Greek, Roman, and other nations,
+with which I had been honoured by the King's commands, from 1768, to 5th
+January 1801, to paint for His Majesty; and the charges I made for each
+was by him most graciously acknowledged, when my account was audited and
+allowed by Mr. G. Mathias, His Majesty's privy purse, who settled for
+debtor and creditor the whole amount between the above dates.
+
+
+Benjamin West.
+
+
+
+
+Appendix No. II.
+
+
+
+_A Catalogue of thee Works of Mr. West_.
+
+Regulus.
+
+Hanibal.
+
+Epaminondas.
+
+Bayard.
+
+Wolfe, the first and second.
+
+Cyrus and the King of Armenia with his Family, captives.
+
+Germanicus and Segestus with his Daughter, captives.
+
+The Apotheosis of Prince Alfred and Prince Octavius.
+
+The picture of the Damsel accusing Peter.
+
+The Queen, with the Princess Royal, in one picture.
+
+Prince Ernest and Prince Augustus; Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, and
+Mary, in one picture.
+
+Prince William and Prince Edward, in one picture.
+
+Prince Octavius.
+
+The whole-length portrait of His Majesty in Regimentals, with Lord Amherst
+and the Marquis of Lothian on Horseback, in the back-ground.
+
+The whole-length portrait of Her Majesty, with the fourteen Royal
+Children.
+
+The same repeated.
+
+The Battle of Cressy, when Edward III. embraced his son.
+
+The Battle of Poitiers, when John King of France is brought prisoner to
+the Prince.
+
+The Institution of the Order of the Garter.
+
+The Battle of Nevil's Cross.
+
+The Burgesses of Calais before Edward III.
+
+Edward III. crossing the Somme.
+
+Edward III. crowning Ribemont, at Calais.
+
+St. George destroying the Dragon.
+
+The design of our Saviour's Resurrection, painted in colours, with the
+Women going to the Sepulchre; also Peter and John.
+
+The cartoon from the above design, for the east window, painted in the
+Collegiate Church of Windsor, on glass, 36 feet high by 28 wide.
+
+The design of our Saviour's Crucifixion, painted in colours.
+
+The cartoon from the above design, for the west window in the Collegiate
+Church, painting on glass, 36 feet by 28.
+
+The cartoon of the Angels appearing to the Shepherds, ditto for ditto.
+
+The cartoon of the Nativity of our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.
+
+The cartoon of the Magi presenting Gifts to our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.
+
+The picture, in water-colours, representing Hymen leading and dancing with
+the Hours before Peace and and Plenty.
+
+The picture, in water-colours, of Boys with the Insignia of Riches.
+
+The companion, with Boys, and the Insignia of the Fine Arts.
+
+Genius calling forth the Fine Arts to adorn Manufactures and Commerce, and
+recording the names of eminent men in those pursuits.
+
+Husbandry aided by Arts and Commerce.
+
+Peace and Riches cherishing the Fine Arts.
+
+Manufactory giving support to Industry, in Boys and Girls.
+
+Marine and inland Navigation enriching Britannia.
+
+Printing aided by the Fine Arts.
+
+Astronomy making new discoveries in the Heavens.
+
+The Four Quarters of the World bringing Treasures to the Lap of Britannia.
+
+Civil and Military Architecture defending and adorning Empire.
+
+The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
+
+The Deluge.
+
+Noah sacrificing.
+
+Abraham and his son Isaac going to sacrifice.
+
+The Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+The Death of Jacob in Egypt, surrounded by his Twelve Sons.
+
+Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh; their Rods turned into Serpents.
+
+Pharaoh and his Host lost in the Red Sea, while Moses stretches his Rod
+over them.
+
+Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.
+
+Moses consecrateth Aaron and his Sons to the Priesthood.
+
+Moses showeth the Brazen Serpent to the People to be healed.
+
+Moses shown the Promised Land from the top of Mount Pisgah.
+
+Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.
+
+The Twelve Tribes drawing Lots for the Lands of their Inheritance, 6
+feet by 10.
+
+The Call of Isaiah and Jeremiah, each 5 by 14.
+
+David anointed King, 6 by 10.
+
+Christ's Birth, 6 by 10.
+
+The naming of John; or, the Prophecies of Zacharias, ditto.
+
+The Kings bringing Presents to Christ, 6 by 12.
+
+Christ among the Doctors, 6 by 10.
+
+The Descent of the Holy Ghost on our Saviour at the River Jordan, 10 by
+14.
+
+Christ healing the Sick in the Temple, ditto.
+
+Christ's Last Supper, 6 by 10.
+
+Christ's Crucifixion, 16 by 28.
+
+Christ's Ascension, 12 by 18.
+
+The Inspiration of St. Peter, 10 by 14.
+
+Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and receiving the Gentiles, ditto.
+
+John called to write the Revelation, 6 by 10.
+
+Saints prostrating themselves before the Throne of God.
+
+The opening of the Seven Seals; or, Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The overthrowing the Old Beast and False Prophet.
+
+The Last Judgment.
+
+The New Jerusalem.
+
+The picture of St. Michael and his Angels fighting and casting out the Red
+Dragon and his Angels.
+
+Do. of the Women clothed in the Sun.
+
+Do. of John called to write the Revelation.
+
+Do. of the Beast rising out of the Sea.
+
+Do. of the Mighty Angel, one Foot upon Sea and the other on Earth.
+
+Do. of St. Anthony of Padua.
+
+Do. of the Madra Dolo Roso.
+
+Do. of Simeon, with the Child in his arms.
+
+A picture of a small Landscape, with a Hunt passing In the back-ground.
+
+Do. of Abraham and Isaac going to sacrifice,
+
+Do. of a whole-length figure of Thomas à Becket, larger than life.
+
+Do. of the Angel in the Sun assembling the Birds of the Air, before the
+destruction of the Old Beast.
+
+Four half-lengths.
+
+The small picture of the Order of the Garter, differing in composition
+from the great picture at Windsor.
+
+The picture of the Shunamite's Son raised to Life by the Prophet Elisha.
+
+Do. of Jacob blessing Joseph's Sons.
+
+Do. of the Death of Wolfe, the third picture.
+
+Do. of the Battle of La Hogue.
+
+Do. of the Boyne.
+
+Do. of the Restoration of Charles II.
+
+Do. of Cromwell dissolving the Long Parliament.
+
+A small portrait of General Wolfe, when a Boy.
+
+The Picture of the Golden Age.
+
+The picture of St. Michael chaining the Dragon, in Trinity College,
+Cambridge, 15 by 8.
+
+Do. of the Angels announcing the Birth of our Saviour, in the Cathedral
+Church at Rochester, 10 by 6.
+
+Do. of the Death of St. Stephen, in the church of St. Stephen,
+Walbrook, 10 by 18.
+
+Do. of the Raising of Lazarus, in the Cathedral of Winchester, 10 by 14.
+
+Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper off his Finger, in the chapel at
+Greenwich, 27 by 15.
+
+The Supper, over the communion-table in the Collegiate Church at
+Windsor, 8 by 13.
+
+The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the east window of the Collegiate
+Church at Windsor, 28 by 32.
+
+The Crucifixion, in the window of ditto, 28 by 36.
+
+The Angel announcing our Saviour's Birth, in ditto, 10 by 14.
+
+The Birth of our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.
+
+The Kings presenting Gifts to our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.
+
+The picture of Peter denying our Saviour, in the chapel of Lord Newark.
+
+The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the church of Barbadoes, 10 by 6.
+
+The picture of Moses with the Law, and John the Baptist, in ditto, as
+large as life.
+
+The picture of Telemachus and Calypso.
+
+Do. of Angelica and Madora.
+
+Do. of the Damsel and Orlando.
+
+Do. of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.
+
+Do. of St. Paul's Conversion; his Persecution of the Christians; and the
+Restoration of his Sight, under the hands of Ananias, in one frame,
+divided in three parts.
+
+Do. of Mr. Hope's Family, containing nine figures as large as life.
+
+Large figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, Innocence, St. Matthew, St. Mark,
+St. Luke, St. John, St. Matthias, St. Thomas, St. Jude, St. Simon, St
+James the Major, St. Philip, St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St.
+James the Minor, Malachi, Micah, Zachariah, and Daniel.
+
+Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.
+
+Paul preaching at Athens.
+
+Elimas the Sorcerer struck blind.
+
+Cornelius and the Angel.
+
+Peter delivered from Prison.
+
+The Conversion of St. Paul.
+
+Paul before Felix.
+
+Two whole-lengths of the late Archbishop of York's two eldest Sons.
+
+A whole-length portrait of the late Lord Grosvenor.
+
+The picture of Jacob drawing Water at the Well for Rachael and her Flock,
+in the possession of Mrs. Evans.
+
+The picture of the Citizens of London offering the Crown to William the
+Conqueror.
+
+The Queen soliciting the King to pardon her son John.
+
+Moses showing the brazen Serpent.
+
+John showing the Lamb of God.
+
+Three of the Children of the late Archbishop of York, with the portrait of
+the Archbishop, half-lengths, in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Drummond.
+
+The Family-picture, half-lengths, of Mrs. Cartwright's Children.
+
+Do. of Sir Edmund Baker, Nephew and Niece, half-length.
+
+Do. of--Lunis, Esq.'s Children, half-lengths.
+
+A Lady leading three Children along the Path of Virtue to the Temple.
+
+A picture of Madora.
+
+The picture of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great
+Mogul, for Lord Clive.
+
+Christ receiving the Sick and Lame in the Temple, in the Pennsylvanian
+Hospital, Philadelphia, 11 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Pylades and Orestes, for Sir George Beaumont.
+
+The original sketch of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes, for ditto.
+
+The picture of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotas into Banishment, with his
+Wife and Children, for W. Smith, Esq.
+
+Do. of the Marys at the Sepulchre, for General Stibert.
+
+Do. of Alexander and his Physician, for ditto.
+
+Do. of Julius Caesar reading the Life of Alexander.
+
+Do. of the Return of the Prodigal Son, for Sir James Earle.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis, for--Knight, Esq. Portland Place.
+
+Do. of the Continence of Scipio, ditto.
+
+Do. of Venus and Cupid, oval, for Mr. Steers Temple.
+
+Do. of Alfred dividing his Loaf, presented to Stationers' Hall by
+Alderman Boydell.
+
+Do. of Helen brought to Paris, in the possession of a family in Kent.
+
+A small sketch of the Shunamite's Son restored, &c.
+
+Cupid stung by a Bee, oval, for--Vesey, Esq. in Ireland.
+
+Agrippina surrounded by her Children, and reclining her Head on the Urn
+containing the Ashes of Germanicus, ditto.
+
+The Death of Wolfe, the fourth picture, for Lord Bristol.
+
+A do. of do. the fourth picture, in the possession of the Prince of
+Waldeck.
+
+A small do. of do. the fifth picture, ditto Moncton family.
+
+A small picture of Romeo and Juliet, for the Duke of Courland.
+
+A small picture of King Lear and his Daughters, ditto.
+
+Do. of Belisarius and the Boy, for Sir Francis Baring.
+
+Do. of Sir Francis Baring and part of his Family, containing six figures
+as large as life, ditto.
+
+Do. of Simeon and the Child, as large as life, for the Provost of Eton.
+
+Do. of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great Mogul, a
+second picture, for Madras.
+
+The second picture of Philippa soliciting of Edward III. the pardon of the
+Burgesses of Calais, in the possession of--Willet, Esq.
+
+Do. of Europa on the back of the Bull, at Calcutta.
+
+Do. of the Death of Hyacinthus, painted for Lord Kerry, but now in the
+National Gallery at Paris.
+
+The picture of Venus presenting the Girdle to Juno, painted for
+Lord Kerry, and in the National Gallery; figures as large as life
+in both pictures.
+
+Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, for Caleb Whitford, Esq.
+
+Do. of Pharaoh's Daughter with the Child Moses, for--Park, Esq.: the
+original painted for General Lawrence.
+
+Do. of the Stolen Kiss, painted for ditto, and in the possession of ditto.
+
+Do. of Angelica and Madora, for ditto, ditto.
+
+Do. of the Woman of Samaria at the Well with Christ, ditto.
+
+Do. of Paetus and Arria, in the possession of Col. Smith, at the Tower.
+
+Do. of Rebecca coming to David, for Sir J. Ashley.
+
+The Drawing respecting Christ's Nativity, for Mr. Tomkins, Doctors'
+Commons.
+
+Do. of Rebecca receiving the Bracelets at the Well, for the late Lord
+Buckinghamshire.
+
+The drawing of the Stolen Kiss, ditto.
+
+Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, ditto.
+
+Do. of a Mother and Child, ditto.
+
+The whole-length portrait of Sir Thomas Strange, in the Town-hall
+of Halifax.
+
+Do. of Sir John Sinclair.
+
+The picture of Agrippina landing at Brundusium, (the first picture,) in
+the possession of Lord Kinnoul.
+
+Do. of do. for the Earl of Exeter, at Burleigh, second picture.
+
+Do. of do. (third picture,) in the possession of---- Hatch, Esq., in
+Essex.
+
+A small picture of Jupiter and Semele: the large picture lost at sea.
+
+Hector parting with his Wife and Child at the Sun Gate.
+
+The prophet Elisha raising the Shunamite's son.
+
+The raising of Lazarus.
+
+Edward III. crossing the River Somme.
+
+Queen Philippa at the Battle of Nevil's Cuoss.
+
+The Angels announcing to the Shepherds the Birth of our Saviour.
+
+The Magi bringing Presents to our Saviour.
+
+A view on the River Thames at Hammersmith.
+
+A do. on the banks of the River Susquehanna, in America.
+
+The picture of Tangire Mill, at Eton.
+
+Do. of Chrysëis returned to her father Chyses.
+
+Venus and Adonis, large as life.
+
+The sixth picture of the Death of Wolfe.
+
+The first and second picture of the Battle of La Hogue.
+
+The sketch, of Macbeth and the Witches.
+
+The small picture of the Return of Tobias.
+
+The small picture of the Return of the Prodigal Son.
+
+Do. of Ariadne on the Sea-shore.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis.
+
+Do. of John King of France brought to the Black Prince.
+
+Do. of Antiochus and Stratonice.
+
+Do, of King Lear and his Daughter.
+
+The picture of Chryses on the Sea-shore.
+
+Do. of Nathan and David:--"Thou art the Man!" as large as life,
+
+Do. of Elijah raising the Widow's Son to Life.
+
+Do. of the Choice of Hercules.
+
+Do. of Venus and Europa.
+
+Do. of Daniel interpreting the Hand-writing on the Wall.
+
+Do. of the Ambassador from Tunis, with his Attendant, as he appeared in
+England in 1781.
+
+The drawing of Marius on the Ruins of Carthage.
+
+Do. of Cato giving his Daughter in Marriage on his Death, both in the
+possession of the Archduke Joseph.
+
+Do. of Belisarius brought to his Family.
+
+The large picture of the Stag, or the rescuing of Alexander the Third, for
+Lord Seaforth, 12 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Endymion and Diana, at Wentworth
+Castle, Yorkshire.
+
+Do. of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Angelica and Madora, in the possession of
+Mr. Mitton, of Shropshire, painted at Rome.
+
+Small picture of the Battle of Cressy.
+
+Small sketch of the Order of the Garter.
+
+Mr. West's small picture of his Family.
+
+The sketch of Edward the Third with his Queen, and the Citizens of
+Calais.
+
+Mr. West's small copy from Vandyke's picture of Cardinal Bentivoglio, now
+in the National Gallery at Paris.
+
+Mr. West's copy from Correggio's celebrated picture at Parma, viz. the St.
+Girolemo, now in the National Gallery.
+
+The large Landscape from Windsor Forest.
+
+The picture of Mark Antony showing the Robe and Will of Julius Caesar to
+the People.
+
+Do. of Ægistus viewing the Body of Clytemnestra.
+
+The large sketch of the window at Windsor, of the Magi presenting Gifts to
+the Infant Christ.
+
+The small sketch of the Battle of Nevil's Cross.
+
+The second small sketch of the Order of the Garter.
+
+The small picture of Ophelia before the King and Queen, with her
+brother Laertes.
+
+Do. of the Recovery of His Majesty in the year 1789.
+
+Do. from Thomson's Seasons, of Miranda and her Two Companions.
+
+Do. of Edward the Third crowning Ribemont at Calais, a sketch.
+
+The picture of Leonidas taking leave of his Family on his going to
+Thermopylæ.
+
+Do. of a Bacchanté, as large as life, half-length.
+
+First sketch of the Battle of Cressy.
+
+The picture of Phaëton soliciting Apollo for the Chariot of the Sun.
+
+The second picture of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.
+
+The small picture of Belisarius and the Boy, different from that in the
+possession of Sir Francis Baring.
+
+The small picture of the Eagle giving the Vase of Water to Psyche.
+
+Do. of the Death of Adonis, from Anacreon.
+
+Do. of Moonlight and the "Beckoning Ghost," from Pope's Elegy.
+
+Do. of the Angel sitting on the Stone at the Sepulchre.
+
+Second picture of the same, but differing in composition.
+
+A small sketch of ditto.
+
+A sketch of King Lear and his Daughter.
+
+The second picture of Angelica and Madora.
+
+Do. of a Damsel and Orlando.
+
+Mr. West's portrait, half-length.
+
+Sketch of his two Sons, when Children.
+
+Do. when Boys.
+
+Do. when young Men.
+
+Portrait of the Rev.---- Preston.
+
+Picture of the Bacchanté Boys.
+
+Do. of the Good Samaritan.
+
+Picture of the Destruction of the Old Beast and False
+Prophet:--Revelation.
+
+Do. of Christ healing the Sick, Lame, and Blind, in the Tenrple.
+
+Do. of Tintern Abbey.
+
+Do. of Death on the Pale Horse; or, the Opening of the Seals.
+
+Do. of Jason and the Dragon, in imitation of Salvator Rosa.
+
+Do. of Venus and Adonis looking at Cupids bathing.
+
+Do. of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.
+
+Do. of the Uxbridge Passage-boat on the Canal.
+
+Do. of St. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and turning to the
+Gentiles.
+
+Picture of the Falling of Trees in the Great Park at Windsor.
+
+Do. of Diomed and his Chariot-horses struck by the Lightning of Jupiter.
+
+Do. of the Milk-woman in St. James's Park.
+
+Do. of King Lear in the Storm at the Hovel.
+
+Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.
+
+Do. of the Order of the Garter.
+
+Do. of Orion on the Dolphin's back.
+
+Do. of Cupid complaining to Venus of a Bee having stung his finger.
+
+Do. of the Deluge.
+
+Do. of Queen Elizabeth's Procession to St. Paul's.
+
+Do. of Christ showing a Little Child as the Emblem of Heaven.
+
+Do. of Harvest-home.
+
+Do. of a View from the east end of Windsor Castle, looking over Datchet.
+
+Do. of Washing of Sheep.
+
+Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.
+
+Do. of the Sun setting behind a group of Trees on the banks of the Thames
+at Twickenham.
+
+Do. of the driving of Sheep and Cows to water.
+
+Do. of Cattle drinking at a Watering-place in the Great Park, Windsor,
+with Mr. West drawing.
+
+Do. of Pharaoh and his Host drowned in the Red Sea.
+
+Do. of Calypso and Telemachus on the Sea-shore; second picture.
+
+Do. of Gentlemen fishing in the Water at Dagenham Breach.
+
+Do. of Moses consecrating Aaron and his Sons to the priesthood.
+
+Picture of the View of Windsor-Castle from Snow-Hill, in the Great Park.
+
+Do. of a Mother inviting her little Boy to come to her through a small
+Stream of Water.
+
+Do. of the naming of Samuel, and the prophesying of Zacharias.
+
+Do. of the Ascension of our Saviour.
+
+Do of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+Do. of the Brewer's Porter and Hod Carrier.
+
+Do. of Venus attended by the Graces.
+
+Do. of Samuel, when a Boy, presented to Eli.
+
+Do. of Christ's Last Supper. (In brown colour.)
+
+Do. of the Reaping of Harvest, with Windsor in the back-ground.
+
+Do. of Adonis and his Dog going to the Chace.
+
+Do. of Christ among the Doctors in the Temple.
+
+Do. of Moses shown the Promised Land.
+
+Do. of Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.
+
+Do. of Christ's Nativity.
+
+Do. of Mothers with their Children, in water,
+
+Do. of Cranford Bridge.
+
+Do, of the sketch of Pyrrhus when a Child, before King Glaucus.
+
+Do. of the Traveller laying his Piece of Bread on the Bridle of the dead
+Ass. From Sterne.
+
+Do. of the Captivity. From ditto.
+
+Do. of Cupid letting loose Two Pigeons.
+
+Do. of Cupid asleep.
+
+Do. of Children eating Cherries.
+
+Sketch of a Mother and her Child on her Lap.
+
+The small picture of the Eagle bringing the Cup to
+Psyche.
+
+The picture of St. Anthony of Padua and the Child.
+
+Do. of Jacob, and Laban with his Two Daughters.
+
+Do. of the Women looking into the Sepulchre, and beholding Two Angels
+where the Lord lay.
+
+Do. of the Angel loosening the Chains of St. Peter in Prison.
+
+Do. of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.
+
+Do. of the Death of Epaminondas.
+
+Do. of the Death of Bayard.
+
+The small sketch of Christ's Ascension.
+
+The sketch of a Group of Legendary Saints. In imitation of Reubens.
+
+The picture of Kosciusco on a Couch, as he appeared in London, 1797.
+
+Do. of the Death of Cephalus.
+
+Do. of Abraham and Isaac:--"Here is the Wood and Fire, but where is the
+Lamb for Sacrifice."
+
+The sketch of the Bard. From Gray.
+
+Do. of the Pardoning of John by his brother King Henry, at the
+Solicitation of his Mother.
+
+Do. of St. George and the Dragon.
+
+The picture of Eponina with her Children, giving Bread to her Husband when
+in Concealment.
+
+The sketch on paper of Christ's Last Supper.
+
+The picture of the Pardoning of John, at his Mother's Solicitation.
+
+Do. of the Death of Lord Chatham.
+
+Do. of the Presentation of the Crown to William the Conqueror.
+
+Do. of Europa crowning the Bull with Flowers.
+
+Do. of Mr. West's Garden, Gallery, and Painting-Room.
+
+Do. of the Cave of Despair. From Spenser.
+
+The picture of Christ's Resurrection.
+
+The sketch of the Destruction of the Spanish Armada.
+
+The picture of Arethusa bathing.
+
+The sketch of Priam soliciting of Achilles the Body of Hector.
+
+The picture of Moonlight. (Small.)
+
+The small sketch of Cupid showing Venus his Finger stung by a Bee.
+
+The drawings of the Two Sides of the intended Chapel at Windsor, with the
+Arrangement of the Pictures, &c.
+
+The drawing of St. Matthew, with the Angel.
+
+Do. of Alcibiades and Timon of Athens.
+
+Do. of Penn's Treaty.
+
+Do. of Regulus.
+
+Do. of Mark Antony, showing the Robe and Will of Cæsar.
+
+Do. of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.
+
+Do. of the Death of Dido.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Moses receiving the Laws on
+Mount Sinai.
+
+The large drawing of the Death of Hippolytus.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, of the Death of St. Stephen. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Cæsar.
+
+Do. of the Swearing of Hannibal.
+
+Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve.
+
+Do. of the Deluge.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Landing of Agrippina. On paper.
+
+Do. of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotus into Banishment. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Epaminondas.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Death of Aaron. On paper.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.
+
+The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of David prostrate, whilst the destroying
+Angel sheathes the Sword.
+
+The drawing of the Women looking into the Sepulchre.
+
+Do. of St. John Preaching.
+
+Do. of the Golden Age.
+
+Do. of Antinous and Stratonice.
+
+Do. of the Death of Demosthenes.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The drawing of King John and the Barons with Magna Charta.
+
+Do. of La Hogue.
+
+Do. of Jacob and Laban.
+
+The large ditto of the Destruction of the Assyrian Camp by the
+destroying Angel.
+
+The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Christ raising the Widow's Son.
+
+Do. in ditto, (on paper,) of the Water gushing from the Rock, when
+struck by Moses.
+
+The drawing of the Death of Socrates.
+
+Do. of the Boyne.
+
+Do. of the Death of Eustace St. Celaine.
+
+The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of the Procession of Agrippina with her
+Children and the Roman Ladies through the Roman Camp, when in Mutiny.
+
+The drawing of the Rescue of Alexander III. of Scotland from the Fury
+of the Stag.
+
+Do. of the Death of Wolfe.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of King Alfred dividing his Loaf with a Pilgrim.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of the Raising of Lazarus.
+
+The small whole-length of Thomas à Becket, in oil, on canvass.
+
+The small picture of the Death of the Stag.
+
+The drawing of ditto.
+
+Do. of Nathan and David.
+
+Do. of Joseph making himself known to his Brethren.
+
+The drawing of Narcissus in the Fountain.
+
+Do. sketch, in small, of the Duannic received by Lord Clive.
+
+Do. of the Continence of Scipio.
+
+Do. of the Last Judgment, and the Sea giving up its Dead.
+
+Do. of the Bard. From Gray;
+
+Do. of Belisarius and his Family.
+
+The sketch, in oil, of Aaron standing between the Dead and Living to stop
+the Plague.
+
+Do. on paper, of the Messenger announcing to Samuel the Loss of the
+Battle.
+
+The drawing of Sir Philip Sydney ordering the Water to be given to the
+wounded Soldier.
+
+The sketch of Christ Rejected.
+
+The great picture of Christ Rejected.
+
+Do. of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The second picture of Christ healing the Sick.
+
+The third great picture of Lord Clive receiving the Duannie.
+
+Portrait of the Duke of Portland.
+
+Portrait of Himself, left unfinished.
+
+
+N.B. Besides these productions, Mr. West has, in his portfolios, drawings
+and sketches exceeding two hundred in number.
+
+
+
+
+NATIONAL MONUMENT.
+
+
+
+[The following letter on an interesting subject is curious, and is
+inserted here to be preserved.]
+
+_Mr. West's Letter to Sir George Beaumont, Bart._
+
+East Cowes Castle, Isle of Wight,
+
+Sept. 30. 1815.
+
+"DEAR SIR GEORGE,
+
+"Your letter to me from Keswick of the thirty-first of last month I have
+received at this place: in that letter you have honoured me with the
+communication of 'the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having
+done you the honour, among others, to inform you of the commands of His
+Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that measures be forthwith taken for the
+erection of a monument to commemorate the victory of Waterloo, in
+pursuance of an address of the House of Commons; and to request you to
+apply to such artists as you think fit, for designs for this national
+column;' and you are pleased to say, that you believe at this distance you
+cannot better forward their views than by applying to me.
+
+"The honourable way in which you have noticed my humble abilities in the
+arts, by calling on them for a design for a monument, to perpetuate an
+occurrence of such high military glory and national greatness as that of
+the victory of Waterloo, demands my warmest acknowledgments, and I also
+feel a duty and profound respect for the sources of your instructions to
+procure appropriate designs from the artists. When a monument is to be
+raised by a great and victorious nation (such as England) in memory of her
+departed as well as her living heroes, I feel it of the highest importance
+to her national character, when her arts and her arms stand so high, that
+they should bear a proud record to posterity of both their powers in such
+a building as that now under consideration.
+
+"To raise a record to departed virtue in an individual, an obelisk, a
+column, or a statue, may bear an honourable name to posterity; but a
+record when thousands have devoted their lives to save their country from
+a rapacious enemy, as in those victories gained by the Greeks at
+Thermopylæ and Marathon; the English at Blenheim and Trafalgar; and,
+lastly, that greatest of all, gained by the unsubdued valour and heroism
+of the armies of the United Kingdom at Waterloo, demands a building of
+greater magnitude and more national consequence than that of a column.
+
+"Such a design as I have conceived to record that victory I will give to
+yourself and others for your consideration; but not as a competitor
+presenting a drawing or model for a decision to be made on it as offered
+for competition: I therefore give you the following ideas on friendly
+motives for a dignified building.
+
+"All records to be transmitted, must be by the three means which have
+been established for that purpose; namely, the pen, the pencil, and the
+chisel. I therefore propose a building wherein these three may be
+employed to express the various incidents, and to mark that victory
+distinct from all others, by applying the several spoils and trophies
+taken; and to have the building of considerable magnitude. For as the
+subject is great, so should be its representative: nothing little or mean
+should be accepted, or permitted to appear in such a work, nothing but
+what will mark the great features of that event: all of which by dates,
+names, and sculptured trophies, as well as paintings, may be proclaimed
+and recorded to distant times.
+
+"The basis of such an erection being intended solely to commemorate the
+battle of Waterloo, its name should be in capital letters on the four
+faces, and the trophies of that victory should enrich the sides of the
+same; and the characters of the various military in British armies made
+conspicuous by their numbers shown; and on the summit of the lofty pile
+the sovereign's figure then in power should be placed.
+
+"The plan and dimensions of the building I present to you are as
+follows:--Its base a square of sixty feet, and its height thirty: this
+will make each of the four faces of the base a double square on its
+measurement. From the centre of this base a building to be erected in
+diameter thirty feet, and in height one hundred and twenty, formed out of
+the spoils of victory, and diminishing as it rises, and to be surmounted
+by a figure twelve feet in height, including the pedestal on which it
+stands, In the centre, over the front face of the great case, to be the
+equestrian group of the Duke of Wellington, under which, in large letters,
+WATERLOO to be inscribed; and the four angles of the great base
+perpendicular tablets, ornamented with military insignia expressive of the
+British armies, and inscribed on the four tablets the number of each
+regiment who shared in the glories of that day, and by the four tablets be
+placed the statues of distinguished generals. Thus I have presented you
+with the external appearance of my imaginary building in honour of the
+victory of Waterloo; and the interior of this building to be considered as
+the place of deposit for preserving the powers of the pen, the pencil, and
+other gems from perishing by water or by fire: to be built of stone, and
+all its ornaments to be made of durable metals: all of which to be
+illustrative of the victory for which such a building was erected.
+
+"The situation of this building should be a populous one, and that within
+a circus or square of a diameter not less than six hundred and fifty-eight
+feet. This size of space will give the spectator an opportunity of viewing
+the erection at double the distance of its elevation, which is the optical
+distance that pictures, statues, and buildings should always be seen at.
+
+"Should my ideas of a building to commemorate the military achievements of
+Waterloo be viewed with complacency by yourself and others, I shall feel a
+satisfaction, as President of the Royal Academy, to have done my duty; and
+should His Royal Highness the Prince Regent be pleased to signify his
+approbation, I shall be gratified and honoured. With the sincerity of
+profound respect,
+
+"I am,
+"My dear Sir George,
+"Your obliged and obedient Servant,
+"BENJAMIN WEST."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Suffolk Lane, 28th Jan,
+
+"MY DEAR SIR,
+
+"Sir Philip Francis's critique on the _Transfiguration_ appears very
+ingenious, so far as it explains the painter's design in representing the
+Demoniac Boy as the connecting link between the action _on the Mount_ and
+the groupe at the foot of it; but I cannot agree with Sir Philip in
+supposing the picture to represent the _Ascension_ and as you request
+me to state my reasons for this dissent, I shall briefly endeavour to
+specify them.
+
+"I have _not_ seen the original picture; but in the copy of it by Harlow,
+which was much admired in Rome, and which one would think must be
+accurate, at least in regard to so important a point, since it was
+exhibited beside the original--I say in Harlow's copy the raiment of our
+Saviour is _white,_ not _blue_. The white has, indeed, in the shaded part,
+a bluish tinge, but the colour is decidedly a _white_, and, therefore, Sir
+Philip's assumption that it is _blue_ appears contrary to the fact.
+
+"The _Transfiguration_ was witnessed by _only three_ of the Apostles,
+Peter, James, and John, (see St. Matthew, chap. xvii, v. 1, 2, and 3.)
+exactly as represented In the picture, 'and (see v. 9.) as they came down
+from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man,
+until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead."'
+
+"It maybe as well, to prevent the trouble of an reference, to quote at
+once from the Evangelist, the description of the subject which it appears
+to me the painter meant to represent.
+
+
+Chap. xvii. as before.
+
+1. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
+bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
+
+2. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
+and his raiment was white as the light.
+
+3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
+
+6. And when the disciples heard, they fell on their faces, and were
+sore afraid.
+
+14. And when they were come to the multitudes there came to him a man,
+kneeling down to him, and saying,
+
+15. Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic and sore vexed: and
+oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
+
+16. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him, &c.
+
+"Now this is exactly the scene delineated in the picture. There are _on
+the Mount_ the three disciples, fallen on the ground, and shading their
+faces from the '_bright cloud_' which _overshadows_ the transfigured
+Saviour; and Moses and Elias are the two figures of old men attending the
+Saviour, or '_talking with him._'
+
+"At the _foot of the Mount_, there are _the multitude_, the lunatic boy,
+_his father_ holding him, the _disciples_ who _could not cure him_; and
+one of whom appears in the act of attempting to cure him, by addressing or
+exorcising the demon who is in him. There are also _several women_ in the
+groupe; and it seems that instead of bringing 'different incidents
+together to constitute one plot,' the painter, on the contrary, has
+exactly followed the Evangelist, and represented the same instant of time
+in the action _on_ the Mount, among the _multitude_ at the foot of it.
+
+"I cannot imagine how Sir Philip Francis could have supposed the picture
+to represent the _Ascension_, which took place in the presence of the
+_Eleven Apostles_ and of them only, (see St. Luke, last chapter and last
+paragraph,) as follows:
+
+"And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and he
+blessed them. And it came to pass, when he blessed them, he was parted
+from them, and carried up into Heaven."
+
+"This bears no resemblance whatever to the scene represented in the
+picture, and the opinion given by Sir Philip can only have arisen from an
+imperfect recollection of the Sacred Writings, and from having neglected
+to refer to the text.
+
+"I am,
+"My dear Sir,
+"Yours truly,
+S.M'G-------."
+
+_John Galt, Esq._
+
+
+
+
+The Funeral of Mr. West.
+
+
+
+It would be improper to close this appendix without giving some account of
+the funeral of Mr. West.
+
+Soon after Mr. West's decease, a deputation from the Council of the Royal
+Academy waited on his sons and the executors, to apprise them of the
+intention of that body to honour the remains of their late President., by
+attending them to his grave, according to the ceremonial adopted on the
+public interment of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, in St. Paul's
+Cathedral. His Majesty having, as Patron of the Royal Academy, given his
+gracious sanction that similar honours should be paid to the late
+venerable President, his sons and executors adopted active preparations
+to carry the arrangement into effect. As the schools of the Royal Academy
+were closed, and all its functions suspended, by the death of the late
+President, it was of material importance on this account, and with the
+view to the usual preparatory arrangements for the annual exhibition,
+that the funeral should not be delayed; and as early a day as practicable
+was therefore fixed for the public interment in St. Paul's Cathedral. The
+obvious consequence, however, of this has been, that owing to the absence
+from town, at this particular season, of so many noblemen and gentlemen
+of the highest rank, and the indisposition of several others, many warm
+admirers and friends of this celebrated artist and amiable man, who
+have, during his long life, honoured him with their friendship, and who
+have been particularly desirous of paying their last tribute of respect
+to his remains, have been precluded attending the funeral. The corpse was
+privately brought to the Royal Academy on Tuesday evening, attended by
+the sons and grandson of the deceased, and two intimate friends, Mr.
+Henderson (one of the trustees and executors of the deceased) and Mr.
+Hayes (for many years his medical attendant), and was received by the
+council and officers of the Royal Academy, and their undertaker and his
+attendants, with every mark of respect. The body was then deposited in
+the smaller Exhibition-room, on the ground-floor, which was hung on the
+occasion with black.
+
+About half-past ten yesterday morning, the Academicians, Associates, and
+Students, assembled in the Great Exhibition-room, and the nobility,
+gentry, and the deceased's private friends, soon after arrived, and joined
+the mournful band. The chief mourners were in seclusion in the library of
+the Academy. About half-past twelve o'clock, the whole of the arrangements
+having been effected, the Procession moved from Somerset House to St.
+Paul's Cathedral in the following order:
+
+  Six Constables, by threes.
+  Four Marshalmen, two and two.
+  City Marshal on horseback.
+  Undertaker on horseback.
+  Six Cloakmen on horseback, by twos.
+  Four Mutes on horseback, by twos.
+  Lid of Feathers, with attendant Pages.
+
+Hearse and Six, with rich trappings, feathers, and velvets, attended by
+Eight Pages.
+
+Two Mourning Coaches and four, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Pall-bearers.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Sons and
+Grandson of the deceased, as CHIEF MOURNERS.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Family
+Trustees and Executors of the deceased.
+
+Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Reverends the
+Vicar of Mary-la-bonne, the Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, and the Medical
+Attendant of the deceased.
+
+Then followed Sixteen Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with Attendant Pages,
+conveying the Right Rev. the Chaplain, the Secretary for Foreign
+Correspondence, and the Members of the Royal Academy and Students.
+
+Twenty Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Mourners and Private Friends of the deceased.
+
+The Procession was closed by above sixty carriages, arranged in rank by
+the junior City Marshal and Marshalmen--the servants wearing hat-bands
+and gloves.
+
+The Procession was attended on each side by fifty Constables, to preserve
+order; and the accesses from Bridge-street, Chancery-lane, the Old Bailey,
+&c. were stopped. On reaching St. Paul's Cathedral, where the senior City
+Marshal was in wailing, with several assistants, to arrange the
+Procession, it entered at the great Western Gate, and was met at the
+entrance of the Cathedral by the Church Dignitaries, &c. the whole then
+proceeded to the Choir in the following order:
+
+
+  The two junior Vergers.
+  The Marshals.
+  The young Gentlemen of the Choir, two by two.
+  Their Almoner, or Master.
+  The Vicars Choral, two by two.
+  The Sub-Dean and Junior Canons, two by two.
+  The Feathers, with Attendant Pages and Mutes.
+  The two Senior Vergers.
+  Honourable and Rev. Dr. Wellesley.
+  The Canon residentiary, and the Rev. the Prebendary.
+
+                       [THE CORPSE]
+  Pall-bearers.                  Pall-bearers.
+  The Earl of Aberdeen,          Right Honourable Sir
+  His Excellency the American    William Scott,
+  Ambassador,                    Honourable Gen. Phipps,
+  Hon. Augustus Phipps,          Sir George Beaumont,
+  Sir Thomas Baring.             Sir Robert Wilson.
+
+
+CHIEF MOURNERS.
+
+  The Sons and Grandson of deceased, namely,
+  Raphael Lamar West, Esq.
+  Benjamin West, Esq.
+  and
+  Mr. Benjamin West, jun.
+  followed by
+  Robert Brunning (the old Servant of deceased)
+  Henry Fauntleroy, Esq. and James Henry Henderson, Esq.
+  (the Family Trustees and Executors of deceased.)
+  and
+  The Rev. Dr. Heslop, Vicar of St. Mary-la-Bonne; the Rev.
+  Mr. Borrodaile, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor; and Joseph
+  Hayes, Esq. Medical Attendant on deceased (Dr. Baillie being unavoidably
+    absent).
+
+Then followed
+
+The Bishop of Salisbury, (As Chaplain to the Royal Academy; and an
+Honorary Member).
+
+Prince Hoare, Esq. (Secretary for Foreign Correspondence to the
+Royal Academy.)
+
+The body of Academicians and Associates of the Royal Academy, according to
+seniority, two by two, Students, two by two.
+
+And the private mourners of the deceased, consisting of--Aldermen Wood
+and Birch, Rev. ---- Est, Rev. Holt Oakes, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P.,
+William Smith, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq. M.P., George Watson
+Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P., Archibald Hamilton,
+Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Richard Payne Knight,
+Esq., Thomas Lister Parker, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Nash, Esq.,
+John Edwards, Esq., Major Payne, Captain Henry Wolseley, Captain Francis
+Halliday, James St. Aubyn, Esq., Henry Sansom, Esq., ---- Magniac, Esq.,
+George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., N. Ogle,
+Esq., George Repton, Esq., William Wadd, Esq., Henry Woodthorpe, jun.
+Esq., Christ. Hodgson, Esq., ---- Cockerell, sen. Esq., ---- Cockerell,
+jun. Esq., Leigh Hunt, Esq., P. Turnerelli, Esq., J. Holloway, Esq.,
+Charles Heath, Esq., Henry Eddridge, Esq., A. Robertson, Esq., W. J.
+Newton, Esq., John Taylor, Esq., T. Bonney, Esq., ---- Muss, Esq., ----
+Martin, Esq., J. Green, Esq., John Gait, Esq., William Carey, Esq., ----
+Leslie Esq., ---- Behnes, Esq., George Samuel, Esq., John Young, Esq.,
+Christopher Pack, Esq., W, Delamotte, Esq., E. Scriven Esq., J. M. Davis,
+Esq., C. Smart, Esq., &c.
+
+It being Passion Week, the usual chanting and performance of music in the
+Cathedral-service could not take place, but an Anthem was, by special
+permission, allowed to be sung; and the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley,
+assisted by the Rev. the Prebendary, performed the solemn service in a
+very impressive manner. The body was placed in the choir, and at the head
+were arranged, on chairs, the chief mourners and executors. The
+pall-bearers were seated on each side of the corpse, and the Members of
+the Royal Academy, and other mourners, were arranged on each side of the
+choir. After the Anthem, the body was attended to the vault-door by the
+pall-bearers, followed by the chief mourners and executors, and was
+conveyed into the crypt, and placed immediately beneath the perforated
+brass plate, under the centre of the dome. Dr. Wellesley, with the other
+canons, and the whole choir, then came under the dome, and the
+pall-bearers, chief mourners, and executors, stood by them. The Members
+of the Royal Academy were ranged on the right, and the other mourners on
+the left, forming a circle, the outside of which was protected by the
+Marshals and undertaker's attendants. Here the remainder of the service
+was completed, and the sexton, placed in the crypt below, at the proper
+period, let fall some earth, as usual, on the coffin. After the
+funeral-service was ended, the chief mourners and executors, accompanied
+by most of the other mourners, went into the crypt, and attended the
+corpse to its grave, which was sunk with brick-work under the pavement at
+the head of the grave of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, and adjoining to
+that of the late Mr. West's intimate and highly-valued friend, Dr.
+Newton, formerly Bishop of Bristol, and Dean of St. Paul's, the
+brick-work of whose grave forms one side of Mr. West's; thus uniting
+their remains in the silent tomb. Sir Christopher Wren, the great
+architect, lies interred close by, as well as those eminent artists, the
+late Mr. Opie and Mr. Barry.
+
+The Members of the Royal Academy, and all the mourners, then returned to
+Somerset-House, in the like order of procession (with the exception of the
+hearse and feathers,) where refreshments were provided for them.
+
+The whole of this affecting ceremony was conducted with great solemnity
+and respect, and was witnessed by an immense concourse of people.
+
+The carriages attending in the Procession were those of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of York, the Dukes of Norfolk, Northumberland, and Argyll;
+the Marquisses of Lansdowne and Stafford; the Earls of Liverpool, Essex,
+Aberdeen, Carlisle, Dartmouth, Powis, Mulgrave, Darnley, and Carysfort;
+Viscount Sidmouth; the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Carlisle, and
+Chester; Admiral Lord Radstock; the Right Honourables Sir William Scott,
+Charles Manners Sutton, and Charles Long; the American Ambassador; the
+Hon. General Phipps, Augustus Phipps; Sirs George Beaumont, J. Fleming
+Leicester, Thomas Baring, and Henry Fletcher; the Solicitor General, Sir
+Robert Wilson, Dr. Heslop, Dr. Baillie, Aldermen Birch and Wood, Mr.
+Chamberlain Clarke, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq.
+M.P., George Watson Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P.,
+Henry Fauntleroy, Esq., Archibald Hamilton, Esq., Thomas Courts, Esq.,
+John Penn, Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Walter
+Fawkes, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Yenn, Esq., John Soane, Esq.,
+Francis Chantry, Esq., Henry Sanson, Esq., John Nash, Esq., John Edwards,
+Esq., George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., Henry
+Meux, Esq. &c. &c.
+
+The following is the Inscription upon the Tombstone over the deceased:--
+
+Here lie the Remains of BENJAMIN WEST, Esq., President of the Royal
+Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture: born 10th Oct. 1738,
+at Springfield, in Pennsylvania, in America: died in London, 11th
+March, 1820.
+
+END OF PART II.
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LIFE, STUDIES, AND WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST, ESQ. ***
+
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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq., by John Galt</title>
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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq., by John Galt</h1>
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+Title: The Life, Studies, And Works Of Benjamin West, Esq.
+
+Author: John Galt
+
+Release Date: September, 2005  [EBook #8857]
+[This file was first posted on August 14, 2003]
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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LIFE, STUDIES, AND WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST, ESQ. ***
+
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+E-text prepared by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
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+</pre>
+
+<h1>The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.</h1>
+
+<h2>President of the Royal Academy of London</h2>
+
+<h3>Composed from Materials Furnished by Himself</h3>
+
+<h2>By John Galt, Esq.</h2>
+
+<h3>Author of the Life and Administration of Cardinal Wolsey, &amp;c.</h3>
+
+
+
+<h4>1820.</h4>
+
+
+<h2>Part I.</h2>
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">To<br />
+Alexander Gordon, Esq.<br />
+This little work<br />
+Is respectfully inscribed<br />
+By the Author.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Preface.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p>The professional life of Mr. West constitutes an important part of an
+historical work, in which the matter of this volume could only have been
+introduced as an episode, and, perhaps, not with much propriety even in
+that form. It was my intention, at one time, to have prepared the whole of
+his memoirs, separately, for publication; but a careful review of the
+manuscript convinced me, that the transactions in which he has been
+engaged, subsequently to his arrival in England, are so much of a public
+nature, and belong so immediately to the history of the Arts, that such a
+separation could not be effected without essentially impairing the
+interest and unity of the main design; and that the particular nature of
+this portion of his memoirs admitted of being easily detached and arranged
+into a whole, complete within itself.</p>
+
+<p>I do not think that there can be two opinions with respect to the utility
+of a work of this kind. Mr. West, in relating the circumstances by which
+he was led to approximate, without the aid of an instructor, to those
+principles and rules of art, which it is the object of schools and
+academies to disseminate, has conferred a greater benefit on young Artists
+than he could possibly have done by the most ingenious and eloquent
+lectures on the theories of his profession; and it was necessary that the
+narrative should appear in his own time, in order that the authenticity of
+the incidents might not rest on the authority of any biographer.</p>
+
+<p><i>April</i> 25,1816.</p>
+
+<p class="smallcaps">John Galt.</p>
+
+
+<h2>Part I.</h2>
+
+<h1>Contents.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p><a href="#1-1">Chap. I.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-2">Chap. II.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross.--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-3">Chap. III.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led
+    to the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place
+    him in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers.--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-4">Chap. IV.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-5">Chap. V.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--- He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvator
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-6">Chap. VI.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-7">Chap. VII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Anecdote of a famous Improvisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of West's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequence of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies
+    Mr. Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#1-8">Chap. VIII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to Rome.--Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian Obelisk.--Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an anecdote of a
+    Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote of a Scottish
+    Fanatic who arrived in Rome to convert the Pope.--Sequel of the
+    Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit England.--Having completed
+    his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous picture, he is elected an
+    Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and invited to Court.--He
+    proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--Reflections on the Stale
+    of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French frontiers.--State of
+    Taste in France.</blockquote>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>The Life and Studies of Benjamin West</h1>
+
+<h2>Part I.</h2>
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-1"></a>Chap. I.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The Birth and Paternal Ancestry of Mr. West.--His Maternal
+    Family.--His Father.--The Origin of the Abolition of Slavery by the
+    Quakers.--The Progress of the Abolition.--The Education of the
+    Negroes.--The Preaching of Edmund Peckover.--His Admonitory Prediction
+    to the Father of West.--The first Indication of Benjamin's
+    Genius.--State of Society in Pennsylvania.--The Indians give West the
+    Primary Colours.--The Artist's first Pencils.--The Present of a Box of
+    Colours and Engravings.--His first Painting.</blockquote>
+
+<p>Benjamin West, the subject of the following Memoirs, was the youngest son
+of John West and Sarah Pearson, and was born near Springfield, in Chester
+County, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 10th of October, 1738.</p>
+
+<p>The branch of the West family, to which he belongs, has been traced in an
+unbroken series to the Lord Delawarre, who distinguished himself in the
+great wars of King Edward the Third, and particularly at the battle of
+Cressy, under the immediate command of the Black Prince. In the reign of
+Richard the Second, the ancestors of Mr. West settled at Long Crandon in
+Buckinghamshire. About the year 1667 they embraced the tenets of the
+Quakers; and Colonel James West, the friend and companion in arms of the
+celebrated Hampden, is said to have been the first proselyte of the
+family. In 1699 they emigrated to America.</p>
+
+<p>Thomas Pearson, the maternal grandfather of the Artist, was the
+confidential friend of William Penn, and accompanied him to America. On
+their first landing, the venerable Founder of the State of Pennsylvania
+said to him, "Providence has brought us safely hither; thou hast been the
+companion of my perils, what wilt thou that I should call this place?" Mr,
+Pearson replied, that "since he had honoured him so far as to desire him
+to give that part of the country a name, he would, in remembrance of his
+native City, call it Chester." The exact spot where these patriarchs of
+the new world first landed, is still pointed out with reverence by the
+inhabitants. Mr. Pearson built a house and formed a plantation in the
+neighbourhood, which he called Springfield, in consequence of discovering
+a large spring of water in the first field cleared for cultivation; and it
+was near this place that Benjamin West was born.</p>
+
+<p>When the West family emigrated, John, the father of Benjamin, was left to
+complete his education at the great school of the Quakers at Uxbridge, and
+did not join his relations in America till the year 1714. Soon after his
+arrival he married the mother of the Artist; and of the worth and piety of
+his character we have a remarkable proof in the following transactions,
+which, perhaps, reflect more real glory on his family than the
+achievements of all his heroic ancestors.</p>
+
+<p>As a part of the marriage portion of Mrs. West he received a negro slave,
+whose diligence and fidelity very soon obtained his full confidence.
+Being engaged in trade, he had occasion to make a voyage in the West
+Indies, and left this young black to superintend the plantation in his
+absence, During his residence in Barbadoes, his feelings were greatly
+molested, and his principles shocked, by the cruelties to which he saw the
+negroes subjected in that island; and the debasing effects were forcibly
+contrasted in his mind with the morals and intelligence of his own slave.
+Conversing on this subject with Doctor Gammon, who was then at the head of
+the community of Friends in Barbadoes, the Doctor convinced him that it
+was contrary to the laws of God and Nature that any man should retain his
+fellow-creatures in slavery. This conviction could not rest long inactive
+in a character framed like that of Mr. West. On his return to America he
+gave the negro his freedom, and retained him as a hired servant.</p>
+
+<p>Not content with doing good himself, he endeavoured to make others follow
+his example, and in a short time his arguments had such an effect on his
+neighbours, that it was agreed to discuss publicly the general question of
+Slavery. This was done accordingly; and, after debating it at many
+meetings, it was resolved by a considerable majority THAT IT WAS THE DUTY
+OF CHRISTIANS TO GIVE FREEDOM TO THEIR SLAVES. The result of this
+discussion was soon afterwards followed by a similar proposal to the head
+meeting of the Quakers in the township of Goshen in Chester County; and
+the cause of Humanity was again victorious. Finally, about the year 1753,
+the same question was agitated in the annual general assembly at
+Philadelphia, when it was ultimately established as one of the tenets of
+the Quakers, that no person could remain a member of their community who
+held a human creature in slavery. This transaction is perhaps the first
+example in the history of communities, of a great public sacrifice of
+individual interest, not originating from considerations of policy or the
+exigences of public danger, but purely from moral and religious
+principles.</p>
+
+<p>The benevolent work of restoring their natural rights to the unfortunate
+Negroes, did not rest even at this great pecuniary sacrifice. The Society
+of Friends went farther, and established Schools for the education of
+their children; and some of the first characters among themselves
+volunteered to superintend the course of instruction.</p>
+
+<p>In the autumn of 1738, Edmund Peckover, a celebrated Orator among the
+Quakers, came to the neighbourhood of Springfield, and on the 28th of
+September preached in a meeting-house erected by the father of Mrs. West
+at the distance of about a mile and a half from his residence. Mrs. West
+was then the mother of nine children, and far advanced in her pregnancy
+with Benjamin.--Peckover possessed the most essential qualities of an
+impressive speaker, and on this occasion the subject of his address was of
+extraordinary interest to his auditors. He reviewed the rise and progress
+of society in America, and with an enthusiastic eloquence which partook of
+the sublimity and vehemence of the prophetic spirit, he predicted the
+future greatness of the country. He described the condition of the
+European nations, decrepid in their institutions, and corrupt in their
+morality, and contrasted them with the young and flourishing
+establishments of the New World. He held up to their abhorrence the
+licentious manners and atheistical principles of the French, among whom
+God was disregarded or forgotten; and, elevated by the importance of his
+subject, he described the Almighty as mustering his wrath to descend on
+that nation, and disperse it as chaff in a whirlwind. He called on them to
+look towards their home of England, and to see with what eager devotion
+the inhabitants worshiped the golden image of Commerce, and laid the
+tribute of all their thoughts on its altars; believing that with the power
+of the idol alone, they should be able to withstand all calamities. "The
+day and the hour are, however, hastening on, when the image shall be
+shaken from its pedestal by the tempest of Jehovah's descending vengeance,
+its altars overturned, and the worshipers terribly convinced that without
+the favour of the Almighty God there is no wisdom in man! But," continued
+this impassioned orator, "from the woes and the crimes of Europe let us
+turn aside our eyes; let us turn from the worshipers of Commerce, clinging
+round their idols of gold and silver, and, amidst the wrath, the storm,
+and the thunder, endeavouring to hold them up; let us not look at the land
+of blasphemies; for in the crashing of engines, the gushing of blood, and
+the shrieking of witnesses more to be pitied than the victims, the
+activity of God's purifying displeasure will be heard; while turning our
+eyes towards the mountains of this New World, the forests shall be seen
+fading away, cities rising along the shores, and the terrified nations of
+Europe flying out of the smoke and the burning to find refuge here."--All
+his auditors were deeply affected, particularly Mrs. West, who was taken
+with the pains of labour on the spot. The meeting was broken up; the women
+made a circle round her as they carried her home, and such was the
+agitation into which she was thrown, that the consequences had nearly
+proved fatal both to the mother and the infant, of which she was
+prematurely delivered.</p>
+
+<p>This occurrence naturally excited much attention, and became the subject
+of general conversation. It made a deep impression on the mind of Mr.
