dividuals who, by giving up their letters from Sir Thomas Lawrence, have contributed to the value of this work. Their names will appear in the following pages, and, it is trusted, to their honour. I have been much indebted for papers, to Mrs. Bloxam, his beloved sister, and to her sons.* The names of the different members of the Angerstein family,-of the enlightened Secretary of the Academy, Mr. Howard, and of that liberal gentleman and eminent architect, Mr. Soane, as well as of Mr. Woodburn, stand conspicuously among those who have given up Sir Thomas's letters for the benefit of the work; and from Mr. Clint, of Gower Street, and Mr. Evans of Newman Street, I have received many communications, conveyed in a spirit of candour and friendship towards their companion in art. It is to be regretted that the severe parliamentary duties, or the important literary toils, of the Marquess of Londonderry, or some other cause, have prevented his favouring the work with a few of the great number of letters which he must have * The Author is compelled to advert to the efforts of some of the friends of Sir T. L. to induce him to garble papers, to suppress facts, and to set forth statements to deceive the public. These attempts he uniformly resisted. received in his frequent and long correspondence with a man, from whose friendship he must have derived so much of satisfaction and honour. It affords a high degree of satisfaction to revert to the promptitude, the unaffected kindness and unostentatious warmth, with which Mr. now Sir Robert Peel, came forward to contribute the documents in his possession to the biography of his friend. A love of literature, a fine feeling for the beauties of art, and a social though refined kindness for ingenious and worthy men, have distinguished this preeminent political character, amid the cares of state, and probably the unexampled toils of legal and official reforms. I took the liberty, at a very late period of my labours, to communicate to Sir Robert Peel, that the attachment towards him for kindness, and an admiration of his judgment displayed in his patronage of the Arts, were so constantly expressed by Sir Thomas Lawrence, in his confidential letters, that I felt it my duty to offer him a Dedication of the work. A deference to the affections and judgment of Sir Thomas Lawrence appeared to me to render this an imperative obligation. I cannot resist the feeling of inserting Sir Robert's immediate reply to me, his unknown correspondent. The letter must afford such consolation to the family and friends of the deceased; and it presents an instance of personal attachment and liberality of spirit, so gratifying to the public, and consolatory to the votaries of the Arts, that I feel myself justified in its publication. 66 SIR, "Whitehall, April 7, 1831. "I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, and cannot hesitate to accept the offer which it conveys. It cannot fail to be gratifying to me, to have my name connected in the manner you propose, with the memory of the distinguished artist whose biography you have undertaken; for whom I had the sincerest esteem and warmest personal regard. "I will not presume to offer any suggestion with regard to the terms of the Dedication. I take for granted that Mr. Campbell has transmitted to you a packet of letters addressed to me by Sir Thomas Lawrence, which I gave to Mr. Campbell when he contemplated writing the Life of Sir Thomas. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, D. E. Williams, Esq. ROBERT PEel.' CONTENTS Birth of Sir Thomas Lawrence.-Reflections upon ances- try, in relation to genius.-The elder Mr. Lawrence an Inn- keeper. His classical attainments.-Physical distinctions of the English gentry and the common people.-Sir Thomas Lawrence's personal appearance.-His grace and dexterity at corporeal exercises.-The maternal descent of Sir Thomas Lawrence. His father's projected tour through England with his fellow student.-Attractions of Tenbury.-Sojourn there. -Female loveliness.-A marriage; its consequences.-Mr. Lawrence becomes a Supervisor of Excise at Bristol.-Keeps the White Lion at Bristol.-Repairs to Devizes.-His wife and family. His education of his child Thomas.-The in- b Retrospect of Mr. Lawrence's residence at Bristol.-The Education of young Lawrence.-Reflections upon painters, foreign and English, ancient and modern.-Precocity of ge- nius. Visits the Seats of the nobility and gentry of Wilt- shire. Copying ancient masters.-Original compositions.- Mr. Weld, of Lulworth Castle; his singular death.-Riots of 1780.-The Hon. Daines Barrington's mention of young Lawrence in his Miscellanies.-Visits to Oxford and Wey- mouth. Residence at Bath.- Patronage of the public.- Early companions. His great success in portraits.-His prices compared with those of other juvenile artists.-His prices in his latter days. His juvenile likeness of Miss Shakspeare; of Mrs. Siddons as Aspasia; of Admiral Barrington.-His original historical piece of Christ bearing the Cross.-His own portrait in oi's.-Family letters.-Premium bestowed Family affections towards Mrs. Lawrence by her relations. -Mr. Lawrence leaves Bath for London.-Arrangements in London. Introduction to Sir Joshua Reynolds.—Lodgings in Leicester Square.-In Jermyn Street.-A Student of the Academy. Beautiful drawings.-The Gladiator Repellens and the Apollo Belvidere.-Admitted to good society.- Royal patronage.-Disposal of Legacies.-A Museum pur- |