SAMUEL PROUT, ARTIST. 
287 
three days before the performances were admitted. " I then went 
to Mr. Baynes " (this is an extract from the letter which I sent to 
the Society) " intentionally to request his assistance, being still 
very unwell, and having but little time before me, but with 
which I felt myself dissatisfied because I could not claim it wholly 
as my own, after which the greatest part of it was spunged out, 
and I proceeded to give it all the originality possible, and when 
delivered at the Society Booms I was satisfied with my proceedings, 
not knowing that I had acted contrary to the rules by which per- 
formances are decided for or against," &c. These circumstances, 
&c, I stated also in person before the Committee, and which were 
confirmed by the evidence of Mr. Eaynes. I confessed to them 
that I had not altogether acted as I could have wished, and that I 
had not a shadow of a thought to impose on this laudable institu- 
tion ; but a young man who had been disappointed (and believing 
him to be my friend I did not keep the circumstances from him) 
artfully designed to injure me by asserting a base falsehood, which 
caused the drawing to be noticed. The Committee informed me 
that they were satisfied with my evidence, and dismissed me, 
assuring me no further notice should be taken of it. I have 
not time to enumerate every particular circumstance; but it reached 
Ball from the third person, the first being him whom I mentioned 
before. I shall express my astonishment at his proceedings, and 
put a stop to such unfriendly conduct. 
I feel myself much obliged by your kind expressions and wishes 
to stop the tongue of slander. I hope these hasty lines will prove 
the powerful weapon. As I told the Society I am bold to repeat, 
"that I start from such influences" (imposition) "with resolution 
to act upon principle, and I hope my character will always bear the 
strictest scrutiny." 
I am surprised that from such trifling guilt any one would dare 
to condemn me, or at least to that degree which I fear from your 
report I suffer. You will act as my friend with these simple facts, 
and I shall take the earliest opportunity to stop Mr. Ball. 
I write in great haste ; you will therefore excuse the manner, &c. 
Yours truly, S. Prout. 
P.S. — You might contrive so to fold your letters that instead of 
being charged treble (for two bills in one letter) I should pay but 
double. 
Mr. A. B. Johns, Pike Street, Plymouth, Devon. 
