PA
</5
CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
THE
WORDSWORTH COLLECTION
FOUNDED BY
CYNTHIA MORGAN ST. JOHN
THE GIFT OF
VICTOR EMANUEL
OF THE CLASS OF 1 5)1 9
THE FARINGTON DIARY
Napoleon at Malmaison.
From an engraving after the picture by Isabey.
[Frontispiece.
THE FARINGTON DIARY
BY
JOSEPH FARINGTON, R.A.
EDITED BY
JAMES GREIG
AUTHOR OF
A Life of Thomas Gainsborough," and a "Life of Sir Henry Raeburn"
VOL. V.
JANUARY 9, 180S, TO DECEMBER 21, 1809)
With Frontispiece and thirteen other illustrations
NEW YORK:
GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
"
First edition -published December, 1922
Second „ ,, „ 1922
Third „ „ February, 1923
VOL. II.
First edition published August, 1923
VOL. III.
First edition published March, 1924
VOL. IV.
First edition published November, 1924
VOL. V.
First edition published September, 1925
Printed in Great Britain
n\
INTRODUCTION
The fifth volume of the Farington Diary, like each of its predecessors,
contains a great amount of very interesting matter relating to many
people and things of public concern.
War still commands the attention of all. In Russia and the Penin-
sula, in Austria and Italy, Napoleon's forces add to their conquests.
In the House of Commons on February 4, 1808, Canning declared that
" Buonaparte well knew that the maritime power of Great Britain was
the only impediment to his universal aggrandisement," etc.
Little battles in South America and our disputes in the North also
are recorded by Farington, who tells us that
At a meeting of the Liverpool merchants on Friday Febry. 26th, 1808, it was resolved
to petition both Houses of Parliament against the Order of Council Bill, in consequence
of the unfavourable operations it will have upon the trade of that town with America.
— It was stated by Mr. Rathbone, that, " Nearly 500 voyages were made from America
to Liverpool alone, in the course of a year, in ships, the burden of which amounted to
more than 123,000 tons ; that the amount of British manufactures annually exported
to America, was more than 10,000,000 £ ; that government derived from the Liverpool
proportion of the trade alone, not less than one million a year ; and that the average
debt due from America to this country, is not less than Twelve millions, the payment of
which is now interrupted by the embargo in the American Ports."
Lord Melville in the following May spoke of America in the most
decided manner :
In the dispute with Her he wd. have settled the question in half an hour. We have
nothing to fear from War with Her, but it wd. be Her ruin. — He sd. It had been the advice
of Washington " That America shd. for two centuries think of Agriculture only, & dis-
regard commerce." He sd. this was good advice ; but the Americans did not attend to it.
Agriculture has comparatively been neglected & Commerce has been their object. — The
consequence is that 5 or 6 large maritime towns sway the country ; — & in these towns a
French Faction exists. He sd. were we to be at War with America we shd. through the
Northern provinces, and down the great Rivers which He named, be able to pass our
manufactures, & at a cheaper rate, to the Inland people, by 20 per cent, than they have
them at present. — He hoped our ministry wd. not give way to the Americans in any respect,
& wished they had been more decided, — by giving a final & determined answer at once.
Trade troubles, as now, arose out of the general unrest. We read
that " great riots, on account of low wages, took place at Manchester,"
in which people were killed. The extravagance of the working class
then, also, was apparently responsible for much of their unhappiness.
We are told that the " lower orders of the people "
had a great advantage in this country from being supplied with fish at a very cheap rate,
viii Introduction
one particular sort was mentioned. It is called Hake & somewhat resembles Cod in its
shape but is of rather a longer form. This fish is particularly cheap, so as to supply a
family for a few pence. But Mr. Adams observed that the lower classes of the people
are less disposed to oeconomise and to avail themselves of these advantages than those
above them in situation. If they have money if they do not expend it in one way they
will in another, so as in the end to be no richer than people are who are placed where there
are fewer advantages.
The good name of the City of London police had to be defended by
an Especial Court of Mayor and Aldermen, held at the Guildhall in
opposition to Lord Ellenborough's statement that if the Police " be not
speedily corrected, it wd. become a greater nuisance to the public than
riot and disorder."
Vice was abundant in Dublin, but in the country districts of Ireland,
although the people, irrespective of sex, all slept together, there was
" no immoral effect." The "Women rejected every look & advance
towards them. If a woman is seduced, if she complains within 24
Hours the Man must either marry her or quit the Country, if he remains
the punishment is transportation." With regard to political matters,
it had been maintained " That the Government of Ireland was worn out,
— meaning that by the excessive corruption which prevailed, in the
Parliament of Ireland, everything was being carried on by purchasing
the Members." And the people declared " They wait for the King's
death, then they shall have what they want."
But the general spirit of the English was admirably expressed by the
King in proroguing Parliament on June 21, 1809. The Morning Post
reports that :
To the efforts of Europe for its own deliverance, His Majesty has directed us to assure
you, that He is determined to continue his most strenuous assistance and support, convinced
that you will agree with him in considering that every exertion for the re-establishment
of the independence of other nations, is no less conducive to the true interests than it
is becoming the character & honour of Great Britain.
The effect of this strenuous support was becoming apparent.
The French were losing their islands in the Atlantic to the British.
Spain had declared war on France, and our troops were active at Vimiera,
where their discipline was " magnific." Corunna and Talavera had been
fought, each encounter preparing the way for future victory, although
at first the retreat in both cases was regarded as serious.
For instance, Sir Thomas Lawrence records that Castlereagh sat to
him on September 7, 1809, soon after Wellesley's dispatches informed
him of his retreat to Truxillo. The statesman " spoke very little. . . .
He seemed to be a figure of woe ; & Lawrence observed Him more than
once to wipe His eyes." But let us pass to less disturbing affairs.
Eminent politicians and their personal characteristics are vividly
presented in the Diary. The religious tendencies of Pitt and
Fox form the subject of conversation; Pitt's "pious deportment" is
acknowledged, and Fox is said to have died a " religious man."
Introduction ix
Lord Chatham believed in the fascination of words. Prince Hoare,
the writer, while a boy at Bath, and his brothers, frequently went to
Chatham's house in the Circus to play with young Pitt, the future
Prime Minister, who at that time was about eight years old.
He often quarrelled with the other Boys ; and while at play, was, on that account,
put into an adjoining room, from whence He issued while they were playing at marbles,
& with a large taw marble. He drove through their game. — His father, at that early age,
was accustomed to take Him into a room and there debate with Him, — and His young
mind was then so filled with ideas of Oratory, that one day while these Boys were walking
upon [Combe] down near Bath, with Mr. Wilson tutor to Ld. Chatham's sons & after-
wards Canon of Windsor, Wm. Pitt said, He was glad He should not be a Lord. On
being asked by Mr. Wilson why He said so, — He replied, Because He could not then be
in the House of Commons & make Speeches like His Father.
Lord Melville told Sir Thomas Lawrence that Pitt " was a greater
orator than his father and had the most virtuous nature of any man he
ever knew. He was as indolent as Fox and in business never attended to
details or to his own private affairs. Melville also gives a very interesting
self-portrait, and speaks of the evil disposition of the " reds " in this
country during the French Revolution, and of their plots to murder the
King, Pitt and himself.
Prime Ministers and their Secretaries led strenuous lives in those days.
Mr. Adams, Secretary to the Duke of Portland, goes every day at Eleven oClock in
the forenoon to the Duke & remains till 8 or \ past 8 in the evening ; and, after dinner,
at Eleven oClock, He goes again to the Duke & remains till one, two, or three in the morn-
ing. Such is the life of a Secretary to a Prime Minister. — The Duke sits up to the time
mentioned, & is often up again at Eleven, notwithstanding He is so much an Invalid.
Here is a case for prohibitionists. Farington writes :
On my remarking [to Mr. Wharton, M.P. for Durham] that it seemed extraordinary
that the late Sittings of the House did not cause the deaths of many of its members con-
sidering How many Old, and tender constitutioned persons subject themselves to this
fatigue, He replied, That it is remarkable but true, That the last year during the Session,
only one member out of 641 of which the House consists, died, which was Admiral Rainier
at upwards of 80. — He said Those Members who are in the Habit of attending the House
much for the most part live temperately. — He added That there are but few who have
Carriages waiting at a late Hour ; the generality walk Home, and to this Old George Rose,
ascribes an advantage. He thinks they derive benefit, if, after being confined in the bad
air of the House, which it must be in the Winter Season when the windows are closed, they
walk a mile in air more pure & refreshing.
And it may be added that a well-known doctor declares to the
Diarist that " They who do not drink wine are much less susceptible of
cold than they who do, of that I am certain."
There are entries referring to Canning, Castlereagh, Lord North,
Percival and Wilberforce. Law is amply represented. Farington
records a cause celebre in which the Duke of York and Mrs. Clarke are the
chief dramatis -persona, and also gives interesting stories about other
men and women who created considerable stir in their day. In short,
no phase of life is omitted by the Diarist. Mrs. Hughes, an intimate
friend of Sir Walter Scott, pleasantly laments in an after-dinner talk
x Introduction
" over the situation of the Princess Charlotte, saying that she did not
see where they could find a Husband for Her. The Duke of Gloucester
is mentioned, but objected to on the score of His being too old, but the
Bishop [of Salisbury, the Princess's preceptor] did not seem to think
' there should be any great objection on account of that difference in
their ages.' "
Wordsworth is praised in the " most violent manner " by Lady
Beaumont. She called him " angelic &c," while Sir George on the
other hand " seemed to be cooled " in his regard for the poet. But
such was Sir George's habit with all his favourites. He dropped Wilkie
for Haydon, and so on — it was necessary for him to have a new " Hero "
at brief intervals.
Farington says : " It is remarkable that Wordsworth, in his poetry,
should affect a simplicity approaching to puerility, while in Politics,
in which plain statement and deduction is alone required, He assumes
the reverse of it."
Lord Lonsdale thought the Cintra Convention was written in " very
bad taste," whereas Lady Beaumont praised it in " very high terms,
as above the political writings of Burke & others," her husband remark-
ing dryly that " Lady Beaumont spoke as if she was employed to sell "
the poet's pamphlet.
At Lady Crewe's, Lady Beaumont told Sir T. Lawrence that she had
talked with Samuel Rogers of Wordsworth's poems, and that " Rogers
concurred with Her in admiring the simplicity which is in them, &
dwelt particularly on the beautiful idea of the ' Dancing Daffodils ' —
thus playing off Her want of judgment," is the Diarist's comment. On
another occasion Sir George Beaumont defended Wordsworth's poems
against " the Edingburgh reviewers & sd. Coleridge had supported
that taste of simplicity which they condemned, and said that all men
who write in a new & superior stile must create a people capable of fully
relishing their beauties, & that at present, prejudice and an estab-
lished habit of admiring certain works prevents the works of Words-
worth from being duly appreciated."
Lord Erskine one night said he had dined with " Rogers the
Banker." — " Rogers the Banker ? " questioned Miss Berry (one of Horace
Walpole's "Twin Wives ")— " Rogers the Poet." The amours of
Miss Seward, the " Swan of Lichfield," are referred to, and we learn that at
the age of sixty she is " still in her countenance handsome, and dresses
in a fanciful manner like a girl of 15, — also paints Her face & eyebrows.
She has bad health, — & has a habit of sighing deeply." The year before
this was written by Farington, Sir Walter Scott paid Miss Seward a
visit and found " her eyes were auburn, of the precise hue of her hair
& possessed great expression."
Dr. Johnson is not in favour. Sir George Beaumont disapproved
of his " stile." In writing, he " was a mannerist, which always being a
false thing, wd. not be a lasting example." He had, however, " great
power of mind."
Introduction xi
Coleridge spoke of Johnson with little respect. " He had ' verbiage,'
meaning words & little more." Of Coleridge himself we read that Prince
Hoare attended one of his lectures at the Royal Institution. " When
Coleridge came into the Box there were several Books laying. He opened
two or three of them silently and shut them again after a short inspection.
He then paused, & leaned His head on His hand, and at last said, He
had been thinking for a word to express the distinct character of Milton
as a Poet, but not finding one that wd. express it, He should make one
' Ideality.' He spoke extempore."
James Northcote, the sharp-tongued painter, had seen the first
number of Coleridge's periodical work in which two points were par-
ticularly clear, viz. : " His exhibiting Himself & His conceit. — Many
passages cannot be understood. — The whole strange & as it seemed
contemptible."
William Westall, R.A., occasionally met Sir Walter Scott while he
was in London in the summer of 1809, & was not impressed by the
romancer's appearance :
His Countenance is of quite a common kind, & there is not in it the least indication
of Genius or talent, but it appears more interesting when He is animated on any subject.
— Mr. Scott was weary of the intercourse He had in London, viz : dining & being per-
petually in Society. — " I have dined with them till I am weary of it, I now want them to
dine with me, in my domestic state " — &c. &c.
Robert Burns and his first editor, Dr. Currie, are mentioned, as are
Hannah More, Mrs. Barbauld, John Murray and the Quarterly Review.
Lord Ellenborough defends the liberty of the Press, and we read that :
Mr. Burke had remarked to Mr. Long that eventually newspapers would govern the
Country. — The business of reporting the Debates in the House of Commons is now carried
on systematically. The Reporters are admitted to a small room & are led into the Gallery
to take their places, where in making their notes they omit, add, approve, and disapprove
as their [disposition] to party inclines them.
Art and artists are the subjects of many entries. Mrs. Fisher, wife
of the Bishop of Salisbury, says that Constable's " Countenance is like
one of the young figures in the works of Raphael, and that his appearance
is that of one guileless."
In the course of a conversation on the prices paid for paintings by
" deceased artists " Payne Knight said " That pictures by [Richard]
Wilson, for which he had 30 or 40 guineas, now sell for 3, 4, or 500 guineas,
though we had better painters now living, Turner and the younger
Barker of Bath." Lawrence felt the injustice of this reflection on Wilson
and said : " Oh ! no, not Barker surely." Reference is made to Turner
and Mrs. Danby, who lived with him. " As an artist he had neither
sublimity nor dignity," declares Hearne, the water-colour painter, who
would not have given fifteen guineas for the Turner which cost Lord Essex
200 guineas. Gainsborough excelled where Turner failed. Strong
sentiment always prevailed in his pastoral subjects. His representations
of simple life are given " with such taste as to delight and never to offend.
xii Introduction
He is never coarse." Thus Mr. Hearne, while another artist held that
Gainsborough was superior to all other English landscape painters.
Farington informs us of Boydell's intention to sell Gainsborough's early-
work, " A Wood-Scene, Cornard, Suffolk " (the interesting story of which
is told in a footnote), and that Sir Thomas Lawrence purchased for
£300 from the famous publisher the " Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse "
by Sir Joshua Reynolds, which went recently to America at a huge price.
Anecdotes are given about Wilkie (who was a " true Scot "), Hoppner's
anger and exigence, Haydon's " habit of swearing," Copley and the Prince
of Wales, Cosway's skull of " Abelard," Beechey and his knighthood,
John Constable, Sir Thomas Lawrence, the passion and tears of Nollekens,
and Richard Wilson, of whom the following amusing tale is told.
He had been invited to a gentleman's House but when He approached it He turned
to an acquaintance and said "Are there any young ladies ? " He was answered in the
affirmative. " Do they draw ? " continued Wilson. The reply was, " Yes " ; " Good
morning to you then," sd. Wilson & turned away.
Dread of young ladies who " draw " is a common complaint in these
days of never-ending exhibitions.
Miscellaneous entries deal with the Elgin Marbles, Greeks and anatomy,
the rage for water-colours, the Admiralty and artists, bad architecture,
the formation of the Bridgewater Collection, artists and critics, Castle-
reagh and art, and Christie's.
Among the actors who appear in the Diary are Mrs. Siddons, Mrs.
Pitt, J. P. Kemble, Young Betty, Matthews, Lewis and Madame Catalani,
the operatic singer, about whom a controversy began in the Morning
Post by " A Friend of the British Drama " and was carried on until the
opening of the New Covent Garden Theatre at the increased prices, which
caused unfortunate riots for several weeks. The comments made by
the Morning Post correspondent were akin to the censure passed last
year on those responsible for bringing foreign performers to London
while British actors and musicians were idle.
Variety is given to the contents by the account of a tour through
Derbyshire, Lancashire and Cheshire. Farington's nephew thought
Liverpool superior in appearance to Manchester, and the Diarist describes
two cases tried before his brother Richard, who was a magistrate. Two
men were bound over by him to keep the peace, they having been caught
by Police Officer Nagle about to fight a duel on Kersal Moor, and a young
married man who had lost his watch in a brothel also appeared. Nagle
had recovered the watch, and the owner, apologizing for his imprudence,
was admonished and given back his watch. Three boys aged thirteen,
fifteen and eighteen years were sworn in as soldiers. " The eldest was to'
receive 16 guineas bounty money, but certain Cloaths were to be pur-
chased for Him & paid for out of it.— Boys of 15 they enlist if only 5
feet one inch high.— Men of 20 they enlist if 5 feet 4 Inches." ... | I , , 4
The concluding chapters of the volume narrate the very interesting
and delightful tour to the West Country made by Farington in 1809.
Introduction xiii
Editorial interpolations in the text are placed, as in previous volumes,
within brackets, and Farington's spelling and punctuation are preserved
throughout.
Mr. T. P. Greig is responsible for the full index, and thanks are due to
Mr. Robert Harris for assistance in reading the proofs.
James Greig.
Savage Club,
August 4, 1925.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
PAGE
Lord Radstock's Titian — A Pure Scotsman — Sir George Beaumont at
Dunmow i
CHAPTER II
Fuseli and Religion — Lord Trafalgar — Communion at St. Paul's — The
Curate Absconded — A Husband for Princess Charlotte — A Dinner
every Sunday 4
CHAPTER III
Russians at Tilsit — Lord Trafalgar's Death — A Good Kernel — The
Bishop and Art 7
CHAPTER IV
Art Gossip — A First Commission i°
CHAPTER V
Mrs. Pitt the Actress — Payne Knight's Opinion — Pitt and Fox Religious 13
CHAPTER VI
Visionaries — Buy Modern Pictures — Kemble an Imposition — The
People's Errors I ^
CHAPTER VII
The Well-informed Duke — Fox's History — Liqueurs and Cape Wine —
Sir William Grant's Speech — The Bias of Reporters 19
CHAPTER VIII
An Academy Law — Eminent Doctors — Never Killed in Vain 22
CHAPTER IX
A Noted Traveller — A Detested General — Hewlett of Bath 25
CHAPTER X
Whitelocke's Brutality — Catalani 28
CHAPTER XI
A Fraudulent Artist — The Elgin Marbles — Lord Lake's Poverty —
Inadequate Price — America's Debt to England 31
xvi Contents
CHAPTER XII
PAGE
A Beef Steak Dinner — The Roxburghe Titles — Farington's Prices —
Efficacy of Medicine — Lord Wellesley's Wife 34
CHAPTER XIII
Lawyers and Honesty — Sir Joshua's Parsimony — Married in Haste —
Traitors or Cowards — The General's Errors — His Spirits Fell —
Artists' Prices — Fuseli's History of the Arts 37
CHAPTER XIV
Two Great Paintings — A Democratic Bookseller — A Strenuous Life —
The Duke and Wilkie 4 1
CHAPTER XV
Mrs. Tom Sheridan — Sublime Sculpture — When West came to England 45
CHAPTER XVI
Wilkie and Haydon — Sir Joshua's Assistant — Painters and Pictures —
Hoppner Angry 48
CHAPTER XVII
Lady Thomond's Fortune — Edinburgh Reviewers — Beechey's Manners
— Sir N. Dance-Holland and Nature — The Swan of Lichfield — A
Drawing Master 51
CHAPTER XVIII
Painter and Poet — Nollekens in a Passion — Nolle kens Crying — R.A.
Secretary and his Salary — A Whimsical Effect 54
CHAPTER XIX
Tom Moore — Lawrence, Hoppner and Soane — Union with Ireland —
War would be America's Ruin — Lord Melville and Wine 57
CHAPTER XX
Hastings — Hansard — Minor Artists — Dinners and Dining — Coleridge and
Dr. Johnson 60
CHAPTER XXI
Hoare, of Bath — A Costly Dinner — Poets and Painters — Constable and
Haydon 63
CHAPTER XXII
Lord Lonsdale — The Ideal and the Real — Blackwall Docks — Students at
the British Museum — Riots at Manchester — Enemy Movements
— Dr. Johnson a Mannerist 67
CHAPTER XXIII
The Rage for Water Colours — Lady Hard wick's Grief — Lord Mahon and
Pitt — Law against it — An Old Time Banker 71
Contents xvii
CHAPTER XXIV
PAGE
A Famous Hydrographer — Greek Sculptors and Anatomy — Peerage
Romance — A Disappointed Bishop — New Illustrated Book —
— The Beaumont Pictures 74
CHAPTER XXV
Likeness in Portraits — Fox's Party History — Fox an Aristocrat —
Kemble and Young Betty — Candidates 77
CHAPTER XXVI
A Gay Voluptuary — The Archbishop's Power — The Pugilist's Beauty
— Mental Pleasure — Buonaparte Annexes Rome — Wit or Bloated
Buffoon 80
CHAPTER XVII
Forgotten — Barbarous Taste — Grosvenor House — The Altieri Claudes
— Cobbett and France 83
CHAPTER XXVIII
Success to the Spaniards — Windham — No Buildings in Hyde Park —
— The Tragic Muse — A Long Wait — Spain Declares War 85
CHAPTER XXIX
A Blackheath Dinner Party — Extraordinary Heat — Monument to
John Locke 88
CHAPTER XXX
Author and Publisher — Liberty of the Press — A Sparring Match — R.A.
Generosity — The Colleton Family — Sir George and Lady Beaumont 91
CHAPTER XXXI
By Coach to Manchester — Derby Races — A Buxton Landlady — A
Bath Boarding House — A Bath Schoolmistress 95
CHAPTER XXXII
A British Victory — Disgrace and Lamentation — Old Chester — In
the Rows — Every Newspaper Condemned the Act 98
CHAPTER XXXIII
Dallas the Judge — Eaton Hall — Liverpool Superior to Manchester —
Burns's First Editor — Mrs. Barbauld — Local Worthies — A Breach
of the Law — A Manchester Magistrate — Inspired by the Harp —
Catalani in Manchester — Royal Humane Society 101
CHAPTER XXXIV
Manchester Institutions — A Quaint Chief Justice — Sir John Moore's
Retreat 107
vol. v. B
xviii Contents
CHAPTER XXXV
PAGE
A Cause Celebre — West did not appear — Turner and Mrs. Danby —
Smirke is Busy — Cold Water— Scandal — Grasping R.A.'s — New
Covent Garden Theatre — A Very Pretty Woman — Tainted
London Air — Sir John Moore — City Feasting no
CHAPTER XXXVI
Lord Gardner's Regularity — Fascinating Mrs. Clarke — Sass, the
Drawing Master — Hoppner on his Last Legs — Sir Ker Porter — A Sort
of Madness — Drury Lane Theatre on Fire — The Duke's Affair 116
CHAPTER XXXVII
A Correggio — Farington and his Publishers — Too Much of West — The
Quarterly Review 121
CHAPTER XXXVIII
Lawrence : Professional Application — The City Police — Farington
and the R.A. — An Improvident Bargain — Vice in Dublin 123
CHAPTER XXXIX
The Cry of Profligacy — William Wells of Redleaf — The Royal Academy
— The Duke Exonerated 126
CHAPTER XL
The British Troops are Magnificent — Les Affaires — The Elgin Marbles —
Hannah More 129
CHAPTER XLI
What Coleridge and Wordsworth Thought — Lawrence too Scrupulous —
Correctness Essential — R.A. Finance — A Rembrandt Picture — R.A.
Reform 132
CHAPTER XLII
The Prince and Copley — Murray offered /ioo — Water Colour Painters —
Admiralty and Artists — Sir George's New Hero — Constable's
Borrowdale 135
CHAPTER XLIII
Wardle's Reward — Mrs. Clarke's Faithful Narrative — Candlelight
Painters — Fact v. the Picturesque — A Scottish Engraver 138
CHAPTER XLIV
A Portrait of Eminent Men — Played at Marbles — Chatham and Fascina-
tion in Words — Sheridan and Self-Reproach — Suppression of Vice
— Green was not Invited — Lord Radstock — Constable and Haydon 141
CHAPTER XLV
Government Contractor's Default — Royal Academy Dinner — James
Curtis's Nose j.^.
Contents xix
CHAPTER XLVI
PAGE
Ambassador to Spain — Windham's Straw Splitting — Hoppner's Exi-
gence — The Skull of Abelard — A Great Lawyer and Art 147
CHAPTER XLVII
Lord Erskine's Levity — A Prophecy that Came True — Picture Dealer's
Price — Architects 150
CHAPTER XLVIII
A Beauty of Byron's Time — A Famous Actor — The Grand Climacteric
— An Unfortunate Painter 153
CHAPTER XLIX
The Member for Lymington — The Boydell Trial — The Abercorn Par-
migiano — Farington's Advice to Wilkie — Famous Families 156
CHAPTER L
Church and Chapel — A Farington Picture — Profligate and Tyrant —
A Happy Party 159
CHAPTER LI
A Dinner at Battersea — Death of the Bishop of London — Lord Melville
and Pitt — Lord Melville's Self -Portrait — Political Spies — Melville
in Danger — Attempt on the King 161
CHAPTER LII
The Surrender of Martinique — Yellow Fever — The Blacks Fought Well
— Chairman of Committee — M.P.'s Live Temperately — Napoleon's
Difficulties — Sir Marmaduke Wyvil — To Foment Disturbance —
Art and Morality 165
CHAPTER LIII
Printer to the Academy — English and French in Spain — Politicians —
A Great Captain General — Prince and Bishop — Haydon's Habit of
Swearing — Ridiculous Prices — British Victory — Vital Air 170
CHAPTER LIV
Discipline in the Navy — The Twelve Caesars — Not by Titian — Lewis
the Comedian 173
CHAPTER LV
Covent Garden Theatre Claim — Navy Patronage — The Princess at
Angerstein's Rout — Lord Heathfield's Portrait — Rules of the
Service — Second to Sir Walter 176
CHAPTER LVI
Wordsworth's Bad Taste — Fiddles Must Not be Heard — Yeomen of
Yorkshire — An Oilman Dressed the Dinner — A Plea of Humanity
— Lawrence Buys " Lord Heathfield " 179
xx Contents
CHAPTER LVII
PAGE
A Moderate Prices School — Wordsworth — The Bridgewater Collection
— The Canon's Vanity — The Value of Camphor 182
CHAPTER LVIII
The Morning Post and Catalani — The Eye had Fallen Out — Taste
and Manners — Lord North and his Father 185
CHAPTER LIX
After Dinner Talk — Perceval Hard as Iron — Sir Francis Baring's Wealth
— An Irish Chancellor — Want of Judgment 188
CHAPTER LX
A Birmingham Poet — An Instrument of Heaven — Independence of
Nations — Criminal Law — Lord Lonsdale in Petticoats — Wilberf orce
and Fox 191
CHAPTER LXI
Wilberforce and Fox — The Archbishop — Bate Dudley — Newspapers and
the Country — Lord Heathfield's Portrait and a Copy — Rome 195
CHAPTER LXII
Christie's — Lysons Gives a Dinner — The Finishing Year — Royal
Academy Emoluments — Sir John Moore's Letters 198
CHAPTER LXIII
An Opulent Family — Artists as Critics — Seat of the Coningsbys —
Fidelity — Sir George Beaumont's Home — Cassiobury Pictures. ... 201
CHAPTER LXIV
False Taste — Gainsborough's Superiority — Beechey and his Knight-
hood — A Pretty Child — Lord Carlisle's Pride — Methodists and
Insanity — Turner's Prices 204
CHAPTER LXV
Northcote and Coleridge — Covent Garden Theatre — Canning and
Kemble — The Princess's Debts — Sir Walter Scott — Victory for
Buonaparte — Grandeur of Effect — French Defeat the Austrians —
Canning, Tickell and Sheridan — Napoleon's Body and Mind 207
CHAPTER LXVI
Dr. Pemberton's Bond — An Armistice — Fox Hunters — Commerce with
Heligoland — A Noble Gift 212
CHAPTER LXVII
Dr. Johnson's Works — Our Ships Will Not Return — Sir Boyle Roche —
Castlereagh and Art — Historical Pictures — John Smart 215
CHAPTER LXVIII
Lord Gambier — Castlereagh Nearly Drowned — A British Victory —
Raising R.A. Salaries — Fuseli and his Pictures 218
Contents xxi
CHAPTER LXIX
PAGE
Capture of Flushing — A Music Master — Wellington of Talavera —
Theodore Hook — Fuseli and Wilson — Talavera and Corunna — A
Night at Vauxhall — The New Theatre — Castlereagh Sunk in
Spirits — The Physicians of London 221
CHAPTER LXX
Westward Ho ! — An Eminent Apothecary — Fellow Passengers — The
Bishop of Salisbury — Messrs. Lysons Talked Too Much — The
Bishop's Kindness — A Masterly Retreat 226
CHAPTER LXXI
A Great Group by Vandyck — Busts and Armour — A Post Boy — Fifty
Pounds an Acre — Mr. Portman — Mrs. Darner 231
CHAPTER LXXII
The Naples of England — Portland — The Royal Party — Prince and
Duke — The Prince takes Snuff 235
CHAPTER LXXIII
Hotel Extortion — An Ideal Village — Lyme Regis — Between Lyme and
Sidmouth 238
CHAPTER LXXIV
Sidmouth — Air or Medicine — House Rents and Living — The Road to
Exmouth 241
CHAPTER LXXV
Exmouth and Exeter — Devonshire Cream — Sir Alexander Hamilton —
Exeter — Then and Now 244
CHAPTER LXXVI
Covent Garden Riots — A Novel Epitaph — Most Picturesque — Duel on
Putney Heath — Provisions and Water — A Fellow of Brasenose
College — Mr. Guard of Corpus College — Her Name was De Courcy
— Coleridge 248
CHAPTER LXXVII
The Organ — A Philosophic Chambermaid — Hospitality — Three Hus-
bands — Swete n£ Tripe — Prices at Dawlish — Lord Courtenay's
Income — Beauty and Respect 253
CHAPTER LXXVIII
Teignmouth and Turbot — The London Inn — Newfoundland Fishery —
Burnt Dockey — The Devonian Riviera — Torbay Like a Lake 258
CHAPTER LXXIX
A Wonderful Cavern — A Romantic Scene — Myrtle and Geranium — Too
Much Manner — Coals and Food — Sir Lawrence 262
xxii Contents
CHAPTER LXXX
PAGE
A Celebrated Government Spy — Mother of Eight — Our Boatman —
Prudence — Brixham — An Unfortunate R.A 266
CHAPTER LXXXI
Lord Courtenay's Extravagance — Sir Charles Bampfylde — Brixham's
Trade with London — Dartmouth — Samuel Kelland, Boatman —
Salmon in the River 270
CHAPTER LXXXII
The Charm of Totnes — The Duke and Duchess — Froude's Father —
Expense in Devon and London — Devon's Great Trade 274
CHAPTER LXXXIII
Wealthy Devonians — Sir Joshua Reynolds — Peter Pindar and Others
— Richard Wilson, R.A. — An Able Business Man — Lower Classes
Extravagant 277
CHAPTER LXXXIV
A Remarkable Story — James Anthony Froude's Father — Sir Joshua's
Birthplace — His Early Portraits 280
CHAPTER LXXXV
Wilkie and Haydon — Saltram House — Three Towns — The Royal Dock
— Mutton Cove 284
CHAPTER LXXXVI
Issure, Please God — In All their Finery — A Dinner Fit for the King —
The Toast of the Season — Prize Money 288
CHAPTER LXXXVII
Beauty and Frailty — The Essence of Judaism — The Games of Devon
and Cornwall — An Amateur Artist — The Quality of Oak 291
CHAPTER LXXXVIII
Peace in the East — The King's Jubilee — Co vent Garden Theatre Riots
— Kemble Applauded — Wardle v. Mrs. Clarke — The Chancellorship
— The Duke's Will — Wellesley Family Posts 294
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Ann Pitt (1720-1799), actress. Engraved by Walker, after
D. Dodd ........ Facing p. 12
Frances Ann Taylor (d. 1835). Engraved by J. Ward, after
J. Hoppner ........
Wood Scene, Village of Cornard, Suffolk. By Thomas
Gainsborough .......
Original Drawing. By Joseph Far ington.
Sir John Moore. By Lawrence ....
Mary Anne Clarke. By T. Rowlandson, engraved by W
Hop-wood . . . , .
Charles Mathews, actor. By S. de Wilde, engraved by W
Bond . . . .
Lord Heathfield. By Sir Joshua Reynolds
James Christie, auctioneer (1730-1803). Engraved by G
Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough .
Sir Walter Scott. By Sir H. Raeburn
Charmouth ........
Lyme Regis ........
Mrs. Sophia Musters. Engraved by J. R. Smith, after Sir
Joshua Reynolds . . ...
32
40
96
108
138
154
180
198
208
238
238
290
CHAPTER I
Lord Radstock's Titian
January 9. — Lawrence called. He dined at Lord Radstock's
yesterday,* West was there & in the even'g Sir F. Bourgeois's carriage
came to take West home,— in which Lawrence accompanied Him. —
This day Ld. Radstock called on Lawrence & expressed a strong desire
to sell a portrait of Titian by himself to Mr. Angerstein & mentioned —
500 guineas as the price, but wd. take 300 & Lawrence shd. paint por-
traits of His Children for the remainder. — Lawrence declined this mode,
sd. if Mr. Angerstein shd. purchase the picture, the whole money shd.
be paid to His Lordship, who then might do as He shd. think proper.
[At the meeting of 'Job & Postmasters and Livery Stable-Keepers
residing in the City & Liberty of Westminster and the parts adjacent,
convened by a Public advertisement, at the King's Arms Tavern in
Marybone St. Golden Square, on Tuesday Deer. 29th, 1807, it was
Resolved, That on acct. of the enormous price of Horse provisions, Post
Horses shd. not be let at less that Eighteen pence per mile, Job day work,
and the standing of Livery Horses in proportion, to take place Jany.
1st. 1808. — and, that when two or three persons [are] in the Dicky of
the carriage, they shall be paid for accordingly. — From small note-
book.]
A Pure Scotsman
January 10. — Wm. Wellst called to-day. — He had been with
Wilkie,! who sd. He did not feel disposed to undertake subjects from
* The Hon. Sir William Waldegrave, G.C.B. (1753-1825), second son of John, third
Earl Waldegrave, took part, as Vice-Admiral of the Blue, in the victory over the Spanish
fleet off Cape Lagos on February 14, 1797, and was raised to the Peerage of Ireland and took
the name of Baron Radstock, of Castle Town, Queen's County. He married, on December
28, 1785, Cornelia, second daughter of David Van Lennap, chief of the Dutch factory at
Smyrna. She died in 1839.
In the second Lord Radstock's sale in 1826 a " Titian,and His Daughter," said to have
come from the Borghese Palace, Rome, fetched only ,£173, the buyer being Captain Gillam.
See also Radstock, Index, Vols. II., III.
t William Wells, of Red Leaf, shipbuilder and art collector. See Index, Vol. IV.
X See Index, Vols. III., IV.
VOL. V. I
2 The Farington Diary [18 08
History or Poetry but rather such as might present themselves to His
mind. Wells had not seen Wilkie before & was much struck with His
figure & countenance as being that of [a] pure Scotchman.
He sd. the Surgeons mates of East Indiamen are for the most part
Scotchmen,* & had He been appointed to meet such a person & seen
Wilkie in a Crowd of people, He shd. have supposed him to be the man.
Willm. Wells told me His wife's maiden name was Hughes, & that
she has a Brother, a Surgeon near Canterbury who married a daugr. of
the present Sir Edward Knatchbull.f — He then spoke of Copley's be-
haviour to Sir Edward respecting the family picture which Copley
painted for Him & charged an enormous price for it. — Copley has since
been to Sir Edward's and painted out the figures of Sir Edwards first
& Second wives, who were represented in the Sky, — people having
laughed at His having three wives represented in one picture. — ■
Sir George Beaumont at Dunmow
January 12. — Alexander called. — He had been with Sir G. Beau-
mont at Dunmow, Ten days, and found there Sir George & Lady Beau-
mont & the Dowager Lady Beaumont [Sir George's mother], who He
could perceive had visibly lost Her power of seeing & hearing in a con-
siderable degree within the last 12 months. She will be 89 in March
next. He thought Sir George looked pale & thin, and found that He
takes much medicine, viz : Camomile pills and vitriol mixed with some
other quality. The manner of living at Dunmow was as follows, viz : —
Fire laid in each Bedchamber at Seven oClock in the morning.
Shaving water &c. brought at 8 oClock.
Breakfast at nine.
After breakfast Sir George & Alexander put on their painting
aprons & went into the painting room where they passed their time
till towards 3 oClock.
They then walked out for an Hour or more & returned & dressed
for dinner, which was always had at \ past 4.
Tea was had at 7.
Then Sir George or Lady Beaumont read aloud, or occasionally
they played at Whist to amuse Old Lady Beaumont. — Roasted
apples were brought in — and abt. \ past ten or at Eleven oClock
they retired to Bed. —
Neither of the ladies drank any wine, — Sir George not more than a Glass
of White wine at dinner, and two glasses after dinner. — None of the
party drank malt liquor. — Sir George & Lady Beaumont alternately
read Cook's Voyages by Hawksworth, which publication they were going
through, — Her Ladyship while reading occasionally stopping to com-
* Mr. Hy. Harries writes : " Farington says that most of the surgeons' mates in the
E.I.C.'s service were Scots. I should think so, indeed. Of 70 surgeons under initial
M 29 were Mac or Mc (including a Mac'Osh) and there were Marmion, Maxwell,
Menzies, Moffat, Murray, &c."
f See Index, Vols. II., IV.
1808] Wordsworth 3
ment upon it. — Sir George was painting a large Landscape intended for
Lord Lonsdale, a composition made up of circumstances of Cumberland
Mountain Scenery. —
Wordsworth was cried up by Lady Beaumont in the most violent
manner, — calling Him angelic &c. — Sir George seemed to be cooled. —
Alexander still finds His situation [as drawing master at the Royal
Military College] irksome & that He has not spirits for it. — After having
attended the boys while at their lessons He feels incapable of any other
effort beyond reading a newspaper.
January 12. — Alexander thinks He has the wishes of Mr. Planta
in favour of His being appointed Keeper of the Prints &c. at the British
Museum, — but he is apprehensive they may require the person who
shall be fixed upon to possess literary attainments which He has not.
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to Sir Thomas Lawrence, Sir F. Bour-
geois, J. J. Angerstein, J. S. Copley, Sir George and Lady Beaumont and William
Alexander, artist, afterwards keeper of the Prints in the British Museum.]
VOL. V.
CHAPTER II
Fuseli and Religion
January 12. — Marchant called in the evening, with much gossiping
matter — Fuseli is very fond of playing at Whist ; and Marchant made
up a party last night with him, & Mrs. Fuseli & Haughton.— Fuseli
had been ten days in the country on a visit to Lord Rivers, who in his
youth was a sort of pupil to Fuseli in Italy. — Fuseli sd. He had on this
visit a dispute with His Lordship upon religion & as it appeared Fuseli
was not an advocate for public or perhaps for any worship, saying every-
thing had been given to us 13 we had nothing to ask for. — Such were the
light & inconsiderate sentiments which He uttered.
Mr. Rose, Senr. late of the Treasury, said to Marchant " You Artists
go to Rome Christians, but return without any religion." Marchant
sd. that as there was no protestant place of worship at Rome, it was very
true that Religion seemed to be forgotten by the English Students. —
Lord Trafalgar
January 16. — Revd. Dr. Hughes I dined with at His residence,
Amen Corner. — We dined at \ past 5 oClock & went to tea at 8. — The
Bishop of Salisbury brought an acct. of Lord Trafalgar, only Son of
Lord Nelson,* being dangerously ill of a Typhus j 'ever. He was seized
at Canterbury and His Case was mistaken by the Medical men who
attended Him, — having been judged to be a complaint of the Lungs
and He was bled. — He has been brought to town for better advice. His
disorder is imputed to His having taken more exercise hunting &c. than
His constitution could bear. —
Communion at St. Paul's
Before dinner Dr. Luxmore, the new Bishop of Bristol called, — The
conversation after dinner was various. — Dr. Hughes spoke of it being
the usage at St. Paul's Cathedral to administer the Communion once
every week, — (Sunday) & said that the consequence was that very few
indeed attended. On Sunday last & the preceding Sunday two or three
* The Rev. William Nelson, first Earl Nelson.
4
1808] The Communion Service 5
paupers only attended, & they might have a motive not rising out of the
duty, as the money collected is by custom always divided among such
paupers as attend at the Communion. — He thought it wd. be better
to have it administered once a month only. —
Dr. Cookson sd. He apprehended the reason why the Communion
Service was ordered to be performed in Cathedrals once every week was,
that at the period when the order was established, the number who
were disposed to attend the Communion was so great that it was ap-
pointed to be administered frequently to afford an opportunity to all
without making the number each time inconveniently great. —
The Curate Absconded
Dr. Cookson sd. that while assisting a Curate at Penrith in administer-
ing the Communion, He saw the Curate convey some of the money
collected into His waistcoat pocket, — but the act appeared to Him to
be so monstrous that He never mentioned it, scarcely crediting His
own eyes, till at an after period the Curate was proved to [be] caught
[taking] up a purse belonging to a Woman who came to [be] churched
after laying in, & having paid Her Church fees dropped Her purse. —
The fact being made public the Curate absconded & Cookson then men-
tioned what He had seen. —
Dr. Hughes spoke of the Honble. & Revd. Mr. Grey, Son to Lord
Stamford, who though posessed only of a moderate private preferment,
had refused a Deanery, a Prebendary of St. Paul's, & a Canonry of
Windsor, — being contented with His present situation & plan of life.
He is a Bachelor. —
The Bishop of Salisbury then mentioned the Hon. & Revd. Dr. Finch,
Brother to Lord Aylesford, who He sd. Had refused three Deanerys &
other large preferment. — It was admitted by them that Sir Willm.
Scott's bill to enforce residence had been productive of good. — It was
said that the Bishop of London makes great allowance in respect of
residence to such of the Clergy as hold livings in the unhealthy parts of
Essex, — but Curates must be upon the spot. — The Bishop said, that a
Page who had been abt. the Kings person near 30 years said, that the
King sleeps sound throughout the night, eats well, & is in uniform good
spirits & temper. —
Mr. Twining Junr.* & His wife came to tea & a rubber at whist was
made up, with Dr. Cookson, Mrs. Hughes & Mr. Twining Senr. — Abt.
J past 9 the Bishop's carriage came & He offered to set me down which
I accepted.
A Husband for Princess Charlotte
He said His family had already felt the benefit of residing in His new
House No. 60, Seymour St. Portman Square, the situation & air being
* Richard Twining (1772-1857), son of Richard Twining (1749-1824), head of the
old tea business in the Strand and director of the East India Company.
Mrs. Hughes, wife of Dr. Hughes, was an intimate friend of Sir Walter Scott.
6 The Farington Diary [1808
much better than Dover Street. He sd. it was of importance to Him
obliged as He is to a nine months residence in London each year, — owing
to His being Preceptor to the Princess Charlotte of Wales. —
Mrs. Hughes pleasantly lamented over the situation of the Princess
Charlotte saying she did not see where they could find a Husband for
Her.* The Duke of Gloucester was mentioned, but objected to on the
score of His being too old, but the Bishop did not seem to think there
should be any great objection on account of that difference in their
ages. — Dr. Cookson told me that Lord Lonsdale is not popular in Cum-
berland & Westmorland. —
Dr. Langford, Canon of Windsor, now resides at & does the Church
duty at Lewisham in Kent. His Creditors do not molest Him, but an
arrangement has been made & His debts are gradually liquidating. —
He is 62 or 3 years of age. —
A Dinner every Sunday
The Bishop of Lincoln, Dean of St. Paul's, — Dr. Majendie, Bishop
of Chester, Dr. Weston, — & Dr. Hughes are the four principals of the
Cathedral of St. Paul's ; and each of them keeps His residence for three
months in each year. — The Bishop of Lincoln during that time resides
at the Deanery on the South side of St. Paul's ; — the other three Canons
in Amen Corner. — He who is in residence gives a dinner every Sunday
at Half past one oClock, to the minor Canons &c. & they break up at
3 to go again to public Service. — From 4 or 5 to 8 or 10 attend these
dinners. Dr. Weston has 3 daughters only. — The Bishop of Chester has
a very large family & when He keeps residence does not bring them with
Him.—
[The French having taken possession of Lisbon, of all the Forts &
the remaining Ships in the Tagus & hoisted French Colours upon them,
the populace on the 12th. of Deer, commenced an attack upon the
French & Spanish troops, and great numbers were killed on both sides,
and on the 15th. another attack was made by the people in which 5
or 6000 French & Spaniards were killed. To the horrors of insurrection
were added the miseries of want. — From small note-book.]
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to Fuseli, Nathaniel Marchant,
R.A., Dr. Thomas Hughes (he is miscalled John in Vol. II.), Sir William Scott (afterwards
Lord Scowell) ; Vols. II., III., to Dr. Cookson ; Vols. I., III., IV, to the Rev. William
Langford, D.D. ; Vols. I., III., to George Rose, of the Treasury, and Vols. III., IV., to
the second Duke of Gloucester.]
* Princess Charlotte Augusta (1796-18 17) was married to the reigning Duke of Saxe-
Coburg-Saalfeld on May 2, 1 8 1 6, and died in 1 8 1 7.
CHAPTER III
1808
Russians at Tilsit
January 19. — Called upon Lawrence. Yesterday Lord Lewison
Gower our late Minister at Petersburgh, was with Him. — His Lordship
was with the Emperor of Russia at Tilsit. He sd. that the Russians
ought not to have fought in the situation in which they were at the last
battle fought with the French. — That in the Russian Army there were
only 40,000 regular troops, the remainder were irregular troops only fit
for a pursuit, or to harass an army. On the other hand General Savary*
told His Lordship that the French had 90,000 regular troops. — His Lord-
ship added, that it was the Emperor of Russia that was eager for a battle :
and that now He is very unpopular in Russia. —
[Dr.] Hayes called. He sd. Adolphus does not consider Buonaparte
as the real cause of the predominancy of the French power : that He
is not a great General, & in other respects is defficient. — Hayes is, if
possible, for peace with America ; but thinks any peace with France
circumstanced as the Continent now is, would lay the foundation for the
ruin of this country. —
Lord Trafalgar's Death
Bishop of Salisbury's I dined at. — We dined abt. \ past 5. — Drank
Coffee & tea at 8, — and came away at 9. — Mrs. Fisher, wife to the Bishop,
told me she is related to Earl Nelson, & had been with Him & His family
today, — and found them in great trouble at the loss of their Son, Lord
Trafalgar. — The Bishop sd. He was affected with a Cold immediately
after Christmas, which was not much regarded. He became worse &
Dr. Carter, a Physician at Canterbury, conceived that His disorder
tended to a Consumption, His Lordship being tall, thin, & delicate,
and prescribed accordingly ; but the Apothecary who attended was of
another opinion & predicted the real tendency of his complaint, viz :
a Typhus fever, & expressed his sentiments to Lord Nelson, who com-
municated them to Dr. Carter, He flew out upon it & said that His
* Anne Jean Marie Rene Savary, Duke of Rovigo (1774-1833), French general and
diplomatist.
8 The Farington Diary [1808
opinion wd. be supported by the whole body of Physicians. Lord
Nelson, however, was anxious to have further advice, & having been
informed by Dr. Carter that Lord Trafalgar might be removed to London
with safety, it was determined upon, as Lord Nelson sd. shd. a Physician
be sent for from London He wd. prescribe & go away not waiting for the
effects. Accordingly Lord Trafalgar was brought to London & Doctor
Baillie had little hope of His recovery. He daily became worse & on
Saturday last was reduced to such a state of lowness that Madeira &
Brandy were given Him, — and on Sunday Brandy in greater quantities,
but on that night He died. —
Five days before He died He gave Himself up & said He should not
recover, & expressed Himself as being prepared to die as He was not
conscious of having committed any great evil. He was sensible to the
last & died aged 19. — The Bishop further said, that today He found Lady
Charlotte Nelson, Lord Trafalgar's sister, quite overcome with grief,
sitting in a state seemingly absorbed in sorrow & incapable of any exer-
tion. —
A Good Kernel
The Bishop then spoke of Lord Nelson & said there existed in the
minds of people a very unfounded prejudice against Him. He said
certainly His manners are rough & coarse, but that under this Husk
there is a good Kernel. He said that Lord Nelson has a good plain
understanding & a good meaning, and had been found very useful in
conducting the Church affairs of the Cathedral at Canterbury. The
Archbishop of Canterbury He said, Had spoken to Him of Lord Nelson's
good conduct & management and of the injustice which was done Him
by those who are prejudiced against Him, — the Dean of Canterbury,
Dr. Powyss, has expressed Himself to the same effect. — The Bishop of
Salisbury added that Lord Nelson supports Himself in a manly, proper
manner under His present trying affliction. —
The Bishop and Art
The Bishop asked me how matters went on in the Royal Academy ?—
I told all had gone on well since Mr. West returned to the Chair, & that
there was no longer any dissension.— He sd. Mr. West had been ill used
& greatly undervalued as an Artist which posterity would declare. —
He gave an instance of the current prejudice against His works. Rebecca
had been employed to paint some figures in an apartment at Windsor,
and the Bishop happened soon after to go into that room with company,
some of whom immediately cried out " Oh do not look at those wretched
things by West/"
The Bishop told me that Mr. Douglas, Son to the late Bishop of
Salisbury, had collected either original pictures or had copies made of all
the Bishops of Salisbury from the Restoration, to this period, nine or ten
in number, but of different sizes viz : Half lengths & three quarters. He
said that it is His intention to have pieces added to the smaller pictures
1808] The King's Whist Party 9
to make the whole of an equal size & to furnish the great room at the
Bishop's Palace at Salisbury with these portraits. — He added that He
had never yet sat for a Portrait in Oil,* but shewed me one by a Young
Artist of the name of Leaky who has met with much success in the West
of England & who now paints Landscape. f
Mrs. Fisher spoke to me of Constable with much commendation.
She said His countenance is like one of the young figures in the works
of Raphael : — and that His appearance is that of one " guileless."
January 20. — [His Majesty plays at Whist almost every evening,
the Honble. Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Arthur Stanhope, and Lord St. Helens,
have the honour to form the Sovereign's party. —
From the Moniteur, — Paris Jany. 6th. — " The Annual prize of 3000
Livres, founded by His Majesty the Emperor and King, for the best
experiment made in the course of the year on the Galvanic fluid, has
been decreed to Mr. Davy, member of the Royal Society of London, in
consequence of His memoir on the chemical action of electricity, of which
M. Gay Lussac,J will give an account in the sitting." — From small note-
book.]
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Benjamin West and John
Constable ; Vols. II., III., IV., to Dr. Hayes ; Vols. III., IV., to Dr. Matthew Baillie
& John Adolphus.]
* A correspondent says : " I enclose a short note about the pictures at the Bishop's Palace,
Salisbury, apropos of Farington's statement recording his conversation with Bishop Fisher,
which may interest you. The Bishop married Dorothea, daughter of John Freston Scriv-
ener, of Sibton Abbey, Suffolk. There is a portrait of Bishop Fisher at the Palace, which
may be the one referred to by John Constable in a letter dated June 10, 1812. The artist
and the Bishop were great friends.
"There would appear to be an inaccuracy in the above entry. Bishop Douglas made
the collection of pictures, not his son ; possibly the latter desired to continue the search
and to fill up gaps. In 1795 the Corporation of Salisbury had in their possession the
portraits of four Bishops, Henchman, Seth Ward, Burnet, and Talbot. They gave Bishop
Douglas for the collection at the Palace the portraits of Henchman, 1660-63, Burnet,
1689-1715, Talbot, 1715-1721, and lent him their portrait of Seth Ward to be copied.
This portrait was by Greenhill, and was painted as a recognition of the Bishop's generosity
to the City in contributing the lease of some property for the City Workhouse. Mr.
Priaulx, the Steward of the Workhouse, was directed to pay for the picture.
"The Bishop Douglas portrait by Muller was at the Palace. After the Bishop's death
it came to be allotted to his daughter, and, curiously enough, instead of leaving it — as
presumably her father would have desired — at the Palace, she gave it to the Corporation.
In 1828 Archdeacon Macdonald, the Bishop's nephew and biographer, was allowed to have
it copied, and this, it is thought, is the copy at the Palace. In 1858 the Corporation gave
Mr. Douglas permission to have it copied. There is a tradition that the portrait of Bishop
Alexander Hyde, 1665-1667, at the Palace was found in a cottage and brought to the Palace
during Bishop Fisher's Episcopate. Possibly it was Mr. Douglas who found it."
f James Leakey (1775-1865), a native of Exeter, who was about to enter the studio of
Sir Joshua Reynolds when the great artist died, painted miniatures in the West of Eng-
land, and his subject pictures were so closely akin to the manner of the Dutch School that
Lawrence referred to him as the " English Wouvermans." He had ceased to practise
painting long before he died.
% Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac (1778-1850), eminent French chemist and physicist. A
street in the Latin Quarter, Paris, is named after him.
CHAPTER IV
Art Gossip
January 24. — Northcote said that several drawings were laid before
the Council by Probationary Students, for Tickets of Admission, & they
were excellent. He said the Model Academy is all the rage with the
Students, & that the Life Academy is deserted.*
Wilkie I met today. — The Duke of Gloucester, through Bourgeois,
proposed to give Him 50 guineas for a picture to be painted. Bourgeois
has sent a frame for the Card Players now painting. — The £50. is a trifle
compared with the value of this picture. — Lord Mulgrave is for Wilkie
letting the Duke have it. — I recommended to Him to paint another for
the Duke more suited to His offer. —
January 25. — [Daniell] said, Mr. Long takes the utmost interest
in what Mrs. Long does in Art, & attends & looks over Her with so
constant a habit, that Edridge jokes him upon being a sort of Keeper
or Superintendent of the Academy at Bromley. — [The Longs lived at
Bomley.] — So much is Mr. Long affected by the pleasure He derives
from works of art & comparing them with nature, that lately walking with
Edridge at Bromley He said to Him that He would not for 20,000 a
year be deprived of the enjoyment which He has arising from such
knowledge as He has acquired of the art & taste for it. —
Alexander told us that while He was at Rio de janairo, at the Brazils,
on His voyage to China with Ld. Macartney, He made a Panorama view
of that City & its vicinity, — which drawings Barker of the Leicester
Square Panorama, is to have the use of to paint a Panorama view for
Exhibition & has engaged to give Alexander 70 guineas for the use of
* Here is what Rodin says on this subject : " In the first place, the Antique is Life
itself. Nothing is more alive, and no style in the world has rendered life as it has. . . .
It is bad to put the antique before beginners. One should end, not begin, with it. . . .
When you want to teach sculpture to anyone set him face to face with Nature, then say to
him : ' Now, here is what the antique has done. . . .' Whereas, if you give the antique
to the beginner; who has never struggled with Nature, he does not understand anything
about it, and loses his individuality over it. You make a plagiarist of him, and instead
of making his own prayer to Nature, he will repeat the prayer of the antique without
understanding the words of it."
10
1808] Freebairn the Painter 11
the drawings. — Barker has given Salt* ioo guineas for the use of a Pano-
rama set of drawings of the Pyramids in Egypt. —
January 26. — Rossi called, & spoke of the death of Freebairn\
who died at One oClock on Saturday last, aged 42. — During the last
Summer He manifested great debility of body, being able to walk only
slowly, & with much weariness, when in the country to make views : —
but the indication of something serious happened abt. a month ago,
when He was seized with a violent headache, for which He was cupped,
but reed, only temporary relief, though He was enabled to walk out
so far as to call upon Rossi. Abt. a week since He had another attack
which was of an Appolectic kind & soon caused His death. He was
at first sensible enough to know persons & then, or before, believing He
shd. not long survive, He made a Will, & desired to be buried in a leaden
coffin & in the vault of St. James's Chapel. He made a will as if posessed
of some property, & had in his life-time spoken to that effect : but it
now appears that His circumstances were in a very indifferent state, —
Upon examination it does not appear that His pictures, drawings, Prints
&c. are likely to produce more than 600 pounds, & there is no money, &
several bills due, viz : Butcher ^42 — Baker, — Brewer &c. in equal
proportions. His eldest Son, aged 15, is a Student in the Academy.
A First Commission
West I called upon, & found Him much pleased with a picture which
He had just cleaned & varnished. It was painted by Himself in 1765
& was the first commission He reed, in England, the subject Venus &
Cupid, which He exhibited that year. He said it was painted while His
mind was full of Corregio, as was that of Pylades & Orestes belonging to
Sir George Beaumont. — He said that having long considered in what
manner Corregio obtained that purity of colouring in His flesh, He at
last determined that it was by mixing Ultramarine with his White so
that it should make a part of every tint, & by using Indian Red only to
give warmth, & black in His shadows. — With these colours only He
* Henry Salt, Farington's old pupil, was the Carnarvon of his day. During his term of
office as British Consul-General in Egypt he greatly encouraged excavating. With Burck-
hardt, the German, Salt, in 1816, employed Giovanni Baptista Belzoni to remove the
colossal bust of Rameses II. (" Young Memnon ") from Thebes, which they presented
to the British Museum. Salt himself made discoveries at Thebes in 18 17, and in that year
he paid expenses incurred by Belzoni in excavating the great Temple at Abu Simbel ;
enabled Caviglia to continue his researches in connection with the Sphinx and the Pyramids,
and under his direction Giovanni d'Athanasi made explorations in 1819.
Salt formed three collections of Egyptian antiquities. The first, he said, cost him
,£3,000. In 1824 he sold to Sir John Soane the alabaster sarcophagus found in 1817 by
Belzoni in the sepulchre of Seti I. for ,£2,000, and it is now an important feature of Soane's
Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields. The French Government purchased for ,£10,000 Salt's
second collection, formed in 1819-1824 ; the third was disposed of by auction at Sotheby's
after his death in 1835, and the nine days' sale realized ,£7,168 1 8s. 6d., of which sum about
,£4,500 was paid by the British Museum for certain objects.
t Robert Freebairn (1765-1808). He published about forty prints of English and Italian
scenery.
12 The Farington Diary [1808
painted His flesh & when finished, made use of warm glazing colours
which the cool, pure colours, produced the most charming effect. — He
would never use yellow in painting His flesh. — He then told me that
He had been for sometime employed in cleaning & putting into the best
condition He could several of His pictures & should proceed to do so,
till He shall have restored all those that He wishes should be preserved,
& He would employ the Brush & White paint to cover all those which
He wd. not wish to have His name attached to. — He said that He wd.
now do, that in case He should drop, His House may not be found like
those of Romney & Opie full of rubbish that it was disgraceful of them
to have brought forward to a Sale. — I told Him I perfectly agreed with
Him in this opinion, thinking that in this respect a man should be what
might be called His own Executor.
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to James Northcote, Lord Mulgrave,
Thomas Daniell, R.A., Charles Long (afterwards Lord Farnborough), Henry Edridge,
A.R.A., George Romney and John Opie, R.A. ; Vols. I., III., to Lord Macartney, Vols II.,
IV., to Henry Salt, and Vol. III., to Robert Freebairn.]
18s %:■■''/?.■ -la
.
Ann Pitt (1720-1799), actress.
Engraved by Walker, after D. Dodd.
[To face p. 12.
CHAPTER V
1808
Mrs. Pitt the Actress
January 27. — Varley spoke violently of the merit of a young man
who has been His pupil learning to draw in water colours & Reinagle*
said " He had never before seen drawings equal to them." His name
Turner. f
January 30. — Mrs. Trotter called to thank me for my interest in
obtaining the Housekeeper's place at the Royal Academy. She had
seen Mrs. Fuseli who had told Her not to wait upon Mr. Richards! on
the occasion, but I advised Her to wait upon Him & to say to Mrs. F.
that I thought it wd. be proper for Her to do so, He being an Officer of
the Academy : — this was also Her own wish. — I gave Her much advice
for Her conduct in the Academy situated as the establishment now is. —
She spoke very highly of the Character of Miss Richards who is daugr.
to Mr. Richards by the late Mrs. Pitt the Actress.§ — Mrs. Pitt had after-
wards several other children by other men. — Mrs. Pitt had a Brother,
who was a Broker near Moorfields, in which business He acquired a
considerable fortune. After the death of His widow He has left £100 a
year to Miss Richards, Her good conduct having induced Him to dis-
tinguish Her in this manner from the other Children of His Sister Mrs.
* Philip Reinagle (1749-1833), R.A., animal and landscape painter. He was a pupil
of Allan Ramsay, and painted copies of pictures by Dutch Masters so faithfully that
they have often passed as originals.
t William Turner (1789-1862), a native of Blackbourton (Oxon), became known as
Turner of Oxford, in which city he had a large practice as a teacher. He was a member
of the Watercolour Society, and his waters were familiar in exhibitions for fifty years.
Drawings by him are at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
X John Inigo Richards, R.A., scene painter at Covent Garden Theatre and Secretary
to the Royal Academy for twenty-five years. He died on December 18, 1810. Richards
was responsible for the restoration of Leonardo da Vinci's beautiful cartoon in the Diploma
Gallery at the Academy. See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV.
§ Ann Pitt (i72o?-i799) was born in London. She has been described as an " Old
Tabby," and as having an " important pertness in manner and a volubility of Tongue."
Her daughter Harriet Pitt, the dancer, became by Charles Dibdin, the mother of Thomas
John Dibdin, actor and dramatist.
13
14 The Farington Diary [1808
Pitt, who died poor & in difficulties, but was never forsaken by Her
daugr. Miss Richards.
February 1. — Bigg called, spoke very modestly abt. the Academy
ensuing Election, hoped a time might come when He might be supported,
— said that by oeconomical management He had been enabled to provide
for His family viz : A wife & one daughter only, and signified that He
had made an independance for them. — He spoke of His regular habits
of living, going to bed usually at 10 & rising at 7 in the Summer & towards
8 in the winter, — sd. He had been well educated & had read the Classics.
