had lamented the declining beauty of his favourite; but ignorant of the real cause, he imputed it to some disease, nor was the fraud discovered, until young West confessed with contrition the depredations he had committed.

permit their son to cultivate that talent which God appeared to have bestowed upon him in such a supereminent degree.

Having drawn several figures on some boards, which he procured of a neighbouring cabinet-maker, they were seen by a Mr. Wayne and a Dr. Morris, who begged two or three, and in return presented the lad with a dollar each, to purchase materials. This was nearly the first patronage which Mr. West received..

His fame spreading, as his genius ripened and his years increased, young West was noticed with marks of particular attention; and in many families he became the subject of much conversation. About a year after he had received the two dollars, he was invited to the house of a Mr. Flower, who was one of the justices for the county. While on a visit to this fa

During the following year, Mr. Pennington, a merchant of Philadelphia, on paying Mr. West a visit, was much struck with the numerous pictures with which his friend's house appeared to be decorated. This introduced the strong predilection of young West to his notice, to whom he promised a box of paints and pencils from the city. These were accordingly sent, together with some prepared canvass, and a few engravings by Grevling. On receiving this invaluable present, West immediately proceeded to work, and in a short time produced a beautiful picture which he had composed and painted from an attentive examination of these en gravings. This picture, about sixty-mily, he was introduced to an intelliseven years afterwards, was sent to him in London by his brother, and placed in the same room with “ Christ rejected;" and while exhibiting them together, Mr. West has been frequently heard to declare, that" there were in that juvenile attempt, certain inventive touches, which, with all his subsequent experience, he had never been able to surpass."

Pleased with the rapid progress which the young artist daily made, Mr. Pennington shortly afterwards took him to Philadelphia, where he was shewn a picture that had been executed by a Mr. Williams, to whom he was introduced. Mr. Williams, on finding, from conversing with the lad, that he had never received any instructions, and that he was totally unacquainted with such books as had treated on the principles and beauties of the art, lent him the works of Fresnoy and Richardson, and exhibited to his view a variety of his own pictures and drawings. This adventure decided his destination. He returned home with a mind filled with paintings and drawings, accompanied with all the insignia of the art. His parents soon perceived the impression which his mind had received; and after due deliberation, and some serious consultations with the leading characters of their religious community, they gave their consent, that, though contrary to the principles which they professed, it was, on the present occasion, their duty to

gent female, who had the care, as governess, of Mr. Flower's daughters. It was through this lady, that he became acquainted with the histories which described the illustrious states of antiquity, where these arts exhibited a brilliancy that had astonished the world. This awakened within him ardent desires to become acquainted with them, and gave new fervour to that flame, which, being already kindled, was only to be extinguished with life. West was also, while on this visit, introduced to a Mr. Ross, of Lancaster, whose portrait, with that of his lady, he painted with so much exactness, that the applications which were made from numerous individuals in the vicinity, half compelled him to enter upon his profession before he was aware.

Among those who thus visited the young artist, was an ingenious mechanic, named Wm. Henry, who, having some acquaintance with history, strongly urged him to form and paint an historical piece from the death of Socrates. West was totally ignorant of the history; and frankly confessed his incompetence to undertake the work on this account. Mr. Henry then took from his library an English translation from Plutarch of this, tragical event; the details of which induced him to make the attempt. One serious difficulty, however, occurred: West had hitherto only drawn human faces, or bodies clothed; and therefore very

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each other's arms, near the foot of the tree where they fell. West had some intention of painting this affecting scene; but not meeting with sufficient encouragement, the design was abandoned.

On returning to Philadelphia, he discovered a copy of a Saint Ignatius, that had been taken in a Spanish prize. This was executed in the best style of the Morillo school, and was therefore thought well worthy of an imitative effort. This, West attempted with so much success, that his work became the subject of the most enthusiastic praise. These applauses induced him to give his genius a still bolder flight, and to make an attempt at something higher than portrait painting, to which he had hitherto been chiefly confined. Pursuant to this determination, he undertook a

naturally concluded, that he could not do justice to the figure of the naked slave, who presented the poison. To meet this objection, Mr. Henry, without making West acquainted with his intention, directed a handsome young slave to be brought into the room, with all those parts of the body in a state of nakedness, which might be thought necessary to represent this branch of the detestable tragedy. The slave, on entering the room, stood before them. There," said Henry, is the model which you want." West, on perceiving nature full in view, found his objection vanish, and received a conviction, that it was only from her school that perfect models could be taken. This picture, on being finished, procured for him many additional friends; and also much applause from several, who were capable of appreciating the merit which he had display-picture from the trial of Susanna, in ed in the execution of his work. At this time, Dr. Smith, who was Provost of the College at Philadelphia, was so much pleased with his judgment and abilities, that he offered to take him under his tuition, and to instruct him in classical literature, so far as his profession as a painter might require. To this offer his parents acceded, and young West was accordingly taken into the college.