+West, who could not divest himself of a feeling that it indicated
+something extraordinary in the future fortunes of his child; and when
+Peckover, soon afterwards, on his leaving that part of the country, paid
+him a farewell visit, he took an opportunity of introducing the subject.
+The warm imagination of the Preacher eagerly sympathised with the feelings
+of his friend. He took him by the hand, and, with emphatic solemnity, said
+that a child sent into the world under such remarkable circumstances would
+prove no ordinary man; and he charged him to watch over the boy's
+character with the utmost degree of paternal solicitude. It will appear in
+the sequel, that this singular admonition was not lost on Mr. West.</p>
+
+<p>The first six years of Benjamin's life passed away in calm uniformity;
+leaving only the placid remembrance of enjoyment. In the month of June
+1745, one of his sisters, who had been married some time before, and who
+had a daughter, came with her infant to spend a few days at her father's.
+When the child was asleep in the cradle, Mrs. West invited her daughter to
+gather flowers in the garden, and committed the infant to the care of
+Benjamin during their absence; giving him a fan to flap away the flies
+from molesting his little charge. After some time the child happened to
+smile in its sleep, and its beauty attracted his attention. He looked at
+it with a pleasure which he had never before experienced, and observing
+some paper on a table, together with pens and red and black ink, he seized
+them with agitation, and endeavoured to delineate a portrait: although at
+this period he had never seen an engraving or a picture, and was only in
+the seventh year of his age.</p>
+
+<p>Hearing the approach of his mother and sister, he endeavoured to conceal
+what he had been doing; but the old lady observing his confusion, enquired
+what he was about, and requested him to show her the paper. He obeyed,
+entreating her not to be angry. Mrs. West, after looking some time at the
+drawing with evident pleasure, said to her daughter, "I declare he has
+made a likeness of little Sally," and kissed him with much fondness and
+satisfaction. This encouraged him to say, that if it would give her any
+pleasure, he would make pictures of the flowers which she held in her
+hand; for the instinct of his genius was now awakened, and he felt that he
+could imitate the forms of those things which pleased his sight.</p>
+
+<p>This curious incident deserves consideration in two points of view. The
+sketch must have had some merit, since the likeness was so obvious,
+indicating how early the hand of the young artist possessed the power of
+representing the observations of his eye. But it is still more remarkable
+as the birth of the fine arts in the New World, and as one of the few
+instances in the history of art, in which the first inspiration of genius
+can be distinctly traced to a particular circumstance. The drawing was
+shown by Mrs. West to her husband, who, remembering the prediction of
+Peckover, was delighted with this early indication of talent in his son.
+But the fact, though in itself very curious, will appear still more
+remarkable, when the state of the country at that period, and the peculiar
+manners of the Quakers, are taken into consideration.</p>
+
+<p>The institutions of William Penn had been sacredly preserved by the
+descendants of the first settlers, with whom the remembrance of the causes
+which had led their ancestors to forsake their native country, was
+cherished like the traditions of religion, and became a motive to
+themselves, for indulging in the exercise of those blameless principles,
+which had been so obnoxious to the arrogant spirit of the Old World. The
+associates of the Wests and the Pearsons, considered the patriarchs of
+Pennsylvania as having been driven from England, because their endeavours
+to regulate their conduct by the example of Jesus Christ, mortified the
+temporal pretensions of those who satisfied themselves with attempting to
+repeat his doctrines; and they thought that the asylum in America was
+chosen, to facilitate the enjoyment of that affectionate intercourse which
+their tenets enjoined, free from the military predilections and political
+jealousies of Europe. The effect of this opinion tended to produce a state
+of society more peaceful and pleasing than the World had ever before
+exhibited. When the American Poets shall in future times celebrate the
+golden age of their country, they will draw their descriptions from the
+authentic history of Pennsylvania in the reign of King George the Second.</p>
+
+<p>From the first emigration in 1681, the colony had continued to thrive with
+a rapidity unknown to the other European Settlements. It was blessed in
+the maxims upon which it had been founded, and richly exhibited the fruits
+of their beneficent operation. At the birth of Benjamin West it had
+obtained great wealth, and the population was increasing much more
+vigorously than the ordinary reproduction of the human species in any
+other part of the world. In the houses of the principal families, the
+patricians of the country, unlimited hospitality formed a part of their
+regular economy. It was the custom among those who resided near the
+highways, after supper and the last religious exercise of the evening, to
+make a large fire in the hall, and to set out a table with refreshments
+for such travellers as might have occasion to pass during the night; and
+when the families assembled in the morning they seldom found that their
+tables had been unvisited. This was particularly the case at Springfield.
+Poverty was never heard of in the land. The disposition to common charity
+having no objects, was blended with the domestic affections, and rendered
+the ties of friendship and kindred stronger and dearer. Acts of liberality
+were frequently performed to an extent that would have beggared the
+munificence of the Old World. With all these delightful indications of a
+better order of things, society in Pennsylvania retained, at this time,
+many of those respectable prejudices which gave a venerable grace to
+manners, and are regarded by the practical philosopher as little inferior
+in dignity to the virtues. William Penn was proud of his distinguished
+parentage, and many of his friends traced their lineage to the antient
+and noble families of England. In their descendants the pride of ancestry
+was so tempered with the meekness of their religious tenets, that it lent
+a kind of patriarchal dignity to their benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>In beautiful contrast to the systematic morality of the new inhabitants,
+was the simplicity of the Indians, who mingled safe and harmless among the
+Friends. In the annual visits which they were in the practice of paying to
+the Plantations, they raised their huts in the fields and orchards without
+asking leave, nor were they ever molested. Voltaire has observed, that the
+treaty which was concluded between the Indians and William Penn was the
+first public contract which connected the inhabitants of the Old and New
+World together, and, though not ratified by oaths, and without invoking
+the Trinity, is still the only treaty that has never been broken. It may
+be further said, that Pennsylvania is the first country which has not been
+subdued by the sword, for the inhabitants were conquered by the force of
+Christian benevolence.</p>
+
+<p>When the great founder of the State marked out the site of Philadelphia in
+the woods, he allotted a piece of ground for a public library. It was his
+opinion, that although the labour of clearing the country would long
+employ the settlers, hours of relaxation would still be requisite; and,
+with his usual sagacity, he judged that the reading of books was more
+conducive to good morals and to the formation of just sentiments, than any
+other species of amusement. The different counties afterwards instituted
+libraries, which the townships have also imitated: where the population
+was insufficient to establish a large collection of books, the
+neighbouring families formed themselves into societies for procuring the
+popular publications. But in these arrangements for cultivating the powers
+of the understanding, no provision was made, during the reign of George
+the Second, for improving the faculties of taste. The works of which the
+libraries then consisted, treated of useful and practical subjects. It was
+the policy of the Quakers to make mankind wiser and better; and they
+thought that, as the passions are the springs of all moral evil when in a
+state of excitement, whatever tends to awaken them is unfavourable to that
+placid tenour of mind which they wished to see diffused throughout the
+world. This notion is prudent, perhaps judicious; but works of imagination
+may be rendered subservient to the same purpose. Every thing in
+Pennsylvania was thus unpropitious to the fine arts. There were no cares
+in the bosoms of individuals to require public diversions, nor any
+emulation in the expenditure of wealth to encourage the ornamental
+manufactures. In the whole Christian world no spot was apparently so
+unlikely to produce a painter as Pennsylvania. It might, indeed, be
+supposed, according to a popular opinion, that a youth, reared among the
+concentrating elements of a new state, in the midst of boundless forests,
+tremendous waterfalls, and mountains whose summits were inaccessible to
+"the lightest foot and wildest wing," was the most favourable situation
+to imbibe the enthusiasm either of poetry or of painting, if scenery and
+such accidental circumstances are to be regarded as every thing, and
+original character as nothing. But it may reasonably be doubted if ever
+natural scenery has any assignable influence on the productions of genius.
+The idea has probably arisen from the impression which the magnificence of
+nature makes on persons of cultivated minds, who fall into the mistake of
+considering the elevated emotions arising in reality from their own
+associations, as being naturally connected with the objects that excite
+them. Of all the nations of Europe the Swiss are the least poetical, and
+yet the scenery of no other country seems so well calculated as that of
+Switzerland to awaken the imagination; and Shakespeare, the greatest of
+all modern Poets, was brought up in one of the least picturesque districts
+of England.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the occurrence of the incident which has given rise to these
+observations, the young Artist was sent to a school in the neighbourhood.
+During his hours of leisure he was permitted to draw with pen and ink; for
+it did not occur to any of the family to provide him with better
+materials. In the course of the summer a party of Indians came to pay
+their annual visit to Springfield, and being amused with the sketches of
+birds and flowers which Benjamin shewed them, they taught him to prepare
+the red and yellow colours with which they painted their ornaments. To
+these his mother added blue, by giving him a piece of indigo, so that he
+was thus put in possession of the three primary colours. The fancy is
+disposed to expatiate on this interesting fact; for the mythologies of
+antiquity furnish no allegory more beautiful; and a Painter who would
+embody the metaphor of an Artist instructed by Nature, could scarcely
+imagine any thing more picturesque than the real incident of the Indians
+instructing West to prepare the prismatic colours. The Indians also taught
+him to be an expert archer, and he was sometimes in the practice of
+shooting birds for models, when he thought that their plumage would look
+well in a picture.</p>
+
+<p>His drawings at length attracted the attention of the neighbours; and some
+of them happening to regret that the Artist had no pencils, he enquired
+what kind of things these were, and they were described to him as small
+brushes made of camels' hair fastened in a quill. As there were, however,
+no camels in America, he could not think of any substitute, till he
+happened to cast his eyes on a black cat, the favourite of his father;
+when, in the tapering fur of her tail, he discovered the means of
+supplying what he wanted. He immediately armed himself with his mother's
+scissors, and, laying hold of Grimalkin with all due caution, and a proper
+attention to her feelings, cut off the fur at the end of her tail, and
+with this made his first pencil. But the tail only furnished him with one,
+which did not last long, and he soon stood in need of a further supply. He
+then had recourse to the animal's back, his depredations upon which were
+so frequently repeated, that his father observed the altered appearance of
+his favourite, and lamented it as the effect of disease. The Artist, with
+suitable marks of contrition, informed him of the true cause; and the old
+gentleman was so much amused with his ingenuity, that if he rebuked him,
+it was certainly not in anger.</p>
+
+<p>Anecdotes of this kind, trifling as they may seem, have an interest
+independent of the insight they afford into the character to which they
+relate. It will often appear, upon a careful study of authentic biography,
+that the means of giving body and effect to their conceptions, are rarely
+withheld from men of genius. If the circumstances of Fortune are
+unfavourable, Nature instructs them to draw assistance immediately from
+herself, by endowing them with the faculty of perceiving a fitness and
+correspondence in things which no force of reasoning, founded on the
+experience of others, could enable them to discover. This aptness is,
+perhaps, the surest indication of the possession of original talent. There
+are minds of a high class to which the world, in the latitude of its
+expressions, often ascribes genius, but which possess only a superior
+capacity for the application of other men's notions, unconnected with any
+unusual portion of the inventive faculty.</p>
+
+<p>In the following year Mr. Pennington, a merchant of Philadelphia, who was
+related to the West family, came to pay a visit to Mr. West. This
+gentleman was also a member of the Society of Friends, and, though
+strictly attentive to the peculiar observances of the sect, was a man of
+pleasant temper and indulgent dispositions. He noticed the drawings of
+birds and flowers round the room, unusual ornaments in the house of a
+Quaker; and heard with surprise that they were the work of his little
+cousin. Of their merit as pictures he did not pretend to judge, but he
+thought them wonderful productions for a boy only entering on his eighth
+year, and being told with what imperfect materials they had been executed,
+he promised to send the young Artist a box of paints and pencils from the
+city. On his return home he fulfilled his engagement, and at the bottom of
+the box placed several pieces of canvass prepared for the easel, and six
+engravings by Grevling.</p>
+
+<p>The arrival of the box was an &aelig;ra in the history of the Painter and his
+art. It was received with feelings of delight which only a similar mind
+can justly appreciate. He opened it, and in the colours, the oils, and
+the pencils, found all his wants supplied, even beyond his utmost
+conceptions. But who can describe the surprise with which he beheld the
+engravings; he who had never seen any picture but his own drawings, nor
+knew that such an art as the Engraver's existed! He sat over the box with
+enamoured eyes; his mind was in a flutter of joy; and he could not refrain
+from constantly touching the different articles, to ascertain that they
+were real. At night he placed the box on a chair near his bed, and as
+often as he was overpowered by sleep, he started suddenly and stretched
+out his hand to satisfy himself that the possession of such a treasure was
+not merely a pleasing dream. He rose at the dawn of day, and carried the
+box to a room in the garret, where he spread a canvass, prepared a pallet,
+and immediately began to imitate the figures in the engravings. Enchanted
+by his art he forgot the school hours, and joined the family at dinner
+without mentioning the employment in which he had been engaged. In the
+afternoon he again retired to his study in the garret; and for several
+days successively he thus withdrew and devoted himself to painting. The
+schoolmaster, observing his absence, sent to ask the cause of it. Mrs.
+West, affecting not to take any particular notice of the message,
+recollected that she had seen Benjamin going up stairs every morning, and
+suspecting that the box occasioned his neglect of the school, went to the
+garret, and found him employed on the picture. Her anger was appeased by
+the sight of his performance, and changed to a very different feeling. She
+saw, not a mere copy, but a composition from two of the engravings. With
+no other guide than that delicacy of sight which renders the Painter's
+eye, with respect to colours, what the Musician's ear is with respect to
+sounds, he had formed a picture as complete, in the scientific arrangement
+of the tints, notwithstanding the necessary imperfection of the
+pencilling, as the most skilful Artist could have painted, assisted by the
+precepts of Newton. She kissed him with transports of affection, and
+assured him that she would not only intercede with his father to pardon
+him for having absented himself from school, but would go herself to the
+master, and beg that he might not be punished. The delightful
+encouragement which this well-judged kindness afforded to the young
+Painter may be easily imagined; but who will not regret that the mother's
+over-anxious admiration would not suffer him to finish the picture, lest
+he should spoil what was already in her opinion perfect, even with half
+the canvass bare? Sixty-seven years afterwards the writer of these Memoirs
+had the gratification to see this piece in the same room with the sublime
+painting of "Christ Rejected," on which occasion the Painter declared to
+him that there were inventive touches of art in his first and juvenile
+essay, which, with all his subsequent knowledge and experience, he had not
+been able to surpass.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-2"></a>Chap. II.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The Artist visits Philadelphia.--His second Picture.--Williams the
+    Painter gives him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson.--Anecdote of
+    the Taylor's Apprentice.--The Drawings of the Schoolboys.--Anecdote
+    relative to Wayne.--Anecdote relative to Mr. Flower.--Anecdote
+    relative to Mr. Ross,--Anecdote of Mr. Henry.--The Artist's first
+    Historical Picture.--Origin of his Acquaintance with Dr. Smith of
+    Philadelphia.--The friendship of Dr. Smith, and the character of the
+    early companions of West.--Anecdote of General Washington.</blockquote>
+
+<p>In the course of a few days after the affair of the painting, Mr.
+Pennington paid another visit to Mr. West; and was so highly pleased with
+the effect of his present, and the promising talents of his young
+relation, that he entreated the old gentleman to allow Benjamin to
+accompany him for a few days to Philadelphia. This was cheerfully agreed
+to, and the Artist felt himself almost, as much delighted with the journey
+as with the box of colours. Every thing in the town filled him with
+astonishment; but the view of the shipping, which was entirely new,
+particularly attracted his eye, and interested him like the imaginary
+spectacles of magic.</p>
+
+<p>When the first emotions of his pleasure and wonder had subsided, he
+applied to Mr. Pennington to procure him materials for painting. That
+gentleman was desirous of getting possession of the first picture, and had
+only resigned what he jocularly alleged were his just claims, in
+consideration of the mother's feelings, and on being assured that the next
+picture should be purposely painted for him. The materials were procured,
+and the Artist composed a landscape, which comprehended a picturesque view
+of a river, with vessels on the water, and cattle pasturing on the banks.
+While he was engaged in this picture, an incident occurred which, though
+trivial in itself, was so much in unison with the other circumstances that
+favoured the bent of his genius, that it ought not to be omitted.</p>
+
+<p>Samuel Shoemaker [Footnote: This gentleman was afterwards introduced by
+Mr. West to the King, at Windsor, as one of the American Loyalists.], an
+intimate friend of Mr. Pennington, one of the principal merchants of
+Philadelphia, happened to meet in the street with one Williams, a Painter,
+carrying home a picture. Struck by the beauty of the performance, he
+enquired if it was intended for sale, and being told that it was already
+disposed of, he ordered another to be painted for himself. When the
+painting was finished, he requested the Artist to carry it to Mr.
+Pennington's house, in order that it might be shewn to young West. It was
+very well executed, and the boy was so much astonished at the sight of it,
+that his emotion and surprise attracted the attention of Williams, who was
+a man of observation, and judged correctly in thinking that such an
+uncommon manifestation of sensibility in so young a boy, indicated
+something extraordinary in his character. He entered into conversation
+with him, and enquired if he had read any books, or the lives of great
+men, The little amateur told him that he had read the Bible, and was well
+acquainted with the history of Adam, Joseph, David, Solomon, and the other
+great and good men whose actions are recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
+Williams was much pleased with the simplicity of the answer; and it might
+have occurred to him that histories more interesting have never been
+written, or written so well. Turning to Mr. Pennington, who was present,
+he asked if Benjamin was his son; advising him at the same time to indulge
+him in whatever might appear to be the bent of his talents, assuring him
+that he was no common boy.</p>
+
+<p>This interview was afterwards much spoken of by Williams, who in the mean
+time lent him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson on Painting, and invited
+him to see his pictures and drawings. The impression which these books
+made on the imagination of West finally decided his destination. He was
+allowed to carry them with him into the country; and his father and
+mother, soon perceiving a great change in his conversation, were referred
+to the books for an explanation of the cause. They read them for the first
+time themselves, and treasuring in their minds those anecdotes of the
+indications of the early symptoms of talent with which both works abound,
+they remembered the prophetic injunction of Edmund Peckover.</p>
+
+<p>The effect of the enthusiasm inspired by Richardson and Fresnoy may be
+conceived from the following incident. Soon after the young Artist had
+returned to Springfield, one of his schoolfellows, on a Saturday's half
+holiday, engaged him to give up a party at trap-ball to ride with him to
+one of the neighbouring plantations. At the time appointed the boy came,
+with the horse saddled. West enquired how he was to ride; "Behind me,"
+said the boy; but Benjamin, full of the dignity of the profession to which
+he felt himself destined, answered, that he never would ride behind any
+body. "O! very well then," said the good-natured boy, "you may take the
+saddle, and I will get up behind you." Thus mounted, they proceeded on
+their excursion; and the boy began to inform his companion that his father
+intended to send him to be an apprentice. "In what business?" enquired
+West; "A taylor," answered the boy. "Surely," said West, "you will never
+follow that trade;" animadverting upon its feminine character. The other,
+however, was a shrewd, sound-headed lad, and defended the election very
+stoutly, saying that his father had made choice of it for him, and that
+the person with whom he was to learn the business was much respected by
+all his neighbours. "But what do you intend to be, Benjamin?" West
+answered, that he had not thought at all on the subject, but he should
+like to be a painter. "A painter!" exclaimed the boy, "what sort of a
+trade is a painter? I never heard of such a thing." "A painter," said
+West, "is a companion for Kings and Emperors." "Surely you are mad,"
+replied the boy, "for there are no such people in America." "Very true,"
+answered Benjamin, "but there are plenty in other parts of the world." The
+other, still more amazed at the apparent absurdity of this speech,
+reiterated in a tone of greater surprise, "You are surely quite mad." To
+this the enthusiast replied by asking him if he really intended to be a
+taylor. "Most certainly," answered the other. "Then you may ride by
+yourself, for I will no longer keep your company," said West, and,
+alighting, immediately returned home.</p>
+
+<p>The report of this incident, with the affair of the picture, which had
+occasioned his absence from school, and visit to Philadelphia, made a
+great impression on the boys in the neighbourhood of Springfield. All
+their accustomed sports were neglected, and their play-hours devoted to
+drawing with chalk and oker. The little president was confessedly the most
+expert among them, but he has often since declared, that, according to his
+recollection, many of his juvenile companions evinced a degree of taste
+and skill in this exercise, that would not have discredited the students
+of any regular academy.</p>
+
+<p>Not far from the residence of Mr. West a cabinet-maker had a shop, in
+which Benjamin sometimes amused himself with the tools of the workmen. One
+day several large and beautiful boards of poplar tree were brought to it;
+and he happening to observe that they would answer very well for drawing
+on, the owner gave him two or three of them for that purpose, and he drew
+figures and compositions on them with ink, chalk, and charcoal. Mr. Wayne,
+a gentleman of the neighbourhood, having soon after occasion to call at
+his father's, noticed the boards in the room, and was so much pleased with
+the drawings, that he begged the young Artist to allow him to take two or
+three of them home, which, as but little value was set on them, was
+thought no great favour, either by the painter or his father. Next day Mr.
+Wayne called again, and after complimenting Benjamin on his taste and
+proficiency, gave him a dollar for each of the boards which he had taken
+away, and was resolved to preserve. Doctor Jonathan Moris, another
+neighbour, soon after, also made him a present of a few dollars to buy
+materials to paint with. These were the first public patrons of the
+Artist; and it is at his own request that their names are thus
+particularly inserted.</p>
+
+<p>About twelve months after the visit to Philadelphia, Mr. Flower, one of
+the Justices of the county of Chester, who possessed some taste in
+painting, requested Mr, West to allow Benjamin to spend a few weeks at his
+house. A short time before, this gentleman had met with a severe domestic
+misfortune in the loss of a wife, to whom he was much attached; and he
+resolved to shew his respect to her memory by devoting his attention
+exclusively to the improvement of his children: for this purpose he had
+sent to England for a governess qualified to undertake the education of
+his daughters, and he had the good fortune to obtain a lady eminently
+fitted for the trust. She arrived a few days only before the young Artist,
+and her natural discernment enabled her to appreciate that original bias
+of mind which she had heard ascribed to him, and of which she soon
+perceived the determination and the strength. Finding him unacquainted
+with any other books than the Bible, and the works of Richardson and
+Fresnoy, she frequently invited him to sit with her pupils, and, during
+the intervals of their tasks, she read to him the most striking and
+picturesque passages from translations of the antient historians and
+poetry, of which Mr. Flower had a choice and extensive collection. It was
+from this intelligent woman that he heard, for the first time, of the
+Greeks and Romans; and the impression which the story of those illustrious
+nations made on his mind, was answerable to her expectations.</p>
+
+<p>Among the acquaintance of Mr. Flower was a Mr. Ross, a lawyer in the town
+of Lancaster, a place at that time remarkable for its wealth, and which
+had the reputation of possessing the best and most intelligent society to
+be then found in America. It was chiefly inhabited by Germans, who of all
+people in the practice of emigrating, carry along with them the greatest
+stock of knowledge and accomplishments. The society of Lancaster,
+therefore, though it could not boast of any very distinguished character,
+yet comprehended many individuals who were capable of appreciating the
+merit of essays in art, and of discriminating the rude efforts of real
+genius from the more complete productions of mere mechanical skill. It was
+exactly in such a place that such a youth as Benjamin West was likely to
+meet with that flattering attention which is the best stimulus of juvenile
+talent. The wife of Mr. Ross was greatly admired for her beauty, and she
+had several children who were so remarkable in this respect as to be
+objects of general notice. One day when Mr. Flower was dining with them,
+he advised his friend to have their portraits taken; and mentioned that
+they would be excellent subjects for young West. Application was in
+consequence made to old Mr. West, and permission obtained for the little
+Artist to go to Lancaster for the purpose of taking the likenesses of Mrs.
+Ross and her family. Such was the success with which he executed this
+task, that the sphere of his celebrity was greatly enlarged; and so
+numerous were the applications for portraits, that it was with difficulty
+he could find time to satisfy the demands of his admirers.</p>
+
+<p>Among those who sent to him in this early stage of his career, was a
+person of the name of William Henry. He was an able mechanic, and had
+acquired a handsome fortune by his profession of a gunsmith. Henry was,
+indeed, in several respects, an extraordinary man, and possessed the power
+generally attendant upon genius under all circumstances, that of
+interesting the imagination of those with whom he conversed. On examining
+the young Artist's performance, he observed to him, that, if he could
+paint as well, he would not waste his time on portraits, but would devote
+himself to historical subjects; and he mentioned the Death of Socrates as
+affording one of the best topics for illustrating the moral effect of the
+art of painting. The Painter knew nothing of the history of the
+Philosopher; and, upon confessing his ignorance, Mr. Henry went to his
+library, and, taking down a volume of the English translation of Plutarch,
+read to him the account given by that writer of this affecting story.</p>
+
+<p>The suggestion and description wrought upon the imagination of West, and
+induced him to make a drawing, which he shewed to Mr. Henry, who commended
+it as a perspicuous delineation of the probable circumstances of the
+event, and requested him to paint it. West said that he would he happy to
+undertake the task, but, having hitherto painted only faces and men
+cloathed, he should be unable to do justice to the figure of the slave who
+presented the poison, and which he thought ought to be naked. Henry had
+among his workmen a very handsome young man, and, without waiting to
+answer the objection, he sent for him into the room. On his entrance he
+pointed him out to West, and said, "There is your model." The appearance
+of the young man, whose arms and breast were naked, instantaneously
+convinced the Artist that he had only to look into nature for the models
+which would impart grace and energy to his delineation of forms.</p>
+
+<p>When the death of Socrates was finished, it attracted much attention, and
+led to one of those fortunate acquaintances by which the subsequent career
+of the Artist has been so happily facilitated. About this period the
+inhabitants of Lancaster had resolved to erect a public grammar-school;
+and Dr. Smith, the Provost of the College at Philadelphia, was invited by
+them to arrange the course of instruction, and to place the institution in
+the way best calculated to answer the intention of the founders. This
+gentleman was an excellent classical scholar, and combined with his
+knowledge and admiration of the merits of the antients that liberality of
+respect for the endeavours of modern talent, with which the same kind of
+feeling is but rarely found connected. After seeing the picture and
+conversing with the Artist, he offered to undertake to make him to a
+certain degree acquainted with classical literature; while at the same
+time he would give him such a sketch of the taste and character of the
+spirit of antiquity, as would have all the effect of the regular education
+requisite to a painter. When this liberal proposal was communicated to old
+Mr. West, he readily agreed that Benjamin should go for some time to
+Philadelphia, in order to take advantage of the Provost's instructions;
+and accordingly, after returning home for a few days, Benjamin went to the
+capital, and resided at the house of Mr. Clarkson, his brother-in-law, a
+gentleman who had been educated at Leyden, and was much respected for the
+intelligence of his conversation, and the propriety of his manners.</p>
+
+<p>Provost Smith introduced West, among other persons, to four young men,
+pupils of his own, whom he particularly recommended to his acquaintance,
+as possessing endowments of mind greatly superior to the common standard
+of mankind. One of these was Francis Hopkins, who afterwards highly
+distinguished himself in the early proceedings of the Congress of the
+United States. Thomas Godfrey, the second, died after having given the
+most promising indications of an elegant genius for pathetic and
+descriptive poetry. He was an apprentice to a watchmaker, and had secretly
+written a poem, which he published anonymously in the Philadelphia
+newspaper, under the title of "The Temple of Fame." The attention which it
+attracted, and the encomiums which the Provost in particular bestowed on
+it, induced West, who was in the Poet's confidence, to mention to him who
+was the author. The information excited the alert benevolence of Smith's
+character, and he lost no time until he had procured the release of
+Godfrey from his indenture, and a respectable employment for him in the
+government of the state; but this he did not live long to enjoy: being
+sent on some public business to Carolina, he fell a victim to the climate.</p>
+
+<p>It is pleasant to redeem from oblivion the memory of early talent thus
+prematurely withdrawn from the world. Many of Godfrey's verses were
+composed under a clump of pines which grew near the upper ferry of the
+river Schuylkill, to which spot he sometimes accompanied West and their
+mutual friends to angle. In the heat of the day he used to stretch himself
+beneath the shade of the trees, and repeat to them his verses as he
+composed them. Reid was the name of the other young man, and the same
+person who first opposed the British troops in their passing through
+Jersey, when the rebellion of the Provinces commenced. Previous to the
+revolution, he was bred to the bar, and practised with distinction in the
+courts of Philadelphia. He was afterwards elected a Member of Congress,
+and is the same person who was appointed to meet Lord Carlisle on his
+mission from the British Court.</p>
+
+<p>Provost Smith was himself possessed of a fluent vein of powerful
+eloquence, and it happened that many of his pupils who distinguished
+themselves in the great struggle of their country, appeared to have
+imbibed his talent; but none of them more than Jacob Duchey, another of
+the four youths whom he recommended to the Artist. He became a Clergyman,
+and was celebrated throughout the whole of the British Provinces in
+America as a most pathetic and persuasive preacher. The publicity of his
+character in the world was, however, chiefly owing to a letter which he
+addressed to General Washington, soon after the appointment of that chief
+to the command of the army. The purport of this letter was to persuade the
+General to go over to the British cause. It was carried to him by a Mrs.
+Ferguson, a daughter of Doctor Graham, a Scottish Physician in
+Philadelphia. Washington, with his army, at that time lay at Valley-forge,
+and this lady, on the pretext of paying him a visit, as they were
+previously acquainted, went to the camp. The General received her in his
+tent with much respect, for he greatly admired the masculine vigour of her
+mind. When she had delivered the letter he read it attentively, and,
+rising from his seat, walked backwards and forwards upwards of an hour,
+without speaking. He appeared to be much agitated during the greatest part
+of the time; but at length, having decided with himself, he stopped, and
+addressed her in nearly the following words: "Madam, I have always
+esteemed your character and endowments, and I am fully sensible of the
+noble principles by which you are actuated on this occasion; nor has any
+man in the whole continent more confidence in the integrity of his friend,
+than I have in the honour of Mr. Duchey. But I am here entrusted by the
+people of America with sovereign authority. They have placed their lives
+and fortunes at my disposal, because they believe me to be an honest man.
+Were I, therefore, to desert their cause, and consign them again to the
+British, what would be the consequence? to myself perpetual infamy; and to
+them endless calamity. The seeds of everlasting division are sown between
+the two countries; and, were the British again to become our masters, they
+would have to maintain their dominion by force, and would, after all,
+retain us in subjection only so long as they could hold their bayonets to
+our breasts. No, Madam, the proposal of Mr. Duchey, though conceived with
+the best intention, is not framed in wisdom. America and England must be
+separate states; but they may have common interests, for they are but one
+people. It will, therefore, be the object of my life and ambition to
+establish the independence of America in the first place; and in the
+second, to arrange such a community of interests between the two nations
+as shall indemnify them for the calamities which they now suffer, and form
+a new &aelig;ra in the history of nations. But, Madam, you are aware that I
+have many enemies; Congress may hear of your visit, and of this letter,
+and I should be suspected were I to conceal it from them. I respect you
+truly, as I have said; and I esteem the probity and motives of Mr. Duchey,
+and therefore you are free to depart from the camp, but the letter will be
+transmitted without delay to Congress."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ferguson herself communicated the circumstances of this interesting
+transaction to Mr. West, after she came to England; for she, as well as
+Mr. Duchey, were obliged to quit the country. It is painful to add, that
+Duchey came to England, and was allowed to pine unnoticed by the
+Government, and was heard of no more.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-3"></a>Chap. III.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The course of instruction adopted by Provost Smith.--The Artist led to
+    the discovery of the Camera.--His Father becomes anxious to place him
+    in business.--Extraordinary proceedings of the Quakers in
+    consequence.--The Speech of Williamson the Preacher in defence of the
+    Fine Arts.--Magnanimous Resolution of the Quakers,--Reflections on
+    this singular transaction.</blockquote>
+
+<p>There was something so judicious in the plan of study which Provost
+Smith had formed for his pupil, that it deserves to be particularly
+considered. He regarded him as destined to be a Painter; and on this
+account did not impose upon him those grammatical exercises of language
+which are usually required from the young student of the classics, but
+directed his attention to those incidents which were likely to interest
+his fancy, and to furnish him at some future time with subjects for the
+easel. He carried him immediately to those passages of antient history
+which make the most lasting impression on the imagination of the
+regular-bred scholar, and described the picturesque circumstances of the
+transactions with a minuteness of detail that would have been
+superfluous to a general student.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of this course of education the Artist happened to be taken
+ill of a slight fever, and when it had subsided, he was in so weak a state
+as to be obliged to keep his bed, and to have the room darkened. In this
+situation he remained several days, with no other light than what was
+admitted by the seams and fissures in the window-shutters, which had the
+usual effect of expanding the pupil of his eyes to such a degree that he
+could distinctly see every object in the room, which to others appeared in
+complete obscurity. While he was thus lying in bed, he observed the
+apparitional form of a white cow enter at the one side of the roof, and
+walking over the bed, gradually vanish at the other. The phenomenon
+surprised him exceedingly, and he feared that his mind was impaired by his
+disease, which his sister also suspected, when on entering to inquire how
+he felt himself, he related to her what he had seen. Without, however,
+saying any thing, she went immediately and informed her husband, who
+accompanied her back to the apartment; and as they were standing near the
+bed, West repeated the story, exclaiming in his discourse that he saw, at
+the very moment in which he was then speaking, several little pigs running
+along the roof. This confirmed them in the apprehension of his delirium,
+and they sent for a physician. But the doctor could discover no symptoms
+of fever; the pulse was regular, the skin moist and cool, the thirst was
+abated, and indeed every thing about the patient indicated convalescence.
+Still the Painter persisted in his story, and assured them that he then
+saw the figures of several of their mutual friends passing on the roof,
+over the bed; and that he even saw fowls pecking, and the very stones of
+the street. All this seemed to them very extraordinary, for their eyes,
+not accustomed to the gloom of the chamber, could discern nothing; and the
+learned physician himself, in despite of the symptoms, began to suspect
+that the convalescent was really delirious. Prescribing, therefore, a
+composing mixture, which the Painter submitted to swallow, he took his
+fee and leave, requesting Mrs. Clarkson and her husband to come away and
+not disturb the patient. After they had retired, curiosity overcame the
+influence of the drug, and the Artist got up, determined to find out the
+cause of the strange apparitions which had so alarmed them all. In a short
+time he discovered a diagonal knot-hole in one of the window-shutters, and
+upon placing his hand over it, the visionary paintings on the roof
+disappeared. This confirmed him in an opinion that he began to form, that
+there must be some simple natural cause for what he had seen; and, having
+thus ascertained the way in which it acted, he called his sister and her
+husband into the room and explained it to them. When able to go down
+stairs, Mr. Clarkson gave him permission to perforate one of the parlour
+window-shutters horizontally, in order to obtain a representation on the
+wall of the buildings of the opposite side of the street. The effect was
+as he expected, but, to his astonishment, the objects appeared inverted.
+Without attempting to remedy this with the aid of glasses, as a
+mathematical genius would perhaps have done, he was delighted to see in it
+the means of studying the pictural appearance of Nature, and he hailed
+the discovery as a revelation to promote his improvement in the art of
+painting. On his return soon after to his father's, he had a box made with
+one of the sides perforated; and, adverting to the reflective power of the
+mirror, he contrived, without ever having heard of the instrument, to
+invent the <i>Camera</i>. Thus furnishing another proof, that although the
+faculty which enables a man to excel in any particular art or science is a
+natural endowment, it is seldom unaccompanied with a general superiority
+of observation. It will, however, not be disputed, that a boy under
+sixteen, who had thus, by the guidance of his own unassisted judgment,
+found out a method of ascertaining the colour and outline of natural
+objects as they should appear in painting, possessed no ordinary mind.
+Observations of this nature mark the difference between innate talent and
+instructed habits; and, whether in painting, or in poetry, in art, or in
+science, constitute the source of that peculiarity of intellect which is
+discriminated from the effects of education by the name of original
+talent. The self-educated man of genius, when his mind is formed, differs
+but little in the method of expressing his notions, from the most
+mechanical disciple of the schools; but the process by which he attains
+that result, renders his history interesting by its incidents, and
+valuable by the hints which it furnishes for the study of human character.
+It is, perhaps, also, one great cause of his own distinguishing features
+of mind, as the very contrivances to which he has recourse have the effect
+of taking, as it were, something extraneous into the matter of his
+experiments which tinges the product with curious and singular
+effects.--West, on afterwards mentioning his discovery to Williams the
+painter, was surprised to find himself anticipated, that Artist having
+received a complete Camera some time before from England.</p>
+
+<p>In this favourable state of things he attained his sixteenth year, when
+his father became anxious to see him settled in some established business.
+For, though reluctant to thwart the bias of a genius at once so decided
+and original, and to which the injunction of Peckover had rendered him
+favourable and indulgent, the old gentleman was sensible that the
+profession of a painter was not only precarious, but regarded by the
+religious association to which he belonged, as adverse to their tenets, by
+being only ornamental; and he was anxious, on his son's account and on his
+own, to avoid those animadversions to which he was exposed by the freedom
+he had hitherto granted to the predilections of Benjamin. He, therefore,
+consulted several of his neighbours on the subject; and a meeting of the
+Society of Friends in the vicinity was called, to consider, publicly, what
+ought to be the destiny of his son.</p>
+
+<p>The assembly met in the Meeting-house near Springfield, and after much
+debate, approaching to altercation, a man of the name of John Williamson
+rose, and delivered a very extraordinary speech upon the subject. He was
+much respected by all present, for the purity and integrity of his life,
+and enjoyed great influence in his sphere on account of the superiority
+of his natural wisdom, and, as a public preacher among the Friends,
+possessed an astonishing gift of convincing eloquence. He pointed to old
+Mr. West and his wife, and expatiated on the blameless reputation which
+they had so long maintained, and merited so well. "They have had," said
+he, "ten children, whom they have carefully brought up in the fear of
+God, and in the Christian religion; and the youth, whose lot in life we
+are now convened to consider, is Benjamin, their youngest child. It is
+known to you all that God is pleased, from time to time, to bestow upon
+some men extraordinary gifts of mind, and you need not be told by how
+wonderful an inspiration their son has been led to cultivate the art of
+painting. It is true that our tenets deny the utility of that art to
+mankind. But God has bestowed on the youth a genius for the art, and can
+we believe that Omniscience bestows His gifts but for great purposes?
+What God has given, who shall dare to throw away? Let us not estimate
+Almighty wisdom by our notions; let us not presume to arraign His
+judgment by our ignorance, but in the evident propensity of the young
+man, be assured that we see an impulse of the Divine hand operating
+towards some high and beneficent end."</p>
+
+<p>The effect of this argument, and the lofty commanding manner in which it
+was delivered, induced the assembly to agree that the Artist should be
+allowed to indulge the predilections of his genius; and a private
+meeting of the Friends was appointed to be holden at his father's house,
+at which the youth himself was requested to be present, in order to
+receive, in form, the assent and blessing of the Society. On the day of
+meeting, the great room was put in order, and a numerous company of both
+sexes assembled. Benjamin was placed by his father, and the men and
+women took their respective forms on each side. After sitting some time
+in silence, one of the women rose and addressed the meeting on the
+wisdom of God, and the various occasions on which He selected from among
+His creatures the agents of His goodness. When she had concluded her
+exhortation, John Williamson also rose, and in a speech than which,
+perhaps, the porticos of Athens never resounded with a more impressive
+oratory, he resumed the topic which had been the subject of his former
+address. He began by observing that it was fixed as one of their
+indisputable maxims, that things merely ornamental were not necessary to
+the well-being of man, and that all superfluous things should be
+excluded from the usages and manners of their society. "In this
+proscription, we have included," said he, "the study of the fine arts,
+for we see them applied only to embellish pleasures, and to strengthen
+our inducements to gratify the senses at the expense of our immortal
+claims. But, because we have seen painting put to this derogatory use,
+and have, in consequence, prohibited the cultivation of it among us, are
+we sure that it is not one of those gracious gifts which God has
+bestowed on the world, not to add to the sensual pleasures of man, but
+to facilitate his improvement as a social and a moral being? The fine
+arts are called the offspring and the emblems of peace. The Christian
+religion itself is the doctrine of good will to man. Can those things
+which only prosper in peace be contrary to the Christian religion? But,
+it is said, that the fine arts soften and emasculate the mind. In what
+way? is it by withdrawing those who study them from the robust exercises
+which enable nations and people to make war with success? Is it by
+lessening the disposition of mankind to destroy one another, and by
+taming the audacity of their animal fierceness? Is it for such a reason
+as this, that we who profess to live in unison and friendship, not only
+among ourselves, but with all the world that we should object to the
+cultivation of the fine arts, of those arts which disarm the natural
+ferocity of man? We may as well be told that the doctrine of peace and
+life ought to be proscribed in the world because it is pernicious to the
+practice of war and slaughter, as that the arts which call on man to
+exercise his intellectual powers more than his physical strength, can be
+contrary to Christianity, and adverse to the benevolence of the Deity. I
+speak not, however, of the fine arts as the means of amusement, nor the
+study of them as pastime to fill up the vacant hours of business, though
+even as such, the taste for them deserves to be regarded as a
+manifestation of Divine favour, in as much as they dispose the heart to
+kind and gentle inclinations. For, I think them ordained by God for some
+great and holy purpose. Do we not know that the professors of the fine
+arts are commonly men greatly distinguished by special gifts of a
+creative and discerning spirit? If there be any thing in the usual
+course of human affairs which exhibits the immediate interposition of
+the Deity, it is in the progress of the fine arts, in which it would
+appear he often raises up those great characters, the spirit of whose
+imaginations have an interminable influence on posterity, and who are
+themselves separated and elevated among the generality of mankind, by
+the name of men of genius. Can we believe that all this is not for some
+useful purpose? What that purpose is, ought we to pretend to
+investigate? Let us rather reflect that the Almighty God has been
+pleased among us, and in this remote wilderness, to endow, with the rich
+gifts of a peculiar spirit, that youth who has now our common consent to
+cultivate his talents for an art, which, according to our humble and
+human judgment, was previously thought an unnecessary ministration to
+the sensual propensities of our nature. May it be demonstrated by the
+life and works of the Artist, that the gift of God has not been bestowed
+on him in vain, nor the motives of the beneficent inspiration which
+induces us to suspend our particular tenets, prove barren of religious
+or moral effect. On the contrary, let us confidently hope that this
+occurrence has been for good, and that the consequences which may arise
+in the society of this new world, from the example which Benjamin West
+will be enabled to give, will be such a love of the arts of peace as
+shall tend to draw the ties of affection closer, and diffuse over a
+wider extent of community the interests and blessing of fraternal love."</p>
+
+<p>At the conclusion of this address, the women rose and kissed the young
+Artist, and the men, one by one, laid their hands on his head and prayed
+that the Lord might verify in his life the value of the gift which had
+induced them, in despite of their religious tenets, to allow him to
+cultivate the faculties of his genius.</p>
+
+<p>The history of no other individual affords an incident so extraordinary.
+This could not be called a presentiment, but the result of a clear
+expectation, that some important consequence would ensue. It may be added
+that a more beautiful instance of liberality is not to be found in the
+records of any religious society. Hitherto, all sects, even of Christians,
+were disposed to regard, with jealousy and hatred, all those members who
+embraced any pursuit that might tend to alienate them from their
+particular modes of discipline. The Quakers have, therefore, the honour of
+having been the first to allow, by a public act, that their conception of
+the religious duties of man was liable to the errors of the human
+judgment, and was not to be maintained on the presumption of being
+actually according to the will of God. There is something at once simple
+and venerable in the humility with which they regarded their own peculiar
+principles, especially contrasted with the sublime view they appeared to
+take of the wisdom and providence of the Deity. But, with whatever
+delightful feelings strangers and posterity may contemplate this beautiful
+example of Christian magnanimity, it would be impossible to convey any
+idea of the sentiments with which it affected the youth who was the object
+of its exercise. He must have been less than man had he not endeavoured,
+without ceasing, to attain an honourable eminence in his profession; or,
+had he forgotten, in the honours which he has since received from all
+polished nations, that he was authorized by his friends and his religion,
+to cultivate the art by which he obtained such distinctions, not for his
+own sake, but as an instrument chosen by Providence to disseminate the
+arts of peace in the world.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-4"></a>Chap. IV.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Reflections on the Eccentricities of Young Men of Genius with respect
+    to pecuniary matters.--The Death of the Artist's Mother.--The
+    Embodying of the Pennsylvanian Militia; an Anecdote of General
+    Wayne.--The Artist elected Commandant of a corps of Volunteer
+    boys.--The circumstances which occasioned the Search for the Bones of
+    Bradock's army.--The Search.--The Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Father and Brother of Sir Peter Halket.--The Artist proposed
+    afterwards to paint a Picture of the Discovery of the Bones of the
+    Halkets.--He commences regularly as a Painter.--He copies a St.
+    Ignatius.--He is induced to attempt Historical Portraiture.--His
+    Picture of the Trial of Susannah.--Of the merits of that Picture.</blockquote>
+
+<p>There is a regardless independence about minds of superior endowment,
+which, in similar characters, manifests itself differently according to
+the circumstances in which they happen to be placed. Devoted to the
+contemplation of the means of future celebrity, the man of genius
+frequently finds himself little disposed to set a proper value on the
+common interests of of life. When bred in affluence, and exempted from
+the necessity of considering the importance of money to the attainment of
+his object, he is often found, to a blameful degree, negligent of
+pecuniary concerns; and, on the contrary, when his situation is such that
+he may only hope for distinction by the practice of the most parsimonious
+frugality, he will as often appear in the social and propelling season of
+youth enduring voluntary privations with an equanimity which the
+ostentatious fanatic or contrite penitent would in vain attempt to
+surpass. This peculiar feature of the self-sustained mind of genius has
+often been misunderstood, and seldom valued as it ought to be. The
+presumptuous weak who mistake the wish of distinction for the workings of
+talent, admire the eccentricities of the gifted youth who is reared in
+opulence, and, mistaking the prodigality which is only the effect of his
+fortune, for the attributes of his talents, imitate his errors, and
+imagine that, by copying the blemishes of his conduct, they possess what
+is illustrious in his mind. Such men are incapable of appreciating the
+self-denial which Benjamin West made it a duty to impose upon himself on
+entering the world; but to those who are truly conscious of possessing
+the means of attracting the admiration of their contemporaries and
+posterity, the voluntary abstinence of a youth of genius will afford them
+delight in the contemplation, even though they may be happily free from
+the obligation of practising it themselves.</p>
+
+<p>When it was determined among the Friends that Benjamin West should be
+allowed to cultivate the art of Painting, he went to Lancaster, but he was
+hastily recalled by a severe domestic misfortune. His mother was seized by
+a dangerous illness, and being conscious that she could not live long, she
+requested that he might be sent for home. Benjamin hastily obeyed the
+summons, but, before he reached the house, her strength was exhausted, and
+she was only able to express by her look the satisfaction with which she
+saw him approach the bed, before she expired. Her funeral, and the
+distress which the event naturally occasioned to her family, by all of
+whom she was very tenderly beloved, detained the young Artist some time at
+his father's. About the end of August, in 1756, however, he took his
+final departure, and went to Philadelphia. But, before proceeding with
+the narrative of his professional career, it is necessary to advert to
+some of the public transactions of that period, by which his sensibility
+was powerfully excited. Indeed it will appear throughout the whole of
+these singular memoirs, that the subject of them was, perhaps, more
+immediately affected by the developement of national events, than usually
+falls to the lot of any individual so little connected with public men,
+and so far remote from the great thoroughfare of political occurrences.</p>
+
+<p>After the destruction of General Bradock's army, the Pennsylvanians being
+alarmed at the defenceless state in which they were placed by that
+calamity, the Assembly of the Province resolved to embody a militia force;
+and Mr, Wayne, who has been already mentioned, was appointed Colonel of
+the Regiment raised in Chester County. This defensive measure announced
+that the golden age of the country was past, and the change felt by the
+peaceful Quakers indicated an alteration in their harmless manners. West,
+among others, went to view the first muster of the troops under the
+command of Colonel Wayne, and the sight of men in arms, their purpose and
+array, warmed his lively imagination with military enthusiasm. In
+conjunction with a son of the Colonel, a boy of his own age, with whom he
+had become acquainted, he procured a gun, and determined also to be a
+soldier. Young Wayne was drilled by the diciplinarians of his father's
+corps, and he, in turn, exercised West, who, being more alert and active,
+soon obtained a decided superiority; but what different destinies were
+attached to them! West has attained, in the intellectual discipline of the
+arts of peace, an enviable reputation; and Wayne, who was inferior to him
+in the manual of the soldier, became an illustrious commander, and
+partook, as the companion in arms of Washington, of the glory of having
+established the independence of America.</p>
+
+<p>The martial preparations inspired all the youths of Pennsylvania with the
+love of arms, and diffused the principles of that military spirit which
+was afterwards exerted with so much effect against the erroneous policy
+of the mother country. West, soon after his drilling under young Wayne,
+visited Lancaster; and the boys of that town having formed themselves
+into a little corps, made choice of him for their commandant. Among
+others who caught the spirit of the time, was his brother Samuel, who
+possessed a bold character and an enterprising disposition. He was about
+six years older than the Artist, and, being appointed a Captain in
+Colonel Wayne's regiment, joined the troops under the command of General
+Forbes, who was sent to repair the disasters which had happened to the
+unfortunate Bradock.</p>
+
+<p>After the taking of Fort Duane, to which the new name of Pittsburgh was
+given, in compliment to the minister of the day, General Forbes resolved
+to search for the relics of Bradock's army. As the European soldiers were
+not so well qualified to explore the forests, Captain West was appointed,
+with his company of American sharpshooters, to assist in the execution of
+this duty; and a party of Indian warriors, who had returned to the British
+interests, were requested to conduct him to the places where the bones of
+the slain were likely to be found. In this solemn and affecting duty
+several officers belonging to the 42d regiment accompanied the detachment,
+and with them Major Sir Peter Halket, who had lost his father and a
+brother in the fatal destruction of the army. It might have been thought a
+hopeless task that he should be able to discriminate their remains from
+the common relics of the other soldiers; but he was induced to think
+otherwise, as one of the Indian warriors assured him that he had seen an
+officer fall near a remarkable tree, which he thought he could still
+discover; informing him at the same time, that the incident was impressed
+on his memory by observing a young subaltern, who, in running to the
+officer's assistance, was also shot dead on his reaching the spot, and
+fell across the other's body. The Major had a mournful conviction in his
+own mind that the two officers were his father and brother, and, indeed,
+it was chiefly owing to his anxiety on the subject, that this pious
+expedition, the second of the kind that History records, was undertaken.</p>
+
+<p>Captain West and his companions proceeded through the woods and along the
+banks of the river towards the scene of the battle. The Indians regarded
+the expedition as a religious service, and guided the troops with awe, and
+in profound silence. The soldiers were affected with sentiments not less
+serious; and as they explored the bewildering labyrinths of those vast
+forests, their hearts were often melted with inexpressible sorrow; for
+they frequently found skeletons lying across the trunks of fallen trees, a
+mournful proof to their imaginations that the men who sat there, had
+perished of hunger, in vainly attempting to find their way to the
+plantations. Sometimes their feelings were raised to the utmost pitch of
+horror by the sight of sculls and bones scattered on the ground--a certain
+indication that the bodies had been devoured by wild beasts; and in other
+places they saw the blackness of ashes amidst the relics,--the tremendous
+evidence of atrocious rites.</p>
+
+<p>At length they reached a turn of the river not far from the principal
+scene of destruction, and the Indian who remembered the death of the two
+officers, stopped; the detachment also halted. He then looked around in
+quest of some object which might recall, distinctly, his recollection of
+the ground, and suddenly darted into the wood. The soldiers rested their
+arms without speaking. A shrill cry was soon after heard; and the other
+guides made signs for the troops to follow them towards the spot from
+which it came. In the course of a short time they reached the Indian
+warrior, who, by his cry, had announced to his companions that he had
+found the place where he was posted on the day of battle. As the troops
+approached, he pointed to the tree under which the officers had fallen.
