1899.] on George III. as a Collector. 71 



of its engraved portraits. In its portfolios the Kings and Queens of 

 the Empire, with their families, are represented by every known engrav- 

 ing which could be acquired, many of the utmost rarity and value, 

 some perhaps unique, and all specially selected for beauty of im- 

 pression. After these come in due order the Sovereigns of other 

 Royal houses ; nobles, statesmen and warriors, and others, all com- 

 bine to swell this wonderful gallery, which embraces, or attempts to 

 include, the likeness of every one of every country whose features 

 were considered worthy to be handed down to posterity. 



In addition to the engraved portraits, there was collected by His 

 Majesty a vast number of engravings, which are arranged under the 

 different schools of painters whose works they represent. Of these 

 the most complete and important are the engravings by Hogarth, and 

 those after Sir Joshua Keynolds. There is also a nearly complete 

 collection of the 3000 plates engraved by Hollar. 



This is a very hasty and imperfect list of the works of art which 

 George III. collected, and has left behind him among the treasures of 

 the Crown, but it by no means exhausts the subjects in which he took 

 a keen and practical interest ; such as his love of Botany, and the 

 encouragement he gave to Sir Joseph Banks ; his studies in scientific 

 agriculture ; and the introduction to this country of the breed of 

 merino sheep. The foundation by him of the Royal Academy must 

 on no account be omitted, nor the gift to it of over 5000Z. from his 

 privy purse, besides other grants and privileges. 



From what has been said it must be acknowledged that the man 

 who could devote so much attention and energy to the collection of 

 so vast an accumulation of worthy objects, had tastes and aims of a 

 high character ; and here it may be mentioned that that generally 

 admirable work the Dictionary of National Biography has in its notice 

 of the King made a notable departure from its usual accuracy and 

 impartiality in recording that " his taste was execrable." This 

 sweeping condemnation is founded entirely on the report given by 

 Miss Burney of one of the earliest conversations which she held 

 with the King, who was then, as it seems, endeavouring to draw out a 

 lady who was shortly to be introduced into the personal household of 

 his Queen. It must be said here that a better and more appreciative 

 opinion is given of the King by an authority far higher, Dr. Johnson, 

 who, after his first interview, said to Mr. Barnard, " Sir, they may talk 

 of the King as they will, but he is the finest gentleman I have ever 

 seen." He reiterated to his friends his admiration of the King's 

 talents and charms, and his testimony is more worthy of respect than 

 the hastily jotted down notes of an exceedingly self-conscious and 

 somewhat spiteful spinster. It is only bare justice to the memory of 

 George III. that the facts which have been thus enumerated and not 

 always remembered to his credit, should be even imperfectly put on 

 record. [R. R. H.] 



