392 APPENDIX. 



of the sight of one of his eyes, has dropped the pencil, and, in all 

 probability, the transcending powers of young Lawrence, in por 

 trait painting, will be the man to succeed him in that department 

 of art. My son, Raphael, with his brother, has returned from 

 Switzerland ; he has brought a rich portfolio of sketches from the 

 grand features of that country, and is just on the point of finish 

 ing a larger picture from Shakspeare's " Tempest." The moment 

 is, where the ship is cast on shore, and Trinculo finds Caliban, 

 through fear, lying on the ground. I believe there is not a pict 

 ure to be found where the elements are so masterly brought to 

 gether, and more imagination shown than in this picture. 



My pencil is now proceeding with the pictures of the great de 

 sign of his Majesty's Chapel, in Windsor Castle. I have executed 

 several of the large pictures for it since you left this country, 

 besides a large cartoon to paint from on glass, for a window in the 

 Collegiate Church at Windsor, and a finished sketch for my next 

 great picture for Alderman BoydelPs Shakspeare Gallery ; the 

 subject is " Ophelia in Madness before the King and Queen." The 

 many that have seen it are pleased to compliment me on its suc 

 cess. I have made another sketch which is for Macklin's Gallery, 

 from which a print is to be made for his Bible ; the subject is, 

 *' Christ showing a Little Child as the Emblem of Heaven." 



But of all the artists that have attained the power of giving life 

 to their productions, it is Mrs. Cosway ; for the beginning of last 

 June, she produced a living child of the feminine gender, arid be 

 fore six weeks were at an end, she took her departure for Rome, 

 and left Cosway to nurse the child 



If this hasty scribble can afford you any entertainment, I shall 

 be happy ; as for any other news, the general accounts will inform 

 you this country thinks of nothing else but fighting the Spaniards. 



Mr. Poggi is again in Holland ; Mrs. Poggi and her children 



are well. Mrs. B is at Fulham with her friend, Mrs. King, 



who had the misfortune to have her only son killed in a duel, ten 

 days past, at Margate. 



Mrs. West and my sons are well ; they desire to be remembered 

 to you. 



I am, dear sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



BENJAMIN WEST. 

 LONDON, October 14, 1790. 