+Captain West halted his men round the spot, and with Sir Peter Halket and
+the other officers, formed a circle, while the Indians removed the leaves
+which thickly covered the ground. The skeletons were found, as the Indian
+expected, lying across each other. The officers having looked at them some
+time, the Major said, that as his father had an artificial tooth, he
+thought he might be able to ascertain if they were indeed his bones and
+those of his brother. The Indians were, therefore, ordered to remove the
+skeleton of the youth, and to bring to view that of the old officer. This
+was immediately done, and after a short examination, Major Halket
+exclaimed, "It is my father!" and fell back into the arms of his
+companions. The pioneers then dug a grave, and the bones being laid in it
+together, a highland plaid was spread over them, and they were interred
+with the customary honours.</p>
+
+<p>When Lord Grosvenor bought the picture of the death of Wolfe, Mr. West
+mentioned to him the finding of the bones of Bradock's army as a pictorial
+subject capable of being managed with great effect. The gloom of the vast
+forest, the naked and simple Indians supporting the skeletons, the grief
+of the son on recognizing the relics of his father, the subdued melancholy
+of the spectators, and the picturesque garb of the Pennsylvanian
+sharpshooters, undoubtedly furnished topics capable of every effect which
+the pencil could bestow, or the imagination require in the treatment of so
+sublime a scene. His Lordship admitted, that in possessing so affecting an
+incident as the discovery of the bones of the Halkets, it was superior
+even to that of the search for the remains of the army of Varus; the
+transaction, however, being little known, and not recorded by any
+historian, he thought it would not be interesting to the public. Other
+engagements have since prevented Mr. West from attempting it on his own
+account. But it is necessary that the regular narrative should be resumed;
+for the military history of the Artist terminated when he was recalled
+home by the last illness of his mother, although the excitement which the
+events that led to it occasioned never lost its influence on his mind,
+especially that of the incident which has been described, and which has
+ever been present to his imagination as one of the most affecting
+occurrences, whether considered with respect to the feelings of the
+gentlemen most immediately interested in it, or with respect to the wild
+and solemn circumstances under which the service was performed.</p>
+
+<p>On his return to Philadelphia, he again resided with Mr. Clarkson, his
+brother-in-law; and Provost Smith, in the evenings, continued to direct
+his attention to those topics of literature which were most suitable to
+cherish the expansion of his mind, and to enrich his imagination with
+ideas useful to his profession. While his leisure hours were thus
+profitably employed, his reputation as a portrait painter was rapidly
+extended. His youth, and the peculiar incidents of his history, attracted
+many sitters, and his merits verified the recommendations of his friends.
+This constancy of employment, no doubt materially tended to his
+improvement in the manipulation of his art; for whatever may be the native
+force of talent, it is impossible that the possessor can attain excellence
+by any other means than practice. Facility to express the conceptions of
+the mind must be acquired before the pen or the pencil can embody them
+appropriately, and the author who does not execute much, however little he
+may exhibit, can never expect to do justice to the truth and beauty of his
+own ideas. West was very soon duly impressed with the justness of this
+observation; and, while in the execution of his portraits, he was
+assiduous to acquire a ready knowledge of those characteristic traits
+which have since enabled him to throw so much variety into his
+compositions; he felt conscious that, without seeing better pictures than
+his own, he could neither hope to attain distinction, nor to appreciate
+his own peculiar powers. It was this consideration that induced him to
+adopt a most rigid system of frugality. He looked forward to a period when
+he might be enabled, by the fruits of his own industry, to visit the great
+scenes of the fine arts in Europe; and the care with which he treasured
+the money that he received for his portraits was rewarded even at the time
+with the assurance of realizing his expectations. The prices which he
+first fixed for his portraits, were two guineas and a half for a head, and
+five guineas for a half length.</p>
+
+<p>After what has already been mentioned of the state of Society in
+Pennsylvania, it is needless to say that at the period to which these
+memoirs refer, there were but few pictures in the British Plantations;
+indeed, without any other explanation, all that should be contended for by
+any person who might imagine it necessary to advocate the pretensions of
+Benjamin West to be placed in the list of original and self-instructed
+artists, would be readily granted, upon stating the single fact, that he
+was born in Pennsylvania, and did not leave America till the year 1760. At
+the same time, it might be construed into an injudicious concealment, if
+it were not mentioned that Governor Hamilton, who at that period presided
+with so much popularity over the affairs of the province, possessed a few
+pictures, consisting, however, chiefly of family portraits. Among them was
+a St. Ignatius, which was found in the course of the preceding war on
+board a Spanish prize, and which Mr. Pennington obtained leave for West to
+copy. The Artist had made choice of it himself, without being aware of its
+merits as a work of art, for it was not until several years after that he
+discovered it to be a fine piece of the Morillo school, and in the best
+style of the master.</p>
+
+<p>This copy was greatly admired by all who saw it, and by none more than his
+valuable friend Provost Smith, to whom it suggested the notion that
+portrait-painting might be raised to something greatly above the
+exhibition of a mere physical likeness; and he in consequence endeavoured
+to impress upon the mind of his pupil, that characteristic painting opened
+a new line in the art, only inferior in dignity to that of history, but
+requiring, perhaps, a nicer discriminative tact of mind. This judicious
+reflection of Dr. Smith was however anticipated by Sir Joshua Reynolds,
+who had already made the discovery, and was carrying it into effect with
+admirable success. The Provost, however, was unacquainted with that
+circumstance, and induced West to make an experiment by drawing his
+portrait in the style and attitude of the St. Ignatius.</p>
+
+<p>While he was thus employed on portraits, a gentleman of the name of Cox
+called on him to agree for a likeness of his daughter; and the picture of
+Dr. Smith attracted his attention. It indeed appeared to him to evince
+such a capacity for historical composition, that, instead of then
+determining any thing respecting his daughter's portrait, he gave an order
+for an historical picture, allowing the Artist himself to choose the
+subject. This task had peculiar charms; for the Painter in the course of
+reading the Bible to his mother some time before, had been led to think
+that the Trial of Susannah was a fine subject, and he was thus enabled, by
+the liberality of Mr. Cox, to embody the conceptions of his imagination
+while they were yet in all the freshness and vigour of original
+formation. He made his canvas about the size of a half length portrait, on
+which he introduced not fewer than forty figures. In the execution he
+followed the rule which he had adopted in painting the Death of Socrates,
+and drew the principal figures from living models.--It is not known what
+has become of the Trial of Susannah. In the rebellion of the Colonies, Mr.
+Cox adhered to the British interest; and his daughter, the last person
+into whose possession the picture has been traced, having married a
+British officer, came to England during the war, and the Artist has not
+heard where she has since resided.</p>
+
+<p>In point of composition, Mr. West is of opinion that the Trial of Susannah
+was superior to the Death of Socrates. In this he is probably correct; for
+during the interval between the execution of the one and the other, his
+mind had been enlarged in knowledge by reading, his eye improved by the
+study of pictorial outline and perspective in the <i>Camera</i>, and his touch
+softened by the portraits which he painted, and particularly by his
+careful copy of the St. Ignatius. In point of drawing, both pictures were
+no doubt greatly inferior to many of his subsequent works; but his son,
+long after he had acquired much celebrity, saw the picture of the Death of
+Socrates; and was of opinion that it was not surpassed by any of them in
+variety of composition, and in that perspicuity of narrative which is the
+grand characteristic of the Artist's genius.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-5"></a>Chap. V.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Motives which induced him to visit New York.--State of Society in New
+    York.--Reflections on the sterility of American
+    talent.--Considerations on the circumstances which tend to produce
+    Poetical feelings.--The causes which produced the peculiarities in the
+    state of Society in New York.--The Accident which led the Artist to
+    discover the method of colouring Candle-light and Fire effects after
+    Nature.--He copies Strange's engraving of Belisarius, by Salvador
+    Rosa.--The occurrence which hastened his Voyage to Italy, with the
+    Anecdote of his obligations to Mr. Kelly.--Reflections on Plutarch,
+    occasioned by reference to the effect which his works had on the mind
+    of West.--The Artist embarks; occurrence at Gibraltar.--He arrives at
+    Leghorn.--Journey to Rome.</blockquote>
+
+<p>But although West found himself in possession of abundant employment in
+Philadelphia, he was sensible that he could not expect to increase his
+prices with effect, if he continued constantly in the same place. He also
+became sensible that to view life in various lights was as necessary to
+his improvement as to exercise his pencil on different subjects. And,
+beyond all, he was profoundly sensible, by this time, that he could not
+hope to attain eminence in his profession, without inspecting the great
+master-pieces of art in Europe, and comparing them with his own works in
+order to ascertain the extent of his powers. This philosophical view of
+his situation was doubtless partly owing to the excellent precepts of
+Provost Smith, but mainly to his own just perception of what was necessary
+to the successful career of an Artist: indeed the principle upon which the
+notion was formed is universal, and applies to all intellectual pursuits.
+Accordingly, impressed with these considerations, he frugally treasured
+the earnings of his pencil, that he might undertake, in the first place, a
+professional journey from Philadelphia, as preparatory to acquiring the
+means of afterwards visiting Europe, and particularly Rome. When he found
+that the state of his funds enabled him to undertake the journey, he went
+to New York.</p>
+
+<p>The Society of New York was much less intelligent in matters of taste and
+knowledge than that of Philadelphia. In the latter city the institutions
+of the college and library, and the strict moral and political
+respectability of the first settlers, had contributed to form a community,
+which, though inferior in the elegancies of living, and the etiquettes of
+intercourse, to what is commonly found in the European capitals, was
+little behind them in point of practical and historical information. Dr.
+Smith, the Provost of the college, had largely contributed to elevate the
+taste, the sentiment and the topics of conversation in Philadelphia. He
+was full of the best spirit of antiquity, and there was a classical purity
+of mind and splendour of imagination sometimes met with in the families
+which he frequented, that would have done honour to the best periods of
+polished society.</p>
+
+<p>It would be difficult to assign any reason why it has so happened that no
+literary author of any general celebrity, with the exception of Franklin,
+has yet arisen in America. That men of learning and extensive reading,
+capable of vying with the same description of persons in Europe, are to
+be found in the United States, particularly in Philadelphia, is not to be
+denied; but of that class, whose talents tend to augment the stock of
+intellectual enjoyment in the world, no one, with the single exception
+already alluded to, has yet appeared.</p>
+
+<p>Poetry is the art of connecting ideas of sensible objects with moral
+sentiments; and without the previous existence of local feelings, there
+can be no poetry. America to the first European settlers had no objects
+interesting to the imagination, at least of the description thus strictly
+considered as poetical; for although the vigour and stupendous appearances
+of Nature were calculated to fill the mind with awe, and to exalt the
+contemplations of enthusiasm, there was nothing connected with the
+circumstances of the scene susceptible of that colouring from the memory,
+which gives to the ideas of local resemblance the peculiar qualities of
+poetry. The forests, though interminable, were but composed of trees; the
+mountains and rivers, though on a larger scale, were not associated in the
+mind with the exertions of patriotic valour, and the achievements of
+individual enterprize, like the Alps or the Danube, the Grampians or the
+Tweed. It is impossible to tread the depopulated and exhausted soil of
+Greece without meeting with innumerable relics and objects, which, like
+magical talismans, call up the genius of departed ages with the
+long-enriched roll of those great transactions, that, in their moral
+effect, have raised the nature of man, occasioning trains of reflection
+which want only the rythm of language to be poetry. But in the
+unstoried solitudes of America, the traveller meets with nothing to awaken
+the sympathy of his recollective feelings. Even the very character of the
+trees, though interesting to scientific research, chills, beneath the
+spaciousness of their shade, every poetical disposition. They bear little
+resemblance to those which the stranger has left behind in his native
+country. To the descendants of the first settlers, they wanted even the
+charm of those accidental associations which their appearance might have
+recalled to the minds of their fathers. Poetry is, doubtless, the first of
+the intellectual arts which mankind cultivate. In its earliest form it is
+the mode of expressing affection and admiration; but, before it can be
+invented, there must be objects beloved and admired, associated with
+things in nature endowed with a local habitation and a name. In America,
+therefore, although there has been no lack of clever versifiers, nor of
+men who have respectably echoed the ideas current in the old world, the
+country has produced nothing of any value descriptive of the peculiar
+associations connected with its scenery. Among some of the Indian tribes a
+vein of original poetry has, indeed, been discovered; but the riches of
+the mine are unexplored, and the charge of sterility of fancy, which is
+made by the Europeans against the citizens of the United States, still
+remains unrefuted. Since the period, however, to which these memoirs
+chiefly refer, events of great importance have occurred, and the
+recollections connected with them, no doubt, tend to imbue the American
+climate with the elements of poetical thought; but they are of too recent
+occurrence for the purposes either of the epic or the tragic muse. The
+facts of history in America are still seen too much in detail for the
+imagination to combine them with her own creation. The fields of battle
+are almost too fresh for the farmer to break the surface; and years must
+elapse before the ploughshare shall turn up those eroded arms of which the
+sight will call into poetical existence the sad and dreadful incidents of
+the civil war.</p>
+
+<p>In New York Mr. West found the society wholly devoted to mercantile
+pursuits. A disposition to estimate the value of things, not by their
+utility, or by their beauty, but by the price which they would bring in
+the market, almost universally prevailed. Mercantile men are habituated by
+the nature of their transactions to overlook the intrinsic qualities of
+the very commodities in which they deal; and though of all the community
+they are the most liberal and the most munificent, they set the least
+value on intellectual productions. The population of New York was formed
+of adventurers from all parts of Europe, who had come thither for the
+express purpose of making money, in order, afterwards, to appear with
+distinction at home. Although West, therefore, found in that city much
+employment in taking likenesses destined to be transmitted to relations
+and friends, he met with but few in whom he found any disposition
+congenial to his own; and the eleven months which he passed there, in
+consequence, contributed less to the improvement of his mind than might
+have been expected from a city so flourishing. Still, the time was not
+altogether barren of occurrences which tended to advance his progress in
+his art, independent of the advantage arising from constant practice.</p>
+
+<p>He happened, during his residence there, to see a beautiful Flemish
+picture of a hermit praying before a lamp, and he was resolved to paint a
+companion to it, of a man reading by candle-light. But before he
+discovered a method of producing, in day-light, an effect on his model
+similar to what he wished to imitate, he was frequently baffled in his
+attempts. At length, he hit on the expedient of persuading his landlord to
+sit with an open book before a candle in a dark closet; and he found that,
+by looking in upon him from his study, the appearance was exactly what he
+wished for. In the schools and academies of Europe, tradition has
+preserved the methods by which all the magical effects of light and
+shadow have been produced, with the exception, however, of Rembrandt's
+method, and which the author of these sketches ventures to suggest was
+attained, in general, by observing the effect of sunshine passing through
+chinks into a dark room. But the American Artist was as yet unacquainted
+with any of them, and had no other guides to the essential principles of
+his art but the delicacy of his sight, and that ingenious observation of
+Nature to which allusion has been already so often made.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Student, or man reading by candle-light, was bought by
+a Mr. Myers, who, in the revolution, continued to adhere to the English
+cause. The same gentleman also bought a copy which West made about the
+same time of Belisarius, from the engraving by Strange, of Salvator Rosa's
+painting. It is not known what has now become of these pictures; but when
+the Artist long afterwards saw the original of Salvator Rosa, he was
+gratified to observe that he had instinctively coloured his copy almost as
+faithfully as if it had been painted from the picture instead of the
+engraving.</p>
+
+<p>In the year 1759 the harvest in Italy fell far short of what was
+requisite for the ordinary consumption of the population, and a great
+dearth being foreseen, Messrs. Rutherford and Jackson, of Leghorn, a house
+of the first consequence then in the Mediterranean trade, and well known
+to all travellers for the hospitality of the partners, wrote to their
+correspondent Mr. Allen, at Philadelphia, to send them a cargo of wheat
+and flour. Mr. Allen was anxious that his son, before finally embarking in
+business, should see something of the world; and Provost Smith, hearing
+his intention of sending him to Leghorn with the vessel, immediately
+waited on the old gentleman, and begged him to allow West to accompany
+him, which was cheerfully acceded to, and the Provost immediately wrote to
+his pupil at New York on the subject. In the mean time, West had heard
+that there was a vessel at Philadelphia loading for Italy, and had
+expressed to Mr. William Kelly, a merchant, who was then sitting to him
+for his portrait, a strong desire to avail himself of this opportunity to
+visit the fountain-head of the arts. Before this period, he had raised his
+terms for a half-length to ten guineas, by which he acquired a sum of
+money adequate to the expenses of a short excursion to Italy. When he had
+finished Mr. Kelly's portrait, that gentleman, in paying him, requested
+that he would take charge of a letter to his agents in Philadelphia, and
+deliver it to them himself on his return to that city, which he was
+induced to do immediately, on receiving Dr. Smith's letter, informing him
+of the arrangement made with Mr. Allen. When this letter was opened, an
+instance of delicate munificence appeared on the part of Mr. Kelly, which
+cannot be too highly applauded. It stated to the concern to which it was
+addressed, that it would be delivered by an ingenious young gentleman,
+who, he understood, intended to visit Rome for the purpose of studying the
+fine arts, and ordered them to pay him fifty guineas as a present from him
+towards furnishing his stores for the voyage.</p>
+
+<p>While waiting till the vessel was clear to sail, West had the
+gratification to see, in Philadelphia, his old friend Mr. Henry, for whom
+he had painted the Death of Socrates. Towards him he always cherished the
+most grateful affection. He was the first who urged him to attempt
+historical composition; and, above all, he was the first who had made him
+acquainted with the magnanimous tales of Plutarch; perhaps, the greatest
+favour which could be conferred on a youthful mind, susceptible of
+impressions from the sublime and beautiful of human actions, which no
+author has better illustrated than that celebrated Biographer, who may
+indeed be regarded, almost without hyperbole, as the recorder of
+antient worth, and the tutor of modern genius. In his peculiar class,
+Plutarch still stands alone, at least no author in any of the living
+languages appears to be yet truly sensible of the secret cause by which
+his sketches give that direct impulse to the elements of genius, by which
+the vague and wandering feelings of unappropriated strength are converted
+into an uniform energy, endowed with productive action. Plutarch, like the
+sculptors of antiquity, has selected only the great and elegant traits of
+character; and hence his lives, like those statues which are the models of
+art, possess, with all that is graceful and noble in human nature, the
+particular features of individuals. He had no taste for the blemishes of
+mankind. His mind delighted in the contemplation of moral vigour; and he
+seems justly to have thought that it was nearly allied to virtue: hence
+many of those characters whose portraitures in his works furnish the
+youthful mind with inspiring examples of true greatness, more authentic
+historians represent in a light far different. It is the aim of all
+dignified art to exalt the mind by exciting the feelings as well as the
+judgment; and the immortal lessons of Plutarch would never have awakened
+the first stirrings of ambition in the innumerable great men who date
+their career from reading his pages, had he been actuated by the minute
+and invidious spirit of modern biography. These reflections have occurred
+the more forcibly at this juncture, as the subject of this narrative was
+on the point of leaving a country in which were men destined to acquire
+glory in such achievements as Plutarch would have delighted to record; and
+of parting from early associates who afterwards attained a degree of
+eminence in the public service that places them high in the roll of those
+who have emulated the exploits and virtues of the Heroes of that great
+Biographer.</p>
+
+<p>The Artist having embarked with young Allen had a speedy and pleasant
+passage to Gibraltar; where, in consequence of the war then raging, the
+ship stopped for convoy. As soon as they came to anchor, Commodore Carney
+and another officer came on board to examine the vessel's papers. It
+happened that some time before, the British Government had, on account of
+political circumstances, prohibited the carrying of provisions into Italy,
+by which prohibition the ship and cargo would have been forfeited had she
+been arrested in attempting to enter an Italian port, or, indeed, in
+proceeding with such an intention. But Captain Carney had scarcely taken
+his pen to write the replies to the questions which he put to the Master,
+as to the owners of the vessel and her destination, when he again threw it
+down, and, looking the other officer full in the face, said, "I am much
+affected by the situation in which I am now placed. This valuable ship is
+the property of some of my nearest relations, and the best friends that I
+have ever had in the world!" and he refrained from asking any more
+questions. There was, undoubtedly, much generosity in this conduct, for
+by the indulgence of the crown, all prizes taken in war become the
+property of the captors; and Captain Carney, rather than enrich himself at
+the expence of his friends, chose to run the hazard of having his own
+conduct called in question for the non-performance of his official duty.
+It perhaps deserves also to be considered as affording a favourable
+example of that manly confidence in the gentlemanly honour of each other
+which has so long distinguished the British officers. On the mind of West
+it tended to confirm that agreeable impression by which so many previous
+incidents had made him cherish a liberal opinion of mankind. In other
+respects, Captain Carney happening to be the officer who came on board,
+was a fortunate circumstance; for on learning that young Allen was in the
+ship, he invited the passengers to dine on board his frigate; and the
+company, consisting of the Governor, his staff, and principal officers in
+the garrison, tended to raise the consideration of the Artist, and his
+companion in the estimation of the fleet with which their vessel was to
+proceed to Leghorn. Indeed, throughout his whole life, Mr. West was, in
+this respect, singularly fortunate; for although the condescensions of
+rank do not in themselves confer any power on talent, they have the effect
+of producing that complacency of mind in those who are the objects of
+them, which is at once the reward and the solace of intellectual exertion,
+at the same time that they tend to mollify the spirit of contemporary
+invidiousness. The day after, the fleet sailed; and when they had passed
+the rock, the captains of the two men of war [Footnote: The two
+frigates, the Shannon, Captain Meadow, since Lord Manvers, whose intimacy
+still continues with Mr. West, and the Favourite sloop of war, Captain
+Pownell.] who had charge of the convoy, came on board the American, and
+invited Mr. Allen and Mr. West to take their passage in one of the
+frigates; this, however, they declined, but every day, when the weather
+was favourable, they were taken on board the one ship or the other, to
+dine; and when the weather did not permit this to be done with pleasure to
+the strangers, the officers sent them presents from their stock.</p>
+
+<p>After touching at several parts of the coast of Spain, the ship arrived
+safely at Leghorn, where mercantile enquiries detained Mr. Allen some
+time, and West being impatient to proceed to Rome, bade him adieu. Prior
+to his departure from Philadelphia, he had paid into the hands of old Mr.
+Allen the money which he thought would be requisite for his expenses in
+Italy, and had received from him a letter of credit on Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford. When they were made acquainted with the object of his voyage,
+and heard his history, they showed him a degree of attention beyond even
+their general great hospitality, and presented him with letters to
+Cardinal Albani, and several of the most distinguished characters for
+erudition and taste in Rome; and as he was unacquainted with French or
+Italian, they recommended him to the care of a French Courier, who had
+occasion to pass that way.</p>
+
+<p>When the travellers had reached the last stage of their journey, while
+their horses were baiting, West walked on alone. It was a beautiful
+morning; the air was perfectly placid, not a speck of vapour in the sky,
+and a profound tranquillity seemed almost sensibly diffused over the
+landscape. The appearance of Nature was calculated to lighten and elevate
+the spirits; but the general silence and nakedness of the scene touched
+the feelings with solemnity approaching to awe. Filled with the idea of
+the metropolitan city, the Artist hastened forward till he reached an
+elevated part of the high road, which afforded him a view of a spacious
+champaign country, bounded by hills, and in the midst of it the sublime
+dome of St. Peter's. The magnificence of this view of the Campagna
+excited, in his imagination, an agitated train of reflections that partook
+more of the nature of feeling than of thought. He looked for a spot to
+rest on, that he might contemplate at leisure a scene at once so noble and
+so interesting; and, near a pile of ruins fringed and trellissed with ivy,
+he saw a stone that appeared to be part of a column. On going towards it,
+he perceived that it was a mile-stone, and that he was then only eight
+miles from the Capitol. In looking before him, where every object seemed
+by the transparency of the Italian atmosphere to be brought nearer than it
+was in reality, he could not but reflect on the contrast between the
+circumstances of that view and the scenery of America; and his thoughts
+naturally adverted to the progress of civilization. The sun seemed, to
+his fancy, the image of truth and knowledge, arising in the East,
+continuing to illuminate and adorn the whole earth, and withdrawing from
+the eyes of the old world to enlighten the uncultivated regions of the
+new. He thought of that remote antiquity when the site of Rome itself was
+covered with unexplored forests; and passing with a rapid reminiscence
+over her eventful story, he was touched with sorrow at the solitude of
+decay with which she appeared to be environed, till he adverted to the
+condition of his native country, and was cheered by the thought of the
+greatness which even the fate of Rome seemed to assure to America. For he
+reflected that, although the progress of knowledge appeared to intimate
+that there was some great cycle in human affairs, and that the procession
+of the arts and sciences from the East to the West demonstrated their
+course to be neither stationary nor retrograde; he could not but rejoice,
+in contemplating the skeleton of the mighty capital before him, that they
+had improved as they advanced, and that the splendour which would precede
+their setting on the shores of Europe, would be the gorgeous omen of the
+glory which they would attain in their passage over America.</p>
+
+<p>While he was rapt in these reflections, he heard the drowsy tinkle of a
+pastoral bell behind him, and on turning round, he saw a peasant dressed
+in shaggy skins, driving a few goats from the ruins. The appearance and
+physiognomy of this peasant struck him as something more wild and
+ferocious than any thing about the Indians; and, perhaps, the observation
+was correctly philosophical. In the Indian, Nature is seen in that
+primitive vigour and simplicity, in which the actions are regulated by
+those feelings that are the elements of the virtues; but in the Italian
+bandit, for such he had reason afterwards to think was the real character
+of the goat-herd, he saw man in that second state of barbarity, in which
+his actions are instigated by wants that have often a vicious origin.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-6"></a>Chap. VI.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> State of the stationary Society of Rome.--Causes which rendered the
+    City a delightful temporary residence.--Defects of the Academical
+    methods of study.--His introduction to Mr. Robinson.--Anecdote of
+    Cardinal Albani.--The Cardinal's method of finding Resemblances, and
+    curious mistake of the Italians.--The Artist's first visit to the
+    Works of Art.</blockquote>
+
+<p>During the pontificate of Pope Rezzonico, the society of Rome had attained
+a pitch of elegance and a liberality of sentiment superior to that of any
+other city of Christendom. The theocratic nature of the government induced
+an exterior decorum in the public form of politeness, which, to strangers
+who took no interest in the abuses of the state, was so highly agreeable,
+that it tended even to appease their indignation against the laxity of
+private morals. If the traveller would forget that the name of
+Christianity was employed in supporting a baneful administration to the
+vices, or could withdraw his thoughts from the penury and suffering which
+such an administration necessarily entailed on the people, he had
+opportunities of access at Rome to the most various and delightful
+exercises of the faculties of memory, taste, and judgment, in the company
+of persons distinguished for their knowledge and genius. For, with all the
+social intercourse for which Paris was celebrated in the reign of Louis
+XV. the local objects at Rome gave a higher and richer tone to
+conversation there; even the living vices were there less offensive than
+at Paris, the rumours of them being almost lost in the remembrance of
+departed virtue, constantly kept awake by the sight of its monuments and
+vouchers. Tyranny in Rome was exercised more intellectually than in the
+French Capital. Injustice and oppression were used more in the form of
+persuasion; and though the crosier was not less pernicious than the
+bayonet, it inflicted a less irritating injury. The virtuous endured with
+patience the wrongs that their misguided judgment led them to believe were
+salutary to their eternal welfare. But it ought to be observed, that the
+immorality of the Romans was greatly exaggerated. Individuals redeemed by
+their merits the reproach of universal profligacy; and strangers, by being
+on their guard against the moral contagion, suffered a less dangerous
+taint than in the Atheistical coteries of Paris. Many, in consequence, who
+came prepared to be disgusted with the degenerated Romans, often bade them
+adieu with sentiments of respect, and remembered their urbanity and
+accomplishments with delightful satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>It was not, however, the native inhabitants of Rome who constituted the
+chief attractions of society there, but the number of accomplished
+strangers of all countries and religions, who, in constant succession,
+came in pilgrimage to the shrine of antiquity; and who, by the
+contemplation of the merits and glories of departed worth, often felt
+themselves, as it were, miraculously endowed with new qualities. The
+collision of minds fraught with learning, in that high state of excitement
+which the genius of the place produced on the coldest imaginations,
+together with those innumerable brilliant and transitory topics which were
+never elicited in any other city, made the Roman conversations a
+continual exercise of the understanding. The details of political
+intrigue, and the follies of individuals, excited but little interest
+among the strangers in Rome. It seemed as if by an universal tacit
+resolution, national and personal peculiarities and prejudices were
+forgotten, and that all strangers simultaneously turned their attention to
+the transactions and affairs of former ages, and of statesmen and authors
+now no more. Their mornings were spent in surveying the monuments raised
+to public virtue, and in giving local features in their minds to the
+knowledge which they had acquired by the perusal of those works that have
+perpetuated the dignity of the Roman character. Their evenings were often
+allotted to the comparison of their respective conjectures, and to
+ascertain the authenticity and history of the relics which they had
+collected of ancient art. Sometimes the day was consumed in the study of
+those inestimable ornaments of religion, by which the fraudulent
+disposition of the priesthood had, in the decay of its power, rendered
+itself venerable to the most enlightened minds; and the night was devoted
+to the consideration of the causes which contribute to the developement
+of genius, or of the events which tend to stifle and overwhelm its powers.
+Every recreation of the stranger in Rome was an effort of the memory, of
+abstraction, and of fancy.--Society, in this elevated state of enjoyment,
+surrounded by the greatest works of human creation, and placed amidst the
+monuments of the most illustrious of mankind,--and that of the Quakers of
+Pennsylvania, employed in the mechanical industry of felling timber, and
+amid the sobriety of rural and commercial &oelig;conomy, were like the extremes
+of a long series of events, in which, though the former is the necessary
+consequence of the latter, no resemblance can be traced in their
+respective characteristics. In America all was young, vigorous, and
+growing,--the spring of a nation, frugal, active, and simple. In Rome all
+was old, infirm, and decaying,--the autumn of a people who had gathered
+their glory, and were sinking into sleep under the disgraceful excesses of
+the vintage. On the most inert mind, passing from the one continent to the
+other, the contrast was sufficient to excite great emotion; on such a
+character as that of Mr. West, who was naturally disposed to the
+contemplation of the sublime and beautiful, both as to their moral and
+visible effect, it made a deep and indelible impression. It confirmed him
+in the wisdom of those strict religious principles which denied the
+utility of art when solely employed as the medium of amusement; and
+impelled him to attempt what could be done to approximate the uses of the
+pencil to those of the pen, in order to render Painting, indeed, the
+sister of Eloquence and Poetry.</p>
+
+<p>But the course of study in the Roman schools was not calculated to enable
+him to carry this grand purpose into effect; for the principles by which
+Michael Angelo and Raphael had attained their excellence, were no longer
+regarded. The study of Nature was deserted for that of the antique; and
+pictures were composed according to rules derived from other paintings,
+without respect to what the subject required, or what the circumstances of
+the scene probably appeared to be. It was, therefore, not one of the least
+happy occurrences in his life that he went to Rome when society was not
+only in the most favourable state for the improvement of his mind, and for
+convincing him of the deleterious influence of the arts when employed as
+the embellishments of voluptuousness and luxury; but also when the state
+of the arts was so mean, that the full effect of studying the antique
+only, and of grouping characters by academical rules, should appear so
+striking as to satisfy him that he could never hope for any eminence, if
+he did not attend more to the phenomena of Nature, than to the productions
+of the greatest genius. The perusal of the works of other painters, he was
+sensible, would improve his taste; but he was convinced, that the design
+which he had formed for establishing his own fame, could not be realised,
+if, for a single moment, he forgot that their works, however exquisite,
+were but the imitations and forms of those eternal models to which he had
+been instinctively directed.</p>
+
+<p>It was on the 10th of July, 1760, that he arrived at Rome. The French
+Courier conducted him to a hotel, and, having mentioned in the house that
+he was an American, and a Quaker, come to study the fine arts, the
+circumstance seemed so extraordinary, that it reached the ears of Mr.
+Robinson, afterwards Lord Grantham, who immediately found himself
+possessed by an irresistible desire to see him; and who, before he had
+time to dress or refresh himself, paid him a visit, and insisted that he
+should dine with him. In the course of dinner, that gentleman inquired
+what letters of introduction the Artist had brought with him; and West
+having informed him, he observed it was somewhat remarkable that the whole
+of them should be addressed to his most particular friends, adding, that
+as he was engaged to meet them at a party in the evening, he expected West
+would accompany him. This attention and frankness was acknowledged as it
+deserved to be, and is remembered by the Artist among those fortunate
+incidents which have rendered the recollection of his past life so
+pleasant, as scarcely to leave a wish for any part of it to have been
+spent otherwise than it was. At the hour appointed, Mr. Robinson conducted
+him to the house of Mr. Crispign&eacute;, an English gentleman who had long
+resided at Rome, where the evening party was held.</p>
+
+<p>Among the distinguished persons whom Mr. West found in the company, was
+the celebrated Cardinal Albani. His eminence, although quite blind, had
+acquired, by the exquisite delicacy of his touch, and the combining powers
+of his mind, such a sense of antient beauty, that he excelled all the
+virtuosi then in Rome, in the correctness of his knowledge of the verity
+and peculiarities of the smallest medals and intaglios. Mr. Robinson
+conducted the Artist to the inner apartment, where the Cardinal was
+sitting, and said, "I have the honour to present a young American, who has
+a letter of introduction to your eminence, and who has come to Italy for
+the purpose of studying the fine arts." The Cardinal fancying that the
+American must be an Indian, exclaimed, "Is he black or white?" and on
+being told that he was very fair, "What as fair as I am?" cried the
+Cardinal still more surprised. This latter expression excited a good deal
+of mirth at the Cardinal's expence, for his complexion was of the darkest
+Italian olive, and West's was even of more than the usual degree of
+English fairness. For some time after, if it be not still in use, the
+expression of "as fair as the Cardinal" acquired proverbial currency in
+the Roman conversations, applied to persons who had any inordinate conceit
+of their own beauty.</p>
+
+<p>The Cardinal, after some other short questions, invited West to come near
+him, and running his hands over his features, still more attracted the
+attention of the company to the stranger, by the admiration which he
+expressed at the form of his head. This occasioned inquiries respecting
+the youth; and the Italians concluding that, as he was an American, he
+must, of course, have received the education of a savage, became curious
+to witness the effect which the works of Art in the Belvidere and Vatican
+would produce on him. The whole company, which consisted of the principal
+Roman nobility, and strangers of distinction then in Rome, were interested
+in the event; and it was arranged in the course of the evening that on the
+following morning they should accompany Mr. Robinson and his proteg&eacute; to
+the palaces.</p>
+
+<p>At the hour appointed, the company assembled; and a procession, consisting
+of upwards of thirty of the most magnificent equipages in the capital of
+Christendom, and filled with some of the most erudite characters in
+Europe, conducted the young Quaker to view the master-pieces of art. It
+was agreed that the Apollo should be first submitted to his view, because
+it was the most perfect work among all the ornaments of Rome, and,
+consequently, the best calculated to produce that effect which the company
+were anxious to witness. The statue then stood in a case, enclosed with
+doors, which could be so opened as to disclose it at once to full view.
+West was placed in the situation where it was seen to the most advantage,
+and the spectators arranged themselves on each side. When the keeper threw
+open the doors, the Artist felt himself surprised with a sudden
+recollection altogether different from the gratification which he had
+expected; and without being aware of the force of what he said, exclaimed,
+"My God, how like it is to a young Mohawk warrior." The Italians,
+observing his surprise, and hearing the exclamation, requested Mr.
+Robinson to translate to them what he said; and they were excessively
+mortified to find that the god of their idolatry was compared to a
+savage. Mr. Robinson mentioned to West their chagrin, and asked him to
+give some more distinct explanation, by informing him what sort of people
+the Mohawk Indians were. He described to him their education; their
+dexterity with the bow and arrow; the admirable elasticity of their limbs;
+and how much their active life expands the chest, while the quick
+breathing of their speed in the chace, dilates the nostrils with that
+apparent consciousness of vigour which is so nobly depicted in the Apollo.
+"I have seen them often," added he, "standing in that very attitude, and
+pursuing, with an intense eye, the arrow which they had just discharged
+from the bow." This descriptive explanation did not lose by Mr. Robinson's
+translation. The Italians were delighted, and allowed that a better
+criticism had rarely been pronounced on the merits of the statue. The view
+of the other great works did not awaken the same vivid feelings. Those of
+Raphael, in the Vatican, did not at first particularly interest him; nor
+was it until he had often visited them alone, and studied them by himself,
+that he could appreciate the fulness of their excellence. His first view
+of the works of Michael Angelo, was still less satisfactory: indeed, he
+continued always to think, that, with the single exception of the Moses,
+that Artist had not succeeded in giving a probable character to any of his
+subjects, notwithstanding the masterly hand and mind which pervade the
+weakest of his productions.</p>
+
+<p>Among the first objects which particularly interested Mr. West, and which
+he never ceased to re-visit day after day with increasing pleasure, were
+the celebrated statues ascribed to Phidias, on the Monte Cavallo. The
+action of the human figure appeared to him so majestic, that it seemed to
+throw, as it were, a visible kind of awe into the very atmosphere, and
+over all the surrounding buildings. But the smallness of the horse struck
+him as exceedingly preposterous. He had often examined it before the idea
+occurred to him that it was probably reduced according to some unknown
+principle of antient art; and in this notion he was confirmed, by
+observing something of the same kind in the relative proportion of human
+figures and animals, on the different gems and bas-reliefs to which his
+attention was subsequently directed. The antient sculptors uniformly
+seemed to consider the human figure as the chief object, and sacrificed,
+to give it effect, the proportions of inferior parts. The author of the
+group on the Monte Cavallo, in the opinion of Mr. West, represented the
+horse smaller than the natural size, in order to augment the grandeur of
+the man. How far this notion, as the principle of a rule, may be sound, it
+would be unnecessary, perhaps impertinent, to inquire here; but its
+justness as applicable to the sculptures of antiquity, is abundantly
+verified by the bas-reliefs brought from the Parthenon of Athens. It is,
+indeed, so admitted a feature of antient art, as to be regarded by some
+critics as having for its object the same effect in sculpture, which is
+attained by light and shadow in painting.--In a picture, the Artist, by a
+judicious obscurity, so veils the magnitude of the car in which he places
+a victor, that notwithstanding its size, it may not appear the principal
+object; but this artifice is denied to the sculptor, who is necessitated
+to diminish the size of those things which are of least importance, in
+order to give dignity to the predominant figures. Raphael, in making the
+boat so small in the miraculous draught of fishes, is thought to have
+injudiciously applied this rule of antient sculpture; for he ought to have
+accomplished, by foreshortening, the same effect which he meant to produce
+by diminishing the size. It should, however, be observed, that great
+doubts are entertained if the statues on the Monte Cavallo were originally
+integral parts of the same group; but although this doubt may be well
+founded, it will not invalidate the supposed general principle of the
+antient sculptors, corroborated, as it is, by innumerable examples.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, after visiting the palaces, Mr. Robinson carried Mr. West
+to see a grand religious ceremony in one of the churches. Hitherto he was
+acquainted only with the simple worship of the Quakers. The pomp of the
+papal ceremonies was as much beyond his comprehension, as the overpowering
+excellence of the music surpassed his utmost expectations. Undoubtedly, in
+all the spectacles and amusements of Rome, he possessed a keener sense of
+enjoyment, arising from the simplicity of his education, than most other
+travellers. That same sensibility to the beauty of forms and colours which
+had awakened his genius for painting, was, probably, accompanied with a
+general superior susceptibility of the other organs as well as the sight;
+for it is observed that a taste for any one of the fine arts is connected
+with a general predilection for them all. But neither the Apollo, the
+Vatican, nor the pomp of the Catholic ritual, excited his feelings to so
+great a degree as the spectacle which presented itself to his view around
+the portico of the church. Bred in the universal prosperity of
+Pennsylvania, where the benevolence of the human bosom was only employed
+in acts of hospitality and mutual kindness, he had never witnessed any
+spectacle of beggary, nor had he ever heard the name of God uttered to
+second an entreaty for alms. Here, however, all the lazars and the
+wretched in Rome were collected together; hundreds of young and old in
+that extreme of squalor, nakedness, and disease which affrights the
+English traveller in Italy, were seen on all sides; and their
+importunities and cries, for the love of God, and the mercy of Christ, to
+relieve them, thrilled in his ears, and smote upon his heart to such a
+degree, that his joints became as it were loosened, and his legs scarcely
+able to support him. Many of the beggars knew Mr. Robinson, and seeing him
+accompanied by a stranger, an Englishman, as they concluded the Artist to
+be from his appearance, surrounded them with confidence and clamours.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>As they returned from the church, a woman somewhat advanced in life, and
+of a better appearance than the generality of the beggars, followed them,
+and Mr. West gave her a small piece of copper money, the first Roman coin
+which he had received in change, the relative value of which to the other
+coins of the country was unknown to him. Shortly afterwards they were
+joined by some of the Italians, whom they had seen in the morning, and
+while they were conversing together, he felt some one pull his coat, and
+turned round. It was the poor woman to whom he had given the piece of
+copper money. She held out in her hand several smaller pieces, and as he
+did not understand her language, he concluded that she was chiding him for
+having given her such a trifle, and coloured deeply with the idea. His
+English friend, observing his confusion, inquired what he had given her,
+and he answered that he did not know, but it was a piece of money which he
+had received in change. Robinson, after a short conversation with the
+beggar, told Mr. West that she had asked him to give her a farthing. "But
+as you gave her a two-penny piece," said he, "she has brought you the
+change." This instance of humble honesty, contrasted with the awful mass
+of misery with which it was united, gave him a favourable idea of the
+latent sentiments of the Italians. How much, indeed, is the character of
+that people traduced by the rest of Europe! How often is the traveller in
+Italy, when he dreads the approach of robbers, and prepares against
+murder, surprised at the bountiful disposition of the common Italians, and
+made to blush at having applied the charges against a few criminals to the
+character of a whole people--without reflecting that the nation is only
+weak because it is subdivided.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-7"></a>Chap. VII.</h1>
+
+
+
+<blockquote>    Anecdote of a famous Impoverisatore.--West the subject of one of his
+    finest effusions.--Anecdote of Cardinal Albani.--West introduced to
+    Mengs.--Satisfactory result of Wests's first essay in
+    Rome.--Consequences of the continual excitement which the Artist's
+    feelings endured.--He goes to Florence for advice.--He accompanies Mr.
+    Matthews in a tour.--Singular instance of liberality towards the
+    Artist from several Gentlemen of Philadelphia.</blockquote>
+
+<p>It was not, however, the novelty, variety, and magnificence of the works
+of art and antiquity in Rome, that kept Mr. West in a constant state of
+high excitement; the vast difference in the manners of the people from
+those of the inhabitants of America, acted also as an incessant stimulus
+on his feelings and imagination: even that difference, great as it
+happened to be, was rendered particularly interesting to him by incidents
+arising out of his own peculiar situation. One night, soon after his
+arrival in Rome, Mr. Gavin Hamilton, the painter, to whom he had been
+introduced by Mr. Robinson, took him to a coffee-house, the usual resort
+of the British travellers. While they were sitting at one of the tables,
+a venerable old man, with a guitar suspended from his shoulder, entered
+the room, and coming immediately to their table, Mr. Hamilton addressed
+him by the name of Homer.--He was the most celebrated Improvisatore in
+all Italy, and the richness of expression, and nobleness of conception
+which he displayed in his effusions, had obtained for him that
+distinguished name. Those who once heard his poetry, never ceased to
+lament that it was lost in the same moment, affirming, that it often was
+so regular and dignified, as to equal the finest compositions of Tasso
+and Ariosto.--It will, perhaps, afford some gratification to the admirers
+of native genius to learn, that this old man, though led by the fine
+frenzy of his imagination to prefer a wild and wandering life to the
+offer of a settled independence, which had been often made to him in his
+youth, enjoyed in his old age, by the liberality of several Englishmen,
+who had raised a subscription for the purpose, a small pension,
+sufficient to keep him comfortable in his own way, when he became
+incapable of amusing the public.</p>
+
+<p>After some conversation, Homer requested Mr. Hamilton to give him a
+subject for a poem. In the mean time, a number of Italians had gathered
+round them to look at Mr. West, who they had heard was an American, and
+whom, like Cardinal Albani, they imagined to be an Indian. Some of them,
+on hearing Homer's request, observed, that he had exhausted his vein, and
+had already said and sung every subject over and over. Mr. Hamilton,
+however, remarked that he thought he could propose something new to the
+bard, and pointing to Mr. West, said, that he was an American come to
+study the fine arts in Rome; and that such an event furnished a new and
+magnificent theme. Homer took possession of the thought with the ardour of
+inspiration. He immediately unslung his guitar, and began to draw his
+fingers rapidly over the strings, swinging his body from side to side, and
+striking fine and impressive chords. When he had thus brought his motions
+and his feelings into unison with the instrument, he began an
+extemporaneous ode in a manner so dignified, so pathetic, and so
+enthusiastic, that Mr. West was scarcely less interested by his appearance
+than those who enjoyed the subject and melody of his numbers. He sung the
+darkness which for so many ages veiled America from the eyes of Science.
+He described the fulness of time when the purposes for which it had been
+raised from the deep were to be manifested. He painted the seraph of
+knowledge descending from heaven, and directing Columbus to undertake the
+discovery; and he related the leading incidents of the voyage. He invoked
+the fancy of his auditors to contemplate the wild magnificence of
+mountain, lake, and wood, in the new world; and he raised, as it were, in
+vivid perspective, the Indians in the chase, and at their horrible
+sacrifices. "But," he exclaimed, "the beneficent spririt of improvement is
+ever on the wing, and, like the ray from the throne of God which inspired
+the conception of the Virgin, it has descended on this youth, and the hope
+which ushered in its new miracle, like the star that guided the magi to
+Bethlehem, has led him to Rome. Methinks I behold in him an instrument
+chosen by heaven, to raise in America the taste for those arts which
+elevate the nature of man,--an assurance that his country will afford a
+refuge to science and knowledge, when in the old age of Europe they shall
+have forsaken her shores. But all things of heavenly origin, like the
+glorious sun, move Westward; and Truth and Art have their periods of
+shining, and of night. Rejoice then, O venerable Rome, in thy divine
+destiny, for though darkness overshadow thy seats, and though thy mitred
+head must descend into the dust, as deep as the earth that now covers thy
+antient helmet and imperial diadem, thy spirit, immortal and undecayed,
+already spreads towards a new world, where, like the soul of man in
+Paradise, it will be perfected in virtue and beauty more and more." The
+highest efforts of the greatest actors, even of Garrick himself delivering
+the poetry of Shakespeare, never produced a more immediate and inspiring
+effect than this rapid burst of genius. When the applause had abated, Mr.
+West being the stranger, and the party addressed, according to the common
+practice, made the bard a present. Mr. Hamilton explained the subject of
+the ode: though with the weakness of a verbal translation, and the
+imperfection of an indistinct echo, it was so connected with the
+appearance which the author made in the recital, that the incident has
+never been obliterated from Mr. West's recollection.</p>
+
+<p>While the Artist was gratifying himself with a cursory view of the works
+of art, and of the curiosities, Mr. Hope, of Amsterdam, the father of the
+gentlemen who have since become so well known in London for their taste in
+the arts, and their superb collections of pictures and marbles, arrived in
+Rome. Mr. West being introduced to him, accompanied him to Cardinal
+Albani, to whom he had letters of introduction, and witnessed a proof of
+the peculiar skill of his Eminence. The Cardinal requested Mr. Hope to
+come near him, and according to his usual custom with strangers, drew his
+hands over his face, observing that he was a German. In doing the same
+thing to Mr. West, he recognized him as the young American.</p>
+
+<p>At this time Mengs was in the zenith of his popularity, and West was
+introduced to him at the Cardinal's villa. He appeared to be as much
+struck as every other person, with the extraordinary circumstance of an
+American coming to study the fine arts; and begged that Mr. West would
+show him a speciman of his proficiency in drawing. In returning home, our
+Artist mentioned to Mr. Robinson that as he had never learnt to draw, he
+could not produce any sketch like those made by the other students; but
+that he could paint a little, and if Mr. Robinson would take the trouble
+to sit, he would execute his portrait to shew Mengs. The proposal was
+readily acceded to, and it was also agreed, that except to two of their
+most intimate acquaintances, the undertaking should be kept a profound
+secret. When the picture was finished, it was so advantageous to the
+Artist, that it tended to confirm the opinion which was entertained of his
+powers, founded only on the strength of the curiosity which had brought
+him from America. But, before shewing it to Mengs, it was resolved that
+the taste and judgment of the public with respect to its merits should be
+ascertained.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Crespign&eacute;, one of the two friends in the secret, lived as a Roman
+gentleman, and twice a year gave a grand assembly at his house, to which
+all the nobility and strangers in Rome, the most eminent for rank, birth,
+and talents, were invited. It was agreed that the portrait should be
+exhibited at one of his parties, which happened to take place soon after
+it was finished. A suitable frame being provided, the painting was hung up
+in one of the rooms. The first guests who arrived, were Amateurs and
+Artists; and as it was known among them that Robinson was sitting to Mengs
+for his portrait, it was at once thought to be that picture, and they
+agreed that they had never seen any painting of the Artist so well
+coloured. As the guests assembled, the portrait became more and more the
+subject of attention, and Mr. West sat behind on a sofa equally agitated
+and delighted by their strictures, which Mr. Robinson reported to him from
+time to time. In the course of the evening Mr. Dance, an Englishman of
+great shrewdness, was observed looking with an eye of more than common
+scrutiny at the portrait, by Mr. Jenkins, another of the guests, who,
+congratulating Robinson in getting so good a portrait from Mengs, turned
+to Dance, and said, "The he must now acknowledge that Mengs could colour
+as well as he could draw." Dance confessed that he thought the picture
+much better coloured than those usually painted by Mengs, but added that
+he did not think the drawing either so firm or good as the usual style of
+that Artist. This remark occasioned some debate, in which Jenkins,
+attributing the strictures of Dance to some prejudice which he had early
+conceived against Mengs, drew the company around to take a part in the
+discussion. Mr. Crespign&eacute; seizing the proper moment in their conversation
+to produce the effect intended, said to Jenkins that he was mistaken, and
+that Dance was in the right, for, in truth, the picture was not painted by
+Mengs. By whom then, vociferated every one, "for there is no other painted
+now in Rome capable of executing any thing so?" "By that young gentleman
+there," said Mr. Crespign&eacute;, turning to West. At once all eyes were bent
+towards him, and the Italians, in their way, ran and embraced him. Thus
+did the best judges at once, by this picture, acknowledge him as only
+second in the executive department of the art to the first painter then in
+Rome. Mengs himself, on seeing the picture, expressed his opinion in terms
+that did great honour to his liberality, and gave the Artist an advice
+which he never forgot, nor remembered without gratitude. He told him that
+the portrait showed that he had no occasion to learn to paint at Rome.
+"You have already, sir," said he, "the mechanical part of your art: what I
+would, therefore, recommend to you, is to see and examine every thing
+deserving of your attention here, and after making a few drawings of about
+half a dozen of the best statues, go to Florence, and observe what has
+been done for Art in the collections there. Then proceed to Bologna, and
+study the works of the Caracci; afterwards visit Parma, and examine,
+attentively, the pictures of Corregio; and then go to Venice and view the
+productions of Tintoretti, Titian, and Paul Veronese. When you have made
+this tour, come back to Rome, and paint an historical composition to be
+exhibited to the Roman public; and the opinion which will then be formed
+of your talents should determine the line of our profession which you
+ought to follow." This judicious advice, so different from those absurd
+academical dogmas which would confine genius to the looking only to the
+works of art, for that perfection which they but dimly reflect from
+nature, West found accord so well with his own reflections and principles,
+that he resolved to follow it with care and attention. But the thought of
+being in Rome, and the constant excitement arising from extraordinary and
+interesting objects, so affected his mind, accustomed to the sober and
+uniform habits of the Quakers, that sleep deserted his pillow, and he
+became ill and constantly feverish. The public took an interest in his
+situation. A consultation of the best Physicians in Rome was held on his
+case, the result of which was a formal communication to Mr. Robinson, that
+his friend must immediately quit the capital, and seek relief from the
+irritated state of his sensibility in quiet and retirement. Accordingly,
+on the 20th of August he returned to Leghorn.</p>
+
+<p>Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, by whose most friendly recommendation he
+had obtained so much flattering distinction at Rome, received him into
+their own house, and treated him with a degree of hospitality that
+merits for them the honour of being considered among the number of his
+early patrons. Mr. (afterwards Sir John) Dick, then the British Consul
+at Leghorn, and his lady, also treated him with great partiality, and
+procured for him the use of the Imperial baths. His mind being thus
+relieved from the restless ecstasy which he had suffered in Rome, and
+the intensity of interest being diminished by the circumscribed nature
+of the society of Leghorn, together with the bracing effects of
+sea-bathing, he was soon again in a condition to resume his study in the
+capital. But the same overpowering attacks on his feelings and
+imagination soon produced a relapse of his former indisposition, and
+compelled him to return to Leghorn, where he was again speedily cured of
+his fever, but it left in its dregs a painful affection in the ancle,
+that threatened the loss of the limb. The well-known Nanoni, an eminent
+surgeon, who had introduced many improvements in the treatment of
+diseased joints, was at this period resident in Florence, and Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford wrote to Sir Horace Mann, then the British
+Minister at the Ducal Court, to consult him relative to the case of Mr.
