I lo Painters in the Reign of Henry VIII. 



nefs of penetration tliat atteft the fincerlty 

 of the refemblance. It is Sir Thomas More 

 in the rigour of his fenfe, not in the fweet- 

 nefs of his pleafantry — Here he is the un- 

 blemiflied magiflrate, not that amiable phi- 

 lofopher, whofe humility neither power nor 

 piety could elate, and whofe mirth even 

 martyrdom could not fpoil. Here he is 

 rather that fingle cruel judge whom one 

 knows not how to hate, and who in the 

 vigour of abilities, of knowledge and good 

 humour perfecuted others in defence of fu- 

 perilitions that he himfelf had expofed j 

 and who capable of difdaining life at the 

 price of his fincerity, yet thought that God 

 was to be ferved by promoting an impofture ; 

 who triumphed over Henry and Death, and 

 funk to be an accomplice, at leaft the dupe, 

 of the holy maid of Kent ! 



Holbein was kindly received by More 

 and was taken into his houfe at Chelfea. 

 There he worked for near three years, 

 drawing the portraits of Sir Thomas, his 

 relations and friends. The king vifiting 

 the chancellor, faw fome of thofe pi6lures, 

 and expreffed his fatisfacbion. Sir Tho- 

 mas begged him to accept which ever he 



liked 