I spoke to Him as was due to a virtuous man.*
Payne Knight's Opinion
February 2. — Lawrence came to tea. He told me that on Thurs-
day last at the Dilletante dinner, in the evening standing before the fire
with the Duke of Norfolk, — Payne Knight, &c.f — the conversation turned
upon the prices given for pictures painted by deceased artists, which
occasioned Knight to say " That pictures by Wilson, for which He had
30 or 40 guineas now sell for 3, 4, or 500 guineas, though we had better
-painters now living, Turner and the younger Barker of Bath."% Law-
rence felt the injustice of this reflection on Wilson, & said " Oh ! no,
not Barker surely." — Lawrence finds great difficulty in bringing Knight
to agree that in the picture it is proposed He should paint for the Dille-
tante Society,§ the figures should be as Large as the Life. — Knight
objects to it, & says that in the infancy of -painting, in the works of
Raffaelle, — Titian, &c. &c. — their figures were of the size of the life,
but when painting had arrived at its maturity figures of a smaller size
were preferred. This He added, is seen in the works of the Caracchi
& they were the men who had carried the art to a greater height of excellence
than any other painters had done. Such was .he opinion of Mr. Knight. —
He then endeavoured to shew philosophically that pictures & figures
shd. not be extended beyond a certain size so as to come within certain
angles of vision &c. — Lawrence, however, will rather give up the work
than paint upon a reduced scale. Rogers has remarked to Lawrence
that Knight is of a very obstinate disposition & that the late Mr. Fox.
(C. Fox) had said to Him, that when Knight had taken up an opinion
He never had been able to prevail against it ; Knight would never give
up His point. Yet Lawrence remarked that however much otherwise
Knight appears when in public He is very different in private, & when
with only one person may be worked upon successfully ; also that when
* William Redmore Bigg (1775-1828), painted pictures of country life, which were as
innocent and virtuous as himself. Engravings after his works are still popular and fetch high
prices. He was not elected R.A. until 18 14.
| R. Payne Knight, author. See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV.
J Benjamin Barker, an artist, brother of Thomas Barker, of Bath, who painted in the
Gainsborough style.
§ Lawrence apparently never painted the projected picture.
1808] Pitt and Fox Religious 15
He has given a commission to an artist He is satisfied with what is done
and is not disposed to propose alterations. —
I was glad to hear from Lawrence that while He was at Sir Francis
Baring's the death of Mr. Pitt being talked of, & His pious deportment,
the attention of the company was called to consider the manner in which
Mr. Fox died as being not less religious. It was said that from the time
that Mr. Fox saw that His dissolution was approaching, He turned
His thought most seriously to a consideration of futurity, He had the
Bible read to Him, and at His desire was frequently attended by a Clergy-
man, Brother to Dr. Vaughan, His Physician*
With this gentleman He proceeded with pious dispositions to prepare
for the change that was approaching & died a religious man. This fact
was confirmed to Lawrence by Mrs. Adair, wife of Mr. Adair, army agent,
and an intimate friend of Dr. Vaughan, from whom she had these par-
ticulars. — Further, it is known that Mr. Fox complained of being too
often intruded upon by that set of companions with whom He had lived
much, which it is concluded was owing to his feeling how unfit their
society was to His state at that time. —
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Richard Wilson, R.A.,
J. M. W. Turner, Sir Francis Baring and Charles James Fox.]
* See Vol. IV., pp. 117-8.
CHAPTER VI
Visionaries
February 3. — W. Daniell's I dined with. — Mr. Magniac* was long
in China, the Successor of Mr. Cox. He now resides in Fitzroy Square. —
Much conversation took place respecting the Missionaries who had been
sent to India to propagate the Gospel, & those who were sent for that
purpose were selected by the Thornton's & by Mr. Grant,t Directors of
the India Company & inclined to Methodism. They were what they stile
themselves Evangelical Preachers, and carried with them all that enthu-
siasm & those habits for which that description of persons is remarkable,
much danger has arisen from it. Their proceedings have been such as to
create great jealousy on the part of the natives that it was intended
by the East India Government ultimately to force them to profess the
Christian religion. On a people so bigotted as the natives of India are
this was certain to produce the most unsurmountable resistance. Ac-
cordingly every act that appeared to affect their customs & usages was
viewed as a part of a determined systematic plan to effect a change in
their habits & religion, & the order given for the native troops to be shaved,
& for their wearing European Hats instead of turbans, was considered
as one part of this plan, and it caused the dreadful mutiny at Vellore. —
It seems that the Thornton's,- — Mr. Grant &c. instead of selecting Clergy-
men of good character, on whom they could depend for propriety of
* Hollingworth Magniac, son of Colonel Francis Magniac, of Kensington, and Denton
Court, Kent, and Frances, daughter of John Morgan. H. M. succeeded his elder brother,
Charles, as head partner in the important firm in China, founded by the latter, Magniac,
Matheson and Co., later Jardine, Matheson and Co., Hong Kong. H. M. returned to
England about 1820 and lived principally at Colworth, Beds (London, 9 Bolton Row,
now Curzon street). He partly inherited and partly collected the remarkable Magniac
collection of Limoges enamels, etc., which in 1892 realized £100,000. A hunting horn,
by L. Limousin, fetched £6,625.
t Charles Grant, a Scotsman, was a director of the East India Company about thirty
years, and its chairman three times. His influence over his colleagues was extraordinary.
Sir James Stephen says that Grant was " regarded at the commencement of the nineteenth
century as the real ruler of the rulers of the East, the Director of Directors." See "The
East India House," by William Foster.
16
1808] Mahomet 17
behaviour and for performing the duties of their religion according to
the plain & established usage of the Protestant Church, followed their
own inclinations in all these appointments.
The effects which have arisen it is said have caused an order to be
sent to India to have all these visionary missionaries sent home & that
everything should be done to quiet the minds of the people, without
which, Mr. Magniac sd. India wd. soon be lost to us. — He remarked that
with all the enthusiasm of Mahomet to propagate His religion, He found
that all His efforts and the weight of his sword could produce no effect
upon the Hindoos & Gentoos, and He was obliged to be satisfied with
conquering them leaving to them their religious rites & customs. — Major
Scott Waring & Coll. Stewart have written & published their opinions
shewing the danger of allowing the missionaries to proceed : They have
been answered, at least Major Scott Waring has, by the Revd.' Mr. Owen
of Putney, Secretary to the Bible Society, but weakly.
Buy Modern Pictures
Wm. Daniell said that Dubost, the French painter, who painted the
picture of Damocles now posessed by Thos. Hope, has represented to Mr.
Hope that, though He posesses many good pictures, yet His collection
cannot be compared with that of the Marquiss of Stafford & several other
collections, & that He wd. obtain more reputation by disposing of all
His old pictures & by filling His gallery with pictures to be painted by
the best modern Artists, by which He wd. set a great example & probably
be followed by others who wd. adopt His plan. — Dubost has been lately
employed by Mr. Hope at His Country House to paint a whole length
portrait of Mrs. Hope & Her Child, for which He is to have 400 guineas,
but while proceeding on the picture Mr. Hope was for a time constantly
overlooking Him & perpetually interupting Him with criticisms & remarks
upon what He was doing, till at last Dubost was wearied out, & laying
down His pallet, said, that He would not proceed upon the picture
unless Mr. Hope would leave Him to work witht. interruption, but that
when He should have finished, He should be very willing to have the
picture shewn to the friends of Mr. Hope who were reckoned to have taste,
& to make such alterations as might seem necessary. —
Kemble an Imposition
February 4. — Northcote & Taylor dined with me. — Kemble's
powers as an Actor were spoken of. — Taylor sd. He " was as great an
imposition as Master Betty, the Young Roscius ", — and He gave us several
instances of His misconception & want of judgment of Character, — He
mentioned that Kemble's attempts at alterations in pronunciation, and
to give a different sense to passages in Shakespeare from that which had
been received, were generally so trifling & affected, that Dr. Wolcot who
long since had noticed this in Him ridiculed His attempts, by saying,
" He was like a Dog catching flies." — Of his understanding Taylor repeated
VOL. V. 2
18 The Farington Diary [1808
what was said of Him by the late Richardson,* member for Newport,
in Cornwall, & the friend of Sheridan. " That Kemble was a Jesuit in
everything but ability.'''' — This Taylor repeated to Sheridan, who sd. it
was a true description of Kemble. — After tea Northcote read to us a long
Allegory of the Progress of the Arts in Europe, which He has lately
completed. —
The People's Errors
Lawrence called to-day. — He dined with the Duke of Norfolk yester-
day. In the even'g Mr. Howardf and Dudley North, rose to go to the
House of Commons to be at the division, on the Copenhagen business.
The Duke & others objected to their going expressing that it wd. avail
nothing " That if the people wd. have a weak government instead of a
strong [one] they must till they shd. see their error." Lawrence saw
they despaired of being able to do anything against the present ministry. —
[Mr. Canning in the debate yesterday, said, " Buonaparte well knew,
that the Maritime power of Great Britain was the only impediment to
his universal aggrandisement &c." — From small note-book.]
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to W. Daniell, R.A. (nephew
of Thomas Daniell, R.A.), Thomas Hope, merchant and art collector, the Marquess of
Stafford, John Taylor, author and editor, John Philip Kemble, Doctor Wolcot (Peter
Pindar) and the eleventh Duke of Norfolk ; Vols. I., II., for Major John Scott-Waring ;
Vols, II., III., for William H. W. Betty (Young Roscius), and Vol. IV. for Dudley North.]
* Joseph Richardson (1755-1803), author and journalist. See Vol. I., page 137K., and
Vol. II., page 31.
f Mr. Howard, M.P.
CHAPTER VII
1808
The Well-informed Duke
February 6. — Howard* spoke of His having been at Woeburn, the
Duke of Bedford's, a considerable time this winter, & passed his time plea-
santly ; painting in the day, & meeting company at dinner. — The Duke
is a very well informed man, has read much, & knows a good deal of most
subjects. He talks but little, but what He says is sensible. — The Duchess
has great spirits, & a disposition to quizzing people, in this following
Her mother, the Duchess of Gordon. — She is very useful at table as she
contributes greatly to keep up gaiety & conversation. — Lord Holland &
several of that party were there. Lord Holland has seen much, and has
a great deal of information upon most subjects, and very good-natured. —
He grows very like His Uncle, Charles Fox. Lord Ossory was there.
He is a conversible man, a lover of the arts, and was a great friend of Sir
Joshua Reynolds. Genl. Fitzpatrick His Brother, was there ; but did
not contribute much to the Society & seemed more an invalid than Lord
Ossory. —
Lancaster the School master, was there. He seemed to be a shrewd
man, but conceited, & full of himself. — The Duke does not hunt, & shoots
but little. He passes His days very much in His Library and in taking
a ride for air & exercise. — He lives magnificently. Howard experienced
great civility. The Duke & Duchess went to London for a few days
& left Howard alone. During their absence He had a handsome dinner ,
and was attended by the Butler, & two Servants in Livery.
Fox's History
Miller, the Bookseller, has purchased the History,! written by the
late Mr. Fox for £4500. — Longman offered £4000. — There is an apprehen-
sion that the work was left in a disorderly state, and that Lord Holland
* Henry Howard, R.A. (1769-1847), succeeded Richards as Secretary to the Academy
in 181 1, and followed Thomas Phillips in 1833 as its Professor of Painting. See Vols.
L, II., III., IV.
t A History of the Early Part of the Reign of James the Second, with an introductory
Chapter. To which is added an Appendix. London, 1808, 4to. Published at .£1 16s.
A Vindication of Fox's History, by Samuel Heywood, Serjeant-at-Law, was published
in 181 1 at one guinea.
VOL. V. 19 2*
20 The Farington Diary [1808
has been, perhaps, too much employed in restoring, or completing it.—
Howard copied 4 pictures at Woeburn for Forster's work.* — Forster
has 5 Shares of the work & Miller, the Bookseller, one share. — Forster
expects to make a fortune by it.
The publication of the late Mr. C. Fox's History purchased by Miller,
was spoken of. Mr. Long said He did not believe that Mr. Fox left
enough to make up an Eighteen penny pamphlet. He was a very indolent
man, unless moved on some particular occasion, as in the House of Com-
mons. His intention was to give a History from the period of the Res-
toration of Charles 2nd. to the Revolution ; but He had written, it is
believed, only scraps of what He intended. —
Mr. Long spoke rapturously of His situation at Bromley, & sd.
He did not believe another hundred acres could be found in which
there was so much beauty, so great variety ; & so much picturesque
matter of one species of landscape.
Liqueurs and Cape Wine
Mr. Long's, at the Pay Office, Whitehall, I dined at. — Before dinner
we adjourned to another room & saw a drawing, a view of buildings at
Cambridge, made by Mrs. Long ; also some sketches of Trees made by
Her with black lead pencil. All far superior to any that I have seen
made by an Amateur artist. — We dined abt. a quarter before 7 — and
were most handsomely entertained. Red & White Hermitage, Cham-
paigne & Claret, were placed in Silver Stands on the table & were drank
plentifully, — four or five glasses at least to each person. — Malaga, &
Cape Wine, served round at the conclusion of the dinner ; and when
Coffee had been served liquers were offered. Seven Servants were in the
room, three of them out of Livery. — The table cloth was never removed,
but kept on after the French manner. At past 9 oClock Lord Stafford,
Lord St. Asaph, Mr. Knight & the Griffier Fagelf went away ; the rest
of the company retired to the drawing room & had tea & remained till
I past 10 oClock.
Sir William Grant's Speech
The Marquiss of Stafford & the Griffier Fagel were listeners ; Lord
St. Asaph did not say much ; and Knight spoke only occasionally ; West
had his share with moderation. In the drawing-room with our tea we
had most conversation. Mr. Long spoke of the speech of Sir Wm. Grant,
Master of the Rolls, last night in the House of Commons as the best
He had ever made. It was a justification of the Orders of Council,
enforcing a General Blockade of the enemy's ports, & was conclusive. —
Windham attempted to answer it, but could make nothing of it. —
The House attended to the speech of the former with perfect silence. —
* The "British Gallery of Engravings," by the Rev. Edward Forster. See Index,
Vol. IV., where the name is wrongly given as Foster.
f Griffier Fagel, Baron Hendrick Fagel, Dutch Secretary of State, who died in 1834,
1808]
Cobbett 21
Mr. Long, sd. Mr. Percival seemed to have defended the measure suffi-
ciently, but that of Sr. Wm. Grant was unanswerable. He then described
His manner of speaking, sd. He used no action, introduced no Wit, or
any of the ornaments of oratory. It was a plain, logical statement &
the conclusions were convincing. —
Cobbett was spoke of. — Mr. Long sd. He is a very powerful writer,
but is without principle. That He makes war against all offices and
emoluments, which in a state like our[s] are indispensible.
The Bias of Reporters
Mr. Long said that all the reporters of the debates in the House of
Commons have a byass in favor of opposition, even though they are
employed for papers which profess to support government. He then
noticed the extraordinary change which has taken place within the last
30 or 40 years, in giving the debates of the House of Commons to the
public. He sd. that formerly if a person had been seen to take a note
He wd. immediately have been committed, but now, the shorthand writers
work witht. disguise. This is a strong proof [of] how much the people,
in the mass, interest themselves & press forward to take a part in public
affairs, the tendency of which is certainly, when in the extreme, to democ-
racy. Thus, He observed, there will in every state be always a tendency
to one extreme or the other, to Despotism or to Democracy, and the
business of wisdom is to counteract either propensity. —
February 8. — [The Master of the Rolls (Sir Wm. Grant) in the debate
on Friday night last respecting the Orders of Council said, " He thought
Europe might be made to feel that a Maritime power is much less de-
pendent upon Europe than the Continent is upon the Maritime power." —
From small note-book.]
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Henry Howard, R.A., John,
sixth Duke of Bedford, Sir Joshua Reynolds and William Windham, statesman ; Vols. I., III.,
IV., to Henry Richard Vassal, third Lord Holland ; Vol. I., to Lord Ossory ; Vols. 1., II., III.
to the Hon. Richard Fitzpatrick ; Vol. IV., to Mr. William Miller, bookseller, Bond Street ;
Vols. II., IV., to Messrs. Longman and Rees, publishers, Paternoster Row ; Vols. III., IV.,
to Mrs. Long (afterwards Lady Farnborough) and Lord St. Asaph ; Vols. I., III., to
Sir William Grant, Master of the Rolls; Vols. II., III., IV., to the Hon. Spencer Perceval,
Prime Minister, and Vols. I., II., IV., to William Cobbett.]
CHAPTER VIII
1808
An Academy Law
February 10. — Academy General Meeting I went to. — After the
minutes had been read, Shee spoke a good deal respecting rilling the
vacancy of Angelica Kauffman as well as those of Gilpin & Opie, — and
required the Law to be read, which had caused the last General Assembly
to determine that only two vacancies shd. be filled, — adding that He
being in the Council in 1 801-2 had, concurring with others, determined
that the vacancy of Wm. Hamilton shd. be filled although He died on the
6th. of December, & of course three months notice cd. not be given, but
He sd. He had gone by the printed book and did not know of any other
law, — & [the] printed book only require[s] one month's notice to be given.
— Upon this I read the original law made in 1769 & the repeal of it Novr.
1 2th, 1770, — & a Law made that three months notice shd. be given. —
After a good deal of discussion it was agreed that the printed book shd.
be reprinted & corrected, — and that the Ballot for two Academicians
only shd. take place. — [Henry Howard and Philips were elected.]
[The amount of unclaimed dividends on the 5th of January last was
.£934,662. 5 8. — The amount of unclaimed Lottery Prizes on the same
day was £11 3,229. Mr. Manwaring stated in the House of Commons,
that the Bank of England employed 800 Clerks, of whom 400 Clerks
were employed in the business arising from the public debt. — From small
note-book.]
February 11. — I called on Daniell who informed [me] of the melan-
choly event of the death of the Marquiss of Thomond, as it was said,
owing to His Horse falling with Him yesterday near Grosvenor Square. —
[He was buried at Taplow on the 18th.]*
Westall called. — He had been with Mr. Payne Knight, who yesterday
purchased his picture of "Moses in the Bulrushes" for 150 guineas. —
Mr. Knight has hung the picture in his gallery between two pictures
* Murrough O'Brien, fifth Earl of Inchiquin in the Irish Peerage. He was Member
of Parliament for Liskeard from 179710 1800, when he was created Marquess of Thomond,
also in the Irish Peerage, and in the following year he was made a Peer of the United King-
dom (October, 1801), as Baron Thomond of Taplow.
22
1808] Eminent Doctors 23
by Old Masters, & says He shall be happy to shew that the moderns can
stand with them. — Mr. Knight objected to the giving Premiums at the
British Institution to young artists, & sd. He shd. propose that instead
of so doing they should every year purchase two or three pictures by
eminent artists & present them to be placed in some of the Public build-
ings.—
I had company to dinner. — Carlisle [the surgeon] drank no wine, &
talked much against the use of it. — On ages being mentioned, & men
who bore their age well, Carlisle said Dance had the look of a man older
than He declared Himself to be. — Dance sd. He shd. be 6y in April. —
Carlisle sd. He looked to be 70. I thought Dance did not seem pleased
with this declaration. — Carlisle said Smirke did not appear to be older
than He is. — He said, Dr. Baillie who has now a high reputation, has
great knowledge of anatomy, & was an excellent Schoolmaster while He
gave Lectures in it, but that He had not much medical knowledge, & held
the power of medicine very cheap. For this Carlisle blamed him, as by
attention to the progress of a complaint, medicines may undoubtedly
be occasionally employed with great effect. — He spoke of [Dr.] Reynolds
as being a weak man, & consequently not a man capable of judging in
cases where sagacity & penetration are necessary. [Dr.] Lettsom, He
allowed to be above Reynolds in understanding, but yet an inferior man.
— Dr. George Foidyce, Hesd. killed Himself by drinking which habit He
commenced after the untimely death of his Son. — [See entry March 9th.]
— The Doctor [Fordyce] contended that if drinking caused some dis-
orders it prevented others and in this Carlisle agreed with Him. — Sir
Francis Milman He [Carlisle] spoke of as being a man of sense, & very
capable ; but doubted whether He had had sufficient experience. Dr.
Ash He mentioned as being the best informed man of His profession ;
with the additional advantage of an extraordinary memory. — Dr. Frazer,
who died lately, He sd. had injured His constitution by drinking too much
which had hurt some of the Viscera : but He had abstained from it
latterly. — Dr. Vaughan He spoke of as being a man amiable in His man-
ners, but one who did not seem to posess any great power of mind. —
Never Killed in Vain
After tea He shewed us the drawings viz : a design for a Bedlam,
by an insane man in Bedlam, & read some of His mad notions of Himself,
& some of His projects. —
Daniell came to us. — Carlisle said that the late Dr. Warren was a
man of superior abilities ; had great judgment, and strong reasoning
powers, so that, said He, " Dr. Warren never killed in vain." That is if
He found that medicines which in certain cases were reputed to be specific,
& did not produce the effect expected, He wd. not adhere to them as many
Physicians do secundum artem, but wd. consider what might be more
likely to meet the case with advantage. — He had also the power of keeping
24 The Farington Diary [1808
Up the spirits of His patients, always endeavouring to inspire them with
hope even in desperate cases, which greatly assisted His prescriptions.
Dr.Baillie was brought into practise very much by the recommendation
of His Father in Law, Dr. Denman, who wd. to many, signify that there
was something in their constitution which required a Physician well
acquainted with anatomy, which afforded Him an opportunity of naming
Dr. Baillie. — Hence an Anatomical Physician, has become in some degree
fashionable. —
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Sir Martin Arthur Shee,
R.A., Sawrey Gilpin, R.A., William Hamilton, R.A., Thomas Phillips, R.A., Lord Thomond,
Richard Westall, R.A., George Dance, R.A., and Robert Smirke, R.A. ; Vols. I., IV., to
Angelica Kauffman ; Vols. II., III., IV., to Dr. Henry Revell Reynolds ; Vol. I., to Dr.
John Coakley Lettsom ; Vols. L, III., IV, to Sir Francis Milman, a physician to George
III. ; Vol. IV, to Dr. Ash, and Vol. III. to Dr. Fraser, who died Sept. 26, 1807.]
CHAPTER IX
1808
A Noted Traveller
February 13. — Was at home and completed my arrangements of
drawings Sec. &c. a task which has engaged me many weeks, having been
long proposed by me feeling the necessity of placing them in order, &
in Classes to be understood by others.
[This even'g died at Gordon's Hotel Willm. Fullerton of Fullerton
Esqr. of a violent inflammation on His Lungs, after a very short illness
(a few days). — Mr. Brydone travelled with Mr. Fullerton, in His youth,
and published an acct. of their travels. — Mr. Fullerton was the Prose-
cutor of Genl. Picton for His conduct at Trinidad.* — From small note-
book.]
A Detested General
February 14. — Lieut : Coll. Guard, was at Buenos-ayres, He did
not this day speak upon the subject, but after He left us, which owing
to particular circumstances was very early, Baker [lace merchant and
print collector] told us that Genl. Whitelocke was detested by the Army ;
& acted in the most imprudent & unofficer like manner, — & was also
brutally coarse in His manners. — Baker sd. Whitelocke it is expected
will, at least be cashiered.^ — On the Army landing they had a morass
* According to the Annual Register, " Colonel William Fullarton, of Fullarton (1754-
1808), was deeply lamented by his numerous relatives and friends as an irreparable loss.
He was much distinguished for all the social virtues, brilliant talents, and most accom-
plished mind, and his death must be regretted by every friend to his country, to justice,
and to humanity. He was buried at Isleworth, his remains being drawn in a hearse and six,
preceded by numerous horsemen, and followed by six mourning coaches and four, with
about 25 private carriages." General Picton was convicted in February, 1806, before
Lord Ellenborough of having tortured a mulatto girl, Luisa Calderon, by making her
stand with one heel on a sharp peg. Picton applied for a new trial, at which he was acquitted.
See Vol. III., pp. 154-5.
t Lieutenant-General John Whitelocke (1757-1833), son of John Whitelocke, steward
to the fourth Earl of Aylesbury and " probably a descendant of Bulstrode Whitelocke
(1605-1675), Keeper of the Great Seal."
General Whitelocke, who was cashiered on March 18, 1808, after a trial which lasted
seven weeks, was so incompetent that people asked why he came to be appointed commander
of the force sent to recover Buenos Aires, which General Beresford had to surrender after
gaining possession of the city. It was said that Windham appointed Whitelocke because
he, as Inspector-General of Recruiting, opposed Windham's limited enlistment plan.
Windham himself, however, mentions in his Diary that his choice was Sir John Stuart, of
Maida.
25
26 The Farington Diary [1808
to pass through & the men were often up to their waste in mud, & some
of the Serjeants who advanced before to shew the way were lost in the
morass. — This caused a dysentery among the troops who had long been
on Ship board, and of course prevented many of the men from advancing.
— Whitelocke was informed of the cause & the effect, but He jeered it,
& coarsely said, — " It is my business to fight, while 'tis yours to stay
behind." Coll. Guard previous to this expedition & including the voyage
was 76 weeks on board a Transport. — On my way home with Edridge
He told me the unhappy situation of Coll. Guard in His domestic capacity.
His wife, who He has not seen since He returned from Buenos-ayres,
was in Baker's House to-day, but up stairs. She is 5 months gone
with Child. — Such are the uncertain & sad events of life. — [See entries
on February 23 and March 18 and 21.]
Hewlett of Bath
Edridge mentioned that Mr. Thomas Hope has bought a picture
of Flowers by Hewlet of Bath, for 500 guineas.* It was sent to the
British Institution. This was mentioned a few days ago at a dinner
at Lord Mulgrave's where Hoppner was, & it was added that Hewlet
had painted another picture for which He asked 900 guineas. Hoppner
out of patience sd. " Hewlet ought to be smothered." — Mr. Long was
present who sd. that Wilkie & Haydon were there & much entertained
with Hoppner's violence. —
Baker shewed us a criticism of Thos. Hope upon Mrs. Darner's bust
of Lord Nelson, most extravagant & false & ridiculous. It was published
in the newspapers & was so grateful to Mrs. Darner that she had 50
copies of it printed to give away : Baker obtained a copy. — Baker
mentioned that Mr. Canning's Mother, after the death of Her Husband,
lived with Reddish, the player, & had children by Him. — f
February 15. — Lysons called. — He had been unwell with a Cold
& much pain over His eyes, but being cupped & 9 ounces of blood taken
away, His pulse was reduced from 112 to 70. — He spoke of the extra-
ordinary fortitude & resignation of Mrs. Lysons previous to her death.
She talked of all circumstances respecting the care of Her family &
gave directions for Her funeral &c. — The day before Her death she
passed some time in knitting garters. Her Lungs were wholly destroyed
* James Hewlett was an honorary exhibitor at the Royal Academy. His subjects,
mainly, were flowers, and his works were highly appreciated in his day for their colour
and botanical accuracy. Some of his pictures are at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
t Samuel Reddish (173 5- 178 5), son of a tradesman of Frome, was educated at Frome
Grammar School, and while an apprentice to a surgeon he joined the Norwich Company
of Players at fifteen shillings a week, after having applied unsuccessfully for an engagement
at the Plymouth Theatre. He was not a great actor, nor, according to the author of
Theatrical Biography, 1772, was he a particularly honourable man. His acting was charac-
terized by great violence ; indeed he, as Castalio stabbed William Smith, who impersonated
Polydore. Reddish, who died in York Lunatic Asylum, was married to Miss Hart, a stage
beauty of her day, immortalized by Churchill, and it seems he did actually marry George
Canning's mother as his second wife.
1808] Sancho, the Bookseller 27
by an abscess ; formed probably 12 months ago, but its progress suspended
during Her pregnancy, a circumstance not uncommon. — I walked with
Lysons to Sancho's, the Bookseller, successor to Thos. Paine at the
Mews gate. He gave Sancho a very high character. He is Son to
Ignatius Sancho who lived in the Duke of Montague's family & published
a work of His own composing. — *
Daniell I dined with. — Lord Romneyf resides at the Mote, one mile
& half from Maidstone. — He is upwards of 60 years of age, is fat, & very
Lethargic, sleeping whenever He sits down. — He comes to Church, at
Maidstone, twice every Sunday, but sleeps there. — The family is esteemed
to be proud & associate little with their neighbours. — His Lordship has
one Son & 2 daugrs. — He is a widower. —
February 17. — Lawrence I dined with. — He dined with the
Princess of Wales on Monday last, at Blackheath, — Miss Heyman only
there. — We talked of Politics. — Sir Francis Baring though one of the
Fox oppositionists said, " That the School of Pitt was better than that
of Fox," — meaning in respect of their morality in & out of Politics. —
Lawrence told me that a few days ago He spoke to Ward of the vicious-
ness of stile in painting, & informed Him that it was felt by the members
of the Academy. — Lawrence told me He had formed a resolution to
abstain from drinking Wine, from a firm belief that eventually it will
be injurious to the eye sight. — Mr. Perceval told the Princess of Wales
that Mr. Canning formed & wrote the declaration to the Emperor of
Russia, & brought it to the Council, where it was entirely approved. —
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to George Baker, lace merchant and
print collector, John Hoppner, R.A., Lord Nelson, George Canning, statesman, Samuel
Lysons, antiquary, Princess of Wales, William Pitt and James Ward, R.A. ; Vols. II., III.,
to Miss Heyman or Hayman, Keeper of the Princess of Wales's Privy Purse, and Vol. I.,
to Thomas Payne, bookseller.]
* " Letters of Ignatius Sancho, an African : to which are prefixed Memoirs of His
Life," by Jos. Jekyll. With an oval portrait of Sancho by Bartolozzi, after Gainsborough,
1782."
•j" Charles Marsham, third Baron Romney and first Earl of Romney, entertained George
III. and Queen Charlotte at the Mote on August 1st, 1799, when his Majesty reviewed
in the park about 6,000 Kentish Volunteers. He was created Viscount Marsham and Earl
of Romney in 1801. His wife, Lady Frances Wyndham, daughter of the second Earl
of Egremont, died on January 4, 1795.
Their four children, shown in a wood, is one of Gainsborough's finest portrait groups.
It belongs to Lord Rothschild.
Beechey painted the portrait of the Earl, which is the property of the Marine Society
(there is also a version at Petworth), and it was engraved by Valentine Green in 1803, and
later by W. Bromley. The Earl was, like his father, a Fellow of the Royal Society and a
Vice-President of the Society of Arts.
His father, Baron Romney, succeeded Lord Folkestone as President of the Society of
Arts, and the Society commissioned Sir Joshua Reynolds to paint the Baron's portrait,
for which, in 1770, ^150 was paid — it still hangs in the Society's Lecture Hall. According
to the third volume of the catalogue of "Engraved British Portraits " in the British Museum,
a version of the portrait is the property of the Marine Society. By the way, in this catalogue
it is stated that the second Baron Romney died in 1794, whereas, according to Burke, he
died in November, 1793.
CHAPTER X
1808
Whitelocke's Brutality
February 21. — Mr. Phipps I dined at. — Genl. Phipps informed
us that Lord Lake is in a very dangerous state, owing to a cold which
He neglected, and an inflammation of His Lungs has been the conse-
quence of it. — He said, Lord Lake is 6j or 8 years of age. — I asked Him
what effect it wd. have upon the proceedings of the Court Martial on
General Whitelocke. He said, It wd. not stop the proceedings. When
a Court Martial is formed twenty members are appointed, but shd. they
be reduced to Thirteen by any accidents or circumstances, that number
is competent to decide upon the evidence given, & to pass sentence as
may seem to them proper. —
At tea we found Lady Christina Ginkle, daughter to the Earl of
Athlone,* with Mrs. Phipps. — Mr Phipps told us that she sings with
professional skill, & has a remarkably fine voice. — Dance promised
to make a drawing of Mrs. Phipps.
February 22. — [Last night, at 7 oClock, died, Gerard Lord Lake,t
of an inflammation on the Lungs, the effect of a cold neglected. He was
a full General in the Army, Coll. of the 80th. regt. of Foot, Governor of
Plymouth, & Treasurer of the Duchy of Cornwall.
The Prince of Wales was so much affected on seeing Lord Lake
on His death bed, that the sight quite unmaned him ; He fainted away,
and was not restored until a quantity of cold water was sprinkled over
* Frederik Christiaan Reinhart (van Reede — Ginkel was the name by which they were
known in England), fifth Earl of Athlone, after the French occupied Holland, accompanied
the Stadtholder to England and took his seat in the House of Lords, although, Mr. Vicary
Gibbs says, " the decision of the House enabling him so to do is questionable, as it appears
that he was an alien. The Crown, however, would not have been bound by such decision."
See " The Complete Peerage," p. 301. The Earl died on December 13, 1808, at Tedding-
ton. His fifth and youngest son, Willem Gustaaf Frederik, who became ninth Earl
of Athlone in 1843, died on May 21, 1844, and the peerage became extinct.
t Gerard Viscount Lake (1744- 1808) won high reputation in the Mahratta war, and
suppressed the Rebellion of Holkar in 1804-5. See entry under February 29, and Index,
Vols. I., II.
28
1808] Lord Lake 29
His face. His Royal Highness paid the utmost deference to the opinions
of this gallant Officer, and sincere friend.
Several persons of a religious Sect calling themselves Free Thinking
Christians, came into Court, at the Old Bailey, and demanded to have
the Oaths of Allegiance, Supremacy &c. administered to them. — The
Court on looking into the Act, found that they had not the power of
refusing, therefore they were administered to those who lived in London,
within the Jurisdiction of the Court, the rest were refused. — From small
note-book.]
February 23. — Baker called in the evening. He told me that He
was at the Court Martial at Chelsea, on Tuesday last, & saw General
Whitelocke on His trial. — Lord Lake was on the Court Martial & was
there on That day & the day following ; but on Thursday became very
ill, having had a cold before, & died on Sunday evening at 7 oClock, aged
62 or more. — Baker observed on Tuesday that His Lordship went twice
to the Fire to warm Himself. —
Dr. Pitcairne said that a fortnight ago Lord Lake was unwell ; &
the Surgeon or Apothecary who attended Him, told Him that it was
highly necessary that He shd. take care of himself. This His Lordship
disregarded, & persisted in attending at the trial of Genl. Whitelocke till
Thursday last, when He became extremely ill. Dr. Pitcairne was then
called in, but from the time of first seeing Him had no hope of his recovery.
An abscess formed in His right side. Dr. Pitcairne [believed] His life
to have been lost by His want of care of Himself. —
Lieut : Coll. Guard,* nephew to Baker who had the command of a
Regiment employed at Buenos Ayres, gave a very unpleasant account
of Whitelocke's behaviour as a Commander in Chief. — Coll. Guard,
with His Regiment, had been 32 weeks on Ship board when they were
landed in order to proceed to the attack of Buenos Ayres. The place
appointed for their landing made it necessary for them to proceed
through a marshy country, & the men were often up to their breasts
in mud & water. Thus circumstanced it was impossible for them to
carry their flannels & such things as were provided for change & refresh-
ment. — The consequence was that when they had advanced to a place
where they could rest, the men laid down to repose, but without cover-
ing & wearing their wet cloaths. — This caused a Dysentery among them,
in which state they were when General Whitelocke came to view them.
The men in this state had leather Caps on, such as are worn when not
on parade. He sd. " your men look like Taylors, & I suppose will fight
like Taylors." — It happened however that this regiment was particularly
distinguished. — Whitelocke added to His brutality the utmost presump-
tion of success ; but when His men were checked, He lost all presence of
mind, & had no resource. — The Army advanced in sixteen different
columns, but with so little plan, that no point of rendezvous was
* See entry, March 18.
30 The Farington Diary [1808
appointed in case of failure, or difficulty. — Coll. Craufurd* commanded the
division in which Coll. Guard served. Craufurd got into a Convent, & just
put His nose out to order Coll. Guard to charge down a narrow street in
which He lost most of His Grenadiers witht. being able to effect anything ;
the Houses being strongly barricaded. Craufurd did not expose His
own person. —
Catalani
February 24. — Lawrence told me that in a late debate in the House
of Lords after Lord Mulgrave had spoken, — Lord Ellenborough went
to the Lord Chancellor (Eldon) and asked Which He wd. rather hear ;
Catalani sing, or Lord Mulgrave speak ? — Lord Eldon replied, Catalani. —
The Humour was in putting the question, as Lord Eldon had said upon
a late trial that " He had never heard Catalani, & wd. not give 5 shillings
to hear Her." —
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to the Prince of Wales, Dr. Pitcairne
and Lords Eldon and Ellenborough ; Vols. II., III., IV., to Mr. and Mrs. Augustine Phipps;
Vols. I., III., IV., to General Edmund Phipps; Vols. II., III., to Colonel Robert Craufurd,
and Vol. IV., to Angelica Catalani ; Vols. I., II., to Lord Lake.]
* Robert Craufurd (1764-1812), afterwards a general. He won great fame as a com-
mander of light troops in the Peninsular Wars. Craufurd, while leading the stormers
of Ciudad Rodrigo on January 19th, 18 12, was shot through the heart and died on January
24, after great agony. His brilliant services were recognized in both Houses of Parlia-
ment and a monument was erected to him in St. Paul's Cathedral at the public expense.
Napier refers to his " short, thick figure, dark flashing eyes, quick movements, and fiery
temper."
CHAPTER XI
1808
A Fraudulent Artist
February 27. — I called on Mr. West. — He informed me of the
death of Rebecca who died on Monday last at His lodgings in Oxford
road. — West told me that He had last night written an account of
Rebecca which wd. be published in the Newspaper, " The Examiner"
tomorrow. — He sd. He believed no other person could give any acct.
of Him. — He knew Him at Rome, where He painted two pictures which
were obtained from Him by George James, afterwds. an Associate of the
Academy, who brought them to England and shewed them as His own
work. — This, however, was soon discovered, and of course brought con-
tempt upon James. — It was this circumstance which caused Wilson to
say to West when He produced some pictures painted by Himself, " If
you painted these pictures, remain in England, stay Here, if not, get
away to America as fast as you can."* —
I mentioned to West the good observations; in Bell's Messenger of
Sunday last, respecting the state of the Arts in England & France &
sd. Lawrence agreed with me that they were very proper. — He sd.
" You know where they come from," meaning Himself, — & added,
that " ere long more wd. appear in that paper upon that subject." —
Speaking of Public Patronage He sd. Westminster Hall for a thousand
pounds might be wainscoated so that pictures might be safely placed
there & that wd. be a truly national depot for works of art. —
The Elgin Marbles
Lord Elgin's I went to with Lawrence, Smirke & Richd. & Robt.
Smirke to see the Marble works of Art brought from Athens by Lord
Elgin. — The place being cold I did not remain long but left the party
there : but I told Lawrence what I really felt, " That it was the highest
quality of Art, a union of greatness & nature."!
* Biaga Rebecca (173 5-1808), of Italian extraction, was an Associate of the Royal
Academy 1771, whose decorations were popular at the end of the eighteenth century.
George James, the first painter to be elected an Associate of the Royal Academy, was
born in London. He died at Boulogne in 1795 from the effects of imprisonment during
the Reign of Terror.
f In British Museum. See subsequent entries.
31
32 The Farington Diary [1808
February 28. — Mr. Angerstein's I dined at. — Fuseli was last week
at Clifton near Bristol & raved abt. the romantic scenery, saying " It
was the finest thing in the Kingdom, — sublime &c. — " West repeated
what He had often sd. before, " That the Country included within 20
miles of Bath, contained more variety of Landscape, & noble scenes,
than any other country that could be mentioned."
Lord Lake's Poverty
February 29. — M. A. Taylor* said, that Lord Lake had left but
£40,000 to support the dignity of the title & to provide for a family
of Seven children. Lord Castlereagh said that under the Will, Lord
Lake's daughrs. would have little more than £750. each. — Sir A. Wellesley
sd. that Lord Lake went out to India greatly in debt, A person had, in
fact, gone out with him, who reed, all his emoluments, and after defraying
His necessary expenses, carried the remainder to the account of his
Creditors, whose demands were not satisfied till the year 1804. — There
were other debts also settled since the Noble Lord's return. The noble
Lord had brought to this country not more than 35 or £40,000. The
family estate was abt. £800 a year, & was burthened with incumbrances
to the amount of half that sum. Lord Castlereagh moved that £2000
a year shd. be granted to the present Lord, & the two next Heirs, and
to commence from the nth. of Septr. 1803.
For the annuity 202
Against it 15
l8 7
* The Right Hon. Michael Angelo Taylor (1757- 1834), M.P., was the son and heir of
Sir Robert Taylor, the Architect, the bulk of whose fortune of .£180,000 was left for a
foundation at Oxford for teaching modern European languages. M. A. Taylor married
on August 7, 1789, Frances Anne Vane, daughter of the Rev. Sir Hervey Vane, Bart., by
Frances, daughter and heiress of John Tempest, M.P., of Sherborn, County Durham.
She died at Combe House, Surrey, on January 4, 1835.
In i796Hoppner exhibited the now well-known portrait of her as " Miranda," of which
Anthony Pasquin said, " This is his best portrait in the present Exhibition. The figure
is drawn with a free and bold pencil, the harmony of the colouring is preserved with greater
truth and precision than usual, and the drapery is disposed of in his best manner."
The late William Sharp, in his " Fair Women," says : " But there is beauty, too, rare
and convincing beauty, in Hoppner's ' Miranda.' Who was ' Miranda ' ? All that
the catalogue tells is that she was the wife of Michael Angelo Taylor, M.P. This gentle-
man, it may be added, was a member of Boodle's. That alone meant social distinction.
But he was also an intimate acquaintance of the Prince Regent. On a memorable night in
181 1, on the occasion of the drafting out the reply to the Address of the Houses of Parlia-
ment, George P.R., was kindly put to bed by his solicitous companions, and Michael
wrote out this Princely response, while Sheridan and William Adam paced opposite sides
of the room till each could find an opportunity of whispering to Michael that the other
was the damnedst rogue existing. . . ."
" Miranda " was exhibited at the Fair Women Exhibition at the Grafton Galleries in
1894 by the Marquess of Londonderry, whose relative, the third Earl of Londonderry,
was married to Mrs. Taylor's niece, Frances Anne Tempest. The portrait was shown last
year (1924) at the British Empire Exhibition.
M. A. Taylor was one of the Prince Regent's Council for the Duchy of Cornwall, but
they became estranged in 181 1, says the D.N.B.
Frances Ann Taylor (d. 1835).
Engraved by J . Ward, after J . Hoppner.
[To face p. 32.
1808] Inadequate Price 33
March 1. — Dr. Monro's I dined at. — Wilkie sd. He had deter-
mined to let the Duke of Gloucester have the picture of " Card Players "
which He has lately finished. — The Duke's commission only amounted
to 50 guineas, — a very inadequate price for such a picture. Sir F.
Bourgeois brought the Commission from the Duke to Wilkie, — who
now said that the Picture He shall next execute having made a sketch
for it, He will finish & then leave it open for sale, — feeling that it will
be most prudent to do so. — Hearne amused us by denouncing Mr. Whit-
bread's motion for Peace last night in the House of Commons. — After
tea we looked at Gainsborough's paintings on Glass, in a Box by Candle
light. —
America's Debt to England
[At a meeting of the Liverpool merchants on Friday Febry. 26th.
it was resolved to petition both Houses of Parliament against the Order
of Council Bill, in consequence of the unfavourable operations it will
have upon the trade of that town with America. — It was stated by Mr.
Rathbone, that, " Nearly 500 voyages were made from America to
Liverpool alone, in the course of a year, in ships, the burden of which
amounted to more than 123,000 tons ; that the amount of British manu-
factures annually exported to America, was more than 10,000,000 £ ;
that government derived from the Liverpool proportion of the trade
alone, not less than one million a year ; and that the average debt due
from America to this country, is not less than Twelve millions, the pay-
ment of which is now interrupted by the embargo in the American
Ports." — From small note-book.]
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to Lord Castlereagh, Dr. Thomas
Monro (or Munro), Turner's patron, Thomas Hearne, eminent water-colour painter,
Samuel Whitbread, brewer and politician, and Thomas Gainsborough ; Vols. II., IV.,
to Lord Elgin ; Vols. II., III., to Sir Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington.]
VOL. V.
CHAPTER XII
A Beef Steak Dinner
March 4. — Mr. Wolff's, at Sherwood, near Battersea, I dined at. —
It was a Beef Stake dinner in a small room appropriated for the purpose
the Stakes &c. being dressed in the room. The whole managed in a
very agreeable manner. — We dined at a quarter past 6. — Had Coffee
and tea at 9. — & came away \ past 10. — Mr. Wolff is finishing a large
room designed by Robt. Smirke, for the reception of Plaister Casts of
the most celebrated Statues. —
The Roxburghe Titles
March 6. — Hayes called. — He told me Valentine Green has lived
with Mrs. Charlton who is now called Mrs. Green. — She has a son and
two daugrs. by a former connexion. — The Son has been placed in some
military capacity. One of the daughters married a Linen draper who
has since failed in business. — The other, a young [woman] now abt.
25 or 6 years of age, went into Devonshire to live as a sort of companion
to the daughter of Sir James Norcliffe Innes. The Baronet was pleased
with Her, and Lady Innes happening to die, she living separate from
Him at the time, He, though near 70 years of age, in abt. 10 days after
Her death married Miss Charlton, since which time, the Duke of Rox-
burgh having died, Sir James has put in His claim to the Dukedom &
family estate, & it is considered certain that He will obtain the title at
least. — *
* Sir James Innes was born in January, 1736. Selling the family estate of Innes in 1767,
he married on April 19th, 1769, Mary, eldest daughter of Sir John Wray, Bart., of Fairfax
Norcliffe, of Langton, Yorkshire, and assumed the additional name of Norcliffe, which he
dropped after his wife's death on July 20, 1807, in favour of the hyphenated name of Innes-
Ker. On July 28 of the same year he married Harriet, daughter of Benjamin Charnwood, of
Windlesham, Surrey, says Burke, and by her had one son, John Henry, who became the sixth
Duke of Roxburghe, and was created a Peer of the United Kingdom as Earl Innes on August
nth, 1837.
Sir James's claim to the Roxburghe titles and estates was allowed by the House of
Lords on May nth, 18 12. He died on July 19th, 1823, and his widow married Lieut.-
Colonel Walter O'Reilly on November 14, 1827, and died on January 19th, 1855. When
she was married to Sir James Innes-Ker her name was given as " Miss H. Charlewood "
in the Annual Register.
34
1808] Dr. George Fordyce 35
March 9. — Hayes called. — He spoke of the late Dr. George
Fordyce, a most able Physician. He died at abt. 70 years of age, & for
20 years before that period had been in the habit of drinking much
wine. It was his custom to go to a certain Coffee House & ask for Half
a pint of wine, which wd. be followed by calling for another Half pint,
the exhilarating feeling caused Him to go on. — One evening He desired
to know what He Had to pay. The waiter replied, " Sir, you had two
Half pints, a Pint, and a Bottle." Thus showing the gradations of His
desire for more liquor. —
March 10. — Hayes read a letter reed, from a friend at Demerera,
stating the vast number of British Seamen who are on board American
Ships, & the iniquitous proceedings & want of principle in the American
Captains.
Farington's Prices
March 11. — At Eleven Messrs. Cadell & Davis called and staid
with me till one o'Clock, & looked over several of my drawings, & ex-
pressed their desire that I wd. let them have drawings of such subjects
as they shall require, & that I wd. speak to Hearne for the same pur-
pose. I mentioned Seven guineas to be the price of such drawings as
I may make from subjects in my posession, and they seemed highly
satisfied, and Davis said " That was abt. the Sum they had in their
minds, thinking upon it." It was also allowed that a proper addition
should be made when subjects are to be sought for on the spot, on acct.
of the extraordinary expence of travelling to the respective places.
March 12. — Hayes called. He spoke highly of Richd. Smirke's
abilities, & of the high opinion which Cooke* His Father's late pupil
has of Him. But Richard says When He paints pictures He does not
find people disposed to purchase them, & what signifies painting under
such circumstances. Mrs. Smirke says they see little of Him. At
breakfast He has a Book, — and except at dinner they see no more of
Him till 12 at night, as they usually go to bed at that time. —
Efficacy of Medicine
Lawrence came in the even'g. He was at Mr. John Angerstein's
yesterday when Dr. Baillie came to see Mr. Lock [of Norbury], who,
with His family, is there. He observed that at once you see that Dr.
Baillie is a man of a strong & clear understanding. — Mr. Lock's illness
commenced with a cold & cough, which has been attended with fever
& loss of appetite. — Dr. Baillie said That considering His time of life,
j6 — or 7, — there was danger. Dr. Baillie spoke concisely but in a
few words conveyed a clear meaning. He sd. that the fever must have
its way ; that medicine could do nothing against it, but that medicine
might do good by counteracting some of the effects of fever. If the
Bowels shd. be disordered, medicine might give relief ; — If the stomach
* Richard Cook (1784-1857), historical painter.
VOL. V. 3*
36 The Farington Diary [1808
shd. be affected, medicine might ease that symptom, and so on, & thus
assist the constitution. — Mr. Lock's fever is of a low kind, & accordingly
the endeavour is to raise Him, not, as Dr. Baillie sd., minding the Cough,
which may be dealt with if worse symptoms should abate. —
We talked of painting, & of Shee's judgment. Lawrence sd. that
while considering pictures painted by others S. determined their merit
according to the Philosophy of His own painting. He & Stothard,
have worked too much upon their own ideas witht. looking sufficiently
at the works of great masters, & have accordingly become systematic. —
Lord Wellesley's Wife
It is said Lord Wellesley first saw His wife, the Marchioness, acci-
dentally. She is a foreigner,* & was a friend, when young, of one of
His men Servants, who now lives with Him. His Lordship still associates
with the woman who lived with Rouvelet. She now lives on the Edgware
road. While she was in Green street, He had his table of papers there.
Lawrence dined yesterday with Mr. Adams, Secretary to the Duke
of Portland. — They dined at 8 oClock, which is the usual hour, as Mr.
Adams goes every day at Eleven oClock in the forenoon to the Duke
& remains till 8 or \ past 8 in the evening ; and, after dinner, at Eleven
oClock, He goes again to the Duke & remains till one, two, or three in
the morning. Such is the life of a Secretary to a Prime Minister. — The
Duke sits up to the time mentioned, & is often up again at Eleven, not-
withstanding He is so much an Invalid. —
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to Cadell and Davis, publishers, and
William Locke, of Norbury, art collector ; Vols. III., IV., to Jens Wolff, Danish consul and
art collector, and to Valentine Green, A.R.A., engraver and keeper of the British Institu-
tion ; Vols. II., III., IV., to Richard Smirke and Richard Wellesley, first Marquess
Wellesley.]
* Richard, second Earl of Mornington and first Marquess Wellesley, married first in
1794 Hyacinthe Gabrielle, only daughter of Pierre Roland, of Paris. She died in 18 16,
and in 1824 he married Marianne, daughter of Robert Paterson, whose sister Elizabeth
became the wife of Jerome Bonaparte, King of Westphalia.
CHAPTER XIII
1808
Lawyers and Honesty
March 14. — [At the British Forum, No. 40, Brewer St. — On Friday
last nth. inst. after a long & interesting discussion, a large majority
decided, that " It is impossible for a Lawyer to be an Honest man." —
From small note-book.]
Sir Joshua's Parsimony
March 15. — Marchi called, — had seen Mrs. Woodward, Lady
Thomond's maid, who informed Him that Her ladyship is better,
but has not seen anybody, but talks of going to Taplow. — I asked Marchi
When Tom's, the Drapery painter, first began to paint Draperies for
Sir J. Reynolds. — He said, When Sir Joshua lived in Newport street. —
Toms had fifteen guineas for painting the Drapery to a whole length
figure. — Sir Joshua, Marchi sd. " Was never pleased with anything
that was done for Him." — He sd. Sir Joshua hated to pay money. — Lady
Thomond (then Miss Palmer) would, at breakfast-time, day after day,
ask Him for money to pay the House Bills, witht. obtaining it from
Him.—
Wm. OfHey told a whimsical story related of [the Rev. Mr.] Simeon. —
His affected manner gave occasion for it. A Person told Him that " if
He did not learn to turn in, instead of turn out his toes as He does, He
wd. never be able to enter the straight gate."
[Pedestrian Extraordinary. — Yesterday morning at 7 oClock, a young
man, an apprentice to a Hatter in the Borough, started for a Wager
of 20 guineas, to run 19 times round the railing of St. Paul's Cathedral,
within the Hour, which He performed with much apparent ease in 55
minutes, being 5 minutes under the time. He performed the first 4
rounds in 10 minutes, & then finding He had so much the best of it,
He rather slackened His pace, & came in the distance, which is moderately
rated at 9 miles, in the time we have mentioned. — From small note-book.]
Married in Haste
March 18. — [George] Baker said His family had been in much con-
fusion for sometime past. The Sisters of Coll. Guard, & the Revd. Mr.
37
38 The Farington Diary [1808
Guard were in town having come to meet their Brother the Coll. — who has
been in much trouble on acct. of the misconduct of His Wife. — The Coll. is
only 36 years of age & has had that rank 9 years. — Mrs. Guard, His wife,
is an Irishwoman, Her mother a sister of Lady Kinsale.* She is only 28
years old. He met with Her at an Assembly at Kinsale & after seeing
Her two or three times, proposed to Her & married Her. — He has three
children by Her. —
She is now 5 or 6 months gone with child by the Son of [an] Apothecary
in the Town in the West of England where with Her Husband the Colonel's
friends, she resided. She came up to Bakers House & was there a fort-
night or three weeks, but Baker never saw Her, & she is now in a Lodging ;
— & a process has been instituted, — to lead on to a Divorce. — On His
arriving in England, not knowing of Her infidelity, the Coll. wishing to
live with, & enjoy domestic happiness, was on the point of applying
to the War Office to be put upon the Home establishment, that is upon
Half-pay. —
March 20. — Singletonf called at breakfast time & complained of
Oliver having been elected Associate before Him. He told me He was
born in London & had His early instruction from an Uncle who was a
Miniature painter ; and He became a Student of the Royal Academy &
availed Himself of opportunities of going to Sir Joshua Reynolds & to
other places where He cd. see pictures, & thus advanced Himself in His
profession, & by industry & care had saved money enough to be able
now to practise His profession with comfort to Himself. — He sd. that abt.
twelve months ago He married a young woman, His cousin, who paints
miniatures. He said He shd. be 38 years old in October next. —
Traitors or Cowards
March 21. — Cade called. He told me He was at Buenos ayres at
the time the British forces quitted Monte Video. Having a passport
from Genl. Whitelocke He went up from Monte Video to Buenos ayres,
abt. 100 miles, & there was introduced to Genl. Liniers (the French Com-
mander) on business, & dined with him. He said Liniers is a man in
his person rather inclined to be fat, has an easy good humoured coun-
tenance, & full as much the look of an Englishman as of a Frenchman.
Liniers had certainly acted with humanity towards the English & pre-
vented violence on the part of the Spaniards. — Buenos-ayres is very
large, & contains abt. 60,000 people. Monte Video is a handsome
town, & the situation beautifully picturesque. It contains abt. 14,000
* Lady Kingsale was Susan, daughter of Conway Blennerhassett, of Castle Conway,
County Kerry.
t Henry Singleton (1766- 1839), painter, exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1780
a pen drawing made when he was ten years of age ; four years later he won a silver medal
at the Royal Academy School, and in 1788 a gold medai for a painting of " Alexander's
Feast," from Dryden's Ode, which was specially commended by Sir Joshua Reynolds in
his Presidential discourse. Singleton, who was a prolific contributor to the Academy
exhibition, failed to fulfil his early promise, and never was elected an Associate.
1808]
Traitors or Cowards 39
people. — He did not arrive at Monte Video till after General Whitelocke
had signed the Articles for withdrawing the British troops ; and He
found the Army in a state of great irritation against Genl. Whitelocke, &
Genl. Gower, the Second in Command. Upon doors, & window shutters,
&c. in many places was written " Genl. Whitelocke & Genl. Gower two
traitors or Cowards." — At a sort of Table d'Hote at the Three tuns in
Monte Video many Officers assembled & expressed their disgust with
great freedom.
The General's Errors
Genl. Whitelocke certainly did not act upon the Plan he had first
formed when proceeding to attack Buenos-ayres, it was then intended
that in the attack the Navy shd. in some way be combined with the
Army, which might have been done with light vessels to some effect.
The Plan that was adopted was imputed to General Gower. When the
English Army approached towards Buenos ayres Genl. Liniers concluding
they wd. attempt to pass over a Bridge over the River Chicully ; &
accordingly, He advanced to that point with the principal of the military
force of Buenos ayres, having 60 pieces of Cannon ;— but the English
passed the River at a Ford, higher up the River, and had Genl. Whitelocke
advanced the rear of the Army in time to support Genl. R. Craufurd, and
proceeded immediately to the town it might have entered & posessed
witht. difficulty, as Liniers wd. then have been behind them, & the town
witht. an organised preparation. But the opportunity was lost by the
unaccountable delays of Genl. Whitelocke, who caused that part of the
Army to halt repeatedly witht. any obvious reason for it. — The attack
when it was made, in the manner of it was an act of madness. — It did
appear that when Genl. Whitelocke left Monte Video to proceed against
Buenos-ayres He was inflated with self importance ; & perfectly assured
that the place wd. be His. — Cade had some conversation with Him, &
He then spoke with great irritation against Sir Home Popham for having
deceived the English government & the people by false representations
of the disposition of the Spaniards towards the English.*
His Spirits Fell
Cade had conversed since their return with two Officers, Aid du Camps,
to Genl. Whitelocke, who told Him that during the greatest part of the
voyage home, the General was in very good spirits, & seemed to rest
confident from having acted to the best of His judgment ; but abt. a
fortnight before they reached England, they met an English Vessel of
War & these officers went on board to obtain information of what was
passing in England. Here they were told of the irritated state of the
publick mind. On returning to their own Vessel Genl. Whitelocke
requested them to inform Him what they had heard, & on being told
what had been communicated, His manner from that time became
* See Vol. IV. for the Popham court-martial.
40 The Farington Diary [1808
changed, His spirits fell, & He wd. walk silently for an Hour or two to-
gether. Genl. Auchmuty* was very popular with the Army & with
the Spaniards on acct. of His having prevented the effects which might
have been expected, when Monte Video was stormed. — The British Army
that went with Whitelocke made so fine an appearance both men and
Officers, that the Spaniards concluded they had been picked from the
whole of the British Forces. —
Artists' Prices
March 23. — I called on Collins Junr.f to see a whole length picture
He was painting for the Exhibition, of the Hon : Mrs. Hare, — very
indifferent. His Prices were in a frame, — Three quarters 5 guineas —
Kit cat 8 gs. Half length 15 gs. Whole length 30 gs. — Two whole length
in same picture 50 gs. — He did not seem conscious of the inferiority of
His painting.
March 24. — Lawrence came in the even'g much disappointed at
the failure of Turner, the engraver, in the portrait of Mr. Pitt. —
Fuseli's History of the Arts
March 25. — Fuseli I called on. He was employed in writing " A
History of the Arts of Painting," Commencing with the Italian Schools,
& His plan He said, was, to take each of those Schools separately viz :
The Neapolitan, Roman, — Bolognese — and Venetian, and to bring
down His History to the Commencement of the last Century. — He sd.
He thought He shd. be able to publish [it] in abt. 2 years, having completed
His work to the period of Michl. Angelo & Raphael, from which time it
wd. be comparatively " plain sailing." — He thought His work wd. be
comprised in two quarto volumes, to be published by Johnson, who
urges for the completion as otherwise He may die before it is finished. —
He told me that Soane & His Wife had done all in their power to
obtain the Housekeeper's place in the Royal Academy for Mrs. Cooke,
but having been disappointed He sd. that on His sending a Print of the
Milton work to Soane, which work He before subscribed to, Soane returned
the Print with a note declining to take any more and as He in His note
expressed Himself " for this simple reason, That He had more Prints
than guineas." — Fuseli did not think it worth while to make any reply
to Him, but wished me to mention to Dance this additional instance of
Soane's peevish & little mind expressed in a manner which might only
have been expected from a Footman. —
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to G. F. L. Marchi, one of Sir Joshua
Reynolds' assistants, and Lady Thomond ; Vols. II., III., IV., to William Offley, wine
merchant, and Sir John Soane, architect ; Vols. I'll,, IV., to Admiral Sir Home Riggs
Popham and the Rev. Charles Simeon ; Vols. II., III., to Joseph Johnson, publisher,
and Vol. IV., to James Archer Oliver, A.R.A. See also footnote to Chapter LXIIL]
* Sir Samuel Auchmuty, G.C.B. (1756-1822).
t Afterwards R.A. and father of Wilkie Collins, the novelist. See Vols. III., IV.
CHAPTER XIV
Two Great Paintings
March 26. — Boydell called. He told me that in May next He pro-
posed to bring forward & try the question in the Court of King's Bench
" Whether the Subscribers to the Shakespere work are not bound in law
to complete their Sets." He desired me to prepare Mr. West upon the
subject, as He wd. be subpoenad to give evidence as to the excellence of
the engraving of Lear by Sharpe after His picture. He proposed to
subpoena other Artists to speak to the merit of prints after their pictures. —
He shd. employ Garrow & the Attorney Genl. Sir V. Gibbs.
He told me that He was treating for the sale of His House at West-
End, Hampstead ; and shd. dispose of many of His pictures. — He wished
me to assist Him in the disposal of the Portrait of Ld. Heathfield by
Sir J. Reynolds — He wd. take 300 guineas for it, and 150 gs. for the
landscape by Gainsborough.* The Marquiss of Stafford had declined
* George Eliott (1717-1790) was a native of Roxburghshire, and in 1743, as Aide-de-
Camp to George II., was wounded in the battle of Dettingen. He fought in the Seven
Years' War, and is famous for his memorable defence of Gibraltar, for which he was raised
to the peerage by the title of Lord Heathfield and Baron of Gibraltar in June, 1787.
