Henry III. to the End of Henry VI. 39 



bols *. The reprefentations of thefe extra- 

 vagances (as we fee them col levied by 

 Montfaucon in his antiquities of France) 

 demanded Japonefe and Indian painters ; 

 were not likely to produce Vandycks and 

 Titians. While we are curious in tracing 

 the progrefs of barbarifm, we wonder more 

 that any arts exifted, than that they attained 

 no degree of perfe6lion. 



Of the third Edward, fays Mr. Vertue f, 

 many portraits are preferved, at Windfor, 

 in illuminated MSS. and elfewhere. As he 

 has not marked where thefe limnings exift, 

 I can give no account of them myfelf, nor 

 refer the reader to the infpe6lion of them. 

 But there is a portrait taken from a bud 

 of the fame age, the face of which is far 

 from being executed in a contemptible 

 manner. It reprefents that artiil and patron 

 of arts William of Wickham bifhop of Win- 

 chefter, and prime miniftcr to Edward III. 

 a prelate whofe magnificent charities yet 



* La Bruyere has exprefTed this with the happLeU 

 decency ; ** lis avoient trouve le fecret de paroitre Kuds 

 tout habillez.'* Vol. ii. p. 234. 



f See an account, in folio, prefixed to his prints of 

 the kings of England. 



C 4 exifl, 