+West: his answer induced them to advise the Artist to go to Florence.
+After a painful period of eleven months confinement to his couch and
+chamber, he was perfectly and radically cured.</p>
+
+<p>A state of pain and disease is adverse to mental improvement; but there
+were intervals in which Mr. West felt his anguish abate, and in which he
+could not only participate in the conversation of the gentlemen to whose
+kindness he had been recommended, but was able, occastionally, to exercise
+his pencil. The testimonies of friendship which he received at this
+perdiod from Sir Horace Mann, the Marquesses of Creni and Riccardi, the
+late Lord Cooper, and many others of the British nobility then travelling
+in Italy, made an indelible impression on his mind, and became a
+stimulating motive to his wishes to excel in his art, in order to
+demonstrate by his proficiency that he was not unworthy of their
+solicitude. He had a table constructed so as to enable him to draw while
+he lay in bed; and in that situation he amused and improved himself in
+delineating the picturesque conceptions which were constantly presenting
+themselves to his fancy.</p>
+
+<p>When he was so far recovered as to be able to take exercise, and to endure
+the fatigue of travelling, a circumstance happened which may be numbered
+among the many fortunate accidents of his professional career. Mr.
+Matthews, the manager of the important commercial concerns of Messrs.
+Jackson and Rutherford, was one of those singular men who are but rarely
+met with in mercantile life, combining the highest degree of literary and
+elegant accomplishments with the best talents for active business. He was
+not only confessedly one of the finest classical scholars in all Italy,
+but, out of all comparison, the best practical antiquary, perhaps, then in
+that country, uniting, along with the minutest accuracy of criticism, a
+delicacy of taste in the perception of the beauty and judgment of the
+antients, seldom found blended with an equal degree of classical
+erudition. Affairs connected with the business of the house, and a wish to
+see the principal cities of Italy, led Mr. Matthews, about the period of
+Mr. West's recovery, to visit Florence, and it was agreed between them
+that they should together make the tour recommended by Mengs.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time, the good fortune of West was working to happy effects in
+another part of the world. The story of Mr. Robinson's portrait had made
+so great a noise among the travellers in Italy, that Messrs. Jackson and
+Rutherford, in sending back the ship to Philadelphia, in which the Artist
+had come passenger, mentioned it in their letters to Mr. Allen. It is
+seldom that commercial affairs are mingled with those of art, and it was
+only from the Italian shore that a mercantile house could introduce such a
+topic into their correspondence. It happened that on the very day this
+letter reached Mr. Allen, Mr. Hamilton, then Governor of Pennsylvania, and
+the principal members of the government, along with the most considerable
+citizens of Philadelphia, were dining with him. After dinner, Mr. Allen
+read the letter to the company, and mentioned the amount of the sum of
+money which West had paid into his hands at the period of his departure
+from America, adding that it must be pretty far reduced. But, said he with
+warmth, "I regard this young man as an honour to the country, and as he is
+the first that America has sent to cultivate the fine arts, he shall not
+be frustrated in his studies, for I have resolved to write to my
+correspondents at Leghorn, to give him, from myself, whatever money he may
+require." Mr. Hamilton felt the force of this generous declaration, and
+said, with equal animation, "I think exactly as you do, Sir, but you shall
+not have all the honour of it to yourself, and, therefore, I beg that you
+will consider me as joining you in the responsibility of the credit." The
+consequence of this was, that upon West going, previously to leaving
+Florence, to take a small sum of about ten pounds from the bankers to whom
+he had been recommended by Messrs. Jackson and Rutherford, a letter was
+brought in, while he was waiting for his money, and the gentleman who
+opened it said to him, "that the contents of the letter would probably
+afford him unexpected pleasure, as it instructed them to give him
+unlimited credit." A more splendid instance of liberality is not to be
+found even in the records of Florence. The munificence of the Medici was
+excelled by that of the magistracy of Philadelphia.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="1-8"></a>Chap. VIII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The result of the Artist's experiment to discover the methods by which
+    Titian produced his splendid colouring.--He returns to
+    Rome.--Reflections suggested by inspecting the Egyptian
+    Obelisk.--Considerations of the Author on the same subject; an
+    anecdote of a Mohawk Indian who became an Actor at New York.--Anecdote
+    of a Scottish Fanatic who arrived in Rome, to convert the
+    Pope.--Sequel of the Adventure.--The Artist prepares to visit
+    England.--Having completed his St. Jerome, after Corregio's famous
+    picture, he is elected an Honorary Member of the Academy of Parma, and
+    invited to Court.--He proceeds by the way of Genoa towards France.--
+    Reflections on the State of Italy.--Adventure on reaching the French
+    frontiers.--State of Taste in France.</blockquote>
+
+<p>From Florence the Artist proceeded to Bologna, and having staid some time
+there, carefully inspecting every work of celebrity to which he could
+obtain access, he went on to Venice, visiting in his route all the objects
+which Mengs had recommended to his attention. The style of Titian, which
+in breadth and clearness of colouring so much excels that of almost every
+other painter, was the peculiar characteristic of the Venetian school
+which interested him the most, and seemed to him, at first, involved in
+inexplicable mystery. He was never satisfied with the explanations which
+the Italian amateurs attempted to give him of what they called the
+internal light of that master's productions. Repeated experiments,
+however, enabled him, at last, to make the discovery himself. Indeed, he
+was from the first persuaded that it was chiefly owing to the peculiar
+genius of the Artist himself,--to an exquisite delicacy of sight which
+enabled him to perceive the most approximate tints,--and not to any
+particular dexterity of pencilling, nor to any superiority in the
+materials of his colours. This notion led Mr. West to try the effect of
+painting in the first place with the pure primary colours, and softening
+them afterwards with the semi tints; and the result confirmed him in the
+notion that such was probably the peculiar method of Titian. But although
+this idea was suggested by his visits to the collections of Venice, he
+was not perfectly satisfied with its soundness as a rule, till many years
+after his arrival in London, and many unsuccessful experiments.</p>
+
+<p>Having completed his tour to the most celebrated repositories of art in
+Italy, and enriched his mind, and improved his taste, by the perusal
+rather than the imitation of their best pieces, he returned to Rome, and
+applied himself to a minute and assiduous study of the great ornaments of
+that capital, directing his principal attention to the works of Raphael,
+and improving his knowledge of the antient costume by the study of Cameos,
+in which he was assisted by Mr. Wilcox, the author of the Roman
+Conversations,--to whom he had been introduced by Mr. Robinson, at Mr.
+Crespign&eacute;'s, on the occasion of the exhibition of the Portrait,--a man of
+singular attainments in learning, and of a serene and composed dignity of
+mind and manners that rendered him more remarkable to strangers than even
+his great classical knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>Of all the monuments of antient art in Rome, the Obelisk brought from
+Egypt, in the reign of Augustus, interested his curiosity the most, and
+even for a time affected him as much as those which so agitated him by
+their beauty. The hieroglyphics appeared to resemble so exactly the
+figures in the Wampum belts of the Indians, that it occurred to him, if
+ever the mysteries of Egypt were to be interpreted, it might be by the
+aborigines of America. This singular notion was not, however, the mere
+suggestion of fancy, but the effect of an opinion which his early friend
+and tutor Provost Smith conceived, in consequence of attending the grand
+meeting of the Indian chiefs, with the Governors of the British colonies,
+held at East town, in Pennsylvania, in the year following the disastrous
+fate of Bradock's army. The chiefs had requested this interview, in order
+to state to the officers the wrongs and injuries of which they complained;
+and at the meeting they evidently read the reports and circumstances of
+their grievances from the hieroglyphical chronicle of the Wampum belts,
+which they held in their hands, and by which, from the date of their grand
+alliance with William Penn, the man from the ocean, as they called him,
+they minutely related all the circumstances in which they conceived the
+terms and spirit of the treaty had been infringed by the British, defying
+the officers to show any one point in which the Indians had swerved from
+their engagements. It seemed to Dr. Smith that such a minute traditionary
+detail of facts could not have been preserved without some contemporary
+record; and he, therefore, imagined, that the constant reference made to
+the figures on the belts was a proof that they were chronicles. This
+notion was countenanced by another circumstance which Mr. West had himself
+often noticed. The course of some of the high roads through Pennsylvania
+lies along what were formerly the war tracks of the Indians; and he had
+frequently seen hieroglyphics engraved on the trees and rocks. He was told
+that they were inscriptions left by some of the tribes who had passed that
+way in order to apprize their friends of the route which they had taken,
+and of any other matter which it concerned them to know. He had also
+noticed among the Indians who annually visited Philadelphia, that there
+were certain old chiefs who occasionally instructed the young warriors to
+draw red and black figures, similar to those which are made on the belts,
+and who explained their signification with great emphasis, while the
+students listened to the recital with profound silence and attention. It
+was not, therefore, extraordinary, that, on seeing similar figures on the
+Egyptian trophy, he should have thought that they were intended to
+transmit the record of transactions like the Wampum belts.--A language of
+signs derived from natural objects, must have something universal in its
+very nature; for the qualities represented by the emblematic figure,
+would, doubtless, be those for which the original of the figure was most
+remarkable: and, therefore, if there be any resemblance between the
+Egyptian hieroglyphics and those used by the American Indians, the
+probability is, that there is also some similar intrinsic meaning in their
+signification. But the Wampum belts are probably not all chronicles; there
+is reason to believe that some of them partake of the nature of calendars,
+by which the Indians are regulated in proceedings dependant on the
+seasons; and that, in this respect, they answer to the household Gods of
+the patriarchal times, which are supposed to have been calendars, and the
+figure of each an emblem of some portion of the year, or sign of the
+Zodiac. It would be foreign to the nature of this work to investigate the
+evidence which may be adduced on this subject, or to collect those various
+and scattered hints which have given rise to the opinion, and with a
+faint, but not fallacious ray, have penetrated that obscure region of
+antient history, between the period when the devotion of mankind,
+withdrawn from the worship of the Deity, was transferred to the adoration
+of the stars, and prior to the still greater degradation of the human
+faculties when altars were raised to idols.</p>
+
+<p>The idea of the Indians being in possession of hieroglyphical writings, is
+calculated to lead us to form a very different opinion of them to that
+which is usually entertained by the world. Except in the mere enjoyments
+of sense, they do not appear to be inferior to the rest of mankind; and
+their notions of moral dignity are exactly those which are recommended to
+our imitation by the literature of all antiquity. But they have a
+systematic contempt for whatever either tends to increase their troubles,
+to encumber the freedom of their motions, or to fix them to settled
+habitations. In their unsheltered nakedness, they have a prouder
+consciousness of their importance in the scale of beings, than the
+philosophers of Europe, with all their multiplicity of sensual and
+intellectual gratifications, to supply which so many of the human race are
+degraded from their natural equality. The Indian, however, is not
+deficient in mental enjoyments, or a stranger to the exercise of the
+dignified faculties of our common nature. He delivers himself on suitable
+occasions with a majesty of eloquence that would beggar the oratory of the
+parliaments, and the pulpits of Christendom; and his poetry unfolds the
+loftiest imagery and sentiment of the epic and the hymn. He considers
+himself as the lord of the creation, and regards the starry heaven as his
+canopy, and the everlasting mountain as his throne. It would be absurd,
+however, to assert with Rousseau, that he is, therefore, better or happier
+than civilized man; but it would be equally so to deny him the same sense
+of dignity, the same feeling of dishonour, the same love of renown, or
+ascribe to his actions in war, and his recreations in peace, baser motives
+than to the luxurious warriors and statesmen of Europe. Before Mr. West
+left America, an attempt was made to educate three young Indians at New
+York; and their progress, notwithstanding that they still retained
+something of their original wildness of character, exceeded the utmost
+expectations of those who were interested in the experiment. Two of them,
+however, in the end, returned to their tribe, but they were rendered
+miserable by the contempt with which they were received; and the brother
+of the one who remained behind, was so affected with their degradation,
+that he came to the city determined to redeem his brother from the
+thraldom of civilization. On his arrival he found he had become an actor,
+and was fast rising into celebrity on the stage. On learning this
+circumstance, the resolute Indian went to the theatre, and seated himself
+in the pit. The moment that his brother appeared, he leapt upon the stage,
+and drawing his knife, threatened to sacrifice him on the spot unless he
+would immediately strip himself naked, and return with him to their home
+in the woods. He upbraided him with the meanness of his disposition, in
+consenting to make himself a slave. He demanded if he had forgotten that
+the Great Spirit had planted the Indian corn for their use, and filled the
+forests with game, the air with birds, and the waters with fish, that they
+might be free. He represented the institutions of civilized society as
+calculated to make him dependant on the labour of others, and subject to
+every chance that might interrupt their disposition to supply his wants.
+The actor obeyed his brother, and returning to the woods, was never seen
+again in the town. [<a href="#a">A</a>]</p>
+
+<p>It may, perhaps, not be an impertinent digression to contrast this
+singular occurrence in the theatre of New York with another truly
+European, to which Mr. West was a witness, in the Cathedral of St. Peter.
+Among other intelligent acquaintances which he formed in Rome was the
+Abat&eacute; Grant, one of the adherents of that unfortunate family, whom the
+baseness of their confidential servants, and the factions of ambitious
+demagogues, deprived, collectively, of their birthright. This priest,
+though a firm Jacobite in principle, was, like many others of the same
+political sentiments, liberal and enlightened, refuting, by his conduct,
+the false and fraudulent calumnies which have been so long alleged against
+the gallant men who supported the cause of the ill-fated Stuarts. On St.
+Peter's day, when the Pope in person performs high mass in the cathedral,
+the Abat&eacute; offered to take Mr. West to the church, as he could place him
+among the ecclesiastics, in an advantageous situation to witness the
+ceremony. Glad of such an offer, Mr. West willingly accompanied him. The
+vast edifice; the immense multitude of spectators; the sublimity of the
+music; and the effect of the pomp addressed to the sight, produced on the
+mind of the Painter feelings scarcely less enthusiastic than those which
+the devoutest of the worshippers experienced, or the craftiest inhabitant
+of the Vatican affected to feel. At the elevation of the host, and as he
+was kneeling beside the Abat&eacute;, to their equal astonishment he heard a
+voice, exclaiming behind them in a broad Scottish accent, "O Lord, cast
+not the church down on them for this abomination!" The surrounding Italian
+priests, not understanding what the enthusiast was saying, listened with
+great comfort to such a lively manifestation of a zeal, which they
+attributed to the blessed effects of the performance. The Abat&eacute;, however,
+with genuine Scottish partiality, was alarmed for his countryman, and
+endeavoured to persuade him to hold his tongue during the ceremony, as he
+ran the risk of being torn to pieces by the mob.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared that this zealous Presbyterian, without understanding a word
+of any civilized language, but only a dialect of his own, had come to Rome
+for the express purpose of attempting to convert the Pope, as the shortest
+way, in his opinion, of putting an end to the reign of Antichrist. When
+mass was over, the Abat&eacute;, anxious to avert from him the consequences which
+his extravagance would undoubtedly entail, if he continued to persevere in
+it, entered into conversation with him. It appeared he had only that
+morning arrived in Babylon, and being unable to rest until he had seen a
+glimpse of the gorgeous harlot, he had not then provided himself with
+lodgings. The Abat&eacute; conducted him to a house where he knew he would be
+carefully attended; and he also endeavoured to reason with him on the
+absurdity of his self-assumed mission, assuring him that unless he
+desisted, and behaved with circumspection, he would inevitably be seized
+by the Inquisition. But the prospect of Martyrdom augmented his zeal; and
+the representations of the benevolent Catholic only stimulated his
+enterprise; so that in the course of a few days, much to his own exceeding
+great joy, and with many comfortable salutations of the spirit, he was
+seized by the Inquisition, and lodged in a dungeon, On hearing this, the
+Abat&eacute; applied to King James in his behalf, and by his Majesty's influence
+he was released, and sent to the British Consul at Leghorn, on condition
+of being immediately conveyed to his friends in Scotland. It happened,
+however, that no vessel was then ready to sail, and the taste of
+persecution partaking more of the relish of adventure than the pungency of
+suffering, the missionary was not to be so easily frustrated in his
+meritorious design; and, therefore, he took the first opportunity of
+stealing silently back to Rome, where he was again arrested and confined.
+By this time the affair had made some noise, and it was universally
+thought by all the English travellers, that the best way of treating the
+ridiculous madman was to allow him to remain some time in solitary
+confinement in the dungeons of the Inquisition. When he had been
+imprisoned about three months, he was again liberated, sent to Leghorn,
+and embarked for England, radically cured of his inclination to convert
+the Pope, but still believing that the punishment which he had suffered
+for his folly would be recorded as a trial which he had endured in the
+service of the faith.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time West was carefully furnishing his mind by an attentive
+study of the costume of antiquity, and the beauties of the great works of
+modern genius. In doing this, he regarded Rome only as an university, in
+which he should graduate; and, as a thesis preparatory to taking his
+degree among the students, he painted a picture of Cimon and Iphigenia,
+and, subsequently, another of Angelica and Madoro. The applause which they
+received justified the opinion which Mengs had so early expressed of his
+talent, and certainly answered every object for which they were composed.
+He was honoured, in consequence, with the marks of academical
+approbation, usually bestowed on fortunate Artists. He then proposed to
+return to America, with a view to cultivate in his native country that
+profession in which he had already acquired so much celebrity. At this
+juncture he received a letter from his father, advising him, as peace had
+been concluded between France and England, to go home for a short time
+before coming to America; for the mother country was at that period still
+regarded as the home of her American offspring. The advice of his father
+was in unison with his own wishes, and he mentioned his intention to Mr.
+Wilcox. That gentleman, conceiving that he spoke of America as his home,
+expressed himself with grief and surprise at a determination so different
+from what he had expected; but, upon being informed of the ambiguity in
+the phrase, he exclaimed that he could hardly have resolved, on quitting
+Italy, more opportunely, for Dr. Patoune, a Scotish gentleman, of
+considerable learning, and some taste in painting, was then returning
+homeward, and waiting at that time in Rome, until he should be able to
+meet with a companion. It was therefore agreed that West should be
+introduced to him; and it was soon after arranged that the Doctor should
+proceed to Florence, while the Artist went to take leave of his friends at
+Leghorn, to express to them his gratitude for the advantages he had
+derived from their constant and extraordinary kindness, which he estimated
+so highly, that he could not think of leaving Italy without performing
+this pleasing and honourable pilgrimage. It was also agreed between him
+and his companion, that the Doctor should stop a short time at Parma,
+until West should have completed a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio,
+which he had begun during his visit to that city with Mr. Matthews.</p>
+
+<p>During their stay at Parma, the Academy elected Mr. West a member, an
+honour which the Academies of Florence and Bologna had previously
+conferred on him; and it was mentioned to the Prince that a young American
+had made a copy of the St. Jerome of Corregio in a style of excellence
+such as the oldest Academicians had not witnessed. The Prince expressed a
+wish to see this extraordinary Artist, particularly when be heard that he
+was from Pennsylvania, and a Quaker. Mr. West was, in consequence,
+informed that a visit from him would be acceptable at Court: and it was
+arranged that he should be introduced to His Highness by the chief
+Minister. Mr. West thought that, in a matter of this kind, he should
+regulate his behaviour by what he understood to be the practice in the
+court of London; and, accordingly, to the astonishment of the whole of the
+courtiers, he kept his hat on during the audience. This, however, instead
+of offending the Prince, was observed with evident pleasure, and made his
+reception more particular and distinguished; for His Highness had heard of
+the peculiar simplicity of the Quakers, and of the singularly Christian
+conduct of William Penn.</p>
+
+<p>From Parma he proceeded to Genoa, and thence to Turin. Considering this
+City as the last stage of his professional observations in Italy, his mind
+unconsciously took a retrospective view of the different objects he had
+seen, and the knowledge which he had acquired since his departure from
+America. Although his art was always uppermost in his thoughts, and
+although he could not reflect on the course of his observations without
+pleasure and hope, he was often led to advert to the lamentable state into
+which every thing, as well as Art, had fallen in Italy, in consequence of
+the general theocratical despotism which over-spread the whole country,
+like an unwholesome vapour, and of those minute subdivisions of territory,
+in which political tyranny exercised its baleful influence even where the
+ecclesiastical oppression seemed disposed to spare. He saw, in the
+infamous establishment of the cicisbeo, the settled effect of that general
+disposition to palliate vice, which is the first symptom of decay in
+nations; and he was convinced that, before vice could be thus exalted into
+custom, there must exist in the community which would tolerate such an
+institution, a disregard of all those obligations which it is the pride of
+virtue to incur, and the object of law to preserve. It seemed to him that
+every thing in Italy was in a state of disease; and that the moral energy
+was subsiding, as the vital flame diminishes with the progress of old age.
+For although the forms and graces of the human character were often seen
+in all their genuine dignity among the common people, still even the
+general population seemed to be defective in that detestation of vice
+found in all countries in a healthful state of morals, and which is often
+strongest among the lowest of the vulgar, especially in what respects the
+conduct of the great. He thought that the commonalty of Italy had lost the
+tact by which the good and evil of actions are discriminated; and that,
+whatever was good in their disposition, was constitutional, and
+unconnected with any principle of religion, or sense of right. In the
+Papal states, this appeared to be particularly the case. All the creative
+powers of the mind seemed there to be extinct. The country was covered
+with ruins, and the human character was in ashes. Sometimes, indeed, a few
+embers of intellect were seen among the clergy; but the brightness of
+their scintillation was owing to the blackness of death with which they
+were contrasted. The splendour of the nobility struck him only as a more
+conspicuous poverty than the beggary of the common people; and the perfect
+contempt with which they treated the feelings of their dependants, seemed
+to him scarcely less despicable than the apathy with which it was endured.
+The innumerable examples of the effects of this moral paralysis to which
+he was a witness on his arrival in Rome, filled him for some time with
+indescribable anxiety, and all his veneration for the Roman majesty was
+lost in reflections on the offences which mankind may be brought to commit
+on one another. But at Genoa, Leghorn, and Venice, the Italians were seen
+to less disadvantage. Commerce, by diffusring opulence, and interweaving
+the interests of all classes, preserved in those cities some community of
+feeling, which was manifested in an interchange of respect and
+consideration between the higher and the lower orders; and Lucca he
+thought afforded a perfect exception to the general degeneracy of the
+country. The inhabitants of that little republic presented the finest view
+of human nature that he had ever witnessed. With the manliness of the
+British character they appeared to blend the suavity of the Italian
+manners; and their private morals were not inferior to the celebrity of
+their public virtues. So true it is, that man, under the police and
+vigilance of despotism, becomes more and more vicious; while, in
+proportion to the extension of his freedom, is the vigour of his private
+virtue. When deprived of the right of exercising his own judgment, he
+feels, as it were, his moral responsibility at an end, and naturally
+blames the system by which he is oppressed, for the crimes which his own
+unresisted passions instigate him to commit. To an Englishman the
+remembrance of a journey in Italy is however often more delightful than
+that of any other country, for no where else is his arrogance more
+patiently endured, his eccentricities more humourously indulged, nor the
+generosity of his character more publicly acknowledged.</p>
+
+<p>In coming from Italy into France, Mr. West was particularly struck with
+the picturesque difference in the character of the peasantry of the two
+countries; and while he thought, as an Artist, that to give appropriate
+effect to a national landscape it would not only be necessary to introduce
+figures in the costume of the country, but in employments and recreations
+no less national, he was sensible of the truth of a remark which occurs to
+almost every traveller, that there are different races of the human
+species, and that the nature of the dog and horse do not vary more in
+different climates than man himself. In making the observation, he was
+not, however, disposed to agree with the continental philosophers, that
+this difference, arising from climate, at all narrowed the powers of the
+mind, though it influenced the choice of objects of taste. For whatever
+tends to make the mind more familiar with one class of agreeable
+sensations than another, will, undoubtedly, contribute to form the cause
+of that preference for particular qualities in objects by which the
+characteristics of the taste of different nations is discriminated.
+Although, of all the general circumstances which modify the opinions of
+mankind, climate is, perhaps, the most permanent, it does not, therefore,
+follow that, because the climate of France or Italy induces the
+inhabitants to prefer, in works of art, certain qualities of the
+excellence of which the people of England are not so sensible, the climate
+of Great Britain does not, in like manner, lead the inhabitants to
+discover other qualities equally valuable as sources of enjoyment. Thus,
+in sculpture for example, it would seem that in naked figures the
+inhabitants of a cold climate can never hope to attain that degree of
+eminence which we see exemplified in the productions of the Grecian and
+Italian sculptors; not that the Artists may not execute as well, but
+because they will not so readily find models; or, what is perhaps more to
+the point, they will not find a taste so capable of appreciating the
+merits of their performances. In Italy the eye is familiar with the human
+form in a state of almost complete nudity; and the beauty of muscular
+expression, and of the osteological proportions of man, is there as well
+known as that of the features and complexion of his countenance; but the
+same degree of nakedness could not be endured in the climate of England,
+for it is associated with sentiments of modesty and shame, which render
+even the accidental innocent exposure of so much of the body offensive to
+the feelings of decorum. It is not, therefore, just to allege, that,
+because the Italians are a calm, persuasive, and pensive people, and the
+French all stir, talk, and inconstancy, they are respectively actuated by
+different moral causes. It will not be asserted that, though the sources
+of their taste in art spring from different qualities in the same common
+objects, any innate incapacity for excellence in the fine arts is induced
+by the English climate, merely because that climate has the effect of
+producing a different moral temperament among the inhabitants.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning after arriving at the first frontier town, in coming from
+Savoy into France, and while breakfast was preparing, Mr. West and his
+companion heard the noise of a crowd assembled in the yard of the inn. The
+Doctor rose and went to the window to inquire the occasion: immediately on
+his appearance the mob became turbulent, and seemed to menace him with
+some outrage.--The Peace of 1763 had been but lately concluded, and
+without having any other cause for the thought, it occurred to the
+travellers that the turbulence must have originated in some political
+occurrence, and they hastily summoned the landlord, who informed them,
+"That the people had, indeed, assembled in a tumultuous manner round the
+inn on hearing that two Englishmen were in the house, but that they might
+make themselves easy, as he had sent to inform the magistrates of the
+riot." Soon after, one of the magistrates arrived, and on being introduced
+by the landlord to the travellers, expressed himself to the following
+effect: "I am sorry that this occurrence should have happened, because had
+I known in time, I should, on hearing that you were Englishmen, have come
+with the other magistrates to express to you the sentiments of respect
+which we feel towards your illustrious nation; but, since it has not been
+in our power to give you that testimony of our esteem; on the contrary,
+since we are necessitated by our duty to protect you, I assure you that I
+feel exceedingly mortified. I trust, however, that you will suffer no
+inconvenience, for the people are dispersing, and you will be able to
+leave the town in safety!" "This place," he continued, "is a manufacturing
+town, which has been almost ruined by the war. Our goods went to the ocean
+from Marseilles and Toulon; but the vigilance of your fleets ruined our
+trade, and these poor people, who have felt the consequence, consider not
+the real cause of their distress. However, although the populace do not
+look beyond the effects which immediately press upon themselves, there are
+many among us well acquainted with the fountain-head of the misfortunes
+which afflict France, and who know that it is less to you than to
+ourselves that we ought to ascribe the disgraces of the late war. You had
+a man at the head of your government (alluding to the first Lord Chatham),
+and your counsellors are men. But it is the curse of France that she is
+ruled by one who is, in fact, but the agent and organ of valets and
+strumpets. The Court of France is no longer the focus of the great men of
+the country, but a band of profligates that have driven away the great.
+This state of things, however, cannot last long, the reign of the
+Pompadours must draw to an end, and Frenchmen will one day take a terrible
+revenge for the insults which they suffer in being regarded only as the
+materials of those who pander to the prodigality of the Court." This
+singular address, made in the year 1763, requires no comment; but it is a
+curious historical instance of the commencement of that, moral re-action
+to oppression which subsequently has so fully realized the prediction of
+the magistrate, and which, in its violence, has done so much mischief, and
+occasioned so many misfortunes to Europe.</p>
+
+<p>The travellers remained no longer in Paris than was necessary to inspect
+the principal works of the French Artists, and the royal collections. Mr.
+West, however, continued long enough to be satisfied that the true feeling
+for the fine arts did not exist among the French to that degree which he
+had observed in Italy. On the contrary, it seemed to him that there was an
+inherent affectation in the general style of art among them, which
+demonstrated, not only a deficiency of native sensibility, but an anxious
+endeavour to conceal that defect. The characteristics of the French
+School, and they have not yet been redeemed by the introduction of any
+better manner, might, to a cursory observer, appear to have arisen from a
+corrupted taste, while, in fact, they are the consequences only of that
+inordinate national vanity which in so many different ways has retarded
+the prosperity of the world. In the opinion of a Frenchman, there is a
+quality of excellence in every thing belonging to France, merely because
+it is French, which gives at all times a certain degree of superiority to
+the actions and productions of his countrymen; and this delusive notion
+has infested not only the literature and the politicks of the nation, but
+also the principles of Art, to such a deep and inveterate extent, that the
+morality of painting is not yet either felt or understood in that country.
+In the mechanical execution, in drawing, and in the arrangement of parts,
+the great French painters are probably equal to the Italians; but in
+producing any other sentiment in the spectator than that of admiration at
+their mechanical skill, they are greatly behind the English. Painting has
+much of a common character with dramatic literature, and the very best
+pictures of the French Artists have the same kind of resemblance to the
+probability of Nature, that the tragedies of their great dramatic authors
+have to the characters and actions of men. But in rejecting the
+pretensions of the French to superiority either in the one species of art
+or in the other, the rejection ought not to be extended too far. They are
+wrong in their theory; but their practice so admirably accords with it,
+that it must be allowed, were it possible for a people so enchanted by
+self-conceit to discover that the true subjects of Art exist only in
+Nature, they evince a capacity sufficient to enable them to acquire the
+pre-eminence which they unfortunately believe they have already attained.
+But these opinions, with respect to the peculiarities of the French taste,
+though deduced from incidental remarks in conversations with Mr. West,
+must not be considered as his. The respect which he has always entertained
+towards the different members of his own profession never allows him to
+express himself in any terms that might possibly be construed by malice or
+by ignorance to imply any thing derogatory to a class which he naturally
+considers among the teachers of mankind. He may think, indeed he has
+expressed as much, that the style of the French Artists is not the most
+perspicuous; and that it is, if the expression may be allowed, more
+rhetorical than eloquent; but still he regards them as having done honour
+to their country, and, in furnishing objects of innocent interest to the
+minds of mankind, as having withdrawn so far the inclinations of the heart
+from mere sensual objects. The true use of painting, he early thought,
+must reside in assisting the reason to arrive at correct moral inferences,
+by furnishing a probable view of the effects of motives and of passions;
+and to the enforcement of this great argument his long life has been
+devoted, whether with complete success it would be presumptuous in any
+contemporary to determine, and injudicious in the author of these memoirs
+to assert.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p><a name="a"></a>[A] The following Extract from the Journal of a Friend, who has
+lately travelled through the principal parts of the United States, will
+probably be found interesting, as it tends to throw some degree of light
+on the sentiments of the Indians; of which the little that is known has
+hitherto never been well elucidated.</p>
+
+<p>"One of my fellow-passengers was a settler in the new state of Tenessee,
+who had come to Charleston with Horses for sale, and was going to
+Baltimore and Philadelphia for the purpose of investing his money in an
+assortment of goods suited to the western country. The ideas of civilized
+and savage life were so curiously blended in this man, that his
+conversation afforded me considerable amusement. Under the garb and
+appearance of a methodist preacher, I found him a hunter and a warrior;
+with no small portion of the adventurous spirit proper to both those
+characters. He had served as a militia-man or volunteer under General
+Jackson, in his memorable campaign against the Creek Indians in 1813; and
+he related to me some interesting particulars of the principal and final
+action which decided the fate of the war. The Indians had posted
+themselves at a place called, in their language, <i>Talapoosie</i>, and by the
+Americans, the Horse-shoe; a position of great natural strength, the
+advantages of which they had improved to the best of their skill, by a
+breast-work seven feet high, extending across the neck of land which
+formed the only approach to their encampment. This seems to have been
+viewed by the Creeks themselves as the last stand of their nation: for,
+contrary to the usual practice of the Indians, they made every preparation
+for defence, but none for retreat. Their resistance was proportionably
+desperate and bloody. For several hours they supported a continued fire of
+musketry and cannon without shrinking; till at length the American
+General, finding that he had lost a great number of men, and that he
+could not otherwise dislodge the enemy, gave orders for a general assault.
+The breast-work was carried by storm; and the Indians, broken at all
+points, and surrounded by superior numbers, were nearly all put to the
+sword. Out of one thousand warriors who composed the Creek Army, scarcely
+twenty made their escape. A body of Choctaw Indians, who attended the
+American Army as auxiliaries, were the chief actors in this massacre, and
+displayed their usual barbarous ferocity. It affords a remarkable
+illustration of the savage character, that the whole of this bloody scene
+passed in the most perfect silence on the part of the Indians: there was
+no outcry, no supplication for mercy: each man met his fate without
+uttering a word, singly defending himself to the last. The lives of the
+women and children were spared, but many of the boys were killed in the
+action, fighting bravely in the ranks with their fathers and elder
+brothers. My Tenessee friend received four arrows from the bows of these
+juvenile warriors, while in the act of mounting the breast-work.</p>
+
+<p>"In hearing such a story, it is impossible not to be touched with a
+feeling of sympathy for a high-minded but expiring people, thus gallantly
+but vainly contending, against an overwhelming force, for their native
+woods, and their name as a Nation; or to refrain from lamenting that the
+settlement of the New World cannot be accomplished at a less price than
+the destruction of the original and rightful proprietors of the soil."</p>
+
+
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">The End of Part I.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>The Life and Works of Benjamin West, Esq.</h1>
+
+<h2>Part II.</h2>
+
+<h3>By John Galt, Esq.</h3>
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">To Simon M'Gillivray, Esq.<br />
+This Work<br />
+Is inscribed, with every sentiment of esteem, by the Author.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Preface.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p>Nearly the whole of this work was printed during the last illness of Mr.
+West. The manuscript had long previously been read to him. My custom was,
+to note down those points which seemed, in our conversations, to bear on
+his biography, and, from time to time, to submit an entire chapter to his
+perusal; afterwards, when the whole narrative was formed, it was again
+carefully read over to him. Still, however, I am apprehensive that some
+mistakes in the orthography of names may have been committed; for although
+the same custom was strictly observed in preparing the manuscript of the
+first part of his Memoirs for the press, yet, in perusing the proofs, he
+found several errors of that kind. It was intended that he should have
+read the proofs of this part also, but the progress of his disease
+unfortunately rendered it impracticable.</p>
+
+<p>
+J.G.</p>
+
+<p><i>30th March, 1820</i>.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Introduction.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p>Although Mr. West was, strictly speaking, a self-taught artist, yet it
+must be allowed that in his education he enjoyed great and singular
+advantages. A strong presentiment was cherished in his family, that he
+would prove an extraordinary man, and his first rude sketch in childhood
+was hailed as an assurance of the fulfilment of the prediction of
+Peckover. The very endeavours of his boyish years were applauded as
+successful attainments; no domestic prejudices were opposed to the
+cultivation of his genius; even the religious principles of the community
+in which he lived were bent in his favour, from a persuasion that he was
+endowed by Heaven with a peculiar gift; and whatever the defects of his
+early essays may have been, it was not one of the least advantageous
+circumstances of his youth, that they were seen only by persons, who,
+without being competent judges of them, as works of art, were yet
+possessed of such a decided superiority of intellect, that their
+approbation in any case would have been esteemed great praise.</p>
+
+<p>The incidents attending his voyage to Italy, and his introduction to the
+artists, virtuosi, and travellers at Rome, were still more auspicious.
+Taken in connection with his previous history, they form one of the most
+remarkable illustrations of the doctrine of fortune, or destiny, that is
+to be found in authentic biography. Without any knowledge of his abilities
+or acquirements, his arrival in the capital of Christendom, the seat of
+the arts, was regarded as an interesting event: his person was
+contemplated as an object of curiosity; and a strong disposition to
+applaud his productions, was excited by the mere accident of his having
+come from America to study the fine arts. A prepossession so extraordinary
+has no parallel. It would almost seem, as if there had been some
+arrangement in the order of things that would have placed Mr. West in the
+first class of artists, although he had himself mistaken the workings of
+ambition for the consciousness of talent. Many men of no inconsiderable
+fame have set out in their career with high expectations in their favour;
+but few, of whom such hopes were entertained, have, by a succession of
+works, in which the powers of the mind were seemingly unfolded with more
+and more energy, so long continued to justify the presentiments of his
+early friends. It is not, however, the object of this undertaking to form
+any estimate of the genius of Mr. West, or of the merits of his works;
+another opportunity, distinct from his memoirs, will be taken for that
+purpose; but only to resume the narrative of his progress, in his
+profession, by which it will appear that a series of circumstances no less
+curious than those which tended to make him an artist, facilitated his
+success, and placed him in that precise station in society, where, in this
+country, at the time, there was the only chance of profitable employment
+as an historical painter.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Contents.</h1>
+
+<h2>Part II.</h2>
+
+
+
+<p><a href="#2-1">Chap. I.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen.--Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote of
+    a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--Mr. West's Marriage.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-2">Chap. II.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The
+    Altar-piece of St. Stephen's Walbrook.--State of public Taste with
+    respect to the Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-3">Chap. III.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen,--The
+    King employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater.--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-4">Chap. IV.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The King's personal Friendship for Mr, West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-5">Chap. V.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The Opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-6">Chap. VI.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius,--Of
+    Lachlan McLean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his Opinion.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-7">Chap. VII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of
+    the American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-8">Chap. VIII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-9">Chap. IX.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-10">Chap. X.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Discourse to the Academy in 1797--- On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks
+    in Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Draiwing.--Of
+    Light and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.--Illustration.--Of the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine
+    Pictures.--Of Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from
+    Sketching.--and of the Advantage of being familiar with the
+    Characteristics of Objects in Nature.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-11">Chap. XI.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-12">Chap. XII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-13">Chap. XIII.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the
+    Members of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin of
+    the British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#2-14">Chap. XIV.</a></p>
+
+<blockquote>    Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Intrigues respecting
+    the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.</blockquote>
+
+<p><a href="#append">Appendix.</a></p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>The Life and Works of Benjamin West</h1>
+
+<h2>Part II.</h2>
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-1"></a>Chap. I.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Mr. West arrives in England.--Relative Condition of Artists in
+    Society.--Mr. West's American Friends in this Country.--Of Governor
+    Hamilton and Mr. Allen,--- Circumstances favourable to their Reception
+    in the Circles of Fashion.--Mr. West's Visit to Bath, and Excursions
+    to see some of the Collections of Art in England.--He settles as a
+    Portrait Painter.--Introduction to Burke and Dr. Johnson.--Anecdote
+    of a Monk, the Brother of Mr. Burke.--Introduction to Archbishop
+    Drummond.--- Mr West's Marriage.</blockquote>
+
+<p>Mr. West arrived in England on the 20th of August, 1763. The sentiments
+with which he approached the shores of this island, were those of a
+stranger visiting interesting scenes, mingled with something of the
+solicitude and affections of a traveller returning home. He had no
+intention of remaining in London: he was only desirous to see the country
+of his ancestors, and his mind, in consequence, was more disengaged from
+professional feelings than at any period from that in which his genius
+was first awakened. He considered his visit to England as devoted to
+social leisure, the best kind of repose after mental exertion; but the
+good fortune which had hitherto attended him in so remarkable a manner,
+still followed him, and frustrated the intentions with which he was at
+that time actuated.</p>
+
+<p>Those who have at all attended to what was then the state of the arts in
+this country, and more particularly to the relative condition of artists
+in society, and who can compare them with the state of both at the present
+period, will not hesitate to regard the arrival of Mr. West as an
+important event. In the sequel of this work, it may be necessary to allude
+to the moral and political causes which affect the progress of the fine
+arts, and opportunities will, in consequence, arise to show how meanly
+they were considered, how justly, indeed, it may be said, they were
+rejected, not only by the British public in general, but even by the
+nobility. A few eminent literary characters were sensible of their
+importance, and lamented the neglect to which they were consigned; but the
+great body of the intelligent part of the nation neither felt their
+influence, nor were aware of their importance to the commerce and renown
+of the kingdom. Artists stood, if possible, lower in the scale of society
+than actors; for Garrick had redeemed the profession of the latter from
+the degradation to which it had been consigned from the time of the
+Commonwealth; but Reynolds, although in high repute as a portrait-painter,
+and affecting a gentlemanly liberality in the style of his living, was not
+so eminently before the public eye as to induce any change of the same
+consequence towards his profession.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West found, on his arrival in London, several American families who
+had come across the Atlantic after the peace to visit their relations,
+and he had the unexpected pleasure of hearing that Mr. William Allen,
+Governor Hamilton, and Dr. Smith, his earliest friends and patrons, were
+in this country.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Allen, like many others in the colonies at that time, was both a
+professional man and a merchant. He held indeed the dignified office of
+chief justice in Pennsylvania, and was a person of powerful and extensive
+connections in the mother-country. Hamilton, who had been many years
+governor, was chiefly indebted to him for the rank which he enjoyed, in
+consequence of having married his sister.</p>
+
+<p>The naval and military officers who had occasion, during the war, to visit
+Philadelphia, found in the houses of the governor and Mr. Allen a cordial
+hospitality which they never forgot. Many of these officers were related
+to persons of distinction in London, and being anxious to testify to the
+Americans their grateful sense of the kindness which they had experienced,
+rendered the strangers objects of hospitable solicitude and marked respect
+in the first circles of the metropolis. Mr. West, accordingly, on his
+arrival, participated in the advantages of their favourable reception,
+and before he was known as an artist, frequented the parties of several of
+the highest characters in the state.</p>
+
+<p>His first excursion from London was to Hampton Court to see the Cartoons
+of Raphael. Soon after, he visited Oxford, Blenheim, and Corsham; whence
+he proceeded to Bath, where Mr. Allen was at that time residing. Here he
+remained about a month; and in returning to town made a short tour, in the
+course of which he inspected the collections of art at Storehead,
+Fonthill, Wilton House, the Cathedral of Salisbury, and the Earl of
+Radnor's seat at Longford. At Reading he staid some time with his
+half-brother, Mr. Thomas West, the eldest son of his father. When he
+returned to London he was introduced by Mr. Patoune, his travelling
+companion from Rome, to Reynolds, and a friendship commenced between them
+which was only broken by death. He also, much about the same time, formed
+an acquaintance with Mr. Richard Wilson, the landscape painter, to whom
+indeed he had brought very warm letters of introduction, from some of
+that great artist's friends and admirers in Italy.</p>
+
+<p>The first lodgings which Mr. West occupied, in his professional capacity,
+were in Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, where, when it was understood that
+he intended to practise, he was visited by all the artists of eminence
+then in London, and welcomed among them with a cordiality that reflected
+great honour on the generosity of their dispositions. In this house the
+first picture which he painted in England was executed. The subject was
+Angelica and Medora, which, with the Cymon and Iphiginia, painted at
+Rome, and a portrait of General Moncton, (who acquired so much celebrity
+by his heroic conduct as second in command under General Wolfe at
+Quebec,) by the advice of Reynolds and Wilson, he sent to the exhibition
+in Spring Gardens in 1764.</p>
+
+<p>While he was engaged on the picture of Angelica and Medora, Dr. Markham,
+then Master of Westminster-School, paid him a visit and invited him to a
+dinner, at which he introduced him to Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke; Mr.
+Chracheroide, and Mr. Dyer. On being introduced to Burke he was so much
+surprised by the resemblance which that gentleman bore to the chief of the
+Benedictine monks at Parma, that when he spoke he could scarcely persuade
+himself he was not the same person. This resemblance was not accidental;
+the Protestant orator was, indeed, the brother of the monk.</p>
+
+<p>It always appeared to Mr. West that there was about Mr. Burke a degree of
+mystery, connected with his early life, which their long intercourse,
+subsequent to the introduction at Dr. Markham's, never tended to explain.
+He never spoke of any companions of his boyhood, nor seemed to have any of
+those pleasing recollections of the heedless and harmless days of youth,
+which afford to most men of genius some of the finest lights and breaks of
+their fancy; and his writings corroborate the observation. For, although
+no prose writer ever wrote more like a poet than this celebrated man, his
+imagery is principally drawn from general nature or from art, and but
+rarely from any thing local or particular.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation after dinner chiefly turned, on American subjects, in
+which Mr. Burke, as may well be supposed, took a distinguished part, and
+not more delighted the Artist with the rich variety and affluence of his
+mind, than surprised him by the correct circumstantiality of his
+descriptions; so much so, that he was never able to divest himself of an
+impression received on this occasion, that Mr. Burke had actually been in
+America, and visited the scenes, and been familiar with many of the places
+which he so minutely seemed to recollect. Upon a circumstance so singular,
+and so much at variance with all that has hitherto been said respecting
+the early history of this eminent person, it is needless to dilate. The
+wonder which it may excite I have no means of allaying; but I should not
+omit to mention here, when Mr. Burke was informed that Mr. West was a
+Quaker, that he observed, he had always regarded it among the most
+fortunate circumstances of his life, that his first preceptor was a
+member of the Society of Friends.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Markham in 1765 introduced Mr. West to Dr. Newton, Bishop of Bristol,
+Dr. Johnson, Bishop of Worcester, and Dr. Drummond, Archbishop of York.
+Dr. Newton engaged him to paint the Parting of Hector and Andromache, and
+afterwards sat to him for his portrait, in the back ground of which a
+sketch of this picture was introduced: and for the Bishop of Worcester he
+painted the Return of the Prodigal Son. The encouragement which he thus
+received from these eminent divines was highly creditable to their taste
+and liberality, and is in honourable contrast to the negligence with which
+all that concerned the fine arts were treated by the nobility and opulent
+gentry. It is, however, necessary to mention one illustrious exception.
+Lord Rockingham offered Mr. West a regular, permanent engagement of &pound;700
+per annum to paint historical subjects for his mansion in Yorkshire: but
+the Artist on consulting his friends found them unanimously of opinion,
+that although the prospect of encouragement which had opened to him ought
+to make him resolve to remain in England, he should not confine himself to
+the service of one patron, but trust to the public. The result of this
+conversation was a communication to Dr. Smith and Mr. Allen, of the
+attachment he had formed for the lady whom he afterwards married, and that
+it was his intention to return to America in order to be united to her. In
+consequence of this, an arrangement took place, by which the father of Mr.
+West came over to this country with the bride, and the marriage was
+solemnised on the 2d of September, 1765, in the church of St. Martin in
+the Fields.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-2"></a>Chap. II.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Some Notice of Archbishop Drummond.--Mr. West paints a Picture for His
+    Grace.--His Grace's Plan to procure Engagements for Mr. West as an
+    Historical Painter.--Project for ornamenting St. Paul's Cathedral with
+    Pictures.--Anecdote of Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London.--The Altarpiece
+    of St. Stephens, Walbrook.--State of public Taste with respect to the
+    Arts.--Anecdotes of Hogarth and Garrick.</blockquote>
+
+<p>In Archbishop Drummond Mr. West found one of the most active and efficient
+patrons that he had yet met with. This eminent prelate was esteemed, by
+all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance, for a peculiar dignity
+of mind, and a liberality of sentiment that reflected lustre on his
+exalted rank. He had in his youth travelled on the Continent, and
+possessing an innate sensibility to the moral influence of the fine arts,
+had improved his natural taste by a careful inspection of every celebrated
+work to which he could obtain access. He lamented that in this great,
+flourishing, and triumphant nation, no just notion of the value of the
+fine arts was entertained; and on all occasions, when a suitable
+opportunity presented itself, he never failed to state this opinion, and
+to endeavour to impress it on others. He frequently invited Mr. West to
+his table; and the Artist remarked that he seemed to turn the conversation
+on the celebrity which the patronage of the arts had in all ages reflected
+on the most illustrious persons and families, addressing himself with
+particular emphasis to his sons. In the course of one of these
+conversations, he engaged Mr. West to paint for him the story of Agrippina
+landing with the ashes of Germanicus, and sent one of the young gentlemen
+to the library for the volume in which Tacitus describes the
+circumstances. Having read the passage, he commented on it at some length,
+in order to convey to Mr. West an idea of the manner in which he was
+desirous the subject should be treated.</p>
+
+<p>The painter, on returning home, felt his imagination so much excited by
+the historian's description, and the remarks of the Archbishop, that he
+immediately began to compose a sketch for the picture, and finished it
+before going to bed. Next morning he carried it to His Grace, who, equally
+surprised and delighted to find his own conception so soon embodied in a
+visible form, requested the Artist to proceed without delay in the
+execution of the picture.</p>
+
+<p>In the interim, the Archbishop endeavoured, by all the means in his power,
+to procure encouragement for Mr. West to devote himself exclusively to
+historical composition; and with this view he set on foot a scheme to
+raise three thousand guineas to constitute a fund, which would be a
+sufficient inducement for the Artist, in the first instance, to forego, at
+least for a time, the drudgery of portrait painting. But the attempt
+failed: so little was the public disposed to patronise historical subjects
+from the pencil of a living artist, that after fifteen hundred pounds were
+subscribed, it was agreed to relinquish the undertaking. As this fact is
+important to the history of the progress of the arts in this country, I
+present my readers with a copy of the subscription-paper, with the names
+and amount of the sums attached to them, by the respective subscribers,</p>
+
+<p>In 1766 Mr. West made a proposal to his friend Bishop Newton, who was then
+Dean of St. Paul's, to present a gratuitous offering to the Cathedral, by
+painting a religious subject to fill one of the large spaces which the
+architect of the building had allotted for the reception of pictures; and
+speaking on the design one day after dinner at the Bishop's when Reynolds
+was present, he said that the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai would make
+an appropriate subject. Reynolds was delighted with the idea of decorating
+St. Paul's by the voluntary offerings of artists, and offered to paint a
+Nativity as his contribution. A formal proposal was in consequence made to
+the Dean and Chapter, who embraced it with much satisfaction. But Dr.
+Terrick, the Bishop, felt some degree of jealousy at the design being
+adopted, without consulting him, and set himself so decidedly against it
+that it was necessarily abandoned. Dr. Newtorn had, in his capacity of
+Dean, obtained (without reflecting that Terrick had a veto over all) the
+consent of the other curators of the Cathedral, namely, of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the King. "But," exclaimed Dr. Terrick,
+with the energy of an ancient martyr, "I have heard of the proposition,
+and as I am head of the Cathedral of the metropolis, I will not suffer the
+doors to be opened to introduce popery." It is to be hoped that the
+declaration proceeded from the fear implied, and not because Dr. Newton
+omitted to ask his consent before applying to the King and the Archbishop.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West was, however, too deeply impressed with the advantage which would
+accrue to the arts by inducing the guardians of the Church to allow the
+introduction of pictures, to be discouraged by the illiberality of the
+Bishop of London. He therefore made a proposal to paint an Altar-piece for
+the beautiful church of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and it was accepted. In
+the same year his friend, Mr. Wilcox, gave him a commission to execute
+another sacred subject, which he presented to the Cathedral of Rochester,
+and it is placed over the communion-table. In these biographical sketches
+it cannot be expected that a history of all Mr. West's numerous works
+should be related. It is the history of the Artist, not of his works, that
+is here written; and, therefore, except where the incidents connected with
+them are illustrative of the state of public feeling towards the arts, it
+is unnecessary to be more particular. I have, however, prepared a complete
+catalogue of his designs, with such remarks concerning them as must
+satisfy any want that may be felt by this systematic omission in the
+narrative. I should, however, mention that, in this stage of his career,
+the two of his earliest pictures, which attracted the greatest share of
+public attention, were <i>the Orestes and Pylades</i>, and <i>the Continence of
+Scipio</i>. He had undertaken them on speculation, and the applause which
+they obtained, when finished, were an assurance of his success and reward.
+His house was daily thronged with the opulent and the curious to see them;
+statesmen sent for them to their offices; princes to their bedchambers,
+and all loudly expressed their approbation, but not one ever enquired the
+price; and his imagination, which had been elevated in Italy to emulate
+the conceptions of those celebrated men who have given a second existence
+to the great events of religion, history, and poetry, was allowed in
+England to languish over the unmeaning faces of portrait-customers. It
+seemed to be thought that the genius of the Artist could in no other way
+be encouraged, than by his friends sitting for their own likenesses, and
+paying liberally for them. The moral influence of the art was unfelt and
+unknown; nor can a more impressive instance of this historical truth be
+adduced, than the following anecdote of Hogarth, which Garrick himself
+related to Mr. West.</p>
+
+<p>When that artist had published the plates of the Election, he wished to
+dispose of the paintings, and proposed to do so by a raffle of two hundred
+chances, at two guineas the stake; to be determined on an appointed day.
