DISCOVERY 



299 



Beggar and his Dog. the Old Kneebone of Helston, and Mat. 

 Trevenen. The Beggar and his Dog the King kept, as well as 

 the portrait of a lady, which Jan painted expressly for him. 

 West was ordered to give Jan the money, and to say that he 

 (George the Third) wished him every success. On Wednesday 

 the boy paints the Duke and Duchess of Glos'ter. and I suppose 

 the children. He waited on them a few days since, and was 

 graciously received by their Royal Highnesses. He is now 

 painting the most beautiful women of the Court. Lady Salis- 

 burv. Lady Charlotte Talbot, Lady Harcourt, etc. You 

 cannot think what repute Jan is come into ; I told you before 

 I got him introduced ; indeeJ I did, for by recommending him 

 to Mrs. Boscawen's patronage, she made it a point, to oblige 

 me. and immediately introduced him to Lord and Lady Bute, 

 the Hon. Mrs. Walsingham, Lord and Lady Mount Edgecombe, 

 Mrs. Delany, a chief favourite of their Majesties, etc., etc., who, 

 showing her picture done by him. to the King, he was immedi- 

 ately sent for. Now he is established, it will be his own fault 

 if he does not make his fortune. 



Opie to his friends in Cornwall 



{Undated, probably same months 

 My dear Friends, 



I must ask you ten thousand pardons for neglecting to 

 write you all this while. I shall never forget the obligations I 

 am under to Mr. Penwarne and his family. 



I think I am fixed here for the winter ; however, whether I 

 will or no, and the only thing I regret is that I cannot see you 

 sometimes ; I wish, indeed. I expected to see one of you here 

 before now. 



I have been exceedingly lucky since I have been here. I have 

 all the quality at my lodgings every day. nothing but Lords. 

 Indies. Dukes, Duchesses, etc. I was introduced to Sir Josh, 

 who said many handsome things of me both to my face and 

 behind my back. 



But— Loard — I've 'a zee'd the King and Queen, and was 

 with them at the Queen's house and taalked wi'mun two hours 

 and painted vor mun the picture of an old lady and a blind 

 beggar and dog. I am not yet paid for 'em. 



West was there at the same time. After the King went out. 

 West asked me the price of the pictures, and said the King 

 wished to be considered as a private gentleman. I had a great 

 mind to ask if the King paid him as a private gentleman. . . . 

 Can I be of anv service to you ? Any commands that you may 

 have I will gladly execute. If you want anj'thing that I can 

 get for you, be so good as to mention and it shall be done. 

 I hope to have the pleasure of hearing from you soon. Please 

 to give my best respects to Miss Lawrence and Miss Penwarne 

 and Mr. Penwarne, and shall be glad to hear that they are well. 

 Gentlemen, 



I am most sincerely 

 Yours, 



J. Opie. 

 Please to direct to me at 



Mr. Riccard's, Orange Court. Castle Street, 

 Leicester Fields. 

 London. 



It is worth noting that in Opie's letter there is no 

 mention of Wolcot. The success of the young man had 

 already placed a heavy strain upon the compact of the 

 two to divide profits. It is not knowTi that Wolcot 

 published anything during these first London adven- 

 tures — probably he was much too busy exhibiting Opie. 

 But though he was still able — probably because the 



youth was totally absorbed in painting — to show him 

 about in an uncouth state, his long hair about his 

 shoulders, he could not teach him to be careful with 

 his public. Opie cared in the first place for art, Wolcot 

 for the influence and reputation he expected it to bring. 

 The two men's ideals were dissimilar : by bringing Opie 

 to London, Wolcot had already in effect dissolved 

 partnership. 



Curiously enough it was through his attention to the 

 fortunes of Opie that his chance came. Wolcot did not 



J^E'IBR J'l y 



MEZZOTINT PORTR.\IT OF DR. WOLCOT BY OPIE, 1787. 



recommence authorship in order to " puff Opie in the 

 Press " as some wxiters have stated. His first produc- 

 tion contains no reference to the " Cornish Wonder," 

 and though he hailed him on a subsequent occasion, 

 it was only in passing. But the artist was nevertheless 

 the remote cause of his choice of subject. Wolcot had 

 throughout his life kept in touch with painting, had 

 himself practised the art, and is even said to have 

 studied at some period of his life under Richard Wilson 

 the landscape painter, whose style he imitated. During 

 his residence at Truro he had corresponded with North- 

 cote, and on Ozias Humphrey's return to England in 

 '77 had greeted him with verses. He was probably 

 well known at the time to other artists. On his arrival 