As will be seen in a later entry, the Heathfield portrait was purchased by Sir Thomas
Lawrence and is now in the National Gallery Collection, where also is Gainsborough's
splendid " Wood Scene, Cornard, Suffolk," first known as " Gainsborough's Forest."
From the Morning Herald, of March 12, 1788, I give the following interesting (and
correctly transcribed) reference to this Gainsborough painting :
" MR. GAINSBOROUGH.
"A Landscape by this distinguished artist, having been lately purchased by Alderman
Boydell, for seventy-five guineas, it may not be unacceptable to mention a curious anecdote
relative to it which cannot fail but to enhance the value.
" This is one of the first pictures Mr. Gainsborough produced ; — he painted it at Sud-
bury in the year 1748, at which time he was a schoolboy.— This early proof of genius deter-
mined his father to send him to London to study ; — but he appeared to have found a
preferable school in sequestered nooks, — woody uplands, — retired cottages, — the avenue
of a forest, — sheep, cattle, villagers and woodmen. — These were the true sources for the
cultivation of a mind so strongly impregnated with the seeds of fine fancy, attached to
the wild beauties of nature ; — and whose inclination for landscape was drawn forth by
41
42 The Farington Diary [1808
the picture of Lord Heathfield saying " He did not mean to purchase
any more pictures." Wm. Smith [M.P.] also declined it. —
A Democratic Bookseller
He told me that Philips, the Bookseller, now one of the Sheriffs
of London, came from Leicester, where He kept a small shop & sold
stockings & pamphlets. — He was a Democrat, & was convicted of
publishing " Paine's rights of Man " for which He was imprisoned twelve
months. He came to London & began with publishing a Magazine
& some other small works & published the Copyright of Pizarro* by the
sale of which He became more known. — The Recorder of London (Mr.
Sylvester) who has observed His conduct, has a very bad opinion of
Him, & says severe things to Him.
A Strenuous Life
March 27. — Drummond called upon me to ask whether He cd.
have a few days indulgence for sending a picture to the Exhibition
beyond the time specified. I told him it wd. not be granted if applied
for. — He said it was a picture representing the taking of a French Privateer
by the Windsor Castle Packet, Captn. Rogers, a very gallant action in the
West Indies. — He told me He did not know where He was born, but
these rustic objects, — rather than by the example of the laboured pictures of any master
whatever.
" It may be worth remark, that though there is no great idea of composition in this picture,
the touch and close imitation in the study of the parts and minutia are equal to any of Mr.
Gainsborough's latter productions : we must also observe, that this picture has been
eagerly sought for, and been at intervals in the possession of various dealers for the last
forty years."
In this full summary of a letter which Gainsborough wrote to the Editor of the Morning
Herald on March 1 1, 1788, it is obvious to all who know Gainsborough's life that the writer
had misread the letter. What Gainsborough meant was that he had made either a sketch
for the picture or had actually begun to paint it before he went to London in 1744. In
any case the canvas was not finished until 1748, two years after his marriage in London
on July 15, 1746.
The letter itself also appeared in the Morning Herald, probably in March, 1790 (when
the picture was shown by Boydell in the Shakespeare Gallery), and is reproduced in Mr.
W. T. Whitley's " Life of Gainsborough," from which I quote the lines bearing upon the
last sentence of the above summary. The artist says : "It is full forty years since it
[the picture] was first delivered by me to go in search of those who had taste to admire
it 1 Within that time it has been in the hands of twenty picture dealers, and I once bought
it myself during that interval for Nineteen Guineas. Is not that curious ? "
From Boydell the picture passed to David Pike Watts (Constable's uncle), about
whom much unknown information has recently appeared in the Diary. At his death in
1 8 16 his daughter, Mary, inherited his property. She was the wife of Mr. Jesse Russell,
M.P., who added Watts to his name, and at the sale of his pictures in 1875 ( ne died in that
year) the Gainsborough was bought for the National Gallery for ^1,207 10s. See C. R.
Leslie's " Memoirs of the Life of John Constable," " Some Account of David Pike Watts "
(1841), and a reference to Ham Hall in a history of Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
* R. B. Sheridan's melodrama produced in 1799 at Drury Lane.
1808]
A Strenuous Life 43
He believed in Scotland ;* That He was put apprentice to a Seafaring
Man at Whitby in Yorkshire, & served several years. That He had
been in three engagements at Sea. — That at 20 years of age He married
a Widow who had 5 children. By Her he had two children but she died
at [the] end of two years & a half from the time of their marriage. That
He married a second wife abt. 14 years ago, & has now 5 Children by Her.
The children by His first [wife] died. —
He said He is abt. 41 years old. He maintained His family by
painting portraits, which He can do very expeditiously, in an Hour
and a Half and at one sitting. — He has 5 guineas for a Head only : Eight
guineas for a three quarter portrait. — His desire, however, is to paint
History, & He has devoted so much time of late to this Study that He
is £500 out of Pocket by it. — He sd. His application has been very
great ; working from morning till 10 oClock at night, & sometimes till
one oClock. He finds of late that His constitution has suffered in some
degree from this application. He expressed the disadvantage He laboured
under in not being a Member of the Royal Academy ; it caused people
to doubt his abilities.
The Duke and Wilkie
March 28. — I called with Dick [Farington's brother] upon Wilkie
to see His picture of Card-Players painted for the Duke of Gloucester.
He sd. it took Him 4 months to paint the picture. He carried it to
the Duke abt. a fortnight since & Bourgeois who had brought the Com-
mission to Him from the Duke, accompanied Him. The Duke on seeing
the picture & having been informed of the long [time] which Wilkie had
been employed upon it was conscious that 50 guineas the sum which He
had commissioned Bourgeois to offer Wilkie to paint a picture was too
little. He therefore took Bourgeois on one side & expressed this to him,
& asked Bourgeois for His opinion, which Bourgeois declined to give.
Since that time Bourgeois has called upon Wilkie & informed Him
that the Duke sensible that 50 guineas was too little for that picture was
willing to give Him 50 guineas for the picture He is now painting " The
Sick Woman " which not having so much work in it wd. make up for
the over work in the other. —
Wilkie sd. to me that He felt indignant at such a proposal which
shewed so little sense of what was due for His labours. He declined it. —
This instance of a mean, foolish, & wretched mind in the Duke excited
the contempt both of Dick & myself. — Wilkie sd. He communicated
these particulars to Lord Mulgrave who felt as / did, & having engaged
Wilkie to let him [have] the small studies of all the pictures He may
paint. — He told Wilkie, that as He reckoned the value of the " Card-
Players " at 200 guineas & meant to pay Him at the rate of 10 per cent
for all the small studies, on the prices He may put upon the finished
pictures, He should pay Him 20 guineas for this small study, which He
* Samuel Drummond, A.R.A., was born in London. See Vols. II. and IV.
44 The Farington Diary [1808
did. — Wilkie told me that henceforward He would not paint any pictures
on Commission. — He shewed us a picture containing portraits of His
Father & Mother. — His Father is a Scotch Clergyman. —
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Josiah Boydell, Sir William
Garrow and Sir David Wilkie, R.A. ; Vols. II., III., IV., to Sir Vicary Gibbs ; Vols. I., II.,
III., to William Smith, M.P. and art collector, and to Thomas Paine.]
CHAPTER XV
1808
Mrs. Tom Sheridan
March 28. — Callander called to speak abt. Parish business. — He
told me His Brother, Colonel Callander,* married Lady [ ] O'Donell,
daugr. of the Earl of Antrim, — & that one of their daugrs. Miss Callander,
married Tom Sheridan, & had a fortune of £6000 & will have £5000
more. — They now reside near me [in] Charlotte St. Sheridan, the Father,
has not [at] present any House, as were He to take a House, His goods
wd. be seized. — He at present lives with Peter Moore, the Member for
Coventry, at His House in Great George St. Westminster ; but Mrs.
Sheridan is not with him there. — Callander spoke of himself, — sd. that
His Constitution is in the best state, — that He is 62 years old, — that
He never took a grain of mercury in His life ; & has always abstained
from wine beyond a certain quantity, — not exceeding 6 glasses. He
walks witht. a great Coat in severe weather & appears to be completely
healthy. —
March 29. — Landseerf called & spoke to me of His difficulties
occasioned by Sir Henry Mildmay not paying Him 130 guineas due
for two plates, views of Sir Henry's House, which Landseer had engraved
for Him. He had written to Sir Henry, — & at last had employed an
attorney, but no answer had been given. —
* James Callander, of Craigforth, assumed the name of Campbell on succeeding in
right of his mother, to his cousin-german, Sir Alexander Campbell, to the estate of Ard-
kinglas. He married as his third wife on August 22, 1777, Lady Elizabeth MacDonell,
daughter of the fifth Earl of Antrim.
Sir James Campbell fought in the Seven Years' War, and, under Sir John Acton, he
was Inspector-General of the Forces at Naples. He was the author of " Memoirs : Written
by Himself."
His daughter Caroline Henrietta Callander (1779-1851) was married to R. B. Sheridan's
only son, Tom, in 1805, and she became the mother of four sons and " the three beauties " —
Lady Dufferin, afterwards Countess of Gifford, the song writer ; the Hon. Mrs. Norton,
afterwards Lady Stirling-Maxwell of Keir ; and the Duchess of Somerset, Queen of Beauty
at the Eglinton Tournament. Mrs. Sheridan, " more beautiful than anybody but her
daughters," was herself the author of three novels that won considerable popularity. See
Index, Vols. II., III. ; also Vol. IV., p. 167 and footnote, for reference to Tom Sheridan.
t See Index, Vols. II., III., IV.
45
46 The Farington Diary [1808
Edridge I dined with. Hearne only there. — Hearne sd. that He
usually rises at half past io oClock,— puts His tea in the Pot, & while
it is drawing washes His face & hands, then drinks a cup of tea & eats
a piece of toast, after which feeling Himself refreshed by it, He sits down
& draws a while, then takes another cup of tea & some toast, which
completes His breakfast. — He is not able upon an average to work
more than from two hours & a half to three Hours a day. — He dines
at 5, — drinks from half a pint to a pint of Port at & after dinner, — has
tea and between 9 & 10 goes to Mills's Coffee House where He remains
till -| past 12 oClock & from thence returns home to bed immediately.
He complained of slow circulation & cold feet which Lamb's wool stock-
ings worn in the night & Cloaths heaped upon him will not warm.
Sublime Sculpture
March 30. — Philips I dined with. — Humphry* sd. He had been to
Lord Elgin's & seen the marbles brought from Greece & seemed to
be disappointed. He said there certainly was something great & of a
high stile of Sculpture, but the whole was " a Mass of ruins." — West
upon this gave His opinion. He sd. that they were sublime specimens of
the purest sculpture, & that when the summer arrives He means to devote
much time to study from them. He sd. that this He wd. do though in
His 70th year, & had on this acct. a wish to be again only 20 years
of age & that He might labour to profit by them. — He sd. that certainly
many parts which might have been injured had been very badly restored
probably abt. the time of Adrian, but it was at once seen that these parts
were not the original work. — He sd. that Michl. Angelo in His Moses, &
in some other works, had approached nearer to this species & degree of
excellence than any other man.- — Daniell sd. He was at Lord Elgins on
Sunday last 2 Hours & felt as I had done, & in concurrence with West. —
When West came to England
West told us that He arrived in Italy on the 9th. of July, 1760 & that
the following year He had a fever, which was followed by some humours
in his constitution falling upon one of His legs near the ancle. He was
confined with His complaint Eleven months, & in the course of that time
was removed first from Rome to Leghorn, & then for better advice to
Florence, where He was put under the care of a very able Italian Surgeon,
who laid His Leg open & by a process caused the wound to close ap-
parently healed but on examination the Surgeon found that it was a
false surface, & He then told West that the Bone of the Leg was injured,
& that He must undergo another & a painful process.
West said " He could bear pain." — The wound was again laid open
& a caustic applied to the Bone for 48 Hours during which time the pain
was excessive. The Caustic was then removed & with it came the
exfoliated bone, on seeing which the Surgeon told Him all wd. now be
* Ozias Humphry, R.A. See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV.
1808] The Human Figure 47
well which proved to be the case after a little time. — West said that
He was confined 6 months to His bed, & 2 months more to his Chamber,
& that during this confinement He principally studied the human figure
by having a machine made to enable Him to draw, which He did from
Hands, feet & other parts of the figure. He came to England the 20th
of August 1763. —
West told me privately that Fuseli had been with him to-day to speak
abt. raising His salary. West told him that He had talked with me
on the subject & only wished to intimate the intention to the King to
make all run smoothly. — He told us that He was surprised by a visit
from Copley a few days ago, who after all that has passed, called upon
him to speak abt. obtaining a place over the Chimney for a picture He has
painted for the Exhibition, The subject, " Lady Jane Grey." —
Philips spoke very highly of Lord Pembroke, & of the Countess
Worenzow, who He has married, saying they are excellent people.*
March 31. — -Liddell I dined with. — Sir Robt. Wigramf was spoken
of as being worth probably £200,000. He has 21 Children living viz :
15 daugrs. & Six Sons two of whom are in parliament. The eldest
Liddel said, Has a taste for engraving & practises. —
* The eleventh Earl of Pembroke (1759-1827) married as his second wife Catherine,
only daughter of Simon Count Woronzow, Russian Ambassador, and their only son, Sidney,
became an eminent statesman and was created Lord Herbert of Lea. See Index, Vols.
I., II.
t Sir Robert Wigram, first Baronet, was a merchant and shipowner, and M.P. for
Wexford. See Index for later entries.
CHAPTER XVI
Wilkie and Haydon
April 1. — Constable called to desire me to call upon Him to see His
pictures intended for the Exhibition. — He spoke of Haydon having great
influence over the mind of Wilkie, that the latter after every day's work
is desirous to have Haydon's opinion of his proceeding & is affected by
it accordingly as it is approval or the reverse. — Constable remonstrated
against it, & justly observed to Wilkie that " if He continued to do so
He would at last come to paint from Haydon's mind rather than from his
own." — Constable sd. Haydon is a man whose manner is such that He
will naturally have influence over those with whom He associates. He has
a decided manner of giving His opinion & with authority. — I afterwards
called on Constable & saw His pictures intended for exhibition. —
April 2. — I called on Collins Junr. & saw His picture of the Hon :
Mrs. Hare. — He told me Mr. Hare* wished to see my Brother, Dr. Faring-
ton with whom He was at College. — Mr. Phipps called & told me that it
was Miss Anne Bowles that was married to Mr. Stourges Bourne. f — Laura
Bowles is the only one unmarried. — Mr. Bourne is son to the late Revd.
Dr. Stourges, of Winchester, & nephew of the late Mr. Page, member for
Oxford. He is an able & a worthy man. — Robt. Smirke called & had a
long conversation with me abt. Family affairs. He now pays Clerks
who assist Him to the amount of abt. £700 a year. The buildings now
carrying on at the Mint will cost abt. £80,000, upon which He shall
receive 5 per cent. —
* James Hare (1749-1804), who is said to have written the " best ' Bacchus ' exercise
ever known at Eton," was a wit and politician. On January 21, 1774, he married Hannah,
only daughter of Sir Abraham Hume, first Baronet. See Vol. I., pp. 178-9, and
Index, Vol. II.
t William Sturges-Bourne (1769-1845), politician, was the only son of the Rev. John
Sturges, Chancellor of the Diocese of Winchester. On the death of his uncle, Francis
Bourne (who took the name of Page), the bulk of his fortune came to Sturges, who assumed
the name of Bourne.
A great friend of Canning, he held various offices, and was responsible for the Act (18 18)
known by his name, for the Regulation of Vestries. He married on February 2, 1808,
Anne, third daughter of Oldfield Bowles, of North Aston, Oxford. See Index, Vols. III., IV.
48
1808] Sir Joshua's Assistant 49
April 3. — Went early to Hearne's to obtain information respecting
Poor Marchi, who I was told died last night before 7 oClock.*— He had
had a Cold upon him sometime, but attended His evening party at Mills's
Coffee House, Gerard St. and was there on Wednesday even'g last ; but
on Thursday was much worse & remained at home & on Friday Hearne
called upon him & insisted upon His having medical advice, which He
had before refused. Accordingly Mr. Campbell of Princes Street came
to Him and ordered a Blister to relieve His breathing which was difficult,
His disorder being on the Lungs. On Saturday morning Mr. Campbell
called again but doubted of the Blister having risen & on examination
found it had not, from which He was considered to be in a hopeless state.
He had his senses throughout the day & died witht. pain. — Mr. Edmonds,
not knowing of His illness, called upon him that day to invite Him to
dinner on the following day, to which He replied " You will bury me next
week." — More than a week before His death Mr. Dickens the Surgeon,
recommended to Him to bathe His feet in warm water, & drink some
White wine Whey at night which He did for one night only. —
Painters and Pictures
April 5. — Lawrence came to breakfast & being anxious abt. the
situation of His pictures in the Exhibition, I went with Him to Holy-
lands Coffee Housef but stopped only a short time. Lawrence in conse-
quence went to the Academy & spoke to Woodforde, who was very
attentive to Him. Lawrence's pictures for Exhibition are, whole length
of Hon : Lady Hood, — 4 children of Mr. John Angerstein, — Half length of
Mr. Pitt, a Kitcat portrait of me, & a f portrait of Lord Aberdeen. —
April 6. — Lawrence was with me last night having seen West re-
specting the arranging [of] His pictures. — West sd. that Woodforde had
made an advance in His art, so had Arnold ; — but Calcott had not, nor
any other. — Turner had been attempting to rival Wilkie. — Wilkie's
picture inferior to that of last year.
Hoppner Angry
April 7. — Peter CoxJ I met, & He told me of His having incurred
* Giuseppe Filippo Liberati Marchi (? 1735- 1808) was brought to England by Sir
Joshua Reynolds, and became his most intimate assistant. After Sir Joshua's death Marchi
was kept busy copying and restoring his master's paintings. He has figured frequently
in the Diary. See Index to Vol. I.
t See Vol. I., p. 23«.
X Peter Coxe, who died in 1844, was a son of Dr. Coxe, physician to George II.'s house-
hold, and brother of the Venerable William Coxe, Archdeacon of Wiltshire. Educated
at Charterhouse School, which he left at the age of fifteen, he later, becoming an auctioneer,
dispersed some important collections of pictures. Coxe, who made a fortune and retired
from business, was the author of the poem which irritated Hoppner. Published anony-
mously in 1807, it was entitled " Another Word or Two ; or Architectural Hints in Lines
to those Royal Academicians who are Painters, addressed to them on their re-election of
Benjamin West, Esq., to the President's Chair." He also wrote " The Social Day : a
Poem in Four Cantos," 1823.
VOL. V. 4
50 The Farington Diary [1808
Hoppner's displeasure by having written poems respecting the Royal
Academy, & expressed opinions which Hoppner does not approve and
will not now speak to Him. —
April 9. — Sir Geo. Beaumont & Mr. Phipps called. — Sir George sd.
the Connoisseurs say that the picture of the Woman taken in Adultery
sd. to be by Rembrant, is a Copy. —
April 10. — Northcote I called on & found him preparing to go to
dinner with the Bishop of Salisbury. He told me that a Kitcat portrait
of himself sent to the Exhibition had been declared by West, Fuseli,
Tresham, &c. to be the finest portrait that had ever been sent to the Royal
Academy. — He spoke highly of Lawrence's Lady Hood. — Woodforde I
called on, & had much talk abt. the Exhibition. — Shee is much disatisfied
with the situation of his portrait of Mrs. T. Hope* ; but wd. not interfere
to have it changed.
April 11. — At 3 oClock I went to poor Marchi's lodgings where I
found many persons assembled to attend His funeral. He was interred
in the Vault of St. Anne's Church at 25 minutes after 4 oClock, & His
Coffin was placed next to that of the late Lord Camelford,f — as Hearne
observed " Men of very different characters."
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Henry Tresham, R.A.,
and B. R. Haydon; Vols. II., III., IV., to Samuel Woodforde.]
* Thomas Hope (1770 ?-i83i) was the eldest of three sons of John Hope, of Amster-
dam, who was a member of a wealthy family of merchants in that city. Thomas, who
settled in England about 1796, devoted himself to literature, the collection of pictures,
statuary, and other works of art. He took a great interest in architecture and house fur-
nishing. Byron referred to him as " House Furnisher withal, one Thomas hight," and
told the Countess of Blessington that he wept bitterly on reading Hope's " Anastasius,"
for two reasons — one that he had not written it, and the other that Hope had.
Hope married on April 16, 1806, Louisa Beresford, daughter of William de la Poer
Beresford, Lord Decies, Archbishop of Tuam. See Index to Vols. I., II., III., IV. of
the Diary for other references to the Hope family.
t Thomas Pitt, second Baron Camelford. He was killed in a duel by Mr. Best. See
Index, Vols. II., IV.
CHAPTER XVII
Lady Thomond's Fortune
April 12. — Mr. Malone I called on. — He told me that He had not seen
Lady Thomond since Lord Thomond's death, & that she had been much
affected by it. — She went to Taplow abt. 3 weeks ago, & from thence to
visit Mrs. Burke at Beaconsfield. Lord Thomond did all He cd. for Her
in the way of settlement. She has Her own fortune at Her own disposal
viz : £40000 in the 3 per cents. — £1,000 a yr. on the Irish estate, — all
the personalty at Taplow & in town, including rents which were due, —
money in Bankers Hands, and 5 or 600 guineas in gold which His Lordship
had at Taplow, — making up altogether what will produce £2600 a year. —
Mr. Malone thinks she is 54 or 5 years of age. —
Edinburgh Reviewers
April 16. — I went early to Sir George Beaumont's & found Lady B.
employed in placing some of his pictures, & in putting into frames several
small pictures in oil, painted upon paper board, last Summer at Keswick
&c. — which she proposes to place in a small room at Cole-Orton. — Sir
George also shewed me his pictures by Old and by Modern deceased
Masters, and told me He shd. have them removed to His House at Cole-
Orton where He will make them an Heir loom. —
Sir George's little Cousins, 2 fine boys, were there. The eldest will
be his Heir.* — He defended Wordsworths poems against the Eding-
burgh reviewers & sd. Coleridge had supported that taste of simplicity
which they condemned, and said that all men who write in a new &
superior stile must create a people capable of fully relishing their beauties,
& that at present, prejudice and an established habit of admiring certain
works prevents the works of Wordsworth from being duly appreciated. —
The new Water Colour drawing Exhibition in Brook St.f we went to
a private view, and there met several Artists & Connoisseurs. — Mr. T.
Hope bought a drawing by Wm. Westall for 50 gs. " a view in China "
— & Lord Buckinghamshire bought " a view in Bombay " by Him. —
* Sir George Howland Willoughby Beaumont, eighth baronet.
t See Index, Vols. III. and IV.
vol. v. 51 4*
52 The Farington Diary [1808
Beechey's Manners
April 18. — Constable called. — He spoke of Beechey's manners at
His Uncle Mr. Watt's, who, being a formal man, is not suited to such
familiarity. — Beechey at the table of company sd. It was intended by
the Royal Academy to limit their Exhibition to their own members, that
they may not be degraded by the bad works which are annually sent.
Artists, not members, may form an Exhibition of their own, & from the
best of them vacancies in the Academy may be filled up. — He spoke of
the authoritative manner of Haydon & His forwardness in conversation,
saying " He is posessed with a notion that the eyes of all the world are
upon Himself." — The Academy I went to & saw Woodforde, Owen &
Daniell & stated to them how much I felt it a duty, as an Auditor, to
object to the demand of Richards to be paid for His Exhibition attendance,
& also to the wasteful expenditure at the Academy annual dinner. It
was agreed that I shd. write to the Council requesting that the Auditors
might be heard respecting the expences of the Academy at this period.
I delivered the letter to Owen to be read at the Council. —
I dined at home. Lawrence called in the even'g in raptures with the
Water Colour drawing Exhibition in Bond Street. —
Sir N. Dance-Holland and Nature
April 20. — The Water Colour drawing Exhibition in Bond street I
went to, — & there met Sir G. & Lady Beaumont. She proposed to
drink tea with me on Sunday evening next. — Thompson & Mr. Swinburne
were there, & with them I went to Turner's exhibition. — Sir N. Holland
(Dance) saw me in the street & followed me to ask me to go to His House
to see a landscape which He had finished. I went with him & thought it
the best He has painted. — He said it had cost Him much trouble in chang-
ing it from one thing to another before He could satisfy himself. He
believed there were two or three pictures under that which now appeared
on the surface. He said that in the light parts of His Sky He used light
red & a little yellow. — He said that in His trees He used Antwerp yellow,
which He much liked, it being deeper than oker. — In his trees He uses
black, — Antwerp yellow, & Blue. — His parts in shade being made out
equally with those in light, He said, That however nature might appear
to others, to Him nature appeared as He represented Her. — He told me
that in the House He is building in Piccadilly He shall have a room in
which He proposes to place all His Landscapes where they will have a
good light upon them. — We looked at the landscape He exhibited in
1791. He sd. it was too cold ; but He wd. not alter it ; but on His other
landscapes He intended to do something. —
The Swan of Lichfield
J. Offley's I dined at.
Saville, the Choir Singer at Lichfield, died abt. 4 years ago, since which
time Miss Seward has never been in the Cathedral, saying she cannot now
1808] The Swan of Lichfield 53
go.* — She is towards, if not quite 60 years of age. — During the last 8 or
10 years she has again been visited by the respectable families in Lich-
field, which on acct. of the footing she had been upon with Saville, had
long been interrupted. — Her singularities continue. She still is in her
countenance handsome, and dresses in a fanciful manner like a girl of
15, — also paints Her face & eyebrows. She has bad health, — & has a
habit of sighing deeply. — She is agreeable in conversation ; — expresses
Herself with a good choice of words — & is a great flatterer. — She ha:* at
present a great attachment to a young Officer Captn. H. [ I
who is only 27 years old & married. It is supposed He looks to inheriting
part of her fortune which is a handsome one, & it is thought He will not
be disappointed. —
A Drawing Master
Miss Moserby [whose father lived at Stow near Lichfield and was a
colonel of a volunteer corps] has taken lessons from Glover in the Country.
He resides at Sutton near Lichfield during most part of the winter, &
has a wife & 10 children. His two eldest sons instruct in drawing. — In
the country He goes from family to family, & has 2 guineas a day at each
House. He begins a drawing His pupil standing by and having proceeded
as far as He considers it to be a lesson leaves it with the pupil to copy.
The next visit He advances the drawing, & so goes on till He has finished
the drawing, the pupil also gradually advancing the copy to completion.
— When He begins a drawing He first finishes the Sky which He does with
proper colours, but all the other parts of the drawing He first washes
with bluish & grey tints made of Indigo & India Red & towards the
foregrounds of a warmer tint. In this manner He produces almpst a
finished effect before He lays on any colours ; which is His last act. —
The drawing He makes for His pupil to copy remains His own property
which He disposes of at a large price. — He gives lessons in London in
the same manner, but has — two guineas for a lesson of three Hours. —
Havil came to Glover's the other day while Miss Moserby was there.
She sd. He is a well looking young man, but appears to be conceited. —
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Edmund Malone, W. Owen,
R.A., and John Glover ; Vols. I., II., to Mrs. Edmund Burke ; Vols. II., III., IV., to William
Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Westall, R.A. ; Vols. III., IV., to
David Pike Watts (Constable's uncle) and William Havel (artist), and Vols. II., IV., to
Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland.]
* Anna Seward (1747-1809), authoress, known as the " Swan of Lichfield," was the
elder daughter of Thomas Seward, Canon of Lichfield and of Salisbury, by his wife
Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. John Hunter, head master of Lichfield Grammar School
and teacher of Dr. Johnson. She was engaged to a " Colonel T." before her attachment
for John Savile, Vicar-Choral, and when he died she erected a monument to his memory
in the Cathedral. Miss Seward knew most of the eminent men of the period. She pub-
lished uncomplimentary letters about Dr. Johnson in the Gentleman's Magazine ; in 1807
Scott paid her a visit, and, speaking of her beauty, said that " her eyes were auburn, of
the precise shade and hue of her hair, and possessed great expression." See Diary, Vol. I.,
page 23.
CHAPTER XVIII
1808
Painter and Poet
April 21. — Westall I dined with. He told me Murray, the Book-
seller, of Fleet Street is to publish His poems, abt. 1800 lines. The
principal subject " A Day in Spring."* — The Poems are to be illustrated
by 4 plates from His designs. — The terms are, that Murray is to pay
{or the designs $3 the Plates & all the expences of -paper & printing ; and
further that the first edition shall consist of 750 Copies, of which Westall
shall have half the profits. — After the above number are sold shd. a
second edition be required, Westall to be the sole proprietor of the Copy
right & the plates to make the best bargain He may be able with Murray
or any other Bookseller. — Mr. Knight saw 2 of the poems 6 years ago &
then advised Westall to publish. — Murray told Westall that the first
edition of Shees " Rhymes on Art " consisted of 250 copies. The second
edition of 500 Copies ; the third edition of 750 copies, of which 250 have
been sold making together sold 1000 Copies. —
The Bookseller Johnson allows Grignon, the engraver, one guinea
a month ; and Heath, the engraver, allows him Half a guinea a month.
— Heaphy, whose drawings are now in the Bond st. Exhibition, was a
pupil of Meadows, the engraver ; after which He was employed by Westall
to colour prints for Him. — Westall sd. He is about 28 or 9 years old, and
is a heavy man. —
Nollekens in a Passion
April 22. — Daniell told us of Nollekens coming to the members
of Council a few evenings since in a great passion abt. the placing of Six
Busts. He told Tresham " That He was a Jack in Office, & wanted to
play Him a dirty trick : that He knew what His character was before
He came from Rome &c." — Beechey, Woodforde, Owen, Tresham &
Daniell were present. — They got rid of Him as well as they could. —
Mrs. Nollekens told Beechey to take care that they did not put him in
a passion. — He wished the bulk Head in the Life Academy to be enlarged ;
but they wd. not do it, though they did not tell him so. —
* The full title was " A Day in Spring, and other Poems " (1808), and the price six
shillings.
54
1808] Nollekens Crying 55
A good deal of conversation took place abt. Nollekens behaviour
the other evening. — Tresham stated what Nollekens had sd. to Him, —
& sd. that when He went home to bed, He was in a sort of Hysteria —
crying &c.
The Council desired me to stay ; & they did some business. — It
was resolved to invite Caleb Whiteforde, who had never before been in-
vited. — West, I saw, was much pleased with it. — They also resolved to
allow the Exhibiting members 3 days for varnishing &c. their pictures,
& Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday next were fixed upon. — Tresham sd.
when it was first proposed to extend the time He objected to it, but had
afterwards thought it proper. It was unanimous.
R.A. Secretary and his Salary
April 23. — The Academy Council I went to. — I stated to them that
Mr. Richards the Secretary had His Salary raised in 1800 from £50 to
£100 a year. That in 1803 He in some way operated on the Council not
to admit His claim to be considered one of the Committee of arrangement,
a claim which from the period of the institution had never been made,
but they voted Him that year ^21 for business done during the arrange-
ment or to that effect. That in consequence of this in 1804 He put
Himself down as a Member of the Committee & charged for Himself upwards
of £41. — That in consequence of it I being then in the Council, did in
1805 object to such a claim, and in consequence He was not paid anything
either in 1805, or 1806, but that when I audited the accts. in November
last (1807) I found He had that year claimed & been paid upwards of
£98 for the years 1805 & 1806 ; and for 1807 £58. 8. 6. which was within
.£8 as much as was paid to the whole of the other members of the Com-
mittee, viz : Messrs Owen, Northcote, Sandby & Garvey. — It thus ap-
peared that He had gradually increased His demand & wrote Himself
down what He pleased. — That His Claim was unprecedented & unwar-
ranted ; that it was in fact raising the salary of an Officer of the Academy
without the consent of the General Assembly & the sanction of the King ;
and that to allow any Member of a Society to write Himself down what
sum He pleased annually was what no other Society wd. suffer.
To all this He had nothing to say. — I then delivered a statement to
them of the Sums paid &c. for their future consideration. — Having done
this, I represented to them the shameful waste of wine for the annual
dinner day — & that for 175 persons there had been charged 274 bottles
of wine the cost of which was £116. — We then went to Fuseli's parlour
to dinner. — Mr. West went to dinner with the Society of Antiquaries.
— Tresham sd. that the Ball He gave at His House in Brook St. some-
time ago cost Him 90 guineas, which He pd. out of the first receipt for
His picture painted for Mr. Davidson. —
Tresham today spoke highly to me of Mrs. Pope (Wheatley) saying
she had produced a great alteration in Pope [the actor], who though not
56 The Farington Diary [1808
cured altogether of his passionate manner is much more regulated. He
also spoke of Her constant gratitude to Her former friends, often talking
of them ; and that as such He sd. she frequently mentioned me. —
April 26. — Lord Mulgrave & His Son I met. He spoke highly of
Lawrence's portrait of Lady Hood, saying it was the best that had been
painted since Sir Joshua Reynolds practised.*
A Whimsical Effect
April 27. — I went to Sir George Beaumont's at breakfast time.
When we were alone together I stated to Him the acct. I yesterday reed,
from William [Farington's nephew] respecting Lord Gardner's dangerous
state of health, & how much on every acct. we were interested in it, —
particularly with regard to William's hopes of promotion. — I requested
Him to use His interest with Lord Mulgrave on this occasion, & it having
been settled between us, I wrote a letter to Him stating Williams late &
present situation, and desiring Him to represent it in such a way as He
might think proper to Lord Mulgrave. — Having finished my letter below
stairs, I carried it to Lady Beaumont who read it & said it was just the
thing proper, & suggested that it shd. be considered whether Sir George
shd. shew it to Lord Mulgrave, or leave it with Lady Mulgrave for His
Lordship to read at a time when He might be most at leisure. — She was
quite hearty in the business. —
The Bishop of Norwich came in, and I went to the picture room to
Sir George where I found with Him Varley, — Heaphy — & another
Artist, & Chrystal afterwards came. — Varley not knowing me spoke of
me as an Artist who had been bred at Westminster, and formed con-
nexions &c. &c, — and of the effect of Artists being independent. — Sir
George told Him I was the person He was speaking of, which produced
a whimsical effect. — I left them together after conversing with Varley
& assuring [him] of His having been in many respects misinformed. —
Lawrence called in the evening. He said He had worked upon His
pictures on Monday — yesterday & today. Ten Hours each day. —
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Sir William Beechey, R.A.,
Joseph Nollekens, R.A., sculptor, Caleb Whitefoord (wit, diplomatist and wine merchant),
Mr9. Wheatley (afterwards wife of Alexander Pope, the actor-artist), James Northcote,
R.A., and Paul Sandby, R.A. ; Vols. I., II., III., to Edmund Garvey, R.A. ; Vols. I., III.,
IV., to Alan Hyde, second Lord Gardner ; Vols. I., II., to Charles Manners Sutton,
Bishop of Norwich ; Vols. III., IV., to John Varley, artist, and Alexander Davison (or
Davidson), contractor and art collector ; Vol. IV., to R. M. Meadows, engraver ; Vols. I.,
IV., to John Murray, publisher, and Vol. III., to Charles Grignon, junr., engraver.]
* Mary, daughter of Francis MacKenzie, Lord Seaforth, was born in 1783, and was
married, first in 1804, to Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, secondly to the Right Hon. James
Stewart, and died in 1852. She was mother of Louisa Lady Ashburton. The portrait,
a full length, was shown by the Marquess of Northampton at the Royal Academy Old
Masters Exhibition in 1904.
CHAPTER XIX
1808
Tom Moore
April 28. — I called on Westall. — John Aytoun* there, who a few
nights since was at Sir John Carr's Chambers in the Temple to where
a party of between 40 & 50 gentlemen assembled. A Supper on side
tables was set. Anacreon Moore sang, — so did Tom Sheridan, — the
company did not break up till 4 oClock in the morning. — Carr brought
an action against Verner & Hood Booksellers for a libel on Him, a ridicule
of His tours with Caricatures. —
Lawrence, Hoppner and Soane
April 29. — I dined alone. — Lawrence came to tea. — He had been to
the Exhibition in the afternoon & there met the Marquiss of Stafford
& Lord Mulgrave. The latter continues firm in support of Wilkie's merits.
— Hoppner was in the room but they did not speak. — Lawrence con-
versed with Shee abt. Mr. Pitt's picture. — Shee sd. that as Hoppner had
a picture of Him & had many copies of it bespoke, — He (Shee) should
not have painted a picture of Mr. Pitt. — Lawrence related all the cir-
cumstances which caused Him to do it, — viz : Being with Mr. Pitt at
Lord Abercorn's, — being there told He shd. paint a whole length of Him
— in consequence studying His face, — afterwards Mr. Angerstein's wish
that He shd. attempt it. — In conclusion Shee expressed himself satis-
fied.—
April 30. — Daniell told us that yesterday Soane was in a furious
state of Jealousy which was at last perceived to be owing to Robt.
Smirke's drawing of " the Acropolis of Athens restored " being placed in
a more favourable situation than his works. He sd. he saw through
it, — and that the disgrace wd. fall upon the Academy ; — that there was
nothing in what Robert Smirke had done, as the remains pointed out the
restorations. —
Ward told me He never saw Loutherburgh before. I asked what He
thought of Him. He sd. He appeared to Him to be a man whose con-
stitution was breaking up. — W. Daniell afterwards told me that He thought
* A water-colour painter.
57
58 The Farington Diary [1808
that Loutherburgh appeared to be made up dressed to make the most of
a decaying appearance.
May 2. — I reed, a note from Lord Mulgrave informing me that
Lord Gardner had recommended Lieutenant Farington [William, the
Diarist's nephew] for promotion & that His Lordship (Mulgrave) would
have great pleasure in complying with the Admiral's wishes. — This agree-
able information gave a tone to our meeting that was very convivial
& they remained with me till Eleven oClock in high spirits. — *
Union with Ireland
May 5. — Lawrence I dined with. — Lord Reddesdale sat to Him
this day. — His Lordship spoke of the Union with Ireland as being
necessary. — The late Lord Clare said to Him " That the government of
Ireland was worn out," — meaning by the excessive corruption which
prevailed, in the parliament of Ireland, everything being carried on by
purchasing the Members. — Lord Reddesdale blamed the government
of this country for not having completely put a stop to this practise
when the Union was formed ; it might have been attended with some
difficulty for a year or two, but wd. have settled into fair proceeding.
— He lamented the apathy which prevails in this country at this period,
saying the people seem to be insensible to the dangers which threaten
them from the French power. —
May 8. — Robt. Smirke called having arrived in town this morning.
— He had been with Lord Lonsdale at Lowther & at Whitehaven. He
travelled with His Lordship to & from the North. He travels with
great expedition ; 9 or 10 miles an Hour, in a Carriage ; & sometimes on
Horseback goes a great distance in a day. — He told Robert that He once
rode from Swillington in Yorkshire to Whitehaven, 150 miles, in one
day. — At Lowther, Lord Melvillef passed two days with His Lordship
& they with Robt. Smirke, dined each day ; no other company. — They
dined at 6 & sat till abt. 10, — during which time Lord Melville talked
much & chiefly upon Political matters. He was in high spirits upon
the state of this country at present : sd. that we now stood an independent
nation and were able to shew the world that we cd. do without the Con-
tinent, that we had resources sufficient. — That Sweden we assisted
from kindness, otherwise it was of little importance to us to interest our-
selves in that contest. — He spoke of the establishment of the Royal
Family of Portugal at the Brazils with rapture as being a blessing on
this country, & in its nature something almost too romantic to be thought
of. It is a good [omen] which hope wd. not have ventured to cherish.
* Farington's dinner party consisted of Sir George Beaumont, (Sir) David Wilkie, the
Hon. Augustus Phipps (brother to Lord Mulgrave), W. Daniell, R.A., George Dance, R.A.,
and H. Edridge, A.R.A.
t Henry Dundas Viscount Melville was born in 1742, and died in 181 1. See Index,
Vols. I., II., III., IV.
1808]
War would be America's Ruin 59
Of America He spoke in the most decided manner. In the dispute
with Her he wd. have settled the question in half an hour. We have
nothing to fear from War with Her, but it wd. be Her ruin. — He sd. It
had been the advice of Washington " That America shd. for two centuries
think of Agriculture only, & disregard commerce." He sd. this was good
advice ; but the Americans did not attend to it. Agriculture has com-
paratively been neglected & Commerce has been their object. — The
consequence is that 5 or 6 large maritime towns sway the country ; —
& in these towns a French Faction exists. He sd. were we to be at War
with America we shd. through the Northern provinces, and down the
great Rivers which He named, be able to pass our manufactures, & at a
cheaper rate, to the Inland people, by 20 per cent, than they have them
at present. — He hoped our ministry wd. not give way to the Americans
in any respect, & wished they had been more decided, — by giving a
final & determined answer at once. —
He spoke of Buonaparte as posessing great abilities, but did not
think He would be able to cement the government He was attempting
to form. The interests of the people are so various & different it cannot,
in His opinion, be held together. —
Lord Melville and Wine
Lord Melville is now 69 or 70 years old ; but is very hearty & has
great spirits. He drank wine liberally. One day, their party only
three, Four Bottles were emptied of which Robt. Smirke drank moder-
ately, and Lord Lonsdale much less than Lord Melville. He told them
that about ten years ago He was attacked by a complaint which caused
a sensation near the Heart like that of a blow, so that He could hear the
stroke, & this was frequently repeated & continued till abt. 2 years ago
when He happened to go into His stable at Wimbledon to look at a Horse,
where He suddenly dropped down as lifeless. This was followed by a
violent bilious fever, from which having recovered He never had the
least return of the above complaint. — He was now proceeding to Scot-
land. —
Robt. Smirke was told by Lord Lonsdale that Lord Melville was
considered when in the Cabinet to be overbearing which probably caused
Him not now to be taken into the government. Lord Lonsdale wished
He was employed as His abilities & experience wd. be useful. — Robt.
Smirke was surprised at Lord Melville speaking such broad Scotch that
for sometime He cd. scarcely understand Him. —
[See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for previous references to Sir John Carr (traveller and author),
Lord Abercorn, Philip de Loutherbourg, R.A., Lord Redesdale and Napoleon, and Vols.
II., III., IV., to Anacreon (Thomas) Moore.]
CHAPTER XX
. 1808
Hastings
[May 10. — The Great Oak at Ruyton in Shropshire, was sold by-
auction on the 22nd. ult. for 145 guineas. — From small note-book.]
May 11. — Ward called to invite me to dinner on the 21st. instt.
- — He spoke of Chrystal, the Artist, who He sd. had been almost in a
state of despondence which His medical attendant thought wd. endanger
His life. This was owing to want of success (encouragement) in conse-
quence several artists put down their names for 5 guineas each to make
up a Sum for Him. — In consequence of Crystall's drawings made last
Summer having been much admired, Ward sd. a Host of Artists are pre-
paring to go to Hastings. —
May 12. — Lawrence came to tea. — He shewed me a paper on which
He had drawn up a statement to publish in every newspaper, the same
day, giving the circumstances which related to His painting the picture
of Mr. Pitt,* viz : from memory — Nollekens Bust, & the Mask, — & that
doubtless He might have derived advantage from pictures which had been
painted of Him (meaning Hoppner's & Edridge's) but had not thought it
proper so to do. I objected to His ■publishing anything on the subject,
but particularly that passage. — Kemble at first was against His pub-
lishing anything, but on reading the paper withdrew His objection. —
[The Sword that Francis 1st. King of France, surrendered in the famous
Battle of Pavia, in the reign of the Emperor Charles V. of Spain, in 1525
was delivered to the Grand Duke of Berg, at Madrid, the beginning of
April, it having been intimated that Buonaparte would be pleased in
the posession of it.
On Sunday, the 10th inst. a Boxing Match between Gulley & Gregson
took place in Sir John Sebright's park, near Market St. Hert's.f They
fought one Hour & a quarter, when Gregson could no longer stand to
His opponent. — From small note-book.]
* This portrait is the property of the Earl of Rosebery.
t Sir John Saunders Sebright, seventh Baronet, M.P. for Herts, 1807- 1834, was born
on May 27, 1767, and married on August 6, 1793, to Harriet, only daughter and heiress
of Richard Crofts, of West Harling, Norfolk. He died on April 15, 1846.
The Morning Post for May 11, 1808, in giving a description of the rounds, refers to the
fight as " this disgraceful exhibition."
60
1808] Hansard 61
May 13. — Called on Hansard to urge Him to print the life of Edwards
for which I sent Him the last part of my manuscript on Tuesday last.
— He shewed me His work shop & I was surprised at the great scale
on which He carried on His business. He spoke of the different faculties
of His men, for employments seemingly very simple. Some of them He
said, who had a mechanical turn, did their business with great ease
& address, while to others it was labour. —
Minor Artists
May 14. — Arnald called in the evening. — He sd. He was born at
Farndip in Northamptonshire, on the Bedfordshire side, abt. 12 or 13
miles from Northampton ; — That in early youth He was little disposed
to play but His chief pleasure was in drawing. That when He discovered
a desire to practise it as a profession His friends opposed it ; but He
persisted & being encouraged by one person, He began to attempt por-
trait painting. After a time He came to London, & was made known
to Pether the landscape painter, from whom He reed, some instruction,
but irregularly, owing to the singularity & unfixed habits of Pether,
who divided His time between painting, — mechanicks, & musick. — He
however copied many of Pether's pictures & took great pains to imitate
His touch in which He so far succeeded as to be able to paint pictures
which passed for Pether's. — He then felt the necessity of studying from
nature, which He did, and did all in His power to divest Himself of Pether's
manner, for which purpose He also copied pictures by different masters.
— Edridge introduced Him to Mr. Bernard some years ago. — Mr. Herbert,
who resides near the Lake of Killarney, has invited Him to go there, &
offered to pay His Expences, and also to give Him Commissions for
pictures. He studied for a time in the Royal Academy. — The young
man, Jameson, of Ambleside, has talents, but is too confident. —
Pether is abt. 50 years old. He has been twice married : Had 2
Children by His first wife, & 7 by His present wife. He is a harmless
man, but very singular. He made a Telescope, Eleven inches diameter,
witht. any assistance. The Brass work & every other part was made by
Himself. — He has knowledge of the Theory of musick, & considerable
power in the practise of it. —
Dinners and Dining
May 15. — Went to St. James's Chapel. — Robt. Smirke called. He
mentioned that Lord Lonsdale had complained of the Crowd assembled
at the Annual Academy dinner last year, that He had scarcely room to
use His arms, & that Mr. Knight could never get more than one hand to
His plate. He added that with proper arrangement it might be made
a very fine entertainment, but as it then was He shd. go but never stay
[to] dinner again. — Baker called with His printed acct. of poor Marchi,
published in the Gentleman's Magazine. —
62 The Farington Diary [1808
Sir Abraham Hume's I dined at. — 2 Courses — Champaigne &c. Six
Servants waiting. — I thought Lord Dartmouth's appearance altered.
— Person thinner, His legs much reduced, — but He seemed to be well. —
Others thought as I did. — Sir F. Baring looked very well, — drank wine
with me. — A Chearful man & perfectly unassuming. — Mr. Henry Hope
told me that He (Mr. Hope) is a great friend to fires, thinks they purify
the air, — Has a fire morning & evening even in this weather. — Lord St.
Asaph while looking at the portrait of Lady Hume by Sir Joshua, said,
He did not think the colours wd. have appeared so pure & bear out so
were not the picture painted on Pannel. — Lord & Lady Bridgewater came
in the evening. —
May 16. — Northcote dined with me. He has had many sitters in
consequence of having the approved portrait of himself, — Lord Cowper,
— The Revd. Mr. Simeon. &c. — Haydon's grandfather was a stable Boy
or something of that kind, afterwards became Parish Clerk of Plymouth,
and eventually having some abilities, painted signs &c. and set up a sort
of Booksellers Shop, in which He was succeeded by His Son, Haydon's
Father.*
Coleridge and Dr. Johnson
Haydon dined lately at Sir G. Beaumonts with Coleridge & Wilkie
— Coleridge spoke of Dr. Johnson with little respect, said He had " ver-
biage " meaning words & little more ; Lady Beaumont acknowledged
she had been impressed with a high idea of Johnson but now thought
differently. This Haydon told to Prince Hoare, — who estimated it
duly. —
Prince Hoare attended one of Coleridge's Lectures at the Royal
Institution. When Coleridge came into the Box there were several Books
laying. He opened two or three of them silently and shut them again
after a short inspection. He then paused, & leaned His head on His
hand, and at last said, He had been thinking for a word to express the
distinct character of Milton as a Poet, but not finding one that wd. ex-
press it, He should make one " Ideality." He spoke extempore. —
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to Sir Thomas Bernard, Sir
Abraham Hume (art collector), Henry Hope (art collector) and Prince Hoare ; Vol. III.,
to Joshua Cristal, William Pether and Earl Cowper.]
* Here is Haydon's own story of his parentage : " My father was the lineal descendant
of one of the oldest families in Devon, the Haydons of Cadhay. The family was ruined
by a Chancery suit, and the children were bound out to various trades. Among them
Was my grandfather, who was bound out to Mr. Savery, of Slade, near Plymouth. He
conducted himself well, and gained the esteem of his master, who in time made him his
steward. In a few years he saved money, and on the death of Mr. Savery set up a book-
seller's shop in Plymouth, where he died in 1773 from disease of the heart.
" My grandfather (who was very fond of painting) married Mary Baskerville, a de-
scendant of the great printer. She was a woman of great energy and violent prejudices.
She hated the French and she hated the Americans, and once, when an American prisoner,
who had escaped, crept into her house and appealed to her for protection until pursuit
was over, though alone in the house, she told him ' she hated all Americans,' and turned
the poor fellow out into the street,"
CHAPTER XXI
Hoare, of Bath
May 16. — Willm. Hoare [R.A.] left a fortune of £37,000 — Of which
to Prince Hoare £25,000 ; — to His eldest sister Mrs. Hoare a widow
of 64 witht. children 8,000 ; — and to His youngest Sister, who is un-
married and resides at Bath £5000. — He has left to His Housekeeper 100
guineas a year for Her life. — She had lived with Him many years & Her
health had been impaired in His service. — He left another maid servant
£400 — & to a Footman £200.— To Northcote £100. — He was by His own
direction buried in St. Paul's.—
Northcote regretted the death of Opie. He had a test by which He
knew the strength of Opie's mind, in remembering more of His sayings
than of those of most other men. — It proved their weight & their impres-
sion. — Lord Cowper hates affectation, & said He was disgusted with the
acting of L[awrence] at Lord Abercorn's. —
A Costly Dinner
May 17. — Sir George Beaumont called. He spoke of a splendid
entertainment, a dinner, given by Mr. Henry Hope [merchant] a few days
ago, which for costliness & the admirable manner in which the waiting
was conducted, exceeded everything He had seen before. — It must have
cost £100. — He spoke of the altered manners of E* — Said He had become
so loud in conversation, — & presented himself with so much confidence
of manner that it will certainly disgust people, and that it wd. be well
if somebody wd. apprise Him of it. — It is impossible that Mr. C. L.f can
like it, — and Lawrence must have wished Him away when He sat next
to Him at dinner. —
* Probably Henry Edridge, a successful miniature and landscape painter, who was
born at Paddington in 1768, the son of a tradesman. After serving his apprenticeship
with William Pether, a landscape painter and engraver, he entered the Royal Academy
Schools, and was encouraged by Sir Joshua Reynolds. He was elected an Associate of the
Academy in 1820, and died in April of the following year.
t Charles Long, politician, afterwards Lord Farnborough.
63
64 The Farington Diary [1808
Poets and Painters
He remarked on the hard lot of Poets, — how little Milton got ;
& that Butler was starved : — He sd. Wordsworth has not got £200 by-
all He has written, — & has lived upon £70 a year at Grassmere. —
He was sorry [for] the sort of encouragement which is given to Artists,
much money being laid out for indifferent performances, which will be
an encouragement to many to attempt to paint though witht. talent ;
which will make it a trade. — He wd. have nothing admitted for sale at
the British Institution but works of real merit after inspection. — He com-
plained of Lassitude which He thought indicated Fever ; in other respects
He had nothing to complain of. —
Lawrence I dined with. — Lord Whitworth* told Him today, that
notwithstanding the embargo in France, & the orders of Council in England,
there is a great deal of trade carrying on with the Continent ; that He
had seen for a considerable time past 40 licences a day issued permitting
vessels to sail to the Continent, which they do under the Kaiphausen
& Pappendick Flags.t
May 18. — Lysons called & read to me a Memorial from Mr. Collard
His Brother-in-Law, to the Lords of the Treasury, stating that His Father
now deceased, was the person who suggested the Plan of Mail Coaches,
proposed His scheme to the Postmaster General who said it was impractic-
able. He then or before mentioned it to Mr. Palmer of Bath, who was
struck with it, & desired to be in some [way] concerned in the under-
taking. — Palmer afterwards effected it, by interest & assiduity, but left
Collard unnoticed in His proceedings. — Collard was an Alderman of
Bristol, & there are many persons in that City who know that the Mail
Coach Plan was Collards. — Freeling of the Post Office once acknowledged
to Lysons that they knew of Collard's Plan, but that it was not the same
with that of Palmer. Freeling is Palmers friend having been brought
forward by Him. Lysons is doing what He can to bring it before the
House of Commons in hope of some remuneration & Mr. Seymour,
Solicitor of Margaret St. has sent a copy of Collard's memorial to Major
Palmer.
Lysons dined with Mrs. Dixon, J widow of the Bishop of Down, on
* Previously British Ambassador to France.
t Hanoverian : Napoleon did not occupy the northern region of Hanover until 18 10.
X Mr. Wm. F. Symes writes : "Mrs. Dixon was Miss Henrietta Symes, of Kilcommon,
Co. Wicklow. Her brother, who died in 1824, was Rector of Kilcommon ; her father,
Jeremiah Symes, was also Rector of Kilcommon, and her grandfather, Michael Symes,
was also Rector of Kilcommon. Mrs. Dixon's grandmother, who married Michael Symes,
Rector of Kilcommon, had a sister, Mary, who married John Symes, who built and resided
at Coolboy, Co. Wicklow, and who died in 1757.
" This John Symes, of Coolboy, who was grandfather to my great-grandfather, Glascott
Symes, of Killester, Co. Dublin, had a son, Abraham Symes, who was Rector of Carnew,
Co. Wicklow, who died in 1781. He married, as his second wife, Anne, second daughter
of Thomas Le Hunt, of Artramond, Co. Wexford, in 1769. This place, Artramond, was,
as the Irish Times says, burned down in February, 1923, during ' the settlement of Ireland '
by Mr. Lloyd George, the Prime Minister of England, in the reign of his Majesty George V."
1808] A Fashionable Elopement 65
Sunday last, & was told that the late Mr. C. Fox (the Minister) had kept
a Journal all His life, and in it had written the Characters of many of
His friends, & among them that of the Bishop of Down. —
On [the 1 8th] inst. Lady Borringdon (Lady Sarah Fane) quitted her
Husband's House in Portland Place with Sir Arthur Paget K.B., son of
the Earl of Uxbridge. She is abt. 22 years old & was married in 1804.*
Constable and Haydon
May 19. — Constable called. — Haydon asked Him " Why He was so
anxious abt. what He was doing in art ? " — " Think, sd. He, what I am
doing," meaning how much greater the object & the effort. —
Sir George Beaumont took Hearne & Constable in His Carriage yes-
terday to the Marquiss of Stafford's. — Constable remarked " That the
Old Gentleman (Hearne) seemed to have a very good judgment of pic-
tures." — Jackson, the late eleve of Lord Mulgrave, is good natured but
* In the Morning Post for May 20, 1808, this event was referred to first under the
heading : " A Fashionable Elopement."
" An event has just taken place in high life, which has excited more interest than we
ever recollect any similar occurrence to have produced- — namely, the sudden disappearance
of a Lady of title and great beauty (who ranks among the most distinguished females for
intellectual endowments) ; from the family residence in the neighbourhood of Portman
Square," &c.
Then on the following day the same journal headed a second statement : " The Faux
Pas in High Life."
" The extraordinary elopement from the vicinity of Portman Square (i.e., Cumberland
Place), mentioned in our last, was the subject of general conversation at the West-end of
the town yesterday. The Lady, who was long the envied object of her own and the
toasted belle among the other sex, first charmed her seducer, by the exhibition of her
picture in the midst of a groupe of portraits of beautiful women, painted on one piece of
canvass, expressly for a great Personage, by a celebrated Artist. How long the amorous
flight was in agitation is not known, but from the preparatory steps taken by the Lady,
it is supposed her mind was long since made up. To give facility for her departure, her
waiting woman was discharged three days previous to her going off ; and all her cloaths
were secretly conveyed away.- — About an hour before Lady B 's departure, Sir A
P , called at Lord B 's house, and finding, on inquiry, that the husband was absent,
he sent up his name : the servant was desired, after some hesitation, by the Lady, to admit
Sir A. Shortly after, a few minutes only, they walked out of the house together, and have
not since been heard of. The absence of the Lady did not excite any surprise until the
hour of dinner. Lord B. was then much agitated. Lord M — — th dined with him, to
whom his Lordship communicated his suspicions, after having ascertained that his wife
had not been detained at her father's house. Their Lordships devoted that night and the
following day in endeavouring to discover the place of their retreat. Couriers were dis-
patched to all the postmasters and hackneymen in the neighbourhood. The fugitives
could not be found, but there are good grounds to believe that they have not left London.
Yesterday morning [May 20], Lord B. and Lord M. went together to consult a certain
great luminary upon the subject."
The marriage contracted on June 20, 1804, between Viscount Boringdon, afterwards
the first Earl of Morley, and Augusta (not Sarah), second daughter of John Earl of West-
morland, was dissolved by Act of Parliament on February 14, 1809. There was no sur-
viving issue. Lady Boringdon, who afterwards married the Right Hon. Sir Arthur Paget,
was the younger sister of Sarah Sophia Fane, who became the wife of the fifth Earl of
Jersey.
VOL. v. 5
66 The Farington Diary [1808
has no dignity. He seems to be upon a footing of equality with Lord
Carlisles Servants.*
Hearne I called on & read to Him the proof sheet of my " Life oj
Edwards " — He said it was faithfully given & well expressed. I left it
with Him to read to Baker, & Edridge at Edridge's dinner to them
today. —
[See Vols. II., III., for previous references to the second Lord Boringdon ; Vols. I.,
III., IV., to Edwards, A.R.A. ; Vols. I., II., III.,IV, to William Hoare, R.A., and Noel
Joseph Desenfans ; Vols. I., II., IV., to John Palmer, M.P. for Bath.]
* John Jackson, born at Lastlngham, in Yorkshire, in 1778, was able to study at the
Royal Academy through the generosity of Sir George Beaumont. He was also a protege
of Lord Mulgrave, and very soon became one of the principal portrait painters of his time.
Elected an Associate in 181 5, he became a full Academician two years later. Jackson
married as his second wife a daughter of James Ward, R.A., and died in 183 1.
CHAPTER XXII
Lord Lonsdale
May 19. — Robert Smirke I dined with. He spoke highly of Lord
Lonsdale. — He said His Lordship rises at 7 oClock in the winter & earlier
in the Summer, & to bed between 11 & 12, and does a vast amount of
business. His private amusement is hunting & He keeps about 50
Hunters. — When Robt. Smirke was ill with a fever at Lowther, the last
autumn, He was confined to His room a fortnight during which time
Lord Lonsdale came to His room regularly three times a day, viz : in
the morning, — at noon, & before He went to bed at night, and sometimes
sat with Him an Hour at a time. — He has very good spirits, and enjoys
conversation, anecdotes, &c. & tells pleasant stories Himself. —
His income is supposed to be from 80 to £100,000 a year, — but He
has vast expences. He has 4 establishments, one at Lowther, also at
Whitehaven, Cottesmere in Rutlandshire & in London ; and at each
House a complete service of Plate &c. &c. — He told R. Smirke that He
had 34 Pipes of Port in His Cellar. — When He has only R. Smirke with
Him Port & Madeira are the only wines put upon the table, but when
He has company there are all kinds of wines. He directs to His Steward,
Richardson Esqr. but never invites Him to His table. —
Mr. Graham, the Solicitor told R. Smirke that among his other
singularities the late Lord Lonsdale had a passion for collecting guineas,
and that after His death there was found £16000 in guineas tied up in
Bags of 500 gs. each Bag. The guineas were nicely sorted, & the Bags
labelled, — On one indifferent, — on another very perfect, — on another
super excellent. — Mr. Graham is a great favorite with Lord Lonsdale,
is very open in His manner, & speaks His opinions in a plain way. —
The Whitehaven Collieries produce abt. £25,000 a year & the White-
haven estate is abt. £15,000 a year. All this property was entailed upon
the present Lord Lonsdale, & did not depend upon the will of the late
Earl.—
The Ideal and the Real
May 21. — West gave His opinion " That Artists ought to represent
their own Country as it is, and not represent that of which they could
vol. v. 67 5*
68 The Farington Diary [1808
only have an idea." He said that several of those artists who have been
of late distinguished for their water colour drawings, have obtained their
popularity by it. — Glover, — Chrystal, — & Heaphy, — are of this class, —
while, Ward observed, Havil & Varley run more into the ideal. — West
said He had never seen a gallery of pictures appear to so much advantage
as that of the King of Sardinia at Turin, which was owing to the colour
of the wainscoat or wall on which the pictures were hung being jet black.
The consequence was that the pictures however dark, appeared clear.*
West said " It is the Times which make Artists. The feelings of
the people for works of art made Phidias, because every stimulus was
given to excite genius to the utmost exertion." — " The Times made
Michl. Angelo & Raphael." — He sd. though 70 years of age He wd.
in July & August next again begin His studies, in the collection of the
works of Phidias brought to England by Lord Elgin. — There was to
be seen the perfection of art, where nature predominated everywhere, —
and was not resolved into & made obedient to system.
Humphry shewed me that He had His coat, Six waistcoats, & His
Shirt upon His body, and that Dr. Pearson some years ago told Him
that by warmth alone He might hope to counteract a weakness of the
stomach & an habitual disposition to diarrhea. — Humphry told me that
Mr. Penn had let His House in Spring Gardens to Lord Orford, furnished
for £1200 a year.
