396 APPENDIX. 



professional character, tendering me their thanks for the support 

 I had ever given to that Institution and the arts in England. By 

 the short sketch I have given of what had passed in the Academy, 

 you will see that the Institution is in the hands of his Majesty 

 and myself and friends. 



With respect to other particulars in the arts, I have to inform 

 you that Alderman Boydell is dead, and that the Shakspeare 

 Gallery has been decided by lottery, and it has fallen to the lot of 

 Mr. Tassee, of Lester-Fields (the maker of gems), and that poor 

 Banks, the sculptor, now lies dead. 



In regard to myself and family, Mrs. West continues much 

 the same as when you left us. My eldest son, his wife, and little 

 girl, are well. My youngest son, his wife, and little Benjamin 

 the Ruler, are likewise well. In regard to myself, I have just 

 come through a bad cold, but have escaped the gout ; and am on 

 the fourth division of the great window for Forrest to work the 

 glass after. 



From what passed between Mr. Livingston and me when he 

 was in London from Paris, I had flattered myself he would, on 

 his return to France, have honored me with the means of becom 

 ing a member of the New York Academy ; but I do suppose the 

 press of business he had on leaving that city prevented his doing it. 

 Should you see him, I beg you will present my respects to him. 



It will be a gratification to me to hear from you how the arts 

 are likely to be protected in America; it will be in its power 

 to do great things with respect to the arts, and this is the moment 

 for it to start, as the higher excellences in them are past their 

 zenith on this side of the water, and the advantage which Italy, 

 France, Flanders, Holland, and England recently received by cher 

 ishing them, those advantages may be embraced by America, 

 both for her honor and riches, as the whole world will lie open to 

 her commerce. Her youths have the fire of genius, and her men 

 have the thinking of philosophers ! It is the combination of those 

 qualities which have rendered the Greeks' name eternal in all that 

 was refined in the higher excellence of art ; and in my opinion 

 there has not existed a people so likely to be their rivals as the 

 Americans. 



With great esteem and friendship, I have the honor to be, 

 Dear Sir, 



Your most obedient and obliged, 



BENJAMIN WEST. 