+Among a small number of subscribers, not half what Hogarth expected,
+Garrick had put down his name; and when the day arrived he went to the
+artist's house to throw for his chance. After waiting a considerable time
+no other person appeared, and Hogarth felt this neglect not only as
+derogatory to his profession, but implying that the subscription had
+something in it of a mendicant character. Vexed by such a mortifying
+result of a plan which he had sanguinely hoped would prove, at least, a
+morning's amusement to the fashionable subscribers, he insisted that, as
+they had not attended, nor even sent any request to him to throw for them,
+that Garrick should go through the formality of throwing the dice; but
+only for himself. The actor for some time opposed the irritated artist;
+but at last consented. Instead, however, of allowing Hogarth to send them
+home, he begged that they might be carefully packed up, until his servant
+should call for them; and on returning to his house, he dispatched a note
+to the painter, stating that he could not persuade himself to remove works
+so valuable and admired, without acquitting his conscience of an
+obligation due to the author and to his own good fortune in obtaining
+them. And knowing the humour of the person he addressed, and that if he
+had sent a cheque for the money it would in all probability be returned,
+he informed him that he had transferred two hundred guineas at his
+bankers, which would remain at the disposal of Hogarth or his heirs,
+whether it was or was not then accepted. The charge of habitual parsimony
+against Garrick was not well founded; and this incident shows that he knew
+when to be properly munificent. In the acquisition and management of his
+affluent fortune, it would have been more correct to have praised him for
+a judicious system of economy, than to have censured him for meanness. It
+ought to have been considered, that he was professionally required to deal
+with a class of persons not famed for prudence in pecuniary concerns, and
+to whom the methodical disbursements of most private gentlemen would
+probably have appeared penurious.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-3"></a>Chap. III.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Archbishop Drummond's Address in procuring for Mr. West the Patronage
+    of the King.--Singular Court Anecdote of a Lady of Fashion.--Character
+    of the King in his Youth.--Anecdotes of the King and Queen.--The King
+    employs Mr. West to paint the Departure of Regulus.--Mr. West's
+    Celebrity as a Skater,--Anecdote of Lord Howe.--His Fame as a Skater
+    of great Service in his professional Success.</blockquote>
+
+<p>The coldness with which Archbishop Drummond's scheme for raising three
+thousand guineas had been received by the persons to whom he had applied,
+and the prejudice which he found almost universally entertained against
+the efforts of living genius, chagrined him exceedingly. He regarded the
+failure as a stigma on the age, and on his country; and, as a public man,
+he thought it affected himself personally. With this feeling, he declared
+to the gentlemen who had exerted themselves in the business, that he saw
+no way of engrafting a taste for the fine arts on the British public,
+unless the King could be so far engaged in the attempt, as to make it
+fashionable to employ living artists, according to the bent of their
+respective talents. But, about this period, the affair of Wilkes agitated
+the nation; and the Duke of Portland and Lord Rockingham, who were among
+the most strenuous of Mr. West's friends, being both of the Whig party,
+undervalued the importance attached to His Majesty's influence and
+countenance. The Archbishop was not, however, discouraged by their
+political prejudices; on the contrary, he thought that His Majesty was one
+of those characters who require to be personally interested in what it is
+desired they should undertake; and he resolved to make the attempt. The
+address with which His Grace managed the business, evinced great knowledge
+of human nature, and affords a pleasing view of the ingenuousness of the
+King's disposition.</p>
+
+<p>When the picture of Agrippina was finished, the Archbishop invited the
+most distinguished artists and amateurs to give him their opinion of the
+work; and satisfied by the approbation which they all expressed, he went
+to court, and took an opportunity of speaking on the subject to the King,
+informing His Majesty, at the same time, of all the circumstances
+connected with the history of the composition; and on what principle he
+had always turned his conversations with Mr. West to excite an interest
+for the promotion of the arts in the minds of his family. The dexterity
+with which he recapitulated these details produced the desired effect. The
+curiosity of the King was roused, and he told the Archbishop that he would
+certainly send for the Artist and the picture.</p>
+
+<p>This conversation probably lasted longer than the usual little
+reciprocities of the drawing-room; for it occasioned a very amusing
+instance of female officiousness. A lady of distinguished rank, having
+overheard what passed, could not resist the delightful temptation of being
+the first to communicate to Mr. West the intelligence of the honour that
+awaited him. On quitting the palace, instead of returning home, she went
+directly to his house, and, without disclosing her name, informed him of
+the whole particulars of the conversation which had passed between the
+Archbishop and the King. In the evening, Barnard, who had been an
+attendant on the King from the cradle, and who was not more attached to
+His Majesty, than he was himself in return affectionately beloved, came to
+Mr. West, and requested him to be in attendance next morning at the
+Queen's house, with the picture of Agrippina. In delivering the message,
+this faithful servant was prompted by his own feelings to give the Artist
+some idea of His Majesty's real character, which at that time was very
+much misrepresented to the public; and Mr. West during the long term of
+forty years of free and confidential intercourse with the King, found the
+account of Barnard to be in every essential and particular point correct.</p>
+
+<p>The King was described to him as a young man of great simplicity and
+candour of disposition, sedate in his affections, and deeply impressed
+with the sanctity of principle; scrupulous in forming private friendships;
+but, when he had taken any attachment, not easily swayed from it, without
+being convinced of the necessity and propriety of so doing.</p>
+
+<p>At the time appointed, Mr. West was in attendance with the picture; and
+His Majesty came into the room where he was waiting. After looking at it
+some time with much apparent satisfaction, he enquired if it was in a
+proper light; and, on being told that the situation was certainly not the
+most advantageous, he conducted the Artist through several apartments
+himself, till a more satisfactory place was found. He then called several
+of the domestics into the room, and, indeed, assisted them himself to
+remove the picture. When the servants had retired, and he had satisfied
+himself with looking at it, he went out of the apartment and brought in
+the Queen, to whom he introduced the Artist with so much warmth, that Mr.
+West felt it at the moment as something that might be described as
+friendliness.</p>
+
+<p>The Queen, though at this period very young, possessed a natural
+graciousness of manner, which her good sense and the consciousness of her
+dignity rendered peculiarly pleasing; so that our Artist was not only
+highly gratified by the unexpected honour of this distinguished
+introduction, but delighted with the affability and sweetness of her
+disposition.</p>
+
+<p>When Their Majesties had examined the picture, the King observed that he
+understood the same subject had seldom been properly treated. Mr. West
+answered, that it was, indeed, surprising it should have been neglected by
+Poussin, who was so well qualified to have done it justice, and to whose
+genius it was in so many respects so well adapted. His Majesty then told
+the Queen the history of the picture before them, dwelling with some
+expressions of admiration on the circumstance of the sketch having been
+made in the course of one evening after the artist had taken coffee with
+the Archbishop of York, and shown to His Grace the next morning. Turning
+briskly round to Mr. West, he said, "There is another noble Roman subject
+which corresponds to this one, and I believe it also has never been well
+painted; I mean the final departure of Regulus from Rome. Don't you think
+it would make a fine picture?" The Artist replied, that it was undoubtedly
+a magnificent subject. "Then," said His Majesty, "you shall paint it for
+me;" and, ringing the bell in the same moment, ordered the attendant who
+answered to bring the volume of Livy in which the event is related,
+observing to the Queen, in a sprightly manner, that the Archbishop had
+made one of his sons read to Mr. West; but "I will read to him myself the
+subject of my picture;" which, on the return of the servant with the book,
+he did accordingly. And the Artist was commanded to come with the sketch
+as soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p>The Archbishop was highly delighted at the successful result of his
+scheme, and augured from the event the happiest influence to the progress
+of the arts; nor has his patriotic anticipations been unrewarded; for,
+without question, so great and so eminent a taste for the fine arts as
+that which has been diffused throughout the nation, during the reign of
+George the Third, was never before produced in the life-time of one
+monarch, in any age or country.</p>
+
+<p>But in relating the different incidents which contributed to bring Mr.
+West into favourable notice, there is one of a peculiar nature, which
+should not be omitted. During winter, at Philadelphia, skating was one of
+the favourite amusements of the youth of that city, and many of them
+excelled in that elegant exercise. Mr. West, when a boy, had, along with
+his companions, acquired considerable facility in the art; and having
+become exceedingly fond of it, made himself, as he grew up to manhood, one
+of the most accomplished skaters in America. Some of the officers at that
+time quartered there, also practised the amusement; and, among others,
+Colonel Howe, who afterwards succeeded to the title of his elder brother,
+and who, under the name of General Howe, is so well known in the
+disastrous transactions of the subsequent civil war, which ended in
+establishing the independence of the United States. In the course of the
+winter preceding Mr. West's departure for Italy, they had become
+acquainted on the ice.
+
+In Italy Mr. West had no opportunity of skating; but when he reached
+Lombardy, where he saw so much beautiful frozen water, he regretted that
+he had not brought his skates with him from America. The winter, however,
+which succeeded his arrival in England, proved unusually severe; and one
+morning, when he happened to take a walk in St. James's park, he was
+surprised to see a great concourse of the populace assembled on the canal.
+He stopped to look at them, and seeing a person who lent skates on hire,
+he made choice of a pair, and went on the ice. A gentleman who had
+observed his movements, came up to him as he retired to unbuckle the
+skates, and said, "I perceive, Sir, you are a stranger, and do not perhaps
+know that there are much better places than this for the exercise of
+skating. The Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, is far superior, and the
+basin in Kensington Gardens still more preferable. Here, only the populace
+assemble; on the Serpentine, the company, although better, is also
+promiscuous; but the persons who frequent the basin in the Gardens are
+generally of the rank of gentlemen, and you will be less annoyed among
+them than at either of the other two places."</p>
+
+<p>In consequence of this information, on the day following, Mr. West
+resolved to visit the Gardens; and, in going along Piccadilly with that
+intention, bought a pair of skates, which, on reaching the margin of the
+ice, he put on, After a few trial-movements on the skirts of the basin,
+like a musician tuning his violin before attempting a regular piece of
+composition, he dashed off into the middle of the company, and performed
+several rounds in the same style which he had often practised in America.
+While engaged in this manner, a gentleman called to him by name; and, on
+stopping, he found it was his old acquaintance Colonel Howe.</p>
+
+<p>The Colonel immediately came up, and exclaimed, "Mr. West, I am truly glad
+to see you in this country, and at this time. I have not heard of you
+since we parted on the wharf at Philadelphia, when you sailed for Italy;
+but I have often since had occasion to recollect you. I am, therefore,
+particularly glad to see you here, and on the ice; for you must know that,
+in speaking of the American skaters, it has been alleged, that I have
+learnt to draw the long bow among them; but you are come in a lucky moment
+to vindicate my veracity."</p>
+
+<p>He then called to him Lord Spencer Hamilton, and some of the Cavendishes,
+who were also on the ice, and introduced Mr. West to them as one of the
+American skaters, of whom they had heard him so often speak, and would not
+credit what he had said of their performance; and he requested Mr. West to
+show them what, in Philadelphia, was called the Salute. Mr. West had been
+so long out of practice, that he was at first diffident of attempting this
+difficult and graceful movement: but, after a few trials, and feeling
+confidence in himself, he at last performed it with complete success. Out
+of this trivial incident, an acquaintance arose between him and the young
+noblemen present. They spoke of his talents as a skater; and their praise,
+in all their usual haunts, had such an effect, that, in the course of a
+few days, prodigious crowds of the fashionable world, and of all
+descriptions of people, assembled to see the American skater. When it was
+afterwards known to the public that he was an artist, many of the
+spectators called at his rooms; and he, perhaps, received more
+encouragement as a portrait-painter on account of his accomplishment as a
+skater, than he could have hoped for by any ordinary means to obtain.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-4"></a>Chap. IV.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The King's personal Friendship for Mr. West.--Circumstances which led
+    to the Establishment of the Royal Academy.--First Exhibition of the
+    Works of British Artists.--The Departure of Regulus finished, and
+    taken to Buckingham House.--Anecdote of Kirby.--The Formation of the
+    Royal Academy.--Anecdote of Reynolds.--The Academy instituted.</blockquote>
+
+<p>The King, at the period when he was pleased to take Mr. West under his own
+particular patronage, possessed great conversational powers, and a
+considerable tincture of humour. He had read much, and his memory was
+singularly exact and tenacious: his education had, indeed, been conducted
+with great prudence, and, independent of a much larger stock of literary
+information than is commonly acquired by princes, he was fairly entitled
+to be regarded as an accomplished gentleman. For the fine arts he had not,
+perhaps, any natural taste; he had, however, been carefully instructed in
+the principles of architecture by Chambers, of delineation by Moser, and
+of perspective by Kirby; and he was fully aware of the lustre which the
+arts have, in all ages, reflected on the different countries in which the
+cultivation of them has been encouraged to perpetuate the memory of great
+events. His employment of Mr. West, although altogether in his private
+capacity, was therefore not wholly without a view to the public advantage,
+and it is the more deserving of applause, as it was rather the result of
+principle than of personal predilection.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. West had made a sketch for the Regulus, and submitted it to His
+Majesty, after some conversation, as to the dimensions, the King fixed on
+an advantageous part of the walls in one of the principal apartments, and
+directed that the picture should be painted of a size sufficient to fill
+the whole space. During the time that the work was going on, the Artist
+was frequently invited to spend the evening at Buckingham-house, where he
+was often detained by the King as late as eleven o'clock, on topics
+connected with the best means of promoting the study of the fine arts in
+the kingdom. It was in these conversations that the plan of the Royal
+Academy was digested; but it is necessary to state more particularly the
+different circumstances which co-operated at this period to the formation
+of that valuable institution.</p>
+
+<p>At the annual exhibitions of the paintings and drawings, which obtained
+the premiums of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Agriculture,
+and Commerce, it was then customary with artists to send occasionally
+their works to be exhibited with those of the competitors, as a convenient
+method of making themselves known to the public. But the visitors hearing
+from the newspapers only of the pictures which had gained the prizes,
+concluded that they were the best in the exhibition; and the works of the
+matured artists were overlooked in the attention paid to the efforts of
+juvenile emulation. This neglect mortified the artists, and induced them
+to form themselves into an association for the exhibition of their own
+productions. The novelty of this plan attracted much attention, and
+answered the expectations of those with whom it originated. Such was the
+state of things with the artists when Mr. West came to England; and to the
+first exhibition, after his arrival, he sent, as I have already mentioned,
+three pictures. The approbation which these works obtained, induced the
+association to elect him one of the directors, and he held this situation
+till, the society beginning to grow rich by the receipts of the
+exhibitions, the management of its concerns became an object of ambition.
+This association was incorporated in 1765, under the designation of the
+Incorporated Artists.</p>
+
+<p>Chambers and Payne, who were leading members in the Society, being both
+architects, were equally desirous that the funds should be laid out in the
+decoration of some edifice adapted to the objects of the institution. This
+occasioned so much debate, division, and rivalry, among their respective
+partisans, that Mr. West was induced to resign the office of director, and
+to withdraw along with Mr. Reynolds (afterwards Sir Joshua) and others,
+disgusted with the bickering animosities which disgraced the proceedings
+at their meetings. This transaction made some noise at the time, and it
+happened on the very day when Mr. West waited on the King, with his sketch
+of the Departure of Regulus, that the newspapers contained some account of
+the matter. His Majesty enquired the cause and particulars of the schism,
+and Mr. West, in stating what they were, mentioned that the principles of
+his religion made him regard such proceedings as exceedingly derogatory to
+the professors of the arts of peace.</p>
+
+<p>This led the King to say that he would gladly patronise any association
+which might be formed more immediately calculated to improve the arts. Mr.
+West, after retiring from the palace, communicated this to Chambers and
+Moser, and, upon conferring on the subject with Mr. Coats, it was agreed
+that the four should constitute themselves a committee of the dissenting
+artists, to draw up the plan of an academy. When this was mentioned to His
+Majesty, he not only approved of their determination, but took a great
+personal interest in the scheme, and even drew up several of the laws
+himself with his own hand. Nor should one remarkable circumstance be
+omitted; he was particularly anxious that the whole design should be kept
+a profound secret, being apprehensive that it might be converted into some
+vehicle of political influence.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time the picture of the Departure of Regulus was going
+forward, and it was finished about the time that the code of rules for the
+academy was completed. The incorporated artists were also busy, and had
+elected as their president Mr. Kirby, who had been preceptor in
+perspective to the King, and who had deservedly gained great celebrity by
+his treatise on the principles of that branch of art. Kirby, having free
+access to the royal presence, and never hearing from His Majesty any thing
+respecting the academy, was so satisfied in his own mind that the rumours,
+respecting such an institution being intended, were untrue, that, in his
+inaugural address from the chair, he assured the incorporated artists
+there was not the slightest intention entertained of establishing a Royal
+Academy of Art.</p>
+
+<p>When the Departure of Regulus was finished, the King appointed a time for
+Mr. West to bring the picture to Buckingham-house. The Artist having
+carried it there, His Majesty, after looking at it some time, went and
+brought in the Queen by the hand, and seated her in a chair, which Mr.
+West placed in the best situation for seeing the picture to advantage.
+While they were conversing on the subject, one of the pages announced Mr.
+Kirby; and the King consulted Her Majesty in German about the propriety of
+admitting him at that moment. Mr. West, by his residence among the German
+inhabitants of Lancaster in America, knew enough of the language to
+understand what they said, and the opinion of the Queen was that Kirby
+might certainly be admitted, but for His Majesty to take his own pleasure.
+The attendant was in consequence ordered to show him in, and Mr. West was
+the more pleased at this incident, as it afforded him an advantageous
+opportunity of becoming personally known to Kirby, with whom, on account
+of his excellent treatise, he had for some time been desirous to become
+acquainted.</p>
+
+<p>When Kirby looked at the picture he expressed himself with great warmth
+in its praise, enquiring by whom it had been painted; upon which the King
+introduced Mr. West to him. It would perhaps be doing injustice to say
+that the surprise with which he appeared to be affected on finding it the
+production of so young a man, had in it any mixture of sinister feeling;
+but it nevertheless betrayed him into a fatal indiscretion. As a preceptor
+to the King, he had been accustomed to take liberties which ought to have
+terminated with the duties of that office; he, however, inadvertently
+said, "Your Majesty never mentioned any thing of this work to me." The
+tone in which this was uttered evidently displeased the King, but the
+discretion of the unfortunate man was gone, and he enquired in a still
+more disagreeable manner, "Who made this frame?" Mr. West, anxious to turn
+the conversation, mentioned the maker's name; but this only served to
+precipitate Mr. Kirby into still greater imprudence, and he answered
+somewhat sharply, "That person is not Your Majesty's workman;" and naming
+the King's carver and gilder said, "It ought to have been made by him."
+The King appeared a good deal surprised at all this, but replied in an
+easy good-humoured way, "Kirby, whenever you are able to paint me a
+picture like this, your friend shall make the frame." The unhappy man,
+however, could not be restrained, and he turned round to Mr. West, and in
+a tone which greatly lessened the compliment the words would otherwise
+have conveyed, said, "I hope you intend to exhibit this picture." The
+Artist answered, that as it was painted for His Majesty, the exhibition
+must depend on his pleasure; but that, before retiring, it was his
+intention to ask permission for that purpose. The King immediately said,
+"Assuredly I shall be very happy to let the work be shown to the
+public."--"Then, Mr. West," added Kirby, "you will send it to my
+exhibition," (meaning to the exhibition of the Incorporated Artists).
+"No," interposed the King, firmly, "it must go to my exhibition,--to the
+Royal Academy." Poor Kirby was thunderstruck; but only two nights before,
+in the confidence of his intercourse with the King, he had declared that
+even the design of forming such an institution was not contemplated. His
+colour forsook him, and his countenance became yellow with mortification.
+He bowed with profound humility, and instantly retired, nor did he long
+survive the shock.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>On the day following, a meeting of the artists who had separated
+themselves from the incorporated association, was to be holden in the
+evening at the house of Wilton the sculptor, in order to receive the code
+of laws, and to nominate the office-bearers of the Academy. In the course
+of the morning, Mr. Penny, who was intended to be appointed professor of
+painting, called on Mr. West and mentioned that he had been with Reynolds,
+and that he thought, for some unfathomable reason or another, that
+distinguished artist would not attend the meeting. Soon after, Moser
+likewise called, and stated the same thing. Mr. West was much perplexed at
+this information; for it had been arranged with the King that Reynolds,
+although not in the secret, nor at all consulted in the formation of the
+Academy, should be the president. He therefore went immediately to his
+house, and finding him disengaged, mentioned, without alluding to what he
+had heard, the arrangements formed for instituting an academy, and that a
+meeting of thirty artists named by the King, of the forty members of which
+it was intended the Academy should consist, was that evening to take place
+at Wilton's. Reynolds was much surprised to hear matters were so far
+advanced, and explained to Mr. West that Kirby had assured him in the most
+decided manner, that there was no truth whatever in the rumour of any such
+design being in agitation, and that he thought it would be derogatory to
+attend a meeting, constituted, as Kirby represented it, by persons who had
+no sanction or authority for doing what they had undertaken. To this Mr.
+West answered, "As you have been told by Mr. Kirby that there is no
+intention to form any institution of the kind, and by me that there is,
+that even the rules are framed, and the officers condescended on, yourself
+to be president, I must insist on your going with me to the meeting, where
+you will be satisfied which of us deserves to be credited in this
+business."</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, at the usual hour, Mr. West went to take tea with
+Reynolds, before going to the meeting, and it so fell out, either from
+design or accident, that it was not served till a full hour later than
+common, not indeed till the hour fixed for the artists to assemble at
+Wilton's, so that, by the time they arrived there, the meeting was on the
+point of breaking up, conceiving that as neither Reynolds nor West had
+come, something unexpected and extraordinary must have happened. But on
+their appearing, a burst of satisfaction manifested the anxiety that had
+been felt, and without any farther delay the company proceeded to carry
+into effect the wishes of the King. The code of laws was read, and the
+gentlemen recommended by the King to fill the different offices being
+declared the officers, the code of laws was accepted. Reynolds was
+declared president, Chambers treasurer, Newton secretary, Moser keeper,
+Penny professor of painting, Wale professor of perspective, and Dr.
+William Hunter professor of anatomy. A report of the proceedings was made
+to His Majesty next morning, who gave his sanction to the election, and
+the Academy was thus constituted. The academicians afterwards met and
+chose a council to assist the president, and visitors to superintend the
+schools in three branches of art, painting, sculpture, and architecture.
+Thus, on the 10th December, 1768, under the title of the Royal Academy of
+the Arts in London, that Institution, which has done more to excite a
+taste for the fine arts in this country, than any similar institution ever
+did in any other, was finally formed and established.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-5"></a>Chap. V.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The opening of the Royal Academy.--The Death of General
+    Wolfe.--Anecdote of Sir Joshua Reynolds.--New Pictures ordered by the
+    King.--Origin of the Series of Historical Pictures painted for Windsor
+    Castle.--Design for a grand Chapel in Windsor Castle, to illustrate
+    the History of revealed Religion.--His Majesty's Scruples on the
+    Subject.--His confidential Consultation with several eminent
+    Divines.--The Design undertaken.</blockquote>
+
+<p>When the Academy was opened, the approbation which <i>the Regulus</i> received
+at the exhibition gratified the King, and he resolved to give Mr. West
+still farther encouragement. Accordingly, he soon after sent for him, and
+mentioned that he wished him to paint another picture, and that the
+subject he had chosen was Hamilcar making his son Hannibal swear
+implacable enmity against the Romans. The painting being finished it was
+earned to Buckingham-house, and His Majesty, after looking at it with
+visible satisfaction, said, that he thought Mr. West could not do better
+than provide him with suitable subjects to fill the unoccupied pannels of
+the room in which the two pictures were then placed.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>About this period, Mr. West had finished his Death of Wolfe, which excited
+a great sensation, both on account of its general merits as a work of art,
+and for representing the characters in the modern military costume. The
+King mentioned that he heard much of the picture, but he was informed that
+the dignity of the subject had been impaired by the latter circumstance;
+observing that it was thought very ridiculous to exhibit heroes in coats,
+breeches, and cock'd hats. The Artist replied, that he was quite aware of
+the objection, but that it was founded in prejudice, adding, with His
+Majesty's permission, he would relate an anecdote connected with that
+particular point.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>"When it was understood that I intended to paint the characters as they had
+actually appeared in the scene, the Archbishop of York called on Reynolds
+and asked his opinion, the result of which was that they came together to
+my house. For His Grace was apprehensive that, by persevering in my
+intention, I might lose some portion of the reputation which he was
+pleased to think I had acquired by his picture of Agrippina, and Your
+Majesty's of Regulus; and he was anxious to avert the misfortune by his
+friendly interposition. He informed me of the object of their visit, and
+that Reynolds wished to dissuade me from running so great a risk. I could
+not but feel highly gratified by so much solicitude, and acknowledged
+myself ready to attend to whatever Reynolds had to say, and even to adopt
+his advice, if it appeared to me founded on any proper principles.
+Reynolds then began a very ingenious and elegant dissertation on the state
+of the public taste in this country, and the danger which every attempt at
+innovation necessarily incurred of repulse or ridicule; and he concluded
+with urging me earnestly to adopt the classic costume of antiquity, as
+much more becoming the inherent greatness of my subject than the modern
+garb of war. I listened to him with the utmost attention in my power to
+give, but could perceive no principle in what he had delivered; only a
+strain of persuasion to induce me to comply with an existing prejudice,--a
+prejudice which I thought could not be too soon removed. When he had
+finished his discourse, I begged him to hear what I had to state in reply,
+and I began by remarking that the event intended to be commemorated took
+place on the 13th of September, 1758, in a region of the world unknown to
+the Greeks and Romans, and at a period of time when no such nations, nor
+heroes in their costume, any longer existed. The subject I have to
+represent is the conquest of a great province of America by the British
+troops. It is a topic that history will proudly record, and the same truth
+that guides the pen of the historian should govern the pencil of the
+artist. I consider myself as undertaking to tell this great event to the
+eye of the world; but if, instead of the facts of the transaction, I
+represent classical fictions, how shall I be understood by posterity! The
+only reason for adopting the Greek and Roman dresses, is the picturesque
+forms of which their drapery is susceptible; but is this an advantage for
+which all the truth and propriety of the subject should be sacrificed? I
+want to mark the date, the place, and the parties engaged in the event;
+and if I am not able to dispose of the circumstances in a picturesque
+manner, no academical distribution of Greek or Roman costume will enable
+me to do justice to the subject. However, without insisting upon
+principles to which I intend to adhere, I feel myself so profoundly
+impressed with the friendship of this interference, that when the picture
+is finished, if you do not approve of it, I will consign it to the closet,
+whatever may be my own opinion of the execution. They soon after took
+their leave, and in due time I called on the Archbishop, and fixed a day
+with him to come with Reynolds to see the painting. They came accordingly,
+and the latter without speaking, after his first cursory glance, seated
+himself before the picture, and examined it with deep and minute attention
+for about half an hour. He then rose, and said to His Grace, Mr. West has
+conquered. He has treated his subject as it ought to be treated. I retract
+my objections against the introduction of any other circumstances into
+historical pictures than those which are requisite and appropriate; and I
+foresee that this picture will not only become one of the most popular,
+but occasion a revolution in the art."</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>On Mr. West pausing, the King said, "I wish that I had known all this
+before, for the objection has been the means of Lord Grosvenor getting the
+picture; but you shall make a copy for me." His Majesty then entered into
+some further conversation respecting subjects for paintings to adorn the
+apartment; and Mr. West suggested that the Death of Epaminondas would, as
+a classic subject, and with Grecian circumstances, make a suitable
+contrast with the Death of Wolfe. The King received this idea with
+avidity; and the conversation being pursued further on the same topic, the
+Artist also proposed the Death of the Chevalier Bayard for another
+picture, which would serve to illustrate the heroism and peculiarities of
+the middle ages. Two pannels were still unprovided; and Mr. West, with
+submission to His Majesty, begged that he might be allowed to take the
+incident of Cyrus liberating the Family of the King of Armenia for the
+one, and of Segestus, and his daughter, brought before Germanicus, for
+the other. The King was much pleased with the latter idea; a notion being
+entertained by some antiquaries that the Hanoverian family are the
+descendants of the daughter.</p>
+
+<p>During the time that our Artist was engaged in these works, he was
+frequently at the palace with the King; and His Majesty always turned the
+conversation on the means of promoting the fine arts, and upon the
+principles which should govern artists in the cultivation of their genius.
+In one of these conversations, Mr. West happened to remark, that he had
+been much disgusted in Italy at seeing the base use to which the talents
+of the painters in that country had been too often employed; many of their
+noblest efforts being devoted to illustrate monkish legends, in which no
+one took any interest, while the great events in the history of their
+country were but seldom touched. This led to some further reflections; and
+the King, recollecting that Windsor-Castle had, in its present form,
+been erected by Edward the Third, said, that he thought the achievements
+of his splendid reign were well calculated for pictures, and would prove
+very suitable ornaments to the halls and chambers of that venerable
+edifice. To this incident, the arts are indebted for the series of
+pictures which bring the victories of Cressy and Poictiers, with the other
+triumphal incidents of that time, again, as it were, into form and being,
+with a veracity of historical fact and circumstance which render the
+masquerades by Vario even a greater disgrace to St. George's Hall than
+they are to the taste of the age in which they were painted.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>In the execution of these different historical subjects, the King took a
+great personal interests, and one piece became the cause of another, until
+he actually acquired a feeling like enthusiasm for the arts. When he had
+resolved to adorn Windsor-Castle with the achievements and great events of
+the reign of Edward the Third, he began to think that the tolerant temper
+of the age was favourable to the introduction of pictures into the
+churches: at the same time, his scrupulous respect for what was
+understood to be the usage, if not the law, relative to the case,
+prevented him for some time from taking any decisive step. In the course
+of different conversations with Mr. West, on this subject, he formed the
+design of erecting a magnificent oratory, or private chapel, in the Horns'
+Court of Windsor-Castle, for the purpose of displaying a pictorial
+illustration of the history of revealed religion. But, before engaging in
+this superb project, he thought it necessary to consult some eminent
+members of the Church, who enjoyed his confidence, as to the propriety of
+the design. Accordingly, he desired Mr. West to draw up a list of subjects
+from the Bible, susceptible of pictorial representation, which Christians,
+of all denominations, might contemplate without offence to their tenets;
+and he invited Dr. Hurd, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, Dr. Douglas,
+Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Windsor, and several other dignitaries,
+along with the Artist, to consider the business. He explained to the
+meeting his scruples, declaring that he did not, in a matter of this kind,
+owing to his high station in the state, feel himself a free agent; that he
+was certainly desirous of seeing the churches adorned with the endeavours
+of art, and would deem it the greatest glory of his reign to be
+distinguished, above all others in the annals of the kingdom, for the
+progress and successful cultivation of the arts of peace. "But, when I
+reflect," said His Majesty, "how the ornaments of art in the churches were
+condemned at the Reformation, and still more recently in the unhappy times
+of Charles the First, I am anxious to govern my own wishes not only by
+what is right, but by what is prudent, in this matter. If it is conceived
+that I am tacitly bound, as Head of the Church of England, to prevent any
+such ornaments from being introduced into places of worship; or if it be
+considered as at all savouring in any degree of a popish practice, however
+decidedly I may myself think it innocent, I will proceed no farther in the
+business. But, if the church may be adorned with pictures, illustrative of
+great events in the history of religion, as the Bible itself often is with
+engravings, I will gladly proceed with the execution of this design."
+Little else passed at this interview; but he requested the churchmen to
+examine the matter thoroughly; and appointed a particular day for them to
+report to him the result of their investigation: presenting to them, at
+the same time, a paper, containing a list of thirty-five subjects which he
+had formed with the Artist, for the decorations of the intended chapel.</p>
+
+<p>On the day appointed, Mr. West again met those eminent members of the
+hierarchy in the royal presence: when Dr. Hurd reported to His Majesty,
+that they had very seriously considered the important business which had
+been confided to them; that, having bestowed on it their gravest
+attention, they were unanimously of opinion, that the introduction of
+paintings into the chapel, which His Majesty intended to erect, would, in
+no respect whatever, violate the laws or usages of the Church of England;
+and that, having examined the list of subjects, which he proposed should
+constitute the decorations, there was not one of them, but, which properly
+treated, even a Quaker might contemplate with edification. This
+inadvertent observation attracted the King's attention; and he said, that
+the Quakers were a body of Christians for whom he entertained the very
+highest respect, and that he thought, but for the obligations of his
+birth, he should himself have been a Quaker; and he particularly enlarged
+on their peaceful demeanour and benevolence towards one another.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>The result of this conference was, that Mr. West immediately received
+instructions to make designs from the list of subjects; and afterwards
+with the King himself, he assisted to form an architectural plan of the
+chapel, which it was proposed should be ninety feet in length by fifty in
+breadth. When some progress had been made in the paintings, Mr. Wyat, who
+had succeeded Sir William Chambers as the royal architect, received orders
+to carry this plan into execution; and the grand flight of steps in the
+great staircase, executed by that architect, was designed to lead
+immediately to a door which should open into the royal closet, in the new
+chapel of REVEALED RELIGION.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-6"></a>Chap. VI.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Singular Anecdote respecting the Author of the Letters of Junius.--Of
+    Lachlan M'Lean.--Anecdote of the Duke of Grafton.--Of the Marquis of
+    Lansdowne.--Of Sir Philip Francis; Critique on the Transfiguration of
+    Raphael by Sir Philip Francis, and Objections to his opinion.</blockquote>
+
+<p>By the eminent station which Mr. West has so long held among the artists,
+and admirers of the fine arts, in this country, he became personally
+acquainted with almost every literary man of celebrity; and being for many
+years a general visitor at the literary club, immortalised as the haunt of
+Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Goldsmith, and Reynolds, he acquired, without
+particularly attending to the literature of the day, an extensive
+acquaintance with the principal topics which, from time to time, engaged
+the attention of men of letters. An incident, however, of a curious
+nature, has brought him to be a party, in some degree, with the singular
+question respecting the mysterious author of the celebrated letters of
+Junius. On the morning that the first of these famous invectives appeared,
+his friend Governor Hamilton happened to call, and enquiring the news, Mr.
+West informed him of that bold and daring epistle: ringing for his servant
+at the same time, he desired the newspaper to be brought in. Hamilton read
+it over with great attention, and when he had done, laid it on his knees,
+in a manner that particularly attracted the notice of the painter, who was
+standing at his easel. "This letter," said Hamilton, in a tone of vehement
+feeling, "is by that damned scoundrel M'Lean."--"What M'Lean?" enquired
+Mr. West.--"The surgeon of Otway's regiment: the fellow who attacked me so
+virulently in the Philadelphian newspaper, on account of the part I felt
+it my duty to take, against one of the officers, a captain, for a
+scandalous breach of the privileges of hospitality, in seducing the wife
+of a very respectable man. This letter is by him. I know these very words:
+I may well remember them," and he read over several phrases and sentences
+which M'Lean had employed against him. Mr. West then informed the
+Governor, that M'Lean was in this country, and that he was personally
+acquainted with him. "He came over," said Mr. West, "with Colonel Barry,
+by whom he was introduced to Lord Shelburn, (afterwards Marquis of
+Lansdowne,) and is at present private secretary to His Lordship."</p>
+
+<p>Throughout the progress of the controversy with Junius, Hamilton remained
+firm in his opinion, that the author was no other than the same Lachlan
+M'Lean, but at the literary club the general opinion ascribed the letters
+for some time to Samuel Dyer. The sequel of this anecdote is curious.
+M'Lean, owing to a great impediment in his utterance, never made any
+figure in conversation; and passed with most people as a person of no
+particular attainments. But when Lord Shelburn came into office, he was
+appointed Under Secretary of State, and subsequently nominated to a
+Governorship in India: a rapidity of promotion to a man without family or
+parliamentary interest, that can only be explained by a profound
+conviction, on the part of his patron, of his superior talents, and
+perhaps, also, from a strong sense of some peculiar obligation. M'Lean
+sailed for India in the Aurora frigate, and was lost, in the wreck of
+that ship, on the coast of Africa. That the letters of Junius were not
+ascribed to him by any party is not surprising, for his literary talents
+were unknown to the public; but the general opinion of all men at the
+time was that they were the production of some person in connection with
+Lord Shelburn.</p>
+
+<p>Upon this subject, I hold no particular opinion of my own; nor, indeed,
+should I have perhaps noticed the circumstance at all, but for a recent
+most ingenious publication which has ascribed these celebrated letters to
+the late Sir Philip Francis. One thing, however, merits attention in this
+curious controversy. In the Monthly Magazine for July, 1813, there is an
+interesting account of a conversation between Sir Richard Phillips and the
+Marquis of Lansdowne on this subject; in which His Lordship speaks of the
+obligation to secrecy imposed on himself in the question as having been
+removed by death; an incidental expression that at once intimated a
+knowledge of the author, and that he was dead at the time when this
+conversation took place. The importance of the matter, as an object of
+literary curiosity, will excuse the introduction, in an abbreviated form,
+of what passed at that interview, as well as of some minor circumstances
+connected with the question.</p>
+
+<p>During the printing of Almon's edition of Junius, in which he endeavoured
+to show that the letters were written by a Mr. Walter Boyd, Sir Richard
+Phillips, the publisher of that work, sought opinions among the characters
+then surviving, whose names had been mixed with the writings of Junius;
+and he addressed himself particularly to the Duke of Grafton, the Marquis
+of Lansdowne, Mr. Horne Tooke, and Mr. Grattan. Through two friends of the
+Duke of Grafton he was informed, "that His Grace had endeavoured to live
+down the calumnies of Junius, and to forget the name of the author; and
+that, at the period of the publication, offers were made to him of legal
+evidence on which to convict the author of a libel; but that, as he had
+then treated the man with contempt, he should decline to disturb him after
+so great a lapse of time." From this communication it would seem, that the
+Duke believed that he knew the author, and also that he was still alive.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Richard, on calling upon the Marquis of Lansdowne, to whom he was
+personally known, found him in his sick chamber, suffering under a general
+breaking up of the constitution, but in his usual flow of spirits,
+anecdote, and conversation. On mentioning Almon's new edition of Junius,
+and that the editor had fixed on Boyd as the author, the Marquis
+exclaimed, "I thought Almon had known better: I gave him credit for more
+discernment: the world will, however, not be deceived by him; for there is
+higher evidence than his opinion. Look at Boyd's other writings: he never
+did write like Junius; and never could write like Junius. Internal
+evidence destroys the hypothesis of Almon." Sir Richard then said, that
+many persons had ascribed these letters to His Lordship; and that the
+world at large conceived that, at least, he was not unacquainted with the
+author. The Marquis smiled, and said, "No, no: I am not equal to Junius:
+I could not be the author; but the grounds of secrecy are now so far
+removed by death, and changes of circumstances, that it is unnecessary the
+author of Junius should much longer be unknown. The world are curious
+about him; and I could make a very interesting publication on the subject.
+I knew Junius; and I knew all about the writing and production of those
+letters. But look at my own condition now: I don't think I can live
+another week: my legs, my strength, tell me so; but the doctors, who
+always flatter sick men, assure me I am in no immediate danger. They order
+me into the country, and I am going there. If I live over the summer,
+which, however, I do not expect, I promise you a very interesting pamphlet
+about Junius. I will put my name to it: I will set that question at rest
+for ever."</p>
+
+<p>Sir Richard looked at the swollen limbs and other symptoms threatening
+the dissolution of this distinguished nobleman; and, convinced that he
+was, in truth, never likely to see him again, and that the secret of
+Junius might be lost with him, turned the conversation to the various
+persons who had, at different times, been named as the Junius; and, after
+mentioning five or six whose respective pretensions the Marquis treated
+as ridiculous, His Lordship said, "It is of no use to pursue the matter
+further at this time. I will, however, tell you this for your guide,
+Junius has never yet been publicly named. None of the parties ever
+guessed at as Junius were the true Junius. Nobody has ever suspected him.
+I knew him, and knew all about it; and I pledge myself, if these legs
+will permit me, to give you a pamphlet on the subject, as soon as I feel
+myself equal to the labour." Sir Richard soon after took his leave; and
+about a week after the Marquis expired.</p>
+
+<p>From Horne Tooke no information could be obtained: whenever Junius was
+mentioned, he lost the balance of his mind, and indulged himself in so
+much vanity, conceit, and ingenuity, that it was almost useless to speak
+with him on the subject.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Grattan wrote a very candid denial of any knowledge of the matter, in
+a letter which was printed in the preface to Almon's edition.</p>
+
+<p>Of the pretension afterwards set forward for Dr. Wilmot, I believe it was
+never entertained or supported by any good evidence: Dr. Francis, the
+father of Sir Philip, had been long before mentioned, but for what reason
+I have never been able to ascertain. The answer of Sir Philip himself on
+the subject is, however, curiously equivocal, at least it so strikes me;
+although it is generally considered as a decided denial. It is as follows:
+"The great civility of your letter induces me to answer it, which, with
+reference merely to its subject-matter, I should have declined. Whether
+you will assist in giving currency to a silly, malignant falsehood, is a
+question for your own discretion: to me it is a matter of perfect
+indifference." But notwithstanding all this, an amusingly mysterious
+circumstance has, I am informed, transpired since the death of Sir Philip.
+In a box, it is said, which he carefully deposited with his banker's, and
+which was not to be opened till after his death, a copy of the
+publication, "Junius identified," with a common copy of the letters of
+Junius, were found. I shall offer no comment on this occurrence, for even
+granting that it was true, it might have been but a playful trick--if Sir
+Philip Francis was, in any respect, a humorist. But I have already
+digressed too far from the immediate object of my work; and I cannot make
+a better amends to my readers than by inserting here a short paper,
+written by that eminent person, and addressed to Mr. West. It is a
+critique on the Transfiguration by Raphael, in which Sir Philip evinces
+considerable ingenuity, by attempting not only to explain a defect in the
+composition, felt by every man of taste, in the midst of the delight
+which, in other respects, it never fails to produce, but to show that, so
+far from being any defect, it is in fact a great beauty.</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p align="center"><i>Transfiguration by Raphael.</i></p>
+
+<p>The title of this picture is a misnomer. The picture itself tells you it
+is <i>the Ascension</i>. The Transfiguration is another incident, which
+happened long before the Ascension, and is recited in the ninth chapter of
+St. Luke:--"When the countenance of Jesus was changed, and he became
+&epsilon;&tau;&epsilon;&thetasym;&omicron;&nu; and his clothing was <i>white</i>, and lightened." The robe of
+the ascending Christ is <span class="smallcaps">blue</span>.</p>
+
+<p>The painter brings different incidents together to constitute one plot.
+The picture consists of three separate groupes, combined and united in one
+scheme or action.</p>
+
+<p>I. Jesus ascending perpendicularly into the air, clothed in blue raiment,
+and attended by two other figures.</p>
+
+<p>II. Some of his disciples on the Mount, who see the ascent, and lie
+dazzled and confounded by the sight.</p>
+
+<p>III. A number of persons at the bottom of the Mount, who appear to look
+intently on a young man possessed by a devil, and convulsed. None of them
+see the Ascension but the young man, or rather the devil, who was in him,
+does see it. On all similar occasions, those fallen angels know the
+Christ, and acknowledge him. The other figures are agitated with
+astonishment and terror, variously and distinctly expressed in every one
+of them, at sight of the effect which they see is made upon him by some
+object which <i>they</i> do not see.</p>
+
+<p>This is the sublime imagination, by which the lower part of the picture is
+connected with the upper.</p>
+
+<p>P. FRANCIS.</p>
+
+<p><i>13th July, 1816.</i></p>
+
+<p>But although it must be confessed that this comment is exceedingly
+ingenious, in so far as it explains the painter's design in representing
+the demoniac boy, as the connecting link between the action on the Mount,
+and the groupe at the foot of it; yet, upon an examination of the picture,
+it will be found that it does not exhibit the Ascension, but the
+Transfiguration; and I beg leave to refer to a letter, from my friend Mr.
+M'Gillivray, in the Appendix which seems to me as perfectly satisfactory
+on the subject as any thing of the kind I ever met with. Mr. West was of
+the same opinion as Mr. M'Gillivray; but in conversing with him on the
+subject, he did not enter into so distinct an explanation of his reasons
+for dissenting from the speculation of Sir Philip Francis. In criticism,
+however, whether the matter in question be works of art, or of literature,
+the best opinion is exactly that which is the most reasonable; and the
+point at issue here, is not one in which an artist's judgment can be
+allowed greater weight than that of any other man.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-7"></a>Chap. VII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Observations on Mr. West's Intercourse with the King.--Anecdote of the
+    American War.--Studies for the Historical Pictures at Windsor
+    Castle.--Anecdote of the late Marquis of Buckingham.--Anecdote of Sir
+    Joshua Reynolds; and of the Athenian Marbles.--Election of Mr. West to
+    the Presidency of the Royal Academy.--His Speech to the Academicians
+    on that occasion.</blockquote>
+
+<p>While Mr. West was engaged on the series of religious and historical works
+for the King, he had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with
+political incidents, that a man less intent on his art, and more ambitious
+of fortune, might have turned to great advantage. This was particularly
+the case during the American War, for His Majesty knowing the Artist's
+connections with that country, and acquaintance with some of the most
+distinguished of the rebels, often conversed with him on the subject; and
+on different occasions Mr. West was enabled to supply the King with more
+circumstantial information respecting some important events than was
+furnished by the official channels. I do not consider myself at liberty,
+nor this a fit place, to enter upon subjects so little in unison with the
+arts of peace, or the noiseless tenour of an artist's life; but, among
+other curious matters that may be thrown out for the investigation of the
+future historian, is an opinion which prevailed among some of the best
+informed in America, that when General Washington was appointed to the
+supreme command of the army, it was with the view and intention of
+effecting a reconciliation between the two countries. A communication to
+this purpose is said to have been made by that illustrious man, which
+communication was never answered, nor ever laid formally before the Privy
+Council, at least not until more than six weeks after it had been
+received, and then it was too late. America was lost; and millions spent,
+and thousands sacrificed afterwards in vain. Whether, indeed, the King
+ever did know the whole affair, may be doubted.</p>
+
+<p>The mind of Mr. West, however, had no enjoyment in political cabals, in
+the petty enmities of partizans, or the factious intrigues of party
+leaders. He was by his art wholly enchanted, and saw in the prospect
+before him an adequate recompense in fame for all his exertions, his days
+of labour, and his nights of study. The historical pictures for Windsor
+Castle cost him many a patient hour of midnight research; for the means to
+assist his composition, especially in architecture, and the costume of the
+time, were then far from being so easy of access as they are at present. A
+long period of preference for classic literature, and the illustration of
+the Greek and Roman story, had withdrawn the public taste from the no less
+glorious events of our own annals. To mark, therefore, the epoch, and
+manners of the age of Poictiers and Cressy, of the Institution of the
+Garter, and the other heroic and magnificent incidents of the reign of
+Edward the Third, with that historical truth which the artist thought
+essential to historical painting, required the inspection of many an
+ancient volume, and much antiquarian research. In the composition for the
+Institution of the Garter, the late Marquis of Buckingham offered several
+suggestions, which were adopted; and on His Lordship mentioning to the
+King, that Mr. West was descended of the Delawarre family, the head of
+which bore a distinguished part in the great events of that time, His
+Majesty ordered Mr. West to insert his own portrait among the spectators
+represented in the gallery, and immediately over the shield bearing the
+arms of the Earl of Delawarre. Mr. West himself was not, at that period,
+acquainted with the descent of his pedigree; but it happened in a
+conversation one day with Lord Buckingham, that His Lordship enquired from
+what part of England his family had been originally, and upon Mr. West
+telling him, His Lordship said, that the land which his ancestors had
+formerly possessed was become his by purchase; and that the Wests of Long
+Crandon were sprung from the ancient Earls of Delawarre.</p>
+
+<p>But, except the historical information required for his pictures, in which
+he was indefatigable, until master of all that could be obtained, Mr.
+West, following the early and wise advice of Dr. Smith of Philadelphia,
+wasted none of his time in other literary pursuits. Among his learned and
+ingenious cotemporaries, however, he acquired a general knowledge of the
+passing literature of the day, and in consequence, there are few authors
+of any celebrity, especially the cotemporaries of Johnson, of whom he does
+not possess interesting anecdotes, as well as an acquaintance with the
+merit which they were severally allowed to possess.</p>
+
+<p>One day at Sir Joshua Reynolds, after dinner when Dr. Johnson, Goldsmith,
+and Burke were present, the conversation turned on the degree of
+excellence which sculpture attained among the Greeks. It was observed
+incidentally, that there was something in the opinion of the ancients, on
+this subject, quite inexplicable; for, in the time of Alexander the Great,
+although painting was allowed to have been progressive, sculpture was said
+to have declined, and yet the finest examples of the art, the Apollo and
+Venus, were considered as the works of that period. Different theories
+were sported on this occasion, to explain this seeming contradiction;
+none of them, however, were satisfactory. But, on the arrival of the
+Athenian marbles, which Lord Elgin brought to this country, Mr. West was
+convinced, at the first sight of them, of the justness of ancient
+criticism, and remembered the conversation alluded to.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps I may be allowed to mention here, without impropriety, that I was
+at Athens when the second cargo of these celebrated sculptures was
+dispatched; that I took some interest in getting the vessel away; and that
+I went with her myself to the island of Idra. Two circumstances occasioned
+this interference on my part;--an Italian artist, the agent of Lord Elgin,
+had quarrelled about the marbles with Monsieur Fauvelle, the French
+Consul, a man of research and taste, to whom every traveller that visited
+Athens, even during the revolutionary war, might have felt himself
+obliged. Fauvelle was, no doubt, ambitious to obtain these precious
+fragments for the Napoleon Museum at Paris; and, certainly, exerted all
+his influence to get the removal of them interdicted. On the eve of the
+departure of the vessel, he sent in a strong representation on the
+subject to the governor of the city, stating, what I believe was very
+true, that Lord Elgin had never any sufficient firman or authority for the
+dilapidations that he had committed on the temples. Luseri, the Italian
+alluded to, was alarmed, and called on me at the monastery of the Roman
+propaganda, where I then resided; and it was agreed between us, that if
+any detention was attempted, I should remonstrate with the governor, and
+represent to him that such an arrest of British property would be
+considered as an act of hostility. But our fears were happily removed. No
+notice was taken by the governor of Monsieur Fauvelle's remonstrance. In
+the evening I embarked on board the vessel at the Pireus, and next morning
+was safely landed on the island of Idra, where the vessel, after remaining
+a day or two, sailed for Malta.</p>
+
+<p>But to return to the biographical narrative. On the death of Sir Joshua
+Reynolds, in 1791, Mr. West was unanimously elected President of the Royal
+Academy. The choice was not more a debt of gratitude on the part of the
+Institution, to one who had essentially contributed to its formation, than
+a testimony of respect deservedly merited by the conduct and genius of the
+Artist who, when the compass, number, and variety of his pictures are
+considered, was, at that period, decidedly the greatest historical painter
+then living, who had been born a British subject. This event, at once so
+honourable to his associates and himself, was confirmed by the sanction of
+His Majesty on the 24th of March, 1792; on which occasion, on taking the
+chair, Mr. West addressed the Academicians to the following effect:--</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>"GENTLEMEN,</p>
+
+<p>"The free and unsolicited choice with which you have called me to fill
+this chair, vacated by the death of that great character, Sir JOSHUA
+REYNOLDS, is so marked an instance of your friendship and good opinion,
+that it demands the immediate acknowledgment of my thanks, which I beg you
+to accept.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel more sensibly the dignity to which you have raised me, as I am
+placed in succession after so eminent a character, whose exalted
+professional abilities, and very excellent discourses delivered under this
+roof, have secured a lasting honor to this Institution and to the
+country; while his amiable dispositions, as a man, will make his loss to
+be long regretted by all who had the happiness to know him.</p>
+
+<p>"HIS MAJESTY having been graciously pleased to approve and confirm the
+choice which you have made of me as your President, it becomes my duty, as
+far as my humble abilities will permit, to study and pursue whatever may
+be the true interest, the prosperity, and the glory of this ACADEMY. In
+the prosecution of this duty, I can make no doubt of success, when I
+reflect that all the departments and classes of this Institution are
+filled with men of established professional reputation, selected from
+professors of the three great branches of art, which constitute the
+objects of your studies and, when I see this union of abilities
+strengthened by many ingenious productions of other able artists, who,
+although they have not as yet the honour of belonging to this body, will,
+nevertheless, enable us to maintain the accustomed brilliancy of our
+Exhibitions, and, consequently, to secure to us the approbation of a
+liberal and judicious public.</p>
+
+<p>"The Exhibitions are of the greatest importance to this Institution; and
+the Institution is become of great importance to the country. Here
+ingenious youth are instructed in the art of design; and the instruction
+acquired in this place, has spread itself through the various manufactures
+of this country, to which it has given a taste that is able to convert the
+most common and simple materials into rare and valuable articles of
+commerce. Those articles the British merchant sends forth into all the
+quarters of the world, where they stand preeminent over the productions of
+other nations.</p>
+
+<p>"But important as this is, there is another consequence of a more exalted
+kind; I mean, the cultivating of those higher excellences in refined art,
+which have never failed to secure to nations and to the individuals who
+have nourished them, an immortality of fame, which no other circumstances
+have been equally able to perpetuate. For it is by those higher and more
+refined excellences of painting, sculpture, and architecture, that Grecian
+and Roman greatness are transmitted down to the age in which we live, as
+if it was still in existence. Many centuries have elapsed since Greeks and
+Romans have been overthrown and dissolved as a people; but other nations,
+by whom similar refinements were not cultivated, are erased from the face
+of the earth, without leaving any monument or vestige to give the
+demonstration that they were ever great.</p>
+
+<p>"It may, therefore, be fairly assumed, that an ACADEMY, whose objects and
+effects are so enlightened and extensive as those which are prosecuted
+here, is highly worthy of the protection of a patriot-king, of a dignified
+nobility, and of a wise people.</p>
+
+<p>"Another circumstance, permit me, gentlemen, to mention, because I can
+speak of it with peculiar satisfaction, as important to the best
+interests of this Institution, and with the fullest assurance of its
+truth, from the personal knowledge I have had of you all, and the intimacy
+in which I have stood with most of you; it is this, that I have ever found
+you steadily determined to support the regulations under which this
+ACADEMY has been governed, and brought to its present conspicuous
+situation, and by an attention to which, we shall always be sure to go on
+with the greatest prudence and advantage.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a matter of no less satisfaction to me, when I say, that I have
+always observed your bosoms to glow with gratitude and loyal affection to
+our August Founder, Patron, and Benefactor. I am convinced, it is your
+wish to retain His friendship, and the friendship of every branch of His
+Illustrious Family. I know these to be your sentiments, and they are
+sentiments in which I participate with you. In every situation of my life
+it shall be my invariable study to demonstrate my duty to my sovereign, my
+love for this Institution, and my zeal for the cultivation of genius, and
+the growth of universal virtue."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West having thus been raised to the head of an institution, embracing
+within itself the most distinguished artists at that time in the world, it
+might be proper to pause here to review the merits of the works and
+exertions by which he acquired this eminent honour, had he not, since that
+time, attained still more distinction in his profession. I shall, however,
+for the present, suspend the consideration of his progress, as an artist,
+to trace his efforts, in the situation of President of the Royal Academy,
+to promote the improvement of the pupils, by those occasional discourses,
+which, in imitation of the excellent example of Sir Joshua Reynolds, he
+deemed it an essential part of his duty to deliver.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-8"></a>Chap. VIII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> The first Discourse of Mr. West to the Students of the
+    Academy.--Progress of the Arts.--Of the Advantages of Schools of
+    Art.--On the Natural Origin of the Arts.--Of the Patronage which
+    honoured the Patrons and the Artists.--Professional Advice.--Promising
+    State of the Arts in Britain.</blockquote>
+
+<p>Mr. West's first discourse to the students of the Royal Academy was
+delivered on the 10th of December, 1792, on the occasion of the
+distribution of the prizes. Without ostensibly differing in his views from
+Sir Joshua Reynolds, who by his lectures acquired, as an author, a degree
+of celebrity equal to his fame as an artist, the new President confined
+himself more strictly to professional topics. He recalled to the
+remembrance of his auditors the circumstances in which the Academy
+originated, and reminded them of the encouragement which the efforts of
+artists had received from the countenance which the King had given to the
+arts. "Let those," said he, "who have traced the progress of the fine
+arts, say among what people did the arts rise, from such a state as that
+in which they were in this country about forty years ago, to the height
+which they have attained here in so short a period. In ancient Greece,
+from the retreat of Xerxes, when they were in their infancy, to the age of
+Alexander the Great, when they reached their maturity, we find a period of
+no less than one hundred and fifty years elapsed. In Rome we can make no
+calculation directly applicable; for among the Romans the habit of
+employing Greek artists, and the rage of collecting, suffered no distinct
+traces to be left of the progress of the arts among them. Even in
+architecture, to which their claims were most obviously decided, we see
+not sufficiently the gradations of their own peculiar taste and genius.
