Jethro Tull: Idi* Life, Times, and Teaclihig. 
25 
by bodily suffering und petty annoyances amounting in the ag- 
gregate to mental torture. Fancy him at the age of fifty-six, as 
in the characteristic portrait ' — which, if not by Allan Hamsay,^ 
is at least of his school— arrayed in his best ruffled velvet coat and 
full-bottomed wig ; and having dined well, he is depicted as 
demonstrating, with index finger extended and self-satisfied ex- 
pression, the excellences of some excellent part of his agricultural 
system — a charming discourse, spiced, no doubt, with humour, 
and delivered with the ease of a scholarly gentleman, together 
with the dignity of an intuitive philosopher. 
The Diarist's — Lord Cathcart's — visit to Tull at "Pro- 
sperous" was on Monday, September 7, 1730. On the Friday 
previous he drank tea en familie with Mrs. Howard — Lady 
Suffolk,^ in those days a person of the greatest influence — and 
explained to her his object in going to Po'ntypool, which was to 
enlarge his knowledge of smelting and of iron manufacture. 
The next day he did not go out hunting with the Court, as he 
was prepai'ing for his journey. The Queen was gracious, and 
asked why he travelled to Wales. The King asked the same 
question, and very graciously granted leave. Queen Caroline 
was a woman of great ability, a good and firm friend ; her 
Majesty subsequently headed the list of the subscribers to Tub's 
book. The " Wizard of the North " has, with magic power, 
reproduced for us the men and women of that day — the Queen, 
the Duke of Argyle, Lady Suffolk, and many other interesting 
illustrations of this biography, English and Scotch, will be foiind 
in the Heart of Midlothian. 
On Sunday, September the 6tli, when the Diarist started at 
half-past nine o'clock, it rained hard ; he dined at a little inn, 
where he picked up some useful agricultural information. From 
thence the ten miles to Newbury was done in fine weather. He 
supped with the family of Colonel Schultz. On Monday morning, 
the 7th, at half-past nine o'clock, the Diarist arrived at Prosperous 
Farm, where he was delighted with Mr. Tull, who showed him 
over his property, and explained without the least reserve his 
whole system. The Diarist left at 3 o'clock, and young Tull set 
' Agriculturists are indebted to ]\Ir. Martin J. Sutton, of Reading ; he has, 
with great public spirit, purchased this interesting portrait, in order that, in 
the public interest, it may be safeguarded. The portrait of Tull was formerly 
in the possession of Mr. John Richards, F.S.A., of Camden House, Reading, the 
founder of the Berkshire Ashmolean Society. At his death, in 1840, it waa 
bought by the late Mr. John Snare, of Reading ; his widow, Mrs. Snare, of 
Kelburne Lodge, Wokingham, sold the portrait to Mr. Sutton. 
^ Allan Ramsay, the painter, was a fellow-countryman and friend of the 
Diarist. 
" hadj Suffolk's Letters, 1712-67, London ; Murray, 1824, 
