1607.) 
his intimate friends, as a stickler for li- 
berty. In respect to mental qualifica- 
tions, he had improved himself greatly ; 
and at his leisure hours, according to re- 
spectable authority,* acquired a know- 
ledge of French, and also some notion of 
Latin and music. “ The Life of Rey- 
nolds, published in Dr. Wolcott’s edition 
of Pilkington’s Dictionary,” itis added, 
“ was the first specimen of his literary 
abilities. In this he displayed a profound 
knowledge of the subject, a quick and 
powerful perception of distinctive cha- 
racter, and a mastery of language little 
to be expected from a youth who was 
supposed to have been destitute of learn- 
ing. He next published a Letter in the 
Morning Chronicle, (since republished 
in ** An Inquiry into the requisite Culti- 
vation of the Art of Design in England),” 
in which he proposed a distinct plan for 
the formation of a National Gallery, tend- 
ing at once to exalt the arts of this coun- 
try, and immortalize its glories: to this 
he annexed his name, in consistence 
with the openness of character which at 
all times distinguished his actions.” 
No sooner did Mr. Opie perccive him- 
self advancing m the road to fame and 
fortune, than he determined on marriage, 
as the means of adding to, and securing 
his felicity; but on this occasion he was 
miserably disappoiited, for the female in 
question had not been many years a wife, 
when she encouraged a paramour, which 
led to its natural consequences—a sepa- 
ration, a law-suit, &c. &c. His second 
match was formed under more propitious 
circumstances: he saw, he admired, and 
became united to Miss Alderson of Nor- 
wich, a lady possessed of a fine taste for 
poetry, who survives him; but by nei- 
ther of his wives has he left any children, 
While enjoying great domestic happi- 
ness, and high reputation in his art, he 
was suddenly seized with a mortal dis- 
ease which baftled all the skill of his phy- 
sicians.t He expired on Thursday, 
April 9, 1807, in the forty-sixth year of 
his age: and as the symptoms of his dis- - 
st » 
order were of no ordinary kind, disscc- 
tion ensued, when the lower portion of 
the spinal marrow and its investing mem- 
Drane were found slightly inflamed, and 
the brain surcharged with blood. 
The following character is the produc- 
tion of a man well acquainted with his 
merits:—John Opie, or rather Oppy, was 
* The Artist, No. VII., p. 13. 
+ Doctors Ash, Vaughan, and Mr. Carlisle, 
first ; and then Doctors Pitcairn and Baillie, 
attended him in conjunction. 
Mowtury Mac. No. 157. 
Memoirs of John Opie, R. A. 
457 
born in a yery humble sphere, which de- 
nies that education necessary to the ex 
tension of intellect, and for giving bpil- 
liancy to talents. When taken from hig 
obscurity, he exhibited no uneommon 
powers of mind; he possessed no literary 
treasure, and knew nothing of the art in 
which he afterwards grew conspicuous. 
Tlis form was rather slender than athe 
letic, and his visage cast in one of the 
coarse moulds of nature; at the same 
time it must be allowed, that his eye par- 
took of penetration. 
His manners, however, in general were 
destitute of that urbanity which recom- 
mends a man to the favour of society ; 
while his address was aukward and un- 
couth, his conversation abrupt, and totally 
a stranger to fluency: there was yet good 
sense in it, and an acuteness of observa- 
tion that displayed more than an ordinary 
intellect. 
He loved argument, and as though he 
had taken the late Dr. Johnson for his 
model, delighted in contradiction; but 
although he loved reputation, he seemed 
careless about it: nevertheless Fame 
came forth to meet him. 
His funeral, of which the following 
short account may not prove wholly un- 
interesting, was conducted with a consi- 
derable degree of magnificence. 
On Monday, April 21, 1807, the remains 
‘of the late John Opie, R. A. were removed 
from ‘his house in Berners-street, to St. 
Paul’s Cathedral. The procession which 
couymenced at one o’Clock was conducted in 
the following order: — 
Six mutes with black staves and hatbands. 
Nine horsemen two and two. 
A funeral banner of ostrich feathers, borne by 
a Mute. 
The Hearse with the Body drawn by six 
horses, and crowned with ostrich feathers. 
Three mourning-coaches, drawn by six horses 
each, with the 
Earl of Carysfort, - 
Lord De Dunstanville, 
Earl Stanhope, . 
Sir Jobn Leicester, 
Sir J. St. Aubin, 
Mr. West. Mr R. Smith. 
Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Hopper, Mr. Favell, 
and Mr. Shee. 
Twenty-seven mourning-coaches, drawn by 
two horses each, filled with eminent Artists, 
and the friends of the deceased. 
The empty carriages 
Of His Royal H. the Duke of Gloucester, 
The Earl of Carysfort, 
Earl Stanhope, 
Lord de Dunstanville, &c. 
The procession, on reaching Temple-Bar, 
was met by the city marshals, whe preceded. 
the funeral ta St. Paul’s, 
oN On 
Jd 