+But in modern Italy, leaving out of view the age of Cimabue, and even that
+of Giotto, and dating from the institution of the Academy of St. Luke at
+Florence, it required a hundred and fifty years to produce a Michael
+Angelo, a Raphael, and a Bramante."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West, after a few general observations on the necessary union between
+moral conduct and good taste, adverts to the alleged influence which such
+institutions as the Royal Academy have in producing mannerism in the
+students, than which nothing can be more obnoxious to the progress of
+refined art. "But," said he, "while I am urging the advantage of freedom
+and nature in study to genius, let me not be misunderstood. There is no
+untruth in the idea that great wits are allied to great eccentricity.
+Genius is apt to run wild if not brought under some regulation. It is a
+flood whose current will be dangerous if it is not kept within proper
+banks. But it is one thing to regulate its impetuosity, and another very
+different to direct its natural courses. In every branch of art there are
+certain laws by which genius may be chastened; but the corrections gained
+by attention to these laws amputate nothing that is legitimate, pure, and
+elegant. Leaving these graces untouched, the schools of art have dominion
+enough in curbing what is wild, irregular, and absurd.</p>
+
+<p>"A college of art founded in this part of the world cannot be expected,
+like a college of literature, to lay before its young members all that may
+be necessary to complete their knowledge and taste. What is to be had from
+books may be obtained almost every where; but the books of instruction by
+which the artist alone can be perfected, are those great works which still
+remain immoveable in that part of the world, where the fine arts in modern
+times have been carried to their highest degree of perfection. I trust a
+period will come, when this Academy will be able to send the young artist,
+not from one spot or one seminary to another, but to gather improvement
+from every celebrated work of art wherever situated. But the progress and
+all future success of the artist must depend upon himself. He must be in
+love with his art or he will never excel in it.</p>
+
+<p>"That the arts of design were among the first suggestions vouchsafed by
+Heaven to mankind, is not a proposition at which any man needs to start.
+This truth is indeed manifested by every little child, whose first essay
+is to make for itself the resemblance of some object to which it has been
+accustomed in the nursery.</p>
+
+<p>"In the arts of design were conveyed the original means of communicating
+ideas, which the discoverers of countries show us to have been seized
+upon, as it were involuntarily, by all the first stages of society.
+Although the people were rude in knowledge and in manners, yet they were
+possessed of the means by which they could draw figures of things, and
+they could make those figures speak their purposes to others as well as to
+themselves. The Mexicans conversed in that way when Cortes came among
+them; and the savages of North America still employ the same means of
+communicating intelligence.</p>
+
+<p>"When, therefore, you have taken up the arts of design as your profession,
+you have embraced that which has not only been sanctioned by the
+cultivation of the earliest antiquity, but to which their is no antiquity
+prior, except that of the visible creation.</p>
+
+<p>"Religion itself in the earlier days of the world, would probably have
+failed in its progress without the arts of design, for religion was then
+emblematic; and what could an emblematic theology do without the aid of
+the fine arts, and especially the art of sculpture? Religion and the arts,
+in fact, sprung up together, were introduced by the same people, and went
+hand in hand, first through the continent of Asia, then through Egypt,
+next through Greece and her colonies, and in process of time through every
+part of Italy, and even to the north of Europe. In the pagodas of India,
+in some caverns of Media, and among various ruins in Persia, are still to
+be seen the early monuments of emblematic art, and wrought in all the
+possible difficulties of skill.</p>
+
+<p>"When in the space of two thousand years, after the erection of some of
+those monuments, the fine arts came to be established in Greece in a
+better spirit as to taste, a higher estimation could not be annexed to any
+circumstance in society, than was given to the arts by the wise and
+elegant inhabitants of that country. They regarded them as their public
+records, as the means of perpetuating all public fame, all private
+honour, and all valuable instruction. The professors of them were
+considered as public characters who watched over the events that were
+passing, and who had in their hands the power of embodying them for ever.
+And is not this still the case with the artists of every country, how
+varied soever may be its maxims, or its system of action, from those of
+Greece? Is the artist indeed not that watchman who observes the great
+incidents of his time, and rescues them from oblivion?</p>
+
+<p>"When he turns from these views to contemplate the patronage which has
+been given to the fine arts, will he have less reason to esteem his
+profession,--a profession so richly cherished by all the greatest
+characters of the earth? and which in return has immortalised its patrons.
+Posterity has never ceased to venerate the names of the Cosmos and
+Lorenzos who sought art, and fostered to their full maturity the various
+talents of their countrymen. The palace of the Medici, still existing in
+Florence, exhibits not only in its treasures the proofs of their
+munificence, but also within its walls those apartments and offices for
+artists, in every branch which those great men considered requisite to the
+decoration of their residence. And history has immortalised the solicitude
+with which the vast fortune of the family, acquired originally in
+honourable commerce, and rising gloriously to sovereign power, was made
+contributory to the nourishing of the arts and literature; of every thing
+that was intellectual, liberal, and great."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West then continued to enumerate the honour which the successive
+illustrious patrons of the fine arts have acquired, deducing from it
+motives of emulation to the young students to strive for similar
+distinction, that their names may be mingled with those illustrious races
+and families to whom Heaven is pleased to give superior eminence and
+influence in human affairs. In doing this he took occasion to animadvert
+on the base adulation of the artists of France in the age of Louis XIV.;
+or rather of the dishonour which the patronage of that monarch has drawn
+upon himself, by the unworthy manner in which he required the artists to
+gratify his personal vanity. He then proceeded to give some professional
+advice. "I wish," said he, "to leave this impression on the minds of all
+who hear me, that the great alphabet of our art is the human figure. By a
+competent knowledge of that figure the painter will be enabled to give a
+more just character and motion to that which he intends to delineate. When
+that motion is actuated by passion, and combined with other figures,
+groups are formed. These groups make words, and these words make
+sentences; by which the painter's tablet speaks a universal language;" and
+he concluded with saying, "Gentlemen, It is a great treasure and a great
+trust which is put into our hands. The fine arts were late before they
+crossed the British Channel, but now we may fairly pronounce that they
+have made their special abode with us. There is nothing in this climate
+unpropitious to their growth; and if the idea has been conceived in the
+world, enough has been done by the artists of Great Britain to disprove
+it. I know that I am speaking to the first professional characters in
+Europe in every branch of elegant art, as well as those who are most
+distinguished in taste and judgment. If there be diffused through this
+country a spirit of encouragement equal to the abilities which are ripe to
+meet it, I may venture to predict that the sun of our arts will have a
+long and glorious career."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-9"></a>Chap. IX.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Discourse to the Royal Academy in 1794.--Observations on the Advantage
+    of drawing the Human Figure correctly.--On the Propriety of
+    cultivating the Eye, in order to enlarge the Variety of our Pleasures
+    derived from Objects of Sight.--On characteristic Distinctions in
+    Art.--Illustrations drawn from the Apollo Belvidere, and from the
+    Venus de Medici; comprehending critical Remarks on those Statues.</blockquote>
+
+<p>The prizes in the Royal Academy being distributed every second year, on
+the 10th of December, 1794, Mr. West delivered another Discourse, in which
+he took a more scientific view of the principles of the fine arts, than in
+the desultory observations which constituted the substance of his first
+lecture. As it contained much valuable information, mixed up with remarks
+incidental to the occasion, I have taken the liberty of abstracting the
+professional instruction from the less important matter, in order to give
+what deserves to be preserved and generally known in a concise and an
+unbroken form.</p>
+
+<p>"It may be assumed," said Mr. West, "as an unquestionable principle, that
+the artist who has made himself master of the drawing of the human figure,
+in its moral and physical expression, will succeed not only in
+portrait-painting, but in the delineation of animals, and even of still
+life, much better than if he had directed his attention to inferior
+objects. For the human figure in that point of consideration, in which it
+becomes a model to art, is more beautiful than any other in nature; and is
+distinguished, above every other, by the variety of the phenomena which it
+exhibits, arising from the different modifications of feeling and passion.
+In my opinion, it would, therefore, be of incalculable advantage to the
+public, if the drawing of the human figure were taught as an elementary
+essential in education. It would do more than any other species of oral or
+written instruction, to implant among the youth of the noble and opulent
+classes that correctness of taste which is so ornamental to their rank in
+society; while it would guide the artizan in the improvement of his
+productions in such a manner, as greatly to enrich the stock of
+manufactures, and to increase the articles of commerce; and, as the sight
+is perhaps the most delightful of all our senses, this education of the
+eye would multiply the sources of enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>"The value of the cultivated ear is well understood; and the time bestowed
+on the acquisition of the universal language of music, is abundantly
+repaid by the gratification which it affords, although not employed in the
+communication of knowledge, but merely as a source of agreeable sensation.
+Were the same attention paid to the improvement of the eye, which is given
+to that of the ear, should we not be rewarded with as great an increase of
+the blameless pleasures of life,--from the power of discriminating hues
+and forms,--as we derive from the knowledge of musical proportions and
+sounds? The cultivation of the sense of sight would have such an effect in
+improving even the faculty of executing those productions of mechanical
+labour which constitute so large a portion of the riches of a commercial
+and refined people, that it ought to be regarded among the mere operative
+classes of society as a primary object in the education of their
+apprentices. Indeed, it may be confidently asserted, that an artizan,
+accustomed to an accurate discrimination of outline, will, more readily
+than another not educated with equal care in that particular, perceive the
+fitness or defects of every species of mechanical contrivance; and, in
+consequence, be enabled to suggest expedients which would tend to enlarge
+the field of invention. We can form no idea to ourselves how many of the
+imperfections in the most ingenious of our machines and engines would have
+been obviated, had the inventors been accustomed to draw with accuracy.</p>
+
+<p>"But, to the student of the fine arts, this important branch of education
+will yield but few of the advantages which it is calculated to afford,
+unless his studies are directed by a philosophical spirit, and the
+observation of physical expression rendered conducive to some moral
+purpose. Without the guidance of such a spirit, painting and sculpture
+are but ornamental manufactures; and the works of Raphael and Michael
+Angelo, considered without reference to the manifestations which they
+exhibit of moral influence, possess no merit beyond the productions of the
+ordinary paper-hanger.</p>
+
+<p>"The first operation of this philosophical spirit will lead the student to
+contemplate the general form of the figure as an object of beauty; and
+thence instruct him to analyse the use and form of every separate part;
+the relation and mutual aid of the parts to each other; and the necessary
+effect of the whole in unison.</p>
+
+<p>"By an investigation of this kind, he will arrive at what constitutes
+character in art; and, in pursuing his analysis, he will discover that the
+general construction of the human figure in the male indicates strength
+and activity; and that the form of the individual man, in proportion to
+the power of being active, is more or less perfect. In the male, the
+degree of beauty depends on the degree of activity with which all the
+parts of the body are capable of performing their respective and mutual
+functions; but the characteristics of perfection of form in the female are
+very different; delicacy of frame and modesty of demeanour, with less
+capability to be active, constitute the peculiar graces of woman.</p>
+
+<p>"When the student has settled in his own mind the general and primary
+characteristics, in either sex, of the human figure, the next step will
+enable him to reduce the particular character of his subject into its
+proper class, whether it rank under the sublime or the beautiful, the
+heroic or the graceful, the masculine or the feminine, or in any of its
+other softer or more spirited distinctions. For the course of his studies
+will have made him acquainted with the moral operations of character, as
+they are expressed upon the external form; and the habit of
+discrimination, thus acquired, will have taught him the action or attitude
+by which all moral movements of character are usually accompanied. By this
+knowledge of the general figure, this habitual aptitude to perceive the
+beauty and fitness of its parts, and of the correspondence between the
+emotions of the mind and the actions of the body, he will find himself in
+possession of all that Zeuxis sought for in the graces of the different
+beautiful women whom he collected together, that he might be enabled to
+paint a proper picture of Helen; and it is the happy result of this
+knowledge which we see in the Apollo Belvidere and the Venus de Medici,
+that renders them so valuable as objects of study.</p>
+
+<p>"But the student must be always careful to distinguish between objects of
+study and objects of imitation; for the works which will best improve his
+taste and exalt his imagination, are precisely those which he should least
+endeavour to imitate; because, in proportion to their appropriate
+excellences, their beauties are limited in their application.</p>
+
+<p>"The Apollo is represented by the mythologists as a perfect man, in the
+vigour of life; tall, handsome and animated; his locks rising and floating
+on the wind; accomplished in mind and body; skilled in the benevolent art
+of alleviating pain; music his delight, and poetry and song his continual
+recreation. His activity was shown in dancing, running, and the manly
+exercises of the quoit, the sling, and the bow. He was swift in his
+pursuits, and terrible in his anger.--Such was the Pythian Apollo; and
+were a sculptor to think of forming the statue of such a character, would
+he not determine that his body, strong and vigorous from constant
+exercise, should be nobly erect; that, as his lungs were expanded by
+habits of swiftness in the chase, his chest should be large and full; that
+his thighs, as the source of movement in his legs, should have the
+appearance of enlarged vigour and solidity; and that his legs, in a
+similar manner, should also possess uncommon strength to induce and
+propagate the action of the feet? The nostrils ought to be elevated,
+because the quick respirations of running and dancing would naturally
+produce that effect; and, for the same reason, the mouth should appear to
+be habitually a little open. While his arms, firm and nervous by the
+exercise of the quoit, the sling, and the bow, should participate in the
+general vigour and agility of the other members;--and would not this be
+the Apollo Belvidere?</p>
+
+<p>"Were the young artist, in like manner, to propose to himself a subject in
+which he would endeavour to represent the peculiar excellences of woman,
+would he not say, that these excellences consist in a virtuous mind, a
+modest mien, a tranquil deportment, and a gracefulness in motion? And, in
+embodying the combined beauty of these qualities, would he not bestow on
+the figure a general, smooth, and round fulness of form, to indicate the
+softness of character; bend the head gently forward, in the common
+attitude of modesty; and awaken our ideas of the slow and graceful
+movements peculiar to the sex, by limbs free from that masculine and
+sinewy expression which is the consequence of active exercise?--and such
+is the Venus de Medici. It would be utterly impossible to place a person
+so formed in the attitude of the Apollo, without destroying all those
+amiable and gentle associations of the mind which are inspired by
+contemplating 'the statue which enchants the world.'</p>
+
+<p>"Art affords no finer specimens of the successful application of the
+principles which I have laid down than in those two noble productions."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-10"></a>Chap. X.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Discourse to the Academy in 1797.--On the Principles of Painting and
+    Sculpture.--Of Embellishments in Architecture.--Of the Taste of the
+    Ancients.--Errors of the Moderns.--Of the good Taste of the Greeks in
+    Appropriations of Character to their Statues.--On Drawing.--Of Light
+    and Shade.--Principles of Colouring in Painting.--Illustration.--Of
+    the Warm and Cold Colours.--Of Copying fine Pictures.--Of
+    Composition.--On the Benefits to be derived from Sketching;--and of
+    the Advantage of being familiar with the Characteristics of Objects
+    in Nature.</blockquote>
+
+<p>In the discourse which Mr. West delivered from the chair of the Academy in
+1797, he resumed the subject which he had but slightly opened, in that of
+which the foregoing chapter contains the substance. I shall therefore
+endeavour in the same manner, and as correctly as I can, to present a view
+of the mode in which he treated his argument, and as nearly as possible in
+his own language.</p>
+
+<p>"As the foundation of those philosophical principles," said Mr. West, "on
+which the whole power of art must rest, I wish to direct the attention of
+the student, especially in painting and sculpture, to an early study of
+the human figure, with reference to proportion, expression, and character.</p>
+
+<p>"When I speak of painting and sculpture, it is not my intention to pass
+over architecture, as if it were less dependent on philosophical
+principles, although what I have chiefly to observe with respect to it
+relates to embellishment;--a branch of art which artists are too apt to
+regard as not under the control of any principle, but subject only to
+their own taste and fancy. If the young architect commences his career
+with this erroneous notion, he will be undone, if there is any just
+notions of his art in the country.</p>
+
+<p>"It is, therefore, necessary, as he derives his models from the ancients,
+that he should enquire into the origin of those embellishments with which
+the architects of antiquity decorated their various edifices. In the
+prosecution of his enquiries, he will find that the ornaments of temples
+and mausolea, may be traced back to the periods of emblematic art, and
+become convinced that the spoils of victims, and instruments of sacrifice,
+were appropriate ornaments of the temple; while urns, containing the ashes
+of the dead, and the tears of the surviving friends, were the invariable
+decorations of the mausoleum. The good taste of the classic ancients
+prevented them from ever intermixing the respective emblems of different
+buildings, or rather, in their minds custom preserved them from falling
+into such an incongruous error, as to place the ornaments belonging to the
+depositaries of the dead on triumphal arches, palaces, and public offices.
+They considered in the ornaments the character and purpose of the edifice;
+and they would have been ashamed to have thought it possible that their
+palaces might be mistaken for mausolea, or their tombs for the mansions of
+festivity.</p>
+
+<p>"Is the country in which we live free from the absurdities which confound
+these necessary distinctions? Have we never beheld on the porticoes of
+palaces, public halls, or places of amusement, the skins of animals
+devoted to the rites of the pagan religion, or vases consecrated to the
+ashes of the dead, or the tears of the living? Violations of sense and
+character, in this respect, are daily committed. We might, with as much
+propriety, adorn the friezes of our palaces and theatres with the skulls
+and cross thigh-bones of the human figure, which are the emblems of death
+in every country throughout modern Europe!</p>
+
+<p>"I do not here allude to any particular work, nor do I speak of this want
+of principle as general. It is indeed impossible that I can be supposed to
+mean the latter; for we have among us men distinguished in the profession
+of architecture, who would do honour to the most refined periods of
+antiquity. But all are not equally chaste; and in addressing myself to the
+young, it is my duty to guard them against those deviations from good
+taste, which, without such a caution, they might conceive to be sanctioned
+by some degree of example. It is my wish to preserve them from the
+innovations of caprice and fashion, to which the public is always prone;
+and to assure the youth of genius, that while he continues to found the
+merit of his works on true principles, he will always find,
+notwithstanding the apparent generality of any fashion, that there is no
+surer way, either to fame or fortune, than by acting in art, as well as
+life, on those principles which have received the sanction of experience,
+and the approbation of the wise of all ages.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall now return to the consideration of painting and sculpture.</p>
+
+<p>"The Greeks, above all others, afford us the best and most decided proofs
+of the beauty arising from the philosophical consideration of the subject
+intended to be represented. To all their deities a fixed and appropriate
+character was given, from which it would have perhaps been profanity to
+depart. This character was the result of a careful consideration of the
+ideal beauty suitable to the respective attributes of the different
+deities. Thus in their Jupiter, Neptune, Hercules, Vulcan, Mars, and
+Pluto; the Apollo, Mercury, Hymen, and Cupid, and also in the goddesses
+Juno, Minerva, Venus, Hebe, the Nymphs and Graces; appeared a vast
+discrimination of character, at the same time as true an individuality as
+if the different forms had been the works of Nature herself.</p>
+
+<p>"In your progress through that mechanical part of your professional
+education, which is directed to the acquisition of a perfect knowledge of
+the human figure, I recommend to you a scrupulous exactness in imitating
+what is immediately before you, in order that you may acquire the habit of
+observing with precision every object that presents itself to your sight.
+Accustom yourselves to draw all the deviations of the figure, till you are
+as much acquainted with them as with the alphabet of your own language,
+and can make them with as much facility as your letters; for they are
+indeed the letters and alphabet of your profession, whether it be painting
+or sculpture.</p>
+
+<p>"These divisions consist of the head, with its features taken in three
+points of view, front, back, and profile; the neck in like manner, also
+the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis; thigh, knee, leg, ankle, the carpus,
+metacarpus, and toes; the clavicula, arm, fore-arm, wrist, carpus,
+metacarpus, and fingers. While you are employed on these, it would be
+highly proper to have before you the osteology of the part on which you
+are engaged, as in that consists the foundation of your pursuit. And, in
+this period of your studies, I recommend that your drawings be
+geometrical, as when you draw and study a column with its base and
+capital. At the same time you should not neglect to gain a few points in
+perspective, particularly so far as to give effect to the square and
+cylinder, in order to know what constitutes the vanishing point, and point
+of distance, in the subject you are going to draw.</p>
+
+<p>"After you have perfected yourselves in the parts of the figure, begin to
+draw the Greek figures entire, with the same attention to correctness as
+when you drew the divisions in your earlier lessons. Attend to the
+perspective according to the vanishing point opposite to your eye. You
+will naturally seek to possess your mind with the special character of the
+figure before you;--and of all the Grecian figures, I would advise you to
+make from the Apollo and Venus a general measurement or standard for man
+and woman, taking the head and its features, as the part by which you
+measure the divisions of those figures.</p>
+
+<p>"Light and shade must not be neglected; for what you effect in drawing by
+the contour of the figure, light and shade must effect with the
+projections of those parts which front you in the figure. Light and shade
+there produce what becomes outline to another drawing of the same object
+in a right angle to the place where you sit.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems not impossible to reduce to the simplicity of rule or principle,
+what may have appeared difficult in this branch of art to young students,
+and may have been too often pursued at random by others. All forms in
+nature, both animate and inanimate, partake of the round form more than
+of any other shape; and when lighted, whether by the sun or flame, or by
+apertures admitting light, must have two relative extremes of light and
+shadow, two balancing tints, the illuminated and the reflected, divided by
+a middle tint or the aerial. The effect of illumination by flame or
+aperture, differs from that of the sun in this respect; the sun
+illuminates with parallel rays, which fall over all parts of the
+enlightened side of the subject, while the light of a flame or an aperture
+only strikes directly on the nearest point of the object, producing an
+effect which more or less resembles the illumination of the sun in
+proportion to the distance and dimensions of the object.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us then suppose a ball to be the object on which the light falls, in
+a direction of forty-five degrees or the diagonal of a square, and at a
+right angle from the ball to the place where you stand. One half of the
+ball will appear illuminated, and the other dark. This state of the two
+hemispheres constitutes the two masses of light and shadow. In the centre
+of the mass of light falls the focus of the illumination in the ball;
+between the centre of the illumination and the circle of the ball, where
+the illumination, reaches its extremity, lies what may be called the
+transparent tint; and between it and the dark side of the ball lies the
+serial or middle tint. The point of darkness, the extreme of shade, is
+diametrically opposite to the focus of illumination, between which and
+the aerial tint lies the tint of reflection. If the ball rests on a
+plain, it will throw a shadow equal in length to one diameter and a
+quarter of the ball. That shadow will be darker than the shade on the
+ball, and the darkest part will be where the plain and ball come in
+contact with each other.</p>
+
+<p>"This simple experiment, whether performed in the open sun-shine, or with
+artificial illumination, will lead you to the true principles of light and
+shade over all objects in nature, whether mountains, clouds, rocks, trees,
+single figures, or groups of figures. It would therefore be of great use,
+when you are going to give light and shade to any object, first to make
+the experiment of the ball, and in giving that light and shade, follow the
+lessons with which it will furnish you.</p>
+
+<p>"You will find that this experiment will instruct you, not only in the
+principles of light and shade, but also of colours; for that there is a
+corresponding hue with respect to colours is not to be disputed. In order
+to demonstrate this, place in the ball which you have illuminated, the
+prismatic colours, suiting their hues to those of the tints. Yellow will
+answer to the focus of illumination, and the other secondary and primary
+hues will fall into their proper places. Hence, on the enlightened side of
+a group or figure, you may lay yellow, orange, red, and then violet, but
+never on the side where the light recedes. On that side must come the
+other prismatic colours in their natural order. Yellow must pass to green,
+the green to blue, and the blue to purple. The primary colours of yellow,
+orange, and red, are the warm colours, and belong to the illuminated side
+of objects; the violet is the intermediate, and green, blue, and purple
+are the cold colours, and belong to the retiring parts of your
+composition.</p>
+
+<p>"On the same principle, and in the same order, must be placed the tints
+which compose the fleshy bodies of men and women, but so blended with
+each other, as to give the softness appropriate to the luminous quality
+and texture of flesh; paying attention, at the same time, to reflections
+on its surface from other objects, and to its participation of their
+colours. The latter is a distinct circumstance arising from accident.</p>
+
+<p>"When the sun illuminates a human body, in the same manner as the ball,
+the focus of the illumination in that body will partake of the yellow; and
+the luminous or transparent tint, will have the orange and the red. These
+produce, what is called, the carnation. The pure red, occasioned by the
+blood, lies in the lips, cheeks, joints, and extremities of the figure,
+and no where else. On the receding side of the focus is the local colour
+of the flesh, and on the receding side of that is the greenish tint; in
+the shade will fall the cold or bluish, and in the reflection will fall
+the tint of purple. The most perfect tint of ground, from which to relieve
+this arrangement of colours, is either blue, grey, or purple, for those
+colours partake of the complexion of the watery sky in which the rainbow
+appears, or the ground which best exhibits the prismatic colours.</p>
+
+<p>"In acquiring a practical knowledge of the happiest manner of distributing
+your colours according to nature, it will assist you, if you will copy
+with attention some pieces of Titian, Correggio, Reubens, and Vandyke; the
+masters in whose works you will most eminently find the system pursued,
+which I have endeavoured to illustrate by the simple image of the ball.</p>
+
+<p>"Having passed from the antique school, to that in which you draw after
+the living figure, still adhere to that scrupulous exactness of drawing
+with which you first set out; marking with precision the divisions of the
+figure. After you have made yourselves acquainted with the drawing of the
+living figure, you must then begin to enlarge your lines, and to give
+softness and breadth, to direct your attention to what constitutes style
+and character, and to discriminate these from what constitutes manner.</p>
+
+<p>"To assist you in this nice discrimination, consult the prints and works
+of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Hannibal Carracci. In them you will find
+the strongest and purest evidence of style and character, yet all
+differing from each other, and all equally brought out of nature. I do not
+recommend them with a view that you should adopt the style and character
+of any of them; but to show from those great examples, that style and
+character, although ever founded in nature, are as various as the
+individual genius of every artist; that they are as free to you as they
+were to those masters; that if you will consult your own mind, you will
+draw forth a style and character of your own, and therefore no man can
+ever be excused for sinking into a mannerist.</p>
+
+<p>"And I cannot omit to observe here, that in the order of your studies,
+your mental powers should be cherished and brought into action by reading
+and reflection, but not until you have acquired practical facility in your
+art. Too often it happens, and I have seen it with concern, that the
+presumption of youth, or the errors of instruction, have reversed this
+order, and have carried many to attempt essays of research and learning,
+before they were well grounded in the principles of professional practice.
+What other consequences can follow from such a course, but that the
+student will turn in discontent from his own productions, because they
+fall short of the ideas in his mind; and induce him, perhaps, to abandon,
+with disgust, a profession in which he might have shone with distinction,
+had he taken a right method of cultivating his own powers!</p>
+
+<p>"The great masters were all at an early age great in the mechanical
+department of their art, before they established any name by their
+philosophical style and character. Michael Angelo, when a mere youth,
+modelled and drew in a manner which astonished his own master. Raphael, at
+not more than nineteen years of age, rivalled his instructor, Pietro
+Perugino, in his executive talent; and, owing to this, he was enabled, at
+the age of only twenty-five, to send forth his two great works, <i>the
+Dispute on the Sacrament</i>, and <i>the School of Athens</i>. Guido, Bernini, and
+many others of the first class, pursued the same course of study, and
+were in the full possession of their powers very young. Vandyke, before he
+was twenty years old, assisted Reubens in his greatest works; and on a
+certain occasion, when the pupils of Reubens were amusing themselves in
+the absence of their master, one of them happened to fall against 'the
+Mother,' in the Descent from the Cross, which Vandyke repaired in a manner
+so admirable, that when the painter came next to the picture, he expressed
+himself surprised at the excellence of his own work, and said, that he
+thought he had not done that arm so well. In a word, wherever we find the
+executive power high at an early age, whether in painting or sculpture, we
+have an assurance of future excellence, which nothing but indolence can
+prevent. And, to give that early facility correctness of execution,
+remember and pursue the great maxim of Apelles:--</p>
+
+<blockquote>  "'<i>Nulla dies, sine linea.</i>'</blockquote>
+
+<p>"The young artist may, indeed, draw lines every day and every hour with
+advantage, whether it be to amuse himself in society or in the fields. He
+should accustom himself to sketch every thing, especially what is rare and
+singular in nature. Let nothing of the animate creation on the earth, or
+in the air, or in the water, pass you unnoticed; especially those which
+are distinguished for their picturesque beauty, or remarkable for dignity
+of form or elegance of colour. Fix them distinctly in your sketch-book and
+in your memory. Observe, with the same contemplative eye, the landscape,
+the appearance of trees, figures dispersed around, and their aerial
+distance, as well as lineal forms. In this class of observations, omit not
+to observe the light and shade, in consequence of the sun's rays being
+intercepted by clouds or other accidents. Besides this, let your mind be
+familiar with the characteristics of the ocean; mark its calm dignity when
+undisturbed by the winds, and all its various states between that and its
+terrible sublimity when agitated by the tempest. Sketch with attention its
+foaming and winding coasts with distant land, and that awful line which
+separates it from the Heavens. Replenished with these stores, your
+imagination will then come forth as a river, collected from little
+springs, spreads into might and majesty. The hand will then readily
+execute what it has been so practised in acquiring; while the mind will
+embrace its subjects with confidence, by being so well accustomed to
+observe their picturesque effect."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-11"></a>Chap. XI.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Discourse.--Introduction.--On the Philosophy of Character in Art.--Of
+    Phidias.--Of Apelles.--Of the Progress of the Arts among the
+    Moderns.--Of Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and
+    Bartolomeo.--Of Titian.--Of the Effects of Patronage.</blockquote>
+
+<p>It is not my intention to give all the discourses which Mr. West addressed
+to the students of the Academy, but only those which contain, what may be
+called, illustrations of the principles of his art. The following,
+however, is so interesting and so various in its matter, that it would be
+improper in me to make any attempt to garble or abridge it, beyond
+omitting the mere incidental notice of temporary circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>"The discourse which I am about to deliver, according to usual custom on
+the return of this day, must be considered as addressed more immediately
+to those among the students, who have made so much progress in art, as to
+be masters of the human figure, of perspective, and of those other parts
+of study, which I have heretofore recommended as the elements of painting
+and sculpture; and who are therefore about to enter on the higher paths of
+professional excellence. It will consequently be my object, now, to show
+how that excellence is to be attained; and this will best be done, as I
+conceive, by showing how it has been attained by others, in whom that
+excellence has been most distinguished in the ancient and modern world. By
+pursuing the principles on which they moved, you have the best
+encouragement in their illustrious example, while, by neglecting those
+principles, you can have no more reason to hope for such success as they
+met with, than you can think of reaching a distant land, without road or
+compass to direct your steps.</p>
+
+<p>"The ground which I shall propose for your attention is this--to
+investigate those philosophical principles on which all truth of character
+is founded, and by which that sublime attainment, the highest refinement
+in art, and without which every thing else is merely mechanical, may be
+brought to a decided point, in all the variety by which it is
+distinguished through the animated world.</p>
+
+<p>"On this ground, and on this alone, rose Phidias and Apelles to the
+celebrity which they held among the Greeks; and among the Italians,
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, and some
+others, who became the completest models in sculpture and painting. Their
+predecessors, indeed, in both countries, had for a considerable time been
+preparing the way, but not having equally studied the best means, or those
+means not having been equally before them, it was reserved of course for
+the great characters I have mentioned, to unite philosophical with
+professional truth, and to exhibit to the world in their works the
+standards of style. From the same source arose another consequence, ever
+worthy and pleasing to be mentioned;--the exhibition of those perfections
+was always accompanied by that ardent patronage, which not only cheered
+their minds, and invigorated their powers, but has left a glory on their
+country, which no subsequent events have been able to obliterate, and
+which never will be obliterated in any country where the sublimity of art,
+involving the most refined embellishments of civilized life, is cherished
+by those who are in a capacity to cherish it.</p>
+
+<p>"In a very early period of the arts in Greece, we meet with a circumstance
+which shows the advantages derived from consulting with philosophy, if it
+does not also show the origin and outset of those advantages. The
+circumstance to which I allude is, that in the period when the sculptors
+contented themselves with the stationary forms and appearance of figures,
+in imitation of their predecessors, the Egyptians; at that time they began
+to submit their works to the judgment of philosophers, one of whom, being
+called in to survey a statue, which a sculptor, then eminent, was going to
+expose to public view, remarked, that the human figure before him wanted
+motion, or that expression of intellect and will, from which motion and
+character too must arise; for man had a soul and mind, which put him at
+the head of the animal creation, and, therefore, without that soul and
+mind, the form of man was degraded.</p>
+
+<p>"This observation touched the point, then, necessary to be obviated, in
+order to overcome the primitive rudeness which still attached to
+sculpture; and without the application of the principle contained in the
+observation, sculpture and painting too might have stood still for ages.
+And from what other source than the principles of philosophic study, or,
+in other words, from reflection on the moral powers or passions of man,
+their several effects, as produced in their workings on the human figure,
+could that improvement be obtained? It was the constant employment of the
+philosophic mind, to study those causes and effects, and to reduce them to
+a more distinct display for the truth and utility of their own writings.
+The philosophers were, therefore, the most likely to assist the artist in
+those displays of character which tended to illustrate the truth of his
+own works. Nor on this account is it any disparagement to the artists of
+those days, when philosophic studies were confined to particular classes
+of men, that this moral view of art was not sufficiently taken up by the
+more mechanical part of the profession.</p>
+
+<p>"Thus, however, the opening was made to the important expression of
+character. And the lesson suggested by the philosopher alluded to, is not
+confined to the Greeks alone. I wish, young gentlemen, to leave it in all
+its force upon your minds. For if the figures you design, whether singly
+or in groups, have not their actions correspondent to what their minds
+appear to be pursuing, they will suit any other subject as well as that in
+which they are placed. This remark is the more worthy of attention, as it
+does not apply to any of the figures of the Grecian masters whom I have
+mentioned. The figure by Phidias on Monte Cavallo at Rome, the Apollo, the
+Laocoon, the Venus, the Hercules, and the fighting gladiator, are all
+perfect on the just principles I have mentioned. There is no room for
+amendment; their propriety is unquestionable; their truth eternal. And so
+in the works of modern art, we see the same truth and perfection in the
+Capella Sestina by Michael Angelo, in the Supper by Leonardo da Vinci at
+Milan, in the Cartoons by Raphael, the St. Peter Martyr by Titian, and the
+Note by Correggio.</p>
+
+<p>"Having mentioned the figure on Monte Cavallo, representing, as you all
+know, a young man curbing a horse, I cannot help stopping to remark, that
+if any work of sculpture ever demonstrated more strongly the value of
+uniting philosophic science with that of art, for the production of
+character, it is that work by Phidias. Never did the power of art express
+more evidently than is done in the head of the young man, that every
+feature is moved by an internal mental power, and corresponds in the most
+perfect truth with what we see to be the labouring passion. When we view
+it in front we are astonished that the mouth does not speak. No observer
+ever thinks that the head is a block of stone. But the whole group is
+masterly on the most refined principles of science. It was intended to be
+seen at an elevated point, as well as at a distant one. All its forms,
+therefore, are grand without the minutiae of parts; its effects are
+striking and momentary; and in every circumstance considered, it is
+plainly the work of consummate genius and science united.</p>
+
+<p>"Was it possible that in an age which gave a Phidias to the Greeks,
+there should not have been a Pericles to reward, by his patronage, merit
+so exalted?</p>
+
+<p>"We may carry the same reflections into the progress of the pencil. As the
+Greeks became refined in their minds, they gained an Apelles to paint, and
+an Alexander to patronise. We are not enabled now to speak of the works of
+that great master. His figure of Alexander, in the character of young
+Ammon, is described as his master-piece. Such was the expression with
+which the hand grasped the thunder-bolt, that it seemed actually to start
+from the pannel. The expression and force of character given to the whole,
+was equally marvellous. And when we consider the refinement to which the
+human mind had then arrived among the Greeks, the immense value which
+they put upon the works of that artist, and that they were too wise to
+devote their applause to things which fell short of consummate excellence,
+we cannot doubt but it was by the cultivation of the public mind that the
+arts reached such attainments among them. What must have been their
+exquisite state when the simple line drawn by Protogenes,--in the
+consciousness of his acknowledged perfection, and which was intended to
+announce the man who drew it, as much as if he had told his name,--was so
+far excelled by another simple line over it by Apelles, that the former at
+once confessed himself outdone? Those two lines, simple as they were, were
+by no means trifling in their instruction. They gave us, as it were, an
+epitome of the progress which the arts had long been making in Greece. For
+if the drawing of a simple line, of such a master as Protogenes, who was
+conceived by many to hold the first pencil in the world, was surpassed, to
+his great surprise, by another, how high must refinement have been raised
+by the exertions of the artists in a period so emulous of perfection!</p>
+
+<p>"The stages in the progress of modern art, have been frequently
+distinguished by ages similar to those which succeed one another in the
+human growth. We may safely assert, that in the infantine and youthful
+period of modern art, literature and science were only seen in their
+infancy and growth. The opening of nature displayed in the works of
+Massaccio; the graces exhibited in those of Lorenzo Ghiberti; and the
+advancement in perspective made by one or two others, kept pace nearly
+with that progress in philosophy which appeared in the best writings of
+those days. As the one took a larger step in the next stage or period, the
+other stepped forth in a like degree at the same time; so that in Leonardo
+da Vinci we see the great painter and the great philosopher: his painting
+most clearly refined in its principles, and enlarged in its powers by his
+philosophical studies. As a philosopher, and especially in those parts of
+knowledge which were most interesting to his profession, he laid that
+foundation of science which has ever since been adopted and admired. As a
+painter, he not only went far beyond his predecessors, but laid down those
+principles of science in the expression of individual character, and of a
+soul and figure specifically and completely appropriated to each other,
+which opened the way to the greatness acquired by those who followed him
+in his studies. In that point of excellence, Leonardo da Vinci was
+original; and it was the natural result of a mind like his, formed to
+philosophical investigation, and deeply attentive to all the variety of
+appearances by which the passions are marked in the human countenance and
+frame. These he traced to their sources: he found them in their radical
+principles, and by his knowledge of these principles, his expression of
+character became perfected.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>nature</i> exhibited by Massaccio had not gone to that extent of
+expression. It however spoke a soul: he drew forth an inward mind on the
+outward countenance: he gave a character; but that character was not so
+discriminated as to become the index of one particular passion more than
+another; or to decide, for instance, the head of Jupiter from that of a
+Minerva: so at with the aid, of different types, it should not befit a
+Saviour or a Magdalene.</p>
+
+<p>"We must take along with us in this review, that the splendid patronage of
+the house of Medici came forward, to meet, and to cherish the happy
+advancements made by the masters of those days; so that Florence, which
+was then the greatest seat of the arts, was no less brilliant and
+illustrious in the generosity which strove to perpetuate them, than in the
+genius by which they had been cultivated.</p>
+
+<p>"Leonardo da Vinci, by the principles which he so effectually realised,
+has always been considered as having established the manly as well as the
+graceful age of modern art. But manhood is never so fixed as to be
+incapable of progress. The manhood then attained in art was capable of
+farther advancement beyond the growth which the powers of Da Vinci had
+given it. This was eminently illustrated by the sublimity of style which
+was attained by the genius of Michael Angelo and of Raphael;--quality
+equally original in both, although issuing from different principles. In
+the former, it was founded on that force and grandeur, allied to poetic
+spirit, which rises above all that is common, and leaves behind it all
+that is tame and simply correct; which, not content with engaging the
+senses, seizes on the imagination, while it never departs from truth. In
+the latter, it was made up of the beautiful and graceful, which attracts
+by the assemblage of whatever is most perfect and elevated in the
+character or subject.</p>
+
+<p>"Raphael coming somewhat later than Michael Angelo on the theatre of art,
+had the advantage of many of that master's works, as well as of all the
+improvements which had been made before. His life was a short one, and the
+first studies of it were almost lost in the dry school of Pietro Perugino.
+But he soon found his way to the philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci, and to
+the profound principles on which his admirable expression of character is
+founded. The dignity of drapery, and of light and shade, opened by
+Bartolomeo, invited his studies; and the sublimity of the human figure in
+the sculptures of his cotemporary, Michael Angelo, fastened on his
+contemplation. Thus he entered at once, as it were, into the inheritance
+of whatever excellencies had been produced before him. With these
+advantages he was called to adorn the apartments of the Vatican. And can
+we wonder that his first works there, at the age of seven-and-twenty, were
+the Dispute on the Sacrament, and the School of Athens?</p>
+
+<p>"But what was it that contributed very much to the production of those
+works? It was not the profound studies of Raphael's mind, but the spirit
+of the age which warmed those studies.--It was a great age, in which
+learning and science were become diffused, at least throughout Europe:--a
+great age replete with characters studious of philosophy; and, therefore,
+fond of the instruction conveyed by the arts;--fond of those high and
+more profound compositions which entered into the spirit of superior
+character, and made some study and research necessary to develope their
+beauties. To meet the taste of such an age, the two first public works of
+Raphael, above mentioned, were well suited, inasmuch as they were
+intended to convey the comparative views of theology and human science,
+or, in other words, the improvement of the human mind arising from the
+two great sources of national wisdom and revealed light. It must not also
+be forgotten, that while the spirit of the age was warming his mind to
+the peculiar dignity of theme and style which marks his works, the
+generous and noble patronage of the papal court was exerting its utmost
+power to immortalise him, and every other great master that arose within
+the circle of its influence. Their merit and their fame found as animated
+a protector in Leo X. as Phidias experienced in Pericles, or Apelles in
+Alexander the Great.</p>
+
+<p>"As the Florentine and Roman schools were thus gradually refined in the
+excellence of design and character, by the aid of philosophical studies;
+so the Venetian masters were equally indebted to the like studies, without
+which, they would never have reached their admirable system of colouring.
+If any have conceived otherwise, they have taken a very superficial view
+of their system. Where is there greater science concerned than in the
+whole theory of colours? It employed the investigation of Newton; and
+shall that pass for a common or easy attainment which took up so much of
+his profound studies? The Venetian masters had been long working their way
+to the radical principles of this science, not only for a just and perfect
+arrangement of their colouring, but for that clear and transparent system
+in the use of it, which have equally marked that school in the days of its
+maturity under Titian. He it was who established, on unerring principles,
+founded on nature and truth, that accomplished system which John Bellini
+had first laboured to discover, and in which Giorgioni had made further
+advancements. Besides his zeal in his profession, Titian was born in that
+higher rank of life which might be supposed to give him an easier access
+to the elegant studies of philosophic science; and he had prosecuted, with
+great ardour, the science of chemisty, the better to understand the
+properties of colour, their homogeneous blendings, purity, and duration;
+as well as the properties of oils, gums, and other fluids, which might
+form the fittest vehicles to convey his colours upon canvass.</p>
+
+<p>"The elegant Charles V. was to Titian in liberal pratronage what Leo X.
+was to Raphael. That munificent prince carried him into Spain, where his
+works laid the foundation of the Spanish school in painting, and gave a
+relish for that art to all the succeeding monarchs.</p>
+
+<p>"What has been remarked respecting Titian and the Venetian school, is
+equally true of that of Correggio among the Lombard painters. The mind of
+Correggio appears evidently, by his works, to have been profoundly
+enlightened; and especially in the philosophical arrangement and general
+doctrine of colours. What has been said by some concerning the low
+circumstances of his fortune, (which is not true,) neither proves the
+obscurity of his birth, nor that philosophical researches were out of his
+reach, or beside his emulation. The truth is, that he was born of a very
+honourable family, and was accomplished in the elegancies of life; not
+that it is necessary for any man to have the advantages of birth, in
+order to become enlightened by science in any way whatever. The patronage
+which attended him was of the most elevated kind, being dispensed by the
+illustrious houses of Mantua and Modena, as well as by the institution of
+the Doma of Parma. But what is by no means less worthy of our notice is,
+that of all the masters who have risen up in any of the schools of Italy,
+not one has been the means of giving success and reputation to those who
+have followed any of their respective styles equally with Correggio. The
+ineffable softness, sweetness, and grace in his paintings, have never
+varied in their effects with the course of time. And they who have since
+partaken of these powers in his style, have very generally become great
+masters, (distinguished by none of the excesses which have sometimes
+attended the imitation of other models,) and successful in gainng the
+approbation and favour of the world.</p>
+
+<p>"The paths pursued by those great examples must become yours, young
+gentlemen, or you can neither be eminent in colouring, nor sure in the
+execution of your art. It is possible, that by habits of practice, handed
+over from one to another, or by little managements in laying colours on
+the canvass, where little or nothing of the general science has been
+studied and attained, many may so far succeed as to avoid glaring errors,
+and a violation of those first principles which have their foundation in
+nature. But that success is at all times extremely hazardous and dependent
+on chance. More frequently it has introduced invincible conflicts between
+the primary and secondary colours, to the ruin of harmony and aerial
+perspective, and to the overthrow of the artist, whenever the picture is
+glanced upon by the eye of scientific discernment. Contemptible are the
+best of such managements, ever in the hands of those that know them best,
+compared with a full and masterly possession of the philosophy by which
+this part of your art must be guided. If the ordonnance of colour, on each
+figure and on the whole, is not disposed according to the immutable laws
+of the science, no fine effect, or accordant tones of colours, can
+possibly be produced. There is, therefore, but one way to make sure of
+success, and to raise your characters in this point, and that is by making
+yourselves masters of the whole philosophy of colours, as Titian and
+Correggio did, and some others, in whose works, from first to last, the
+minutest scrutiny will never find a colour misplaced or prejudiced by its
+disposition with others.</p>
+
+<p>"To be perfect, is the emulation which belongs to those arts in which you
+are engaged, and the anxious hope of the country in which you live. To
+animate you to that perfection, is the object of what I have now addressed
+to you. I am persuaded it is your ambition to be perfect. This Academy
+looks with pleasure on the progress of your studies, as it may look with
+pride on the high and cultivated state to which the arts have been raised
+among us ever since they have had the establishment of a regular school.
+It is no flattery to the present &aelig;ra in Britain to say, that in no age of
+the world have the arts been carried in any country to such a summit as
+they now hold among us, in so short a period as half a century at most.
+Among the Greeks some centuries had elapsed, amidst no little emulation
+in the arts, before they obtained an Apelles. In modern Italy, without
+going as far back as we might, it took up a century from the appearance of
+Massaccio to the perfection of a Raphael. If, then, the British school has
+risen so much more speedily to that celebrity in art, which it is too well
+known and established to need any illustration here, what should hinder
+her professors from becoming the most distinguished rivals of the fame
+acquired by the Greeks and Italians, with a due perseverance in the
+studies which lead to perfection, and with those encouragements and
+support of patronage which are due to genius?</p>
+
+<p>"As the source of that patronage, we look up with affectionate gratitude
+to the benign and flattering attention of our most gracious Sovereign, to
+whose regard for the elegant arts, and munificent disposition to cherish
+every enlargement of science, and improvement of the human mind, his
+people are indebted for this public seminary, his own favoured
+Institution, and the first which this country has ever been so fortunate
+as to see established. Under his royal patronage and support, this Academy
+has risen to its present strength and flourishing condition. His
+patronage, which would be improperly estimated by mere expenditure, in a
+country not similar in the latitude of government, or in the controul over
+revenue, to ancient Greece or modern Italy, but properly by its diffusive
+influence, has been the source of every other patronage in the country;
+has inspired that refined taste and ardour for elegant arts, which have
+given in fact a new character to the people, and has raised within and
+without this Academy that body of distinguished men, whose works have
+contributed to immortalise his reign, as his love for the arts has become
+the means of immortalising them.</p>
+
+<p>"The patronage which has flowed from other quarters, deserves very
+honourable mention; and is of so much importance, that without it the
+spirit of art must droop, and the very profession of it be contracted in
+every situation whatever. It is not by the influence and support of any
+individual character, how elevated soever, or how warm soever in his
+attachment to taste and elegance, that the extent of professional talents
+spread through a country, can be effectually sustained with adequate
+encouragements. It is the wealthy and the great, who are commonly trained
+by their situations to the perception of what is elegant and refined, that
+must come forward in such an illustrious undertaking. It is only they who
+can meet every where the merit, let it be disseminated as it may, which is
+entitled, to distinction. Without the patronage of such, the arts could
+never have obtained their high meridian in Greece and Italy. Had not the
+communities and rich individuals in Greece taken the arts under their
+protection, not all the encouragement of Pericles, or of Alexander the
+Great, could have drawn forth that immense body of painting and sculpture
+which filled the country. Had the patronage of Italy rested with the popes
+and princes, unaccompanied by those munificent supports which flowed from
+the churches and convents, as well as from private individuals of rank and
+wealth, the galleries of that country could never have been so superbly
+filled as they were, nor could those collections have been made from
+thence, which have filled so many galleries and cabinets elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>"These facts are not to be denied; but they also lead us to another
+lesson, which is, that the patronage so generally dispensed was for the
+protection of living genius, and that they by whom it was so dispensed
+sought no other collections than the works of native and living artists.
