Sir Thomas Lawrence. 151 



retouched another part with fine colors, and in a deliber 

 ate way which did not indicate that he was in any haste 

 to finish it. He next laid down his pallet, and, turning 

 to the chalk drawing upon the unpainted canvas, asked 

 me how I liked his manner of proceeding? But as no 

 compliment could be paid by me to such an artist, I 

 merely said that I thought it the very quintessence of his 

 art. A waiter then entered, and announced that break- 

 fast was ready. He invited me to remain and join him 

 in his ' humble meal,' which I declined, while we walked 

 downstairs together. I remarked on the very large num- 

 ber of unfinished portraits I saw : to which he mildly re- 

 plied, ' My dear sir, this is my only misfortune ; I can- 

 not tell if I shall ever see the day when they will all be 

 finished.' Insisting on my remaining to breakfast, I 

 went in ; it consisted of a few boiled eggs, some dry 

 toast, and tea and coffee. He took the first, and I the 

 last : this finished, I bid him good-morning. It was ten 

 o'clock when I left, and as I passed out three carriages 

 were waiting at the door ; and had I not been a student 

 in ornithology I would have wished myself a Sir Thomas 

 Lawrence, for I thought that after all the superiority of 

 this wonderful man's talents I could with less powers 

 realize more than he by my own more constant industry. 

 " Sir Thomas afterwards paid me three visits ; two at 

 my boarding house and one at Mr. Havell's, my engrav- 

 er ; and I will tell you something of each of them to 

 show you the kindness of his heart. It was nine in the 

 morning the first time he came ; he looked at some of 

 my drawings of quadrupeds and birds, both finished and 

 unfinished. He said nothing of their value, but asked 

 me particularly of the prices which I put on them. I 

 mentioned the price of several in order, and to my sur- 

 prise he said he would bring me a few purchasers that 

 very day if I would remain at home : this I promised 



