458 
panied by interesting ‘circumstances; 
for while in’ Edinburgh, thoogh very 
young, his talents were discovered, and 
‘daly appreciated by many eminent per- 
sons in that city; and he was’ particus 
_ Javly marked” by the friendship of Al 
lan Ramsay, the celebrated poet, of 
the late ingenious Sir Jolm Clerk, of 
Pennyeuik, and iany otliers, with 
whom, and his brother officers in the 
survey, lie passed a pleasant period, 
Though thus circumstanced, we find him 
trot ide or indifferent to the cultivation 
of his native taste and talents; for at 
this time he made many very accurate 
views of Edinburg!) and its vicinity; 
and becoming acquainted with Mr. Bell, 
an engraver in that city, he got some 
insight into his mode of etching, and 
himself etched a number of scenes 
in the neighbourhood, which were 
done on the spot, upon the copper. 
At the same time also he took-am~rous 
sketches from nature, with surprising 
accuracy, and made many drawings of 
figures, in the costume, and of the ha- 
bits and employments, of the inhabi- 
tants ‘of Edinburgh, that are peculiarly 
interesting, and which mark a fertility 
of genius, that had only to select its 
path in art, to attain excellence. He 
chose landscape-painting, and a. few. 
facts will trace him through his progress 
up to that height, which he confessedly 
attained, \ 
After returning to London from Edin- 
burgh, Mr. Sandby employed himself in 
etching and engraving several plates 
of various subjects, which were pub- 
ished by Boydell, Ryland, &c. and 
when the late Sir W. W. Wynne went 
down to Wynnstay, to meet his tenants 
vpon coming of age, he was accom- 
panied by Mr. Sandby, who afterwards 
made several tours in Wales with the 
baronet. He also travelled with Sir Jo- 
seph Banks, the hate Dr. Solander, and 
Mr. Lightfoot, upon a tour to the Prin- 
eipality; and this journey he ever 
after remembered with the fondest de- 
light, having experienced from Sir Joseph 
Banks an attention and kindness, which 
ealled forth in him the highest feeling 
ef respect and affection for his liberal 
patron and worthy friend. During his 
first visit at Wynnstay, a theatre was 
got up, all the scenes of which were 
painted by Mr. Sandby; and although 
for very many years afterwards he never 
extended his pictures. beyond the size 
Memoirs of the late Paul Sandby, esq. 
however, did not pass his life unaccom- - 
/ 
of a sheet of paper; yet in ebe year 
1794, being applied to by Sir Nigel: 
Gresby ‘to paint a room the baronet 
had. built at his ‘seat at . Drakelow 
House, near, Burton-upon-Trent, Mr, 
Sandby, justly relying upon his powers, 
undertook the task; and notwithstand= 
ing the unusually large ‘size of the 
room, he actually began and eompleated 
within the short space of two months: 
which to those who see it there appears 
the labour of years, being one com 
tinued subject of a landscape round 
three sides of the room. Many of 
the trees are nearly thirty feet in > 
height, and the ceiling has a beautiful 
sky. At the same time he contrived to 
make numerous sketches in the park 
and grounds. 
Mr. Sandby’s brother residing in Wind- 
sor Great Park (of which he was deputy 
ranger,) shortly after he returned from 
Scotland, he went to live in that neigh- 
bourhood; and those who are ac- 
quainted with Mr. Sandby’s style, will 
see that at this time he fixed his prin- 
ciples, from studying in the park and 
forest. While residing at Windsor, he 
was noticed by the late Duke of Mon- 
tague, then governor of the castle, for 
whom he made many fine. drawings, 
views of the castle and adjacent park; 
and his Grace continued ever after to 
be his warm friend and patron. In 
the year 1768, he was appointed by 
the Marquis of Granby chief drawing- 
master in the Royal Military Academy, 
at Woolwich, which office he continued 
to hold during twenty-six years. 
Mr. Sandby was one of the original 
members of the Royal Academy. The 
artists about the year 1750, associated tos 
gether in a kind of academy, in St. Mar 
tin’s in vhe Fields; the year afterwards 
they formed a plan of exhibiting their 
works, and by that means in a great degree 
attracting public attention. In January, 
1765, they were incorporated by a royal 
charter; and in 1768, his Majesty, in 
order to give dignity to the new esta- 
blishment, instituted a royal academy 
of painting, sculpture, and architecture. 
The principal artists with whom this 
scheme of procuring an annual exhibis 
tion originated, were Wilson, Heyman, 
West, Sandby, Stubbs, Chambers, Rey- 
nolds, &c. He was also a member of 
the Turk’s Head Club, composed of 
some of the most eminent artists of 
the day. ‘ 
Before the extraordinary merit of Ho~ 
garth 
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