+On any other ground there can be no such thing as patronage. Nothing else
+is worthy of that name. The true and generous patron of great works
+selects those which are produced by the talents existing around him. By
+collecting from other countries, he may greatly enrich himself, but can
+never give celebrity to the country in which he lives. The encouragement
+extended to the genius of a single artist, though it may produce but one
+original work, adds more to the celebrity of a people, and is a higher
+proof of true patriotic ardour, and of a generous love for the progress of
+art, than all the collections that ever were made by the productions of
+other countries, and all the expenditures that ever were bestowed in
+making them. Did the habits of our domestic circumstances, like those of
+Italy, permit the ingenious student to have access to those works of
+established masters, procured by the spirit of their noble and wealthy
+possessors, and of many distinguished amateurs on the most liberal terms,
+and with the honourable purpose of forming the taste, as well as enriching
+the treasures, of the country, every thing would then be done, which is
+wanting to complete the public benefit of such collections, and the
+general gratitude to which they who have made them would be entitled. So
+abundant are the accomplished examples in art already introduced among us,
+that there would then be no necessity for students to run to other
+countries for those improvements which their own can furnish.</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be improper at any time to make these remarks; while it must
+also be observed, that the patronage held forth by many great and noble
+characters needs no spur; and the means projected by other spirited
+individuals in opulent stations, for extending and perpetuating the works
+of British masters, fall short in no degree of the most fervid energies
+and examples, of which any country has been able to boast.</p>
+
+<p>"It is your duty, young gentlemen, to become accomplished in your
+professions, that you may keep alive those energies and examples of
+patronage, when you come to draw the attention of the world to your own
+works. It is by your success that the arts must be carried on and
+preserved here. Patronage can only be expected to follow what is eminently
+meritorious, and more especially that general patronage diffused through
+the more respectable ranks of society, which is to professional merit,
+what the ocean is to the earth;--the great fund from whence it must ever
+be refreshed, and without whose abundance, conveyed through innumerable
+channels, every thing must presently become dry, and all productions cease
+to exist."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-12"></a>Chap. XII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Discourse.--Introduction.--Of appropriate Character in Historical
+    Composition.--Architecture among the Greeks and Romans.--Of the
+    Athenian Marbles.--Of the Ancient Statues.--Of the Moses and Saviour
+    of Michael Angelo.--Of the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo.--Of
+    Leonardo da Vinci.--Of Bartolomeo.--Of Raphael.--Of Titian, and his
+    St. Peter Martyr.--Of the different Italian Schools.--Of the Effects
+    of the Royal Academy.--Of the Prince Regent's Promise to encourage the
+    Fine Arts.</blockquote>
+
+<p>After a careful examination of all the remaining notes of Mr. West, it
+appeared to me, that the discourse which he delivered on the 10th of
+December, 1811, was the only one that required particular notice, after
+those which I have already introduced. In some respects it will, perhaps,
+be deemed the most interesting of the whole.</p>
+
+<p>"The few points," said the President, "upon which I mean to touch in the
+present Discourse, are those which more immediately apply to the
+students, who are generously striving to attain excellence in the first
+class of refined art,--historical painting.</p>
+
+<p>"Whether their exertions are directed to painting, or the sister arts,
+architecture and sculpture, the first thing they must impress upon their
+minds, and engraft upon every shoot of their fancy, is that of the
+appropriate character, by which the subject they are about to treat, is
+distinguished from all other subjects. On this foundation, all the points
+of refined art which are, in the truest sense, intellectual, invariably
+rest; for without justness of character the works of the pencil can have
+but little value, and can never entitle the artist to the praise of a
+well-governed genius, or of possessing that philosophical precision of
+judgment, which is the source of excellence in the superior walk of his
+profession. At the same time, let it be indelibly fixed in your minds,
+that when decided character is to be given, that character must be
+accompanied by correctness of outline, whether it be in painting or in
+sculpture. Any representation of the human figure, in the higher
+department of art, wanting these requisites, is, to the feelings of the
+educated artist, deficient in that, for the loss of which no other
+excellency can compensate.</p>
+
+<p>"Architecture.--This department of art received its decided character from
+the Greeks. They distinctly fixed the embellishments to the several
+orders; and, by their adaptation of these embellishments and orders, their
+buildings obtained a distinct and appropriate character, which declared
+the uses for which they were erected.</p>
+
+<p>"The Romans, in their best era of taste, copied their Grecian instructors
+in that appropriate character of embellishment which explained, at a
+glance, the use of their respective buildings; but, in their latter ages,
+they declined from this original purity; and it is the fragments of that
+corruption, in which they lost the characteristic precision of the Greeks,
+that we have seen of late years employed upon many of our buildings. The
+want of mental reflection in employing the orders of architectures with a
+rational precision as to character, produces the same sort of deficiency
+which we find in an historical picture; where, although each figure, in
+correct proportion, be well drawn, with drapery elegantly folded, yet, not
+being employed appropriately to the subject, affords no satisfaction to
+the spectator.</p>
+
+<p>"The Greeks were in architecture what they were in sculpture; and it is to
+them you must look for the original purity of both. We feel rejoiced, that
+the exertions recently made by a noble personage to enrich our studies in
+both of these departments of art are such, that we may say, London has
+become the Athens for study. It is the mental power displayed in the Elgin
+marbles that I wish the juvenile artist to notice. Look at the equestrian
+groups of the young Athenians in this collection, and you will find in
+them that momentary motion which life gives on the occasion to the riders
+and their horses. The horse we perceive feels that power which the impulse
+of life has given to his rider; we see in him the animation of his whole
+frame; in the fire of his eyes, the distention of his nostrils, and in the
+rapid motion of his feet, yielding to the guidance of his rider, or in the
+speeding of his course: they are, therefore, in perfect unison with the
+life in each. At this moment of their animation, they appear to have been
+turned into stone by some majestic power, and not created by the human
+hand. The single head of the horse, in the same collection, seems as if it
+had, by the same influence, been struck into marble, when he was exerting
+all the energy of his motion.</p>
+
+<p>"These admirable sculptures, which now adorn our city, are the union of
+Athenian genius and philosophy, and illustrate my meaning respecting the
+mental impression which is so essentially to be given to works of refined
+art. It was this point which the Grecian philosophers wished to impress on
+the minds of their sculptors, not to follow their predecessors the
+Egyptians in sculpture, who represented their figures without motion,
+although nearly perfect in giving to them the external form. 'It is the
+passions,' said they, 'with which man is endowed, that we wish to see in
+the movements of your figures.' This advice of the philosophers was felt
+by the sculptors, and the Athenian marbles are the faithful records of the
+efficacy of that advice.</p>
+
+<p>"That you may distinctly perceive and invariably distinguish what we mean
+by appropriate character in art, particularly in sculpture, I would class
+with these sculptures, the Hercules, the Apollo, the Venus, the Laocoon,
+and the Gladiator. In these examples you will find what is appropriate in
+character to subject, united with correctness of outline; and it is this
+combination of truths which has arrested the attention of an admiring
+world, ever since they were produced; and which will attract to them the
+admiration of after ages, so long as the workings of the mind on the
+external form can be contemplated and understood.</p>
+
+<p>"Now let us see what works there are since the revival of art in the
+modern world, which rest on the same basis of appropriate character and
+correctness of outline, with those of the ancient Greeks.</p>
+
+<p>"The Moses which the powers of Michael Angelo's mind has presented to our
+view, claims our first attention. In this statue the points of character,
+in every mode of precise, determinate, and elevated expression, have been
+carried to a pitch of grandeur which modern art has not since excelled. In
+this figure of Moses, Michael Angelo has fixed the unalterable standard of
+the Jewish lawgiver,--a character delineated and justified by the text in
+inspired sculpture. The character of Moses was well suited to the grandeur
+of the artist's conceptions, and to the dreadful energy of his feelings.
+Accordingly, in mental character, this figure holds the first station in
+modern art; and I believe we may venture to say, had no competitor in
+ancient, except those of the Jupiter and Minerva by Phidias. But the
+Saviour, all meekness and benevolence, which Michael Angelo made to
+accompany the Moses, was not in unison with his genius. The figure is
+mean, but slightly removed from an academical figure, and in no point
+appropriate to the subject: so are most of the single figures of the
+artist, in his great work on the Day of Judgment; but his groups in that
+composition are every where in character, and have not their rivals
+either in painting or sculpture. His Bacchus claims our admiration, as
+being appropriate to the subject, by the same excellence in delineation
+which distinguish the groups in the Day of Judgment. No person can have a
+higher veneration than I have for that grandeur of character impressed on
+the figures by Michael Angelo; but it is the fitness of the characters and
+of the action to the subject, to which I wish to draw your attention, and
+not to pour out praise on those points, in which he and other eminent
+masters are deficient. On this occasion, I must therefore be permitted to
+repeat, that most of the single figures in his great work of the Day of
+Judgment, are deficient in the fitness of appropriate character, and in
+the fitness of appropriate action to the subject; although as single
+figures they demand our admiration. But excellent as they are, they are
+but the ingenious adaptation of legs, arms, and heads, to the celebrated
+Torso, which bears his name, and which served as the model to most of his
+figures. All figures in composition, however excellent they may be in
+delineation, which have not their actions and expressions springing from
+the subject in which they are the actors, can only be considered as
+academical efforts, without the impress of mental power, and without any
+philosophical attention to the truth of the subject which the artist
+intended to illustrate.</p>
+
+<p>"Leonardo da Vinci is the first who had a full and right conception of the
+principle which I wish to inculcate, and he has shown it in his picture of
+the Last Supper. But it is necessary to distinguish what parts of the
+picture deserve consideration. It is the decision, the appropriate
+character of the apostles to the subject; the significance of expression
+in their several countenances, and the diversity of action in each figure;
+their actions seemingly in perfect unison with their minds, and their
+figures individually in unison with their respective situations; some are
+confused at the words spoken by our Saviour: "There is one amongst you who
+shall betray me;" others are thrown under impressions of a different
+feeling. In this respect the picture has left us without an appeal,
+either to nature or to art. But Da Vinci failed in the head of our
+Saviour. He has failed in his attempt to combine the almost incompatible
+qualities of dignity and meekness which are demanded in the countenance of
+the Saviour. He had exhausted his powers of characteristic discrimination
+in the heads of the apostles; and in his attempt to give meekness to the
+countenance of Jesus, he sank into insipience. He had the prudence,
+therefore, to leave the face unfinished, that the imagination of the
+beholder might not be disappointed by an imperfect image, but form one in
+his mind more appropriate to his feelings and to the subject. The ruin of
+this picture, the report of which I understand is true, has deprived the
+world and the arts of one of the mental eyes of painting. But pleasing as
+the works of Leonardo da Vinci are in general, had he not produced this
+picture of the Last Supper, and the cartoon of the equestrian combatants
+for the standard of victory, he would scarcely have emerged, as a painter
+of strong character, above mediocrity. Indeed the back-ground, and general
+distribution of this picture, sufficiently mark their Gothic origin. But
+his pictures, generally speaking, are more characterised by their
+laborious finishing, gentleness, and sweetness of character, than by the
+energies of a lively imagination.</p>
+
+<p>"Fra. Bartolomeo di St. Marco, of Florence, was one of the first who
+became enamoured of that superiority which grandeur and decision of
+character gives to art; and, indeed, of all those higher excellences which
+the philosophical mind of Da Vinci had accomplished. In the pictures of
+Bartolomeo we behold, for the first time, that breadth of the
+clair-obscure--the deep tones of colour, with their philosophical
+arrangement, united to that noble folding of drapery appropriate to, and
+significant of, every character it covered; a point of excellence in this
+master, from which Raphael caught his first conception of that noble
+simplicity which distinguishes the dignity of his draperies, and which it
+became his pride through life to imitate.</p>
+
+<p>"Bartolomeo, in his figure of St. Mark, has convinced us how important and
+indispensable is the union of mental conception with truth of
+observation, in order to give a decided and appropriate character to an
+Evangelist of the Gospel. None of the pictures of this artist possess the
+excellence of his St. Mark except one, which is in the city of Lucca, the
+capital of the republic of that name; and, as that picture is but little
+known to travellers, and almost unknown to many artists who have visited
+Italy, a description of it may not be unacceptable.</p>
+
+<p>"The picture is on pannel, and its dimensions somewhat about twenty feet
+in height by fourteen in width. The subject is the Assumption of the
+Virgin Mary. The composition is divided into three groups; the Apostles
+and the sepulchre form the centre group, from the midst of which the
+Virgin ascends; her body-drapery is of a deep ruby colour, which is the
+only decided red in the picture, and her mantle blue, but in depth of tone
+approaching to black, and extended by angels to nearly each side of the
+picture. This mantle is relieved by a light, in tone resembling that of
+the break of day, seen over the summit of a dark mountain, which gives an
+awful grandeur to the effect of the picture on entering the chapel, in
+which it is placed over the altar. That awful light of the morning is
+contrasted with the golden effulgence above; in the midst of which, our
+Saviour is seen with extended arms, to receive and welcome his mother.</p>
+
+<p>"From the sepulchre, and the Apostles in the centre, to the fore-ground,
+the third group of figures partly lies in shade, occasioned by the
+over-shadowing of the Virgin's deep-toned mantle extended by angels. On
+the other part of the group, on the side where the light enters, the
+figures are seen in the broad blaze of day; and amongst them is the
+portrait of the artist.</p>
+
+<p>"When I first saw this picture, my sensations were in unison with its
+awful character; and I confess that I was touched with the same kind of
+sensibility as when I heard the inexpressibly harmonious blendings of
+vocal sounds in the solemn notes of <i>Non nobis Domine</i>. I never felt more
+forcibly the dignity of music and the dignity of painting, than from
+these two compositions of art.</p>
+
+<p>"When we consider the combination of excellence requisite to produce the
+sublime in painting; the union of propriety with dignity of character; the
+graceful grouping; the noble folding of drapery, and the deep sombrous
+tones of the clair-obscure, with appropriate colours harmoniously blending
+into one whole;--if there is a picture entitled to the appellation of
+<i>sublime</i>, from the union of all these excellences, It is that which I
+have described: considered in all its parts, it is, perhaps, superior to
+any work in painting, which has fallen under my observation.</p>
+
+<p>"When these powerful essays in art by Da Vinci, Bartolomeo di St. Marco,
+and Michael Angelo became celebrated, Raphael, having attained his adult
+age, made his appearance at Florence; where the influence of the works of
+those three great artists pervaded all the avenues to excellence in art.</p>
+
+<p>"The gentle sensibility of Raphael's mind was like the softened wax
+which makes more visible and distinct the form of the engraving with
+which it is touched. Blest by Nature with this endowment, he became like
+the heir to the treasured wealth of many families. Enriched by the
+accumulated experience which was then in Florence, united to the early
+tuition of delineating from nature under Pietro Perugino, and the
+subsequent discoveries of the Grecian relics, Raphael's mind became
+stored with all that was excellent; and he possessed a practised hand, to
+make his conceptions visible on his tablets. Possessing these powers, he
+was invited to Rome, and began his picture of <i>The Dispute on the
+Sacrament</i>. This picture he finished, together with <i>The School of
+Athens</i>, before he had attained his twenty-eighth year. At Rome he found
+himself amidst the splendour of a refined court, and in the focus of
+human endowment. He became sensible of the rare advantages of his
+situation; he had industry and ardour to combine and to embrace them all;
+and the effect is visible in his works. The theological arrangement of
+the disputants on the Sacrament, and the scholastic controversies at
+Athens, convince us of this truth. In the upper part of the Dispute on
+the Sacrament, something may be observed of that taste of Bartolomeo in
+drapery, and of the dryness and hardness of his first master Pietro
+Perugino; but in the parts which make the aggregate of that work, he has
+blended the result of his own observations. In his School of Athens, this
+is still more strikingly the case; and in his Heliodorus we see
+additional dignity and an enlargement of style.</p>
+
+<p>"At this period of his life, such was the desire of his society by the
+great, and such the ambition of standing forward amongst his patrons by
+all who were eminent for rank and taste, that he was seduced into courtly
+habits, and relaxed from that studious industry, with which he had
+formerly laboured; and there are evident marks in many of his works in the
+Vatican, of a decline of excellence, and that he was suffering pleasure
+and indolence to rob him of his fame. Sensible of this decline in his
+compositions, the powers of his mind re-assumed their energies; and that
+re-animation stands marked in his unrivalled compositions of the Cartoons
+which are in this country, and in the picture of the Transfiguration.</p>
+
+<p>"The transcendant excellence in composition, and in appropriate
+character to subject, in the cartoon of Paul preaching at Athens, has
+left us to desire or expect nothing farther to be done in telling this
+incident of history.</p>
+
+<p>"In the composition of the death of Ananias, and in the single figure of
+Elymas the sorcerer struck blind, we have the same example of excellence.
+We have indeed in many of the characters and groups in the cartoons, the
+various modes of reasoning, speaking, and feeling; but so blended with
+nature and truth, and so precise and determined in character, that
+criticism has nothing wherewith in that respect to ask for amendment.</p>
+
+<p>"Had the life of this illustrious painter, which closed on his birth-day
+in his thirty-seventh year, been prolonged to the period of that of
+Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, or Titian, when in the space of
+seventeen years at Rome he has given the world more unrivalled works of
+art, than has fallen to the lot of any other painter, what an additional
+excellence might we not have expected in his works for subsequent
+generations to admire.</p>
+
+<p>"The next distinguished artist who comes under our consideration is
+Titian. The grandeur which Michael Angelo gave to the human figure, Titian
+has rivalled in colour, and both were dignified during their lives with
+the appellation of The Divine.</p>
+
+<p>"I will pass over the many appropriate portraits which he painted of men,
+and the portraits of women, though not the most distinguished for beauty,
+in the character of Venus, to meet the fashion of the age in which he
+lived; and notice only those works of mental power, which have raised him
+to eminence in the class of refined artists. On this point, you will find
+that his picture of St. Peter Martyr will justify the claim he has to
+that rank.</p>
+
+<p>"St. Peter the Martyr was the head of a religious sect: when on his way
+from the confines of Germany to Milan with a companion, he was attacked by
+one in opposition to his religious principles while passing through a
+wood, and murdered. This is the subject of the picture. The prostrate
+figure of the Saint, just fallen by a blow from the assassin, raises one
+of his hands towards heaven, with a countenance of confidence in eternal
+reward for the firmness of his faith; while the assassin grasps with his
+left hand the mantle of his victim, the better to enable him, by his
+uplifted sword in the other hand, to give the fatal blow to the fallen
+saint. The companion is flying off in frantic dismay, and has received a
+wound in the head from the assassin.</p>
+
+<p>"The ferocious and determined action of the murderer bestriding the body
+of the fallen saint, completes a group of figures which have not a rival
+in art. The majestic trees, as well as the sable and rugged furze, form an
+awful back-ground to this tragical scene, every way appropriate to the
+subject. The heavenly messengers seen in the glory above, bearing the
+palm branches as the emblem of reward for martyrdom, form the second
+light; the first being the sky and cloud, which gives relief to the black
+drapery of the wounded companion; while the rays of light from the
+emanation above, sparkling on the dark branches of the trees as so many
+diamonds, tie together by their light all the others from the top to the
+bottom of the picture. The terror which the act of the murderer has
+spread, is denoted by the speed of the horseman passing into the gloomy
+recesses of a distant part of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>"This picture, taken in the aggregate, is the first work in art in which
+the human figure and landscape are combined as an historical landscape,
+and where all the objects are the full size of nature.</p>
+
+<p>"When I saw this picture at Venice in 1761, it was then in the same state
+of purity as when the Bologna artists saw and studied it; and it is
+recorded that Caracci declared this picture to be without fault. But we
+have to lament the fatal effects which the goddess Bellona has ever
+occasioned to the fine arts when she mounts her iron chariot of
+destruction. When this picture fell under her rapacious power, on board a
+French vessel passing down the Adriatic sea from Venice, one of our
+cruisers chased the vessel into the port of Ancona, and a cannon-shot
+pierced the pannel on which the picture was painted, and shivered a
+portion of it into pieces.</p>
+
+<p>"On its arrival at Paris, the committee of the fine arts found it
+necessary to remove the painting from the pannel, and place it on canvass;
+but the picture has lost the principal light.</p>
+
+<p>"But to sum up Titian's powers of conception, no one has equalled him in
+the propriety and fitness of colour. His pictures of St. Peter Martyr; the
+David and Goliah; and the Last Supper, which is in the Escurial, stand in
+the very highest rank in art. On the latter of these pictures being
+finished, Titian in his letter to the King, announcing the circumstance,
+says that it had been the labour of seven years. But by his original
+sketch in oil colours, which I have the good fortune to possess, and by
+which we may form an estimate, although the general effect and composition
+are unrivalled, the characters of the heads of the apostles are not equal
+to those of Leonardo da Vinci on the same subject.</p>
+
+<p>"Antonio Allegri da Correggio is the sixth source, whose emanating powers
+have illuminated the fine arts in the modern world. A superstitious mind,
+on seeing his works, would suppose that he had received his tuition in
+painting from the angels; as his figures seem to belong to another race of
+being than man, and to have something too celestial for the forms of earth
+to have presented to his view. Such have been the sayings of many on
+seeing his works at Parma, but, to my conception, he painted from the
+nature with which he was surrounded. His pictures of the Note, St.
+Gierolimo, and the St. George, are evident proofs of the observation. In
+the first of these pictures his mental conception shines supreme. It is
+the idea of illuminating the child in the subject of our Saviour's
+nativity. This splendid thought of giving light to the infant Christ,
+whose divine mission was to illuminate the human mind from Pagan darkness,
+no painter has since been so bold as to omit in any composition on the
+same subject. The two latter pictures have all the beauties seen in the
+paintings of this master, but they are deficient in appropriate character.</p>
+
+<p>"The inspiring power of Correggio's works illuminated the genius of
+Parmegiano, the energetic movements of whose graceful figures have never
+been equalled, nor are they deficient in the moral influence of the art.
+His Moses breaking the tables in a church at Parma, and his picture of the
+vision of St. Gierolimo, now in England, are filled with the impress of
+his intellectual powers, and stand pre-eminent over all his works.</p>
+
+<p>"I have thus taken a survey of the works of art, which stand supreme among
+the productions of Grecian and Italian genius, and which are the sources
+from which the subsequent schools have derived most of the principles of
+their celebrity.</p>
+
+<p>"The papal vortex drew into it nearly all the various powers of human
+refinement, and the inspiring influence of the first school in art having
+centered in Rome gave it superiority, till the Constable Bourbon, by
+sacking that city, obliged the fine arts to fly from their place, like
+doves from the vultures: they never re-appeared at Rome but with
+secondary power.</p>
+
+<p>"About a century subsequent to their flight from Rome they were
+re-animated, and formed the second school of art in Italy at the city of
+Bologna under the Carracci, at the head of which was Ludovico. He and his
+two relatives, Hanibal and Augustin Carracci, derived their principles
+from the Venetian School, from Titian, Paul Veronese, and Tintoret, and
+from the Lombard School of Correggio and Parmegiano. But the good sense of
+Ludovico raised by them and himself a school of their own, which excelled
+in the power of delineating the human figure, but which power gave to that
+school more academical taste than mental character.</p>
+
+<p>"Their great work was that in the convent of St. Michael in Boresco, near
+Bologna; but this work has perished by damp, and the only remains on
+record of what it was, are in the coarse prints which were done from
+copies executed when it was in good condition. But grand as it must have
+been according to the evidence of these prints, it was but an academical
+composition.</p>
+
+<p>"The picture by Ludovico, however, of our Saviour's Transfiguration on the
+Mount, consisting of six figures double the size of life, has embraced
+nearly all the points of art, and has placed the artist high in the first
+class of painters.</p>
+
+<p>"The masters of the Bolognese school going to Rome and other parts of
+Italy, their successors at Bologna contented themselves by retailing the
+several manners of the three Carracci--Guido, Domenichino and Guercino.
+This system of retailing continued to descend from master to pupil, until
+the school of Bologna sunk into irrecoverable imbecility.</p>
+
+<p>"The most esteemed work in painting by Augustine Carracci is the Communion
+of St. Jerom. It possesses grandeur of style, is bold in execution, and
+the faces are not deficient in the appropriate expression of sensibility
+towards the object before them. It was on the composition of this picture,
+that Domenichino formed his on the same subject, so much celebrated as to
+be considered next in merit to Raphael's Transfiguration. But fine as it
+is admitted to be, we must say, as a borrowed idea, it lessens the merit
+of the artist's originality of mind.</p>
+
+<p>"The finest picture by Guido is in a church at Genoa, where he has brought
+to a focus all the force of his powers in grace and beauty, with an
+expression and execution of pencil rarely to be met with in art. The
+subject is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The angels, who surround the
+Virgin, have something in their faces so celestial, that they seem as if
+they had really descended from Heaven, and sat to the artist while he
+painted them. The Virgin herself seems to have had the same complacency.
+The characters of the Apostles' heads are so exquisitely drawn and
+painted, as to be without competition in the works of any other painter.</p>
+
+<p>"The most esteemed picture by Guercino is is that of Santa Petranella,
+which he painted for St. Peter's Church, at Rome.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Gentlemen, if you aspire to excellence in your profession, you must
+not rest your future studies on the excellence of any individual, however
+exalted his name or genius; but, like the industrious bee, survey the
+whole face of nature, and sip the sweets from every flower. When thus
+enriched, lay up your acquisitions for future use; and with that
+enrichment from Nature's inexhaustible source, examine the great works of
+art to animate your feelings, and to excite your emulation. When you are
+thus mentally enriched, and your hand practised to obey the powers of
+your will, you will then find your pencils, or your chisels, as magic
+wands, calling into view creations of your own, to adorn your name and
+your country.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot, however, close this Discourse, without acknowledging a debt due
+from this Academy, as well as that which is due to the Academy itself.
+Soon after His present Majesty had ascended the throne, his benign regard
+for the prosperity of the fine arts in these realms was manifested by his
+gracious commands to establish this favoured Institution.</p>
+
+<p>"The heart of every artist, and of the friend of art, glowed with mutual
+congratulation to see a British King, for the first time, at the head of
+the fine arts. His Majesty nominated forty members guardians to his infant
+academy; and that they have been faithful to the trust which he graciously
+reposed in them, the several apartments under this roof sufficiently
+testify. The professors are highly endowed with accomplishments and
+scientific knowledge in the several branches to which they are
+respectively appointed; and the funds able to render relief to the
+indigent and decayed artists, their widows and children.</p>
+
+<p>"Who can reflect for a moment on the rare advantages here held out for
+the instruction of youthful genius, and the aid given to the decayed,
+their widows and helpless offspring, without feeling the grateful emotions
+of the heart rise towards a patriot King, for giving to the arts this home
+within the walls of a stately mansion, and towards the members of this
+Academy, who, as his faithful guardians, have so ably fulfilled the
+purposes for which the Institution was formed.</p>
+
+<p>"United to what the Academicians have done, and are doing, another
+honourable establishment, sanctioned by His Majesty for promoting the fine
+arts, has been created and composed of noblemen and gentlemen whose known
+zeal for the success of refined art is so conspicuous and honourable to
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Such have been the efforts to give splendour to the fine arts in this
+country, and such are the results which have attended these exertions;
+that knowing, as we do, the movements of the arts on the Continent, I may
+confidently say, that our annual exhibitions, both as to number and
+taste, engrafted on nature and the fruit of mental conception, are such
+that all the combined efforts in art on the continent of Europe in the
+same time have not been able to equal. To such attainments, were those in
+power but to bestow the crumbs from the national table to cherish the fine
+arts, we might pledge ourselves, that the genius of Britain would, in a
+few years, dispute the prize with the proudest periods of Grecian or
+Italian art. But, Gentlemen, let us not despair; we have heard from this
+place, the promise of patronage from the Prince Regent, the propitious
+light of a morning that will open into perfect day, invigorating the
+growth of all around--the assurance of a new era to the elevation of the
+fine arts, in the United Kingdom."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-13"></a>Chap. XIII.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Mr. West's Visit to Paris.--His distinguished Reception by the Members
+    of the French Government.--Anecdote of Mr. Fox.--Origin of the
+    British Institution.--Anecdotes of Mr. Fox and Mr.
+    Percival.--Anecdote of the King.--History of the Picture of Christ
+    Healing the Sick.--Extraordinary Success attending the Exhibition of
+    the Copy in America.</blockquote>
+
+<p>During the Peace of Amiens, Mr. West, like every other person who
+entertained any feeling of admiration for the fine arts, was desirous of
+seeing that magnificent assemblage of paintings and sculptures, which
+constituted the glory and the shame of Buonaparte's administration. He
+accordingly furnished himself with letters from Lord Hawkesbury, then
+Secretary of State, to Mr. Merry, the British representative at the
+consular court; and also with introductions from Monsieur Otto, the French
+minister in London, to the most distinguished members of his government.</p>
+
+<p>On delivering Lord Hawkesbury's letters to Mr. Merry, that gentleman
+informed him that one of the French ministers had, the preceding evening,
+mentioned that Monsieur Otto had written in such terms respecting him,
+that he and his colleagues were resolved to pay him every mark of the most
+distinguished attention. Mr. Merry, therefore, advised Mr. West to call on
+the several ministers himself with the letters, and leave them with his
+card. As the object for which the Artist had procured these introductions
+was only to obtain, with more facility, access to the different galleries,
+he was rather embarrassed by this information; and would have declined
+delivering the letters altogether; but Mr. Merry said, that, as his
+arrival in Paris was already known to the government, he could not with
+any propriety avoid paying his respects to the ministers.</p>
+
+<p>After delivering his letters and card accordingly, the hotel where he
+resided was, in the course of the week, visited by all the most
+distinguished of the French statesmen; and he had the honour of being
+invited to dine with them successively. At these parties, the
+conversation turned very much on the importance of the arts to all nations
+aspiring to fame and eminence; and he very soon perceived, that the vast
+collection of trophies which adorned the Louvre, had not been formed so
+much for ostentatious exhibition, as with a view to furnish models of
+study for artists; constituting, in fact, but the elementary part of a
+grand system of national decoration designed by Buonaparte, and by which
+he expected to leave such memorials to posterity as would convince the
+world that his magnificence was worthy of his military achievements.</p>
+
+<p>It happened at this particular period, that the galleries of the Louvre
+were closed to the public for some time, but a deputation from the Central
+Administration of the Arts, under whose care the collections were
+particularly placed, waited on Mr. West, and informed him, that orders
+were given to admit him and his friends at all times. Denon was at the
+head of this deputation; and in the course of the conversation which then
+took place, that accomplished enthusiast explained to Mr. West more
+circumstantially the extensive views entertained by the French government
+with respect to the arts, mentioning several of the superb schemes which
+were formed by the First Consul for the decoration of the capital.</p>
+
+<p>This information made a very deep impression on the mind of Mr. West, and
+he felt extremely sorrowful when he reflected, that hitherto the British
+government had done nothing decidedly with a view to promote the
+cultivation of those arts, which may justly be said to constitute the
+olive wreath on the brows of every great nation. Mr. Fox and Sir Francis
+Baring, who were at this same time in Paris, happened soon after the
+departure of Monsieur Denon to call, and they went with Mr. West to the
+Louvre, where, as they were walking in the gallery, he explained to them
+what he had heard. An interesting discussion took place in consequence;
+and Mr. West endeavoured to explain in what manner he considered the
+cultivation of the fine arts of the utmost importance even in a commercial
+point of view to England.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fox paid great attention to what he said, and observed, in a tone of
+regret, "I have been rocked in the cradle of politics from my infancy, and
+never before was so much struck with the advantage, even in a political
+bearing, of the fine arts to the prosperity, as well as the renown, of a
+kingdom; and I do assure you, Mr. West, that if ever I have it in my power
+to influence our government to promote the arts, the conversation that we
+have had to-day shall not be forgotten." Sir Francis Baring also concurred
+in opinion, that it was really become an imperious duty, on the part of
+the British nation, to do something for a class of art that, undoubtedly,
+tended to improve the beauty, and multiply the variety of manufactures,
+independent of all monumental considerations.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. West had returned home, the subject was renewed with Sir Francis
+Baring; and he endeavoured to set on foot the formation of a society,
+which should have the encouragement of the line arts for its object, and
+thought that government might be induced to give it pecuniary assistance.
+Sir Thomas Barnard took up the idea with great zeal; and several meetings
+took place at Mr. West's house, at which Mr. Charles Long and Sir Abraham
+Hume were present, which terminated in the formation of that association
+that now constitutes the British Institution, in Pall Mall. Mr. Long
+undertook to confer with Mr. Pitt, who was then again in power, on the
+subject, and the proposal was received by him with much apparent
+sincerity. But a disastrous series of public events about the same time
+commenced: the attention of the Minister was absorbed in the immediate
+peril of the state; and he fell a victim to his anxieties, without having
+had it in his power to further the objects of the association.</p>
+
+<p>At the death of his great rival, Mr. Fox came into office; and he soon
+after called on Mr. West, and, reminding him of the conversation in the
+gallery of the Louvre, said, "It is my earnest intention, as soon as I am
+firmly seated on the saddle, to redeem the promise that I then made." But
+he also was frustrated in his intentions, and fell a sacrifice to disease,
+without being able to take any step in the business. In the mean time,
+the Shaksperian Gallery was offered for sale; and the gentlemen interested
+in this project raised a sum of money, by subscription, and purchased that
+building with the intention of making it the approach to a proposed
+national gallery.</p>
+
+<p>From Mr. Percival the scheme met with a far different reception. He
+listened to the representations which Mr. West made to him with a
+repressive coldness, it might almost be said with indifference, had it not
+been marked with a decided feeling; for he seemed to consider the whole
+objects of the British Institution, and the reasons adduced in support of
+the claims which the interests of the arts had on government, as the
+visionary purposes of vain enthusiasts. It was not within the small
+compass of that respectable individual's capacity to consider any generous
+maxim as founded in what <i>he</i> deemed wisdom, or to comprehend, that the
+welfare of nations could be promoted by any other means than precedents of
+office, decisions of courts, and Acts of Parliament. An incident,
+however, occurred, which induced him to change his opinion of the utility
+of the fine arts.</p>
+
+<p>At the anniversary dinner, in 1812, before the opening of the Academy, he
+was present, with other public characters. On the right hand of the
+President was seated the Lord Chancellor Eldon, on his left Lord
+Liverpool, and on the right of the Chancellor Mr. Percival. A conversation
+took place, naturally inspired by the circumstances of the meeting, in
+which Mr. West recapitulated what he had formerly so often urged; and Mr.
+Percival, perceiving the impression which his observations made on those
+to whom they were particularly addressed, requested him to put his ideas
+on the subject in writing, and he would lay it before the Prince Regent.
+This took place on Saturday; on Wednesday Mr. West delivered his memorial;
+on the Friday following Mr. Percival was assassinated; and since that time
+nothing farther has been done in the business.</p>
+
+<p>It is perhaps necessary to notice here, that when it was first proposed to
+the King to sanction the establishment of the British Institution with
+his patronage, he made some objection, conceiving that it was likely to
+interfere with the Royal Academy, which he justly considered with the
+partiality of a parent. But on Mr. West explaining to him that the two
+institutions were very different in their objects, the Academy being
+formed for the instruction of pupils, and the other for the encouragement
+of artists arrived at maturity in their profession, His Majesty readily
+consented to receive the deputation of the association appointed to wait
+on him in form to solicit his patronage. Except, however, the honour of
+the King's name, the British Institution, formed expressly for the
+improvement of the public taste with a view to the encouragement of the
+arts, has received neither aid nor countenance as yet from the state.</p>
+
+<p>Before concluding this summary account of the origin and establishment of
+the British Institution, it may be expected of me to take some notice of
+the circumstances connected with the purchase and exhibition of Mr. West's
+picture of Christ Healing the Sick in the Temple; an event which formed
+an era in the history of the arts in Britain, and contributed in no small
+degree to promote the interests of the Institution. Perhaps the exhibition
+of no work of art ever attracted so much attention, or was attended with
+so much pecuniary advantage to the proprietors; independent of which, the
+history of the picture is itself interesting.</p>
+
+<p>Some years before, a number of gentlemen, of the society of Quakers in
+Philadelphia, set on foot a subscription for the purpose of erecting an
+hospital for the sick poor in that city. Among others to whom they applied
+for contributions in this country, they addressed themselves to Mr. West.
+He informed them, however, that his circumstances did not permit him to
+give so liberal a sum as he could wish, but that if they would provide a
+proper place in the building, he would paint a picture for it as his
+subscription, which perhaps would prove of more advantage than all the
+money he could afford to bestow, and with this intention he began the
+<i>Christ Healing the Sick</i>. While the work was going forward, it attracted
+a great deal of notice in his rooms, and finally had the effect of
+inducing the association of the British Institution to make him an offer
+of three thousand guineas for the picture. Mr. West accepted the offer,
+but on condition that he should be at liberty to make a copy for the
+hospital at Philadelphia, and to introduce into the copy such alterations
+and improvements as he might think fit. This copy he also executed, and
+the success which attended the exhibition of it in America was so
+extraordinary, that the proceeds have enabled the committee of the
+hospital to enlarge the building for the reception of no less than thirty
+additional patients.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1><a name="2-14"></a>Chap. XIV.</h1>
+
+
+
+   <blockquote> Reflections.--Offer of Knighthood.--Mr. Wyatt chosen President of the
+    Academy.--Restoration of Mr. West to the Chair.--Proceedings
+    respecting the Pictures for Windsor Castle.--Mr. West's Letter to the
+    King.--Orders to proceed with the Pictures.--The King's Illness.--Mr.
+    West's Allowance cut off,--and the Pictures countermanded.--Death of
+    Mrs. West.--Death of the Artist.</blockquote>
+
+<p>Hitherto it has been my pleasant task to record the series of prosperous
+incidents by which Mr. West was raised to the highest honours of his
+profession; and had he survived the publication of this volume, I should
+have closed the narrative with the last chapter. But his death, which
+took place after the proof was sent to me for his inspection, has
+removed an obligation which I had promised to respect during his life,
+while it was understood between us that the circumstances to which it
+related were to be carefully preserved for a posthumous publication. The
+topics are painful, and calculated to afford a far different view of
+human nature from that which I have ever desired to contemplate: I do
+not allude to those things, connected with political matters, in which
+Mr. West was only by accident a witness, but of transactions which
+personally affected himself.</p>
+
+<p>During the time that he was engaged in the series of great pictures for
+Windsor Castle, he enjoyed, as I have already mentioned, an easy and
+confidential intercourse with the King, and I ought, perhaps, to have
+stated earlier, that when he was chosen President of the Royal Academy,
+the late Duke of Gloucester called on him, and mentioned that His Majesty
+was desirous to know if the honour of knighthood would be acceptable. Mr.
+West immediately replied, that no man had a greater respect for political
+honours and distinctions than himself, but that he really thought he had
+already earned by his pencil more eminence than could be conferred on him
+by that rank. "The chief value," said he, "of titles are, that they serve
+to preserve in families a respect for those principles by which such
+distinctions were originally obtained. But simple knighthood, to a man who
+is at least already as well known as he could ever hope to be from that
+honour, is not a legitimate object of ambition. To myself, then, Your
+Royal Highness must perceive the title could add no dignity, and as it
+would perish with myself, it could add none to my family. But were I
+possessed of a fortune, independent of my profession, sufficient to enable
+my posterity to maintain the rank, I think that with my hereditary
+descent, and the station I occupy among artists, a more permanent title
+than that of knighthood might become a desirable object. As it is,
+however, that cannot be, and I have been thus explicit with Your Royal
+Highness that no misconception may exist on the subject." The Duke was not
+only pleased with the answer, but took Mr. West cordially by both the
+hands, and said, "You have justified the opinion which the King has of
+you, and His Majesty will be delighted with your answer;" and when Mr.
+West next saw the King his reception was unusually warm and friendly.</p>
+
+<p>But notwithstanding all these enviable circumstances, Mr. West was doomed
+to share some of the consequences which naturally attach to all persons
+in immediate connection with the great. After his return from Paris, it
+was alleged, that the honourable reception which he allowed himself to
+receive from the French statesmen had offended the King. The result of
+this was the temporary elevation of the late Mr. Wyatt to the President's
+chair, merely, as I think, because that gentleman was then the royal
+architect; for it would be difficult to point out the merits which, as an
+artist, entitled him to that honour. But the election, so far from giving
+satisfaction in the quarter where it was expected to be the most
+acceptable, only excited displeasure; and Mr. West was, in due time,
+restored to his proper seat in the Academy.</p>
+
+<p>This, as a public affair, attracted a good deal of notice at the time; but
+it was, in its effects, of far less consequence to Mr. West than a private
+occurrence, originating in circumstances that tend to throw a light on
+some of the proceedings that were deemed expedient to be adopted during
+the occasional eclipses of the King's understanding.</p>
+
+<p>For upwards of twenty years Mr. West had received all his orders from the
+King in person: the prices of the pictures which he painted were adjusted
+with His Majesty; and the whole embellishment of Windsor Castle, in what
+related to the scriptural and historical pictures, was concerted between
+them, without the interference of any third party. But, in the summer of
+1801, when the Court was at Weymouth, Mr, Wyatt called on Mr. West, and
+said, that he was requested by authority to inform him, that the pictures
+painting for His Majesty's chapel at Windsor should be suspended till
+further orders.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West was much surprised at this communication: but, upon interrogating
+Mr. Wyatt as to his authority, he found that it was not from the King; and
+he afterwards discovered that the orders were given at Weymouth by the
+Queen, the late Earl of Roslyn being present. What was the state of His
+Majesty's health at that time is now a matter of historical curiosity; but
+this extraordinary proceeding deserves particular notice. It rendered the
+studies of the best part of the Artist's life useless, and deprived him
+of that honourable provision, the fruit of his talents and industry, on
+which he had counted for the repose of his declining years. For some time
+it affected him deeply, and he was at a loss what steps to take; at last,
+however, in reflecting on the marked friendship and favour which the King
+had always shown him, he addressed to His Majesty a letter, of which the
+following is a copy of the rough draft, being the only one preserved: I
+give it verbatim:--</p>
+
+<p>"<i>The following is the Substance of a Letter I had the honour of writing
+to His Majesty, taken at Weymouth, by the conveyance of Mr. James Wyatt.</i></p>
+
+<p>"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious Sire, Newman St. Sept. 26. 1801.</p>
+
+<p>"On the fifteenth of last month Mr. Wyatt signified to me Your Majesty's
+pleasure,--'That the pictures by me now painting for His Majesty's chapel
+at Windsor, should be suspended until further orders.' I feel it a duty I
+owe to that communication, to lay before Your Majesty, by the return of
+Mr. Wyatt to Weymouth, a statement of those pictures which I have painted
+to add to those for the chapel, mentioned in the account I had the honour
+to transmit to Your Majesty in 1797 by the hands of Mr. Gabriel Mathias.
+Since that period I have finished three pictures, began several others,
+and composed the remainder of the subjects for the chapel, on the progress
+of Revealed Religion, from its commencement to its completion; and the
+whole arranged with that circumspection from the Four Dispensations, into
+five-and-thirty compositions, that the most scrupulous amongst the various
+religious sects in this country, about admitting pictures into churches,
+must acknowledge them as truths, or the Scriptures fabulous. Those are
+subjects so replete with dignity, character, and expression, as demanded
+the historian, the commentator, and the accomplished painter, to bring
+them into view. Your Majesty's gracious complacency and commands for my
+pencil on that extensive subject stimulated my humble abilities, and I
+commenced the work with zeal and enthusiasm. Animated by your commands,
+gracious Sire, I renewed my professional studies, and burnt my midnight
+lamp to attain and give that polish at the close of Your Majesty's chapel,
+which has since marked my subsequent scriptural pictures. Your Majesty's
+known zeal for promoting religion, and the elegant arts, had enrolled your
+virtues with all the civilized world; and your gracious protection of my
+pencil had given to it a celebrity throughout Europe, and spread a
+knowledge of the great work on Revealed Religion, which my pencil was
+engaged on, under Your Majesty's patronage: it is that work which all
+Christendom looks with a complacency for its completion.</p>
+
+<p>"Being distinguished by Your Majesty's benignity at an early period as a
+painter, and chosen by those professors highly endowed in the three
+branches of the fine arts to fill their highest station, and sanctioned by
+Your Majesty's signature in their choice;--in that station, I have been,
+for more than ten years, zealous in promoting merit in those three
+branches of art, which constitutes the views of Your Majesty's
+establishment for cultivating their growth. The ingenious artists have
+received my professional aid, and my galleries and my purse have been open
+to their studies and their distresses. The breath of envy, nor the whisper
+of detraction, never defiled my lips, nor the want of morality my
+character, and, through life, a strict adherer to truth; a zealous admirer
+of Your Majesty's virtues and goodness of heart, the exalted virtues of
+Her Majesty the Queen, and the high accomplishments of others of Your
+Majesty's illustrious family, have been the theme of my delight; and their
+gracious complacency my greatest pleasure and consolation for many years,
+with which I was honoured by many instances of friendly notice, and their
+warm attachment to the fine arts.</p>
+
+<p>"With these feelings of high sensibility, with which my breast has ever
+been inspired, I feel with great concern the suspension given by Mr. Wyatt
+to the work on Revealed Religion, my pencil had advanced to adorn
+Windsor-Castle. If, gracious Sire, this suspension is meant to be
+permanent, myself and the fine arts have to lament. For to me it will be
+ruinous, and, to the energetic artist, in the highest branches of his
+professional pursuits--a damp in the hope of more exalted minds, of
+patronage in the refined departments in painting. But I have this in
+store, for the grateful feeling of my heart, that, in the thirty-five
+years by which my pencil has been honoured by Your Majesty's commands, a
+great body of historical and scriptural compositions will be found in Your
+Majesty's possession, in the churches, and in the country. Their
+professional claims may be humble, but they have been produced by a loyal
+subject of Your Majesty, which may give them some claim to respect,
+similar works not having been attained before in this country by a
+subject; and this I will assert as my claim, that Your Majesty did not
+bestow your patronage and commands on an ungrateful and a lazy man, but on
+him who had a high sense of Your Majesty's honours and Your Majesty's
+interests in all cases, as a loyal and dutiful subject, as well as
+servant, to Your Majesty's gracious commands; and I humbly beg Your
+Majesty to be assured that</p>
+
+<p>"I am,<br />
+"With profound duty,<br />
+"Your Majesty's grateful<br />
+"BENJAMIN WEST."</p>
+
+<p>To this letter Mr. West received no answer; but on the return of the Court
+to Windsor, he went to the Castle, and obtained a private audience of the
+King on the subject, by which it appeared that His Majesty was not at all
+acquainted with the communication of which Mr. Wyatt was the bearer, nor
+had he received Mr. West's letter. However, the result of the interview
+was, that the King said, "Go on with your work, West: go on with the
+pictures, and I will take care of you."</p>
+
+<p>This was the last interview that Mr. West was permitted to enjoy with his
+early, constant, and to him truly royal patron; but he continued to
+execute the pictures, and in the usual quarterly payments received the
+thousand pounds <i>per ann.</i>. till His Majesty's final superannuation,
+when, without any intimation whatever, on calling to receive it, he was
+informed that it had been stopped, and that the intended design of the
+chapel of Revealed Religion was suspended.</p>
+
+<p>This was a severe stroke of misfortune to the Artist, now far advanced in
+life, but he submitted to it with resignation. He took no measures, nor
+employed any influence, either to procure the renewal of the quarterly
+allowance, or the payment of the balance of his account. But being thus
+cast off from his best anchor in his old age, he still possessed firmness
+of mind to think calmly of his situation. He considered that a taste for
+the fine arts had been greatly diffused by means of the exhibitions of the
+Royal Academy, and the eclat which the French had given to pictures and
+statues by making them objects of national conquest; and having thus lost
+the patronage of the King, he determined to appeal to the public. With
+this view he resolved to paint several large pictures; and in the
+prosecution of this determination, he has been amply indemnified for the
+effects of that poor economy that frustrated the nation from obtaining an
+honourable monument of the taste of the age, and the liberality of a
+popular king.</p>
+
+<p>Without imputing motives to any party concerned, or indeed without being
+at all acquainted with the circumstances that gave rise to it, I should
+mention that a paper was circulated among the higher classes of society,
+in which an account was stated of the amount of the money paid by His
+Majesty, in the course of more than thirty years, to Mr. West. In that
+paper the interval of time was not at all considered, nor the expense of
+living, nor the exclusive preference which Mr. West had given to His
+Majesty's orders, but the total sum;--which, shown by itself, and taken
+into view without any of these explanatory circumstances, was very
+large, and calculated to show that Mr. West might really indeed <i>do</i>
+without the thousand pounds a-year. In order, however, to place this
+proceeding in its true light, I have inserted in the Appendix an account
+of the works executed and designed by Mr. West for the King, and the
+prices allowed for them as charged in the audited account, of which the
+King himself had approved.</p>
+
+<p>Independent of the relation which this paper bears to the subject of these
+memoirs, it is a curious document, and will be interesting as such, as
+long as the history of the progress of the arts in this country excites
+the attention of posterity.</p>
+
+<p>I have now but little to add to these memoirs. But they would be deficient
+in an important event, were I to omit noticing the death of Mrs. West,
+which took place on the 6th of December, 1817. The malady with which she
+had been afflicted for several years smoothed the way for her relief from
+suffering, and softened the pang of sorrow for her loss. She was in many
+respects a woman of an elevated character; and her death, after a union of
+more than half a century, was to her husband one of those irreparable
+changes in life, for which no equivalent can ever be obtained.</p>
+
+<p>The last illness of Mr. West himself was slow and languishing. It was
+rather a general decay of nature, than any specific malady; and he
+continued to enjoy his mental faculties in perfect distinctness upon all
+subjects as long as the powers of articulation could be exercised. To his
+merits as an artist and a man I may be deemed partial, nor do I wish to be
+thought otherwise. I have enjoyed his frankest confidence for many years,
+and received from his conversation the advantages of a more valuable
+species of instruction, relative to the arts, than books alone can supply
+to one who is not an artist. While I therefore admit that the partiality
+of friendship may tincture my opinion of his character, I am yet confident
+that the general truth of the estimate will be admitted by all who knew
+the man, or are capable to appreciate the merits of his works.</p>
+
+<p>In his deportment, Mr. West was mild and considerate: his eye was keen,
+and his mind apt; but he was slow and methodical in his reflections, and
+the sedateness of his remarks must often in his younger years have seemed
+to strangers singularly at variance with the vivacity of his look. That
+vivacity, however, was not the result of any peculiar animation of
+temperament; it was rather the illumination of his genius; for when his
+features were studiously considered, they appeared to resemble those
+which we find associated with dignity of character in the best
+productions of art.</p>
+
+<p>As an artist, he will stand in the first rank. His name will be classed
+with those of Michael Angelo and Raphael; but he possessed little in
+common with either. As the former has been compared to Homer, and the
+latter to Virgil, in Shakspeare we shall perhaps find the best likeness to
+the genius of Mr. West. He undoubtedly possessed, but in a slight degree,
+that peculiar energy and physical expression of character in which Michael
+Angelo excelled, and in a still less that serene sublimity which
+constitutes the charm of Raphael's great productions. But he was their
+equal in the fulness, the perspicuity, and the propriety of his
+compositions. In all his great works the scene intended to be brought
+before the spectator is represented in such a manner that the imagination
+has nothing to supply. The incident, the time and the place, are there as
+we think they must have been; and it is this wonderful force of conception
+which renders the sketches of Mr. West so much more extraordinary than his
+finished pictures. In the finished pictures we naturally institute
+comparisons in colouring, and in beauty of figure, and in a thousand
+details which are never noticed in the sketches of this illustrious
+artist. But although his powers of conception were so superior,--equal in
+their excellence to Michael Angelo's energy, or Raphael's grandeur,--still
+in the inferior departments of drawing and colouring, he was one of the
+greatest artists of his age; it was not, however, till late in life that
+he executed any of those works in which he thought the splendour of the
+Venetian school might be judiciously imitated.</p>
+
+<p>At one time he intended to collect his works together, and to form a
+general exhibition of them all. Had he accomplished this, the greatness
+and versatility of his talents would have been established beyond all
+controversy; for unquestionably he was one of those great men, whose
+genius cannot be justly estimated by particular works, but only by a
+collective inspection of the variety, the extent, and the number of their
+productions.</p>
+
+<p>On the 10th of March Mr. West expired without a struggle, at his house
+in Newman Street, and on the 29th he was interred with great funeral
+pomp in St. Paul's Cathedral. An account of the ceremony is inserted in
+the Appendix.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Appendix No. I.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p><i>The Account: of Pictures painted by Benjamin West for His Majesty, by his
+Gracious Commands, from 1768 to 1780. A True Copy from Mr. West's Account
+Books, with their several Charges and Dates</i>.</p>
+
+
+<pre>When painted.       SUBJECTS.                     &pound;.   s.
+
+1769.  1. Regulus, his Departure from Rome        420  0
+       2. Hamilcar swearing his Son
+          Hannibal at the Altar                   420  0
+1771   3. Bayard at the moment of his death
+          receiving the Constable Bourbon         315  0
+       4. The Death of Epaminondas                315  0
+       5. The Death of General Wolfe              315  0
+1772.  6. Cyrus receiving the King of
+          Armenia and family prisoners            157 10
+       7. Germanicus receiving Sagastis
+          and his Daughter prisoners              157 10
+       8. The portrait of Her Majesty,
+          the Kit-cat size.