Blackwall Docks
May 25. — Wilson's I dined at. — Wm. Wells told me that He &
His Brother, John Wells, had purchased the Blackwall Docks from
Mr. Perry, — & that they had since sold them to Sir Robt. Wigram,—
That His Brother wd. probably continue to have a connexion with
Sir Robert, but He wd. retire at Xtmas next.f
Students at the British Museum
May 28. — Daniell told me what the Council of the Academy had
been doing respecting appointing a Member of the Academy to superintend
such Students as shall be admitted to study from the Antiques at the
British Museum. — The days of study are proposed to be every Friday
in the months of April, May, June & July, — and every day in August,
Septr. except Wednesdays & Saturdays, — not more than 20 Students
to be upon the list at one time. — It was proposed that the members of
Council, for the time being, should, in rotation, be the members deputed
* Some years ago Sir Charles J. Holmes, when Keeper of the National Portrait Gallery,
tried a similar experiment in several of the rooms there with considerable success.
t Sir Robert Wigram (1744-1830), first Baronet, was a merchant, shipowner, and M.P.
Twice married, he had twenty-three children, three of whom became eminent. Sir James
(1793-1866) was a Vice-Chancellor and author of two useful legal works ; Joseph Cotton
(1798-1867), Bishop of Rochester, author of sermons, pamphlets, works on arithmetic,
geography, &c, and his younger brother, George Vicesimus (1805-1879), an exegetical
writer.
1808] Landscape Engravers 69
to attend, and that on each day of attendance the Member shd. be paid
2 guineas. —
May 30. — I had company to dinner. — Cadell & Davis repeated
that they considered their publication of views in the Counties of England
as being under my superintendance. — I shewed them a considerable
number of outlines reduced by me to their scale. — Davis mentioned
Landseer & Middiman as the two engravers who they thought of, but
were not acquainted with any other engravers of Landscape. — We talked
of a proposal of Davis which He left with me to publish engravings viz :
Portraits of remarkable persons now living ; — an idea similar to that of
Dance* — and expressed a wish to have a communication with Him
on the subject, & an agreement with Him, for what He had done, if it
could be. — I shewed them His Academy portraits, & several of the
etchings from His drawings.
Riots at Manchester
[Great riots, on acct. of low wages, have taken place at Manchester,
in the course of last week. The military were called out, & some persons
were killed. — The Riot Act was read. —
Mr. Pitt's Birth day was kept at Merchant Taylors Hall on Satur-
day last, the 28th inst. — The Duke of Beaufort presided at dinner, which
was attended by upwards of 900 persons. — Mr. Quin recited an Ode, —
and Mr. Fitzgeraldf " a Tribute to the memory of Mr. Pitt." — From
small note-book.]
May 31. — Lawrence came to breakfast. — At a dinner at Sir F.
Baring's a few days ago Rogers sd. " There were now only three good
speakers in the House of Commons, viz : Grattan, — Windham, & Canning."
— He spoke of Canning's eloquence & His fancy, & sd. His information
had become much more extensive. — Lord Lonsdale, yesterday, spoke
to Lawrence of the dinner on Saturday last, Mr. Pitt's birthday, at Mer-
chant Taylors Hall. — When Lord Carrington applied for a Ticket
He was refused, & He came at last with a borrowed Ticket, — It was re-
marked, & not approved, that Wilberforce came with Him.
Enemy Movements
William dined with Rear admiral Gardner at Captn. Wm. Gardners.
In the afternoon Rear Adml. Gardner reed, a letter from Lord Mulgrave,
signifying to Him That the movements of the enemy rendered it neces-
sary to send an additional force off Flushing, & that He wd. be appointed
to that station with Six Ships of the line. —
Sophia Cozens}: called & told me she had now 32 scholars. That
* George Dance, R.A.
t James Quin, the actor, and W. T. Fitzgerald, the poet.
X Sophia Cozens was the daughter of J. R. Cozens, the famous water-colour painter.
See Vol. I., pp. 193-4-
70 The Farington Diary [1808
for the smallest Children she receives 4<i. a week each, — and for the
girls who learn to Sew 6d. a week. —
Dr. Johnson a Mannerist
June 1. — Mr. Phipps I dined with. — Sir George [Beaumont] dwelt
much upon the unfortunate situation of Poets compared with that of
Painters. — He sd. that two of our principal Portrait Painters had got
more money within the last Seven years than all the Poets in this country
had obtained. — I mentioned that I had heard that Coleridge had spoken
lightly of Homer ; & of Dr. Johnson. Lady Beaumont expressed Her
change of opinion of Dr. Johnson as an Author, — Sir George sd. That He
had always disapproved the stile of Dr. Johnson, but allowed that He
had great power of mind. — Lady Beaumont, (no doubt speaking from
Coleridge) sd. that the age of Charles the Second was the period when the
authors had the purest taste. —
Sir George sd. Johnson, in writing, " was a mannerist" which always
being a false thing wd. not be a lasting example. — He left the room
with a declaration " That Poetry was superior to Painting.' 1 ''
Mrs. Phipps sd. Coleridge is no favorite with Mr. Phipps, & He sd.
He was in company with Him the other evening & was oppressed by
Him. — Mrs. Phipps told me that Lord Mulgrave could not read Milton
with any continuance, — but when He took up a work of Pope He cd.
not lay it down. —
[See Vol. III. for previous references to the sixth Duke of Beaufort ; Vols. I., II., III.,
to Lord Carington ; Vols. I., III., to Rear-Admiral Alan Hyde Gardner, afterwards
second Lord Gardner ; Vols. I., II., IV., to Henry Grattan, Irish patriot ; Vols. I., II.,
III., IV., to Dr. Samuel Johnson.]
CHAPTER XXIII
The Rage for Water Colours
June 1. — Sir George Beaumont reprobated the rage for Water
Colour drawings but it was sd. that the passion is subsiding. Haydon
said, That a gentleman had laid a wager of 20 guineas that in three years
there will be no Water Colour Exhibition. — *
In the course of conversation, Sir George spoke of the merit of Arnald's
large landscape in the Exhibition, & sd. it ought to have been in the
great room, instead of Ward's large view of Harlech Castle, as it was
" twenty times over a better picture." He spoke much in praise of
a small picture, a view near the Thames, by [John] Linnel, but sd. the
colouring was rather muddy. — He sd. Lawrence generally failed in
His Backgrounds, making them too much of one colour, wanting that
variety and richness which is seen in the pictures of Sir Joshua Reynolds.
— In my portrait, — in that of Lady Hood, — and in that of Mr. J. Anger-
stein's children, this fault prevails. —
Lady Hardwick 's Grief
Sir George spoke of the distress of Lady Hardwick in consequence
of the untimely death of Her Son, Lord Royston, who was lately drowned
in the Baltick [near Memel]. — Lord Hardwick having intimated to Sir
George that He now saw His friends from 8 till 12 in the evening, Sir
* There were at the date of the discussion two societies existing solely for the purpose
of exhibiting drawings in this medium ; it would be very difficult to compute how many
exist to-day — they flourish in most civilized countries. And Sir George is now chiefly
remembered as one of the founders of the National Gallery and with gratitude for his hand-
some gift to the nation of the pictures by Claude, Richard Wilson, and Rubens, whose
" Autumn : the Chateau of Steen " is one of the chief treasures in the Gallery at Trafalgar
Square. To Sir George's generosity we owe, also, the beautiful bas-relief of the " Mother
and Child " in the Diploma Gallery of the Royal Academy. See entry under June 17
and National Gallery Catalogue.
At the period of Sir George's reprobation the Cozens, father and son, and Thomas
Girtin were dead ; Turner was adventuring toward the second stage of his evolution ;
Cotman, David Cox, Peter De Wint, and a host of other artists of less brilliance were
producing works that laid the permanent foundation of the British School of Water-colour
Painting, and fresh lustre is being added to its glory by the best achievement of our own
era.
71
72 The Farington Diary [1808
George called upon Him & found a Circle of several persons. He did
not perceive Lady Hardwick till on enquiring of His Lordship of her
she lifted up her veil, & shewed Her face which was reduced to apparently-
half its natural size, & Her eyes " looked like beads " having lost all
lustre. When she first heard of Lord Royston's death she was for
three days silent & as one in a state of stupefaction, at the end of that
time she was relieved by tears. —
[This day a History of the Early part of the reign of James the
Second with an introductory Chapter on the History of England, from
the accession of the House of Tudor to the death of Charles the Second.
By the late Right Hon : Charles James Fox with an appendix & preface
by Lord Holland, was published by Wm. Miller, Albemarle St. Demy
quarto 36s. boards.— Royal quarto (large type) £2. 12s. 6d. boards. —
All the copies on elephant drawing paper, price 5 guineas are bespoke. —
From small note-book.]
June 3. — [Sir George Beaumont's] recommendation that the muti-
lated fragments brought from Athens by Lord Elgin should be restored
as at present, they excite rather disgust than pleasure in the minds
of people in general, to see parts of limbs, & bodys, stumps of arms
&c—
Lord Mahon and Pitt
June 4. — Lord Lonsdale told Lawrence yesterday — That on Mr.
Pitt coming into power the last time, Lord Mahon, His nephew, to
whom He had been very kind, went to Lady Fortescue, Sister to Lord
Grenville, & told Her that He shd. not act with Mr. Pitt but with Lord
Grenville. — Lady Fortescue replied that He wd. do well to adhere to
Mr. Pitt, for that they had hangers on enough, like Him, already. — On
the day of Mr. Pitt's death, Lord Carrington father in law of Lord Mahon,
went to Mr. Rose & desired to know when the first payment wd. become
due of a place given by Mr. Pitt to Lord Mahon. — Rose disgusted at his
want of feeling for such a friend as Mr. Pitt had been to Him (Ld. Car-
rington) rung His Bell & told His servant to direct His Lordship to a
person more fit to give an answer to such a question than He was. —
Lord Lonsdale had been over Lord Grosvenor's House with Robt.
Smirke, — & said it was most expensively furnished, but in a bad taste. —
Mrs. Kemble told Lawrence that Kemble had sat up till 3 oClock in
the morn'g, the night before, reading the History by C. Fox. —
Law against it
June 9. — Thomson called — Edridge had been again with him on
the subject of putting down His name to be an Associate, & sd. Law-
rence, Shee, Beechey &c. had given Him the warmest encouragement. — I
told Thomson, that it was a point upon which I had not spoken to members
of the Academy, but that in my own opinion it ought to be duly con-
sidered before anything is resolved upon, — that upon the merits of
His drawings He could not be admitted, there being an express law
1808] An Old Time Banker 73
against [a man who was not a painter] — & that whatever there was in
His miniature of Dr. Monro, it was not such as wd. induce the Members
to elect the Artist unless they had otherwise a strong prejudice in his
favour. This He admitted — saying the miniature of Dr. Monro was
manner'd. —
Wm. & Mrs. Wm. Offiey I dined with.— Mrs. Wm. Offley told me that
Her Father, Mr. Everitt [the banker], is 12 years older than Her mother,
who is 60 years old. He has uniform good health & only complains
sometimes of Rheumatick sensations. — He usually rises between 7 & 8
oClock, — breakfast at 9 — eating meat with His tea &c. — goes to the
Banking House, — dines at 5, — drinks, when alone, 3 or 4 glasses of wine,
but in company as others do, — goes to bed at 10 oClock, & when in the
Country at 9. — While in the country He walks, — in His garden &c. —
reads the newspaper — writes letters — but never reads Books — and fre-
quently goes to bed at 9. — His family reside in Hampshire abt. 6 months
in the year, but He seldom is with them more than a fortnight at a
time. —
[Mrs. Mattocks, the Actress, retired from the Stage on Thursday
last the 7th inst. — She first appeared on the Stage in 1 761 or 2. I saw
Her in Lucinda in Love in a Village in 1763, — His Majesty has settled
£200 a yr. upon Her. — From small note-book.]
[See Index, Vols. II., III., IV., for previous references to William Wyndham first Lord
Grenvilleand Lord Grosvenor ; Vol. IV, to Lord Hardwicke and to John Linnell, artist.]
CHAPTER XXIV
1808
A Famous Hydrographer
June 10. — Lysons told us that Lord Mulgrave had done a thing
much complained of at the Royal Society Club yesterday in removing
Mr. Dalrymple from the situation of Hydrographer to the Admiralty
to which, when that Office was established He was appointed by Lord
Spencer, with a Salary, Lysons believes of £500 a yr. It was proposed
to Mr. Dalrymple by Mr. Wellesley Pole, Secretary to the Admiralty,
that He should resign upon a Pension of half the Salary, which was the
utmost the Admiralty, under an Order of Council, could give.
Dalrymple refused to resign saying [he] was competent to the duties
of the Office, & being so, wd. not accept a Pension. A little time elapsed,
after which He reed, a written notice signifying that arrangements in
that office were making & that a Pension was at His service, but another
appointment would be made.
Dalrymple again refused the Pension, though He sd. He cd. not
well afford it, ascribing the above motive. — He has written & printed
a strong statement of His case ; putting it, " whether He is not as fit
for the situation He filled as Lord Mulgrave to be first Lord of the
Admiralty. — *
Greek Sculptors and Anatomy
June 11. — Lord Fitzwilliam sd. to [Lawrence], "What an admir-
able likeness you have painted of Mr. Pitt ! " He then spoke of Mr.
Pitt, & said His Father, Ld. Chatham, had a striking person, & great
eloquence, but that Mr. Pitt was a greater man. — [Dr.] Carlisle, this
even'g, talked a great deal abt. the Greek sculptors not producing their
admirable works by means of Anatomical knowledge but by their know-
ledge of Geometry. \
* Alexander Dalrymple (1737-1808) was the first hydrographer to be appointed to the
Admiralty. That was in 1795, and he held the post until May 28, 1808, when, it is said,
through excess of zeal, he was dismissed and died broken-hearted three weeks afterwards
(on June 19). See Vols. I., II.
t See Vol. IV., p. 182.
74
1808 ] Peerage Romance 75
June 12. — Trinity Sunday — I went to St. James's Chapel where
Dr. Andrews preached. He very much enforced the necessity of our
Faith being perfect ; not with our finite understandings to doubt & to
hesitate because we are not able to comprehend every declaration which
is made to us. — Being Trinity Sunday, I conceived that He had in His
mind the Creed of St. Athanasius. —
June 15. — Lysons I dined with. — Lysons told me that He was
yesterday with the King at Windsor, and had an audience of half an
hour, no other person present. — The King looked very well,— & was
in very good spirits. He spoke of Lord Chartley (Leicesters)* expected
divorce, & observed that it had been attempted to deny it in the news-
papers. — Lysons told His Majesty that He had seen the process of
declaration of Lady Chartley (Leicester) in which she accuses Him of
impotency & of not being formed as a man shd. be. — His Majesty remarked
on the strange manner of signing His name which Ld. Townshend had
adopted — viz : Two titles united, Leicester & Townshend. —
A Disappointed Bishop
June 17. — Breakfasted with Lysons. — Dr. Majendie, Bishop of
Chester, extremely depressed in consequence of not having been trans-
lated to Worcester, in the room of Dr. Hurd [who died on May 27, age
87]. — He sometime ago applied to the King who sd. He wd. do what
He could for Him, but on the death of Dr. Hurd His Majesty told the
Bishop of Salisbury that He had spoken for Dr. Majendie but " it would
not do." Dr. Luxmore, Bishop of Bristol, is removed to Hereford, in
room of Dr. Cornwall who is appointed to Worcester. — He was tutor
to Lord Dalkeith, & has His promotion through the Duke of Buccleugh.—
Dr. Mansel, Principal of Trinity College, Cambridge, is pressed by Mr.
Perceval [Chancellor of the Exchequer] to be the new Bishop, against
Dr. Hall, of Christchurch Oxford, Professor of Divinity, supported
by the Duke of Portland [Prime Minister], Mr. Perceval insists upon
it, on the ground that the last Bishop was an Oxford man.
New Illustrated Book
Davis I called on, He had called on me this morning & left a paper
viz : a List of the subjects provided for Cheshire and Cornwall. — We
talked over the whole plan of proceeding. He had no objection to the
number of subjects for Cumberland being extended to fourteen ; &
for other Counties the same number if judged proper. I said the medium
number might be considered twelve to be added to if adviseable which
He approved. — He wished me to get three or four more subjects in
Cheshire. — I spoke to Him about the manner of making the drawings,
* Afterwards third Marquess Townsend. On May 12, 1807, he married Sarah,
daughter of William Dunn Gardner, but by her he had no issue. He died on December
31, 1855, and she married James Laidler on January 10, 1856, and died in 1858.
76 The Farington Diary [1808
& recommended that they should be done with gradations of one colour,
viz : India Ink with a little blue in the distance. He said He understood
that it was settled to be so when He & Mr. Cadell looked over my draw-
ings & saw those done in that manner. —
The Beaumont Pictures
Sir George Beaumont's I dined at. — Before dinner we looked at
the pictures which were to be sent to Cole Orton. They had been
arranged by Segar for that purpose, — the frames new gilt. — I reckoned
what many of them cost Him.*
Large Claude £630 o o
Small do 210 o o
Small trees do. abt 40 o o
Niobe by Wilson from Wilton 73 10 o
Mecenas's villa by Wilson from Ld. Thanet through
Vandergucht 100 o o
Large landscape by Rubens I )47° ° °
Landscape by N. Poussin 44 2 o
His own portrait by Sr. Joshua 36 5 o
Lady Beaumont do 52 10 o
Upright large Landscape Gainsborough 315 o o
Large landscape by Seb : Bourdon bequeathed to Him
by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Large picture by Canaletti
Blind Beggar, Wilkie 5210 o
[See Index, Vol. IV., for previous references to Lord Chartley, afterwards third Marquess
Townsend ; Vols. I., II., III., IV., to the first Lord Chatham ; Vols. I., II., IV, to Lord
Fitzwilliam ; Vols. I., II., III., IV. to the second Lord Spencer.]
* Those of the pictures noted below were presented to the National Gallery by Sir
George Beaumont : The large Claude (" Narcissus and Echo "), the small Claude (" Goat-
herd and Goats "), and the other small landscape (" The Death of Procris ") ; " Maecenas'
Villa," by Richard Wilson, the magnificent large landscape, " The Chateau de Steen,"
by Rubens, the Sebastian Bourdon (" The Return of the Ark from Captivity "), the Cana-
letto (" A View of Venice "), and Wilkie's " Blind Fiddler."
CHAPTER XXV
1808
Likeness in Portraits
June 17. — We talked of Lawrence's portrait of Mr. Pitt. — He
[Sir George Beaumont] sd. that there was a look in Mr. Pitt's face, as in
those of most others more or less that was not the look His friends wished
to have represented, meaning that which expressed scorn and Hauteur. —
That on this acct. perhaps, — He wd. venture to say that take a dozen of
Mr. Pitt's intimate friends and a dozen other indifferent persons, & He
wd. venture to say that the former would be less satisfied with the like-
ness than the latter. I objected to this by mentioning the entire
approbation of Mr. Pitt's intimate friends Mr. Rose & Mr. Long. — He sd.
Lord Mulgrave and Genl. Phipps, did not think it like.
He then spoke of His own portrait painted by Hoppner, who He sd.
had applied to Him to have a print made from it. — That picture He sd.
Lord St. Asaph thought admirably like, & Children remarked the like-
ness. — Lord Mulgrave did not think so which caused Sir George to sit
to Lawrence, but His Lordship does not think that like. —
Fox's Party History
Taylor spoke of Mr. Fox's History very unfavourably, both as to the
principles it inculcates, — and the moderate degree of ability with which
it is written. — Sir George sd. He apprehended Mr. Fox's friends do not
think highly of it. Mr. Price spoke of it as a work not made so perfect
as Mr. Fox intended, not so finished in stile. Stourges Bourne who we
found with the Ladies, spoke of it as being a thorough -party History ;
and that it inculcated some of the worst principles, such as were favorable
to insurrection & rebellion ; that Lord Holland had treated His Uncle's
memory with great disrespect in suffering it to be published.
Robt. Smirke told me that Lord Lonsdale speaking of C. Fox's
History, lately published, sd. It manifested the strongest spirit of party.
— That it was unfavourable not to monarchy, but to Kings, — not to
Religion, but to Bishops, and that it justified or at least was favorable
to insurrections of the People, that which constitutes Rebellion, upon
popular dislike. — He did not think Mr. Fox ever intended to publish it,
at least in that state, & He thought Lord Holland had not acted kindly
77
78 The Farington Diary [1808
to His memory in publishing it, as it wd. not raise the Character of the
Author. — Lord Lonsdale remarked that He thought C. Fox in writing
the Character of the Duke of Monmouth wrote from His own feelings.
His own experience, & in describing the Duke described Himself, — in
several respects.
Fox an Aristocrat
Lord Lonsdale has been blamed for publishing some writings of His
Ancestor Lord Lonsdale, an eminent man at [the] period of which Fox
wrote. He has been blamed by some of Fox's friends for publishing them
as it were in opposition to what was announced to be published written
by Fox, whereas they say it wd. have been more handsome in him to
have communicated those papers to Fox, knowing that He was writing
a History of that period. Now His Lordship sd. The fact was, That abt.
the year 1804 having found those papers He communicated through a
friend that He had such papers, & that if Mr. Fox chose to examine them
they were at His service. — To this Fox sd. coldly, that He was not dis-
posed to undertake the task of going through them, That He was too
indolent for it &c. — And Lord Lonsdale thought He did not do what
might have been expected as He never acknowledged to Him the civility
shewn him on this occasion. — Lord Lonsdale sd. that Fox was an Aris-
tocrat in his Heart.
Kemble and Young Betty-
Lady Armitage, 2nd daugr. to Mr. Bowles, was with the party at
tea ; also Her Sister, Mrs. Stourges Bourne. — After dinner the Stage
was a topick of conversation. — Taylor called Kemble a manufactured
Actor, in which Sir George concurred. — Mr. Bowles sd. the farce of Young
Betty was nearly over. He is now at His last gleanings, being acting in
a sort of Barn Theatre at Banbury. — Sir George was silent upon the
subject. — Taylor had always protested against His claim to the popu-
larity which He enjoyed. — Sir George spoke of Kemble having said, " That
He had been told by good judges, that Powell was only about as good an
Actor as Whitfield* & some others of that Class." — This, we, who had
seen Powell act, knew to be a very false acct. of His merit as an Actor.
Garrick, was the theme of Praise of all of us, and comparisons were made
chiefly by Taylor, of the manner of acting certain parts by Garrick, and
the same parts & passages by Kemble, shewing the misconceptions of
the latter. — Sir George, last night, saw Young the Actor, in Hamlet, &
particularly approved him in the scene after the murder. —
Candidates
June 18. — We talked of Edridge's desire to be elected an Associate.
Thomson sd. He had mentioned it to Hoppner who protested against it,
saying, That if Edridge were to be elected, Glover, Heaphy, &c. — a
Herd of Water Colour painters wd. have a right to offer themselves. —
* Whitfield, the actor.
1808] Candidates 79
I told them that Lawrence also did not consider Edridge to be in a line
to be admitted, though He thought Him better entitled to it than Bone. —
We talked of filling the next vacancy of an Academician & of the diffi-
culty of doing it. — I remarked on the feeble performance sent by West-
macott to the Exhibition & sd. that if He shd. be elected after such a
proof of want of ability the Academy wd. be disgraced. — They sd. that
friends as they were to Him they could say nothing in opposition to my
sentiments. — Thomson, jokingly sd. He thought it wd. be best to elect
Elias Martin,* who being nobody knows where abroad, the vacancy
wd. only be nominally filled to be voted again the following year. —
Calcott's name was mentioned faintly, — & Marchant as a question by
me Whether as He is old & Has reputation, it wd. not be best to elect
Him for the remainder of His life.
[See Index, Vols. I., III., IV., for previous references to Charles Oldfield Bowles ; Vols.
I., II., III., IV., to Sir Augustus Callcott and David Garrick ; Vols. I., III., to William
Powell, the actor, and Vol. IV., to C. M. Young, the actor.]
* Elias Martin (1740-1818 ?), a painter and engraver, who was elected an associate
in 1770. He never became a Royal Academician, but went back to Stockholm in 1780.
CHAPTER XXVI
A Gay Voluptuary
June 19. — R. Price's I dined at. — We talked of the death of Sir
John Day, late Advocate Genl. of Bengal. R. Price sd. He resided at
Richmond and towards the latter part of His life was posessed with an
apprehension that He should die poor & in a work House. — He pined
over the loss of £20,000 owing to Him by the Nabob of Oude whose debts
the India Company refused to pay. — He still was able to live handsomely
& for many years kept a Coach &c. — He was rather pompous in His
manner. — To this acct. I added a remark on the change in His Character.
I remembered Him abt. the year 1772 a gay voluptuary in the temple,
remarkable for His festive disposition & for singing a good Bonvivant
song. — He married Miss Ramus, sister of Ramus the King's Head Page,
who Price sd. is a very agreeable woman of abt. 61 or 2 years of age. —
The Archbishop's Power
D. Lysons told me that the Archbishop of Canterbury upon being
appointed to that See Has the privilege of fixing upon any one living in
each Bishoprick in His Diocese, to have the reversion of it whenever it
might become vacant, & that He has the power of bequeathing the
reversion by Will ; in consequence Mrs. More, widow of the late Arch-
bishop, has several reversions to nominate to as they become vacant.
The Archbishop of York has a similar power. —
The Pugilist's Beauty
June 20. — Carlisle's I went to at \ past 12 & found a room filled
with company at Breakfast, — after which He showed us into His Front
Drawing room where we found Gregson, the Pugilist, stripped naked, to
be exhibited to us on acct. of the fineness of His jorm. He is 6 feet 2
Inches high, — all admired the beauty of his proportions from the Knee
or rather from the waist upwards, including His arms, & small head. —
The Bone of His leg West sd. is too short, & His toes are not long enough,
& there is something of heaviness abt. the thighs, — knees, & legs, — but
on the whole He was allowed to be the finest figure the persons present
had seen. — He was placed in many attitudes.
80
1808] The Pugilist's Beauty 81
He told me He was born in Lancashire, abt. 3 miles from Chorley,
and shd. be 30 years old in August next. — He sd. Gully with whom He
lately fought, though not so tall, is nearly as strong as He is, and a more
skilful Pugilist. He sd. the first blow He reed, from Gully was upon the
left cheek bone near the eye, which instantly blinded that eye, & nearly
closed the other, so that He never had more than a glimpse of sight after-
wards during the battle. — He sd. Gully gave this blow irregularly & not
as He wd. have done upon a scientific principle but He had been privately
informed by one who pretended to be a friend of Gregson & knew how He
had been trained to fight, that He might hazard anything in that way,
as Gregson did not mean to strike with that hand that wd. otherwise
prevent it, & wd. not be properly upon His guard. —
We made a Collection of 5 shillings each from several persons & a
few gave each a guinea. — Mr. Hamilton, Son of Dr. Hamilton, invited
the whole party to meet Gregson at Lord Elgin's on the 30th inst. at
12 oClock to compare His form with some of the antique figures. —
Mental Pleasure
June 21. — Mrs. Nixon spoke of Mrs. Poggi with much commenda-
tion. — Her maiden name was Lewis. She had a fortune of from 7 to
£10,000, little of which is now left, Her Husband [an art dealer] by specu-
lations having reduced it to that state. — He is abroad & it is long since
she heard from Him. — She now, assisted by Her daughters, educates young
Ladies. —
Sir George Beaumont called & brought a sketch which he made
yesterday & to-day to give to Mrs. C. Long. He had shewn it to Hearne
& desired me to point out anything that might improve it. I did so in a
trifling instance or two which He soon altered. — Sir George read me
some verses sent to Him by Taylor the author of them. Some on Wind-
ham, & some on Fox's History, & thought both very good. Lord Lons-
dale had seen & praised those on Fox witht. knowing the author. —
Taylor wrote of the mental pleasure He had at Sir George's on Friday
last, on which Sir George laughed & observed that the mental pleasure
Taylor might attribute to Himself as He had three-fourths of the con-
versation. — He invited me to Cole Orton both going & returning from
Lancashire.
June 23. — Sherlock called. He did not succeed as a Candidate at
[the Military School] Marlow. Sheckly, from Oxford, recommended
by Lord Harcourt, was appointed. Mather Brown, & 8 others were
Candidates. — Marlow resides at Twickenham, with a man whose name is
Curtis. He was a Butcher when Marlow first became acquainted with
His wife, who He met at Vauxhall. He has lived more than 20 years
with them, & there are now 6 or 7 children, some of them very like
Marlow, — a strange instance of infatuation. — He still applies to painting,
but with very little of His former power. —
vol. v. 6
82 The Faring ton Diary [1808
Buonaparte Annexes Rome
June 25. — [In the papers of this day Decrees of Buonaparte were
published, one annexing Rome & the Papal territories to the Kingdom
of Italy, — the other annexing Tuscany, — Parma & Placentia to the
Empire of France. — These great & extraordinary events are received with
indifference, such is the effect of a long continued course of great changes
any one of which at a different period wd. have astonished & confounded
the whole world. — From small note-book.]
June 27. — Lane called. — He told me a note for £10. from [the]
late Sir Roger Kerrison on Barclay's House had been refused payment,
— no effects. Report is, That Sir Roger had been purchasing estates
with the money of other people.* —
Wit or Bloated Buffoon
[Lord Alvanley ran against time this day on the Edgware road. The
bet was that He would not run a mile in 6 minutes ; but He performed
it in 21 seconds less than the given time. Lord Frederick Beauclerck
was the Umpire. The original bet was for 50 guineas with Arthur
Shakespere.f — From small note-book.]
[See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV., for previous references to the second Lord Harcourt ;
Vol. I., to William Marlow, topographical draughtsman ; Vol. IV., to Richard Price, and
Vols. I., II., III., to Mr. Poggi and John Taylor, author of " Monsieur Tonson," and once
editor of the Morning Post.]
* The Annual Register said of Sir Roger, who died on June 5th, 1808 : " Much lamented,
sir Roger Kerrison, banker, at Norwich, by a sudden and instant stroke of apoplexy. He
was a rare instance of the good effects of exemplary conduct and character in commercial
life, having, from small beginnings, realized immense property, both real and personal,
the principal part of which devolves upon his only son."
t William Arden, second Baron Alvanley, was the son of Richard Pepper Arden, the
first Baron and Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who, according to the " Rolliad,"
once " blundered into a joke." The second Lord (1789-1849), who was a soldier, spend-
thrift, and wit, asserted that Daniel O'Connell, the famous "agitator," had been "pur-
chased " by Lord Melbourne, and O'Connell called him " a bloated buffoon." Alvanley
challenged him to a duel, which he declined in accordance with a vow he made after shoot-
ing D'Esterre. Morgan, O'Connell's second son (1804-1885), accepted the challenge, and
the pair exchanged two shots without effect on May 4, 1835, at Chalk Farm.
Charles Greville, in his " Memoirs," January 23, 1850, writes of Alvanley : " His
constant spirits and good humour, together with his marvellous wit and drollery, made him
the delight and ornament of Society. He was naturally of a kind and affectionate disposi-
tion, good-natured, obliging, and inclined to be generous ; but he was to the last degree
reckless and profligate about money ; he cared not what debts he incurred. . . . For the
last four years of his life he was afflicted with painful diseases, and his sufferings were
incessant and intense. He bore them all with fortitude and a cheerfulness which excited
universal sympathy and admiration."
CHAPTER XXVII
1808
Forgotten
June 28. — Mrs. Day called to solicit a subscription. — Her Hus-
band studied at Rome, as an Artist, 12 years. — He died 6 months ago
aged 75.* — He had been employed by the Duke of Bedford to clean
pictures, — also by Sir Henry Mildmay,f & together with another person
or two, they supported Him during the last 3 years of His life. — Sir H.
Mildmay has also placed two of his daughters as apprentices & paid
100 guineas for them. — She told me Her Husband passed much of His
time in preparing vehicles for painting, & varnishes, & was sometimes
called " Macgilp Day.'''' — He married Her when she was only 18 years
old. — He was much acquainted with Gavin Hamilton. % — Her hope
was to go into the country, provided she could obtain an Annual allow-
ance from the Academy.
Barbarous Taste
Mostyn§ came to tea, — wishing to be of the party tomorrow at Lord
* There was an Alexander Day who studied in Rome about 1790. He was a miniature
painter, and may be the Mr. Day recorded by Farington on March 4th, 1801, as having
brought from Rome " some pictures of extraordinary merit," including the " celebrated
Gaspar Poussin from the Colonna Palace — valued at 4,000 guineas ; Also a Venus and
Adonis, by Titian, 4,000 and a Ganymede by Do,— 4,000." All three paintings are in
the National Gallery. The "Ganymede," however, is now attributed to the "School
of Titian," and the " Venus and Adonis," previously described as "largely studio work,"
was partially cleaned some time ago, and is believed by Sir Charles Holmes to be a genuine
first study by Titian himself for the painting of this subject in the Prado, Madrid.
It may also be again recorded that Benjamin West declared that " there is very little
in this Venus and Adonis in the state in which Titian left it, and in the Ganymede, which
is the better of the two, there is not that colour which Titian left." See Vol. I., May 9,
1801.
t Sir Henry Paulet St. John-Mildmay (1764-1808) was M.P. for Westbury, 1 796-1 802,
for Winchester, 1802-07, an ^ f° r Hants, 1807-08.
t Artist and author. See Index, Vol. I.
§ Probably the Mr. Mostyn who married Miss Cecilia Thrale, daughter of Mrs. Piozzi,
who on April 4, 1820, wrote : " This moment brought me an agreeable letter from Mrs.
Mostyn. She and her youngest son are very gay at Florence, acting English plays, &c. . . .
All among Lord and Lady performers, of course." After Mrs. Mostyn's death in 1857
a collection of relics of her mother were sold at Sillwood Lodge, Montpelier Road, Brighton.
VOL. V. 83 6*
84 The Farington Diary [1808
Elgin's. — Also to see Mr. Angerstein's pictures. — He was at Mr. T.
Hope's last Monday, & did not like the stile of His House & furniture. —
He said much of it was in imitation of a barbarous taste, not of that
which is deemed Classical. — We talked of the situation of Spain, now
contending with Buonaparte for freedom. — He sd. the Spaniards have
spirit, but being undisciplined, He feared they wd. not be able to resist
the marshalled troops of France.
June 30. — Lord Elgin's I went to at 12 oClock. Much company
to see Gregson naked among the Antique figures. — We remained till
2 oClock during which time He was placed in many attitudes.
Grosvenor House
July 1. — I went to Lord Grosvenor's at 4 oClock, it being the last
day of shewing the House this Season. — Phillips told me that the House,
furniture, pictures &c. as it now appears cost Lord Grosvenor ^120,000. —
Owen told me today that Harris, the picture dealer, bought the
Altieri Claudes of Mr. Beckford for 10,000 guineas, & yesterday sold
them to Mr. Davis of Bristol, Member for Colchester, for 12,000 guineas.*
Cobbett and France
July 2. — [(William) Cobbet, in his paper of this day observes, —
" Turning now to the Patriots of Spain, there really does appear to
be some prospect of their final success. There seems to be a general
spirit of resistance against France. The language of the several addresses
is that of men resolved. All this noble spirit lay smothered under the
incubus of Despotism. That removed, up it bounds with the quickness
of lightning. Lightning, forked Lightning, may it prove to all those,
be they Who they may, who would wish to smother it. — This is the
only fair opportunity that has offered for checking the progress of
Napoleon. It is the only cause to which the people of England have
heartily wished success. In all probability it is the last opportunity
that will offer for enabling us to give a turn to the long flowing tide
of success, and if we neglect this opportunity ; if we waste the precious
hours that are now given us for action, in doubts, hesitations, & delay,
we, or at least those amongst us who shall be found to have been the
cause of such conduct, ought to perish, or, which would be better, to
linger out a life of misery, loaded with the curses of all good men."
July 3. — Sir Edwd. Pellew, on the 5th. of December last, destroyed
the following Dutch Ships at Griesse on the Island of Java, 2 of 70 guns,
1 of 68 do., a company's ship — 40 guns, together, with the battery
of Sambelangen on the Island of Madura. — From small note-book.]
* Subsequently these two paintings, entitled "The Sacrifice to Apollo" and "The
Landing of Aeneas," passed to the Miles family, and in the Sir P. Miles sale they fetched
^6,090 and £3,990 respectively.
CHAPTER XXVIII
1808
Success to the Spaniards
July 4. — Mr. Wm. Smith's I dined at.* — Mr. Smith gave a Bumper
toast " Success to the Spaniards." — He sd. He had a good hope that
they wd. succeed. — That Buonaparte after such a tide of success, &
posessed of such immense power, might be supposed to feel that every-
thing wd. bend before Him ; and in this instance to have overshot his
mark. He sd. that on Saturday last He was at Wimbledon, Lord
Spencer's where a " Dejune " was given to a large company of fashion-
ables. — The Spanish Deputies were there, & He remarked that they
seemed to pay little attention to the scene, but appeared to be engaged
in considering the situation of their Country. He observed, that they
happen to be men of no striking or noble appearance. — Viscount Mat-
terosa is a youth of 19, — & seems to have been sent on acct. of His rank
to give dignity to the Deputation.
Windham
He sd. Mr. Windham sat with them, & to be sure appeared to great
advantage, but then certainly Windham is one of the most gentlemanly
men in appearance that is to be found in England. He sd. Ministers
were encouraged to make every exertion for the Spaniards ; the senti-
ments of the Houses of Parliament were unanimous upon the subject. —
Mr. Combef sd. the Population of Spain is estimated at nine milions.
Mr. Cope [or Coape] sd. Buonaparte had taken great pains to distribute
throughout Spain Declarations of His friendship & good wishes for
Spain ; many of them had been brought to England, & Mr. Cope had
seen heaps of them. — Mr. Smith sd. at the time when it was known that
* William Smith (1756-1835) was a politician who took a great interest in literature and
art. He was a friend of Sir Joshua Reynolds, for whose Mrs. Siddons as " The Tragic
Muse " he paid £$20 at the Calonne sale in 1795, and sold it to Mr. G. W. Taylor for ^900.
At the Taylor sale in 1823 the picture cost Earl Grosvenor ^1,837. It passed recently
to America along with Gainsborough's " Blue Boy."
t William Combe (" Dr. Syntax "). See Vols. I., II., IV.
*5
86 The Farington Diary [1808
Buonaparte had arrived in France from Egypt, Mr. Fox wrote to Him
(Mr. Smith) & noticing Buonaparte's return He added " Is He come
over to conquer Italy again ? " — Mr. Smith, alluding to Buonaparte's
adventurous spirit, sd. " He wd. have crossed the Mediteranean in a
Wherry."—
Thomson was at Woolwich yesterday. He sd. vast exertions were
making to send off Ordnance stores to Spain. — Thirty six milions of
Ball Cartridges had been sent ; also Muskets, and Cannon of various
sorts.
No Buildings in Hyde Park
The plan proposed for erecting buildings in Hyde Park in the space
between Grosvenor Gate & the Bason, which had been noticed in Parlia-
ment & opposed by Messrs. Creevy,* Windham, & Sheridan, — was
spoken of, — Mr. Smith sd. He thought the Plan a good one ; and that
it wd. not deprive the people of anything of which they wd. be sensible
as a loss. — It wd. have converted a space of ground which does not
produce one shilling into an estate the annual rent of which wd. be,
from ground rents £2250 a year, the land being to be let at 4 guineas a
foot. The Duke of Bedford was included in the plan, to build a large
Mansion, & His ground rent wd. have amounted to ^750 a year. — Lord
Ponsonby,| & others were also to have built houses. — From the opposi-
tion made, as it has become a sort of popular question, it is not likely
that anything will be done in the business.
Mr. Cope, Brother to Mrs. Smith, objected to any ground being
granted in Hyde Park for building. He said that situation is the greatest
value to London ; all feel the benefit of it. As Hyde Park is approached
from any quarter Eastward, a sensible difference is felt, — even in passing
from Hanover square to Grosvenor Square, the latter being much prefer-
able as a situation from its vicinity to Hyde Park. —
The Tragic Muse
We looked at the Picture of Mrs. Siddons by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
— Lawrence sd. " It was His best picture." — I said, " It was a high
refinement of Rembrant." — Mr. Smith said He gave £320 for it, — which
was not half what Calonne paid. — [It cost the latter £800.]
Thomson spoke to me of the distressed situation of Bartolozzi's
Son, who is in debt to the amount of £700 & has been confined in the
Kings Bench. He wished me to sign a paper to obtain a donation from
the Academy. Hoppner &c. have promised to sign. — Beechey came to
* Thomas Creevy (1768-1838), M.P., whose " Papers " were published by John Murray
in 1903. The opposition to house building was effectual. The Eastern boundary still
follows the line shown on Rocques map, 1741-45. Apsley House was built by Earl Bathurst,
who died in 1794.
t See Index, Vols. II. III., IV.
1808] A Long Wait 87
us & spoke highly of Him & sd. He had been ruined by His wife, a vain
imprudent woman.*
July 6. — Edridge called in the even'g. — Davis had been with
[him] upon the business of making drawings of persons of distinguished
rank & ability for a work which has been advertised by Cadell & Davis.
He sd. that He shd. be willing to make drawings for them, — that His
price for drawings of Heads is 8 guineas, but that for this purpose He
wd. if necessary execute them for 6 guineas. He spoke to me abt. putting
down His name to be an Associate of the Academy. — I told Him Thomson
had informed me that Hoppner was against it, & Had sd. He wd. tell
Him so. — I sd. Hoppner was not single in His objection; & that it wd.
be a matter of discussion. — I said that having exhibited the miniature
picture of Dr. Monro He might put His name down, but members might
hesitate to vote for one who may never again produce a work in the
Exhibition in a line of art which alone the Academy acknowledges to
intitle an Artist to become a Member. — Our conversation concluded
with His saying that " He shd. not put His name down." [He was not
elected A.R. A. until 1820.]
Spain Declares War
July 9. — [On the 6th. of June 1808 at the Royal Palace of Alcaszar
at Saville, the Supreme Junta of Government, In the name of Ferdi-
nand the 7th. King of Spain & the Indies, Declared War against Napoleon
the First, Emperor of France. — It was also declared " that there shall
be an open & free communication with England ; that we have con-
tracted & will keep an Armistice with Her ; & that we hope to conclude
a durable & lasting Peace." — From small note-book.]
* Gaetano Stefano Bartolozzi (1757-1821), son of the engraver of that name, was born
in Rome. He was clever, but indolence and Bohemian habits and love of music made
him neglect his business as a printseller and brought him to the condition referred to in
the Diary.
He was married to Theresa Jansen, daughter of a dancing master of Aix-la-Chapelle,
and their daughter, Lucia Elizabeth, who was born in London in January, 1797, became
known as Madame Vestris, the actress (1797-1856). One of Gainsborough's best portraits
represents her husband, Auguste Armand Vestris, the celebrated dancer and ballet-master,
who died in 1825.
CHAPTER XXIX
A Blackheath Dinner Party
July 13. — Mr. Green's, at Dell Lodge, Blackheath, I dined at. —
We dined abt. \ before 6, — and sat till J past 10, when the Company
adjourned to the Lawn & had tea & Coffee in the open air. — The Singers
were placed in different situations on the Lawn & sang glees with good
effect. — Many toasts were given by Mr. Green,* judiciously applied, —
Very cordial wishes in favor of Spain. — Lord Somerville told us that the
first expression of the publick feeling against France was as follows — Mr.
Hunter, who as British Consul had resided at Cadiz or Seville, 16 years,
being at Madrid when the French got posession of it was ordered to be im-
prisoned. He desired that it might be at Seville but they sent Him to St.
Andero, where He was imprisoned. The populace being informed of it a
great number of them arose, & went to the prison & released Him. — This
act, in opposition to the French, was quickly communicated to other parts
of Spain, & a spirit of insurrection & a determination to relieve them-
selves from the French yoke became general.
Taylor [the well-known comedian] gave imitations of the manner
of singing of Kelly — Braham, — Incledon, & Dignum — very well. — Lord
Somerville staid till towards 10 oClock, & was very social & companion-
able. — I went to Mr. Green's in a Coach with West, Northcote, — Westall
& Rossi. — We left Mr. Green's a little before 12 oClock. — On our way,
in the Coach we had much conversation respecting the War in Spain,
& Northcote no longer stood inclined to Buonaparte, but was enthu-
siastic in favor of the Spaniards in their opposition to Him. — West also
said that when a people act for themselves & are determined to be free,
they cannot be conquered.
July 16. — [Master Betty, took His final leave of the Stage, on
Monday even'g last, the nth. inst. in the Character of Young Norval
at Stratford upon Avon ; thus closing His Theatrical career upon the
* Probably George Green, of the firm of Green, Wigram, and Green, well known as
builders of East Indiamen.
1808]
Extraordinary Heat
89
spot which gave birth to Shakespeare. — Tuesday He became a Student
of Christ College, Cambridge.
The Spanish Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Council of
Seville to conclude a Treaty of Peace & Alliance with this Country
landed at Portsmouth, on Thursday last the 14th. inst. and arrived
last night at Mr. Mandry's Hotel, Leicester square. — The Commissioners
are Admiral Don Apodaca, and Major General Don Jacomie. His
Majesty's Ship Revenge Sir John Gore, brought them from Cadiz.
July 20. — The following is an exact statement of the extraordinary
height of the Thermometer in the last & present week, exposed to the open
air, in a northern aspect in James St. Buckingham gate. —
Monday July nth
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
"uly nth .
80 degrees
„ 1 2th .
88J „
» 13th .
94
?
„ 14th .
9 1
„
„ 15th .
77
•>
„ 16th .
86
5
„ 17th .
83
>
„ 1 8 th .
94
?
» 19th •
92
?
On Thursday [Wednesday] July 13th. we understand the Thermo-
meter at Hayes, Middlesex, was 92J — in Kent at 98 — in various parts
of London near 100, — & exposed to the Sun at its greatest heat 147.
Lady Emily Best, daugr. of the late Lord Aldborough, wife of Mr.
Best who in a Duel killed Lord Camelford, eloped from Her Husband
with Mr. Henry an intimate friend of Lady Aldborough, Her mother.
Monument to John Locke
An advertisement appeared this day [July 20] in the Morning Post
for subscriptions to erect a monument in St. Paul's to the memory of
John Locke, under the direction of the following Noblemen & Gentlemen
Earl of Chichester.
Lord King.
The Lord Mayor.
Sir Saml. Romilly.
Sir John Henderson.
David William Esq.
Revd. Mr. Rees.
From small note-book.]
Robt. Hibbert Junr. Esqr.
Dr. Adams.
Willm. Frend Esqr.
Revd. Mr. Aspland.
John Mason Goode Esqr.
C. Stower Esqr.
John Nichols Esqr.
90 The Farington Diary [1808
July 21. — Sophia Cozens called. — Her income is as follows, —
per annum.
Thirty Scholars produce Her per week 9s £23. 8. o.
From -£40 in the funds 2. o. o.
From £82 in my hands 4. 2. o.
From the Royal Academy 8. 8. o.
37. 18. 0.
She pays 12 guineas a yr. for Her rooms, — & lives upon the remainder, —
is now 18 years old, & hopes when she arrives at the age of 21, she may
not stand in need of the Academy Donation. —
Fuseli & Northcote this even'g to me execrated the conduct of Buona-
parte towards Spain. — Fuseli sd. it was " The brutality of domestic
selfishness " — Northcote rubbed His hands with joy at the hope of
the Spaniards effecting their independence. — I talked with West upon
it on our way home. — He was long silent, & then sd. " The event wd.
depend upon the people of France going with Buonaparte in His wishes,
if they should there wd. be a dreadful war."
[See Vols. II., IV. for previous references to Captain Best and Lord Somerville ; Vols.
I., III., to Charles Dignum ; Vol. I., to C. B. Incledon and Michael Kelly.]
CHAPTER XXX
Author and Publisher
July 22. — J. Aytoun called, & told me Sir John Carr's trial against
Verner & Hood, Booksellers, wd. come on Monday next at Guildhall. —
The Frontispiece Print is the point to be called a Libel, — against the Book
He cd. not have hoped for success. The Print was not in the, first edition.
He will prove injury sustained by the evidence of Sir Richard Philips,
Bookseller, who wd. have given Him ^600 for His Scotch Tour, had
not the ridicule thrown upon His publications lessened their value. —
Sir John afterwards offered the work to another Bookseller, who pro-
posed to have given £400 but, apprehensive that the Sale might be
injured by the ridicule, declined it. — Lord Erskine interests himself
for Carr, & has it is understood, signified His wish that Garrow will attend
to the matter. — The Attorney General is on the opposite side. Sir
John offered to compromise the matter with Verner & Hood, upon
condition of their taking the work, but they declined it.
July 25. — Before 8 went to the Guildhall Coffee House, & from
thence with J. Aytoun to Guildhall to Hear the Cause between Sir John
Carr & Verner & Hood, Booksellers, for a Libel on Sir John's publica-
tions. — The trial began at 9 oClock & was over at 10 minutes past Eleven,
when the Jury instantaneously gave a verdict for the Defendants. —
Dampierre, Bailey & Garrow were Council for Sir John, — & Adolphus
& Sir Vicary Gibbs for Verner & Hood. —
Liberty of the Press
[Lord Ellenborough at different periods, & early, shewed that He
did not think the publication of Verner & Hood libellous. — He contended
that the public taste shd. not be allowed to be vitiated by foolish publica-
tions & that they were fair objects of ridicule ; & that while the author
was identified with His work, & not attacked separately from it in respect
to His Moral character, or in other respects foreign to the publication
thus ridiculed, there was no ground for an action. —
He sd. that shd. this be admitted to be a Case where an action for
a libel wd. lye, He did not know that anything wd. be more fatal to that
liberty of the Press which it was so proper to maintain. — Still He left
9 1
92 The Farington Diary [1808
it to the Jury [to] consider Whether in the publication by Verner &
Hood there was anything in the nature of the attack upon Sir John
Carr but what strictly belonged to and arose out of His publications ;
anything that could be justly sd. to affect Him but as an Author, If
they did they wd. give their verdict accordingly. He observed that
Sir John might have the sale of a work prevented by ridicule thrown
upon His former publications ; but that was a consequence He must
submit to, when He presented Himself to the public as an author, if
such should happen. — Locke wrote down Filmer ; — many other instances
had been known ; — and it was fit that the religion, the morals & the
taste as well as the judgment of the people upon all subjects shd. be pre-
served by everything relating to them which might be published being
open to Criticism & exposure if thought to merit it. — From small note-
book.]
Garrow's business is prodigious. He does not now go a regular Cir-
cuit, but is retained to go to 9 different places where the Assizes will
be held, to be paid 300 guineas for each trial, so that He will in the course
of Six weeks put 2700 guineas in His pocket. —
John Aytoun, after the trial, lamented to me that Sir John had
been moved to bring it on, saying it wd. be of bad consequence to Him
by lowering Him in the opinion of those to whom He looks up, & probably
disappoint Him of a place under government which He had reckoned
upon obtaining.
July 27. — Westall called & told me Sir John Carr was assured by
His Council, Messrs. Garrow, Dampierre & Bailey, that He wd. have
a decission in His favor. — Some persons have urged Him to move
for a new trial, on account of the conduct of Lord Ellenborough who
prejudged the cause before evidence had been heard. I told Westall
it wd. be very foolish in Him to attempt doing anything more in the
business. —
A Sparring Match
July 29. — Lord Elgin's I went to at one oClock to a Pugilistic
Sparring match. — Gulley sparred with Belcher — Dutch Sam with
Belcher Junr. — Jackson with Gulley. — Dutch Sam whose figure was
much admired by Rossi on acct. of the Symmetry & the parts being
expressed — told me that He measured 5 feet 6 Inches & \ — & that His
weight was 9 Stone 7 pounds & a Half. — Gulley told me that He measured
5 feet Eleven Inches. —
Lawrence called, I spoke to Him respecting the proposed publica-
tion of Heads by Cadell & Davis. — He sd. He did not think it wd. be
adviseable for Him to appear as an Artist employed in that work, — or
that if He had a few Heads which He could give them the use of, that
it wd. be prudent for Him to seem to be doing the same thing that to
Edridge is a profession. — He also objected to drawings being made
from pictures painted by Him, unless the whole picture shd. be faith-
fully imitated, and not a Head copied & a slight indication to be given
1808 ] R.A. Generosity 93
of the other parts. — He sd. Schiavonetti, the engraver, had demanded
500 guineas, if employed to engrave in stroke the portrait of Mr. Pitt.—
August 1. — Mrs. Nixon called having come to town to prepare
for their removal to Devonshire.— She sd. Nixon [A.R.A., engraver]
eats & sleeps well, can feed Himself, & amuses Himself with reading.—
Mr. Hearne has informed Her that the Executors of Marchi will pay
Her the whole of the legacy which, deducting the Duty of 10 pr. cent will
leave to them £135. — We talked of the Academy Pension Fund ; I gave
my opinion that it wd. not be prudent for Her to expect the Council
wd. do more than make up the Pension, now £36 a year, £80. — I stated
to Her the large Sum which Nixon has reed, from the Academy, —
at one time £150 — & since so much as to make the whole towards £500.
She sd. she had not heard these particulars before, and that He did not
seem sensible that He had reed, more than others have done, & men-
tioned Rebecca as an instance. I told Her Rebecca [A.R.A., who died
on Feb. 23, 1808], had abt. £42 a year allowed to Him. — Northcote, I
called on [August 4th] for information respecting the Academy dona-
tions. He sd. £25 had been voted to Mrs. Edwards, & He insisted that
she ought to be considered as having a right to it. — [Bartolozzi] Junr.
15 guineas. — Gill, reduced from 12 to [6] guineas, — Sophia Cozens 8
guineas, — Mrs. Carver, 15 Guineas. — In all abt. ^260 voted. —
August 3. — Westall told me that Rogers [the poet] was the only
person to whom He had sent His Poems lately published, who had not
acknowledged the receeit of them.
The Colleton Family
August 6. — Mrs. Nixon told me Sir James Colleton* reed. £10,000
from Government as a compensation for what His family lost in America.
He is abt. 60 years of age, & has 7 children. His eldest son is a Captain
in the Artillery, & a good young man.f — Sir James purchased an estate
with the £10,000, it is near Hemel Hempsted in Hertfordshire. Having
been a Clerk in the Secretary of State's Office He has a Pension of abt.
£80 a yr. from thence. — Lady Colleton is abt. 52 years old. —
* Sir James Nassau Colleton (1752-1815), sixth Baronet, was married at St. Pancras on
December 3, 1778, to Susannah, daughter of William Nixon, of Lincoln. According to
Burke's Peerage Sir James had eight children (three sons and five daughters). His widow
died in 1830.
tSir James Roupell Colleton (1783-1848) was baptised at St. Michael's, Charleston,
South Carolina.
Sir John, the first Baronet (1608- 1668), took an active part as a Royalist in the Civil
Wars. He raised a regiment within ten days, and spent some ,£40,000 in the King's service,
besides losing a larger sum by sequestration. Obliged eventually to go to Barbados, he
returned after the Restoration, and was made a Baronet in February, 1 660-1. Sir John
received a grant of large dominions in North America.
The present Baronet (the ninth), Sir Robert Augustus William Colleton, acted as Briga-
dier-General in the Great War, 1915-17.
94 The Farington Diary [1808
She spoke of Mr. Turner, an old acquaintance of Nixon, being a
native of Lincoln, & now near 70 years of age. He was agent for the
late Prince of Hesse for property left the Prince by His Aunt the Princess
Amelia. — He proved to be a very unprincipled man. He defrauded
the Prince and many others, among them Major Thomlinson of Lincoln
having sold His Commission confided to Him £1500 to be placed in the
Funds, which He pretended was done, & the interest He paid regularly,
till His difficulties caused an exposure of His conduct when it was found
that He had never placed that money in the Funds & thereby the Major
was reduced to distress. —
Sir George and Lady Beaumont
August 9. — Owen called ; Had been at Dunmow with Sir G.
Beaumont three weeks, in which time He had nearly finished a whole
length of Old Lady Beaumont now in Her ninety-first year. She rises
at 7 & associates with the family, & continues up till Half-past 9 at night,
is chearful & as Owen sd. strong. — Sir George is much pleased with the
picture, & will have a whole length of His Wife painted by Owen the
next winter. Owen was much delighted with Sir George, who He found
quite a different man from what He seemed to be in London, — very
entertaining — playful even Boyish. They parted, Owen believes, very
well disposed towards each other. — He thought Lady Beaumont more
to His liking than He had expected, — She has whims, & fanciful notions,
— but is grateful when attention is paid to Her observations. — Dance
is a prodigious favorite with them. — They left Dunmow on Saturday
last to go to Haverhill in Essex to pass a few days with Mrs. Howland,
Sister to Old Lady Beaumont, — & were to be at Cole Orton on Friday
the 1 2th inst. to take posession of their new House. — Sir George mentioned
a very rude attack made upon Him by Sir Wm. Beechey who having
painted a Portrait of Lord Mulgrave for Sir George expected that Sir
George wd. have sat to Him & not to Lawrence though this was done
at Lord Mulgrave's desire. —
August 11. — Smirke called. — He spoke of WestaWs Poems having
read them. — He sd. they had very much the character of His works as
a Painter, — not much originality or strength of conception — but express
an amiable feeling and will not lessen His general character in respect of
talent. —
CHAPTER XXXI
1808
By Coach to Manchester
Sunday, August 14th. 1808 I left London with my nephew William
Farington R.N. and proceeded to Lancashire where after [making]
an excursion to Cheshire & Cumberland, I remained till February 4th.
1809 when we returned to London accompanied by my Brother Richard,
and arrived in Charlotte Street on Monday February 6th. 1809. —
August 14. — Rose at 5, and at 6 was taken up at the end of How-
land St. by a Coach which goes from Golden Cross, Charing Cross to
Liverpool, carrying Four persons. — William Farington accompanied
me, and the Coach had its full number, which made our journey in
this respect very disagreeable as it was scarcely possible for Four grown
up persons to be squeezed into it. — We breakfasted at Redburn, beyond
St. Albans, dined at Northampton, and got to Leicester at half-past
Ten oClock. The Fare to that place was £2. — We slept at the Bell Inn
which is an excellent House.
August 15. — At Half-past 10 we left Leicester and proceeded
in the Mail Coach to Derby, where we arrived at Three oClock, — went
to the Bell Inn, a House we had not much reason to approve, but allow-
ance was to be made for the Derby races happening to be at this time. —
No waiters — only maid Servants. After dinner I walked in the vicinity
of the town and fixed upon a situation from whence to make a view of
Derby for Messrs. Cadell & Davis. The owner of a House near that
spot told me that a view had been made from it some time ago. —
Derby Races
August 16. — At 10 oClock began to draw the view of Derby, the
South west, and was closely employed till past three oClock, and com-
pleted it. — The situation I took it from is called the Abbey fields. I
was afterwards engaged till 5 oClock in making notes in my sketch book
of particular parts of the different steeples to enable me to give its proper
character to each, knowing that without a knowledge of the parts,
however reduced the scale of the drawing it cannot be done. — The Town
was now all hurry & bustle, carriages & Horses & footpeople hastening
95
96 The Farington Diary [1808
to the race Course in every direction. The Races begin abt. 5 oClock. —
In the evening an Assembly to which William went, — much company,
but a much greater proportion of men than of Women. — The Marquiss
of Hartington was there being one of the Stewards of the Races. After
dancing till one oClock when a supper is set out for everybody, — the price
of admittance to Gentlemen 7 Shillings.
August 19. — Called on Mr. Harland.* He spoke in favor of Red
Port in preference of White Wine saying in the latter lead is used in pre-
paring it which renders it a slow poison, — I finished the view of Ash-
bourn ; & after taking some refreshment, at three o'clock set off for
Dovedale. The evening was fine. We passed through the Dale, the
length about a mile & a Half, and were attended by an Old Woman who
inhabits a Cottage near the entrance of the Dale, & accompanies persons
who visit it. We found Her at the age of 73 or 4 very active, & good
humoured, I made two sketches in the Dale ; and began to ascend
from it at the opposite end abt. 7 oClock. This ascent is steep and the
walk was to me very fatiguing. We arrived at Hanson Grange the
Habitation of a respectable person apparently one who farms His own
estate. — The road to Buxton passes at the distance of near a mile from
Hanson Grange, & the Driver remained on the road, while we were ex-
pecting Him at the Grange, where the owner, Mr. Gould, aged 85 — told
us He would give us beds shd. we stand in need of them. — At length
we learnt where the Chaise was stationed, which, coming through the fields
from the road, we took leave of the good Old Man, & His niece & pro-
ceeded in it to Newhaven 5 miles distant, art excellent Inn, at \ past
9 oClock. —
A Buxton Landlady
August 20. — Proceeded to Buxton, where I made a view of the
place, and dined at the Eagle & Child, where we experienced a sharp
look out for what she could get in the Landlady. She charged 18 pence
for the Chaise having stopped at their Inn witht. our taking one from
thence, — and put it in the Bill as fare for the Driver. — She sd. it was their
custom to do so. At \ past 4 we left this place in the Manchester Coach
& proceeded to Stockport where we arrived at 7 & took a chaise to Parrs-
wood, and at 8 oClock found Dick & Eliza there well & witht. company, t
August 21. — Went to Didsbury Church to morning and afternoon
Service. Mr. Gatcliffe a fellow of the Collegiate Church at Manchester
officiated. — This day, as it afterwards appeared the Battle of Vimiera
was fought in Portugal. —
August 22. — I began to work on drawings for Messrs Cadell & Davis
for the Topographical publication to accompany Lysons's Brittania. —
This day — in Portugal, Sir A. Wellesley signed the disgraceful Armistice
with Kellerman. [See next chapter and footnote.]
* Surgeon and apothecary, Ashbourne.
t Farington' s brother Richard and his wife.
Original Drawing.
By Joseph Farington.
[To face p. 96.
1808] A Bath Boarding House 97
August 26. — William Hardman* & His Son John called [at Parrs
Wood]. There are many collectors of pictures at Manchester at present.
