34 Mr. Faraday on the 



Names ever known. Mr. West is very forward with the Picture which is the 

 finest I ever saw in my life. The Wolfe is nothing to it. Respecting the Books 

 for your Library, my Son will undertake it for the first year and if there is no 

 more trouble than appears upon the face of it he will continue it as long as you 

 please. I admire the Scheme and think it worthy the people of Manchester 

 who are acknowledged to be the most liberal and enlighten'd of any people in 

 England. There are two more Vols, of Shaw just publish'd which I have 

 ordered to be sent to you. I have likewise sent Ackermans' print by the Coach 

 this evening. Nothing is talk'd of here but Mr. Pitt's death, but it is not as 

 it would have been if he had died a few years ago. Nelson was the lucky man, 

 he died in the very moment a wise man would choose. I am 



yours truly 



J. HEATH. 

 Russell Place. 



The writer of the next letter which I have selected 

 was William Martin, an English historical painter, a 

 pupil of Cipriani, who obtained a gold palette from the 

 Society of Arts in 1766, and exhibited at the Royal 

 Academy from 1775 to 18 16. He was employed by George 

 III. to do decorative work at Windsor Castle. The new 

 library building referred to is again evidently the Portico : — 



My Dear Sir 



When I last visited Manchester, about eighteen months since, I was very 

 much struck with the Elegance and simplicity of a building, then going forward, 

 which I afterwards heard was intended for a public library. About seven 

 years since Designs were made, (In this Town,) and fully approved off, by the 

 National Council, For A Splendid building, Intended for the Use of the Two 

 Legislative Assemblys, & as it appeared that the same was Decided on being 

 carried into execution I employed, many years study, in executing several large, 

 & appropriate, Pictures (from the life of Alfred the Great), for the purpose, of 

 presenting them, to assist in the Internal Decoration but as the Plan of 

 carrying that building into Execution has, & most probable, will remain 

 a sleep, I have determined on dividing this Work & have presented One of 

 these Pictures to the University of Oxford, One to the University of Cam- 

 bridge and One I have to request you will offer (from me) to the Proprietors, of 

 the building I have alluded to, provided they have a sittuation calculated to 

 receive it — Its size is twelve feet high & ten wide — the subject is the before 

 mentioned great Monarch, during his concealment In the Island of Athelingny 

 in Somersetshire — the Point of time represented is the vision of St. Cuthbert 

 appearing to him — Alfred is stated to have fallen a sleep (when reading) when 

 this Vision presented its self before him & Related that the Time was now 