West, now drawn into public notice, found his enthusiasm increase with his opportunities for study: but, unhappily, about this period, death took from him his amiable mother; and the incursions made by the Indians very much disturbed the tranquillity of the country. The defeat of General Braddock, in 1755, increased the consternation which prevailed, and drew into the field of war, many, who might otherwise have been placed by the painter on his canvass. West about this time joined his companions in arms; and during his short military expedition, he became acquainted with General Wayne, who contributed, with Washington, to secure the independence of the United States.

When Braddock's army was defeated and destroyed, the General and many distinguished individuals perished in the tremendous conflict. Search was afterwards made on the field of battle for the remains of the unfortunate General, during which, the bodies of the father and brother of Sir Peter Halket were found locked in

which he introduced no less than forty figures. This was completed under the patronage of a Mr. Cox, and, in Mr. West's opinion, the style in which it was executed, far exceeded his Death of Socrates. But of this, nothing further can now be said, as the picture is unfortunately lost.

After remaining some time in Philadelphia, Mr. West removed to New York, where happening to see a beautiful Flemish picture of a Hermit praying before a lamp, he conceived the idea of painting a man reading by candle-light. This also he completed with his usual ability, taking for his model, a man with a book placed before him, in a room enlightened only by a candle. His reputation as a portrait-painter during these years continued to increase; and his prices advanced, as his fame augmented. In 1754, his price was one guinea for a head; in 1755 it was two guineas; in 1756 three; in 1758 four; and in 1760 five; and ten guineas for a half length.

When Mr. West had nearly attained his twenty-second year, a proposition was made by a mercantile friend, for his going to Italy, accompanied with an offer of the necessary means. This was an overture too advantageous to be rejected; he therefore made suitable preparations, and speedily embarked. Arriving at Rome, he was introduced to some celebrated characters, who, wishing to see what ef fect the works of art which decorated the Vatican would produce on him,

After an absence of about fifteen months, Mr. West again visited Rome, having recovered his health, and improved himself in his favourite art, by the various works of eminent masters that he had been permitted to consult. From Rome he repaired to France, but without meeting with that flattering attention by which he had been distinguished in the countries he had previously visited.

Nearly three years had now elapsed, since Mr. West had left America, and he began to calculate upon a speedy return to the land of his nativity; but a letter from his father, advising him to visit England, induced him to turn his face towards this country. While entertaining these views, he joined the company of Mr. Patoune, a Scotch physician, who, having been abroad, was travelling homewards, and with him he continued to associate until their arrival. West, during the whole of his journey, found time to take sketches from groups and figures wherever he went, and derived much advantage from the observations which he made on the style and manner in which he found the various works executed. In Paris and Lyons they remained longer than in any other parts of France; but Mr. West having America now distinctly in view, he hastened to this country, fully intending to tarry about two or three months, to survey its most celebrated pictures, and then to revisit his native land. He reached London in company with Mr. Patoune, in the month of August, 1763.

appointed a day for the grand exhibition. West was then placed where, on the sudden opening of a door, he might have at once a full view of the statue of Apollo. To witness this scene, many exalted personages had assembled, forming a procession, which included about thirty of the most magnificent equipages in Rome. When the keeper threw open the door, West, seized with astonishment, exclaimed, "How much it resembles a young Mohawk warrior!" The Italians were evidently mortified, at hearing their celebrated Apollo compared to a savage warrior, and therefore wished to know what sort of people the Mohawks were. West described their persons, their education, the elasticity of their limbs, their dexterity with the bow and arrow, the expansion which active life gave to their chest, and the dilation of the nostrils, which their quick breath- | ing while engaged in the chase always occasioned; all of which were so nobly depicted in the Apollo. "I have seen them frequently," said West, "standing in that very attitude, watching, with an intense eye, the progress of the arrow which they had just discharged from the how." This explanation removed all their mortification; and the Italians declared, that a better criticism had rarely been pronounced on their celebrated statue. After surveying, with different degrees of admiration, the works of the most eminent artists, his health began to decline; and, following medical advice, he removed to Leghorn. Upon his recovery, he visited Florence, Bologna, Parma, Mantua, Venice, and Verona, studiously observing the works of Caracci, Correggio, Tintoretti, Paul, Veronese, Romano, Titian, and others, which were chiefly to be found in these cities. While at Parma he completed a copy of the St. Jerome of Correggio, and was elected a member of their academy. From the academies of Florence and Bologna, he had pre-formances, particularly his Cymon and viously received similar honours. While at Rome, he painted a portrait, which gained him so much reputation, that its fame travelled to America, and drew from his friends, through whose patronage he had been able to visit the schools of Europe, letters of unlimited credit. In this act of liberality they were joined by Mr. Hamilton, who was then Governor of Philadelphia.