Wm. Hardman has about 70 pictures. He noticed Prince Hoare having
in a publication mentioned Him as a Collector of modern art. —
September 1. — We dined at Mr. Withingtons. — Mrs. Withington
told me that two nieces of Mrs. W. are at Mrs. Broadhurst's (Frances
Whittaker) at Bath. — They pay each £120 a year, and all private expenses.
— No carriage kept, — Mrs. Broadhurst has now seven grown up young
Ladies, wd. take Ten. — They breakfast at 9. — are afterwards employed
two Hours with Mr. Broadhurst, the Husband, in His Library, where
He reads and explains. — He is a dissenting Clergyman. They afterwards
pass two Hours with Mrs. Broadhurst in the Drawing room, — at two
oClock walk — dine at four, — and in the evening in turn go out with
Mrs. B.—
A Bath Schoolmistress
September 2. — Mrs. Harrison spoke of Mrs. Murray Aust.f Mrs.
Murray while a young woman was patronised by Mrs. Montagu, author
of the reply to Voltaire on His attack upon Shakespere, — She kept a
school at Bath, and at Kensington and saved £8000. She then married
the Honble. Mr. Murray. He had only a Pension, and Her income
contributed much to His comfort. — Five or six years ago she married
Mr. Aust, Secretary or Treasurer to Chelsea Hospital and formerly in
the Secretary of States Office. He settled ^1200 a year upon Her in
case of Her Surviving Him. His income is £3000 a year. Their ages
are nearly equal ; abt. 64. He had a daugr. by a former marriage but
she died. Mrs. M. Aust is a great Fossilist, — She has lost one Eye, the
effect, she thinks, of over application to study. Her maiden name
was Mays. —
* A Manchester merchant.
f Sarah Maese (1744-1811), known as "The Hon. Mrs. Murray, of Kensington," was
married on August 11, 1783, to Hon. William Murray, a captain in the Navy and brother
of the fourth Earl of Dunmore. Her husband died in 1786, and on November 1, 1802,
she married George Aust, Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Mrs. Aust, who
died on November 5, 181 1, was well known as a topographical writer.
VOL. V.
CHAPTER XXXII
A British Victory
September 3. — Mrs. Worsley called.* She spoke of Her eldest
Son who had been at Eaton. She sd. He was unpolished at Eaton.
He had 3 fags, Boys subject to Him being junior to Him, a custom
at that Seminary, He being Captain of His Class. — •
In the evening an acct. came of a victory having been obtained in
Portugal by the British army commanded by Sir Arthur Wellesley over
the French General Junot, on the 23rd of August. The loss of the
French 4500 men. — Ours 1200 men. — This information came by the
Defiance & Telegraph Coaches. — Went to bed 20 m. after 10. Bells
ringing at the Churches. —
September 7. — A letter has been reed, from Captn. Crompton of
the 9th regt. stating that at the battle of Vimiera,t the French advanced
to within 20 yards and then ran. The French Sharp Shooters killed
several of the British Officers, but by the manoeuvres of the British troops
they were all inclosed and killed. — ■
September 16. — At a quarter past 8 left Parrs-wood & proceeded
... to the George Inn, Sandbach. It happened to be Sandbach
fair day, — the House was filled with company & noise. — We were obliged
to procure beds at a Farmer's in the town. This night news was brought
* Mrs. Worsley, of Piatt, near Manchester.
t Wellesley captured a position at Vimiera on August 17, and on the morning of the
2 1 st Junot attacked him and was defeated with a loss of, says one authority, " over two
thousand men, about three times that of the British."
Wellesley was not allowed to follow up this victory and the enemy were able to retreat,
to Torres Vedras. Agreeing in principle with the Cintra Convention, he, on August 22,
signed the Armistice, and thus rendered himself open to the charge of negotiating the
Convention referred to. A Court of Inquiry was held at Chelsea on November 17, and
in the final report on the 22nd December the Armistice was approved by all but one of
the members.
98
1808] Disgrace and Lamentation 99
from Newcastle under Lyme of the Surrender of Junot & His army,
in Portugal. The Bells rung till midnight-
September 17. — Before breakfast looked at the Antique Cross
in the Market Place, — a remarkable specimen of an early period. — Before
9 left Sandbach & proceeded to Nantwich 12 miles, over a paved road
through a flat country, full of Hedge rows. Made the Crown Inn our
Head quarters, a respectable House. — I proceeded to make notes of the
Church it being of a singular form, and the only remarkable building
in the town, that is conspicuous ; after which I went to a station from
whence I had a South East view of the town, and made a drawing for
Messrs Cadell & Davis. — We dined at -| past 4 — and in the evening
the London Post brought newspapers which contained an account of the
disgraceful Convention with Junot, which allowed Him & His Army
to be transported to France with their arms & much of their plunder
in British Vessels. This turned the joy which had been excited by the
report the day before into lamentation.
September 18.— Went to Church of which the Revd. Mr. Clarke
is Vicar. He officiated and the Curate preached. The Service was
preceded by a Psalm sung by a Body of Children who are employed in
Cotton works. The People sat during the singing till Gloria Patri was
sung. — After divine service we left Nantwich & proceeded to Tarperly
11 miles, passing Buxton Castle, which was on our left hand a mile & \
before we reached Tarperly & a mile or two distant from the road. The
Rock on which the remains of the Castle stand resembles in its form that
on which Edinburgh Castle & Stirling Castle are erected. A precipice
in front tapering off. The road from Nantwich to Tarperly is on a paved
bottom covered with sand on earth, — generally good & in many parts
excellent. — At Tarperly where we stopped to change our Chaise and Horses
we found a large & commodious Inn built to accommodate these gentlemen
of the County who form the Tarperly Hunt. —
Old Chester
We proceeded to Chester ; and at about two miles before we reached
the City I was struck with the appearance of the town above which
the Welsh mountains rise in fine forms and long picturesque lines. Before
entering the town, in the suburbs, the City appeared to so much ad-
vantage, the public buildings, the River Dee, & the rising ground on which
the town stands were displayed and I determined after going to different
spots adjacent upon a situation from whence to make a drawing. I found
that [Warwick] Smith in His view taken near the point I fixed upon Had
omitted the Cathedral, & paid so little attention to the forms of other
public buildings which He did introduce that it was scarcely possible to
ascertain what He intended to represent. His view was in every respect
incorrect — and proved the necessity of having another representation
of this City for Messrs. Cadell & Davis.
VOL. V. 7*
loo The Farington Diary [1808
In the Rows
We drove to the Hotel, the principal place of accomodation for
travellers in Chester. The House is built upon arches dark & gloomy
with a Coffee room in the front upon the ground floor, and offices of various
kinds. Above stairs are rooms into one of which we were shewn and
had no reason to complain of want of conveniences or of attention.
While dinner was preparing we walked in the Rows, foot ways through
most of the streets in this City and for which the town is remarkable.
They are ascended by steps and pass along before the door & windows
of Shops, chiefly the upper part of each House projecting towards the
street forms a covered way supported by stone or timber, with railing
to prevent accidents from persons falling into the street. The rows are
also used as a sort of parade in bad weather, and the chief objection
to them seems to be the darkness and gloom which [are] caused by such
a mode of buildings. We found the rows crowded with people of all
sorts walking for their amusement. We were informed that yesterday
the Bells were rung with joy on receiving the first reports of the sur-
render of Junot, but to day dejection succeeded the account of the
Convention having sunk the spirits of the public, seeming to have affected
the minds of all descriptions of persons. —
Every Newspaper Condemned the Act
September 19. — We breakfasted in the Coffee room which is a
public subscription room to which strangers at the Hotel are admitted.
We read the Gazette extraordinary containing the particulars of the
Convention in Portugal, and every newspaper contained expressions of
the warmest kind condemning the act as most disgraceful to Great
Britain, & unjust to Her Allies. — The Sun, The Globe, The Pilot, The
Traveller, The Star, — papers of all parties concurred in execrating the
measure. —
After breakfast I proceeded to the station I had fixed upon & from
the window of a small garden room belonging to a public House, the Black
Lyon, — on the right hand of the road to Tarperly, began a view of Chester.
The Smoke of the town interrupted me much & made my progress very
tedious. — I began to draw at ten oClock & continued employed till 20
minutes before 4 oClock.
CHAPTER XXXIII
1808
Dallas the Judge
September 20. — We walked to the Castle and inspected the
different parts of that building. Harrison* the architect employed
to design & to superintend the building of it still receives an annuity
of £400 from the County, the whole of the design not having been com-
pleted. — The building is of free stone, brought 8 miles. — The Court
very spacious & of good form. —
Three men were [at] this time confined & under sentence of death.
They were in separate cells. In each Cell is a place to sit in, & an interior
place has a bed in it, — all stone. — Blankets on each bed. — These men
are brought out each day twice for a short time. They were now in
their cells & seemed to be in a state of great agitation. Two of them
were reading aloud & in a violent manner. A third, a Jew, appeared to
be less affected. The other two were condemned for wounding &c.
John and Thomas Farrington, farmers in this neighbourhood. — There
had not been an execution at Chester in the last seven years. Mr.
Dallas,t one of the Judges, on the Chester Establishment, will not [allow]
Felons suffer punishment if He can prevent it, though for crimes, for
which other Judges wd. urge their execution. This our guide informed
us is the opinion entertained of His administration of Justice. —
Debtors are confined contiguous to the Gaolers House. Felons, on
a lower level. Women are kept separate from the men. There are Hot
& Cold Baths for the prisoners. They have clean linen once a week,
on Sundays. Prayers and a Sermon are read to all the prisoners debtors
included, every Sunday, & on Wednesdays & Fridays also prayers are
read. The Chaplain is paid for this duty £30 a year. Convicted, Felons
have a curtain drawn before them which prevents their being seen.
At a Church near the Castle was at this time carried for burial a Serjeant
of the 8th regt. Soldiers fired 3 volleis over the grave. —
* Thomas Harrison, who also built the Grosvenor Bridge across the Dee at Chester.
See Index, Vols. I., II.
t Sir Robert Dallas (1756-1824), who succeeded Sir Vicary Gibbs as Chief Justice in
1818. See Vol. II., page 102 and footnote.
IOI
102 The Farington Diary [1808
Eaton Hall
September 21. — At 10 oClock went to Eaton, Lord Grosvenors,
four miles from Chester, and as the house is not now shewn except by-
application to & permission from Lord Grosvenor, I carried a note
and sent it to the House by the Post Boy who returned with His Lord-
ships compts. and that I might see the House. — William [his nephew]
accompanied me.— After looking at several apartments in many of which
were workmen, I met Porden, the architect of the building, who then
became our conductor, and shewed us the remainder of it. The House
was begun to be built abt. 5 years & \ ago, — the stone was brought from
a quarry 16 miles off. — The House is 280 feet long by about 100 feet deep :
nine windows in a line in the East and West Fronts, & seven windows in
the North & South.
Liverpool Superior to Manchester
September 22. — We crossed the river in a boat rowed by three
Watermen who are paid by the Proprietors of the Coach, but solicit
from strangers some further reward. The River is here one mile and a
quarter in width ; but the tide being coming in we went along shore
almost to Seaham before we crossed it. The best view of Liverpool I
judge to be from Seaham, the principal buildings being better seen and
the town more condensed and a better subject for painting. When we
landed we were accosted by Men and Boys eager to carry our luggage
to the George Inn which had been recommended to us & where we arrived
at \ past 10 oClock. —
William was struck with the appearance of the town as being greatly
superior to Manchester. We breakfasted, and then walked three Hours ;
— saw the line of Docks, — the Lyceum, — The Atheneum, — The new Ex-
change Buildings, — The Town Hall, &c. — There are in Liverpool Six
rooms for reading newspapers & periodical publications, to none of which
are strangers admitted to read unless introduced by a subscriber. — 800
Subscribers at one guinea each annually. —
September 29. — Professor Porson,* died on Sunday last 26th.
at the London Institution of which He was Librarian.
October 30. — Mr. Fielding,t the Counsel, & Son of the celebrated
Henry Fielding, was lately appointed a Presiding Justice.
Burns 's First Editor
December 7. — Miss Kennedy spoke to me of the late Dr. Currie,
physician at Liverpool. He died of a disorder which had affected him
during 30 years ; — something abt. the heart. He left Liverpool a little
* Richard Porson, Professor of Greek at Cambridge. See Index, Vols. I., II.
t William Fielding, eldest son of Henry Fielding. See Vol. IV., page 80 and footnote.
1808] Mrs. Barbauld 103
time before He died & went to Bath, thinking that Climate more favour-
able. There He would have been much employed, but growing worse
He went to Exmouth to which place Miss Kennedy, at His desire, fol-
lowed Him, & saw Him before He expired. He was married & had Six
Children. — His disposition was most amiable.
Burns, the Scotch poet, was introduced to him by the late Mr. Riddle
of Friars Carse near Dumfries & was so much struck & pleased with the
appearance & manner of Dr. Currie, that He afterwards sd. to Mr.
Riddle, " Your friend Dr. Currie's face is a fine passport to Heaven."*
Miss Kennedy said that the late Revd. Rochemont Barbauld,
husband to Mrs. Barbauld, the Author, (ci devant Miss Aikin of
Warrington) had been in an insane state sometime previous to His
death. He conceived a violent antipathy to Mrs. Barbauld, & one day
came into a room where she was & told Her He was determined she should
die, & that she should drink a bottle of laudanum which He held in His
hand or He wd. kill her otherways. He had also another bottle for
Himself. She had presence of mind to say to him " If that was his
determination He had better lock the door." — This He turned from Her
to do, & she immediately threw Herself from the window. He, however,
drank His bottle of laudanum but medical assistance being called the
effects of it were prevented. He continued to feel the same antipathy
to Her. He put an end to His life by drowning himself which He did with
much preparation. He wrote in a paper who He was & where His body
should when found be carried, & threw Himself into the New River, near
London. f
* James Currie (1756-1805), born in the Parish of Kirkpatrick Fleming, Dumfriesshire,
was the son of a minister. His writings include " Medical Reports on the Effects of Water,
Cold, and Warm, as a Remedy in Fever and Febrile Diseases " (1797), and the Life of Burns,
which was written for the benefit of the poet's widow and children. According to the
D.N.B. Currie died at Sidmouth, and it states also that he " had but once spoken to Burns
for a few minutes in the streets of Dumfries in 1792," the same year in which Farington
met the poet at the house of Mr. Walter Riddel, of Friars Carse, Dumfries. See Vol. I.,
page 331 and footnote.
t Mrs. Anna Letitia Barbauld (1743-1825), poet and essayist, and only daughter of
John Aikin, D.D., was born at Kibworth, Leicestershire. At the age of thirty she published
her first volume of poems, which established her reputation. Of her essay, " Inconsistency
in our Expectations " (1773), Dr. Johnson said that she, of all his followers, had best imitated
the sentiment as well as the diction of his writings. In 1774 she married the Rev. Roche-
mont Barbauld, whose family settled in England in the reign of Louis XIV. After her
husband's death in London in 1808 Mrs. Barbauld devoted her life to literature, and pro-
duced, among other works, the " Origin and Progress of Novel Writing," and the despon-
dent poem, " Eighteen Hundred and Eleven," to which Crabb Robinson refers in these
terms : " It prophesies that on some future day a traveller from the Antipodes will from
a broken arch of Blackfriars Bridge contemplate the ruin of St. Paul's (this is the original
of Macaulay's New Zealander). This [poem] was written more in sorrow than in anger,
but there was a disheartening and even gloomy tone, which I, even with all my love for
her, could not quite excuse. It provoked a very coarse review in the Quarterly, which
many years after Murray told me he was more ashamed of than any other article in the
review."
104 The Farington Diary [1808
Local Worthies
After the ladies retired we sat sometime with Mr. [Archy] Bell, who
told us He was 83 years of age, but time had not weakened His bodily
powers so as to prevent Him from filling His glass with Port wine more
frequently than it would have suited us to do. — And this, we were in-
formed is His habit. He eats very little ; & is fond of late Hours, by
choice not going to bed, till one, two, or three oClock in a morning,
yet rising at the hour of the family he happens to be with. — His person
is thin ; — His manner very chearful. What he drank seemed to have
no effect upon Him. —
He spoke of an acquaintance of His, one who He had known 60 years ;
who in His youth disregarded religion wholly, — but marrying a beautiful
woman, He became a solemn Methodist, & was accustomed to take His
young wife to a Methodist Chapel sometimes at the early hour of 5 in
the morning, walking with a dark lanthorn. — He professed Methodism
several years, but Mr. Bell thought it was from policy as it afforded him
a pretence upon His being married to separate Himself from His gay
companions. — From being a Methodist He became a Churchman accord-
ing to the established usage, having by this time acquired a considerable
fortune, & feeling more restraint from Methodism. — He mentioned other
particulars, & concluded with saying, " Jack, is abt. 78 years old, & on
the whole may be sd. to have more foibles than faults. As to feeling
Jack has had sufficient to shew that He is a Philosopher & can bear
trials."
A Breach of the Law
[In the Court of Kings Bench yesterday Captain Chambers, son
of the late Sir William Chambers Architect, R.A. recovered £2120
from Wm. Jones Esqr. Marshal of the Kings Bench for having
suffered Captn. Caulfield to live out of the Prison doors, with Mrs. Cham-
bers, wife of the Plaintiff, at Bryanstone St. & at Hampton court, at
which place He died, & His body was brought to His lodgings in the rules
of the King's Bench Prison to be buried. This was in law considered
an escape & the Plaintiff had therefore to look to the Marshal for indemnifi-
cation for the escape, & the Council hoped the Marshal had good security
to look to for His indemnification in suffering the Prisoner to live out of
the prison-doors. — Note — £2120 was the Sum (damages) given against
Captn. Caulfield for Crim : Con : with Mrs. Chambers. She is a natural
daugr. of Admiral Lord Rodney. — From small note-book.]
A Manchester Magistrate
December 9. — Two persons were brought to Dick [Farington's
brother] as a Magistrate, they having been taken up by Nagle, a Man-
chester Police Officer, on Kersal Moor, with their Seconds, having met to
fight a duel, in consequence of a quarrel at dinner yesterday. They now
gave bail to keep the peace, each of them in £250 for Himself in £500,
& their Sureties in £250. — They were commercial men, one of them from
1808] A Manchester Magistrate 105
Ireland. — An Officer, a young man, abt. 28 years of age, also came, in
consequence of having had his watch stole, but recovered by Nagle,
in a place which it has been the wish of the Magistrates to indite, & the
officer was required to make a report against it, on condition of having his
watch restored to him. But He being a married man, was in much
distress of mind, & wrote pathetically what He could not speak, express-
ing adoration for His wife, who is gone to Her relations to be confined,
& condemning His own imprudence. The watch belonged to His Father,
& the loss of it must excite suspicion. After an admonition Dick ordered
the watch to be delivered to Him. He retired filled with gratitude. —
Three Boys were brought to be sworn in Soldiers. The eldest 18. —
Another 15, the youngest 13. — The two last were Sons of Soldiers, & were
to be Trumpeters. — The eldest was to receive 16 guineas bounty money,
but certain Cloaths were to be purchased for Him & paid for out of it.
— Boys of 15 they enlist if only 5 feet one inch high. — Men of 20 they
enlist if 5 feet 4 Inches. —
Inspired by the Harp
December 10. — Wm. Hardman was full of admiration of the extra-
ordinary genius of H. Burns, as promising to be one of the greatest artists
this country has known.* — While in Wales in November last, He took
with him on his drawing excursion a Welsh Harper, & placed Him on
a rock near Him that His spirits might be exhilarated whilst He was
drawing by the inspiring sounds of the Harp. — He spoke with surprise
of the astonishing rapidity with which He restored a picture on Wednes-
day last, which Having been finished on Tuesday, (a three-quarter picture,
in 4 days), was in the evening accidentally thrown down by W. Hard-
man. —
Catalani in Manchester
December 12. — Catalani,f Her Husband, & the Italian performers
who accompanied Her lodged at the Bridgewater Arms while they were
in Manchester. The Mistress of the House sd. that on the days Catalani
sung at the Theatre she never eat more than an Egg in the course of the
day, — but had a good supper after Her performance was ended. — She was
not well while she was in Manchester, & was attended by Dr. Ferrier
every day. — She is supposed to have cleared for Herself £500 whilst she
was in Manchester. —
An Election of a Fellow af the Collegiate Church at Manchester took
place this day, when the Revd. Croxton Johnson Rector of Wimslow
in Cheshire was elected. — The Electors were —
The Revd. Dr. Blackburne, Warden. | Revd. Mr. Eccleston.
Revd. Mr. Gatcliffe. | Revd. Dr. Griffith.
* H. Burns is not mentioned in either the D.N.B. or Bryan's Dictionary, but an H.
Burn exhibited two works at the Royal Academy in 1830.
t See Index, Vol. III.
106 The Farington Diary [1808
A daughter of Dr. Blackburne is married to a Brother of Croxton
Johnson's wife. — Croxton Johnson's Grandfather was Clerk & Sexton
at Warrington Under the Revd. Mr. Haddon, Rector. —
Royal Humane Society
[In the Courier of Deer. 9 the following — Died, Deer. 5th, 1808, at
His House in Spittal square Wm. Hawes M.D. Senior Physician to the
London & Surrey Dispensaries, & the establisher in 1774, (in conjunction
with Dr. Coggan), of that meritorious & now flourishing Institution the
Royal Humane Society. — He was in His 73rd year. — From small note-
book.]
CHAPTER XXXIV
i 808-1 809
Manchester Institutions
December 15. — On our way [to Manchester] we called at Mr. Ent-
wistle's* at Rousham, & saw His large landscape by Wilson, for which
He gave 200 guineas, & sd. He had been told it was painted for Lord
Egremont. He observed upon the figures, that Wilson was not success-
ful in painting figures, or to that effect, but they might be like the people
of that country, as the scene represented (I understood) somewhere near
Naples. — I told Him it was more a composition than a view, — & that
Wilson when He painted views seldom adhered to the scene as it was. —
The size of this picture was 6 feet wide by 4 feet 4 Inches |- sight measure.
— He had pictures by Wright of Derby — An erruption of Vesuvius, &
the Girandola at the Castle of St. Angelo, — both hard and black, & many
other indifferent pictures. —
At Manchester I went to the news room, the Portico in Mosely St. —
A very spacious & handsome room, with a gallery above & a Library.
Strangers residing more than 6 miles from Manchester are admitted
gratis, — a Proprietor can by entering the name of a stranger in a Book
placed for that purpose & signing His own give Him an introduction for
three days, & by two Proprietors signing their names introduce Him for
a month. — Subscriptions to the Portico are not allowed, all must be
Proprietors, & the share of a Proprietor costs about £19. —
I went with Harry & Willm. Junr. [Farington's brother and nephew]
to the Commercial room in the Market Place, which is to be opened on
New Years day 1809. — Subscribers to this room must pay 2 guineas
a year if they reside in Manchester or within a certain distance of the
town, — Persons coming from a greater distance, but having establish-
ments (Warehouses) in the town to pay one guinea a yr. — We went to
the Assembly rooms which are very spacious & handsome, with very
large pier glasses, Chandeliers & Girandolas. — Thomas Borronf told
* Mr. William Entwhistle, or Entwisle, lent a landscape, painted by R. Wilson, for
Dr. John Hunter, to the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition in 1857.
I Manchester merchant. See Index, Vol. III.
107
108 The Farington Diary [1808-1809
me trade is in as bad a state at present as He has ever known it to be.
— But I was afterwards told He speaks too despondingly. —
A Quaint Chief Justice
December 16. — Christian, Chief Justice of Ely has obtained various
places of emolument which make Him up an income of from 12 to ^15°°
a year. Mr. Cross sd. Christian is very well informed in Constitutional
law, but has not so much of that which is required for common & general
practise. — He has a singularity of temper which has laid Him open to
ridicule amongst His Juniors in that profession, — being at times jocose
& exciting laughter by making Himself a willing sort of but, but after-
wards affecting solemnity from considering His dignity to have been
affected by it. This foible being observed caused the young men of his
profession to seek opportunities to play upon it. — Cross said : He is a
very good scholar. — After tea we played Cards, a round game, — also
a Whist table. —
December 25. — [Buonaparte by a recent ordinance has imposed
a monthly tax upon every woman of the town in Paris.*
December 31. — The disposition of the American government towards
this country, & its partiality to France has been fully manifested in a
letter this day published in the Courier. It is written by General Arm-
strong, the American Minister at Paris, to M. Champagny, the French
Minister for foreign affairs.
Died at His House in Clifton, near Bristol, Thomas Beddoes, M.D.f
1808. June 3rd [Price of] Wallsend Coals 62 shillings & 6d. per. C.
„ In July. Do. 60 Shillings, do.
„ March 26th. Do. 72 Shillings, do. — From small note-book.]
1809
Sir John Moore's Retreat
January 2. — America & the Embargo was spoken of. — Thomas
Borron sd. that whatever the general character of the people of that
country may be, there are very honest men in it who in commercial
dealings act with strict integrity. —
After tea a round game was played (Speculation) in which the Children
were included and all won, as it was managed. —
January 11. — The newspapers informed us of Sir John Moore
having advanced to attack Marshal Soult, but Buonaparte coming from
* The penalty was 100 francs, imposed on any prostitute found pursuing her vocation
without a licence.
t Of Beddoes, the Courier said : " If by His death Physick has lost one of her ablest
Practitioners, Philosophy certainly has been deprived of one of Her profoundest disciples.
As an Author He was read and admired, and as a private character He was esteemed and
beloved. If Jealousy detracted from His merit while living justice will be done to His
merit now He is dead."
Sir John Moore.
By Lawrence.
[National Portrait Gallery.
[To face p. 108.
1809] Sir John Moore's Retreat 109
Madrid with an overwhelming force, Sir John retreated & had arrived at
Astorga on his way to Vigo ; where 20 Sail of the line and 200 transports
were waiting the event of his proceedings. The British Cavalry had had
several engagements with French Cavalry & been successful in all of
them. — Genl. Lefebre was taken & was brought to Plymouth. —
January 14. — Mr. Mallory called. He spoke highly of Mr. Faring-
ton of Shaw Hall,* — sd. He was a good fellow, & lived more in the good,
substantial old English manner than any other one He knew. — Of Mrs.
Farington He also spoke highly. —
January 25. — William Junr. [Farington's nephew] came from
Manchester to dinner, & brought the newspapers, giving an acct. of the
embarkation of the British troops at Corunna, after an engagement
with the French on Monday 16th. inst. in which Sir John Moore was
killed, — Sir David Baird &c. wounded.
February 6. — Arrived in Charlotte Street [Farington's] before
three oClock, I having been absent from home five months & 22 days.
* Col. William Ffarington, of Shawe Hall (1766-1837), a relative of the Diarist. See
Burke's Landed Gentry.
CHAPTER XXXV
1809
A Cause Gelebre
January 31. — The Papers of Saturday last gave reports of the
Motion of Mr. Wardle in the House of Commons respecting the conduct
of the D of Y as C in-C . — It was the subject of general
conversation in Manchester.*
Boydell and the Banker
February 10. — Boydell called, & gave me parts of two Morning
Chronicle's containing an acct. of their trial in the King's bench, at
* According to the Morning Post's report of the proceedings, Mr. Wardle charged the
D of Y— — with improper conduct as C in-C . He alleged that the D — —
granted commissions in the Army to officers who in order to obtain them paid considerable
sums of money to Mrs. Clarke, who was said to be the D — — 's mistress. Among the
many cases of this traffic was that of Captain S — ■ — e, for whom " Mrs. Clarke must have
exerted her influence more strongly than usual, for it appears that Major S e was no
favourite of the C in-C . Mrs. Clarke and Mr. S- — ■ — e, however, soon came
to a right understanding, and the latter consented to give the former no less a sum than
,£1,000 on being appointed Deputy-Barrack Master-General at the Cape of Good Hope."
The Major, said Mr. Wardle, paid ^500 of the fee, but Mrs. Clarke was unable to get the
remainder, and she complained bitterly to the D , who felt so enraged that he im-
mediately put Major S e on half-pay.
Mr. Wardle also stated that of his own knowledge there was a public office in the city
where military commissions were sold at cheaper rates than those exacted by Mrs. Clarke,
and that this agency could likewise sell all descriptions of places in the Church and State
owing to the influence of Mrs. Carey, the present mistress of the D — ■ — . This latter
statement caused " a laugh." Mr. Wardle moved for the appointment of a committee
of investigation and Sir Francis Burdett seconded the motion.
Mrs. Clarke (1776-1852) was a well-known courtesan, mistress of Frederick, Duke of
York. In 1803 she took a mansion in Gloucester Place, kept " ten horses and twenty ser-
vants, including three professed men cooks ; she ate off the plate that had belonged to the
Due de Berri, and her wine glasses cost two guineas each." Owing to wild extravagance
and the failure of the Duke of York to pay her regularly the promised ^1,000 a month,
she got into debt, and, in order to get money to settle with her creditors, she, by promising
to use her influence with her Royal lover, obtained considerable sums of money, mainly
from officers in the Army, of which the Duke was then Commander-in-Chief. Against
him was brought by Colonel Wardle, in the House of Commons in 1809, eight charges
" for wrong use of his military patronage." The Duke was acquitted, but he resigned his
post of Commander-in-Chief. See entries under February 26, March 5 and 20, and
April 9.
1 10
1809] Boydell and the Banker ill
Guildhall, with Mr. Drummond the Banker, to oblige Him to compleat
His set of the Shakespere work to which He subscribed. — A new trial is
to be in this or the next term. — Landseer was at the head of the En-
gravers who were on the side of Drummond, and Hoppner, Beechey, &
Bourgeois were also on that side. — On His (BoydelPs) side were Smirke,
— ISforthcote, — Peters — Fuseli &c. — Fuseli, however, expressed himself
privately to be very much disatisfied with a plate engraved by Caldwell
from His picture of Lear. — These witnesses were not examined, as the
Attorney General for Boydell, admitted a non-suit before the trial came
to that point, — not being prepared to prove that Mr. Drummond must
have reed, notice of the publication of the numbers, and that the statute
of limitation wd. protect Him against a Claim not made during 7 years.
— Boydell applied to West to be a witness, and West spoke highly of the
encouragement given to Artists by the BoydelPs, saying that' all the
commissions He had reed, did not amount to £5000 except what He had
had from the King & from Boydell's.— But when West was subpeena'd
He set off for Windsor, & did not appear in Court. —
Turner and Mrs. Danby
February 11. — Calcott told me Turner while He was at Sir John
Leicesters last Summer painted two pictures for Sir John, views of Tabley,
of His 250 guineas size, yet Thomson who was there said, That His time
was occupied in fishing rather than painting. He also begun another
picture. — A Mrs. Danby, widow of a musician, now lives with him,
— She has some children.* —
* Mrs. Danby fell from her estate of mistress to that of keeper of Turner's dingy house
in Queen Anne Street, Portland Place. In 1851, Turner, a broken man, disappeared, and
his whereabouts were unknown until Mrs. Danby, on turning out his clothes one day,
found in a pocket a letter sent from Chelsea. Straight away she and a woman friend walked
to Chelsea and found the great artist at the house of Mrs. Booth, next door to a ginger-beer
shop. She at once informed Mr. Harpur, one of Turner's executors, and he reached the
house in Chelsea in time to see the painter die with the sunshine that he loved illuminating
his weary eyes. Mrs. Danby used to mix his colours, and Turner, always difficult to please,
would frequently say to her : " Can't you set a palette better than this i " The first of
several codicils to his will directs the erection of a gallery to hold his pictures, and the ap-
pointment of Mrs. Danby as custodian, with a salary of ,£100 and ,£50 for assistance, and her
daughters, Georgiana and Evelyn, were each to have ,£100 a year. Bequests were revoked
in the 1848 codicil. Seven months later he in a codicil bequeathed to Mrs. Danby and Mrs.
Booth an annuity of ,£150 each. But the next-of-kin disputed the will and four codicils
proved on September 6, 1852, and after four years' expensive legal wrangling a compromise
was effected on March 19, 1856. The real estate was to go to the heir-at-law, the pictures,
&c, to the National Gallery, ,£1,000 for the erection of a monument in St. Paul's Cathedral,
,£20,000 to the Royal Academy free of legacy duty, the remainder to be divided among the
next-of-kin.
In the above entry it is stated that Mrs. Danby was the widow of a musician. There
was a musician named John Danby (1757-1798) who lived at 8, Gilbert Buildings, Lambeth,
and 26, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden.
112 The Farington Diary [1809
Smirke is Busy
Robert Smirke called. — Lord Lonsdale told Him that / was a great
favourite with Mr. Bowman His Lordship's agent at Whitehaven. —
Robert sd. Lord Lonsdale had been so good to suspend, in some degree,
His works at Lowther, to afford time for Robert to apply to the Covent
Garden theatre business. — Lord Lansdowne and others have offered
commissions to Him which He cannot now accept. — He sd. that by having
the direction of everything at Covent Garden, He should save them much
more than the Architect's pr.centage.
February 13. — Lysons called. — He sd. an opinion was held that Sir
John Moore's conduct in the command of His Army, respecting His
retreat to Corunna was such that it is believed if He had lived to return
to England He wd. have been tried by a Court Martial. — He was over-
come with apprehension & His retreat was rather a flight. His throwing
away the treasure was a foolish thing, as He might have divided it among
the troops in small quantities. —
W. Wells called. — I had company to dinner. — Smirke sd. Mr. Perceval,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, had dined in company where He had ex-
pressed great disatisfaction at the conduct of Sir John Moore. — After
tea, Dance read Cobbet's paper of Saturday on the subject of the D
of Y 's conduct, and He & all present were pleased with His severe
strictures on the D & on the Ministers for their conduct during the
investigation. — The public opinion is unanimously against the D
who has proceeded in so immoral a manner. — Dance had heard that Mr.
Wilberforce had paid great attention to the business & wd. come forward
upon it. —
Cold Water
Dance expressed much indignation at Cadell y Davis, or rather at
Davis, for having proposed to publish prints portraits of remarkable
persons, thereby adopting His (Dance's) idea, and that it had been a
great inducement to Him (Dance) to publish His work witht. further
delay. — He spoke of Sir G. Beaumont's improved health, attributed to
taking Calomel, & to daily washing Himself, body & limbs, with cold water ;
not immersing Himself in cold water, but washing each part successively.
— My Brother sd. that Dr. Dick, who recommended this mode of pro-
ceeding was Surgeon's mate on board [an] East Indiaman ; that He
afterwards settled in Bengal where He was much approved as a Physi-
cian.*
* Mr. Hy. Harries writes : " Farington mentions Dr. Dick, surgeon's mate on an
East Indiaman. There are two Dicks in my index of surgeons.
" (i) John Dick, surgeon of the Woodcot (owner, Robert Wigram, Esq.), sailed from Ports-
mouth 5 June, 1797. The ship was taken by the French frigate Prenuse on April 20, 1798,
in Tellicnerry Roads. This closed the careers of Dick and the Woodcot in the Company's
service.
" (2) William Dick, surgeon of the Admiral Gardner (owner, John Woolmore, Esq.), sailed
from Torbay 22 September, 1797, returned to her moorings 18 July, 1799. Surgeon of the
1809]
Scandal 113
February 14. — Ward called. — He spoke of the D of Y
with much reprobation, & of Mrs. Clarke's spirited & well applied answers
to the questions put to Her in the House of Commons. — He said all who
spoke of this matter were against the D . — He mentioned the pro-
fligacy of the D of C , who is said to have seduced one of the
daugrs. of Mrs. J which she had by Mr. F d, & that she is now
lying in.
Grasping R.A.'s
Philips came to tea. He wished to ask my opinion. The members
of the last Council voted that payment of 5 shillings each shd. be made
to each member attending a Summons for a Council, although a Council
should not be formed. — This being presented in the Treasurers accts.
since Christmas, it caused a debate in the Council. Shee and three other
members thought that as Members attending had never been paid unless
a Council was formed, they ought not now to be paid. Upon this question
the Council divided. — Shee & 3 other members were against the payment.
— Four members, including Philips, were for it. —
West gave the casting vote for it. I told Philips that I disapproved of
it. If any alteration should take place in the practise it should be pro-
posed & receive the sanction of the General Assembly ; that I had always
disapproved of putting new constructions upon words in the Book of
laws, different from the practise & the meaning of those who formed
the laws. —
Castle Eden (owner, Rowland Webster, Esq.), sailed from Torbay 27 May, 1800, returned to
her moorings 7 November, 1801. Surgeon of the Lady Burges (owner, John Prinsep,
Esq.), sailed from Portsmouth 1 March, 1802, returned to her moorings 26 August, 1803.
Presumably John Dick (captured in India) is the one referred to in the Diary."
Mr. H. E. A. Cotton, Calcutta, May 15, 1923, in response to the above letter,
says : " I have been much interested in Mr. Henry Harries' note on Scottish Surgeons in
the marine service of the East India Company. But I venture to think that neither the
John Dick nor the William Dick mentioned by him can be identified with the subject
of the entry in the Diary of February 13, 1809, which runs: 'My Brother [Richard
Atherton Farington, the retired Company's ship's captain] sd. that Dr. Dick . . . was
Surgeon's Mate [not Surgeon] on board [an] East Indiaman : that He afterwards settled
in Bengal, where he was much appreciated as a Physician.' Richard Farington retired
from the Company's service in 1798, and all his voyages after 1784 were made to China :
so that his recollections of Bengal must be of an earlier date to those given in Mr. Harries'
note (1797 to 1803). The Dr. Dick whom we find settled in practice in London in 1809,
and attending on Sir George Beaumont (see entry of March 30, 1809), was, I suggest, another
William Dick, assistant surgeon on the Bengal establishment, whose name appears in various
entries in the Registers of St. John's Church, Calcutta. He was the father of two sons, born
and baptised in Calcutta : Major-General Sir Robert Henry Dick, K.C.B., K.C.H. (bap-
tised on August 6, 1786), who served in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, and was killed at
the battle of Sobraon on February 10, 18 16, by one of the last shots fired : and William
Fleming Dick (baptised on February 20, 1788), who was in the Bengal Civil Service from
1808 to 1838, and married Emily Shakespear, the sister of Sir Richmond Shakespear, and
cousin of W. M. Thackeray. An earlier entry in the Registers records the marriage, on
September 8, 1783, of Mr. William Dick, assistant surgeon, to Miss Charlotte McClaran."
VOL. V. 8
114 The Farington Diary [1809
February 15. — The D s business occupies the attention of all.
Dance said the Ministry would by their weight in the House of Commons
" make Him White"
New Covent Garden Theatre
February 16. — Robert Smirke I called on. — He shewed me the
Elevation of the principal front of the Covent Garden Theatre. — Dance
wished Him to introduce something fanciful & deviating from legitimate
Architecture, which He declined. Wm. Daniell communicated it to
Dance who was at first shocked that He shd. lose so favorable an op-
portunity of introducing what He had recommended, but afterwards
thought His design might do very well. —
February 17. — Lawrence I dined with. He shewed me Ward's
print of Sir F. Baring, His Brother, & Son in law ; — also prints of Lord
Ellenborough and of Lord Mulgrave by Turner, — all very good, Ward's
fine. — One Hundred impressions only are taken off. — Sir F. Baring gave
Ward 300 guineas for the plate. — It was originally proposed to publish
this print, but the Sons of Sir Francis, viz : Henry Baring &c. have
objected to it, because they do not like to have their Father exhibited
with a Ledger before Him. —
A Very Pretty Woman
Lord Aberdeen has attended the investigation at the House of Com-
mons. He spoke of Mrs. Clarke, as being a very pretty woman. Her
nose a little turned up, quite feminine, with a sweet voice. Her deport-
ment He thought very proper. — He thought an impression unfavourable
to the D will remain whatever the House of Commons may
determine upon it. — Comrie, the Solicitor, who was examined, told
Lawrence, that He could have given evidence very unpleasant to Wm.
Adam* the Council, who had asserted in the House, that He had no con-
cern with any money transaction of the D but what related to the
money appropriated for the payment of His debts. — Whereas when the
D wanted to borrow a large Sum, Comrie was with Adam upon it,
& who having been told by Comrie that Elwes was the person, Adam sug-
gested that this might be a good opportunity to obtain for the D
^80,000 which He wanted. — Adam after Comrie's examination expressed
to Him his satisfaction at the honourable manner in which He had done it.
Tainted London Air
Dr. Jenner observed to Lawrence that He could by smelling at His
Handkerchief on going out of London ascertain when He came into an
atmosphere untainted by the London air. — His method was to smell
* William Adam (175 1-1839), Lord Chief Commissioner of the Scottish Jury Court.
On November 29, 1779, he wounded Charles James Fox in a duel in Hyde Park, and the
latter' s friends said that he might be thankful that Adam had only used Government powder.
Adam as trustee for the Duke of York defended his own conduct relative to the Duke's
association with Mrs. Clarke,
1809]
Tainted London Air 115
at His Handkerchief occasionally, and while He continued within the
London atmosphere He could never be sensible of any taint upon it ;
but, for instance, when He approached Blackheath & took His Hand-
kerchief out of His pocket where it had not been exposed to the better
air of that situation, — His sense of smelling having become more pure He
could perceive the taint. — His calculation was that the air of London
affected that in the vicinity to the distance of 3 miles.
Sir John Moore
Officers have remarked on the difference between Sir John Moore &
Genl. Hope when in action. — The former a man of cold temperament,
was, when the action began full of spirits ; — the latter on the contrary
was cool, & in the midst of danger seemed quite unmoved by the cir-
cumstances around Him, & changed His situation only in consequence
of the representation of his Officers that He shd. not so expose himself. —
General Moore during the retreat to Corunna was quite overcome with
apprehension of the enemy overpowering Him by numbers, — & seemed
no longer to have posession of himself. — He was very fearful that the
enemy wd. not attack him at Corunna, till His troops were embarking,
& waited on the morning of the 16th. of Jany. with great solicitude
watching their movements, hoping they wd. attack Him.
City Feasting
February 18. — [Yesterday at a Court of Common Council it was
stated that the annual expences of the Committee of City lands & Bridge
House Estate, chiefly in tavern bills had increased within the last 14
years from £1164.4.6 to £3318.18.1 pr. annum. — That the Committee
for General Purposes had increased in the same period from £342.14.8.
to £1200 pr. annum. — That the Committee of Navigation in Seven years
had arisen from between 6 & £700 to £1321.13.9. pr. annum, & other
Committees in like proportion. — In 4 Committees only, the Annual ex-
pences amount to abt. £7000 pr. annum, chiefly for tavern expences &
Summer excursions. — Considerable reductions were recommended. —
From small note-book.]
vol. v. 8*
CHAPTER XXXVI
1809
Lord Gardner's Regularity
February 19. — I shewed Him [the second Lord Gardner] a paper
delivered to me by Dance containing many particulars of the late Lord
Gardner collected to form an acct. of Him for the publication of Dance's
portraits. — He looked it over, corrected some particulars, & added others.
I then sd. I wd. take it with me, write it out fair, & return it to Him to
revise. — He spoke of the late Lord Gardners * extraordinary regularity.
He sd. He believed He never wrote a letter on any subject, witht. keeping
a copy of it. — He told us that before He died He was, though only 66
years, eight months, and eight days old, the oldest looking man He
had ever seen. His constitution was quite worn out, and He died so
quietly, that Dr. Parry (of Bath) did not perceive it though He sat by
Him. — He was not apprehensive that He was in a dying state. He died
at His House in Bath on the 31st. of Deer. last. He was born April 23rd.
(O.S.) 1742.
February 20.— Christie [the auctioneer] I called on in consequence
of seeing my name in an advertisement of a sale of pictures. I found
that He had several pictures from James Payne, who having removed
from Turnham Green to Sunning Hill, had not room for them. The
picture painted by me was, " The Old Palace at Lincoln " painted for
Payne's father in 1 770. — He had also from Payne, " The Old Welsh
Bridge at Shrewsbury," painted by Hodges in 1770, — & two landscapes
by Jones. —
Fascinating Mrs. Clarke
I had company to dinner. — We had much talk on the D s investi-
gation. — Lysons & R. Price contended that nothing had been proved
against the D s military conduct. — Lawrence particularly argued
on the other side. — R. Price sd. that His father, Sir Charles Price, had
attended the House of Commons only twice and that His private opinion
was that after the exposure of the D 's immoral conduct, it wd. be
most proper that He shd. retire. — R. Price sd. that there are 3 parties
* Allan, first Lord Gardner. See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV.
Il6
1809] Fascinating Mrs. Clarke 117
in the House, — The Ministry, (but who by the way are divided upon the
subject) Perceval &c. are endeavouring to defend the D , — The
opposition to support the charges, — and Wilberforce with other religious
men reprobating the D 's licentious proceedings. — Mrs. Clarke is
allowed by all to have fascinated the House, by Her beauty & address. —
S. Lysons dined yesterday with Miss Berry's.* — Agnes Berry sd.
that she had been told that on Her [Mrs. Clarke's] first appearing a
Member had gone to Her & put a note into Her Hand, signifying that
He wished to sup with Her that night, adding the words " 300 guineas." —
Sass, the Drawing Master
February 21. — Ward called, & complained of the partial arrange-
ment of the pictures at the British Institution. — Sass,f the drawing
Master, & other inferior artists, have their works in the best situations,
— but these persons promote the dinner given annually to Val : Green
& the subscription made afterwards for Him. — Ward sd. He wd. send
no more pictures. — I talked to Him of His excellence in engraving metzo-
tinto's. He sd. He was apprehensive that His working in that line of
art wd. be an impediment to His being admitted an Academician — I
did not think so. — He sd. Sir John Leicester proposes to sell several of
His pictures by Turner, also Calcott's " Upright Mill " — & others. —
Davis called. He expressed His & Mr. Cadell's desire to be appointed
Booksellers to the Royal Academy ; saying that they were preparing
an edition of Barry's works, — also another edition of Sir Joshua Rey-
nolds's works, & others relative to art & shd. be happy to state them-
selves to the public in that situation, witht. the least view to emolument
from the Academy. He sd. He had spoken to Mr. Smirke on the sub-
ject, but had deferred proceeding farther till He had spoken to me. —
I sd. that I cd. see no possible objection to the Academy agreeing to it
with a House so respectable as theirs. — He spoke of Landseer devoting
too much of his time to literary works, which might not answer to Him,
& mentioned His being employed in writing criticisms on works of art
published periodically by Tipper of Leadenhall St. —
* Miss Agnes Berry. See Vol. I.
t Henry Sass (1788- 1844) was born in London. He was of Russian origin, studied
at the Royal Academy School, exhibited pictures at the Academy itself and at the British
Institution. In 18 18 he published a volume describing " A Journey to Rome and Naples."
Failing to win success as a painter, he started a school for the training of young artists who
wished to enter the R.A. Schools. Sass's institution (the first of its kind) was opened in
a house at the corner of Charlotte Street and Streatham Place, Bloomsbury, and soon
became very popular. His earlier pupils included Sir John Millais, C. W. Cope, and W.
P. Frith, who, in his " Reminiscences," fully describes Sass's school and some of those who
studied under him. Sass, who was an accomplished musician, enjoyed the friendship of
many eminent people, Turner and Landseer being among his more intimate associates.
In 1842 Francis Stephen Cary succeeded Sass in the direction of the school. His eldest
surviving son practised as an architect, the youngest became a doctor.
Sass's elder half-brother, Richard Sass or Sasse (1774-1849), was landscape painter
to the Prince Regent, and also acted as teacher in drawing to Princess Charlotte.
118 The Farington Diary [1809
Hoppner on His Last Legs
Smirke I dined with. — Smirke told me that Thomson came to dinner
at Philip's on Sunday last having just before seen Hoppner, who He
described to be on His last legs, — oppressed with a dropsy, yet seemingly
not aware of His condition, neither was Mrs. Hoppner or His family.
This seemed to be the effect of His having an eager appetite for food,
which Thomson noticed as a bad symptom. — He had been attended by
Dr. Baillie & other Physicians, but had dismissed them all. — Carlisle
dined at Philips's & sd. Hoppner was in a state in which medical men
might try any experiment, meaning they cd. do Him neither good or
harm. —
Sir Ker Porter
Ker Porter was at Carlisle's Lecture last night. Since he returned
from Russia He has been to Spain. — The Emperor of Russia has made
Him a Knight, & He styles Himself Sir Ker Porter.* —
Richd. Smirke told me that Adolphus, the Council, treated the
D — — 's investigation with contempt when it was first brought forward,
but since the evidence which has been produced was given, He says
the D wd. have acted wisely if He had given £50,000 rather than
have had it brought forward. —
A Sort of Madness
February 24. — At one oClock I went to Mr. Coutts the Bankers.
Mr. Coutts spoke to me of Fuseli & His excentricities, — of His dislike
of particular persons, — which wd. cause Him to run into the corner
of a room on their appearance, — a sort of madness. — I mentioned
Rousseau as having something of the same kind of mind. — He sd. He
knew Fuseli 40 years ago, or more, through Dr. Armstrong, the Poet,
having obtained admittance for the Doctor to see the Queens House, ,
He brought Fuseli with Him. — Doctor Armstrong was a good man,
of remarkable simplicity. — He travelled to Italy with Fuseli, & two
men more like children in respect of management of worldly affairs
could not have been sent together. — Mr. Coutts sd. Fuseli had Shake-
spere's work so completely in His memory as to be able to recollect any
* Sir Robert Ker Porter (1780-1842), soldier, traveller, and artist, went to Russia and
won favour with the Emperor Alexander, and also " captivated the heart of Princess
Scherbatoff, a lady of considerable rank and fortune." The Princess, we are told, although
wholly dependent on her family, had three palaces, besides extensive territorial property,
and was very pleasing in person and amiable in character. They were married in 18 12.
Before going to Russia Porter won considerable celebrity with his painting, " The Storming
of Seringapatam," a vast panorama 120 feet in length, which, according to his sister, Jane
Porter, author of " Thaddeus of Warsaw" and "The Scottish Chiefs," was painted in
six weeks. The picture was ultimately destroyed by fire.
He was a remarkable figure, romantic and brave, a great sportsman, and, as Jane said,
a " beloved and protecting brother." A book of sketches illustrating Sir John Moore's
campaigns, and other drawings by Porter, are in the British Museum.
1809] Drury Lane Theatre on Fire 119
passage alluded to ; — but with all His talent He still had a sort of dis-
tortion in His mind, something similar to what is seen more or less in all
His pictures. —
Marchant I dined with. On our leaving we perceived a light in the
air proceeding from fire. Davis's carriage drove Him, me & Dick to
Carey St. when we saw that Drury Lane Theatre was on fire. — We left
the carriage & walked up Drury Lane to the corner of Russell St. where
we viewed the effect of this terrible conflagration, far exceeding in
sublimity anything of the kind we had ever before seen. — We remained
a considerable time, the fury of the flames still increasing & uncon-
querable. All that the fire Engines could do was to prevent the Houses
in Russell St. opposite the Theatre from taking fire. —
The Duke's Affair
February 26. — Sir Martin Folkes called on me. — We talked of
the D 's affair. — He thought Mrs. Clarke acquitted Herself extremely
well & baffled both Mr. Perceval & the Attorney General (Gibbs) observing
that the latter she got the better of so that " He gave in" — He sd. they
did all in their power to make Her contradict Herself in Her evidence,
during an examination of perhaps 3 Hours, by suddenly repeating ques-
tions which they had before put at different periods of Her examination.
Her evidence, on the whole, was as consistent as could be expected where
the witness was to be so treated. — He also mentioned the harsh conduct
of Mr. Perceval to Miss Taylor, — a young woman of 17 or 18, — & yet
that the more He tried to weaken Her evidence the more it was proved.
Mr. Wardle, He sd. appears to be abt. 35 years of age, & Has conducted
Himself very properly. " He speaks well for a new member" and always
gave way to Mr. Perceval whenever the latter rose to speak at the same
time. — It is supposed that Having brought forward His proofs He will
now " Wash His hands of the business and leave it to the House to act
as they shall think proper." — Should Mr. Perceval & the Ministers make
a motion to exonerate the D , Sir Martin thinks, " They will meet
with a Check," — and shd. the Opposition proceed in too strong a manner,
the House will probably not go with them.— He concluded by saying that
He knew several members who usually vote with Ministers who will not
go with them on this occasion. —
That if He were asked " Has the D been proved to have partici-
pated in the money obtained by Mrs. Clarke," He shd. answer "wo,"
but He shd. say sufficient proof has been given of Mrs. Clarke having
communication with the D — — on Military matters, highly improper. —
He spoke of the note declared by Mrs. Clarke to have been written by the
D y positively denied by Him. He sd. He had examined the writing
and the paper by strong Candle light & that the Handwriting was exactly
alike, — & the paper is not common but more like Office paper, & the
Water mark in it is exactly like that in the 2 letters which were
120 The Farington Diary [1809
acknowledged to be the D 's Hand- writing — on the contrary the
paper of all the letters written by Mrs. Clarke is of a different quality &
the space between the wire mark is much narrower. — He sd. the
affairs of Spain & all other political affairs do & should give way to
this business which He called " tremendous" & sd. that " should the
House act in it, with any appearance of partiality, the Democratic
part of the people would loudly assert that this part of the constitution
was gone."
[The amount of the Insurance of Drury Lane Theatre is [says the
Observer] stated to have been
Imperial Fire Office 13,500.
Eagle do. 6,500.
Hope do. 10,000.
Globe do. 5,000.
Another 11,500.
46,500.
in the whole abt. £70,000 insured. — The building of the Theatre & its
internal furniture cost upwards of £180,000. — From small note-book.]
CHAPTER XXXVII
1809
A Correggio
February 27. — Lawrence mentioned that Ottley had bought a
picture at a sale of pictures belonging to the late Earl of [
which was supposed to be a copy, a " Io by Correggio," but it having been
cleaned it now appears to West & others to be the finest original of that
Master, & Ottley asks 6000 guineas for it.* —
Farington and his Publishers
February 28. — I called on Lawrence & He accompanied me to
Messrs. Cadell & Davis where He looked at my drawings made in Derby-
shire & in Cumberland. Davis asked me what they might look for
from me in respect of their going forward with the work. —
I told them that the employ was agreeable to me, and that in my
situation not having claims upon me I was at liberty to do what best
pleased me, — and that shd. they be satisfied with what I cd. do I wd.
proceed in making drawings for their work. I sd. that I had formed
a Plan in my mind for carrying it on so as not to make their advance of
money greater than wd. be necessary ; that I thought it wd. be best
for them to fix a sum to be paid annually for the purpose of making
drawings, viz. ^150 or ^100 a year, and no more & that were I to make
such an agreement with them I would collect subjects and make drawings
at such times as shd. best suit me, but that whatever I might prepare
no demand shd. be made upon them beyond that of the Sum limited.
Thus they wd. be as little in advance as possible. — They were much
* There is an original " Io," which was brought to Vienna about 163 1, and is in the
Vienna Museum. The old copy of the Vienna picture in the Berlin Museum was sold in
the Charles Coypel sale in Paris, 1753, for 5,602 francs. It seems to have passed into the
collection of Christina Queen of Sweden, and from it the picture was purchased along with
other works by Philip Duke of Orleans. In a fit of fanaticism Louis Duke of Orleans, son
of the Regent, cut out the head of " Io " and burned it. It was, however, admirably re-
stored by Prud'hon.
The picture referred to by Lawrence may have been the "Jupiter and Io" sold for
£17 6s. 6d. in the sale of the Earl of Bessborough's pictures in 1801.
121
122 The Farington Diary [1809
pleased with my proposal which I desired them to reconsider. — I told
them I had happily found my constitution, activity, & eyes equal to
the business I undertook to do last autumn, & that though I could not
reckon upon a long continuance of the power, while it did last I shd.
be willing to exert it. — I spoke of Hearne in high terms & recommended
to them to obtain drawings from him, but they were sensible He wd.
[not] undertake anything which required active exertion. —
Too Much of West
Hoare spoke of Lord Elgin's marbles & thought they ought to be
noticed which I fully concurred in. He sd. West had written a letter to
Lord Elgin thanking Him for the opportunity afforded Him (West)
the last summer to make studies from them, adding that this was an
advantage which Raphael & Michl. Angelo did not enjoy. — This letter
had too much of self in it to be proper for publication in the Academic
Annals & was also too incorrect. — I told Hoare I thought West might
write a letter addressed to the Academicians on this subject which by
management might be kept free from self panegeryck, & that I wd. speak
to Him abt. it. — He sd. He wd. also speak to Shee & Philips upon it. —
We also agreed that some notice might be taken of what had been done
at the British Museum. —
The Quarterly Review
March 5. — J. Aytoun called. — He told me that a new Review is
set up, published in February, 1809, entitled the Quarterly Review,
published by Murray — Fleet Street, of which Gifford (Baviad) is to have
the principal direction — & that Hoppner writes in it. — a sort of counter
review to the Edinburgh Review.— Willm. Aytoun [William Aytoun,
artist. See entry under April 2nd] has been at Cambridge & staid a
few days. He found the University incensed against Sir Vicary Gibbs
their Member, for His illiberal examination of Mrs. Clarke on the D 's
business. — He spoke of the injury Sir John Carr had done himself by
His prosecution of Verner & Hood for a libel on His " Stranger in Ire-
land ". — He is now used by Reviewers as the K was by Peter Pindar,
(Dr. Wolcot) to laugh at. — The P of W— — is sd. to be in debt
.£70,000, & Her goods at Her House at Blackheath have been seized. —
[Dr.] Hayes called. — Adolphus does not think the evidence sufficient
to cause the D to be impeached, but that Resolutions may be passed
to render it necessary for Him to resign. — He spoke of the D — — 's letter
to the House of Commons as being the most violent attack on their
privileges that had been made since Charles the first went down to
the House to seize the 5 members who were obnoxious to Him. — He
wondered the House had not taken more notice of it. — It seemed to have
little impression on the members. —
CHAPTER XXXVIII
1809
Lawrence : Professional Application
March 5. — Lawrence called in the even'g having dined at the
Dilletanti Society. — He said the Court people, & those of High rank talked
high in favour of the D I asked Him whether He thought the
Ministers would endeavour to pass Him clear through the House of
Commons, completely exonerated ? — He sd. He did not believe they wd.
attempt so much.- — He told us an instance of His professional application.
— On Friday morning last before 8 oClock He began to paint upon a
Half length picture of the King for the Speaker of the House of Commons.
On Friday from before 8 in the morning till \ past 5 in [the] evening,
— dined at Mr. Angerstein's, & returning home painted by Lamp light
from 10 till one. —
He rose on Saturday morning at 5 & painted by Lamplight till day-
light came & proceeded till 4 in the afternoon when He sent the picture
to the Speakers who was to have a grand dinner that evening. —
The City Police
March 6. — [On Saturday last 4th inst. an Especial Court of Mayor
& Aldermen was held in Guildhall, London, when several resolutions were
voted declaratory of the good state of the Police of the City of London
in opposition to what appeared in the Newspapers that Lord Ellen-
borough in a Cause Dunn agst. Lewis, had sd. in charging the Jury, —
" That if the Police of the City of London be not speedily corrected, it
wd. become a greater nuisance to the public than riot and disorder."
— From small note-book.]
March 8. — West all was at Blackpool in August & September last
near 3 weeks, during which time He had a constant Head-ache. He
rode, walked & did everything to obtain benefit from the situation, &
to remove it, but in vain. — On leaving the place He discovered the cause.
•—Shell fish always disagrees with Him ; it is too rich for His stomach,
but He did [not] consider that Shrimps are shell fish & eat them at break-
fast and after dinner, which kept His stomach in a constant state of
123
124 The Farington Diary [1809
disorder. — When He removed from Blackpool He ceased to eat Shrimps
& He had no more Head-ache.
Farington and the R.A.
March 9. — Daniell told me that at the Council last night Flaxman
entered upon the subject of The State of the Academy for the purpose of
establishing better regulations. — Shee sd. that it would be adviseable
first to refer to the Auditors, but particularly to me who was better
acquainted with the finances of the Academy than any other person.
This was agreed to & the Secretary was directed to request the Auditors
to attend at the Council on Wednesday next March 15th. — Shee has also
proposed in Council " That henceforward no member of the Council shall
be permitted to paint upon His pictures during the -period of arrangement ."
— This was agreed & is to be brought before a General meeting on the
25th. inst. — It was considered that the 3 days allowed for varnishing
&c. afforded all reasonable time for any such purpose. —
An Improvident Bargain
W 7 illiam Daniell shewed us a letter reed, by Him from Cadell & Davis
calling upon Him for payment of all the money He had reed, for books
sold of " the work on natural History" published by them, of which
they — Wm. Daniell — & Mr. Wood who writes the letter press are joint
Proprietors. — By the agreement their expences for publishing were first
to be paid, — this amounted to upwards of £1600 of which upwards of
£100 remained due to them. — W. Daniell had been at the expence of
the Copper for the plates, perhaps 30 guineas, and had compleated the
whole, 60 in number, but was not to receive anything till Messrs. Cadell
& Davis were reimbursed their expences, & then only to have a third
of the profits. This was deemed to be a very improvident bargain.
Vice in Dublin
March 11. — T. Johnson called. — He gave me some acct. of His late
tour in Ireland. — He sd. the Lake of Killarney is superior in beauty &
grandeur to any of our English Lakes ; the Upper Lake is small ; the
Rocks very fine ; the Arbutus grows profusely upon them. — The line of
the Country to Bantry Bay is superior to Genoa & its vicinity.
The Hospitality of the Irish is extreme. — Thousands of the low Irish
eat & drink Potatoes & water only ; yet are in their persons very strong.
— In their Huts all sleep together, which has no immoral effect. The
Country Women reject every look & advance towards them. If a woman
is seduced, if she complains within 24 Hours, the Man must either marry
her or quit the Country, if He remains the punishment is transportation.
In Dublin there is much vice. — With respect to political matters the
Irish say, " They wait for the King's death, then they shall have what
they want." — The low Irish now say, Buonaparte wd. take all they have.
— Mr. Johnson affected to be a Presbyterian to obtain their opinions. —
Gentlemen's seats in Ireland are much more numerous than in England.
