There is a halo surrounding the past, especially when associated with men of talent, which brings many pleasing, though, perhaps, exaggerated feelings. It is this which causes us to regret our limited acquaintance with their habits and conversation, and often could we desire that at every congregation of genius and talent, a Boswell was present to hand down to us their words and their

1 Translator of Poree's Oration, &c. 2 Auctioneer. 3 Principal Librarian of British Museum. Fellow of the Society of Arts at the time of its 5 Celebrated Antiquary. 6 Incorporation. Organist. 7 First Organist of the Foundling Chapel, and Amanuensis to Handel. 8 Surgeon of the Hospital. Bookseller. 10 Printer. 11 Treasurer of the Hospital.

Active Governor, and afterwards Treasurer.
Father-in-Law to Nollekins, the Sculptor.

12 An

13 Friend of Hogarth, and

wit, so as to bring them in closer union with us. But this is not the fortuitous lot of every great man (as it was that of Dr. Johnson), and therefore we are left to our imagination to supply the space which is void by the absence of facts. Such is the case with these meetings of the artists at the Foundling Hospital.

In the course of this work a succinct account will be given of several of the most eminent of them, and of their Donations to the Hospital. There are others in the list, whose history is now almost forgotten, and therefore the following gleanings of a few of them may be interesting. Though dazzled by the luminaries in art of these days, we must not forget that their fires have been kindled by the lesser lights of the past.

JOHN ASTLEY.-Was born at Wem, in Shropshire, and received his early education in the country. His father was of the medical profession. When of age to assume a profession himself, he was sent to London, and placed as a pupil under the care of Hudson. It is not known how long he staid with his master, but when he left him he visited Rome, and was there about the same time with Sir Joshua Reynolds. After his return to England, he resided. at a friend's house for some months in London, and from thence went to Dublin, where he practised as a painter for about three years, and in that

* These Biographical Notices are extracted, for the most part, from Edwards's "Anecdotes of Painters," long since out of print.

time acquired three thousand pounds by his pencil. His next adventure is narrated in the words of one who was well acquainted with him. "As he was painting his way back to London, in his own post-chaise, with an out-rider, he loitered with a little pardonable vanity in his native neighbourhood, and visiting Nutsford Assembly, with another gentleman, Lady Daniel, a widow then present, was at once so won by his appearance, that she contrived to sit to him for her portrait, and then made him the offer of her hand, a boon which he did not think it prudent to refuse." In the decline of his life, he appeared to be disturbed by reflections upon the dissipated conduct of his early days, and when near his end, was not without apprehension of being reduced to indigence and want. He died at his house, Duckenfield Lodge, Cheshire, 14th November, 1787, and was buried at the church of that village.

JOHN BAKER.-A painter of flowers, was chiefly employed in ornamenting coaches, and had been regularly bred a coach-painter. At the foundation of the Royal Academy he was chosen one of the members, but did not long enjoy that honour, for he died in the year 1771.

CHARLES CATTON.-Was born at Norwich, and apprenticed to a coach-painter in London, of the name of Maxfield. With a laudable ambition to improve his talents in art, he became a member of the Academy in St. Martin's Lane, where he acquired a knowledge of the human figure, which, together with his natural taste, ranked him above

all others of his profession in London. He was the first Herald-painter who ventured to correct the bad manner of painting the supporters of coats of arms, which had long been the practice of his predecessors, whose representations of animals are considered as heraldic fictions rather than the resemblances of animated nature. At the foundation of the Royal Academy he was appointed one of the members.

JOHN BAPTIST CIPRIANI.-Descended from an ancient family in Florence, where he was born. He received his first instruction from an English artist of the name of Heckford, who had settled in that city, and afterwards went under the tuition of Gabiani, a painter of celebrity at that time in Italy. In August, 1755, he came to England with Wilton and Sir William Chambers, on their return from the Continent, and was patronized in this country by the late Earl of Tilney. At the foundation of the Royal Academy, he was chosen one of the members; he was also employed to make the design for the diploma which is given to the academicians and associates at their admission to the Society. This work he executed with great taste and elegance. For this he received a Silver Cup, upon which was engraved the following inscription,— "This Cup is presented to J. B. Cipriani, R.A. by the President and Council of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, as an acknowledgment for the assistance the Academy has received from his great abilities in his profession."

MASON CHAMBERLAIN. -Was employed, in the early part of his life, as a clerk in a merchant's counting-house, but afterwards became the pupil of Hayman. He resided in the vicinity of Spitalfields, where he painted portraits with tolerable success, some of which possess great force and resemblance, as those of Dr. Chandler, and of Mr. Catton the artist, both of which were exhibited. When the Royal Academy was founded he was chosen one of its members. He died in January, 1787.

CHEERE. He succeeded John Van Nost, a statuary, in St. Martin's Lane, in 1739. Cheere served his time to his brother Sir Henry Cheere, the statuary, who executed several monuments in Westminster Abbey.

RICHARD DALTON.-Was a native of Cumberland, and apprenticed to a coach-painter in Clerkenwell. After quitting his master he went to Rome to pursue the study of painting, where meeting with Lord Charlemont, he was engaged by his Lordship to accompany him to Greece, about the year 1749. On his return to England, he was, by the interest of his noble patron, introduced to the notice of George III. (then Prince of Wales), who, after his accession to the throne, appointed him his librarian. Soon after his appointment, it was determined to form a noble collection of drawings, medals, &c., for which purpose Mr. Dalton was sent to Italy to collect the various articles suited to the intention. The object of his tour being accomplished, he re-visited London, and when the Royal Cabinet was