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 Boydell's 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, and 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. 