+       9. The portrait of His Majesty,
+          the same size, (companion,)              84  0
+      10. Six of the Royal Children in one
+          picture, size of life                   315  0
+      11. Her Majesty and Princess Royal,
+          in one picture                          157  0
+      12. His R. H. the Prince of Wales
+          and Prince Frederic (Duke of
+          York), in one picture whole
+          length                                  210  0
+      13. A second picture of Ditto, for
+          the Empress of Russia, sent by
+          His Majesty                             210  0
+      14. A whole-length portrait of His
+          Majesty,--Lord Amherst and
+          the Marquis of Lothian in the
+          back-ground.                            262 10
+      15. A whole-length portrait of Her
+          Majesty, with all the Royal
+          Children in the back-ground             262 10
+      16. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          William (Duke of Clarence) and
+          Prince Edward (Duke of Kent),
+          in one picture                          262 10
+1779. 17. Whole-length portraits of Prince
+          Adolphus and his sisters, in one
+          picture                                 262 10</pre>
+
+
+<p>From the year 1769 the whole of the above pictures to 1779 were painted
+and paid for by His Majesty through the hands of Mr. R. Daulton and Mr.
+G. Mathias.</p>
+
+<p>1780. At this period His Majesty was graciously pleased to sanction my
+pencil with his commands for a great work on Revealed Religion, from its
+commencement to its completion, for pictures to embellish his intended New
+Chapel in Windsor Castle. I arranged the several subjects from the four
+Dispensations. His Majesty was pleased to approve the arrangement
+selected, as did several of the Bishops in whose hands he placed them for
+their consideration, and they highly approved the same.</p>
+
+<p>His Majesty then honoured me with his commands, and did at that time, the
+better to enable me to carry it into effect, order his deputy privy-purse,
+Mr. G. Mathias, to pay me one thousand a year by quarterly payments, which
+was regularly paid as commanded; and the following are the subjects which
+I have painted from the Four Dispensations, for the Chapel, of various
+dimensions.</p>
+
+
+<p class="smallcaps">Antideluvian Dispensation.</p>
+
+<pre>When painted.           SUBJECTS.                &pound;. s.
+
+1780.      1. The expulsion of Adam and Eve
+              from Paradise                      535  0
+           2. The Deluge                         525  0
+           3. Noah and his Family sacrificing    525  0</pre>
+
+<p class="smallcaps">Patriarchal Dispensation.</p>
+
+<pre>           4. The Call of Abraham going to
+              sacrifice his son Isaac            600  0
+           5. The Birth of Jacob and Esau        525  0
+           6. Joseph and his brothers in Egypt,
+              composed, not painted.
+           7. The Death of Jacob surrounded
+              by his sons in Egypt, ditto.</pre>
+
+<p class="smallcaps">The Mosaical Dispensation.</p>
+
+<pre>           8. The Call of Moses, his Rod
+              turned into a Serpent before the
+              Burning Bush, composed, but not
+              painted.
+           9. Moses and his brother Aaron
+              before Pharaoh, their Rods turned
+              into Serpents                     1050  0
+          10. Moses destroying Pharaoh said
+              his host in the Red Sea           1050  0
+          11. Moses receiving the Laws on
+              Mount Sinai                       1260  0
+          12. Moses consecrating Aaron and
+              his sons to the priesthood        1050  0
+          13. Moses showing the Brazen Serpent
+              to the infirm to be healed        1050  0
+          14. The Death of Aaron on Mount
+              Hor, composed, but not painted.
+          15. Moses presenting Joshua to
+              Eleazar the priest, and Congregation,
+              as commanded, composed,
+              but not painted.
+          16. Moses sees the Promised Land
+              from the top of Mount Abarim,
+              and Death, a sketch in oil colours.
+          17. Joshua commanding the Ark
+              and Congregation to pass the
+              river into the Promised Land, a
+              sketch in oil colour.</pre>
+
+<p class="smallcaps">The Prophets.</p>
+
+<pre>      18. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah       525  0
+      19. The prophet Samuel anointing
+          David the son of Jesse, a sketch.
+      20. The prophesying of Zacharias at
+          the birth of John his son              525  0
+      21. The Angels announcing the Birth
+          of our Saviour, a cartoon for a
+          painted-glass window, by Mr.
+          Forrest                                525  0
+      22. The Birth of our Saviour, ditto,
+          for painted glass, by ditto            525  0
+      23. The Wise Man's Offering, a
+          cartoon for ditto                      525  0
+      24. John the Baptist baptizing our
+          Saviour, on whom the Holy
+          Ghost descends                        1050  0
+      25. Christ's Temptation and Victory
+          in the Wilderness, a sketch.
+      26. Christ beginneth to preach at
+          Nazareth, his native place, a
+          sketch.
+      27. Christ healeth the Sick and
+          Blind; &amp;c. in the Temple              1050  0
+      28. The Last Supper; which picture
+          His Majesty presented to St.
+          George's Chapel at Windsor             735  0
+      29. A Last Supper, painted for the
+          King's Chapel                          735  0
+      30. The Crucifixion, a study in oil
+          colour, for the glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from, and the cartoon the
+          size of the window                    1050  0
+      31. The west end window of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, for them to draw the
+          figures from on the glass             1050  0
+      32. The Resurrection, a study in
+          oil colour, for glass painting by
+          Messrs. Jervis and Forrest to
+          colour from                            525  0
+      33. And the cartoon the size of the
+          window at the east end of St.
+          George's Chapel, 28 feet wide by
+          36 high, to draw from on the glass    1050  0
+             And two side pictures               525  0
+     34. The Assumption of our Saviour,
+         for the King's Chapel                  1050  0
+     35. Peter's first Sermon, or the
+         Apostles receiving the Cloven
+         Tongues                                1050  0
+     36. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the
+         Jews, and receiving the Gentiles       1050  0
+                                             -----------
+                                    [Total]  &pound;21,705  0
+                                             -----------</pre>
+
+<p><i>Painted for His Majesty's State Rooms in Windsor Castle the following
+Pictures from the History of Edward III</i>.</p>
+
+<pre>      1. Edward III. embracing his Son on
+         the field of battle at Cressy          1365  0
+      2. The Installation of the most noble
+         Order of the Garter                    1365  0
+      3. Edward the Black Prince receiving
+         John King of France and his
+         son as prisoners                       1365  0
+      4. St. George destroying the Dragon        630  0
+      5. Queen Philippa defeats David
+         King of Scotland, at Nevil's
+         Cross, and takes him prisoner           525  0
+      6. Queen Philippa soliciting Edward
+         III. to save St. Pierre and the
+         brave burgesses of Calais               525  0
+      7. Edward III. forcing the passage of
+         the river Somme in France               630  0
+      8. Edward III. crowning Ribemont
+         at Calais                               525  0
+                                             -----------
+                                     [Total]   &pound;6930  0
+                                             -----------
+
+      By His Majesty's commands I made
+      nine designs for the ceiling in the
+      Queen's Lodge, Windsor, for Mr.
+      Haas to work the ceilings from.
+      Viz. 1. Genius inspiring the fine arts
+      to adorn the useful arts and sciences.
+      2. Agriculture. 3. Manufactures.
+      4. Commerce. 5. Botany. 6. Chemistry.
+      7. Celestial Science. 8. Terrestrial
+      Science; and 9. To adorn
+      Empire                                     525  0
+
+      Myself and son, with Mr. Rebecca,
+      for painting transparent and water
+      coloured pictures to adorn the marble
+      gallery at a great evening entertainment
+      in the Castle given by Their
+      Majesties to the nobility                  250  0
+
+      Painted for His Majesty a whole-length
+      portrait of Prince Octavius
+      holding the King's sword                    73 10
+
+      Painted for His Majesty the Apotheosis
+      of Prince Octavius and Prince
+      Alfred, in one picture, the size of life   315  0
+
+      A portrait of Prince Augustus, half
+      length, for the Queen.
+
+      A second whole length of Her
+      Majesty, with all the Royal children
+      in the back-ground, which was placed
+      in Windsor Castle, but at present in
+      the Queen's Palace, London                 262 10
+
+      A picture of Peter denying our,
+      Saviour, of which His Majesty honoured
+      me by accepting, two half-length
+      figures, the size of life.
+                                             -----------
+                                      [Total]  &pound;1426  0
+                                             -----------</pre>
+
+<p>This is a true statement of the numbers of pictures, cartoons, and
+drawings of designs, and sketches of scripture subjects, as well as
+historical events, British as well as Greek, Roman, and other nations,
+with which I had been honoured by the King's commands, from 1768, to 5th
+January 1801, to paint for His Majesty; and the charges I made for each
+was by him most graciously acknowledged, when my account was audited and
+allowed by Mr. G. Mathias, His Majesty's privy purse, who settled for
+debtor and creditor the whole amount between the above dates.</p>
+
+
+<p class="smallcaps">Benjamin West.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Appendix No. II.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p><i>A Catalogue of thee Works of Mr. West</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Regulus.</p>
+
+<p>Hanibal.</p>
+
+<p>Epaminondas.</p>
+
+<p>Bayard.</p>
+
+<p>Wolfe, the first and second.</p>
+
+<p>Cyrus and the King of Armenia with his Family, captives.</p>
+
+<p>Germanicus and Segestus with his Daughter, captives.</p>
+
+<p>The Apotheosis of Prince Alfred and Prince Octavius.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Damsel accusing Peter.</p>
+
+<p>The Queen, with the Princess Royal, in one picture.</p>
+
+<p>Prince Ernest and Prince Augustus; Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, and
+Mary, in one picture.</p>
+
+<p>Prince William and Prince Edward, in one picture.</p>
+
+<p>Prince Octavius.</p>
+
+<p>The whole-length portrait of His Majesty in Regimentals, with Lord Amherst
+and the Marquis of Lothian on Horseback, in the back-ground.</p>
+
+<p>The whole-length portrait of Her Majesty, with the fourteen Royal
+Children.</p>
+
+<p>The same repeated.</p>
+
+<p>The Battle of Cressy, when Edward III. embraced his son.</p>
+
+<p>The Battle of Poitiers, when John King of France is brought prisoner to
+the Prince.</p>
+
+<p>The Institution of the Order of the Garter.</p>
+
+<p>The Battle of Nevil's Cross.</p>
+
+<p>The Burgesses of Calais before Edward III.</p>
+
+<p>Edward III. crossing the Somme.</p>
+
+<p>Edward III. crowning Ribemont, at Calais.</p>
+
+<p>St. George destroying the Dragon.</p>
+
+<p>The design of our Saviour's Resurrection, painted in colours, with the
+Women going to the Sepulchre; also Peter and John.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon from the above design, for the east window, painted in the
+Collegiate Church of Windsor, on glass, 36 feet high by 28 wide.</p>
+
+<p>The design of our Saviour's Crucifixion, painted in colours.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon from the above design, for the west window in the Collegiate
+Church, painting on glass, 36 feet by 28.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon of the Angels appearing to the Shepherds, ditto for ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon of the Nativity of our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The cartoon of the Magi presenting Gifts to our Saviour, for ditto, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The picture, in water-colours, representing Hymen leading and dancing with
+the Hours before Peace and and Plenty.</p>
+
+<p>The picture, in water-colours, of Boys with the Insignia of Riches.</p>
+
+<p>The companion, with Boys, and the Insignia of the Fine Arts.</p>
+
+<p>Genius calling forth the Fine Arts to adorn Manufactures and Commerce, and
+recording the names of eminent men in those pursuits.</p>
+
+<p>Husbandry aided by Arts and Commerce.</p>
+
+<p>Peace and Riches cherishing the Fine Arts.</p>
+
+<p>Manufactory giving support to Industry, in Boys and Girls.</p>
+
+<p>Marine and inland Navigation enriching Britannia.</p>
+
+<p>Printing aided by the Fine Arts.</p>
+
+<p>Astronomy making new discoveries in the Heavens.</p>
+
+<p>The Four Quarters of the World bringing Treasures to the Lap of Britannia.</p>
+
+<p>Civil and Military Architecture defending and adorning Empire.</p>
+
+<p>The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.</p>
+
+<p>The Deluge.</p>
+
+<p>Noah sacrificing.</p>
+
+<p>Abraham and his son Isaac going to sacrifice.</p>
+
+<p>The Birth of Jacob and Esau.</p>
+
+<p>The Death of Jacob in Egypt, surrounded by his Twelve Sons.</p>
+
+<p>Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh; their Rods turned into Serpents.</p>
+
+<p>Pharaoh and his Host lost in the Red Sea, while Moses stretches his Rod
+over them.</p>
+
+<p>Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.</p>
+
+<p>Moses consecrateth Aaron and his Sons to the Priesthood.</p>
+
+<p>Moses showeth the Brazen Serpent to the People to be healed.</p>
+
+<p>Moses shown the Promised Land from the top of Mount Pisgah.</p>
+
+<p>Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.</p>
+
+<p>The Twelve Tribes drawing Lots for the Lands of their Inheritance, 6
+feet by 10.</p>
+
+<p>The Call of Isaiah and Jeremiah, each 5 by 14.</p>
+
+<p>David anointed King, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>Christ's Birth, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>The naming of John; or, the Prophecies of Zacharias, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The Kings bringing Presents to Christ, 6 by 12.</p>
+
+<p>Christ among the Doctors, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>The Descent of the Holy Ghost on our Saviour at the River Jordan, 10 by
+14.</p>
+
+<p>Christ healing the Sick in the Temple, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Christ's Last Supper, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>Christ's Crucifixion, 16 by 28.</p>
+
+<p>Christ's Ascension, 12 by 18.</p>
+
+<p>The Inspiration of St. Peter, 10 by 14.</p>
+
+<p>Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and receiving the Gentiles, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>John called to write the Revelation, 6 by 10.</p>
+
+<p>Saints prostrating themselves before the Throne of God.</p>
+
+<p>The opening of the Seven Seals; or, Death on the Pale Horse.</p>
+
+<p>The overthrowing the Old Beast and False Prophet.</p>
+
+<p>The Last Judgment.</p>
+
+<p>The New Jerusalem.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of St. Michael and his Angels fighting and casting out the Red
+Dragon and his Angels.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Women clothed in the Sun.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of John called to write the Revelation.
+
+Do. of the Beast rising out of the Sea.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Mighty Angel, one Foot upon Sea and the other on Earth.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Anthony of Padua.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Madra Dolo Roso.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Simeon, with the Child in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>A picture of a small Landscape, with a Hunt passing In the back-ground.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Abraham and Isaac going to sacrifice,</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a whole-length figure of Thomas &agrave; Becket, larger than life.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Angel in the Sun assembling the Birds of the Air, before the
+destruction of the Old Beast.</p>
+
+<p>Four half-lengths.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Order of the Garter, differing in composition
+from the great picture at Windsor.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Shunamite's Son raised to Life by the Prophet Elisha.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Jacob blessing Joseph's Sons.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Wolfe, the third picture.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Battle of La Hogue.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Boyne.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Restoration of Charles II.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cromwell dissolving the Long Parliament.</p>
+
+<p>A small portrait of General Wolfe, when a Boy.</p>
+
+<p>The Picture of the Golden Age.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of St. Michael chaining the Dragon, in Trinity College,
+Cambridge, 15 by 8.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Angels announcing the Birth of our Saviour, in the Cathedral
+Church at Rochester, 10 by 6.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of St. Stephen, in the church of St. Stephen,
+Walbrook, 10 by 18.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Raising of Lazarus, in the Cathedral of Winchester, 10 by 14.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper off his Finger, in the chapel at
+Greenwich, 27 by 15.</p>
+
+<p>The Supper, over the communion-table in the Collegiate Church at
+Windsor, 8 by 13.</p>
+
+<p>The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the east window of the Collegiate
+Church at Windsor, 28 by 32.</p>
+
+<p>The Crucifixion, in the window of ditto, 28 by 36.</p>
+
+<p>The Angel announcing our Saviour's Birth, in ditto, 10 by 14.</p>
+
+<p>The Birth of our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.</p>
+
+<p>The Kings presenting Gifts to our Saviour, in ditto, 9 by 16.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Peter denying our Saviour, in the chapel of Lord Newark.</p>
+
+<p>The Resurrection of our Saviour, in the church of Barbadoes, 10 by 6.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Moses with the Law, and John the Baptist, in ditto, as
+large as life.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Telemachus and Calypso.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Angelica and Madora.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Damsel and Orlando.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Paul's Conversion; his Persecution of the Christians; and the
+Restoration of his Sight, under the hands of Ananias, in one frame,
+divided in three parts.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Mr. Hope's Family, containing nine figures as large as life.</p>
+
+<p>Large figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, Innocence, St. Matthew, St. Mark,
+St. Luke, St. John, St. Matthias, St. Thomas, St. Jude, St. Simon, St
+James the Major, St. Philip, St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St.
+James the Minor, Malachi, Micah, Zachariah, and Daniel.</p>
+
+<p>Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.</p>
+
+<p>Paul preaching at Athens.</p>
+
+<p>Elimas the Sorcerer struck blind.</p>
+
+<p>Cornelius and the Angel.</p>
+
+<p>Peter delivered from Prison.</p>
+
+<p>The Conversion of St. Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Paul before Felix.</p>
+
+<p>Two whole-lengths of the late Archbishop of York's two eldest Sons.</p>
+
+<p>A whole-length portrait of the late Lord Grosvenor.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Jacob drawing Water at the Well for Rachael and her Flock,
+in the possession of Mrs. Evans.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Citizens of London offering the Crown to William the
+Conqueror.</p>
+
+<p>The Queen soliciting the King to pardon her son John.</p>
+
+<p>Moses showing the brazen Serpent.</p>
+
+<p>John showing the Lamb of God.</p>
+
+<p>Three of the Children of the late Archbishop of York, with the portrait of
+the Archbishop, half-lengths, in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Drummond.</p>
+
+<p>The Family-picture, half-lengths, of Mrs. Cartwright's Children.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Sir Edmund Baker, Nephew and Niece, half-length.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of--Lunis, Esq.'s Children, half-lengths.</p>
+
+<p>A Lady leading three Children along the Path of Virtue to the Temple.</p>
+
+<p>A picture of Madora.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great
+Mogul, for Lord Clive.</p>
+
+<p>Christ receiving the Sick and Lame in the Temple, in the Pennsylvanian
+Hospital, Philadelphia, 11 feet by 18.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Pylades and Orestes, for Sir George Beaumont.</p>
+
+<p>The original sketch of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes, for ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotas into Banishment, with his
+Wife and Children, for W. Smith, Esq.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Marys at the Sepulchre, for General Stibert.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Alexander and his Physician, for ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Julius Caesar reading the Life of Alexander.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Return of the Prodigal Son, for Sir James Earle.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Adonis, for--Knight, Esq. Portland Place.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Continence of Scipio, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Venus and Cupid, oval, for Mr. Steers Temple.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Alfred dividing his Loaf, presented to Stationers' Hall by
+Alderman Boydell.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Helen brought to Paris, in the possession of a family in Kent.</p>
+
+<p>A small sketch of the Shunamite's Son restored, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>Cupid stung by a Bee, oval, for--Vesey, Esq. in Ireland.</p>
+
+<p>Agrippina surrounded by her Children, and reclining her Head on the Urn
+containing the Ashes of Germanicus, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The Death of Wolfe, the fourth picture, for Lord Bristol.</p>
+
+<p>A do. of do. the fourth picture, in the possession of the Prince of
+Waldeck.</p>
+
+<p>A small do. of do. the fifth picture, ditto Moncton family.</p>
+
+<p>A small picture of Romeo and Juliet, for the Duke of Courland.</p>
+
+<p>A small picture of King Lear and his Daughters, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Belisarius and the Boy, for Sir Francis Baring.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Sir Francis Baring and part of his Family, containing six figures
+as large as life, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Simeon and the Child, as large as life, for the Provost of Eton.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the late Lord Clive receiving the Duannic from the Great Mogul, a
+second picture, for Madras.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture of Philippa soliciting of Edward III. the pardon of the
+Burgesses of Calais, in the possession of--Willet, Esq.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Europa on the back of the Bull, at Calcutta.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Hyacinthus, painted for Lord Kerry, but now in the
+National Gallery at Paris.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Venus presenting the Girdle to Juno, painted for
+Lord Kerry, and in the National Gallery; figures as large as life
+in both pictures.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, for Caleb Whitford, Esq.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Pharaoh's Daughter with the Child Moses, for--Park, Esq.: the
+original painted for General Lawrence.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Stolen Kiss, painted for ditto, and in the possession of ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Angelica and Madora, for ditto, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Woman of Samaria at the Well with Christ, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Paetus and Arria, in the possession of Col. Smith, at the Tower.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Rebecca coming to David, for Sir J. Ashley.</p>
+
+<p>The Drawing respecting Christ's Nativity, for Mr. Tomkins, Doctors'
+Commons.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Rebecca receiving the Bracelets at the Well, for the late Lord
+Buckinghamshire.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Stolen Kiss, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Rinaldo and Armida, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a Mother and Child, ditto.</p>
+
+<p>The whole-length portrait of Sir Thomas Strange, in the Town-hall
+of Halifax.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Sir John Sinclair.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Agrippina landing at Brundusium, (the first picture,) in
+the possession of Lord Kinnoul.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of do. for the Earl of Exeter, at Burleigh, second picture.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of do. (third picture,) in the possession of---- Hatch, Esq., in
+Essex.</p>
+
+<p>A small picture of Jupiter and Semele: the large picture lost at sea.</p>
+
+<p>Hector parting with his Wife and Child at the Sun Gate.</p>
+
+<p>The prophet Elisha raising the Shunamite's son.</p>
+
+<p>The raising of Lazarus.</p>
+
+<p>Edward III. crossing the River Somme.</p>
+
+<p>Queen Philippa at the Battle of Nevil's Cuoss.</p>
+
+<p>The Angels announcing to the Shepherds the Birth of our Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>The Magi bringing Presents to our Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>A view on the River Thames at Hammersmith.</p>
+
+<p>A do. on the banks of the River Susquehanna, in America.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Tangire Mill, at Eton.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Chrys&euml;is returned to her father Chyses.</p>
+
+<p>Venus and Adonis, large as life.</p>
+
+<p>The sixth picture of the Death of Wolfe.</p>
+
+<p>The first and second picture of the Battle of La Hogue.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, of Macbeth and the Witches.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Return of Tobias.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Return of the Prodigal Son.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Ariadne on the Sea-shore.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Adonis.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of John King of France brought to the Black Prince.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Antiochus and Stratonice.</p>
+
+<p>Do, of King Lear and his Daughter.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Chryses on the Sea-shore.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Nathan and David:--"Thou art the Man!" as large as life,</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Elijah raising the Widow's Son to Life.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Choice of Hercules.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Venus and Europa.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Daniel interpreting the Hand-writing on the Wall.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Ambassador from Tunis, with his Attendant, as he appeared in
+England in 1781.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of Marius on the Ruins of Carthage.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cato giving his Daughter in Marriage on his Death, both in the
+possession of the Archduke Joseph.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Belisarius brought to his Family.</p>
+
+<p>The large picture of the Stag, or the rescuing of Alexander the Third, for
+Lord Seaforth, 12 feet by 18.
+
+The picture of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Endymion and Diana, at Wentworth
+Castle, Yorkshire.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cymon and Iphigenia, and Angelica and Madora, in the possession of
+Mr. Mitton, of Shropshire, painted at Rome.</p>
+
+<p>Small picture of the Battle of Cressy.</p>
+
+<p>Small sketch of the Order of the Garter.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West's small picture of his Family.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of Edward the Third with his Queen, and the Citizens of
+Calais.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West's small copy from Vandyke's picture of Cardinal Bentivoglio, now
+in the National Gallery at Paris.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West's copy from Correggio's celebrated picture at Parma, viz. the St.
+Girolemo, now in the National Gallery.</p>
+
+<p>The large Landscape from Windsor Forest.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Mark Antony showing the Robe and Will of Julius Caesar to
+the People.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of &AElig;gistus viewing the Body of Clytemnestra.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch of the window at Windsor, of the Magi presenting Gifts to
+the Infant Christ.</p>
+
+<p>The small sketch of the Battle of Nevil's Cross.</p>
+
+<p>The second small sketch of the Order of the Garter.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of Ophelia before the King and Queen, with her
+brother Laertes.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Recovery of His Majesty in the year 1789.</p>
+
+<p>Do. from Thomson's Seasons, of Miranda and her Two Companions.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Edward the Third crowning Ribemont at Calais, a sketch.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Leonidas taking leave of his Family on his going to
+Thermopyl&aelig;.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a Bacchant&eacute;, as large as life, half-length.</p>
+
+<p>First sketch of the Battle of Cressy.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Pha&euml;ton soliciting Apollo for the Chariot of the Sun.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture of Cicero at the Tomb of Archimedes.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of Belisarius and the Boy, different from that in the
+possession of Sir Francis Baring.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Eagle giving the Vase of Water to Psyche.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Adonis, from Anacreon.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Moonlight and the "Beckoning Ghost," from Pope's Elegy.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Angel sitting on the Stone at the Sepulchre.</p>
+
+<p>Second picture of the same, but differing in composition.</p>
+
+<p>A small sketch of ditto.</p>
+
+<p>A sketch of King Lear and his Daughter.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture of Angelica and Madora.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a Damsel and Orlando.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. West's portrait, half-length.</p>
+
+<p>Sketch of his two Sons, when Children.</p>
+
+<p>Do. when Boys.</p>
+
+<p>Do. when young Men.</p>
+
+<p>Portrait of the Rev.---- Preston.</p>
+
+<p>Picture of the Bacchant&eacute; Boys.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Good Samaritan.</p>
+
+<p>Picture of the Destruction of the Old Beast and False
+Prophet:--Revelation.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ healing the Sick, Lame, and Blind, in the Tenrple.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Tintern Abbey.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Death on the Pale Horse; or, the Opening of the Seals.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Jason and the Dragon, in imitation of Salvator Rosa.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Venus and Adonis looking at Cupids bathing.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Uxbridge Passage-boat on the Canal.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Paul and Barnabas rejecting the Jews, and turning to the
+Gentiles.</p>
+
+<p>Picture of the Falling of Trees in the Great Park at Windsor.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Diomed and his Chariot-horses struck by the Lightning of Jupiter.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Milk-woman in St. James's Park.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of King Lear in the Storm at the Hovel.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Order of the Garter.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Orion on the Dolphin's back.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cupid complaining to Venus of a Bee having stung his finger.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Deluge.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Queen Elizabeth's Procession to St. Paul's.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ showing a Little Child as the Emblem of Heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Harvest-home.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a View from the east end of Windsor Castle, looking over Datchet.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Washing of Sheep.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. Paul shaking the Viper from his Finger.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Sun setting behind a group of Trees on the banks of the Thames
+at Twickenham.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the driving of Sheep and Cows to water.
+
+Do. of Cattle drinking at a Watering-place in the Great Park, Windsor,
+with Mr. West drawing.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Pharaoh and his Host drowned in the Red Sea.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Calypso and Telemachus on the Sea-shore; second picture.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Gentlemen fishing in the Water at Dagenham Breach.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Moses consecrating Aaron and his Sons to the priesthood.</p>
+
+<p>Picture of the View of Windsor-Castle from Snow-Hill, in the Great Park.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of a Mother inviting her little Boy to come to her through a small
+Stream of Water.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the naming of Samuel, and the prophesying of Zacharias.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Ascension of our Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>Do of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Brewer's Porter and Hod Carrier.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Venus attended by the Graces.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Samuel, when a Boy, presented to Eli.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ's Last Supper. (In brown colour.)</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Reaping of Harvest, with Windsor in the back-ground.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Adonis and his Dog going to the Chace.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ among the Doctors in the Temple.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Moses shown the Promised Land.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Joshua crossing the River Jordan with the Ark.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Christ's Nativity.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Mothers with their Children, in water,</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cranford Bridge.</p>
+
+<p>Do, of the sketch of Pyrrhus when a Child, before King Glaucus.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Traveller laying his Piece of Bread on the Bridle of the dead
+Ass. From Sterne.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Captivity. From ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cupid letting loose Two Pigeons.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Cupid asleep.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Children eating Cherries.</p>
+
+<p>Sketch of a Mother and her Child on her Lap.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Eagle bringing the Cup to
+Psyche.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of St. Anthony of Padua and the Child.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Jacob, and Laban with his Two Daughters.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Women looking into the Sepulchre, and beholding Two Angels
+where the Lord lay.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Angel loosening the Chains of St. Peter in Prison.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Epaminondas.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Bayard.</p>
+
+<p>The small sketch of Christ's Ascension.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of a Group of Legendary Saints. In imitation of Reubens.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Kosciusco on a Couch, as he appeared in London, 1797.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Cephalus.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Abraham and Isaac:--"Here is the Wood and Fire, but where is the
+Lamb for Sacrifice."</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of the Bard. From Gray.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Pardoning of John by his brother King Henry, at the
+Solicitation of his Mother.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. George and the Dragon.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Eponina with her Children, giving Bread to her Husband when
+in Concealment.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch on paper of Christ's Last Supper.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of the Pardoning of John, at his Mother's Solicitation.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Lord Chatham.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Presentation of the Crown to William the Conqueror.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Europa crowning the Bull with Flowers.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Mr. West's Garden, Gallery, and Painting-Room.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Cave of Despair. From Spenser.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Christ's Resurrection.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of the Destruction of the Spanish Armada.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Arethusa bathing.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of Priam soliciting of Achilles the Body of Hector.</p>
+
+<p>The picture of Moonlight. (Small.)</p>
+
+<p>The small sketch of Cupid showing Venus his Finger stung by a Bee.</p>
+
+<p>The drawings of the Two Sides of the intended Chapel at Windsor, with the
+Arrangement of the Pictures, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of St. Matthew, with the Angel.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Alcibiades and Timon of Athens.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Penn's Treaty.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Regulus.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Mark Antony, showing the Robe and Will of C&aelig;sar.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Birth of Jacob and Esau.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Dido.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Moses receiving the Laws on
+Mount Sinai.</p>
+
+<p>The large drawing of the Death of Hippolytus.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch, in oil, of the Death of St. Stephen. On paper.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Death of C&aelig;sar.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Swearing of Hannibal.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Deluge.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of the Landing of Agrippina. On paper.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Leonidas ordering Cleombrotus into Banishment. On paper.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Death of Epaminondas.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of the Death of Aaron. On paper.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Death of Sir Philip Sydney.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of David prostrate, whilst the destroying
+Angel sheathes the Sword.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Women looking into the Sepulchre.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of St. John Preaching.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Golden Age.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Antinous and Stratonice.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Demosthenes.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Death on the Pale Horse.
+
+The drawing of King John and the Barons with Magna Charta.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of La Hogue.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Jacob and Laban.</p>
+
+<p>The large ditto of the Destruction of the Assyrian Camp by the
+destroying Angel.</p>
+
+<p>The large sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of Christ raising the Widow's Son.</p>
+
+<p>Do. in ditto, (on paper,) of the Water gushing from the Rock, when
+struck by Moses.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Death of Socrates.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Boyne.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Eustace St. Celaine.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, (on paper,) of the Procession of Agrippina with her
+Children and the Roman Ladies through the Roman Camp, when in Mutiny.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of the Rescue of Alexander III. of Scotland from the Fury
+of the Stag.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Death of Wolfe.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of King Alfred dividing his Loaf with a Pilgrim.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of the Raising of Lazarus.</p>
+
+<p>The small whole-length of Thomas &agrave; Becket, in oil, on canvass.</p>
+
+<p>The small picture of the Death of the Stag.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of ditto.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Nathan and David.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Joseph making himself known to his Brethren.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of Narcissus in the Fountain.</p>
+
+<p>Do. sketch, in small, of the Duannic received by Lord Clive.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Continence of Scipio.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Last Judgment, and the Sea giving up its Dead.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of the Bard. From Gray;</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Belisarius and his Family.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch, in oil, of Aaron standing between the Dead and Living to stop
+the Plague.</p>
+
+<p>Do. on paper, of the Messenger announcing to Samuel the Loss of the
+Battle.</p>
+
+<p>The drawing of Sir Philip Sydney ordering the Water to be given to the
+wounded Soldier.</p>
+
+<p>The sketch of Christ Rejected.</p>
+
+<p>The great picture of Christ Rejected.</p>
+
+<p>Do. of Death on the Pale Horse.</p>
+
+<p>The second picture of Christ healing the Sick.</p>
+
+<p>The third great picture of Lord Clive receiving the Duannie.</p>
+
+<p>Portrait of the Duke of Portland.</p>
+
+<p>Portrait of Himself, left unfinished.</p>
+
+
+<p><br /><br />N.B. Besides these productions, Mr. West has, in his portfolios, drawings
+and sketches exceeding two hundred in number.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>National Monument.</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>[The following letter on an interesting subject is curious, and is
+inserted here to be preserved.]</p>
+
+<p><i>Mr. West's Letter to Sir George Beaumont, Bart.</i></p>
+
+<p>East Cowes Castle, Isle of Wight,</p>
+
+<p>Sept. 30. 1815.</p>
+
+<p>"DEAR SIR GEORGE,
+
+"Your letter to me from Keswick of the thirty-first of last month I have
+received at this place: in that letter you have honoured me with the
+communication of 'the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having
+done you the honour, among others, to inform you of the commands of His
+Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that measures be forthwith taken for the
+erection of a monument to commemorate the victory of Waterloo, in
+pursuance of an address of the House of Commons; and to request you to
+apply to such artists as you think fit, for designs for this national
+column;' and you are pleased to say, that you believe at this distance you
+cannot better forward their views than by applying to me.</p>
+
+<p>"The honourable way in which you have noticed my humble abilities in the
+arts, by calling on them for a design for a monument, to perpetuate an
+occurrence of such high military glory and national greatness as that of
+the victory of Waterloo, demands my warmest acknowledgments, and I also
+feel a duty and profound respect for the sources of your instructions to
+procure appropriate designs from the artists. When a monument is to be
+raised by a great and victorious nation (such as England) in memory of her
+departed as well as her living heroes, I feel it of the highest importance
+to her national character, when her arts and her arms stand so high, that
+they should bear a proud record to posterity of both their powers in such
+a building as that now under consideration.</p>
+
+<p>"To raise a record to departed virtue in an individual, an obelisk, a
+column, or a statue, may bear an honourable name to posterity; but a
+record when thousands have devoted their lives to save their country from
+a rapacious enemy, as in those victories gained by the Greeks at
+Thermopyl&aelig; and Marathon; the English at Blenheim and Trafalgar; and,
+lastly, that greatest of all, gained by the unsubdued valour and heroism
+of the armies of the United Kingdom at Waterloo, demands a building of
+greater magnitude and more national consequence than that of a column.</p>
+
+<p>"Such a design as I have conceived to record that victory I will give to
+yourself and others for your consideration; but not as a competitor
+presenting a drawing or model for a decision to be made on it as offered
+for competition: I therefore give you the following ideas on friendly
+motives for a dignified building.</p>
+
+<p>"All records to be transmitted, must be by the three means which have
+been established for that purpose; namely, the pen, the pencil, and the
+chisel. I therefore propose a building wherein these three may be
+employed to express the various incidents, and to mark that victory
+distinct from all others, by applying the several spoils and trophies
+taken; and to have the building of considerable magnitude. For as the
+subject is great, so should be its representative: nothing little or mean
+should be accepted, or permitted to appear in such a work, nothing but
+what will mark the great features of that event: all of which by dates,
+names, and sculptured trophies, as well as paintings, may be proclaimed
+and recorded to distant times.</p>
+
+<p>"The basis of such an erection being intended solely to commemorate the
+battle of Waterloo, its name should be in capital letters on the four
+faces, and the trophies of that victory should enrich the sides of the
+same; and the characters of the various military in British armies made
+conspicuous by their numbers shown; and on the summit of the lofty pile
+the sovereign's figure then in power should be placed.</p>
+
+<p>"The plan and dimensions of the building I present to you are as
+follows:--Its base a square of sixty feet, and its height thirty: this
+will make each of the four faces of the base a double square on its
+measurement. From the centre of this base a building to be erected in
+diameter thirty feet, and in height one hundred and twenty, formed out of
+the spoils of victory, and diminishing as it rises, and to be surmounted
+by a figure twelve feet in height, including the pedestal on which it
+stands, In the centre, over the front face of the great case, to be the
+equestrian group of the Duke of Wellington, under which, in large letters,
+WATERLOO to be inscribed; and the four angles of the great base
+perpendicular tablets, ornamented with military insignia expressive of the
+British armies, and inscribed on the four tablets the number of each
+regiment who shared in the glories of that day, and by the four tablets be
+placed the statues of distinguished generals. Thus I have presented you
+with the external appearance of my imaginary building in honour of the
+victory of Waterloo; and the interior of this building to be considered as
+the place of deposit for preserving the powers of the pen, the pencil, and
+other gems from perishing by water or by fire: to be built of stone, and
+all its ornaments to be made of durable metals: all of which to be
+illustrative of the victory for which such a building was erected.</p>
+
+<p>"The situation of this building should be a populous one, and that within
+a circus or square of a diameter not less than six hundred and fifty-eight
+feet. This size of space will give the spectator an opportunity of viewing
+the erection at double the distance of its elevation, which is the optical
+distance that pictures, statues, and buildings should always be seen at.</p>
+
+<p>"Should my ideas of a building to commemorate the military achievements of
+Waterloo be viewed with complacency by yourself and others, I shall feel a
+satisfaction, as President of the Royal Academy, to have done my duty; and
+should His Royal Highness the Prince Regent be pleased to signify his
+approbation, I shall be gratified and honoured. With the sincerity of
+profound respect,</p>
+
+<p>"I am,<br />
+"My dear Sir George,<br />
+"Your obliged and obedient Servant,<br />
+"BENJAMIN WEST."</p>
+
+<hr width="80%" size="1" />
+
+<p>Suffolk Lane, 28th Jan,</p>
+
+<p>"MY DEAR SIR,</p>
+
+<p>"Sir Philip Francis's critique on the <i>Transfiguration</i> appears very
+ingenious, so far as it explains the painter's design in representing the
+Demoniac Boy as the connecting link between the action <i>on the Mount</i> and
+the groupe at the foot of it; but I cannot agree with Sir Philip in
+supposing the picture to represent the <i>Ascension</i> and as you request
+me to state my reasons for this dissent, I shall briefly endeavour to
+specify them.</p>
+
+<p>"I have <i>not</i> seen the original picture; but in the copy of it by Harlow,
+which was much admired in Rome, and which one would think must be
+accurate, at least in regard to so important a point, since it was
+exhibited beside the original--I say in Harlow's copy the raiment of our
+Saviour is <i>white,</i> not <i>blue</i>. The white has, indeed, in the shaded part,
+a bluish tinge, but the colour is decidedly a <i>white</i>, and, therefore, Sir
+Philip's assumption that it is <i>blue</i> appears contrary to the fact.</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Transfiguration</i> was witnessed by <i>only three</i> of the Apostles,
+Peter, James, and John, (see St. Matthew, chap. xvii, v. 1, 2, and 3.)
+exactly as represented In the picture, 'and (see v. 9.) as they came down
+from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man,
+until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead."'</p>
+
+<p>"It maybe as well, to prevent the trouble of an reference, to quote at
+once from the Evangelist, the description of the subject which it appears
+to me the painter meant to represent.</p>
+
+<p>
+Chap. xvii. as before.</p>
+
+<p>1. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and
+bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,</p>
+
+<p>2. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
+and his raiment was white as the light.</p>
+
+<p>3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.</p>
+
+<p>6. And when the disciples heard, they fell on their faces, and were
+sore afraid.</p>
+
+<p>14. And when they were come to the multitudes there came to him a man,
+kneeling down to him, and saying,</p>
+
+<p>15. Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic and sore vexed: and
+oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.</p>
+
+<p>16. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>"Now this is exactly the scene delineated in the picture. There are <i>on
+the Mount</i> the three disciples, fallen on the ground, and shading their
+faces from the '<i>bright cloud</i>' which <i>overshadows</i> the transfigured
+Saviour; and Moses and Elias are the two figures of old men attending the
+Saviour, or '<i>talking with him.</i>'</p>
+
+<p>"At the <i>foot of the Mount</i>, there are <i>the multitude</i>, the lunatic boy,
+<i>his father</i> holding him, the <i>disciples</i> who <i>could not cure him</i>; and
+one of whom appears in the act of attempting to cure him, by addressing or
+exorcising the demon who is in him. There are also <i>several women</i> in the
+groupe; and it seems that instead of bringing 'different incidents
+together to constitute one plot,' the painter, on the contrary, has
+exactly followed the Evangelist, and represented the same instant of time
+in the action <i>on</i> the Mount, among the <i>multitude</i> at the foot of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot imagine how Sir Philip Francis could have supposed the picture
+to represent the <i>Ascension</i>, which took place in the presence of the
+<i>Eleven Apostles</i> and of them only, (see St. Luke, last chapter and last
+paragraph,) as follows:</p>
+
+<p>"And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and he
+blessed them. And it came to pass, when he blessed them, he was parted
+from them, and carried up into Heaven."</p>
+
+<p>"This bears no resemblance whatever to the scene represented in the
+picture, and the opinion given by Sir Philip can only have arisen from an
+imperfect recollection of the Sacred Writings, and from having neglected
+to refer to the text.</p>
+
+<p>"I am,<br />
+"My dear Sir,<br />
+"Yours truly,<br />
+S.M'G-------."</p>
+
+<p><i>John Galt, Esq.</i></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>The Funeral of Mr. West.</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>It would be improper to close this appendix without giving some account of
+the funeral of Mr. West.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after Mr. West's decease, a deputation from the Council of the Royal
+Academy waited on his sons and the executors, to apprise them of the
+intention of that body to honour the remains of their late President., by
+attending them to his grave, according to the ceremonial adopted on the
+public interment of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, in St. Paul's
+Cathedral. His Majesty having, as Patron of the Royal Academy, given his
+gracious sanction that similar honours should be paid to the late
+venerable President, his sons and executors adopted active preparations
+to carry the arrangement into effect. As the schools of the Royal Academy
+were closed, and all its functions suspended, by the death of the late
+President, it was of material importance on this account, and with the
+view to the usual preparatory arrangements for the annual exhibition,
+that the funeral should not be delayed; and as early a day as practicable
+was therefore fixed for the public interment in St. Paul's Cathedral. The
+obvious consequence, however, of this has been, that owing to the absence
+from town, at this particular season, of so many noblemen and gentlemen
+of the highest rank, and the indisposition of several others, many warm
+admirers and friends of this celebrated artist and amiable man, who
+have, during his long life, honoured him with their friendship, and who
+have been particularly desirous of paying their last tribute of respect
+to his remains, have been precluded attending the funeral. The corpse was
+privately brought to the Royal Academy on Tuesday evening, attended by
+the sons and grandson of the deceased, and two intimate friends, Mr.
+Henderson (one of the trustees and executors of the deceased) and Mr.
+Hayes (for many years his medical attendant), and was received by the
+council and officers of the Royal Academy, and their undertaker and his
+attendants, with every mark of respect. The body was then deposited in
+the smaller Exhibition-room, on the ground-floor, which was hung on the
+occasion with black.</p>
+
+<p>About half-past ten yesterday morning, the Academicians, Associates, and
+Students, assembled in the Great Exhibition-room, and the nobility,
+gentry, and the deceased's private friends, soon after arrived, and joined
+the mournful band. The chief mourners were in seclusion in the library of
+the Academy. About half-past twelve o'clock, the whole of the arrangements
+having been effected, the Procession moved from Somerset House to St.
+Paul's Cathedral in the following order:</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 5px">  Six Constables, by threes.<br />
+  Four Marshalmen, two and two.<br />
+  City Marshal on horseback.<br />
+  Undertaker on horseback.<br />
+  Six Cloakmen on horseback, by twos.<br />
+  Four Mutes on horseback, by twos.<br />
+  Lid of Feathers, with attendant Pages.</p>
+
+<p>Hearse and Six, with rich trappings, feathers, and velvets, attended by
+Eight Pages.</p>
+
+<p>Two Mourning Coaches and four, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Pall-bearers.</p>
+
+<p>Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Sons and
+Grandson of the deceased, as CHIEF MOURNERS.</p>
+
+<p>Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Family
+Trustees and Executors of the deceased.</p>
+
+<p>Mourning Coach and Four, with attendant Pages, conveying the Reverends the
+Vicar of Mary-la-bonne, the Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, and the Medical
+Attendant of the deceased.</p>
+
+<p>Then followed Sixteen Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with Attendant Pages,
+conveying the Right Rev. the Chaplain, the Secretary for Foreign
+Correspondence, and the Members of the Royal Academy and Students.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty Mourning Coaches and Pairs, with attendant Pages, conveying the
+Mourners and Private Friends of the deceased.</p>
+
+<p>The Procession was closed by above sixty carriages, arranged in rank by
+the junior City Marshal and Marshalmen--the servants wearing hat-bands
+and gloves.</p>
+
+<p>The Procession was attended on each side by fifty Constables, to preserve
+order; and the accesses from Bridge-street, Chancery-lane, the Old Bailey,
+&amp;c. were stopped. On reaching St. Paul's Cathedral, where the senior City
+Marshal was in wailing, with several assistants, to arrange the
+Procession, it entered at the great Western Gate, and was met at the
+entrance of the Cathedral by the Church Dignitaries, &amp;c. the whole then
+proceeded to the Choir in the following order:</p>
+
+
+<p align="center">  The two junior Vergers.<br />
+  The Marshals.<br />
+  The young Gentlemen of the Choir, two by two.<br />
+  Their Almoner, or Master.<br />
+  The Vicars Choral, two by two.<br />
+  The Sub-Dean and Junior Canons, two by two.<br />
+  The Feathers, with Attendant Pages and Mutes.<br />
+  The two Senior Vergers.<br />
+  Honourable and Rev. Dr. Wellesley.<br />
+  The Canon residentiary, and the Rev. the Prebendary.</p>
+
+<pre>                       [THE CORPSE]
+  Pall-bearers.                  Pall-bearers.
+  The Earl of Aberdeen,          Right Honourable Sir
+  His Excellency the American    William Scott,
+  Ambassador,                    Honourable Gen. Phipps,
+  Hon. Augustus Phipps,          Sir George Beaumont,
+  Sir Thomas Baring.             Sir Robert Wilson.</pre>
+
+
+<p align="center">CHIEF MOURNERS.</p>
+
+<p align="center">  The Sons and Grandson of deceased, namely,<br />
+  Raphael Lamar West, Esq.<br />
+  Benjamin West, Esq.<br />
+  and<br />
+  Mr. Benjamin West, jun.<br />
+  followed by<br />
+  Robert Brunning (the old Servant of deceased)<br />
+  Henry Fauntleroy, Esq. and James Henry Henderson, Esq.<br />
+  (the Family Trustees and Executors of deceased.)<br />
+  and<br />
+  The Rev. Dr. Heslop, Vicar of St. Mary-la-Bonne; the Rev.<br />
+  Mr. Borrodaile, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor; and Joseph<br />
+  Hayes, Esq. Medical Attendant on deceased (Dr. Baillie being unavoidably
+    absent).</p>
+
+<p>Then followed</p>
+
+<p>The Bishop of Salisbury, (As Chaplain to the Royal Academy; and an
+Honorary Member).</p>
+
+<p>Prince Hoare, Esq. (Secretary for Foreign Correspondence to the
+Royal Academy.)</p>
+
+<p>The body of Academicians and Associates of the Royal Academy, according to
+seniority, two by two, Students, two by two.</p>
+
+<p>And the private mourners of the deceased, consisting of--Aldermen Wood
+and Birch, Rev. ---- Est, Rev. Holt Oakes, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P.,
+William Smith, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq. M.P., George Watson
+Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P., Archibald Hamilton,
+Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Richard Payne Knight,
+Esq., Thomas Lister Parker, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Nash, Esq.,
+John Edwards, Esq., Major Payne, Captain Henry Wolseley, Captain Francis
+Halliday, James St. Aubyn, Esq., Henry Sansom, Esq., ---- Magniac, Esq.,
+George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., N. Ogle,
+Esq., George Repton, Esq., William Wadd, Esq., Henry Woodthorpe, jun.
+Esq., Christ. Hodgson, Esq., ---- Cockerell, sen. Esq., ---- Cockerell,
+jun. Esq., Leigh Hunt, Esq., P. Turnerelli, Esq., J. Holloway, Esq.,
+Charles Heath, Esq., Henry Eddridge, Esq., A. Robertson, Esq., W. J.
+Newton, Esq., John Taylor, Esq., T. Bonney, Esq., ---- Muss, Esq., ----
+Martin, Esq., J. Green, Esq., John Gait, Esq., William Carey, Esq., ----
+Leslie Esq., ---- Behnes, Esq., George Samuel, Esq., John Young, Esq.,
+Christopher Pack, Esq., W, Delamotte, Esq., E. Scriven Esq., J. M. Davis,
+Esq., C. Smart, Esq., &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>It being Passion Week, the usual chanting and performance of music in the
+Cathedral-service could not take place, but an Anthem was, by special
+permission, allowed to be sung; and the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Wellesley,
+assisted by the Rev. the Prebendary, performed the solemn service in a
+very impressive manner. The body was placed in the choir, and at the head
+were arranged, on chairs, the chief mourners and executors. The
+pall-bearers were seated on each side of the corpse, and the Members of
+the Royal Academy, and other mourners, were arranged on each side of the
+choir. After the Anthem, the body was attended to the vault-door by the
+pall-bearers, followed by the chief mourners and executors, and was
+conveyed into the crypt, and placed immediately beneath the perforated
+brass plate, under the centre of the dome. Dr. Wellesley, with the other
+canons, and the whole choir, then came under the dome, and the
+pall-bearers, chief mourners, and executors, stood by them. The Members
+of the Royal Academy were ranged on the right, and the other mourners on
+the left, forming a circle, the outside of which was protected by the
+Marshals and undertaker's attendants. Here the remainder of the service
+was completed, and the sexton, placed in the crypt below, at the proper
+period, let fall some earth, as usual, on the coffin. After the
+funeral-service was ended, the chief mourners and executors, accompanied
+by most of the other mourners, went into the crypt, and attended the
+corpse to its grave, which was sunk with brick-work under the pavement at
+the head of the grave of the late Sir Joshua Reynolds, and adjoining to
+that of the late Mr. West's intimate and highly-valued friend, Dr.
+Newton, formerly Bishop of Bristol, and Dean of St. Paul's, the
+brick-work of whose grave forms one side of Mr. West's; thus uniting
+their remains in the silent tomb. Sir Christopher Wren, the great
+architect, lies interred close by, as well as those eminent artists, the
+late Mr. Opie and Mr. Barry.</p>
+
+<p>The Members of the Royal Academy, and all the mourners, then returned to
+Somerset-House, in the like order of procession (with the exception of the
+hearse and feathers,) where refreshments were provided for them.</p>
+
+<p>The whole of this affecting ceremony was conducted with great solemnity
+and respect, and was witnessed by an immense concourse of people.</p>
+
+<p>The carriages attending in the Procession were those of the Lord Mayor,
+the Archbishop of York, the Dukes of Norfolk, Northumberland, and Argyll;
+the Marquisses of Lansdowne and Stafford; the Earls of Liverpool, Essex,
+Aberdeen, Carlisle, Dartmouth, Powis, Mulgrave, Darnley, and Carysfort;
+Viscount Sidmouth; the Bishops of London, Salisbury, Carlisle, and
+Chester; Admiral Lord Radstock; the Right Honourables Sir William Scott,
+Charles Manners Sutton, and Charles Long; the American Ambassador; the
+Hon. General Phipps, Augustus Phipps; Sirs George Beaumont, J. Fleming
+Leicester, Thomas Baring, and Henry Fletcher; the Solicitor General, Sir
+Robert Wilson, Dr. Heslop, Dr. Baillie, Aldermen Birch and Wood, Mr.
+Chamberlain Clarke, Henry Bankes, Esq. M.P., Richard Hart Davies, Esq.
+M.P., George Watson Taylor, Esq. M.P., Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. M.P.,
+Henry Fauntleroy, Esq., Archibald Hamilton, Esq., Thomas Courts, Esq.,
+John Penn, Esq., Thomas Hope, Esq., Samuel Boddington, Esq., Walter
+Fawkes, Esq., George Hibbert, Esq., John Yenn, Esq., John Soane, Esq.,
+Francis Chantry, Esq., Henry Sanson, Esq., John Nash, Esq., John Edwards,
+Esq., George Sheddon, Esq., James Dunlop, Esq., Joseph Ward, Esq., Henry
+Meux, Esq. &amp;c. &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>The following is the Inscription upon the Tombstone over the deceased:--</p>
+
+<p>Here lie the Remains of BENJAMIN WEST, Esq., President of the Royal
+Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture: born 10th Oct. 1738,
+at Springfield, in Pennsylvania, in America: died in London, 11th
+March, 1820.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">The End.</p>
+
+<br /><br /><br /><br />
+
+<pre>
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LIFE, STUDIES, AND WORKS OF BENJAMIN WEST, ESQ. ***
+
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