George Morland 



trumpet, the original now being at Cambridge, and an arithmetical 

 machine, now exhibited at South Kensington. He also raised 

 water to the top of Windsor Castle, and there is some 

 evidence that his theories on the power of steam contained the 

 germ of the future discovery which led to the revolution of the 

 mechanical world. The baronetcy fell into abeyance in 1716, upon 

 the death of Sir Samuel Morland's son, and it was commonly 

 believed that upon the death of Henry Morland, George was the 

 next-of-kin and could have claimed the title with full right. 



George, however, laughed at the idea of it, observing "that 

 plain George Morland would always sell his pictures, and there was 

 more honour in being a fine painter than a titled gentleman ; that 

 he would have borne the disgrace of a title had there been any 

 income to accompany it ; but, as matters stood, he swore he would 

 wear none of the fooleries of his ancestors." Such revolutionary 

 sentiments must have seemed the rankest blasphemy at a time 

 when the French Revolution had shocked our English gentry into 

 strong antagonism to democratic ideals. 



George Morland's reference to his lack of income was made at 

 a time when the jovial and extravagant life at Paddington previously 

 described had come to its inevitable end. Successful as he was, no 

 success could well keep pace with a reckless prodigality which no 

 ordinary industry, nor even the extraordinary industry of such an 

 artist as Morland, could pay for honourably. It must be remembered 

 that pictures did not fetch the large sums of money which are now 

 expected by distinguished artists. That one or two of Morland's 

 paintings should have been sold for a hundred or a hundred and 

 twenty guineas was remarkable and quite exceptional, and with his 

 method of dealing through amateur and professional agents, it is 

 doubtful whether he ever personally received more than half those 

 sums for his best work. Living from hand to mouth, and obtaining 

 credit far in advance of his painting, his debts accumulated heavily, 

 and the time came when his creditors pressed for a settlement. 

 Then all those boon companions and hangers-on, who had been 

 ready enough to drink his wine, to ride his horses, and to wear his 

 clothes, dropped away from him, and Morland had to face the fact 

 that friendship is a commodity that may be bought at a dear price, 



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