Mr. West on his arrival visited Oxford, Blenheim, Bath, Stourhead, Fonthill, Wilton, Longford near Salisbury, Windsor, and Hampton Court, and returned to London, purposely to embark for America. But fortunately, during his tour, Mr. Patoune having spoken favourably in several companies of his extraordinary talents, and highly praised some of his per

Iphigenia, which he painted about the time of his second visit to Rome, and his Angelica and Medora, which were finished soon after, an interest was excited in his favour, which he could not, on the ground of common prudence, treat either with neglect, or abandon with abruptness. One circumstance which tended to excite this marked attention was, that Mr. West had been represented as a young Ame

rican Quaker, who thus made such proficiency in the arts which his community in general disregarded.

His name, in connection with these circumstances, becoming public, soon reached the ears of General Monckton, who in 1759 had taken the command of the British army, on the death of General Wolfe. This gentleman having lately returned from America, had brought with him some knowledge of Mr. West's brother, who served under General Wayne, as captain in the Pennsylvania militia. These circumstances led him to call on Mr. West to view his pictures, and so forcibly was he struck with their superior merit, that he immediately sat for a full length portrait. This was executed in a masterly manner, combining an expression of a bold military spirit, with a striking personal likeness. Its fame soon drew to his apartments several distinguished characters, who honoured him with a sitting, and several celebrated artists came to inspect his works. By General Monckton he was introduced to the celebrated Reynolds, who, calling to see the portrait of Monckton, advised him to exhibit this, with his two pictures, of which Patoune had spoken so highly, in the exhibition for 1764, which was then about to be opened in Spring Gardens. The praise which these obtained, far exceeded his most sanguine expectations; and this being seconded by the earnest solicitations of his friends, which were daily increasing in number and respectability, caused him to suspend for a season, his resolution to return to America.

fame from the ground of competition,
rather than reign in America,
"with-
out a second, and without a judge."

While Mr. West resided in Phila-
delphia, he had formed an acquaint-
ance with Miss Shewell, the second
daughter of a respectable merchant.
Their intimacy had ripened into a mu-
tual affection; but their intended mar-
riage was delayed until he had visited
Europe, and obtained those advan-
tages in his art, which could not be
found in any other portion of the globe.
This sacred engagement was never
forgotten by either party.
No sooner
had Mr. West formed a resolution to
settle in England, than he wrote to his
father, requesting him to accompany
the young lady to the British metropo-
lis, that their marriage might be con-
summated. To her also he wrote a
most affectionate epistle, stating the
reasons which had induced him to
think of settling in this country, and
pointing out the propriety of the mea-
sures, in which she was solicited to
concur. She according sailed from
America with Mr. West's father, land-
ed safely, after a pleasant passage,
and shortly after their arrival became
his wife.

Independently of the personal circumstances already noticed, Mr. West made his appearance in England at a time when historical painting had been much neglected. George the Second had given no encouragement to artists of this description; and men of no mean talents were languishing in adversity, when he resolved to abandon the fair advantages which America offered, to encounter in this The United States at this time held country, the difficulties which obstruct out a more inviting prospect of fur- the march of genius. He was about nishing pecuniary advantage and local twenty-six years of age when he formfame, than either England or any king-ed this resolution, and began his cadom in Europe could present. America had produced no good painter; it was ready to give all possible encouragement to a native artist: and he might have been considered as the father of the American school. But if this had been adopted, as he would have had no rivals with whom to contend, the glory of equalling those who had already acquired unfading laurels, would have prevented him from contending for an imperishable wreath among these sons of immortality. But whatever events occurred to influence his decision, he finally resoved to settle in England, and gather hard-earned

reer. George the Third had looked with a more favourable eye than his grandfather on this branch of the imitative arts; but the issue still remained in a state of uncertainty, which set calculation at defiance.

In the year 1765 an association was formed at Spring Gardens, denominated the " Incorporated Society of Arts." This was composed of those artists who had previously exhibited the fruits of their genius for public inspection at that place on former occasions. Of this Society Mr. West was elected a member, and chosen a director. His fame continuing to increase,