president's address. 327 



EuLE, William Harris (1802-90), born at Penryn. For some 

 years made a living- by portrait painting and probably 

 would have obtained a good position if he had pursued it 

 as an avocation. His bent, however, was philology and he 

 is said to have been master of ten languages. He became 

 a Wesleyan and published many works on religious and 

 historical subjects. 



I do not doubt that this list is exceedingly imperfect, but such 

 as it is I thought it might be of permanent interest, as I believe 

 such record does not exist anywhere else, 



I must especially notice the first on my list, Heniy Bone, 

 who was born here in Truro in 1755, and who achieved very 

 great distinction ms an enameller. It is perhaps worth recording 

 Lhat a catalogue of his works (including those of his son), 

 amounting in all to 1063 in number, was compiled by Mr. J. J. 

 Rogers, and will be found in the Journal of the Royal Institution 

 of Cornwall for 1880. Two other Cornish artists who achieved 

 remarkable distinction I must also mention — Joshua Cristall 

 (born in 1767 in Camborne) who is universally recognised and 

 remembered as one of the "creators" of what has now for a 

 long period been one of the peculiar glories of England, I mean 

 otir water colour school; and John Opie (born in 1761 at St. Agnes, 

 of the poorest parents) who shewed such extraordinary ability 

 that he attracted the notice of Dr. Wolcot (better known as 

 "Peter Pindar") who, when he removed to London in 1781, 

 brought the young untaught artist with him, started him in a 

 studio and advertised him as "The Cornish Wonder." It is 

 said everybody flocked to him, even Sir Joshua Reynolds being 

 neglected. When this society craze had passed away, young Opie 

 found himself possessed of some money and he married 

 prudently. He then, unspoiled with his great success, set 

 himself to patient study of the art of painting, and afterwards 

 painted several important historical pictures. He was elected 

 a full member of the Royal Academy and he, who was at twenty 

 years of age the '■'■untaught hoy,'''' was eventually chosen to 

 succeed Fuseli as professor of painting at the Royal Academy 

 itself. It is said he only lived to deliver four lectures, dying 

 somewhat suddenly in 1807 at the early age of 46. There is no 