1809] Gentlemen's Seats 125
— He travels 3 months in the Country every Summer, & passes 3 months
at Bath in the Winter. — On His return from Ireland He passed through
Cumberland, but cd. not look at Keswick after Killarney : — The Upper
end of Windermere He allowed to be fine. — There is great imposition
at the Inns in Ireland : He was obliged to take a Chaise from Cork
to Killarney, 48 miles. Lord Shannon's is the finest Seat He saw. Lord
Thomond's is also very fine. —
CHAPTER XXXIX
1809
The Cry of Profligacy
March 11. — Mr. Malone I met. We talked of the D 's business.
He was on the D 's side, sd. there wd. be a majority of 100 to 150
for Him. All the opposition wd. not vote against Him. — He thought
Whitbread a Democrat. He deprecated the cry of profligacy in the
higher orders of the people ; — with respect to adultery &c. he sd. it did
not prevail more among the higher than among the lower orders. —
Burke who held a similar opinion sd. there had not been more than 150
causes of Divorce since the Revolution. — In Country villages He sd. there
is as much of this Crime as elsewhere. — He exclaimed upon the effects
of voting against Royalty. —
Mr. Malone told me that Lady Thomond wished to dispose of the set
of Pictures by Sir Joshua, viz : those for New College windows for
-£5,500 — at ^500 each. —
March 13. — I cleaned & varnished Mrs. Brooke's picture by Jordans.
— Westall called. — Rogers had been with him. — Sir Wm. Grant is to
speak on the D 's business, also Canning, both for the D . —
Windham against him, a majority of 30 is expected for Ministry. — Rogers
is against the D . — A gentleman on the D 's side told Westall they
shd. only have a majority of 25. — The adjournments are considered
favorable for the D , — He will not resign. —
William Wells of Redleaf
March 14. — Willm. Wells* told me He had a reversion of fortune to
come to him at the death of His mother, This sum He appropriates by
anticipation to purchasing pictures. — He spoke of Sir Vicary Gibbs, the
Attorney General, as being a Man — very rude and ill tempered. — This He
experienced while He had business to do with Him. — He told me He
quitted the Blackwall Dock concern not being willing to continue liable to
a litigation respecting the property on one point. — He has purchased a
share in Meux's Brew-house concern ; This He has devoted to sink or
swim as it may be.
* Shipbuilder and art collector. See Index, Vol. IV.
126
1809]
Lord Falkland's Duel 127
He told me Lord Falkland who was lately killed in a Duel,* resided
in Portugal St. next door to His Mother (Mrs. Wells) & made such dis-
turbance at late Hours in the nig^t, with often cries from the females
of His family, that Mrs. Wells had thought of quitting Her House. —
Powel, who shot him, had behaved kindly to His (Powels) sister ; He gave
Her £10,000 & to Mr. Cotton, Her husband, £5000. to pay His debts.
He has an estate at Kingsgate in Kent, — is a coarse man, but inof ensive. —
Flaxman I dined with. — Miss Green told us Zoffany's faculties were
gone. He is become Childish. —
March 15. — West told me He had been Seven weeks arranging
prints & drawings, & shd. be so employed 2 weeks more. — He has made
up a Portfolio of etchings, and has 2 proofs of every print engraved
from His works. — The Print seller sd. He wd. give £2000 for the whole.
— He has destroyed many of His own works, but has preserved everything
done from Nature, — When he saw the rubbish left by Opie & by Romney
He became alarmed for His own.
The Royal Academy
A Paper from Mr. Payne Knight was reed. — On it was written —
This paper from Mr. Payne Knight to be kept in the Royal Academy
& to be opened by the President & Council unless reclaimed in His life
time. — Mr. West then sd. Mr. Knight had 3 years ago informed Him
that He shd. leave His gems &c. to the Royal Academy. f
A letter from Marchant was read, presenting to the Academy a set
of Casts from Intaglio's engraved by Him, & requesting His Diploma.
After some conversation it was the opinion that He must present not a
Cast but an original. —
March 16. — I dined with Lawrence. — He told me Miss Crew refused
Sir W. W. Wynne.!—
The Duke Exonerated
March 18. — Dance I dined with. — Two divisions having last night
taken place in the House of Commons on the D 's investigation,
we had much conversation respecting it, — and concurred in opinion
* February 28, 1809. See Vol. III., page 112 and note.
f Payne Knight (the " Knight of the Brazen Milk-pot," as Walpole called him) did
not fulfil the promise made to West. Instead he bequeathed his remarkable collection
of gems, bronzes, coins, marbles, and drawings to the British Museum. The bronzes and
coins are of much value, and the whole collection was at the time of the bequest appraised
at sums ranging from .£30,000 to ,£60,000.
X Probably Emma (daughter of John, first Baron Crewe), who married on April 21,
1809, Foster Cunliffe-Offley, eldest son of Sir Foster Cunliffe, Bart., and died in 1850.
Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, fifth Baronet, M.P. for Denbigh, was born on October 26,
1772, and married on February 4th, 1817, Lady Henrietta Antonia Clive, eldest daughter
of Edward, first Earl of Powis.
128 The Farington Diary [1809
that He ought not to be continued in Office. Perceval's motion to exon-
erate Him from Corruption or connivance at corrupt practises was
carried by a majority of 82.* — Dance told me Sir George Beaumonts
new House at Coleorton in Leicestershire will cost Him abt. -£15,000, &
the furnishing &c. will be abt. £5000 more. — He expressed a wish that
Robt. Smirke should make His acknowledgments to Sir George Beaumont
for having recommended Him to Lord Lonsdale to build the Mansion
at Lowther. —
March 19. — Wm. Wells called. — He sd. Lord Rendlesham died
posessed of £400,000. — J. Offley I dined with. — Webber spoke of Hum-
phry [R.A.], remarking that He had become quite an Old Man, and that
His Ancestry seemed to be the uppermost idea in His mind, which at an
early period of His life seemed not to be His consideration. He had
however, claims to it ; His family was reduced in circumstances, but 50
years ago had their family arms hung in their House at Honiton, at which
place His parents traded in lace and sold wine, perhaps two or three pipes
in a year. —
* See newspapers of the period.
CHAPTER XL
1809
The British Troops are Magnificent
March 20. — W. Wells I dined with. — The D 's resignation was
announced in the papers this morning. We conversed upon it, all of
one mind. — Lieutenant Wells, Son of Admiral Wells,* is in the Engineers.
He is 17 or 18 years old. He was taken prisoner by the French at the
battle of Vimeira, in consequence of His mistaking a French for a Portu-
guese Corps, — He dined several times with Junot who entertained
splendidly, & said, " The French found Paris everywhere" — The French
spoke highly of the discipline of our troops, calling it " Magnific." —
He remarked that the French troops were well disciplined & made a
very good appearance ; but He observed that though the men of the
French Army were as tall or taller, generally speaking, they were not
so broad in the Chest, nor so formed for strength & action. — The French
Cavalry felt their inferiority when opposed to the English Cavalry,
but when retreating were very active in dismounting, & skilful in sharp
shooting from behind their Horses or any other concealment. —
During the retreat of the Army to Corunna there was a great want
of discipline. When the drums beat in the morning scarcely 20 men
in a regiment wd. appear at the Standard ; they went abroad foraging
& procuring whatever they could during the day time & in the evening
returned to their quarters. The English Commissariat was much worse
managed than that of the French. The latter on approaching a town
demanded a strict acct. of whatever provisions were in it, of which they
took what they required, & left the remainder, but the English took
whatever they could get witht. measure or regulation, — & still were badly
supplied.
W. Wells was in company with Sir William Curtis since the voting
in the House of Commons on the D 's conduct. He said He supposed
* Sir John Wells, who died in 1841. See engraved " British Portraits," Vol. V.,
British Museum : Plate 3, " Commemoration of the four great naval victories obtained by
the English during the late war."
VOL. V. I29 9
130 The Farington Diary [isoq
fie shd. be turned out of His seat for London for having voted
for Him.*
Les Affaires
He spoke of Sir Robert Wigram having Fifteen Sons and Five
daughters. He had £100,000 in Meux's Brewery concern. — £130,000 in
the Blackwall Dock purchased from Messrs. Perry & Wells, — and a
large business in Drugs by which He laid the foundation of His fortune.
He has above £100,000 in East India Shipping, and all this business He
superintends. He is towards 60 years of age. He says occupation is
to him necessary. Every morning He considers what He has to do that
day, & having formed His plan of proceeding goes about it without
seeming effort. —
March 21. — Dance told me of His son, Charles Dance, now a Captain
in the 23 rd. Dragoons, having fought a Duel with a Lieutenant in the
Regt. who challenged Him.- — They j£rai Seven times ; & at the last fire
C. Dance shot the Lieutenant in the groin. He recovered in a month.
C. Dance's conduct was much approved by the Senior Officers. — Dance
told me that He is much improved in mind and manner. —
The Elgin Marbles
March 22. — The Academy Council I went to with Dance, & we in-
formed them that we should be ready to make a report to them on Satur-
day, the first of April. — I spoke to West, proposing to take some notice
of the Elgin Statues in the Academic Annals of the last year. He sd.
that He understood from Mr. Hamilton that His Lordship had not reed,
the whole of what He expected & was not inclined to have them noticed
in print at present. — He said during the last Autumn He had made
drawings from the statues & Basso relievo's in that Collection & with
the figures & groups had made compositions of fabulous subjects.
He sd. He had written a letter to Lord Elgin complimenting Him upon
His Collection & describing what He had done. — He was employed there
abt. 3 weeks, & during that time had all those feelings which had posessed
Him when He first went to Rome again excited in Him. His morning
walk to Ld. Elgins in Park Lane gave Him spirits, & the gratification He
felt while among those wonderful works of art was in the extreme. —
* Alderman Sir William Curtis was a Lord Mayor of London and M.P. for the City.
His family came from Notts County, his father having settled at Wapping in the biscuit
line. At his death he left five sons. Timothy, the first son, and Sir William, the third,
carried on the original business, James was " a partner in a very considerable brewery,"
George was a captain of an East Indiaman, and Charles was Rector of St. Martin's, Bir-
mingham, and of Solihull in Warwickshire. According to the European Magazine for
1808, there was a daughter, said to have been married to the Rev. Mr. Roberts, " a de-
serving clergyman, who was Chaplain to Sir William during his Mayoralty."
On the other hand, Burke does not make any reference to a daughter, but states that
Sir William's wife's sister, Mary Constable, was married to the Rev. Thomas Roberts. See
also Vol. II., pages i88«. and zjm.
Sir William's portrait, by S. Drummond, engraved by Bromley, shows a strong face,
with a big nose and heavy square jaws. He died in 1829.
1809] Hannah More 131
West was at that period 70 years of age, & now told me that He proposed
to complete the next Summer what He had thus begun. —
I went with Dance to His House & there saw Miss Green & Miss
Meyer. — Miss Green shewed me Hannah More'' s new publication " Coelebs
in search of a Wife,"* written, as it is said, to explain Her Religious prin-
ciples, & to shew that she is not as has been supposed, a Methodist according
to that which that word commonly signifies. —
March 27. — Lysons called. — He has resolved to decline being Director
of the Antiquary Society. — The inatention & imbecility of Lord Towns-
hend in the situation of President, is felt more & more. — Sir F. Bourgeois
called, & had a long conversation with me. — He spoke of His Collection
of pictures, sd. He had now arranged them, & signified that He had
made His other arrangements such that they shd. be kept together ;
the number upwards of 300. —
* " Coelebs " attracted great attention. Within a year it passed through twelve
editions in England, and succeeded equally well in America, where, in the course of Hannah
More's lifetime, thirty editions of a thousand copies each were printed. In a letter written
in 1 8 10 she says that the publication of the novel cost £5,000, apart from booksellers'
profits. " Notwithstanding these disadvantages," she continues, " I cleared within the
year £2,000. . . . That Walter Scott's two guinea poem should produce £2,000 is not
strange ; but that a trumpery twelve-shilling one, ' Coelebs,' should produce the same sum
so soon, was what I had no reason to expect." The volume (like her previous works) was
published anonymously, and many intimate friends wrote advising her to read it.
" Coelebs " was severely criticised, both by Catholics and Protestants, many of those who
attacked it believing the author to be a man. See " Hannah More," by Annette M. E.
Meaken.
VOL. V.
CHAPTER XLI
1809
What Coleridge and Wordsworth Thought
March 28. — I breakfasted with Sir G. & Lady Beaumont. Words-
worth & Coleridge were a subject of our conversation.— Lady B. was
enthusiastic in admiration of Wordsworth. She desired me to read His
preface to His poems. Sir George was more moderate. He told me
& warned me of the danger of not approving it, adding " That Lady B.
was as intolerant in Her opinion as Bishop Bonnor on religious matters."
— She afterwards sd. to me, that Coleridge & Wordsworth thought the
bad taste in writing which now prevails, is owing to works of two cele-
brated authors, " Popes translation of Homer, & the Odyssy," and "John-
son's lives of the Poets." These models of art and an inflated style have
been imitated to the destroying of all simplicity.— The Old Testament
they say, is the true model of simplicity of style. — They also highly
approve the writings of Dr. Jeremiah Taylor, who had also the feelings
of a Poet, and of Cowley. — Sir George sd. to me " That Wordsworth &
Coleridge by living in a state of seclusion, might engender notions respect-
ing matters of taste that would not be approved by the world."
They spoke of the insubordination & disorderly state of our Army
in Spain ; but that in fighting nothing could resist them. — They men-
tioned Sir John Moore having had the imprudence to take into His Service
a French Cook who had lived with Junot, & that it was afterwards found
that this man had wrote down particulars of all the information He cd.
obtain respecting our forces by Land & Sea. —
Lawrence too Scrupulous
Mr. Angerstein called upon me to speak abt. Lawrence, with much
mortification on acct. of the numerous complaints of His not finishing
pictures begun. He thought Lawrence shd. employ more people — that
He shd. not be so scrupulous in the finishing as few people understood
painting. — He wished Lawrence well & that He wd. look forward to a
future period, when age & imbecility wd. no longer leave much in His
own power, also that Hereafter He might have different people to deal
with from those who are now His friends. —
132
1809]
Correctness Essential 133
Henderson I went to abt. my teeth, & there saw a beginning of a
portrait of my Old friend the Revd. Evan Loyd, Author of a Poem,
" The Powers of the Pen " &c. — painted by Mortimer.*—
Landseer [the engraver] drank tea with me. He was last night at the
Academy & heard Soane's Introductory Lecture. Turner was very
active in assisting in arranging & exhibiting various drawings made to
illustrate Soane's observations. — Landseer told me He is employed in
writing the Article " Engraving " for the Encyclopedia to be published
by Longman &c. and superintended by Dr. Rees, — who has also desired
Him to write the Biography of Engravers. — He brought a proof of the
print of Stockport for me to touch upon where necessary. — He said the
view of Chester was the most difficult subject He had ever had, and He
thought that my outline made on the Spot, (now in His hands) must have
required several visits to the Spot, that it could not have been done at
once. — I sd. I went several times, as I considered correctness essential
in a Topographical work. —
He mentioned Wilson & said nobody living could know so much of
him as / did, & that it were to be wished that I would write an account
of Him. — He sd. He had sent His paper proposing to have Engravers
admitted to the rank of Academicians, to the Council. —
March 29. — Boydell called to invite me to dine at West-end to-
morrow to meet Lady Hamilton (relict of Sir Willm.) — He sd. she is now
abt. 45 years of age. — The Child, Lord Nelson left to Her care, is certainly
a Child of His Lordship. —
R.A. Finance
March 30. — Dance I went to. He read to me the Plan He had
arranged from our papers. He also proposed to raise the Exhibition
Catalogues to one Shilling each. He mentioned it to Daniell this morning.
I concurred in it. — He sd. the Academy wd. gain £700 a year by it. —
I did not think there wd. be so much additional profit. — We proposed to
raise the Keepers & the Secretaries Salaries to £150 a year each, & the
Treasurer to .£80. — I afterwards proposed to make the allowance to the
Arranging Committee one guinea & Half each per day to include Board,
— also to raise the Housekeeper's salary to £70 a year. —
Sir George Beaumont's I dined at. — Before dinner we saw Sir George's
Upright Half length evening landscape intended for the Exhibition.
Dance sd. to me " It was very well for a gentleman."
* Evan Lloyd (1734-1776), once wellknown asasatiric poet. In " The Powers of the
Pen ; a poem addressed to John Curre, Esq.," written in 1765, he attacks Warburton and
Johnson, and in the following year he produced " The Curate," which narrates in mock-
heroic fashion the woes of curates caused by " pursy rectors " and frivolous society. He
was imprisoned in the King's Bench for libelling a neighbouring squire in " The Methodist,
a poem," and while there he began a long and intimate acquaintance with John Wilkes,
who refers to Lloyd's keen wit and strong sense in the epitaph to him in Llanycil Church,
Merionethshire.
134 The Farington Diary [1809
Mr. Bowles's late illness was talked of. He was long thought to be
in great danger, having delirium. — He was at Coleorton 6 weeks the last
Autumn & did not drink less than a bottle of wine a day. He was in
high spirits & painted some small pictures better than any He had done
before in the Wilson manner. He is now in his 70th. year & since His
illness has again begun to paint to try His powers.
Dr. Dick who has successfully prescribed for Sir George, says, He has
no objection to His patient drinking wine, if He finds it agrees with Him.
— Sir George, today drank a pint of Claret. — ■
A Rembrandt Picture
April 1. — Lawrence called & brought a small picture by-Rembrant
painted in the manner of that {the Woman taken in adultery) in the Col-
lection of Mr. Angerstein. It was in the posession of the King of Sar-
dinia, the subject " The Visitation"* — It was brought from the Continent
by the person who sold the large Marine Claude & Companion, to Mr.
Angerstein. He asks 3000 guineas for it. — We talked of Lawrence's future
plans, & He said He wished to commence a new plan of proceeding on
the 1 2th. instant. His Birthday, when He shd. compleat His 40th year.
R.A. Reform
The Academy Council I went to with Dance ; Prince Hoare came
& it was agreed that He should have 350 of His Academic Annals, of this
year printed, viz : He includes the proceedings from Exhibition to Exhibi-
tion. — Dance read the statement we had made of the finances & a pro-
posal to raise the Catalogues to One Shilling, — to limit the number invited
to the Exhibition dinner, & thereby reduce the Expence, & to abolish the
expence of the Birthday dinners, leaving it to those who attend them
to pay the expence as formerly. We remained at the Council till towards
Eleven oClock, much discussion took place. The proposal to raise the
price of the Catalogues was voted unanimously. — Other points were left
for future consideration. —
* Probably "The Salutation" (22J in. by 19 in.), which was in the collection of Alfred
de Rothschild, Halton Manor.
CHAPTER XLII
1809
The Prince and Copley
April 2. — Woodforde I called on. He told me that Mr. West
at the Council last night after I left it produced a letter from Copley
addressed to the President & Council, requiring in the name of the Prince
of Wales, an extension of time beyond Tuesday next, which is the last
day allowed for receiving pictures for Exhibition, to finish His large picture
of the Prince of Wales on Horseback.* — The Council formed a letter
addressed to the Prince, stating Copley's application, and representing
to His Royal Highness that were they to allow Mr. Copley any time
beyond that fixed for receiving pictures they should break a law which
had been sanctioned by His Majesty. — To Copley they only wrote that
in consequence of having received His letter, they had addressed their
answer to the Prince, & were His Humble Servants. —
West told them that Copley came to His House at 9 oClock that
morning, & though West, being engaged, was denied, Copley followed the
servant to West's painting room who being then obliged to see Him,
was told by Him that He came in the name of the Prince & demanded
that He, of His own authority would grant Him the time He required.
West expressed surprise that He shd. imagine that He (West) could
witht. the authority of Council grant such an indulgence. Copley, then
as it seemed to alarm Him sd. " So you will not do what the Prince desires,
or to that effect. " — West guarded against Him, by repeating that it was
not in His power to do what was required, but that an application must
be made addressed to the President and Council. — On this Copley went
away, & in the evening sent a letter, so addressed, to West, for Him to
carry to the Council. — The Council reprobated Copley's conduct. —
Murray Offered £100
Westall told me that Shee had informed Him that He (Shee) had sold
His Poem, viz : a continuation of His last, to Millar, the Bookseller,
for £600. Shee sd. that He had offered it to Murray who would have
* Copley exhibited only a portrait of Lord Sidmouth in 1809, but in 1S10 a portrait
of the Prince of Wales at a review attended by a group of officers.
135
136 The Farington Diary [1809
given him £100 for it, but Shee turned from this low offer, & wd. have
nothing more to do with Him respecting it. — The Poem is now in the
press. —
Water Colour Painters
William Aytoun told me that the Society of Painters in Water Colours
to which He belongs, had this year applied again to Tresham for the use
of His room in Brook St. Grosvenor Square, but Tresham gave them no
answer, till they had engaged a room in Bond Street for which they are
to pay £150.— They paid Tresham £120. — The other Society of Painters
in Water Colours, paid for the room they had in Bond-street last year
^400, — the whole of their expences amounted to so much that they had
little or nothing to divide among themselves. — Those who exhibited in
Brook-street had a small balance to pay, their rects. not being quite
equal to their expences. — The other Society have engaged Whisteds great
room in Spring-gardens. They have lately added to their body Atkin-
son who was in Russia.
Admiralty and Artists
Westall & Wm. Westall spoke to me about the Admiralty employ-
ing Wm. Westall to make compleat drawings of the subjects of which the
Admiralty have outlines, made by Him during His voyage to the South
Seas. — This they did in the instance of Hodges, & also of Webber [R.A.]
& the Botanical draughtsman who went with Wm. Westall is now through
the recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks, employed for a similar purpose
in His own line, at a Salary of ^200 a year. — I sd. I wd. mention it to Sir
G. Beaumont & recommended to Westall to converse with Sir George
respecting it.— William Westall told me Cadell & Davis were to give him
10 guineas each for the use o/"His drawings views in Madeira & in the East
Indies. — The prints to be the size of Hearnes Antiquities.—
Sir George's New Hero
April 3. — Constable called to desire me to look at a picture intended
by Him for Exhibition. — He sd. Jackson had informed Him that Lord
Mulgrave had shewn Him Wilkie's picture of the Blind F idler, belonging
to Sir George Beaumont, which Sir George had sent to Lord M's. saying
He knew not where to hang it, it being so ill coloured. — Lord M. then
shewed Jackson some letters written to him by Sir George in which He
went the utmost length of expression in praise of the picture, and that it
would be a perpetual companion & Society to Him, or words to that
effect. Lord M. remarked on the contradiction Here manifested. Hay-
don is now Sir George's Hero, who is with him every day. Wilkie is on
the decline in favor. —
Constable's Borrowdale
Constable I called on & saw His pictures intended for Exhibition.
I gave my opinion against His exhibiting His largest picture 5 feet wide,
1809] Ward and Sir John Leicester 137
a scene in Borrodaile,* as being in appearance, only like a preparation for
finishing, — wanting variety of colour & effect. —
Ward I called on. He has painted a picture of Asses for Sir John
Leicester which is sent to the Exhibition. — Wishing to prove to Sir John
that He was moderate in His price He asked only 80 guineas for the pic-
ture which otherwise He might have put at 150 gs. — Sir John sent him
100 gs. — being much pleased with His moderation. — I told Ward I thought
His pictures have less of manner than some others of His painting. —
April 4. — Mr. Phipps I dined with. Mr. Phipps spoke of the im-
provement of the Army during the time the Duke [of York] had been
Commander in Chief, and that not possessing the talents required for
a Commander-in-Chief on service an Officer might be very capable of
regulating the arrangements of the military force of a Country though
not of applying it on Service. Sir George did not concur with Him. — ■
It was well for Sir John [Moore] 's reputation that He was slain in battle.
■ — Edridge sd. all military men spoke favourably of the Duke of York as
Commander in Chief. —
Mrs. Phipps told me [the second] Lord Gardner is going to be married
to a daughter of Lord Carrington who will give Him £20,000. — Lord
Gardner became acquainted with Her last Summer she being with Her
Father's family somewhere on the Coast of Kent in the vicinity of Deal
to which place He occasionally came from the Texel. — She remarked
upon His situation with respect to the Child His late wife had, & said that
Child She supposed, wd. claim the title, & it wd. then be determined upon
the evidence left in the House of Lords, to whom the title shd. go. —
Sir G. Beaumont wd. have government purchase the patents of the
2 Theatres [Covent Garden & Drury Lane] & build several smaller ones,
— [and] to have the Actors better treated. —
* Constable exhibited three unnamed landscapes at the Academy in 1809.
CHAPTER XLIII
1809
Wardle's Reward
April 6. — [A Court of Common Council was held at Guildhall when
a Gold Box value 100 guineas & the freedom of the City was Unani-
mously voted to Gwillym Loyd W or die Esqr. for having unawed by the
threats of Ministers, exhibited serious charges against the late Comman-
der in Chief, which have been clearly substantiated, and which have, in
fact, induced His Royal Highness to resign a situation of which He is
unworthy, and that Mr. Wardle is entitled to the esteem & gratitude of
this Court & the Country.
April 7. — Mr. Wilson, a Liveryman, [says the Morning Post] backed
a Mare of His on the 28th. last for a wager of 200 guineas to go 50 miles
in 3 Hours & a half being at the rate of 15 miles an Hour. The Animal
went off in high condition yesterday, on the Woodforde road, & did
above 15 miles with in an Hour, at a steady trot, and continued to do
the same in the next 2 Hours ; the difficulty in the performance was the
last five miles in the last Half Hour, which was done in four minutes less
than the given time. — Betting was seven to four, and two to one against
the Mare. — This astonishing performance is unprecedented in the Sport-
ing Kalendar. — From small note-book.]
Mrs. Clarke's Faithful Narrative
April 9. — Lewis spoke of Sir C. Price & sd. He was an Actor of
dignity — had no mind, but had got money. — He described Sir W. Curtis
as being a low man. He sd. Sir Jas. Shaw had more cunning — more
ability. —
Palmer [of Post office renown] said Sir Richd. Philips the Bookseller
had been applied to by Mrs. Clarke to publish Her book but he had
declined. Lord Moira had been with Philips who went to Mrs. Clarke.
She asked for ^2000 and an annuity which was agreed to ; she then
asked £5000. Lord Moira sd. He wd. do no more. Another person came
two days after. She then said " They have done all they could to injure
me, & I will now do the best I can for myself ; I will have £7000 and
^1500 for printing expenses, and £400 pr. annum for life, — and for the
138
&-■'•■>■-• ■''■■'-' ' u
Mary Anne Clarke.
By J. Rowlandson, engraved by W. Hopwood
[To face p. 13!
1809] Mrs. Clarke's Faithful Narrative 139
lives of my two children, also my eldest Son to be provided for " ; this
was agreed to and Security given. In the D of Y 's letter the
K , the Q , y the P s were mentioned disrespectfully :
there were also indecent expressions. — Lewis said, Sir Arthur Pigot as-
sured Him that the P of W was very much affected abt. this
business and shed tears. — Mrs. Clarke says " She will have Him (the
D ) again." — Ministers are much blamed for giving entertainments
to the D *. —
April 10. — Loutherberg paints Skies with Prussian Blue and White
and goes over this preparation with Ultramarine & White. —
Candlelight Painters
April 14. — Smirke sd. His habit now is to rise between 8 & 9 oClock,
breakfast over before 10, — then goes to work & continues to apply till
I an hour before dinner, which He allows for walking out. — He makes
a short meal ; not more than half an hour, & then goes to work again,
which prevents any disposition to sleep, which otherwise He shd. feel
and remain in some degree heavy throughout the evening. — After tea
He again resumes His occupations, upon lighter works, such as Chiaro-
Oscuro's or such works as do not require nice attention, but though He
has painted much by Candle-light He has never been able to satisfy
Himself with what He does by that light & cannot call Himself a Candle-
light painter, — West, on the Contrary, seems to be able to do as well
by that light as by any other. —
Fact v. the Picturesque
Willm. Daniell sd. that Mr. Murdoch a Madeira merchant offered to
write an acct. of that Island for the use of William Westall, provided the
latter would make a set of drawings, views in that Island, & publish
prints from them to accompany the written account. The drawings,
however, which William Westall brought were made in respect of correct-
ness of representation, subject to Willm. WestalFs notions of what is
picturesque, & accordingly He placed Convents where there are none &
made other alterations so unsatisfactory in respect of fidelity as to cause
Mr. Murdoch's plan to be given up. — Willm. Daniell remarked that Wm.
Westall, considering the time He was absent from England, and the
countries He visited, made but few drawings, as He did not think of what
might be interesting to the Topographer but only what would, in His
opinion, " Come well " (picturesque). —
* See Mary Anne Clarke. The Rival Princes ; or, a faithful Narrative of Facts re-
lating to Mrs. M. A. Clarke's political Acquaintance with Col. Wardle, &c, &c. Lond.
1 8 10. 8vo. 2 vols, with port, by Freeman, 6s. Other works relative to this notorious
affair were printed under the name of M.A.C.
The D.N.B. says that Mrs. Clarke was offered ,£7,000 down and a pension of £4,000
a year to give up a printed but unpublished edition of the Duke's letters to her. She
accepted this offer and the edition was destroyed, all but one copy, which was deposited
at Drummond's Bank. See entries January 31, February 26, March 5 and 20.
140 The Farington Diary [1809
A Scottish Engraver
April 15. — Hay, a young Engraver, a native of Edinburgh, brought
a letter from Cadell & Davis, proposing Him to be employed to engrave
for the Brittannia Depicta. He has been in London abt. 4 years, & has
been employed by Warren & other engravers, and now wishes for an
opportunity to work on His own account. He is 24 years old, & studied
sometime in the drawing Academy at Edinburgh under Graham. —
Wilkie studied there, & was then remarkable for His patient perseverance
in imitating whatever He undertook to draw from. —
Lysons came to tea, having arrived in town last night. — On Thursday
even'g last His letter of resignation of the Office of Director was read at
the Antiquary Society. — He said the Village of Ebly is situated about a
mile from Mr. Hawkers at Dudsbridge, near Rodborough, Gloucester-
shire & abt. 10 miles from Rodmarten. — At Ebly there is no regular
Chapel, but there is a Methodist Chapel, the property of a Layman of the
name of Hogg. — This man has also built several Cottages in the vicinity
of the Chapel which He lets to persons Methodistically inclined. — A
few years ago being left a Widower, He formed an irregular connexion
with His female servant, & [an] offspring was produced, which excited
much mirth in the neighboroud. —
April 17. — Constable called & told me of a letter He had reed, from
Haydon* renouncing His acquaintance. — Constable sd. He had informed
His friends of the advice I had given respecting His exhibiting this year,
& they were much pleased with the friendship I had uniformly shewn
Him.—
Wm. Wells I dined with. — W. Wells shewed me a picture by Claudet
which He had purchased for less that £500,— it was formerly in the
Choiseul Collection.
When Mr. Devaynes, the present Banker, married a woman 60 years
younger than Himself, He made a settlement upon Her which was every
year that He lived to have some increase, thereby making it Her interest
to keep Him alive as long as she could. —
* B. R. Haydon, the historical painter.
t " Mercury Lulling Argus to Sleep " (22 by 26), painted for Mr. Bafont and etched
by Claude himself. It fetched £346 10s. in the Wells sale of 1848. See Smith 150.
CHAPTER XLIV
1809
A Portrait of Eminent Men
April 18. — P. Hoare I called on by His desire, to give my opinion
respecting the account of the British Institution proposed to be published
in the Academic Annals. — I proposed abridgement & alterations which He
adopted. — He shewed me 3 pictures painted or drawn by His Father, a
portrait of the late Lord Chatham, — a Portrait of Mr. Pope, the Poet,
and a portrait of Handel. — The first a drawing in Black & White Chalk,
— the second painted in Oil, — the third in Crayons, — all manifestly
like the persons represented.* — He has proposed to have engravings
made from them, & has been in treaty with Heath for that purpose, —
but nothing has been settled. —
Played at Marbles
He told me that Lord Chatham when at Bath, had intercourse with
His Father, & was so much pleased with the regularity He saw in His
family, as to express His approbation of it, and desired Mr. Hoare to
send His Sons to play with His (Lord Chatham's) Sons, which they did
frequently at His Lordship's House in the Circus. — The late Minister,
William Pitt, was at that time Seven or Eight years old. He often
quarrelled with the other Boys ; and while at play, was, on that account,
put into an adjoining room, from whence He issued while they were
playing at marbles, & with a large taw marble, He drove through their
game. — His Father, at that early age, was accustomed to take Him into
a room and there debate with Him, — and His young mind was then so
filled with ideas of Oratory, that one day while these Boys were walking
upon [Combe] down near Bath, with Mr. Wilson tutor to Ld. Chatham's
sons & afterwards Canon of Windsor, Wm. Pitt said, " He was glad He
should not be a Lord." On being asked by Mr. Wilson why He said so,
— He replied, " Because He could not then be in the House of Commons
y make Speeches like His Father.''''
* Among portraits of Chatham by Hoare there is one which belongs to Viscount
Cobham. It was engraved by Richard Houston, Edward Fisher and others. A portrait
of Pope by William Hoare was exhibited at Twickenham by Messrs. Colnaghi. The
D.N.B. does not mention a portrait of Handel by Hoare.
141
142 The Farington Diary [1809
Chatham and Fascination in Words
P. Hoare said There was great dignity in Lord Chatham's appearance
& manner, but He well remembers that the " Boys were not afraid of
Him." — Lady Chatham, a Grenville, was excessively proud, & when she
admitted persons inferior to Her in rank, she affected condescension, but
it was done in a manner to make the other feel Her inferiority. —
Mr. Hoare conversed with Lord Chatham on Oratory & remarked on
the powerful effect of look and action. Lord Chatham on the contrary
said " There is a fascination in words." But while delivering this short
sentence Mr. Hoare observed that the look which accompanied them was
such as sufficiently proved the great addition of force which could be thus
given to the expression. — At that period the present Lord Chatham was
considered by other Boys as a Dull Boy. —
Sheridan and Self Reproach
Lawrence I dined with. Taylor there. — Sheridan was spoke of.
On the night while Drury Lane Play House was burning He went at
3 or 4 oClock in the morning to the Piazza Coffee House, where He
drank two or three bottles of wine, Nine of the Members of the House
of Commons accompanied Him, and to them He assumed a Philosophick
calmness and said " There were three things which alone could sensibly
affect a mind properly constituted ; The first was the loss of a Woman
beloved; The Second Bodily Pain; the third, Self reproach ;— The first
He had suffered & felt, — The second He had been happily free from, —
and laying His hand on his breast He said Self reproach He had none,
having never injured any man"
Suppression of Vice
John Bowles, the celebrated anti-Jacobin writer, and a principal
member of the Society formed " for the suppression of vice " was men-
tioned. — Taylor said the first time He saw Him was at the lodgings of
the celebrated Mrs. Rudd, who was connected with the Perreau's, who
were executed for forgery. — By Her Bowles had a Child.*
Sir George Beaumont was with Taylor an Hour on Sunday. — He was
full of encomium of the extraordinary abilities of Haydon in painting.
— He spoke of Ned Jerningham, & of the pleasant life He has led. — He
has not posessed more than £400 a year, & from not being always prudent
in His expences has sometimes had difficulties. —
He said, When Young Betty first appeared on the London Stage, He
had not spoken 5 lines before He felt that it was an imposition to cry Him
up as had been done. — He allowed Kemble sense, and that He had studied
much to be an Actor, but that He had no genius. — To Mrs. Siddons He
allowed Genius. —
* Margaret Youngson, wife of Valentine Rudd and mistress of Daniel Perrcau (1732-
1776), who, with his twin brother Robert, was hanged for forgery. Among the engraved
British portraits at the British Museum are prints of Mrs. Rudd and the brothers Perreau.
1809] Green was not Invited 143
April 19. — The invitations to the Academy dinner were voted on
Monday night. — The list of last year was read, and all who had not sent
answers were struck off the list. — A. Phipps was included at the desire of
Beechey to prevent it being supposed by Lord Mulgrave that He (Beechey)
was the cause of His being put off the list, — in consequence of His Lord-
ship having had a picture of Sir G. Beaumont painted by Lawrence
though promised to Him. — Mr. Green, of Blackheath, was proposed,
& Mr. West inclined to have him invited. It was stated that He had made
a large Collection of Modern Art ; but it was observed, that this Collection
had been made by purchasing them cheap at second hand. He was not
invited. —
Lord Radstock
April 20. — Constable called. — Lord Radstock has induced Mr.
D. P. Watts to purchase from him several pictures by Old Masters, to
the amount of 3 or £4000 ; thus excluding modern works which Mr.
Watts had been inclined to. — He ridiculed Northcote's picture of St.
John, calling it " a Butcher's Boy, with a Blue apron washing His Sheep."
■ — Lord Radstock told Constable that He had in His House pictures which
had cost Him 6 or ^7000 ; and that having a large family He felt the
want of money. — He has further pressed Mr. Watts to buy pictures from
Him, & has called upon Him 6 or 7 times a day. Mr. Watts at last re-
quested that the subject of pictures might not be again mentioned unless
begun by himself. This, however, He expressed to His Lordship in
writing. — Lord R. having made up a lot for Him was then at a loss how
to proceed, & tried to engage Miss Watts to forward His views, and also
called upon Constable for that purpose. — Having a picture by Teniers
He desired Wilkie to call upon Him to see it ; & then urged Him to speak
of it to the Marquiss of Stafford, as a very proper companion to a picture
which He (the Marquiss) had in his posession.— Lord Mulgrave, within
a few days has paid Hay don 150 guineas for His picture [Dentatus] now
in the Exhibition. Haydon desired to leave the price to His Lordship.
He (Haydon) communicated the payment to Jackson & desired Him to
report that 200 guineas was the sum paid for the picture. —
Constable and Haydon
Constable shewed me a letter from Haydon dated April 9th, 1809
accusing him of having said to Northcote, That He, Haydon, had been
warned by Him (Constable) not to ridicule the ladder by which He had
ascended, meaning Jackson. — The letter concluded, " That He was mad
at having allowed Constable to have wound himself into his acquaint-
ance." —
CHAPTER XLV
1809
Government Contractor's Default
April 26. — [Yesterday in the House of Commons Lord Archibald
Hamilton moved " That it appears to this House that Lord Visct. Castle-
reagh* in the year, 1805, having first quitted the Presidency of the Board
of Controul, and being at the time a Privy Counsellor, and one of His
Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, did deliver up, into the hands of
Lord Clancarty, a Writership, of which He had the gift, for the purpose
of exchanging it for a seat in Parliament. That merely from the disagree-
ment of some subordinate agents employed, this design was not carried
into effect."
April 28. — Yesterday in the Court of Kings Bench [says the Morn-
ing Post] Alexander Davidsonf was brought up to receive the judgment
of the Court. — The Attorney General informed the Court that since the
last term, Mr. Davidson had paid into the Treasury the Sum of £18,882.
13.Lt being the amount of all the Commission He improperly received.
* Lord Archibald Hamilton's motion respecting Lord Castlereagh's negotiation for
a seat in Parliament was, after a long debate, defeated by a majority of 49 — 216 against 167.
t Alexander Davison, or Davidson (1750-1829), Government contractor of St. James's
Square, confidential friend and prize agent of Lord Nelson, whom he, it is said, saved
from an imprudent marriage when the latter was a captain in Quebec.
The charge against Davison was that, " having been employed by Government as an
agent on commission and receiving z\ per cent, as the price of his skill and knowledge,
which he was bound to exert to protect the Government from being imposed upon, he
had, by means of false vouchers and receipts, received as an agent for the Government a
commission on the amount of goods, which he had supplied as a merchant from his own
warehouse."
X The Annual Register also gives this sum, but the D.N.B. reduces it by £10,000.
Farington has frequently referred to Davison as a keen collector of pictures by modern
painters and to the sumptuous dinners he gave to artists and others, including the Prince of
Wales, in his mansion in St. James's Square. In 18 17 he contributed to the British
Institution Copley's " Death of the Earl of Chatham," Gainsborough's " Landscape
with Market People," and Morland's " Interior of a Stable " and " Pigs."
"The Death of Chatham" was sold for .£1,050 at Stanley's Auction Rooms, where
also the Gainsborough fetched £142 16s. ; a Morland " Landscape Figures Seated Near
a Fire," £32 ; and Henry Bone's portrait of " Lady Hamilton," ^147.
A descriptive catalogue of his pictures was published in 1806.
144
1809] Royal Academy Dinner 145
— Mr. Justice Grose then pronounced the judgment of the Court, and
having descanted on the importance of the offence committed by the
Defendant, sentenced the Defendant to Twenty one months imprison-
ment in Newgate, which, with the three He has already endured, is a
sentence of two years imprisonment. — From small note-book.]
April 29. — Between Eleven & twelve oClock I went at West's
desire to assist Him in placing Cards at the dinner-table at the Royal
Academy. Howard was the only member of the Council who was with
me. — I returned home to dress & went back to the Academy where I had
conversation with many. — Umbrage was taken by Shee, and as I under-
stood by Thomson & a few others at Robt. Smirke's name being placed
next to Lord Oxford's at the Upper end of the middle-table. — Westall
informed me of this. — & Philips came to me & spoke of it. — I justified
it on acct. of Lord Oxford knowing Robt. Smirke, — & expressed my
sentiments to Thomson & to Owen upon it, — & to several other members,
— Beechey included who approved it.
Dinner on the table at 6, [which was provided by Contract with Simp-
kin of the Crown & Anchor tavern at 30 shillings a Head, wine, & all
things included.] & the Company broke up a little before 9. — Lord
Castlereagh & Mr. Windham conversed together, Lord C. alluding to what
had passed in the House of Commons on Tuesday last, the 25th. inst.
respecting His offering to barter an India writership for a seat in parlia-
ment, said " Here we are all neutralised." —
Lord Lonsdale did not stay to dine having been previously engaged
but told me He had asked Lawrence in the morning whether he might
with propriety go to the rooms & retire before dinner. — He asked me
whether Smirke was in the room as He wished to be introduced to
Him.—
April 30. — I went to St. James's Chapel. — Lady Thomond I called
on for the first time since Lord Thomond's death, — and found Miss Vernon,
sister to the Dowager Lady Grosvenor & one of the Maids of Honour,
with her. — After she went away, Lady T. told me that Lord Harcourt
died after a very short illness, of an obstruction in His breast. He had
before He was thus suddenly attacked, been very well. — He has left
^3000 a yr. to Lady Harcourt, besides money & Jewels &c. &c. — but
has left both the House in Cavendish square and that at Nuneham to
His Brother General Harcourt, the present Earl. The General had a
paralytic stroke 15 years ago, & is now infirm. At his death all goes to
the Dowager Lady Harcourt for Her life & at Her death to Dr. Vernon,
Her nephew, & Archbishop of York.
James Curtis 's Nose
Lady Thomond shewed me impressions of the engraved plate of Lord
Thomond. I told Her it was very like ; which opinion she sd. should
content Her, but she remarked on the nose being a bottled nose something
VOL. V. 10
146 The Farington Diary [1809
like James Curtis's* nose. — She wished to have 50 impressions & then to
make some engagement for selling the plate or having it published for
Her. — She is to pay 30 guineas for the plate. — She spoke of selling the
Eleven pictures by Sir Joshua Reynolds painted for the New College
Window, & said she wd. not take less than £5000. for them. — She asked
me if amongst my great acquaintance I knew any one who wd. give
Her Church preferment of £300 a yr. for one of Her fine pictures by Sir
Joshua, viz : The Iphigenia, or some other. She shewed me a Sketch
by Flaxman of the figure for Sir Joshua's monument, and when I declared
my approbation of it sd. she would remain satisfied. —
* The brewer, and brother of Sir William Curtis, Lord Mayor of London (1795) and
M.P. for the City (1790-1818). See Vol. II., page 188.
CHAPTER XLVI
1809
Ambassador to Spain
April 30. — Mr. Phipps I dined with. We had some talk of politics,
and concurred in rejoicing at Lord Wellesley being appointed Ambassador
to Spain. — Mr. Greenhill, a Member for Thirsk, said, " We had before
sent the most improper man, Frere* — and now were sending the most
proper man." —
I was asked How I liked Haydon's picture. I told them I had not
had time to look at it, but that all the professional men who had spoken
of it to me sd. it Had been overrated, — & they agreed with me in
thinking it injudicious to say too much in praise of anything. — Mrs.
Phipps thought Turner's Summer warm even'g view of Tabley very clever.
— The water in His large sea piece she thought not like water, not liquid,
& in all His pictures there is a want of finishing. —
Mr. Greenhill sd. everybody condemned Canning's attack upon Lord
Folkestone's ancestors accused of procuring a peerage for .£10,000 pd.
to the Countess of Yarmouth, Mistress to George 2nd.f — Mr. Phipps
sd. Canning's conduct was much disapproved. —
Windham's Straw Splitting
Mr. Greenhill sd. Windham has fallen low, as a political character,
on every side [of] the House. His wavering indecission, — His splitting
straws, & His inconsistency have left Him a character not to be looked
to. — On Lord Castlereagh's business respecting the India Writership
offered by Him for a seat in parliament, after speaking on the question,
Windham while they were settling the form of putting Lord A. Hamilton's
* John Hookham Frere, translator of Aristophanes, who died at Malta in 1846. See
Dictionary of Literature and Biography.
t Horace Walpole writing to Horace Mann on June 20, 1747, said : " Sir Jacob
Bouverie, a considerable Jacobite, who is made Viscount Folkestone, bought his ermine
at twelve thousand pounds a yard of the Duchess of Kendal [who was the King's mistress]
d'aujourd'hui." The Hon. Vicary Gibbs in " The Complete Peerage " comments thus :
" The price of a Barony at that date was ^10,000, and the extra ^2,000 must be presumed
to have been paid for the Viscounty. He [Lord Folkestone] was a great collector and
patron of Art, and did much to adorn Longford." His son William Bouverie was created
Earl of Radnor. See footnote, Vol. I., page 57.
VOL. V, 147 10*
148 The Farington Diary [1809
resolutions, slipt out of the House, & voted on neither side. — He sd.
when Mr. Wardle brought the D of Y 's business forward He
stood unsupported, & seemed to feel it, looking very pale, so as to excite
pity in the mind of Mr. Greenhill & others. — During the first two days
whenever anything was said in favor of the D the House cheered,
and much discouraged whatever was unfavourable. It was not till
Mr. Knight was examined that the House attended with seriousness &
then it was reed, silently. —
It is allowed that Mr. Adam has fallen much in public opinion by His
conduct on this occasion. — In an early stage He told Mr. Greenhill that
in consequence of Mrs. Clarke having procured or endeavoured to procure
goods, in the D of Y 's name, that He advised the D not to
pay Her annuity. — This charge against Her was refuted by the evidence
of Mr. Lowbon and Mr. Wilkinson, the D 's agents. — He said Mr.
Perceval's speech in defence was the speech of a Lawyer & a speech of
great dexterity. But Mr. Whitbread's was a most impressive speech &
quite English in plainness & directness to the subject. He carried several
members by it. —
May 1. — Northcote & Taylor dined with me. — They expressed
opposite sentiments respecting the fate of Spain ; Taylor being convinced
that the French will never be able to conquer that Country, — Northcote
wd. not feel uneasy from apprehension of it if His own death shd. be
ordained to happen at the period of the French being expelled from it. —
Heriot* has been appointed Paymaster to the Leward & Windward
Islands, & sailed for Barbadoes in February last, taking with Him His
whole family. His pay is 3 guineas & a Half a day, & his eldest Son is
to be assistant paymaster at a guinea a day. — He gave up His Com-
missionership of the Lottery which produced Him £350 a year. — Mr.
Long appointed Him Pay Master. — He still retains 6 shares out of 10
Shares into which the property of the Sun Newspaper is divided. — Mr.
Clarke, the Editor, has 2 Shares, and Taylor one share. — It sometime
since produced Heriot £3000 a year. He kept two carriages & lived
too expensively.
Mrs. Canning, mother of the Right Honble. George Canning, appeared
upon the London Stage abt. 30 years ago. Her Mother was Midwife
to the Queen. She lived with Reddish, the Player, & was sd. to be married
to Him. After His death she appeared at Plymouth with a company
of Strolling Players, & there she married a man of the name of H Son
of a person who had a small office under government. f —
* John Heriot (1760-1832) was a native of Haddington, Scotland, and author of " An
Historical Sketch of Gibraltar." He started the Jrue Briton on January 1, 1793, and on
October 1st of that year established the Sun, with the help of R. G. Clarke. Heriot re-
turned from Barbados in 18 16, and was appointed Comptroller of Chelsea Hospital. See
Index, Vols. I., II., III.
t Mrs. Canning was married to Redditch, an actor, afterwards to Hunn, a Plymouth
linen-draper. She outlived him for many years,
1809] Hoppner's Exigence 149
Hoppner has applied to Sir John Leicester for payment of 20
guineas for a small copy of the whole length portrait of Miss Sinclair
[or St. Clare, Sir John's mistress] painted by Him for Sir John.
This demand was accompanied by a statement of His ill-Health, great
expences to medical men & His being incapable of practising His profes-
sion. Sir John was incensed at the demand having considered the copy
as a present in consequence of His having paid Hoppner 300 guineas for
His picture of Venus, and His whole length of Miss Sinclair. — He has
prepared a letter on 4 sides of paper to be sent to Hoppner, & wd. not
acknowledge His address when they met at the Academy dinner. —
The Skull of Abelard
Northcote having occasion for a Skull to paint from sent to Cosway's
knowing there was one in His House. — He received the Skull, and with it
answers characteristick of the persons.— Mrs. Cosway, who, with many
peculiarities is — or affected to be — a religious devotee, desired He wd.
take care of it as it was that which she placed on Her table, and Cosway
requested Him to be careful of it as it was the Skull of Abelard. —
Lord Grey has a high opinion of Lawrence's painting. He bought two
Heads painted by Him of His (Lord Grey's) Children, Northcote sd.
" They were very fine & like Sir Joshua." Lord Grey replied " Sir Joshua
never painted anything so well."
[On Saturday morning last the Lord Chancellor decreed that the eldest
Son of the Duke of Sussex by Lady Augusta Murray [see Index, Vols.
I., II.], aged 16, should be placed under the care of the Earl of Moira.
— From small note-book.]
A Great Lawyer and Art
May 2. — Woodforde called, & we talked of the Academy dinners
& of the arrangement of names — Lord Besborough, who sat next to Him,
He found cold & of few words. — Lord Ellenborough seemed to be quite
hard & insensible to art. He was only solicitous to know the size of the
room, — where the dinner was cooked and such like questions.
CHAPTER XLVII
•I 809
Lord Erskine's Levity
May 3. — Sir F. Bourgeois I called on & remained with Him 4 hours.
— He told me Lord Erskine had just left him & remarked on the contrast
which He exhibited to what we should expect in respect of gravity &
conversation from one who had been Lord Chancellor of England. He
said when Lord Erskine looked at the naked figure of Venus by Titian,*
He cried out " That is just such a woman from the top of Her Head
to the end of Her toe as I once kept, a charming creature, & I had a child
by Her." — With the same kind of levity He made many other remarks.
— He said He had not hitherto done it but He shd. now turn his attention
to pictures. — Bourgeois sd. What a man to be a Chancellor or a member
of Government. —
Bourgeois sd. He met Lord Erskine at the Duke of Gloucester's who
had invited Him (Bourgeois) & Captn. Agar, who He had introduced
to the Duke, & who in return had invited the Duke to a dinner of as much
splendour as that at Gloucester House. — At the Duke's dinner Lord
Erskine sd. that the late Mr. Agar, father of Captn. Agar, gave him the
first brief He ever had, & He regretted that Mr. Agar had not lived to
see Him Lord Chancellor. — -
A Prophecy that Came True
Bourgeois had been told by Mr. Reynolds Son of Dr. Reynolds, that
He goes the same Circuit with Copley junr, & speaks of Him as being a
young man of extraordinary abilities ; at present receiving many briefs,
& no one more likely to become Lord Chancellor.t —
Sir Joshua Reynolds dined one day at Mr. Desenfans with Sir A. Hume,
& others. — Sir Abraham spoke of the pleasure of seeing rooms furnished
with fine pictures. " Yes," said Sir Joshua, " to see walls decorated with
thought.''''
* Probably the copy of Titian's " Venus and Adonis," now at the Dulwich Art Gallery.
Another copy is in the National Gallery ; the original is in the Prado Museum, Madrid.
t John Singleton Copley (1772-1863), son of the American artist of the same name,
did become Lord Chancellor, but not until 1827, in which year he was created Lord Lynd-
hurst.
150
1809] Bourgeois, Desenfans and Northcote 151
He spoke of going to Windsor with Copley to have an interview
with the King on the subject of the Academy disputes. — In the Inn
there, they met West & Richards. — Bourgeois not willing to subject
Himself to mortification did not address West, but West turned from
Him witht. noticing Him. To have seen Copley's face at this moment
wd. have been very laughable. —
He spoke of His separation from Northcote's acquaintance, in conse-
quence of Opie having told him that at my House Northcote had sd.
Mr. Desenfans had given Him for 2 pictures which He had painted 40
guineas each, a 'picture dealer 's price ; which Bourgeois sd. was very
ungrateful, & unjust. The price was proposed by Himself, & Mr. Desen-
fans hearing of it purchased the pictures from a kind of feeling towards
Him, & put them into a sale with the King of Poland's Collection, with
new frames, determining that if they shd. sell for more than Mr. Desenfans
gave for them Northcote shd. have the surplus. Bourgeois sd. the
sentiments He then expressed of Northcote's conduct, rendered it unfit
for Him to hold further communication with Him, as otherwise He must
have appeared to Opie to be very inconsistent. I told Him I had no
recollection of Northcote having made such a declaration.—
Bourgeois said He was with Desenfans when only 10 years old.
He for a while studied under Loutherburgh, — who He said laboured
under a radical defect, His Vision being such that He never could see
but a small part of His picture and not the whole together. This
accounted for His crude colouring, for His bringing Hot & cold colours
together so as [to] produce a discordant effect. —
For a time Desenfans was alienated from Northcote ; but growing
old & weak in constitution with a presentiment that He shd. not live
long, He was unwilling to leave the world at variance with any one.
This caused him to call upon Northcote. He shewed me a beautiful
picture of Tivoli by Wilson,* for which Desenfans gave Hill the picture
dealer 150 guineas. Wilson had 25 or 30 for it. In it He represented
Himself with an Easel painting.
Architects
I left Bourgeois at 4 oClock, & on returning home was immediately
followed by Lord Lonsdale & Mr. Long, who sat with me a while. They
had been with Robert Smirke to see the progress of Covent Garden
Theatre, & were much pleased. — His Lordship wished to shew my sketch
of Lowther to Mr. Long but it was at Robert Smirke's. — I shewed them
my 2 pictures by Wilson. They spoke highly of Edridge's miniature
of Mrs. Long. — Lord Lonsdale remarked on the elegance in the picture of
Mecenas's Villa by Wilson. —
Robert Smirke I dined with. He had met Dance & Cockerell at
Dance's House several times to make a report on the drawings offered
* This, one of several versions of Tivoli by Wilson, is in the Dulwich Art Gallery.
152 The Farington Diary [1809
to the Committee of the House of Commons, being designs for certain
buildings to be erected in Westminster. They were offered in consequence
of an advertisement issued, & were all very bad. — At these meetings,
the time was trifled away, neither Dance or Cockerell being disposed
to serious application. Robt. Smirke therefore offered to take them to
His Office, to consider them, suggest what wd. be best to be done &
make a report which they agreed to. Accordingly He completed the
business & they added their signatures. — Cockerell, indeed, at the outset,
seemed serious on the business & prepared the commencement of a report
but then flagged. — He spoke of Yenn having warmly accosted Him at the
Academy dinner, like an old acquaintance though He scarcely knew Him.
— He has been much with Kemble who, at times, when in company,
cannot resist wine. — At Cockerell's a little time since, they dined between
6 & 7 and sat till 2 oClock in the morning. Antrobus & Coutts Trotter,
& Leach* the Council were there, & staid till 12, but very cautious.
Kemble, though inebriated seemed on their way home to be mortified
at having drank so much while others were on their guard. —
* Afterwards Sir John Leach (1760-1834), Master of the Rolls.
CHAPTER XL VIII
1809
A Beauty of Byron's Time
May 3. — Lord Oxford was at Eywood in Herefordshire when
Lady Oxford informed Him of the infamous reports respecting Her
Ladyship & the Duke of Cumberland. — He was more apprehensive
of the opinion of the people in the country than of those in London, & to
show He was not affected by the calumnies He remained at Eywood
longer than He intended.*
May 4. — West I called on to prevent the Exhibition from being
seen on Sundays except by the Royal Family. I suggested to him to
make the Bishop of London's letter of remonstrance against it known
to the Prince of Wales through Colonel McMahon, which He signified
He wd. do, & I agreed to go to Fuseli [the Keeper] to speak to him
on the same subject. —
Fuseli I went to. — He declared Lord Rivers never came on a Sunday
but with the Princess of Wales. — He sd. in future no one should unless
in personal attendance upon one of the Royal Family. He told me of
several members of Council viz : Philips — Howard — Beechey, Woodforde
&c. including Himself having dined at the Academy's expence on the
five varnishing days. One day they invited Thomson & Oliver. —
* The Countess of Oxford was one of the most beautiful women of her time, as we see
by Hoppner's portrait of her (see Vol. II.), which was shown at the Royal Academy
in 1897. The Countess was a great friend of Lord Byron, and while in Paris in 1802, as
Farington records, she scandalised some of the other English visitors by going about with
Arthur O'Connor, the Irish rebel.
" She is a strange woman," said Elizabeth Duchess of Devonshire, who met her in
Florence in 1814, and Sir Uvedale Price, writing to Samuel Rogers in December, 1824,
remarks : " Poor Lady Oxford. I had heard with great concern of her dangerous illness,
but hoped she might get through it, and was much grieved to hear that it had ended
fatally. [She had died on November 20.] . . .
" There could not, in all respects, be a more ill-matched pair than herself and Lord
Oxford, or a stronger instance of the cruel sports of Venus, or, rather, of Hymen. ... It
has been said that she was, in some measure, forced into the match ; had she been united
to a man whom she loved, esteemed, and respected, she herself might have been generally
respected and esteemed, as well as loved ; but in her situation, to keep clear of all mis-
conduct, required a strong mind or a cold heart ; perhaps both, and she had neither. . . .
There was something about her, in spite of her errors, remarkably attaching, and that
something was not merely her beauty."
153
154 The Farington Diary [1809
A Famous Actor
May 6. — After tea Mathews,* the Comedian, personified many-
Characters — viz : an Idiot, a Drunken man, — a Half Idiot cryer of Race
lists, and trials for murder ; confounding the two with each other, —
also a swaggering Bond St. lounger. — He afterwards exhibited a supposed
quarrel among Players, as to which could best speak " How happy could
I be with either " from the Beggars Opera, — In which He introduced
Kemble, Cook, Incledon, Lewis, Suet, Braham, & several others. His
imitations were excellent, — and in the Idiot &c. He so entirely changed
the form of His face, so flexible were His features, that He bore not in
any of them the least resemblance to His natural face. —
May 7. — I went to St. James's Chapel. — Baker & Alexander called.
— Baker informed [me] that in the Court of King's Bench a few days ago
a rule was applied for by Boydell to obtain a new trial to oblige Mr.
Drummond [the banker] to take the numbers required to complete the
Shakespere work to which He was a Subscriber. This was opposed upon
the plea of the Statute of frauds which requires that any agreement
to be binding upon two persons for the Space of more than twelve months
shall have a stamp attached to it. This not having been provided the
Court admitted the legality of the objection & the rule was refused. —
Baker expressed much pleasure at the decission, & protested against
Boydell endeavouring to oblige Subscribers to take the whole of the
work whether they were or were not satisfied with it. He spoke of the
great profits they had obtained by their Lottery Scheme, & said that in
many instances the prints which they gave to those who held Tickets,
which were promised to be of the value of one guinea were not worth
Sixpence. —
The Grand Climacteric
We talked of the prudence of every man making such an arrangement
of His affairs as to leave everything in Order in case of His death. Baker
said He had had this much in his mind, & particularly in the present year,
having been posessed with a notion that being now in the 63rd. year of
His age, His grand Climacteric He should not live through it. We were
surprised at this declaration considering His apparently strong consti-
tution, but He sd. we did not know that He laboured under a weakness
of the Stomach, such a debility & sinking from it, as to cause Him much
apprehension. — I told Him He had nothing to fear from it if He wd. be
attentive to guard against [it] by not fasting too long & by other cautions.
* Charles Mathews (1773- 183 5), the actor, son of a bookseller and local preacher, was
born at 18, Strand, in a house pulled down to make way for Hungerford Bridge. Mathews
was so tall and thin that his friends called him " Stick," and Tate Wilkinson, the celebrated
theatre manager, said a hiss would blow him off the stage. In more than one character
he was actually hissed in his early days. He had a long and successful career.
.. W31A TMS WS as G: MM && R K
1'hf Me,'k Doctar
Charles Mathews, actor.
By S. de Wilde, engraved by W. Bond.
[To face p. 154,
1809]
An Unfortunate Painter 155
Paine called. He told me Joe Green* was about 12 or 15 months ago
admitted to Tancred College near Knaresborough in Yorkshire, established
by a gentleman, a Mr. Tancred, who left His House & estate to support
12 decayed gentlemen. — An admission to it was obtained for Green
who, for sometime was unwilling to go although He lived upon Charity.
— He was sent there in a Chaise with a person to whom money was given
by His friends for that purpose. He met persons on the road, who,
according to His old habits, He wd. have to eat & drink with Him. —
He did not like His situation at the College, where order & temperance
were observed. — His death was sudden, He fell while going up stairs &
died immediately. He had become corpulent & gross & before had had
one or two fits something like appoplexy. — He was 60 years old. — He
prevailed upon His Brother to join him in a Bond for £300 under a
pretence that it wd. forward His marriage with a Lady of fortune (Miss
Everard). It was a false pretence. He had done what He cd. to induce
Her to marry him but, though attached to him, she wd. not go that
length. —
* Probably Joshua Green, a water-colour painter, whose art is represented at South
Kensington Museum by a drawing of Ullswater Head — Patterdale Hall. According to
Bryan, the dates of his birth and death are unknown. Assuming that he died, as the
entry suggests, in 1809, at the age of sixty, he was born about 1749.
