Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

drive over to Knowle early in the morning with my own 1834. horses, take post horses, so as to be at Birmingham by twelve o'clock, and return here to dinner; neither my daughter or myself could be absent for more than that day.

"If you would have the goodness to give me one line in answer, you would very much oblige your very obedient

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

"Will you do me a favour? It is to give me half an hour of your valuable time, and allow me to make a portrait sketch of you. I have a collection, above seventy already, of the portraits of personal friends, sketched by myself, and when I mention that they are all of distinguished individuals in art, science, or literature, I think you will encourage my hobby. You will be in goodly company-Denon, Scott, Woollaston, Faraday, Telford, and others, are among them; and this legacy to my boy will record who his father's friends my volume each sketch is accompanied by were, for in a familiar note, addressed to myself from the parties. They are chalk sketches, rapidly done, and in a way which I never professionally make them.

to

Will you add

your kindness by giving me a sitting this morning, at any hour most convenient to you? I intend to go to Warwick in the evening. Will you favour me with an answer? Let me thank you again for the high treat you

VOL. II. U

1834. afforded us last evening, and believe me, dear Sir Ed

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

"Shortly after the receipt of your splendid series of medals, the President, conceiving, from the sentiments towards him, of which this offering was a proof, that his portrait would not be unacceptable to you, honoured me with the request that I would paint one for that purpose.

"In the exercise of my profession I had executed several, at different periods of his eventful life, which had met with the approbation of his friends; indeed, it having been my good fortune to enjoy opportunities of knowing him well, his head had been my favourite study, and I felt gratified at the opportunity of being in any degree instrumental in a return of the compliment so handsomely conferred by you.

"I set to work immediately; but the first result did not prove satisfactory to me, from which circumstance, added to many unavoidable interruptions, has arisen a delay very contrary to my wishes.

"The portrait now finished, and about to be sent you by the President, is, of all that I have painted, my favorite; and my partiality to it is confirmed by the general opinion of his friends, and that of several artists of established fame in this country, whom I have requested to favour me with any criticisms upon it which might occur to them.

[graphic][merged small][merged small]

"But for the special purposes for which it was under- 1834. taken, and the pleasure I took in working for that object, I should feel very loth to let it go out of my hands. hands. In parting with it, as I cheerfully do for such a destination, I will take the liberty to ask, as a personal favour to myself, that you will allow me the privilege of having it engraved, as I wish to do, by an artist of the highest character. I will even venture so far as to request that the artist be selected and employed by yourself, with the proper precautions for securing to me the copy-right in Great Britain; the engraving to be in the highest style of exccution, and on a scale sufficiently large to exhibit the likeness, and to make a good picture for framing.

"Possibly the artist might prefer a share in the copyright to receiving the proper price for executing the engraving. If so, I would cheerfully consent to an equal division of the copy-right between us. If it suit him better to receive the price of his work rather than such an interest in the copy-right, the amount shall be remitted as soon as made known to me.

"I am, Sir, very respectfully,

"Your obedient humble servant,

R. E. M. Earl

"P.S. In the back-ground of the picture of the President is represented a distant view of the capital of the United States. On the scabbard of his sword is inscribed the celebrated sentiment given by him in Washington at the Jefferson birth-day dinner, on the 13th April, 1830, which will mark the period of his life at

« FöregåendeFortsätt »