A LARGE SEA-PIECE,

Representing Ships employed in the British Navy, in various positions.

BY BROOKING.

This painter had been in some department in the dock-yard at Deptford, but practised as a shippainter, in which he excelled all his countrymen, nor have any since Vandervelde equalled his productions in that department of painting; but his merit being scarcely known before his death, prevented him from acquiring the honour and profit which, by his abilities, he had a just right to expect. He died of a consumption, at his lodging in Castle Street, Leicester Square, in the spring of the year 1759, under forty years of age.

The following anecdote is given upon the authority of the late Mr. D. Sertes, to whom he was well known :

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'Many of the artists of that time worked for the shops, and Brooking, like the rest, painted much for a person who lived in Castle Street, Leicester Square, who coloured prints, and dealt in pictures, which he exposed at his shop-window. A gentleman, who sometimes passed the shop, being struck with the merits of some sea-pieces, which were by the hand of this artist, desired to know his name; but his enquiries were not answered agreeably to his wishes:

* Mr. Taylor White, then Treasurer of the Foundling Hospital.

he was only told, that if he pleased, they could procure any that he might require from the same painter. Brooking was accustomed to write his name upon his pictures, which mark was as constantly obliterated by the shop-keeper before he placed them in his window: it however happened that the artist carried home a piece, on which his name was inscribed, while the master was not at home, and the wife, who received it, placed it in the window without effacing the signature. Luckily, the gentleman passed by before this picture was removed, and discovered the name of the painter whose works he so justly admired. He immediately advertised for the artist to meet him at a certain wholesale linen-draper's in the city. To this invitation Brooking at first paid no regard; but seeing it repeated, with assurances of benefit to the person to whom it was addressed, he prudently attended, and had an interview with the gentleman, who, from that time, became his friend and patron. Unfortunately, the artist did not live long enough to gratify the wishes of his benefactor, or to receive any very great benefit from his patronage."

A LANDSCAPE.

BY GEORGE LAMBERT.

Lambert was, for many years, principal scene painter to the theatre at Covent Garden. Being a person of great respectability in character and pro

fession, he was often visited, while at work in the theatre, by persons of the first consideration, both in rank and talents. As it frequently happened that he was too much hurried to leave his engagements for his regular dinner, he contented himself with a beef steak, broiled upon the fire in the paintingroom. In this hasty meal he was sometimes joined by his visitors, who were pleased to participate in the humble repast of the artist. The flavour of the dish, and the conviviality of the accidental meeting, inspired the party with a resolution to establish a club, which was accordingly done, under the title of "The Beef Steak Club;" and the party assembled in the painting-room. The members were afterwards accommodated with a room in the play-house, where the meetings were held for many years; but after the theatre was last rebuilt, the place of assembly was changed to the Shakspeare Tavern.

Another circumstance in this gentleman's life is better worth recording, as being more intimately acquainted with the arts. When the artists had formed themselves into a regular society, and obtained a charter of incorporation, Lambert was nominated the president, being the first person who was appointed to that honourable station; but this distinction was of very short duration, for he did not survive the signature of the charter above four days. He died 30th January, 1765.

ELIJAH RAISING THE SON OF THE WIDOW OF

ZAREPHATH.

"And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee let this child's soul come into him again.

And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived."

BY LANFRANCO.

This picture was presented by Mr. Langford, a well-known fashionable auctioneer and a zealous friend of the charity whose name appears with those of the artists dining at the Hospital in 1757.

PORTRAIT OF HANDEL.

BY SIR GODFREY KNELLER.

Sir Godfrey Kneller was born at Lubec about the year 1648. He was at first designed for a military life, and was sent to Leyden, where he applied himself to mathematics and fortification, but the predominance of nature determining him to painting, his father acquiesced, and sent him to Amsterdam, where he studied under Bol, and had some instruction from Rembrandt. After this he came to Eng

land, and obtained great at Court and otherwise.

popularity in his profession

He painted Dryden in his own hair, in plain drapery, holding a laurel, and made him a present of

the work. The poet repaid this by an epistle containing encomiums such as few painters deserve:

Such are thy pictures, Kneller! such thy skill,

That nature seems obedient to thy will;

Comes out and meets thy pencil in the draught,

Lives there, and wants but words to speak the thought."

To the incense of Dryden was added that of Pope, Addison, Prior, Tickell, and Steele. No wonder the artist was vain. But the vanity of Kneller was redeemed by his naïveté, and rendered pleasant by his wit. "Dost thou think, man," said he to his tailor, who proposed his son for a pupil, "dost thou think, man, I can make thy son a painter? No! God Almighty only makes painters." His wit, however, was that of one who had caught the spirit of Charles the Second's wicked court. He once overheard a low fellow cursing himself. "God damn you, indeed!" exclaimed the artist, in wonder; "God may damn the Duke of Marlborough, and perhaps Sir Godfrey Kneller; but do you think He will take the trouble of damning such a scoundrel as you?" The servants of his neighbour, Dr. Ratcliffe, abused the liberty of a private entrance to the painter's garden, and plucked his flowers. Kneller sent word, that he must shut the door up. "Tell him," the Doctor peevishly replied, "that he may do anything with it but paint it." "Never mind

what he says," retorted Sir Godfrey, "I can take anything from him-but physic."

Kneller was one day conversing about his art,

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