CHAPTER XLIX
1809
The Member for Lymington
May 7. — J. Offley I dined with. — Webber [wine merchant] sd.
Kingston, Member for Lymington, went to Portugal in the year 1762
with the British Army as Surgeon's mate. He is an Irishman. — When
the Army returned He remained at Oporto, & practised as Surgeon and
Apothecary. He married a Miss Gardner, who had some money, & He
was employed as agent there for an English Oporto merchant & gave up
His other business. — His wife died & He then married a Miss Dashwood,
a relation* of Lord Despencer, whose Sister married Mr. Lucy Knightley
of Northamptonshire. — Eventually He was elected Member for Lyming-
ton through the interest of His relation Mr. Fleming,! who had long
represented that Borough. — He is abt. 68 or 9 years of age. —
The Boydell Trial
May 9. — Boydell talked abt. His late trial with Mr. Drummond.
He consoled himself with having in the opinion of the Judges, Justice &
Equity on His side, though the forms which the Statute requires not
having been attended to the rule was refused. What has passed in the
Court of Kings Bench has, however, shewn to the public the honorable
manner in which they carried on the Shakespere work, & by silencing
Cavillers has placed their House on higher ground in respect of reputa-
tion. — Many of the Subscribers are still responsible, viz : those who wrote
letters desiring their names to be entered as such ; but [as] these [do]
not amount to more than 30 or 40 no proceeding will be had against
them. — As it is they shall appeal to their Subscribers on a principle
of Honour to compleat their numbers, the Judges having declared it fair
& equitable that they should do so. — He told me that He expects to sell
the Picture of the Death of Lord Nelson by Devis to the Commissioners of
* See Sir Henry Watkin Dashwood, third Baronet, whose sister Catherine married
Lucy Knightley, of Fawsley, co. Northampton.
t John Willis Fleming, M.P. for Southampton, married Elizabeth, daughter of
Valentine Knightley, of Fawsley, and her sister, Jane, was John Kingston's first wife._^
156
1809] Boydell and Colnaghi 157
Greenwich Hospital to be placed there, & to get £1000 for it * It has
been placed & now is in the British Institution Exhibition. V. Greenf
has been unconscionable enough to demand 10 per cent. shd. the picture
be sold, & letters have passed on the subject.
He then told me of Colnaghis,J the Printseller's name having been
forged by a young man R.G.,§ who presented the note to a Junior partner
in Ransom & Morlands Banking House to be discounted. The Partner
desired Him to leave the note, which He did, & the Partner having
some suspicion shewed it to Boydell, who carried it to Colnaghi, who
denied it to be His Handwriting. Boydell then settled with the Partner
to have the young man closeted with the latter, who drew from Him
that He had forged two other notes. Finally, the matter was settled
witht. public exposure which wd. have cost R.G. His life ; & Boydell
afterwards gave Him 5 guineas. — This conduct of Boydell He observed
ought to have excited sentiments of gratitude, as He urged successfully
not to make the matter public. — He moralised on the usage met with
in this world even from men in respectable situations, and said it was
enough to cause a man to run into privacy and retirement with any
means He might posess. — He called in a handsome carriage. — Notes of
the trial were taken in Short Hand & are so much for the Honour of the
Boydells that Nichol proposes to publish them.
The Abercorn Parmigiano.
Sir George Beaumont's I dined at. — Lady Beaumont told us that
Harris the Picture Dealer had given Lord Abercorn 3000 guineas for His
picture by Parmigiano for which His Lordship paid 1500 guineas. || —
Sir G. Beaumont told me that He & Lord Mulgrave had been to
Philip's in Bond St. today & had seen 2 of my pictures & were told there
were 7 or 8 more (C. Omey's) — one of them, however, I found was " Mar-
lows London Bridge." — He said there was a picture also by Hobbima
(C. Omey's) but it had been rubbed very much, but had been He believed
a fine picture. —
[Sir George Beaumont Bart, [says the Morning Post] gave a grand
dinner yesterday to His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, Earls
* According to the D.N.B., this painting, 'engraved by W. Bromley, was presented
by Lord Bexley to the Gallery of Greenwich Hospital in 1825.
t Valentine Green, mezzotint engraver and Keeper of the British Institution. See
Vol. III.
X The Colnaghi business is still carried on in New Bond Street.
§ Probably V. Green's son, Rupert, who, with his father, became bankrupt, and died
about the beginning of January, 1805. See Vol. III., pp. 48-9.
|| This picture, " The Vision of St. Jerome," was bought in the Watson Taylor sale
in 1823 for ^3,202 10s. by the Governors of the British Institution and presented by them
to the National Gallery in 1838. The panel is said to have been painted in 1527, during
the sack of Rome, for Maria Buffalina for the Church of San Salvatore di Lauro, at Citta
di Castello, where it remained until 1780.
158 The Farington Diary [1809
Bathurst, Camden, Chatham, Lord Mulgrave, Mr. Secretary Canning,
and a large party of Noblemen at His House in Grosvenor-square. —
Yesterday in the House of Commons, Mr. H. Martin stated, That in
1791, the Sum total of the expenditure of the Country was £15,909,000,
the expenditure of last year was £77,800,000. — From small note-book.]
Farington's Advice to Wilkie
After tea I had conversation with Wilkie & recommended to Him to
put His name down as a Candidate to be an Associate of the Royal
Academy. — He expressed much pleasure at my encouraging him to do so,
& sd. He had proposed to call upon me to speak upon the subject. —
He sd. He had been sometime engaged in painting a small picture con-
sisting of family portraits, viz : the family of Mr. Neave [Thomas], Son
of the late Sir Richd. Neave, Banker. He expressed Himself as not much
liking this kind of employment.
Famous Families
May 10. — Fuseli I called on, I found Him making additions to
Pilkington's lives of the Painters for a new Edition. He sd. Edwards's
Anecdotes of Painters had been of use to Him. — He goes now much to
Johnsons, the Booksellers, House near Fulham. He rose there at 5 this
morning & walked to Somerset House before 7 oClock. — He said His
usual Hour of going to bed when in London' is 12 oClock at the soonest
often later, as He prefers the night Hours for Study. He rises a quarter
before 8 or sooner. — He associates much with Mr. Coutts, the Banker, &
with His daughters Lady Guilford & Lady Burdett who, in London,
all live under the same roof, the House of Mr. Coutts joining that of Sir
F. Burdett, & they have a door way within their Houses which enables
them to visit each other witht. going into the open air. — They see but
little company, and Sir F. Burdett passes His time with His family in
London or at His House at Wimbledon. He Has 5 beautiful Children,
one Son & 4 daugrs. The Son is with a Clergyman in Worcestershire or
Gloucestershire. — He sd. Sir Francis is a learned man — a good scholar,
& Has an unmoved temper. — He thinks it to be His duty to do what He
does as a public man. Mr. Coutts told Fuseli, that at Christmas last Sir
Francis had discharged all His debts on Electioneering accounts, & that
they had in the whole paid £80,000. — He added that Sir Francis had
£20,000 a year. — When young He was gay, a Driver of High Phaetons
&c.*—
* See Vols. I., II., III., IV. for references to the Coutts and Burdett families.
CHAPTER L
1809
Church and Chapel
May 10. — I had company to dinner. — Mrs. Hannah More's novel
of " Coelebs in Search of a Wife " was talked of. — Mrs. C. Offley had
read it. — She remarked on Mrs. More having manifested it to be Her
object to support the established Church, by Her having exhibited an
imperfect female character as a Dissenter, who followed Mr. Huntingdon,
seeming thus to mark all Dissenters witht. any discrimination, whereas
she sd. the most respectable Characters who are Dissenters, have much
objection to Mr. Huntingdon. —
A Farington Picture
May 12. — C. Offley's sale of pictures took place today at Philips's
in Bond street. William Offley & His Wife, & Mrs. John Offley, &
my nephew William attended at the Sale, where there was a consider-
able company. The pictures which were not bought in, on the whole
sold well. — The picture of Ouse Bridge at York, exhibited by me in 1784,
and was bought from me by the late Mr. Offley for 16 guineas sold for
41 guineas. — The real bidding for the Hobbima was 280 guineas* It
was bought in. — Elwin [a dealer] & another person, were the persons
employed by Philips to buy in the pictures which were marked not to
go below a certain price. — The pictures really sold brought abt. 1640
guineas. —
Profligate and Tyrant
May 13. — After tea [at Sir George Beaumont's] Mr. Stourges
Bournef came. The Revd. Mr. BowlesJ spoke of Sir F. Burdett as being
very profligate in His moral principles, having, as a Lady told Mr. Bowles,
done all in His power to corrupt Her principles by laughing at notions
* " A Wooded Landscape with a Water Mill," by Hobbema. Hofstede de Groot
say8 the picture fetched £462 in the Offley sale and that it was in the Michael Zachary
Collection in 1835, but on May 31st, 1829, "A Water Mill, Painted with Berchem,"
the property of M. Zachary, was bought in at .£1,207 10s., according to Graves, who gives
the size as 37 by 26J, whereas de Groot says £1,575 an d 38J by 52.
t William Sturges-Bourne (1769-1845), politician.
X The Rev. William Lisle Bowles (1762-1860), poet and antiquary.
159
160 The Farington Diary [1809
of Chastity as prejudices. — Also that He is very tyrannical where He
has power ; viz : over His tenants &c. — I spoke of the favorable acct.
I had heard of His domestic & moral character. — Mr. Bowles believed
He was so in His family. Mr. S. Bourne spoke of Sir Francis having
carried Bribery at the Election for Middlesex farther than any other
man had done. — He sd. Sir Francis as an orator, had a ready command
of language. — Sir George thought Him a man influenced by ambition
& Vanity, and that He wd. be indifferent to any danger He might cause
provided it obtained for Him to be carried round Covent Garden on men's
shoulders. —
Lord Folkestone was also spoken of as being very immoral in respect
of female connexions, & that His late wife's Health suffered from
His neglect & ill-treatment. — Mr. S. Bourne sd. that Mr. Maddocks
[M.P.] who has stood forth a Hero of reform of Parliament, obtained His
Election for Boston by giving 10 guineas to one description of Voters
and 5 guineas to another set. —
A Happy Party
May 15. — At dinner I had company. — Mr. West came to us before
8 oClock having been prevented from dining by Mrs. West's indisposi-
tion. — The party was sociable & joyous, and made more so by my
producing a sketch made by Mr. West at my table, May 24, 1784, when
He, Sir G. Beaumont, Mr. Bowles, & Mr. Hearne, dined with me. — It
was made for the purpose of showing us the Composition of the picture
of St. Peter Martyr, by Titian. — This excited warm feelings of recollec-
tion, & Sir George expressed a desire that our meetings should be continued
at each other's Houses, — & it was agreed to, & our next meeting was
appointed to be at Dance's. —
On the back of the Sketch of St. Peter Martyr, Dance wrote in addi-
tion to what had been written by me on the 24th. of May 1784 that
" The same party dined together at the same table, May 15th, 1809
with the addition of the Honble. Augustus Phipps,* & George
Dance " ; & to this we each added our signatures. — Dance proposed
that the Club should have a Book in which shd. be entered such minutes
as may be hereafter thought proper to enter ; — This was left to Him. — All
seemed very happy, & Sir George, on going away, said to me, That
when He dined with me something occurred to make our meetings
singularly pleasant.— Mr. Bowles communicated to me from Mr. Stourges
Bourne, & His wife (ci-devant Miss Anne Bowles) that they should be
happy to shew me a picture at their House and also to see me there
whenever it might be agreeable to me. —
[Elements of Art a Poem, by M. A. Shee R.A. published by Miller,
Albemarle St. price 13 shillings. — From small note-book.]
* See Vols. I., II., III., IV.
CHAPTER LI
1809
A Dinner at Battersea
May 16. — Mr. Wolffs'* I dined at, at Sherwood. — After tea lights
were placed in the Statue Gallery to shew the effect of the Farnese
Hercules by Candle Light. — Our dinner was very handsome, Cham-
paigne, Hock 30 yrs. old, — Hermitage. — I talked with Mrs. Wolff of the
late Mr. Goldsmid.f She sd. notwithstanding His Wife's conduct
with Mr. Hamilton, the Tutor in His family, He was much attached to
Her, that He could not separate from Her in this world. " He could
leave the world but not leave Her & remain in it." I observed that
He appeared chearful when we met at this place at dinner. — She sd.
so He was apparently, but that she saw His change of countenance &
His distress of mind.
Miss Trigge told me that the late Revd. Mr. Gardner, Rector of
Battersea, was in a bad state of Health during four years before His
death. — His law-suits with His Parishioners respecting tithes, cost
Him it is sd. £10,000, & much affected His Health. — Though this contest
was ended, He never was liked by His Parishioners, though He had
many good qualities.
Death of the Bishop of London
Lysons sd. His Brother, Daniel Lysons called at the Bishop of Lon-
dons in St. James's square, on Thursday last & saw Mrs. Porteous, the
Bishop's wife, who told Him the Bishop was then laid down on a sofa,
otherwise [he] would have seen Him. He had gradually become very
weak, but His faculties were clear, & Sound. — On Saturday morning
He was removed to His House at Fulham, & before He went He wrote
* Jens Wolfe, Danish Consul in London, who died in 1829. See Vols. III., IV.
t Abraham Goldsmid. See Vol. IV., page 184.
VOL. V. l6l II
162 The Farington Diary [isod
a note to His Apothecary signifying that He shd. never return from
thence. At 6 oClock that evening He died — like one falling asleep.*
Lord Melville and Pitt
May 17. — Lawrence I dined with. — Lord Melville sat to Him
today & gave to Him the following acct. of Mr. Pitt. —
" I was during many years in habits of the closest intimacy with
Him, & can say, that He had the most virtuous nature of any man I
ever knew. He was by disposition extremely indolent, as much so
as Charles Fox. He would sleep for ten or twelve Hours. He did
not begin business till 12 or one oClock in the day. In business He
never attended to details, other persons went throught that part, & He
only took the results. But His mind was so quick that He saw through
everything. — He never could be brought to attend to His private affairs.
I have often said to Him ' Would you, Sir, but allot one Hour in a day
for that purpose you wd. have no inconveniences.' In transacting the
business of the State, in forming our plans &c. we never retired to Office
for that purpose. All these matters we discussed & settled either in
our morning rides at Wimbledon, or in our evening walks at that place.
We were accustomed to walk in the even'g from 8 oClock to sometimes
10 or Eleven in the Summer Season."
He said Mr. Pitt was a greater Orator than His Father, Lord Chatham.
The latter had more dashing in His oratory, but in His time expressions
might be used in Parliament, such as wd. not have been endured from
a Minister in Mr. Pitt's time. —
* Beilby Porteus (1731-1809), youngest of nineteen children born to Robert Porteus
and his wife, who was a daughter of Colonel Jennings. Both parents were natives of Vir-
ginia. On account of ill-health and in order to educate his children, the father sold his
own American estate, and, coming to England in 1720, he settled in York, where the
future Bishop was born.
According to the D.N.B., Beilby was educated in the Yorkshire capital and at Ripon,
in 1748 going as a sizar to Christ's College, Cambridge. He became a scholar in the same
year, and graduated in 1752. Ordained deacon and priest in 1757, he won the Seatonian
prize two years later for an English poem on Death. Porteus succeeded to the Bishopric
of London on the death of Bishop Lowth in 1787. See Vol. I. of the Diary.
Mr. A. J. Waterfield writes : " Your footnotes continue to be an attractive feature
of the Farington Diary. I would, by your leave, supplement your remarks regarding
Beilby Porteus, Bishop of London, who died in 1809. He took a special interest in the
abolition of slavery movement. In his attention to the poor he was uniform and inde-
fatigable. But he was not lavish in the number of special sermons. Once, when asked
by a clergyman to preach a charity sermon, he replied : ' I give one in a year, and next
year is promised.' Early in his career he was appointed by Archbishop Seeker one of his
domestic chaplains, and ' whilst in that capacity he was made the purveyor of his Lord-
ship's kind offers to assist Peter Annet, in Newgate, who had been exposed to the pillory
for denying the authority of Moses.' Bishop Porteus married Margaret, eldest daughter
of Brian Hodgson, of Ashbourne, Derbyshire. It is of interest to note that Margaret's
father was at one time landlord of that famous old hostelry, the ' George,' at Stamford,
Lincolnshire."
1809] Lord Melville's Self -Portrait 163
" Of myself," sd. Lord Melville, " I can say that I never made a
promise in my life to any man. When I intended to serve a Man, I
waited till I could do it. I can also say that I never allowed a second
day to pass without answering every letter addressed to me requiring
one. Whilst I was first Lord of the Admiralty, I avoided losing time
in interviews with Officers. I desired them to state their business in
writing, signifying that to be the best mode of procuring a speedy answer.
These letters I made notes upon, & from them my Secretary formed
answers, which the next morning I had only to sign. The intercourse
I had with Naval Officers was at my dinner table, there I had leisure, &
there I procured information." — He said He had been told that lately
at the Navy Officers Club, they had drunk His Health, with wishes
for Him to be again at the Head of the Admiralty. This [he] advised
that they shd. not repeat, as it might be an impediment to their being
employed. —
Political Spies
He spoke of the evil dispositions of disaffected persons in this country
during the French Revolution. He said that He & Mr. Pitt had spies
amongst them who regularly reported to them all the proceedings. In
one of these Societies of more desperate character than some others,
they had bribed the Secretary of the Society, who after each night of their
meeting after the Society broke up at 12 or one oClock regularly brought
their books with all the minutes of their proceedings at 3 or 4 oClock
the same morning. — Some of the people of this description actually
formed a plan to destroy Mr. Pitt, & the mode proposed was for a few
men to place themselves upon Putney Bridge and to block up the passage
in such a way as to prevent Mr. Pitt who usually went to Wimbledon
at night with one servant only, & seize Him & throw Him into the River.
This being known was guarded against. —
Melville in Danger
His Lordship sd. That at a meeting of the above, it was proposed
to destroy Him, and when there was a pause as to how it could be done,
a man amongst them, an American by birth, a known discontented
character, jumped up & sd. He cd. get across to Lord Melville and would
do it. — This was reported to His Lordship and in a day or two, this
man actually entered His room witht. being introduced. Lord M.
knew His [purpose], & immediately went to the fireplace & taking up
the poker, demanded to know Why He thus intruded upon Him ? The
other sd. He had matters of complaint & came to urge it.— Lord M.
bid Him depart, & ringing the bell a servant came, which caused the man
to go away & He never saw Him afterwards. — $ p ,
Mr. Pitt & Himself were advised to be constantly on their guard,
& I, sd. Lord M, being in the habit of passing through Scotland Yard,
which is rather private, I constantly kept my eye upon every man I
VOL. V. II*
164 The Farington Diary [1809
saw, observing His motions. — I had no apprehension that a man wd.
risk Kis own life by firing a Pistol, which must have been heard, and
trusting to my bodily strength, I was not afraid of a bludgeon or of
any other mode of attack, while I saw the man. — Such was the situation
of the Ministers at that period. —
Attempt on the King
Lord M. mentioned, that a poor woman who had during many years
reed, from His Majesty's own Hand 20 guineas a year, resided at an Old
House in the City to which was attached a large room, which certain
persons hired from her, and with others were accustomed to assemble
there at night to hold meetings. This being continued excited in Her
mind some alarm, & one of them having learnt from Her that she had
the above bounty from the King, recommended to Her to go to Windsor
& throw Herself in the way of His Majesty who wd. though not at the
usual time, probably give Her the money. This increased Her appre-
hension of some evil being intended [against] His Majesty, & she went
to the Queen's Palace where she communicated to Mr. Brawn, the King's
Head page, all that was in Her mind. Brawn treated it very lightly
& wd. not trouble the King abt. it. In a few days, however, the King
was really shot at, which so terrified Brawn that He immediately com-
municated to the King all the woman had told Him. — She was accord-
ingly examined by His Majesty & by others, & measures were taken
respecting these meetings at Her House, soon after which she was ordered
by Her Landlord to quit the premises, and said Lord M. this Landlord
was a troublesome Member of parliament, — and Lawrence concluded
He meant Sir F. Burdett. —
CHAPTER LII
1809
The Surrender of Martinique
May 19. — Sir N. Holland called. He spoke of the political state
of the world & sd. accounts from Germany are this day favourable.
Should the Archduke Charles be able to give a check to Buonaparte
that opinion of His overwhelming power might be lessened & people
wd. no longer be conquered as they now are by their apprehensions. —
He sd. He had no good light to paint by at His House in the Country,
but should have a better one at His new House in Piccadilly. This
prospective view of application at 75 was pleasant to hear.
Captain Richd. Machell called. He is in the 30th Regt. & is now
returned from Martinico. The fortifications & Military works of that
place extending several miles are the strongest in the world. The
Fort could not be taken they supposed in less than 6 months, & by starva-
tion ; but it happened that 2 Bombs fired by the English cracked the
top of the powder magazine containing 200,000 Barrels of Gunpowder.
The apprehension of being blown to pieces caused the French to capitu-
late. — During the siege there was hard fighting for 2 days. The English
Soldiers were superior to the French, who wd. not stand the Bayonet.
The French Officers were more skilful in negotiation, & in making the best
of their situation & were more scientific than the English Officers. — It
was the rainy Season. The rain wd. for 2 Hours soak them through &
an intense Hot sun wd. dry their Cloaths upon them, — this happening
repeatedly in the Course of a day. — This exposure, and eating fruit
caused a Dysentery to prevail which carried off numbers.
Yellow Fever
The Yellow Fever was also fatal to numbers, but more were affected
by it after the service of the field was over, the place being taken, than
whilst they were engaged on service. It generally carried those off
who died, in 48 Hours. — He had it. It commenced with giddiness,—
Head ache, vomiting, — pain in the Back & limbs, and on its approach
great despondency. — He was delirious 2 Hours. His recovery was
preceded by sleep & perspiration. — He still feels nervous from it. —
The calculation among the French is that when troops are sent to
165
16 <3 The Farington Diary [1809
Martinico two-thirds of them will die. — He believes the same may be
sd. of English troops sent to the West Indies. — When men die they are
buried without tolling a Bell or ceremonies which draw attention. It
is endeavoured to make the Funeral take place unnoticed, to prevent
it from affecting the minds of others, The Black vomit, like Coffee grounds,
is considered a fatal symptom. — He was bled & blistered.
It is expected that the Fortifications at Martinico will be destroyed,
as at a peace, the Island will probably be given up, & it wd. require
ages to form anything like them. —
He spoke of the D of Y 's business, & said it was generally
known in the Army that promotion was obtained in a very improper
way^ while He presided, — and it is considered that His influence still
continues. — Sir D. Dundass notwithstanding the rules professed to be
established, has within a few days advanced Lord Burgersh from a
majority to a Lieut :-Colonelcy directly contrary to His rules, & is
sending Him to command a Regiment in Portugal although He never
was on any Service.* This, However, is to be brought before the House
of Commons.
The Blacks Fought Well
He shewed me an Encomium on His conduct & on that of his friend
Captain Wynne for their behaviour at Martinico, at which place they
served as Volunteers. They were at Halifax & might have come to
England, but offered their services in the West Indies. Machell was
appointed to command a Corps of 300 Black Men, savages, He sd. — They
were brave, & though they did not like the -first fire, would afterwards
behave very well. — They had one great advantage, the Heat did not
affect them. —
The Creoles (West Indians) are generally speaking very unprincipled,
whether French or English, They look to their interest & to nothing
else. A Militia was established in Martinico but when the English
began their operations they disbanded. — As their trade was interrupted
they were glad the English took the Islands, as their Sugars &c. could
then be carried away. —
The French Officers are very much on a level with their men. Having
been mostly raised from the ranks they have little dignity. — The people
of Martinico think Buonaparte a very able man, but seem to care little
who is at the Head. — On this it may be observed, That as the French
Armies are raised by Conscription the original situation of the men,
generally speaking, was equal with that of those who have become
their officers which is not the case in the British Army.
* John Fane, eleventh Earl of Westmorland (1784- 18 59), was known as Lord Burghersh.
Captain Machell was mistaken. Lord Burghersh went on an expedition to Hanover in
1805; he served in Sicily in 1806-7, afterwards in Egypt, under General Wauchope, took
part in the first and second attack on Rosetta. In 1808 he fought in Portugal in the battles
of Rolica and Vimiera, acted as Wellington's aide-de-camp and was in the battle of
Talavera in the following year. His subsequent career was highly distinguished. See
D.N.B.
809]
Chairman of Committee 167
May 21.— Mr. Wharton, Member for Durham, & Chairman of
Committees in the House of Commons, called on me,& repeated His invita-
tion to me to visit Him at Old Park, His House near Durham. — We talked
of His Duties in the House of Commons. He said, He is obliged to give
daily attendance from the time the Speaker takes the Chair till the
House breaks up, as it is always uncertain when the House may go into
a Committee, and this prevents Him from going from the House &
returning to it, as other Members do. Throughout the whole of each
Session He is thus confined by His duty, but when the Session ends
He is at liberty till another commences. — He observes strict temper-
ance. Every day on which the House meets, He drinks tea & eats
Bread and Butter at Breakfast, and at His dinner He limits himself to
abt. a quarter of a pound of meat, with which He drinks a glass of water
& has no other refreshment till the next morning. By this method He
keeps himself cool, & feels light, without any disposition to sleep even
when the House sits to a very late Hour. — He has been much afflicted
with gout, and now complained of walking in a lame manner. —
M.P.'s Live Temperately
On my remarking that it seemed extraordinary that the late Sittings
of the House did not cause the deaths of many of its members consider-
ing How many Old, and tender constitutioned persons subject themselves
to this fatigue, He replied, That it is remarkable but true, That the last
year during the Session, only one member out of 641 of which the House
consists, died, which was Admiral Rainier at upwards of 80. — He said
Those Members who are in the Habit of attending the House much
for the most part live temperately. — He added That there are but few
who have Carriages waiting at a late Hour ; the generality walk Home,
and to this Old George Rose, ascribes an advantage. He thinks they
derive benefit, if, after being confined in the bad air of the House, which
it must be in the Winter Season when the windows are closed, they
walk a mile in air more pure & refreshing. —
Napoleon's Difficulties
May 21. — Mr. Wharton [M.P.] told me a kind of insurrection
against Buonaparte's authority has certainly taken place in Hanover
& in Hesse ; also that the French army in Italy under Eugene Beau-
harnais has been defeated & driven beyond the Adige, & that the Austrian
Force is very considerable. — The situation of Marshal Soult at Oporto
is also such as to afford strong reason to believe that He must surrender
to the British Army. — Marquiss Wellesley, He sd. is a man of great re-
sources. It was expected He wd. have sailed for Spain before this time,
but He has been in the House of Commons several times lately. —
Mr. Grant, Chairman of the India Company, told Mr. Wharton
yesterday, that there had been an engagement between the Russians
168 The Farington Diary [1809
& the Persians in which the latter were defeated. This had incensed
the Persian government against the French, who, they believed, might
by their influence over the Russian government have mediated & pre-
vented this war. — The French General Gardanne had in consequence
become unpopular among the Persians. —
Mr. Wharton told me How much He had suffered in His Health
owing to having left Lowther in October last the 26th. or 7th. in bad
weather at 3 oClock in the afternoon to go to Old Park abt. 50 miles,
that night. He was 4 Hours in passing over Stainmoore, and became
so cold & fatigued when He reached Home at 3 oClock in the morning
that He never was well afterwards till the end of December. — Having
left Company at His House caused Him to act thus indiscreetly. —
Sir Marmaduke Wyvil
Lady Dowager Gardner I called on at No. 14 Lower Gloucester Place.
She was not at home. — Lord Gardner I called on at Cook's Hotel, Dover
St. He was out. — Lord Muncaster I called on at the Albion Hotel,
Jermyn St. & sat with Him sometime. I found a gentleman with Him
who spoke to me knowing I had been in Scotland. — Lord Muncaster
told us an Anecdote of the late Mr. Carr, Architect, of York. — When
the late Sir Marmaduke Wyvil, came into posession of His estate,
being then a very young man, He desired to have some alterations
made in His family mansion in Yorkshire. He applied to Mr. Carr
for that purpose, & the alterations [having] been fixed upon, which were
to have cost £1500, Sir Marmaduke said He shd. make an excursion
to Scotland, and in abt. 5 months, abt. the end of October, shd. return,
& Carr assured Him He should have everything compleated for his-
residence in November. — Sir Marmaduke proceeded on His tour, &
trusting to Carr had no correspondence with Him. He returned at
the time proposed and being on Horseback, when He came within a
certain distance of His House, He was surprised at not seeing it, &
began to think He had mistaken the road to it, but proceeding a little
farther, His Servant assured Him that though the House was not seen
they were on the right track, He went on, till approaching the spot
on which it had stood, nothing appeared but the lower part of walls,
Scaffold Sec-
Sir Marmaduke was astonished & went to Carr who was at York,
who told Him, that He had sent workmen to take down a certain part
of the House, where alterations were proposed to be made, but that
there had been a mistake and they had pulled down the whole House. —
Mr. Wyvil, who succeeded to Sir Marmaduke' s estate told Lord Muncas-
ter that this mistake as Carr called it, cost Sir Marmaduke £10,000 to
build another House. —
Wyatt's conduct in neglecting Lord Pembroke's alterations at
Wilton, was spoken of. Lord M. said Lord Pembroke had given Him
up His patience having been exhausted. —
1809] To Foment Disturbance 169
Lord M. touched slightly upon what had passed during the present
Session of Parliament, and of the advantage which had been taken
of it by those who are disposed to foment disturbances in the Country. —
I said, The D of Y 's business had certainly made a general &
deep impression on the public mind. He replied that the people of
England were always affected by whatever appeared to be immoral.
Even vicious people in this Country, respected moral conduct. — The
Gentleman who was with His Lordship spoke warmly of the romantic
scenery of Loch Katrine in Scotland. — Lord Muncaster gave me again
a warm invitation to visit him at Muncaster Castle. —
Art and Morality
Wilkie I met & walked with Him to His lodgings in Portland St.
where He shewed me His picture of " The Young Woman attended
by a Physician," which He had sold to the Marquiss of Lansdowne. —
Also a family picture of Mr. Neave,* of Hampstead, & His family. — He
also shewed me a sketch for a picture, the Subject " A Man taken from
His Ale-House Companions by His Wife & Children." — I admired the
sketch & the manner of treating the subject. — He shewed me in one
corner of the picture a man drunk & laid down, with a few spectators
looking at Him as an object of disgust, & even, He said, " His dog seemed
to look askance of Him." — This He called the moral part of His picture,
& He took it from what He happened to see in the street. — Lord Mul-
grave continues desirous to have all His painted sketches for His pictures,
& wishes Him to paint His own portrait to be placed with them. — He
thinks Lord Mulgrave does not much like the subject of the above sketch,
& mentioned that " it was like Teniers." —
— I recommended [Him] to persevere in executing such subjects
as His mind may be disposed to, & not allow others to interfere or move
Him from His purpose. — He sd. that was His determination. — He spoke
of Lord Mulgrave as being a man who has kind feelings, & much con-
stancy in His attachments. He spoke also highly of Genl. Phipps &
Augustus Phipps. — Constable came in with a female relation. — I repeated
to Wilkie my advice for Him to put down His name to be an Associate
of the Academy, which He sd. was much His wish. I told Him He had
nothing to apprehend. —
* See May 9, Chapter XLIX.
CHAPTER LIII
1809
Printer to the Academy
May 23. — P. Hoare called to consider in what manner the British
Institution shall be mentioned in the Academic Annals. — We concurred
in opinion of the contemptible footing that Institution is now put upon
by allowing V. Green, the Keeper, to receive a percentage upon works
of art sold there. — It was settled to omit the panegyrical introduction
proposed by Mr. Barnard, and to state only that such an Institution had
been formed, & proceed to give their Plan. — He spoke of the passionate
temper of MacMillan, [Printer to the Royal Academy], & said " He is a
Red Hot Scotch,— Irish Man."—
Turner's Exhibition I went to. His Father Turner had that morning
asked " If I had been there." —
English and French in Spain
[Dr.] Hayes called. — He had seen an Officer just arrived from Cadiz ;
who said In his opinion The higher orders of the Spaniards are jealous of
the English, and are inclined to the French : but the middle ranks of
the people, and more especially the lower orders, are warmly attached to
the English and receive them triumphantly. — Very little of what passes
in Spain is known at Cadiz ; all the information reed, comes from the
Junta, who publish only what it is prudent to communicate. — This Officer
thinks the Spaniards & Portuguese will in the end prevail against Buona-
parte. — Romana is a very able man, & has a mind of great resources. —
Blake is honest, but is thought to be too slow. — English Officers are on
Board the Spanish Men of War at Cadiz, & the people are pleased with it. —
Politicians
Carlisle called in the evening. — We talked of the Political Characters
of the present day. He thought Lord Hawkesberry appeared to be the
only man of that description that stood respectable. No accusations
have been brought against Him, & there is a general prudence in His
conduct. Lord Castlereagh He thought very despicable, & Perceval
an evading Lawyer, witht. principle. — He spoke of Lord Moira as one who
might have stood high in public opinion, but He has so conducted his
170
1809] A Great Captain General 171
affairs, so deranged His circumstances, that His dealings with Jews,
with Brokers, & with people of all degrees owing to His necessities, have
destroyed the respect otherwise due to His character.
He sd. He had seen an Officer who served under Sir John Moore
in the retreat to Corunna. He said a sentiment was established in the
minds of the British troops, " that the French Soldiers were very unequal
to them," and this caused the British troops to act against them always
with a confidence of being victorious. — A French Colonel, a prisoner,
came to England with this officer. He thought Sir John Moore should
have maintained the passes in the country, & not have retreated to
Corunna. He sd. Buonaparte is a Great Captain General. He requires
that every officer in His Army shd. be equal to a command above His
station. When reviewing His troops He sometimes calls out an Ensign
& orders Him to manoeuvre the Corps. Should the Ensign prove unable
to do it He orders Him into the ranks. The effect of this may be sup-
posed. —
Prince and Bishop
Speaking of Colds, Carlisle sd. " They who do not drink wine are
much less susceptible of cold than they who do, of that I am certain."
—He sd. He understands that the Lord Chancellor speaks out respecting
the D of York , as Having pledged Himself to the Ministers
that He never wrote letters &c. &c. to Mrs. Clarke, which was afterwards
proved to be a shameful falsehood. — The P of W has been much
affected by this business. He has more sense, than any other of the
P — r— s. — He said about a fortnight before the Bishop of London died
He went to the Prince of Wales and had a solemn conversation with
[him]. The Bishop may be presumed to have addressed the Prince
feeling that it wd. probably be the last time He could do it. The Prince
received Him in a manner so proper in all respects and expressed such
sentiments that the Bishop came away approving and speaking of the
satisfaction He felt during this conversation.
Haydon's Habit of Swearing
May 24. — Rising* I called upon at Lady Thomond's desire to see
Hoppner's Half length portrait of the late Lord Thomond to which Rising
has added Robes. I found the right shoulder & arm not large enough.
Mrs. Rising (Her Husband being out) informed me that the shoulder &
arm had been made less at Lady Thomond's desire.
The British Institution I went to, & found the Exhibition of pictures
inferior in quality to what it was last year. — Constable & Bigg came there.
—Constable spoke of Haydon who is offended with Wilkie for not having
spoken more warmly of His picture now in the Exhibition. — Lord Mul-
grave has recommended to Wilkie to advise Haydon to leave off His
* John Rising, portrait painter.
172 The Farington Diary [i809
habit of swearing ; and Sir G. Beaumont has done the same & also wished
Him not to put Himself forward in such a manner as to give offence
to Artists His Seniors.
Ridiculous Prices
The prices demanded by some of the young men for their pictures
is extravagant even to be ridiculous. Douglas for " The Reposo " 3
figures 300 guineas. — Mulready, for a Carpenter's Shop 300 guineas. —
Constable told me that Jameson having appeared low spirited Harden
had found out the cause. Jameson's Mother, a widow at Ambleside, was
-£30 in debt. Harden talked with a Mr. Wilson on the subject, who sd.
He wd. pay the money. Harden took another part, He has settled Jame-
son in Lodgings in London, to afford Him an opportunity of doing
something for himself by teaching drawing or otherwise. —
British Victory
May 25. — Dance I called on who settled for Lord Gardner to sit
to him any day in the next week. — Captn. Palmer of the Navy came in
with an account of a Victory having been obtained in Portugal by the
British Army commanded by Sir A. Wellesley over the French com-
manded by Soult. —
C. Offley I dined with. — No company, till tea when Mr. Hill, Surgeon,
came. —
Mr. Hill spoke of His own constitution ; said He had a weak stomach,
— a white tongue, — had been much troubled with beatings of the Heart,
— & believed He should at some time be paralytic. Of Paralysis He said,
The late Dr. Fordyce of Essex St. who had been 30 years surgeon of St.
Thomas's Hospital was desirous to ascertain the common cause of
Paralysis & opened His deceased Patients for that purpose. He found
that in 99 out of 100 it was caused by a blood vessel in the brain having
broke, & discharged more or less blood. These fractures of the Vessels
are excited by various causes which affect the circulation. — By Intem-
perance, — by irritations of the stomach from being over full and it may
be from being too empty. From too much study & labour of mind,
anxiety, &c. —
Vital Air
He spoke of soda water, & said many persons drank it indirectly.
When continued to be drank, the alkaline quality in it gradually operates
on the muscillagenous parts of the Body & by reducing the quantity of
it, the Body becomes thin. — He spoke of the Pulse. He sd. the best
Pulse is that which beats from 60 to 65. His own He sd. on an average
is between 70 & 80. — He has known a person, not unwell whose pulse
was no more than 42, — and He was with a lady whose pulse for 8 months
was at 100 & she was not unwell. —
Mrs. Offley asked Him what was the proper time for remaining in
Bed. He sd. from 7 to 8 Hours, all beyond that tended to relax the Body.
— Mr. Hill is known for administering vital air.
CHAPTER LIV
1809
Discipline in the Navy
May 26. — Lord Gardner I called on & found Him & Lady Gardner
at breakfast at Cook's Hotel, Dover Street. He told me Marshal Souk
did not expect the English wd. have crossed the River Douro after He
had broke the Bridge, and when the action began His dinner was prepar-
ing, & His cooking matters were taken by the English. —
We talked of the trial of Admiral Harvey.* He said the decission
was such as the Navy expected. It was necessary to maintain the
discipline of the Navy. — He sd. the Characters of Officers in the Navy
are universally known in the Service, and the intemperate manner of
Admiral Harvey is such, that Had He been told the circumstance without
a name being given, He shd. have supposed it to be Admiral Harvey. —
He thought Sir Robert Calderf was hardly dealt by — that His sentence
was severe. — He remarked on the confidence the people have in the
justice of Sentences by Naval Courts Martial,- — that they are seldom
questioned, — and if the case appears hard, opinions soon subside. — He
sd. Admiral Harvey behaved very well while commanding the Teme-
raire in the Battle of Trafalgar, but He talked too much abt. it after-
wards. —
Mrs. Pope [widow of F. Wheatley, R.A.] I met. She was going to a
Scholar in Fitzroy square. She told me Her Son will in a short time leave
Woolwich for active service in the Artillery, & that to fit Him out will
cost £150. — She sd. Mr. PopeJ is commissioned by Cadell & Davis to paint
towards 30 portraits of distinguished persons, many of them Irish — viz :
Grattan, — Ponsonby &c. —
* Sir Elias Harvey (1758-1830) was tried by Court-martial and dismissed the service
for having " publicly and violently " on the quarter deck of the flagship expressed his
anger at the appointment of Lord Cochrane to a Special Command.
t Sir Robert Calder (1745-1818) had been found guilty of an error in judgment in
losing sight of Villeneuve on July 23-24, 1804, and severely reprimanded. He never
served again, but rose by seniority to the rank of Admiral.
X Alexander Pope was a painter, as well as an actor.
m
174 The Farington Diary [1809
Dance I dined with. We dined a quarter before 7. — Mr. Bowles &
His Son told me thay had seen a fine picture of mine at Lord Mansfield's,
— The view of Ouse Bridge — (C. Offley's). —
The Twelve Caesars
The pictures which have been lately [and wrongly] puffed as being the
12 Caesars by Titian,* & are now on Exhibition, were spoken of. — Hearne
sd. abt. 20 years ago they were in the posession of Clarke the Picture Dealer
in Princes St. — At this time Eam.es the Landscape Gardener, had taken a
House & having a large room with bare walls, He applied to Clarke for
something to cover them. Clarke mentioned these pictures which lay
by neglected, & appointed a time for Eames to see them. — When they
were shewn to Eames & measured by Him He sd. they wd. suit Him but
that 10 of them wd. be sufficient for His purpose. For these Clarke
demanded one guinea — each which Eames agreed to & Clarke having
washed & varnished them they were sent to Eames & put up. At His
death a few years afterwards, the House was let to General Gwynn, &
the furniture sold at an appraisement, in which these pictures were in-
cluded, at the price paid for them viz : 10 guineas. — On General Gwynn
quitting the House these pictures, with other articles were sold to a
Broker in the neighboroud, who having a Brother, a Broker in London,
through Him they somehow became reported as being pictures by Titian,
the 12 Caesars, which were in the Collection of King Charles the first. —
This report got abroad, & with it another that they were valued at
-£30,000. Mr. West sd. at this period He was informed of them.
Not by Titian
He went to the House of the Broker, who, having a person with Him
viewing the pictures, did not admit Him, but fixed a time for that purpose,
— West went & at once saw they were painted by Moroni, & were not
worth Twenty pounds. Having been informed that the man had reed,
an offer of £2000 for them He signified that it wd. be prudent to take it,
& also told Him they were not painted by Titian. — The man sd. He
proposed to exhibit them, by which He might get some thousand pounds.
— West heard no more respecting them till He heard they were exhibited. —
It was stated that Lord Paget has returned to His Wife & family ;
but sd. He wd. not do it upon any compromise. His motive, He said,
for returning was on acct. of His Children, but He would visit Lady
Charlotte Wellesley whenever He pleased. — She is at Brompton. —
* The original pictures were painted by Titian for the Duke of Mantua (c. 1536-
1 537)j atl( ^ were bought by Charles 1st. At the sale of his household property they were
acquired by the Spanish Ambassador and sent to Spain, where they were possibly burnt
in one of the many fires which devastated Royal Palaces of that country, says Mr. Charles
Ricketts.
1809] Lewis, the Comedian 175
She had been remarked for great levity of manner before she was
married*
May 30. — [Last evening Lewis, the Comedian, took leave of the
Stage upon which He had been 36 years.f
Lieut : Coll. Vivian of the 7th. Dragoons, Second to Lord Paget, &
Captn. McKenzie of the Navy, Second to Captn. Cadogan, published
[says the Morning Post], an acct. of a duel between Lord Paget & Captn.
Cadogan. — Both fired their pistols but it appearing that Lord Paget did
not take aim at Captn. Cadogan the seconds wd. not allow further pro-
ceedings. — Lord Paget then said, — " As such is yr. determination, I have
now no hesitation in saying, that nothing cd. ever have induced me to
add to the injuries I have already done the family by firing at the Brother
of Lady Charlotte Wellesley." — From small note-book.]
* On March 6, Lord Paget (afterwards first Marquess of Anglesey) eloped with Lady
Charlotte Wellesley, wife of the Hon. Sir Henry Wellesley, Secretary to the Treasury (and
later Lord Cowley). Lord Paget, who was forty years of age, had eight children, and Lady
Charlotte four, she having been married in 1804. She was a daughter of the first Earl
Cadogan. Lord Paget and Lady Charlotte (each had been divorced) were married in
1 8 10. See next paragraph and Vol. III., page 60.
t William Thomas Lewis (1748 ?-i8n), known as Gentleman Lewis, was the son of
William Lewis, who was at first a linen-draper on Tower Hill, London, afterwards an
actor. Cooke, his fellow-actor, spoke of the younger Lewis as " the unrivalled favourite
of the comic muse in all that was frolic, gay, humorous, whimsical, and at the same time
elegant," while Hazlitt calls him " gay, fluttering, hare-brained Lewis ... all life and
fashion and volubility and whim, the greatest comic mannerist perhaps that ever lived."
On May 31 the Morning Post said : " Mr. Lewis — Monday night, at the Haymarket
Theatre, this admired and universally favourite performer, took leave of his patrons, in
the character of the Copper Captain, which he played with uncommon vivacity, spirit,
and effect. At the conclusion of the comedy Mr. Lewis had the most difficult task to
perform, in taking leave of those who had been delighted by his exertions, and had univer-
sally rewarded his efforts with distinguished applause. His feelings so evidently over-
powered him that his tongue faltered, and he was occasionally inaudible. He stated
that he had been on the Stage 36 years, and in the course of that long period he trusted
he had not been inattentive to his professional duties. Mr. Lewis expressed the most
fervent gratitude for the numerous attentions he had experienced, and retired with the
loud applauses, and unfeigned tears of regret, from a very brilliant and numerous assem-
CHAPTER LV
1809
Covent Garden Theatre Claim
June 3. — Robert Smirke I called on. He told me He was with the
Attorney General on Sunday last upon the subject of the Man's claim to
part of the ground on which. Covent Garden Theatre is built. The
Attorney Genl. sd. they must make the best terms they cd. with him &
for that He could maintain His claims, & He was surprised at Mr. Har-
grave whose opinions He respected, having given them reason to think
differently. Robert Smirke also took the opinions of 3 Masters in
Chancery, who concurred with the Attorney General. — On this the
Proprietors proceeded to make the best terms they cd. & paid the Man
5000 guineas for that which really was not worth -£50. — Garrow, the
Council, misled them in this business, as He has done others when advised
with, — and their Attorneys have neglected the business. — It might have
been settled for ^noo or perhaps less — The ground the man claimed
went so far into the Theatre that the Proprietors cd. not have opened it
without His permission. — The Theatre was covered in the beginning of this
week, and this day a dinner is to be given to the principal persons employed
& to the workmen. — To the former at the Bedford Coffee House He
invited me. —
Navy Patronage
Lord Gardner called on me before one oClock. Lady Gardner came
but left us, & we went to Dance, who, in abt. an Hour & a Half made a
drawing of His Lordship. — We talked of Lord Mulgrave & the Admiralty.
Lord Gardner sd. that He was informed that Lord Mulgrave has the
patronage of the Navy ; & as an instance mentioned Captn. Moorshum
being appointed a Lord of the Admiralty, which He, Lord G. shd. have
had for a year or two, if other interests (members of Administration) cd.
have prevailed. — He sd. He understood General Phipps has considerable
influence with Him. —
Lord Gardner spoke of Lord Cochrane as acting in a manner not
approved of — declaring He wd. object to a vote of thanks being given to
Lord Gambier on acct. of the business off Brest, — declaring Lord Gambier
had not done all He might have done. Whereas Captn. Bedford, of
whose abilities & judgment Lord Gardner has a high opinion, says, that
176
1809] Lord Cochrane 177
to have attempted more wd. have been to have exposed our Ships to
destruction witht. being able to effect anything. — As it was Lord
Cochrane's success was in a great measure accidental : It was not to
have been expected that the Mediator wd. have broke the French
Boom. Had the French instead of being frightened by the explosion
of the Fire Ships, which caused them to slip their cables, remained at
anchor, they wd. have been safe. But being at best not good Seamen
where there is Sea room, they were still more unable to manage their
ships in that narrow Channel & they went on shore. —
The Princess at Angerstein's Rout
The Princess of Wales dined at Mr. Angerstein's yesterday, & in the
evening there was a rout. Lysons & Lawrence were there. — The Princess
supped there with a small party & remained till | past 3 oClock, but Mr.
Angerstein went to bed before Supper. — Lysons remarked that the
Princess is grown very coarse, & that she dresses very ill, shewing too much
of Her naked person. — Mrs. Weddel, who is large & unwieldly came to
the rout & was followed into the room by a little man of the name of
Parrot. — The Princess sd. " She should have brought Him on Her finger."
— The Princess stood with Her back to a table the whole time, which
prevented every other person from sitting. This being the Etiquette.
Lord Heathfield's Portrait
Lawrence spoke with the highest admiration of Sir Joshua Reynolds's
portrait of Lord Heathfield, now at the European Museum having been
sent there by Boy dell to be sold for 350 guineas. — He sd. this picture,
& the portrait of Mrs. Siddons by Sir Joshua, are the top of His Art.* —
June 4. — James Moore I met.f He sd. Fuseli continues very loud
in His declaration that Historical Painting will never be encouraged in
this Country.
Rules of the Service
June 5. — Lord Lonsdale told Lawrence that a fortnight before the
promotion of His nephew Lord Burgersh took place from Major to Lieut :
Col : against the rules of the service, Lord Westmorland mentioned it to
Him, & that He (Lord Lonsdale) said everything He could [to] dissuade
Him from it, saying How much in times like these it wd. draw the public
attention & be objected to. — But Ld. Westmorland wd. not give up His
object, neither wd. Lord Burgersh, who, said Lord L. is like His Father,
posessed with a feeling that they are in superior situations & are not to
be limited by rules made for others. It is not from pride in Lord Burgersh,
* Lord Heathfield's portrait is now in the National Gallery, and Mrs. Siddons as
" The Tragic Muse " was sold by the Duke of Westminster recently to Mr. Huntington,
the Californian millionaire. See entries, June 7th and 10th.
t Dr. James, afterwards Carrick-Moore (1762-1860), brother of Sir John Moore, of
Corunna fame, whose life was sacrificed in an enterprise which, under the circumstances,
was impracticable.
VOL. V. 12
178 The Farington Diary [1809
but it is a habit of thinking that He is to have whatever He requires. —
Lord Melville sd. to Lawrence that Lord Burgersh " ought to have been
whipped for having desired it."
Howard I called on & met Philips there. I spoke to them of the
expences of the dinners during the varnishing days at the Academy-
being charged to the Academy, as being unprecedented. — They sd. that
on two of those days they were much occupied in making alterations in
the arrangement. — Howard thought the matter shd. be discussed in the
Council & there settled ; and that they thought the expences incurred
this year had best be paid, & a rule established for future years. Howard
spoke of the allowance of one guinea per day being very little. — They
spoke of the imbecility of Richards, & of the necessity there is to have
another person appointed to transact the business of Secretary, — but for
the Academy to continue [to] pay Richards His Salary.- —
Second to Sir Walter
Lawrence came to tea. — He thinks many of the lines in Shee's " Ele-
ments of Art " admirable ; true poetical writing. — Sense & strong ex-
pression, — & that He is second to Walter Scott only who, has perhaps,
more of imagination. — Lord Lonsdale to day mentioned that Sir George
Beaumont proposes to quit London entirely, to reside in the Country.
— Lord Lonsdale doubts whether it will suit Him, as He is not inclined
to field sports, — to agriculture, or to the Society of Country Squires. —
That to associate with persons conversant with Art, or with the literature
of the day, not classical studies, is what He has been accustomed to.
Lord Lonsdale was of opinion that it wd. be advisable to rebuild
Drury Lane Theatre as soon as it can be erected, in order to afford the
people more opportunity for amusement. — In these times He thought
it injudicious to pass any statutes to limit the popular amusements, and
that whatever could engage the attention of the people in this way would
be politically prudent. —
CHAPTER LVI
1809
Wordsworth's Bad Taste
June 6. — Lord Lonsdale I called on at Eleven. The Porter hesitated,
but on reading my name I was admitted & found His Lordship at Break-
fast with Lady Lonsdale & Ladies Mary — Anne, & Caroline Lowther, &
Mr. Lowther. I was very cordially reed. & Lady Mary took my Hand
as well as His Lordship. — Lord Lonsdale asked me if I had seen Words-
worth's new publication on the Cintra Convention. He sd. Wordsworth
sent [it] to Him & last night He read a dozen pages of it, & thought it
written in a very bad taste, not with plainness & simplicity such [as]
is proper to a political subject, but in a style inflated & ill suited to it. — ■
I sd. it was remarkable that in His Poetry He affects a simplicity approach-
ing to puerility, while in Politics in which plain statement & deduction
is alone required He assumes the reverse of it. — Agreeably to my offer
at Lowther, I expressed to Lady Mary the pleasure I shd. have in shewing
Her the process of Oil painting. Lady Lonsdale seemed to be afraid of
it injuring the Health of those who apply to it ; But Lord Lonsdale sd.
Oh do, learn the process. —
Fiddles Must Not Be Heard
We went to several rooms and looked at some pictures. Mr. Wybergh*
came in, & He & I recognised each other after near 30 years had passed
since we met in Cumberland. — We remained sometime in Lord Lons-
dale's dressing room talking on several subjects. His Lordship repeated
what He had sd. to Lawrence respecting rebuilding Drury Lane Theatre.
He had spoke to Lord Camden on this subject, who told Him that Minis-
ters had been informed from the Bow-street Police Office, that the number
* Probably Thomas Wybergh (1757-1827), of Clifton Hall, Westmorland, and Isell,
Cumberland, barrister-at-law. He was married to a sister of Sir Wilfrid Lawson, tenth
and last Baronet of Isell. Mr. Wybergh's second son succeeded to the Lawson estates and
assumed the name of Lawson. He died unmarried and was succeeded by his brother
Wilfrid, who, assuming the name of Lawson, became Sir Wilfrid Lawson, first Baronet
of Brayton. His eldest son, Sir Wilfrid Lawson, was for many years one of the most
popular members of Parliament.
VOL V, 179 12*
180 The Farington Diary [1809
of meetings to discuss political & other subjects is increasing, & in a
greater proportion since the Theatres were burnt, shewing that while these
places of amusement are open, the attention of a great number of the
people is drawn to them, who otherwise seek for something to occupy
those Hours which are devoted to the Theatres. — Lord Lonsdale ex-
pressed His disapprobation of preventing the Common people on Sunday
after the Hours of Divine Service are over, from amusing themselves with
exercises of the field, Cricket &c. — & objected to the power of the magis-
trate to indite a House in which a fiddle should be heard.
Yeomen of Yorkshire
The D of Y 's business was spoken of, and His Lordship sd.'
that Mr. Wardle himself had not been able to make good any charges
against the D . What had made the strongest impression on the
public mind was that which had been produced by the D 's agents
& others. — It was the immorality, the general character of the connexion
that affected the public mind. — Mr. Wybergh sd. the yeomen of York-
shire seemed to have paid little regard to it, but in towns it might be
otherwise. Lord Lonsdale believed the feeling of disgust was very
general. — He sd. Lord Melville, a man of long experience, wished the
business to be stopped when it might have been, & went to Mr. Adam on
the subject. Adam spoke of 'Jacobins as being evil disposed, & believed
they wd. make the most of it, But sd. Lord Melville add to the Jacobins
who are but a small proportion of the people all the virtuous part of the
Community and there will be found a very considerable proportion against
the D ; besides sd. Lord Melville, admitting that little or nothing
can be proved against the D is it not true that there is a mistress of
the D in the business & think of the effect that will have on the
public mind, considering Him to be a married man.
An Oilman Dressed the Dinner
Lord Lonsdale sd. the accusation that the D is a pampered feeder
is not true. On the contrary He eats in a very plain manner. He rises
early, takes much exercise, & is a strong man, & eats heartily, but by
choice of plain things, & says He often dined with Mrs. Clarke to avoid
great dinners. — He says that one day when He dined with Her there
happened to be a dish dressed in a manner that made it very palateable.
He asked Mrs. Clarke, who dressed it for Her ? She sd. that when
H — R H was to dine with Her she employed an Oilman in the
neighbouroud to dress the dinner.
It was agreed that Mr. Adam had not appeared to advantage in this
business, & that Adam has and does feel it. — Mrs. Clarke wished Him
to put questions to Her, but He would not. — His Lordship & Mr. Wybergh
both condemned the D for witholding the £400 a year from Her,
which is attributed to Adam. —
[National Portrait Gallery.
Lord Heathfield.
By Sir Joshua Reynolds.
[To face p. 180.
1809] A Plea of Humanity i8i
His Lordship speaking of Austria sd. " They seemed to have done too
little or too much." Lord Erskine & His Bill to prevent abuse of Animals
was spoken of. Mr. Wybergh thought it a very absurd Bill, it wd. make
a man inditeable who might whip or Spur His Horse. — As it was on a
plea of Humanity many yielded to it, on that account when it was before
the House of Lords. — The inconsistency of Lord Erskine was remarked
on, His religious impressions contrasted with His levity. — Lord Lonsdale
mentioned the Bill in the House of Lords for water works at Manchester.
He thought the Bill reasonable, as it does not oblige any one to take water
conducted as this is to be, unless agreeable to them.— Being optional it
cannot be called an Hardship. —
I had company to dinner. Willm. Daniell [said] He now saw from
the difficulty of forcing the Sale of His new work of Animals &c. in con-
sequence of not having the Booksellers with Him, that He shd. hardly
be able to pay His expences of paper, printing &c. He sd. the necessity
of being connected with Booksellers is so obvious that in the work He
is preparing in conjunction with His Uncle, viz : " Their travels in
India " they mean to engage with some Bookseller for the publication of
it & to have a concern in it. —
Lawrence Buys " Lord Heathfield "
June 7.— Boydell called, having yesterday settled with Lawrence
so to do, to speak to me abt. Lawrence's purchasing Sir Joshua's portrait
of Lord Heathfield now at the European Museum. — After some conversa-
tion I went to Lawrence, who again spoke of the advantage it wd. be of
to Him to have that picture to be a guide to Him. He said there is in
it a total absence of manner, & a compleat whole in effect witht. any part
being sacrificed. He remarked on the colour of the Scarlet Coat, so unlike
what either Hoppner or any other painter obtains. — I said that it cer-
tainly is an admirable picture for an able artist to regulate His pictures
by. — I mentioned Boydell's terms which He agreed to, & I returned Home
6 paid Boydell £15 reed, from Lawrence being 5 pr. cent. Commission to
be paid to the Keeper of the European Museum. The whole money to
be paid to Boydell for the picture is £300 including the £15 for Commis-
sion. — This to be paid by notes accepted by Lawrence the last due at
7 months. — In our conversation Lawrence sd. That He found himself
firmly fixed in reputation in His Art, and now had many persons desirous
to sit to Him whenever He shall name the time. —
CHAPTER LVII
1809
A Moderate Prices School
June 7. — Sir Joseph Banks has had conversation with Ld. Mul-
grave respecting Wm. Westall making drawings or pictures of the places
He visited in the South Seas. — Sir Joseph took a warm part for Wm.
Westall. Ld. Mulgrave sd. that He had been applied to as a private
gentleman (meaning by Westall) that as a private gentleman He was
very much inclined to encourage Artists, but that He cd. not use the public
money for that purpose ; and seemed to complain of the application
being made to him, on that acct. improperly. — Sir Joseph said that the
French, when they made voyages of discoveries published & preserved
all that related thereto, but that we sent artists out & and on their
return hesitated to make use of the fruits of their labours. — Lord Mul-
grave asked Sir Joseph Whether He wd. take upon Him[self] the re-
sponsibility of having such drawings or pictures painted : Sir Joseph
said ; He would. — The result was that Wm. Westall should paint a
certain number of pictures, but Sir Joseph & Lord Mulgrave also, recom-
mended to Him to be moderate in His charges. — Westall then told me
He was at a loss what prices to propose, — & that Wm. Westall had
desired Him to consult me. — I stated to Him that I was bred in a school
in which prices were moderate, that I did not know that His Brother
had any practise in Oil painting, & therefore cd. not judge of His pre-
tensions, but that I thought it a great object for Him to be employed
for the Admiralty, & that to secure it money ought to be a secondary
object. — Boydell came in, & He went away. — Boydell had settled with
Lawrence [about the portrait of " Lord Heathfield " by Reynolds,
which Lawrence had purchased].
Wordsworth
Mr. Phipps's I dined at. — Lady Beaumont spoke of Wordsworth's
pamphlet on the Cintra Convention in very high terms, as above the
political writings of Burke & others. — Miss Bowles sd. Stourges Bourne
had read it & spoke of the latter part of it particularly, & that the
pamphlet was manifestly written by a man of superior abilities. — Sir
182
1809] Portraits and Poetry 188
George said, drily, that Lady Beaumont spoke of the Book as if she was
employed to sell it. — She sd. she Had caused the sale of some of them.
Favorable news was reported viz : of Buonaparte having been beaten,
& been obliged to recross the Danube.
June 8. — The portrait of Lord Heathfield was this morning brought
to me from the European Museum, & Lawrence called. He thought
it the best of Sir Joshua's pictures of Men & equal to that of Mrs. Siddons
[as the " Tragic Muse "]. He felt He shd. learn much from it, particularly
in breadth of colour. — Westall called & I talked with Him respecting the
pictures to be painted by His Brother for the Admiralty, — recommend-
ing moderate prices. — I told him Wilson had only 40 guineas for a Half
length unless Historical figures were introduced.
June 10. — Pictures painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds were spoken
of. — Mr. Knight sd. His fine portrait of John Hunter is utterly gone by
cracking &c. — West sd. the same of his portrait of Lord Heathfield*
West told me that Shee's poem " Elements of Art " is very highly
spoken of, — He has heard nothing to the contrary. — Impressed with
the manly & able manner in which Shee has maintained the Cause
of Art & of its Profession, He thought it proper & did call upon Him
to express His acknowledgment of it. — He sd. Shee has paid much
attention to Him since He (Shee) came into the Council, & has occasion-
ally walked home with Him, to His door, and communicated His,
Shee's sentiments to Him. Thus seeming indirectly to apologize for
His former proceedings. —
The Bridgewater Collection
I asked Mr. Long what caused the late Duke of Bridgewater to make
a Collection of pictures as it appeared to be an object very unlike any-
thing He had, almost throughout His life, attended to. He said it
was in consequence of His happening to have a few fine pictures which
were in His family — and that when He had once begun His mind became
ardent upon it, & the picture dealers, Bryant &c. by reporting to Him
a fine picture, & then inflaming His mind with the apprehension of a
competition for it, by signifying that Lucien Buonaparte or some other
person wanted that picture, could obtain from Him generally high
prices. — He always regretted not having got the picture of Lazarus
after Michl. Angelo, by Sebastian del Piombo, now belonging to Mr.
Angerstein, & would say " I ought to have had that picture by Don
Sebastian ", — such was His ignorance of the Master in Painting.
The Canon's Vanity
Dr. Langford, one of the Canons of Windsor, who by mismanage-
ment of His affairs got into great difficulties, and was obliged to leave
Eaton School, in consequence of His imprudent conduct never appears
at Windsor, & the other Eleven Canons divide His duty among them.
* The cracking is quite apparent in the portrait, which is new in the National Gallery.
!84 The Farington Diary [1809
He was very vain of His preaching & fancied the King had pleasure
in hearing Him. But in this He was mistaken ; The King perceived
His folly & vanity, and being at Weymouth He saw Langford arrive
there, & concluding He would desire to preach there, the King
immediately requested that another Clergyman shd. be engaged to preach
before Langford cd. apply for the pulpit. —
The Value of Camphor
June 11. — In the afternoon by sitting in an unusual posture I
had pain at the lower part of my Back, & on rising found that my lower
limbs were affected as if with Paralysis. As it continued I sent to Mr.
Hayes who told me it was in consequence of a Nerve being pressed
upon while I was in the posture above mentioned & that it would gradu-
ally recover its tone which was the case, & I went with him to drink
tea with Mrs. West, who had Mrs. Hayes with her. — Her spirits were
good. She spoke of the benefit she derives from Camphorated Spirits
of wine prepared by Herself. — When she has irritation in the throat
she saturates a lump of sugar with it which she puts in her mouth to
dissolve. She has it by Her bed side, & when indisposed to sleep pours
a quantity of it into a glass of water to make it pretty strong & drinks
it & sleep follows. — If she has pain in Her Head she rubs the part with
Camphor, & can even induce sleep by moistening a Handkerchief with
it & placing it under Her Head. — Mr. West dined out but returned before
we came away, & we talked abt. the late battle between the Austrians
& the French, & it was allowed by Mr. West that Buonaparte had reed,
a check. —
P. Hoare called on me, & by my advice omitted a reference which
He had made to the manner in which the Royal Academy disposes of
its finances, respecting Charities. —
CHAPTER LVIII
1809
The " Morning Post " and Catalan!
June 12. — At Eleven I went to Lord Lonsdale, — Mr. Long was
with Him. — I remained till 3 oClock with Lady Mary Lowther who
began the process of painting today, by copying what I painted on
Friday last. — Lord Lonsdale sd. that about 7 years ago she took lessons
from Metz who after a short time told Her she had no talent for drawing
& recommended to Her to decline it. — He had given Her Eyes, & Noses
&c. to copy. — Lord Lonsdale read in the Morning Post* of this day
* Madame Catalani's husband, Mr. Valabregue, had stated that she, having refused
the offers made to her from the Opera House, Haymarket, intended to embark for the
Continent, but first desired to sing before a British audience at the National Theatre,
the new Covent Garden, then in course of construction.
As soon as all negotiations with Mr. Taylor, of the Opera House, were at an end, says
Catalani herself, " I entered into a treaty with the Managers of Covent Garden. The
offers of Mr. Harris were, that I should sing two or three times a week during the ensuing
season, and promise besides not to sing any where else ; in consideration of which he pro-
posed to give me ^4000 and a benefit. Though the latter restriction deprives me of
what I should have gained this summer in London, Edinburgh, Dublin, etc., the desire I
had of singing at the new National Theatre induced me to forget all interested considera-
tions, to enjoy that satisfaction."
It was in reply to these statements that " A Friend of the British Drama," writing in the
Morning Post, made the animadversions referred to in the above entry. His comments are
somewhat akin to the censure passed recently (1924) on those responsible for bringing
foreign performers to London, while English actors and singers were going about idle.
Here are a few extracts from the letter :
" I cannot conceive that the Public is [in] any way interested in the private arrange-
ments of Madame Catalani, further than as those arrangements interfere with its privileges
and amusements. — It matters very little to the Public what salaries the Proprietors and
Managers of Play-houses give to the Performers, so long as the performances are of a nature
to give general satisfaction, and that the price of admission remains unchanged. ... I
have heard (how true or false I know not), that Mr. Harris has not only an intention of
introducing Italian Operas, but French Ballets, at Covent Garden. This certainly would
be a declaration of open war against the only foreign Theatre [The King's Opera House,
Haymarket] in this metropolis. ... If a curtailment of English entertainments, for which
the patents of Drury Lane and Covent Garden claim a monopoly, is next season to take
place, and the substitute for the national drama to be foreign trash, the degradation of
our own artists must naturally be the consequence of such innovation."
The controversy went on until the opening of the New Covent Garden at the increased
prices, which caused the unfortunate riots that lasted there for some time.
185
186 The Farington Diary [1809
animadversions on the impropriety of engaging Madame Catalani to
sing at the new Theatre Covent Garden, as interfering with the representa-
tion of Tragedies & Comedies which the public had a right to expect
shd. be the subjects exhibited there, as the exclusive patents cd. only-
have been allowed to the Proprietors upon a supposition that this &
Drury Lane Theatre would be used for that purpose. — His Lordship
concurred in these sentiments. —
The Eye had Fallen Out
Lord Lonsdale told me that yesterday He was with the Duke of
Rutland, & saw His picture of the " Infant Hercules " painted by Sir
Joshua Reynolds, which has begun to crack & a few small pieces have
come out. The Duke has brought it to London to get it repaired. —
The Duke sd. that the large picture of the Nativity by Sir Joshua, which
is at Belvoir Castle, is also in a bad state ; the eye of one of the Heads
had fallen out, and the Revd. Wm. Peters has endeavoured to restore it. —
Taste and Manners
June 13. — Sir G. Beaumont I dined with. — Sir George sd. He
thought Mr. Long by His influence with Mr. Pitt might have done much
more for the Arts than had been done, & that Mr. Long had amused
Himself but had not extended His views beyond it. — On Saturday last
the Committee of taste met to consider the business of the public Monu-
ments voted by Parliament. It was found that there is a great want
of Carrara Marble, the stock in England being exhausted. It was sug-
gested that it would be adviseable to offer a bounty to whoever could
procure a quantity of this marble. This proposal was objected to by
Mr. Long, — and Bronze was talked of. — Sir George spoke of Mr. Long's
taste for pictures being of a limited kind. He is gratified by the works
of Claude, but disliked the landscapes of Rubens ; & has no real relish
for those of Wilson. — He spoke of some drawings which He had seen
which were made last year by Lord Aylesford ; studies from nature
but executed in the stile of Rembrant. He said they were extremely
well done. But His Lordship's taste is also limited. He has no great
liking for pictures unless those by Rembrant ; and has quite an abhor-
rence of the pictures by Wilson. — In this respect Sir George remarked
How enlarged was the mind of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who felt the merits
of every kind of practise of the art if excellent in its kind. —
Sir George talked much abt. Haydon,— sd. that except West there
is no other who cd. paint such a picture as that He had done for Ld.
Mulgrave. — He had heard that His manners are objected to by some
of the younger artists, & admitted that they ought to be regulated.—
Sir George remarked on Mr. [Payne] Knights observation on the land-
scapes of Rubens " That the plants on the foreground are painted with
such fidelity that a Botanist might study them "—This, Sir George
sd. was giving to them that which Rubens never thought of, & what is
not true.
1809] Lord North and His Father 187
Sir George dined a few days ago with Lord Mulgrave & met Lord
Guilford, George Colman, & Mr. Canning. — Lord Guilford sd. such
was the habit of subjection & respect to His Father in the late Prime
Minister, Lord North, that when He retired from the situation of Premier
being then 58 or 9 years old, He concealed from His Father the state
of His circumstances as a young man who had been expensive might
have been expected to have done. At this period Lord North took a
House in Grosvenor Square to which repairs &c. were necessary. Lord
Guilford, His Father was aware that there must be expence, but having
lived retired & frugally thought a small sum wd. be sufficient. He
called on Lord North & formally after the manner of the Old Court
sd. " Yr. Lordship has been at expence & I wish to assist you, What
does it amount to ? " — Lord North knowing His limited notions men-
tioned £300, which Lord Guilford advanced, — the real expence was
£1000.— But though Lord North stood thus with His Father, He did
not act so to His own sons. He had learnt that the present Lord Guilford
& His Brother Frederick North were both in debt. He asked one of
them how much He owed. The reply was £300. — Pho ! Pho ! sd. Lord
North, you owe more than that. — Why then sd. the Son, I do owe £300
on one acct. but I owe also other sums, ^1200 in all. — Lord [North]
heard it good humouredly & paid their debts. —
When the present Lord Guilford was 25 years old, His grandfather,
Lord Guilford, would kiss His forehead, and supposing He wanted money
wd. give Him two guineas. — Yet this Old Nobleman was not a miser
in disposition, but had long had but little intercourse with the world. —
CHAPTER LIX
1809
After Dinner Talk
June 14. — Lord Lonsdale's I dined at. We dined abt. I past 7.
The dinner splendid. — Turtle Soup — Champaigne &c. — Punch served
after the Turtle Soup. — Service of Plate, — Gold Epergne — Bottle Stands
&c. — Conversation on Politics, chiefly between Lord Mulgrave & Mr.
Long. — The latter sd. That on the late question in the House of Commons
respecting the Sale of Seats in that House, every member who spoke
upon it condemned the practise, which, in His opinion should have been
followed by a Resolution to that effect. — Mr. Wharton, Chairman of the
House of Commons, told me He thought Lord Erskine's Bill to prevent
Cruelty to animals an injudicious Bill, which could not be carried into
effect though it might cause much vexation. [See entry below.] Mr.
Long sd. to me that Sir Francis Burdett speaks in the House of Commons
with great fluency, but does not speak so well in reply as in those speeches
which He delivers on a subject on which He has prepared Himself. — He
said Mr. Wilberforce speaks frequently & very well ; with as much
fluency & effect as formerly. —
Perceval Hard as Iron
Lord Mulgrave spoke to me highly of Wilkie, & sd. that the agree-
ment He had made with Him to have all His painted studies for His
pictures, should continue in force even if He (Lord Mulgrave) shd. die,
as He wished the Collection to be preserved in His family. —
Mr. Long invited me to Bromley where He has 2 picturesque walks
of a mile each. — The Session of Parliament being near a close I con-
gratulated Him upon being relieved from the labour of attending it.
I expressed surprise at Mr. Perceval [Prime Minister], a man of small
figure & weakly appearance, being able to endure the labour imposed
on Him together with nightly attendance at the House. He sd. " Perceval
does not mind it, He is as hard as Iron."
A little after 10 we went up stairs the Drawing-rooms being open. —
There was a grand route of persons of rank. — Lady Lonsdale stood at
188
1809] Sir Francis Baring's Wealth 189
the door at the Head of the Stair case to receive Her company, & never
went into the interior of the rooms after the company assembled in
numbers. — Her daughters were near Her. —
June 15. — [Minet* spoke to me of City matters. He sd. Sir Francis
Baring is supposed to be worth one milion & a Half, & that His great
fortune has been accumulated in the last 25 years. — Mr. Angerstein
is not considered to be a rich man. Were He to die He might, perhaps,
be found to be worth £50,000. — BoydelPs House has become very un-
popular in the City. The giving [of] very indifferent prints to those
who held Blanks in their Lottery has caused general disgust.— The
House is considered to be poor.
Walsh Porter, who died lately, had borrowed much money of per-
sons who insured His life at the Offices of Insurance. — At the Albion
Insurance The Duke of York's life is insured on a similar acct. for £7500.
— Lord Moira also [is] in most of the Offices, but lately a plan has been
formed to put His affairs in a better state. — He always acts very honour-
ably. When He cannot pay Bills He tells those who have demands
upon Him that He will pay interest upon them till they can be dis-
charged. —
[Lord Erskine's Bill to prevent Cruelty to Animals having passed
the House of Lords, was yesterday lost in the House of Commons, —
For it 27
Against it 37 Majority against it 10
From small note-book.]
June 17. — Wm. Westall told me yesterday that He had been
commissioned by the Admiralty to paint a series of pictures of the sub-
jects He collected in His voyage.
An Irish Chancellor
Lysons I dined with. Ralph Price came after dinner. — Lawrence
sd. that Mr. Forster, Chancellor of the Exchequer for Ireland,! had
mentioned to Him, that Sir Francis Burdet's speech in the House of
Commons on the subject of Parliamentary reform went off heavily. He
affected moderation in His manner, & became tame & uninteresting.
Mr. Forster remarked That a speech to have effect on the auditors,
must have argumentative Logical deduction like Sir Wm. Grants speak-
ing, or it must have passion, or Wit. — Mr. Forster is a strong man at
69 years of age. He sd. That while He presided in the Irish parliament,
He lived with great temperance during the Season of business. He
never eat anything except breakfast on those days on which He attended
Parliament till after the business was over. —
* Joseph Minet, wine merchant. See Vols. I., II., III., IV.
t John Forster, Baron Oriel. See Vols. I., IV,
190 The Farington Diary [1809
Want of Judgment
At Lady Crews, Lady Beaumont told Lawrence that she Had talked
with Rogers of Wordsworth's poems, & that Rogers concurred with Her
in admiring the simplicity which is in them, & dwelt particularly on the
beautiful idea of the " Dancing Daffodils " — thus playing off Her want
of judgment. — Last night Lord Erskine came to Miss Berry's. He sd.
He had dined with Rogers, the Banker. — " Rogers, the Banker," ex-
claimed Miss Berry, — " Rogers the Poet." — Ralph Price spoke of the
great fall in price of many articles in consequence of Ships arriving
from America. —
[In the Gazette this night, — in list of Bankrupts — M. Bryan,* George
Street, Hanover Square, Picture Dealer. — From small note-book.]
June 18. — Paine [water-colour painter] called. — His youngest
daugr. has been in an ill-state of health and is gone to Brighton with
Her Mother. — He wishes to let His House at Sunning Hill for the Summer
& wd. then go to them. — He thought His state of health, & mine, better
than either of them was 20 years ago.
* Michael Bryan, the original compiler of the Dictionary of Artists that bears his name.
CHAPTER LX
1809
A Birmingham Poet
June 19. — Constable called. — At Brathay lived Loyd, from Bir-
mingham, a Poet, of some merit,* — of rather a desponding mind. — He
sd. of Harden who lived near Him, whose spirits were high, " That
He was composed of Whip Syllabub, & Spruce Beer." — Lord Radstock
resided a season at a House, in Kent near to Claude Scott,\ & became
acquainted with him ; & was in the habit of running into His House
at all hours witht. ceremony. — Scott was to call upon Him in London
which, after sometime He did, & on His way met a friend, an admirer
of pictures, who He took with Him. — On their being introduced at Lore.
Radstock's His Lordship seeing a stranger, expressed His surprise ai
the intrusion. Scott, who from their intimacy in the country thought
this might be done with propriety, now sd. that His friend admired
pictures, & He concluded Lord Radstock wd. be willing to have them
seen, He then moved to go away, but Lord R. sd. as they were there,
they might see the pictures. On this they looked [at] those in one
room & then by signs to each other, withdrew. The next morning Lord
Radstock called on Scott & apologised for what He had said, which was
* Charles Lloyd (1775-1839), eldest son of Charles Lloyd, the Quaker banker and
philanthropist, was born in Birmingham. He was a great friend of Coleridge, and of
Lamb, who, in a period of dire affliction, wrote : " I had nearly quarrelled with Charles
Lloyd ; and for no other reason, I believe, than that the good creature did all he could to
make me happy." Poems by Lamb and Lloyd were appended to a second edition of Cole-
ridge's poems, the last-named afterwards saying that he had allowed Lloyd's poems to be
included in the volume at his earnest solicitation. In sonnets ascribed " Nehemiah Higgin-
botham," Coleridge ridiculed the poems of both his collaborators.
In 1798 there appeared blank verse by Charles Lloyd and Charles Lamb. According
to De Quincey, Lloyd eloped with his future wife by proxy, he engaging Southey to carry
her away. It was in the autumn of 1800 that Lloyd went to reside at Brathay, near Amble-
side. The later years of Lloyd's life were sadly afflicted with mental trouble, and on
January, 1839, he died at Chaillot, near Versailles, in a Maison de Sante. If Lloyd is
not a first-rate poet, he was highly esteemed as a thinker by De Quincey, Lamb, Coleridge,
and Judge Talfourd.
t Probably Claude Scott, of Lytchet Minster, Dorset, the Westminster banker (1742-
1830), who was created a Baronet in 1821.
192 The Faring ton Diary [1809
from being suddenly surprised on seeing a stranger. — This inequality
in Lord Radstock is very commonly experienced by those who know
Him. — He married the daugr. of a merchant in one of the Greek Islands.
He has 9 or 10 children, & is sd. to have no more than ^2500 a year. —
Mr. Watts [Constable's Uncle] has an habitual reverence for rank &
title. He says, " Descent is what money cannot purchase." —
Lord Lonsdale & Sir James Graham told me that the Earl of Bridge-
water had advanced money to Bryan, the picture dealer, upon the picture
by Titian now litigating between Lord Lonsdale & Bryan, which was
reprobated by Sir James as being very [imjproper. — Bryan was an-
nounced a Bankrupt in last Saturday's Gazette. — Sir James sd. [Bryan]
had not a guinea left.
An Instrument of Heaven
After tea much political conversation. C. OfHey sd. Buonaparte
has practised much less cruelty than is recorded of former Conquerers. —
Considers Him an instrument in the hand of Heaven to effect certain
purposes. —
June 21. — Lord Lonsdale left London this morning & wd. go
to Cottesmore, 100 miles, to dinner. — He rode up from thence when
He last came to London, in one day, & was in town at dinner. — He rode
40 miles before breakfast. — He once rode the whole distance in one day
upon one Horse. — He meant to have stopped on the road, but finding
the Horse fresh proceeded. —
Lady Mary spoke of the Duchess of Montrose being much recovered.
Had she died the Duke would have sustained a heavy loss ; she manages
much of His business & accounts. — I talked to Lady Mary & Lady
Anne of the importance of obtaining in Youth all the knowledge &
general improvement that could be acquired, & told them that at an
advanced period of life they wd. feel the value of it more than they
would do while young. Aged persons may be respected on that acct.
but will not be attended to unless found to posess wisdom & knowledge,
and refinement of mind, the effect of devoting part of our time to those
studies which embellish life. — Lady Mary told me that Lord Grosvenor
had called on Robt. Smirke to see the model of Lowther & then men-
tioned to Him that He had heard that Mr. Lysons had found much
fault with the architecture of Eaton Hall, His Lordship's House*
Independence of Nations
[Parliament was this day prorogued [says the Morning Post]. — In
His Majesty's speech is the following — " To the efforts of Europe for
its own deliverance, His Majesty has directed us to assure you, that
* Lady Mary Lowther and Lady Anne Lowther were daughters of the first Earl of
Lonsdale. Lady Mary was married on Sept. 16, 1820, to Major-General Lord William
Frederick Cavendish- Bentinck. Anne became the wife of Sir John Beckett, second
baronet, Judge Advocate-General. Sir Edmund Beckett, fifth baronet, was created first
Lord Grimthorpe in 1886.
1809]
Criminal Law 193
He is determined to continue his most strenuous assistance and support,
convinced that you will agree with him in considering that every exer-
tion for the reestablishment of the independence of other nations, is
no less conducive to the true interests than it is becoming the character
& honour of Great Britain." — From small note-book.]
June 22. — T. Leach has written, Boydell sd. the best Book that has
been published on the Criminal Law* — He was, when young, a Bank-
rupt Linen Draper. —
[James] Ward called. — He had been with Sir F. Baring, having
finished the engraving of Lord Lansdowne, Lord Ashburton & Coll.
Barrie, which Sir Francis sd. He thought was even better than His
last plate viz : of Sir Francis, His Brother & Son in law. —
Ward sd. He had derived advantage from His pictures exhibited
this year, — reputation & Commissions. — He sd. the Water Colour paint-
ing Society in Spring gardens, have voted a piece of plate of ioo guineas
value to Mr. Hill, their Secretary, & a member of it, and He is to have
henceforward a Salary. —
June 23. — Lysons [Keeper of the Tower records] called, and in-
formed me that Mr. Harrison of the Treasury had told Him that He had
no doubt of the Lords of the Treasury making up His Salary net £500
a year, which is not now more than £250 clear ; — & that they wd. further
allow Him an annual Sum for Clerks, — the whole abt. £700 a year.
Lord Lonsdale in Petticoats
Edridge came & we had some cold meat with Lady Lonsdale & the
young Ladies. — I walked with Edridge to His House. He spoke of Lord
Lonsdale, sd. " He is a considerate man ", — one who does right upon
reflection. Lady Mary He sd. is Lord Lonsdale in petticoats, — so
much has she His disposition. — He remarked that all the young Ladies
have their different pursuits — not being inclined to the same amuse-
ments. I looked at His drawings. He showed me a miniature picture
of West, & wished me to sit for a companion to it. —
June 24. — Edridge I set off with at 3 oClock to go to Mr. Long's
at Bromley Hill, 9 miles from London [& remained there till Tuesday
the 27th]. — We dined at Six oClock. — Mr. Long gave an instance of
Soane's conduct to the Board of Commissioners at Chelsea Hospital,
of which Soane is Surveyor. — He was required to attend the Board
at a time appointed, instead of which a letter was reed, from Him stating
* Here is the entry in Lowndes : " Cases in Crown Law, determined by the twelve
Judges in the Court of King's Bench, from 4 Geo. II. 1730, to 55 Geo. III. 1815.
Fourth Edition, with Corrections and Additions, Lond. 18 15, royal 8vo., 2 vols., .£1 us. 6d.
A much esteemed work. — 1789, 8vo. — 1792, 8vo. — 1800, royal 8vo., 2 vols.
Thomas Leach (1746-1818), was called to the bar from the Middle Temple, and in
1790 was appointed Police Magistrate at Hatton Garden.
VOL. V. Ij
194 The Farington Diary [1809
that He was going to the Bank & cd. not attend. — In consequence He wd.
have been removed from His situation had not Mr. Long prevented it. —
We talked of Wilson. Mr. & Mrs. Long were lately at Lord Dart-
mouth's at Blackheath, & there saw his Lordship's collection of drawings
by Wilson. Mr. Long said they are admirable ; & owned that He
preferred them to His pictures ; but He acknowledged that the picture
which Steers sold to Mr. Townley is very fine ; also the large pictures
at Sir Watkin Willm. Wynne's. —
Wilberforce and Fox
Edridge shewed a print from his drawing of Mr. Long intended for
Cadell & Davis's work. It was thought very like. Mrs. Long observed
that the mouth was a little bulging. — Edridge shewed a sketch He had
made of Mr. Wilberforce. The likeness was thought excellent. It
ought not to be again touched. Mr. Long spoke of Mr. Wilberforce's
vivacity, which is occasionally checked by self-restraining recollection ;
then revives. — Mr. Long reminding him of parties at Cambridge He
would look grave & shake His head ; for a short time, then burst out
& call to Long's recollection other such parties. — Mr. Long sd. Mr. Wilber-
force did not know much of Mr. Pitt at Cambridge. Their acquaintance
began in London in the first Parliament of which they were members. —
CHAPTER LXI
1809
Wilberforce and Fox
June 25. — Mr. Long sd. that when Mr. Wilberforce was first in
parliament He often attacked Mr. Fox, saying bitter things. Fox hated
him. Those feelings were afterwards altered. —
In the even'g, looking at the Landscape of the country from the Hill
Mr. L. said the ^Erial tint then seen had been got by Wilson, and that
Claude was the other painter who succeeded in expressing it in His pic-
tures. I mentioned Cuyp and He allowed His claim. — The evening being
cold I declined walking and had tea with Sir Abrm.* who remained at
Home on the same account. He spoke of Mr. [Payne] Knight, as being
a well informed man but sd. His manner was not agreeable, — dictatorial,
— when observations are made upon the subject on which He has spoken,
He hears witht. condescending to answer any objection, but repeats
His own opinion. — He is temperate in drinking, but eats largely : drinks
much water at dinner, and little wine after,— two or three glasses. — He
& His Cousin of Portland Place, a man of sour & dark aspect, are dis-
tinguished by the former being called light Knight, — the other dark
Knight. — When the family party had again assembled each took a book
— Lord Valentia's travels occupied several,
The Archbishop
June 26. — [The Reverend] Mr. Wm. Long spoke to me of Dr.
Porteous the late Bishop of London, & said He was a good man, but gave
way too much. The present Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Sutton told
Mr. Long that Dr. Randolph! was the fittest man to succeed Dr. Porteous,
for that situation having energy & firmness. Mr. Long said the Arch-
bishop is a very generous man. He has great clerical patronage, but
His two Sons (the other children are daugrs.) declined taking orders.
One of them is in the Law line, — the other in the Army. — He keeps an
open table. —
* Sir Abraham Hume. See Vols. I., II., III., IV.
t Dr. John Randolph was translated from Bangor to London on June 12, 1809.
VOL. V. 195 13*
196 The Farington Diary [1809
Bate Dudley
I talked with Wm. Long on the subject of the Revd. Bate Dudley*
being ejected from the Rectory of Bradstead in Essex on a charge of
His having purchased the presentation simoniacally. He thought it
a hard Case. Bate Dudley had while He resided in the living acted as a
Magistrate & in that capacity, and by making embankments against
the Sea done much good & effected a reformation among the People who
had been much given to smuggling. — He spoke of Simony as being
sometimes depending upon nice points. If the present Incumbent shd.
die on the day on which an agreement for the next presentation is made,
the agreement is void : if the day after Simony is avoided. When
the Rectory of Bradstead was declared by the Bishop of London to be
void it fell to the Crown to nominate to it. Mr. Pitt before He went
out in 1 801, offered it to Mr. Wm. Long who declined it. Mr. Pitt thought
the Case hard, & meant to provide otherways for Br. Dudley. — The Duke
of York got it for Mr. Gamble who afterwards had much contention with
B. Dudley. — Mr. Addington, (Lord Sidmouth) while Minister did provide
for Dudley. —
He spoke of the Bishop of Norwich (Dr. Bathurst) who from holding
a Prebendary of Durham was made Bishop of Norwich, which He accepted
for the sake of Patronage otherwise He wd. have remained at Durham.
He has been enabled to give the living of North Creyke in Norfolk to one
of His Sons, a living of £1000 per annum.
Mr. W. Long spoke of Mr. Pitt and the state of His constitution. He
was always taking medicine to procure an appetite, — His opinion of
himself was that He thought He might live some years longer. —
Newspapers and the Country
Mr. Burke had remarked to Mr. Long that eventually newspapers
would govern the Country. — The business of reporting the Debates
in the House of Commons is now carried on systematically. The Reporters
are admitted to a small room & are led into the Gallery to take their
places, where in making their notes they omit, add, approve, and dis-
approve as their [disposition] to party inclines them.
Mr. Long spoke of Mr. Perceval, now the Prime Minister, and sd.
Pie was the most candid man in the world, but of a disposition too yield-
ing, which causes Him to grant papers, when moved for, which causes
vast expense, at the Pay Office there is in consequence as much business
on that account as the regular business of the Office requires. —
Coombe [Dr. Syntax] was spoken of as being in the King's bench
for a debt of 300 or ^350. He has the privilege of the Rules which He is
not to quit. —
* Sir Henry Bate Dudley, first Editor of the Morning Post. See Vols. I., II., III., IV.
1809] Lord Heathfield's Portrait and a Copy 197
June 28. — Lawrence called and spoke of Buonaparte. His attack
on Spain has been a death blow to his character : His generals may rise
upon Him. He spoke of Burke's letters with high praise.
June 29. — Boydell called on me. Tomkins [the engraver] had
heard in a Stage Coach while going to Ealing an accusation against
Boydell abt. Lord Heathfields portrait ; and in consequence He (Boydell)
had written an acct. of that transaction. — The original picture of Lord
Heathfield wd. have perished had it remained hung upon a damp wall.
The copy from it was openly made by another artist, & touched on by
Boydell, and shown at the Shakespere Gallery. — Sir George Beaumont
saw it and doubted some parts, the mist He thought had an original
look. The original was hung at His House at Hampstead & was there
seen by the Common Council. It was sent openly to the European
Museum, and was offered to the Marquiss of Stafford, who declined it
not meaning to add to His Collection. Should the City claim it it must
be given up, — the unfavourable reports respecting it have arisen from
persons who are malignant against Him, but He (Boydell) has not ascer-
tained who they are. —
Boydell spoke of the trial He had with Mr. Drummond respecting His
(Mr. Drummond's) being required to take the remaining numbers of the
Shakespere work, He being a Subscriber. Before the trial Landseer was
most active with the Solicitors, so was Heath, — Landseer in Court sat by
Drummond's Solicitor. Hoppner, Beechey, — Bourgeois, & Tresham,
were all against Him (Boydell). Fuseli's conduct was very bad. Smirke,
Northcote, Westall & Peters were steady for Him, but Westall was ill all
the time. Boydell sd. " I know now who are my friends and who are
my foes." — He sd. Landseer lost ^400 by the Review which He set up,
but soon dropped. — With respect to the Portrait of Lord Heathfield I
advised Him to be quiet, and not to stir about it unless necessary. —
Rome
[By a decree dated May 17, 1809, Buonaparte united Rome & the
whole Papal territory with the French Empire. — He declares that Rome,
the first See in Christendom, an Imperial and free City. — That it shall
continue to be the seat of the visible head of the Church ; — That the
posessions & Palaces of His Holiness shall be subject to no burdens or
taxes, — and that His Holiness shall posess the richly endowed Vatican.
— From small note-book.]
CHAPTER LXII
1809
Christie's
June 30. — Le Keux, an engraver,* called on me from Davis, &
shewed me some specimens of His work. — He was with Basire 4 years ;
& had left Him 3 years. He is now 25 yrs. old. I recommended to
Him to practise drawing figures. — Sir N. Holland called, had been
a fortnight at Hastings but the weather was unfavourable. — Thought
the scenery & country fine (picturesque). He remarked that none of
the painters have represented the Sea faithfully, — indeed by painting
to represent motion can hardly be done. — He observed two effects
on water, — transparency of colour — greenish or yellowish, in the wave,
& on the surface the light of the sky reflected. — Backhuysen's forms of
waves very true — but his general colour too black. — He told me He had
sold some old pictures at Christie's but cd. not get the money, and
asked me whether I thought it was safe ? — I sd. that the payment of
Auctioneers was sometimes slow, but He had nothing to fear. — He sd.
He wished to dispose of 41 or 2 lots of drawings by Old Masters, 5 or 6
in a lot, & many had marked on them 5 or 6 shillings each. — I mentioned
Philips of Warwick St. as a proper auctioneer. —
[Yesterday at New Cross, Captain Agar the celebrated one mile
runner, and a Mr. Swallow from Doncaster run a match for 100 guineas
a side. The Captain won the match by abt. 4 yards & the mile was
performed in 4 minutes 51 Seconds. — From small note-book.]
Lysons Gives a Dinner
July 1. — I went with Dance to the tower where we found Lysons
[Keeper of the records], who shewed us many manuscripts, & His method
of arranging them. — From thence we went to the Mint accompanied by
the party invited to dine with Lysons, and we saw the machinery for
coining &c. At \ past 5 we dined at the Ship tavern, Water Lane,
* John Le Keuk, born in 1783, was an older brother of Henry Le Keuk, also a line-
engraver. He began his career with his father (who was a pewter manufacturer), and
afterwards worked under James Basire, the engraver. Le Keuk's subjects were mainly
architectural.
I98
James Christie, auctioneer (1730-1803).
Engraved by G, Sanders, after Thomas Gainsborough.
[To face p. ic
18 °9] Lysons Gives a Dinner 199
Lysons giving a dinner on acct. of the augmentation of His salary, & the
appointments made in His Office— under His direction.— We staid till
| past 9 and then adjourned to the Temple where Lysons gave us tea.
Lawrence sung the old Balad, which Lawrenson* was accustomed to sing.
— Lysons repeated 2 Balads. —
Dance told me that Sir N. Dance-Holland had remained in town to
have two Wens cut out, one on His Breast, — the other on His Back. —
Home performed the operation, which was very painful, as it was neces-
sary to go to the bottom & to preserve the skin, which took more time.
Home sd. Sir Nathaniel suffered the pain witht. flinching. So good
is the state of His Constitution that the wounds healed as they wd.
have done in a Child, — in a few days. A week was allowed between
each operation.
Dance spoke of Sir Nathaniel's temperance, sd. He eats in a plain
manner, and drinks scarcely any wine, — 2 or 3 glasses when in company,
but when alone none, or a little mixed with water. — He dislikes Port
wine ; it is to Him as disagreeable as medicine. — Cape wine, or other
sweet wines are what He drinks by choice. — Wine He says, Heats Him,
makes Him feverish. Dance sd. nothing would prevail upon Him to
drink a pint of wine. — Dance spoke to me of the loudness of Lysons's
voice which He sd. oppresses Him. He esteemed him for his excellent
qualities. —
The Finishing Year
July 2. — Battersbee [the banker] called being come to town to take
His daugr. from School & His Son from Woolwich. He told me His
daughters education Had cost him Four Hundred pounds the last year
only, it being what is called at the School " the finishing year." During
this year the young Lady whose education is to be completed, is removed
from the Common School, and forms one of ten young Ladies to which
number this Class is limited. They live together separated from the
Junior young Ladies, pay ^200 for their Board only, — & the expences
for music, drawing, dancing &c. &c. make up ^200 more. — They are
occasionally taken out to visit, a preparation for being introduced
into Company. —
Battersbee sd. it is probable that He may sell His House at Stratford
& remove to Bath. He said He had offered a situation in the Stratford
Bank to Harry [Farington's brother] for one of His Sons. — He sd. His
profits from the Bank last year were £1200, — & this year wd. be £1500. —
Royal Academy Emoluments
Philips called in the even'g, to speak abt. the increase of the Salaries
of the Officers 13 Visitors of the Royal Academy. — It was proposed in
Council to add ^50 to the Salaries of the Keeper & Secretary & £30
to that of the Treasurer, — to double the pay of the Visitors, & to double
* Thomas Lawranson, portrait painter (ft. 1733-1786). A mezzotint portrait of him
bv his son William Lawranson is among the engraved British portraits in the British Museum.
200 The Farington Diary [1809
the pay of the Committee of Arrangement. — I told Him that at the
institution of the Academy the Keeper's salary was larger than that of
the Secretary & that it ought now to be made so, agreeably to what was
proposed some years ago, viz : ^60 to the Keeper & £40 to the Secretary.
— He agreed with me in this opinion. —
He also informed me that Flaxman had made a motion for giving
£400 this year to 2 Members of the Royal Academy hereafter to be fixed
upon, viz : ^200 each for painting each an Historical picture, as an
encouragement to promote that branch of the art. I told Him it then
appeared to me that it wd. not produce the effect intended, & wd. only
add to the expenditure of the Academy. — He agreed with me. —
July 3. — This day I called on Fuseli, & talked with Him abt.
increasing the Salaries, & told Him what I had said on the subject to a
member of the Council. He was pleased with it. — We talked of Flaxman's
proposal, which He said was against the opinion of Himself, — Daniell,
Beechey, & Philips, & that West wd. give the Casting vote against it. —
Woodforde & Howard were for it. —
Sir John Moore's Letters
He spoke of Shee's poem, — sd. He had read but little of the poetry,
in which He found some very bad lines. — He had read the Notes which
were written with a flux of words, — and with peculiar redundancy of
expression, — but with spirit & force, — often however not understanding
His subject when He wrote of the works & powers of great masters. —
" He has pulled me abt," said Fuseli, " but he has misrepresented me,
He did not understand me."
Fuseli spoke of James Moore's acct. of the War in Spain preparing for
publication, & sd. it wd. be a heavy charge against Ministers ; it consists
almost entirely of documents. — The letters of Sir John Moore He sd.
are admirable " They are like the writing of Caesar, and as good, simple,
clean & classical." — " I wish," sd. He, " that James Moore* cd. write
as well ; but He has done very well. I recommended to Him not to allow
Himself to appear in the work, but to suppress His feelings." —
* James Carrick-Moore (1762-1860), surgeon, and brother of Six John Moore. A
friend of Dr. Jenner, he wrote two pamphlets in support of vaccination. In 1834 he
published a fuller account of " The Life of Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore," in three
volumes. Moore was 98 years of age when he died, and a daughter of his at her death
in 1904 was 100 years and seven months old.
CHAPTER LXIII
1809
An Opulent Family
July 3. — General Sir John Moore died posessed of £18000, which
He has left to His Mother & Sister, except some legacies. — The family
is opulent. — Doctor Moore left £30,000 ; — Graham Moore has made a
large fortune in the Naval Service, — Frank Moore has £800 a year pension
settled upon Him in case He should be removed from the War Office. — -
Charles Moore, unhappily insane, has His Salary for life. — James Moore
is Surgeon to a regiment of Guards & has £300 a yr. as Surgeon to the
Vaccination establishment. — While writing the Book above-mentioned,
James Moore declined every invitation, & every day after He had done
His professional business He shut Himself up in His room & continued
writing till midnight. —
Fuseli told me that He rose this morning at 5 oClock & walked from
Johnson's* House at Fulham, & was at the Academy door at 7 oClock,
— & did not feel more than very slightly any fatigue from it [although he
was then in his sixty-eighth year].
Philips I called on & proposed to Him to increase the Salary of the
Housekeeper from 60 to £70 a year, which He thought very proper.
He sd. if something was not done, the present Housekeeper will not re-
main at the Academy, Her situation with Mrs. Fuseli being so unpleasant.
J. Taylor I called on. He gave me 2 pamphlets relating to Cobbet. —
He spoke of Shee's poem, & sd. the poetical descriptions of some of the
great Masters were admirably written. — He was in very good spirits
respecting the War in Germany. — A Person high in office, had said,
" That Buonaparte wd. soon be packing up for a return."
* Joseph Johnson (1738-1809), bookseller and publisher, "father of the book trade."
He acted as publisher for Fuseli, Home Tooke, Cowper, Erasmus Darwin, Dr. Priestley,
Mrs. Barbauld, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Miss Edgeworth. He also produced the
Analytical Re-view, which ran from May, 1788, to the end of 1799. In 1797 he was sent
to prison for nine months and fined £50 for selling a pamphlet by the Rev. Gilbert Wake-
field, scholar and revolutionary. See Diary, Vol. I., page 318 and footnote. Johnson
died unmarried on December 20, 1809.
201
202 The Farington Diary [1809
Artists as Critics
July 4. — At one oClock Dr. Monro sent His carriage and with
Hearne & Edridge I went to the Doctor's House at Bushey — 13 miles.
— Hearne spoke of the landscapes at the British institution, having
seen them yesterday for the first time : He thought them miserably
bad ; but Barker's the best ; they however were but Pasticios from
Gainsborough ; and mannered ; one small one was pretty. Such, He
sd. was now the prevailing taste that were a Painter to produce a picture
like Claude it wd. not be approved. — Calcott, He thought, overrated ;
was disappointed in seeing His Mill having heard it was equal to Ruys-
dael : Had it not been reported as it was, He shd. have passed it. His
large picture " a Morning Scene " had no strength of colour, — no fresh-
ness, — foggy — weak — a crowd of Cattle ill-suited to it. — He had done
some coast scenes, imitating Turner, pretty well ; He now does not look
at nature. —
Seat of the Coningsbys
In a heavy shower with hail & lightening we arrived at Bushey, &
Dr. Monro soon after joined us. We dined | before 6. — Edridge sd. Lord
Essex sold His House and estate Hampton Court in Herefordshire the
last Spring to Mr. Arkwright Son of the late Sir Richd. Arkwright for
-£230,000, the furniture of the House included, excepting the pictures
& some other articles. It was the ancient Seat of the Coningsby's who
had posessed it from the time of Henry 4th. — It came to Lord Essex
by His mother. — In making the agreement for the sale Arkwright noticed
some things which Lord Essex called trifles. It is sd. Arkwright, by
attending to small things that I am enabled to purchase Hampton
Court. This noble estate yielded Lord Essex a very small income
compared with its value, owing to the mismanagement of Agents. Lord
Essex's mind was set upon making Cashioberry a fine place and He
was displeased with Election matters at Leominster. Hearne sd. He
would not have parted with it as it was Older property than any He
possessed from the Male line of His family. —
Fidelity
The late Martin Madan* was spoken of, and that He died the last
Spring aged about 51. Dr. Monro was at Stanmore School with him,
but Madan was a year or two older. He was perverse in His temper,
and was often beaten by Dr. Parr. — He married Miss Ibbetson, and
made Her a slave. Her fidelity to Him was perfect in all respects. She
was now abt. 45 years old. He died witht. a Will, & little was left for
Her. His estate went to Male Heirs. She went to Her Sister, Mrs.
Boscawen, at Chelsea. Notwithstanding His treatment of Her she was
attached to Him and continued so after His death. —
* Martin Madan, of Bushey, was the elder son of Martin Madan (1726-1790), author of
" Thelyphthora," which was published in 1780, and advocated polygamy.
1809] Sir George Beaumont's Home 203
Hearne spoke of Coleorton, Sir G. Beaumont's, & said it was 16
miles from Leicester & 10 from Loughborough. He was there 16 days
in September. Genl. Phipps was there & Mr. Bowles & His family
for 2 days. Coleorton He described as situated in the Moors, but abounds
with picturesque matter on a small scale : broken ground, trees, frag-
ments of Collieries, & machinery belonging thereto. The House, He said,
in the inside very handsome ; the stair case a pleasing gloom. The
apartments handsome & well-furnished. — The outside of the building
too plain ; the turrets should be enriched. Sir George was then much
teased by the improper conduct of His Agent Bailey. —
Cassiobury Pictures
July 5. — At 2 oClock I went in Dr. Monro's carriage with Hearne
& Edridge to Cashioberry (Lord Essex's) 3 miles dist. and saw the House.
The Mother of the present Lord was daughter to Sir Charles Hanbury
Williams by Lady Frances Coningsby, & by Her came the Hampton
Court estate, now sold to Mr. Arkwright. Pictures painted from the
reign of Henry 4th. were brought from thence. At Cashioberry there
are also a portrait of Sir Chas. Hanbury Williams by Mengs, — ditto of
the late Lord Essex by Pompeo Battoni, — 3 landscapes by Turner, and
many others.*
Hearne looking at one of Turner's pictures said " The Sky was painted
by a Mad man. Talk of Wilson retiring before Him, — true Wilson on
seeing such a picture would soon have retired." — On looking at Turner's
" Sea piece " He said " it was raw," but of a small landscape by Gains-
borough He said " Here is something to look at in comparison ! "
Attached to Cashioberry House there is a small additional building
to which Lady Essex occasionally retires and calls it her Den. Here she
is principally occupied in painting miniatures which she does with some
portion of skill. In the drawing room there are four large frames with
glasses containing a great number of Her pictures, copies from various
masters ; also a large enamel picture of Sir Kenelm Digby &c. copied
from that at Strawberry Hill. —
* The Cassiobury Park pictures were sold in June, 1922, and realised ,£8,712.
CHAPTER LXIV
1809
False Taste
July 5. — We returned to Bushey & dined \ before 6. — We had
conversation upon the present state of the Arts. Hearne said " There
is now an established false taste and the public mind is so vitiated that
works simple and pure would not be relished : that were an Artist
to produce pictures like those of Claude Lorrain they wd. not be admired.
How could they," said He " when the drawings of Glover and Havil
are cried up as examples of excellence ? With respect to Turner," added
He, " He has neither sublimity or dignity when He attempts those
characters, nor sentiment and pastoral simplicity in His rural scenery.
Gainsborough was excellent in treating the latter subjects (pastoral)
He succeeded admirably. A strong sentiment always prevails. He
exhibits familiar scenes, but His representations of simple life are given
with such taste as to delight and never to offend. He is never coarse :
His Peasant in rags has no filth : no idea of dirt & wretchedness is
excited." — He proceeded " See the Public cry up Heaphy's drawings,
one of which was sold for 400 guineas. Take away the Mackarel from
it which were well imitated and what is it ? " He again spoke of Calcotts
mill as having been greatly overrated. —
Gainsborough's Superiority
Edridge held an opinion contrary to Hearne in thinking that works
like those of Claude wd. be admired. He thought there existed a great
desire for works of Art, that which is produced is purchased. He had
seen Sir John Leicester's pictures this Season and there felt the superiority
of Gainsborough over other Landscape Painters, — Turner, Calcott &c,
whose works are in that Collection. A Picture by Gainsborough had
from Mr. Harvey of Norwich was there placed on an Easel. After
looking at this Picture the Eye passing to their pictures could not dwell
upon them.
Hearne said of Haydon's picture of Dentatus which had been much
cried up by Lord Mulgrave & Sir Geo : Beaumont that He had looked
over the Exhibition without noticing it : then recollected what He had
heard & asked where it was. — He had passed & shd. pass such a picture ;
204
1809] Beechey and His Knighthood 205
there was nothing in it proceeding from a right source. Edridge sd. the
upper part had bustle-effect — had something in it. Hearne thought but
little of His former picture " A Holy Family." Hearne said to me Sir
G[eorge B[eaumont] desires to be supreme Dictator on works of Art ;
gives opinions, — sweeps away those Artists who at the time are not His
objects, & repeats these opinions to persons as if not given before.
Beechey was spoken of. When Lord Cardigan announced to Him
that He was to have the Honour of Knighthood, He sent to Sharpe and
desired Him to go to Craven Hill and inform Mrs. Beechey that she
should be a Lady. The Princess Augusta told Edridge that while
Beechey was painting Her portrait when He thought He had succeeded
He would dance about the room. He told the Princess Augusta while
He was painting the large picture of the King &c. on Horseback (now
at Hampton Court) that He had dreamed that for the picture the King
would give Him a thousand pounds and knight Him. — Lord Lytleton
hesitated to invite Him having heard that He swore. —
A Pretty Child
Miss Monro played on the Pianoforte with much skill. She began
to play at 6 years old & was now 14. The form of Her hands was affected
by playing at so early an age ; the joints were enlarged. It was remarked
that she was a pretty child & that Her features were formed early, and
that generally when it happens so the face becomes plainer.
Hearne said He became acquainted with Sir George Beaumont in
1 77 1 at the Revd. Mr. Davy's, — One House in Suffolk, where He and
the late Mr. Woollett went on a visit and remained there Six weeks, and
during that time they made an excursion to Houghton Hall & Castle
Acre Priory in Norfolk. — Sir George who was then pupil to Mr. Davy
then sketched Heads only, but being pleased with the sketches of Land-
scape made by Woollett and Hearne He became their imitator.
Dr. Monro spoke of the great change in his own bodily powers. He
said He once rode from Rochester to London in three Hours, and after-
wards played at Tennis Seven Hours, but that now he could not walk
a moderate distance witht. suffering from it. He lately walked three
miles and felt much pain from it. In a carriage He can travel as much
as is necessary. He sd. His legs feel like paste. — Hearne sd. a walk of
two miles caused such pain in His legs from weakness as to debilitate
Him for days after. —
Lord Carlisle's Pride
The coldness and pride of Lord Carlisle was spoken of. Hearne sd.
He happened once to meet him at Sir Ralph Paine's who in a very hand-
some manner introduced him to his Lordship as having accompanied
him to the West Indies &c. Lord Carlisle bowed to him, — Hearne bowed
twice to His Lordship, who then advanced to the fireplace and stood
206 The Farington Diary [1809
before it and remained in the room for an Hour, but never spoke a word
to him. The friendly familiarity of Lord Essex was contrasted with this
coldness & Edridge sd. Lord Essex disliked such men as much as we did.
Dr. Monro sd. " If all noblemen were like Lord Essex it wd. be very desire-
able to associate with them."
Methodists and Insanity
July 7. — Dr. Monro spoke of Insanity. He said the Doctors were
obliged to the Methodists for many, filling the mind with gloomy ideas
and apprehensions of damnation, still, He observed, it does not injure
their health ; such patients eat, drink, & sleep ; medicine is of little
avail. Many patients return to their friends, but there is always some-
thing about them which shews a tendency to it. —
Turner's Prices
I had conversation with Hearne & Edridge on Turner's works, and
what price might be considered proper for His pictures putting
prejudice out of the question. For instance what might be reckoned
a fair price for one of those pictures for which Lord Essex gave
200 guineas. Hearne said, " For a person a full admirer of His pictures
50 guineas, but for myself I would not give fifteen." Edridge sd. He
thought 50 guineas, but differed from Hearne as He thought they ought
to be valued at that price to any purchaser as they merited it. — Hearne
called His Corwen Bridge " Vapour." — His woolly, undecided execu-
tion was remarked upon. Hearne repeated that His pictures have
neither sublimity or dignity in them. — Hearne said, Sir G. Beaumont
had heard a person object to Wilson's pictures saying " He did not like
pictures full of ears" meaning forms like ears in His stones.
The afternoon being pleasant we walked in the Paddock. Some
alterations were proposed. I recommended to Dr. Monro to wait for the
winter, and He would then when the foliage was off the trees see what
would be got in prospect by cutting down trees & what might be lost.
He was struck with it & invited us to come in November. —
We dined at 3 oClock & left Bushey at | past 6 & returned to London. —
July 9.— I remained at Home all day, having some indisposition.
Edridge called. — He told me Mr. Willm. Long paid Him 40 guineas
for His portrait of Mrs. Charles Long, — exhibited this year ; & that the
Bishop of Durham paid Him an equal Sum for the portrait (miniature)
painted of His Lordship. — He has 20 guineas for one of His whole length
drawings & said He had been obliged to refuse many persons who desired
to have their portraits drawn. — We talked of the election of Associates.
He said He shd. put down His name & then leave it to be settled as the
Academy shd. think proper ; considering that shd. He not be elected
He shd. not think it an objection to His general merit as an Artist,
but an objection on acct. of His principal practise being in a line (draw-
ing) which the Academy does not admit. —
CHAPTER LXV
1809
Northcote and Coleridge
July 12. — I had company to dinner — Northcote told me He had
engaged to go to Mr. Whitbread's on Saturday next to paint Mr. & Mrs.
Whitbread for Lord Grey. — He spoke much on the merit of several
modern painters. — He also said He had seen the first number of Cole-
ridge's periodical work, in which two points were particularly clear,
viz : His exhibiting Himself & His conceit. — Many passages cannot be
understood. — The whole strange & as it seemed contemptible. — Taylor
spoke of Wordsworth's pamphlet on the Cintra Convention as being a very
poor performance, too heavy to be read through. —
[This afternoon at \ past 3 oClock at Newmarket, Captain Barclay
completed His undertaking, having [walked] 1 000 miles in one thousand
Hours (a mile in each Hour) which occupied Him 42 days 8c 16 Hours.
— He commenced walking on the first of June. — It was calculated that
£100,000 was depending on His performance. — From small note-book.
July 15. — Died at His House in Great Cumberland Place, this day,
The Lord Archbishop of Dublin, Primate of Ireland, Earl of Nor-
manton &c. &c. His Grace's decline was rapid [says the Morning Post] ;
He kept His bed but 3 days. — As a scholar, a prelate, & a statesman His
grace stood pre-eminently high. Our limits do not admit of entering
into a life & character which afford matter for the ablest pen. His Grace
was in His 73rd. year. He is succeeded by His eldest Son, Visct. Somer-
ton, now Earl of Normanton. — His Grace's name, Charles Agar. — From
small note-book.]
Govent Garden Theatre
July 17. — Lawrence I dined with & walked with Him to look at
the progress made in building Covent Garden Theatre. He was delighted
with it, & does not think there is a building in so pure a taste in London.
Copeland* had applied to Harris for a private box for His wife & family,
& Harris had partly consented ; but Robt. Smirke remonstrated against
it to Harris & a letter was written declining to grant it. At this time
Noblemen were applying in vain. —
* Thomas Copeland, surgeon, F.R.S. (1781-1855).
207
208 The Farington Diary [1809
Canning and Kemble
Mr. Canning sat to Lawrence on Saturday. He spoke of Hoppner
& sd. " He hoped Hoppner wd. write no more poems."* — He spoke of
Mr. Windham, & sd. " He thought him the best bred man in England "
— -" And do you not think He knows it," sd. Lawrence. —
Lawrence observed that Mr. Canning is a modest man. When
Lawrence looked at Him intently He blushed. — He did so upon other
occasions. — His manner is perfectly natural ; — He had heard much of
Covent Garden Theatre, & spoke of the extraordinary expedition with
which it has been built. — He mentioned His old friend Sheridan, & sd.
He dined with Him abt. 12 months ago, & then found Him greatly
altered. A pint of wine intoxicated Him ; but He wd. after that go on
drinking, & seemingly be no worse. —
Lawrence sd. to me This is the case with Kemble. A pint of wine
makes Him drunk ; but He will afterwards go on. — Lawrence remarked,
That Kemble's figure is altered, — not so full, — & when followed He looks
a different man. — He is thought to be gouty, but this He does not like
to acknowledge, but talks of having sprained His Leg, for which, how-
ever He wears gouty shoes. — In the trip of 2 months which He made to
Ireland, He has gained 1400 guineas, & if He cd. have acted oftener might
have had more. He never played to fuller Houses. —
Mr. Canning spoke of Kemble as an Actor, & thought Him decidedly
the best, though He was sensible of His deficiencies. — He wondered that
Cooke shd. have been compared with Him. — Lawrence spoke to me of
some extracts from Shee's poem published by Taylor in the Sun, & sd.
" Shee is a true poet."
The Princess's Debts
July 18. — [On Friday last, Mr. Adam, Chancellor to the Prince of
Wales & Mr. Gray, Deputy Treasurer to the Prince met the Creditors of
the Princess of Wales at the York Hotel, Bridge Street, Blackfryars,
when Mr. Adam stated to the Creditors that the Prince of Wales would
spontaneously take upon Himself to pay the debts of the Princess of
Wales amounting to £49,000. — From small note-book.]
Sir Walter Scott
July 20. — Westall spoke of Walter Scott,f Author of Marmion,
with whom He was in company several times while Mr. Scott was lately
in London. He sd. His Countenance is of quite a common kind, & there
is not in it the least indication of Genius or talent, but it appears more
interesting when He is animated on 1 ny subject. — Mr. Scott was weary
of the intercourse He had in Lonc'on, viz : dining & being perpetually
in Society. — " I have dined with them till I am weary of it, I now
want them to dine with me, in my domestic state " — &c. &c.
* In 1805 Hoppner published a volume of " Oriental translated into English Verse."
t See Index, Vols. I.— IV.
Sir Walter Scott.
By Sir H. Raebum.
[To face p. 208.
1809] The Rev. Dr. Grant 209
The Revd. Dr. Grant died at the age of 72. He left abt. ^5000,
which He bequeathed to the University of Edinburgh to found two
Burserships. He left little in Legacies. — He had travelled two or three
times as a Tutor to men of distinction, from [whom] he had annuities.
— During Mr. Pitts administration He in some way was employed by
government, probably as a writer in periodical publications for which
He was handsomely paid, as, when Mr. Pitt resigned in 1801 Dr. Grant
sd. He lost half His income. The disorder of which He died might have
carried off a young man ; it was the effect of being wet on a cold evening.
— He wrote His own Epitaph ; & in it stated that though He had been
in Orders 50 years the whole of what He had reed, for church employ-
ment amounted to little more than £500. — He often exclaimed against
the want of proper provision for the clergy. —
Victory for Buonaparte
July 21. — Baker sd. it seemed to be ordained, that Buonaparte
shd. sweep all before Him, & produce a change in the order of things. —
Smirke said He avoids the pain of looking at newspapers, but since the
Battle of Aspern had been induced to entertain some hopes. The great
expedition on the point of sailing now seemed to them to be fruitless,
& if it shd. proceed to be a waste of blood & treasure. —
Grandeur of Effect
I mentioned to Smirke what Rossi had reported of the observations
which had been made on the adopting the Doric Order for Covent Garden
Theatre. — He said that this point had been much considered & talked
upon by Robert Smirke, — Lawrence & Himself, & it was agreed by them
that Grandeur of effect, such as the Doric wd. possess, ought not to be
sacrificed in a building which might be considered National to a fanciful
notion that something lighter in style wd. alone be appropriate to a
Theatre. On the contrary He thought a building of this kind shd. have
a graver character. Who He sd. in thinking of the plays of Sophocles
& Euripides being acted at Athens, wd. think the taste of a building
improper if it was in a style of dignity & gravity ? — Perhaps, sd. He,
Had there been before this period a Theatre of a more dignified character
than those which have been erected in this country, a sentiment wd.
have been excited which wd. have prevented much of the light trash
which has been produced from being exhibited in a place where it wd.
seem to be so improper. It might operate in this way, " Dress a man
well & you elevate His sentiments."
French Defeat the Austrians
[French Bulletins 25 & 26th. were picked up from a Boat sent from
Boulogne, & this day brought to the Admiralty. — They contain accts.
of the defeat of the Austrian Army. Buonaparte having completed His
Bridges & works on the Danube, He crossed it on the night of the 4th.
of this month, when it was very stormy & very dark, & on the following
VOL. V, 14
210 The Farington Diary [1809
morning got upon the Austrian flanks, having in the night passed the
Austrian redoubts. He attacked the Austrians in the rear, & carried
their intrenched Camp at its weakest points. He appears to have
attracted the attention of the Archduke Charles to a particular spot,
while He passed the river with the greater part of His army at a distant
place. The first attack was on the 6th. — Hard fought & bloody battles
were on the 7th. & 8th. — The scenes of action were at Essling, — Wolkers-
dorf — & Wagram, — The Austrian Centre was pierced, & the carnage
dreadful. The Bulletin said The Austrian Army was nearly destroyed,
& left in full retreat. Their loss is stated at from 10 to 12,000 men killed
& wounded ; 20,000 prisoners, 40 pieces of Cannon, & a great number
of Standards, & that among the killed, wounded, & prisoners, are from
300 to 400 Officers. The Archduke is stated to have gone to Bohemia,
cut off from Moravia & Hungary. Massena, commanding the French,
pursued them. On the 9th. they were at Zucan, which they yielded to
the French on the 10th. which proves how closely they were pursued.
It is sd. the Emperor Francis was an Eye witness of the Battles. — From
small note-book.]
Canning, Tickell and Sheridan
July 22. — Lawrence I dined with. Mr. Canning had just sat to
Him, & that they had pleasant conversation. — Mr. Canning sd. govern-
ment had no other information of the defeat of the Austrians than what
is contained in the French Bulletins, — nor shd. probably for 6 or 8 days. — -
They talked of the late Mr. Tickell, author of the popular pamphlet,
" Anticipation," — Mr. Canning in His youth, was much with Him &
Sheridan. Lawrence asked Him whether He thought Tickell had he
been in parliament, wd. have made a good debater. Mr. Canning thought
not. His disposition led Him to satyrical attack, rather than to argu-
ment, & He was so irritable, that Had He been well opposed, He wd.
have shrunk, not having a power to reply. He was a better scholar than
Sheridan, but had not His strength of mind. — Mr. Canning spoke of
Sheridan's excellent temper. Lawrence mentioned to Him that Sheridan
in conjunction with [Nathaniel Brassey Halhed] translated some of the
Greek Epistles of Aristsenetus. Mr. Canning had not before heard of
it. —
Mr. Canning mentioned that Marquiss Wellesley this day left London
to proceed to Spain, He remarked that the wind was now fair for Him,
but He wished it wd. change & blow Him back to the Expedition now in
the Downs, waiting for a Wind, adding that " The Marquisses Head wd.
do good anywhere." — Mr. Canning seemed pleased at Lawrence having
chosen the view of His face which He had fixed upon. —
Napoleon's Body and Mind
Lord Limerick today told Lawrence that a friend of His was informed
by the Chief of the Medical-Staff to Buonaparte while He commanded of
St. John D'acre, that the day before Buonaparte made His grand attack
1809] Napoleon's Body and Mind 211
in which He was unsuccessful, He (the Medical man) had cut Him for a
Fistula, and that notwithstanding the state He was in, He on the follow-
ing day, during the attack, was on Horseback nine Hours. — Such was the
hardship of His body & the resolution of His mind. —
[At Winchester Assizes, William Cobbett, author of the Register, was
with Wm. Asslet, & John Dubber, Blacksmiths, tried for oppression, in
seizing & confining William Burgess & His Mother, unlawfully. — Damages
laid at £1000. — Mr. Justice Lawrence summed up the evidence. — The
Jury consulted for abt. two minutes & then returned a verdict of £10.
for the Plaintiff. — From small note-book.]
vol. v.
14'
CHAPTER LXVI
1809
Dr. Pemberton's Bond
July 23. — Lawrence told me yesterday, that when Dr. Pemberton
went to Ireland to attend Lord Hamilton, no terms were proposed
by Lord Abercorn, who only solicited Him to come over. He found
Lord Hamilton in a state supposed to be with scarce a chance of recovery.
Contrary to the opinion of the Irish Physicians He advised bleeding.
It was adopted, & His Lordship was relieved & became better. — When
He was sufficiently recovered Dr. Pemberton prepared to come away,
Remuneration was proposed, & Lord Abercorn mentioned an annuity
of -£200. — This the Doctor refused, saying, He might die the next day, &
then what Had His family to look for. — He had left His practise in Lon-
don & probably lost connexions which He might not recover. — Finally
it is understood that Lord Abercorn gave Him a Bond for £2000. —
An Armistice
July 26. — I was at home alone today. — [This day the 27th. & 28th.
French Bulletins were reed, having been put into an empty boat sent from
Bullogne. — They contain an acct. of an Armistice having been solicited
by the Archduke Charles through Prince John of Lichtenstien, it was
agreed to by Buonaparte & was signed at the Camp before Zuaim, on
Wednesday July 12th. — by Berthier, Prince of Neufchatel, and M.
Baron Wimpfen, Major Genl. of the Austrian Etat Major. — The suspen-
sion to be continued for a month, & 15 days notice given before hostilities
recommence. — The Austrians to evacuate the Citadels of Brunn on the
14th. — and that of Gratz, on the 16th. — The Austrian troops which are
in the Tyrol, & the Voralberg, to evacuate those countries. — Fort Sachsen-
bourgh to be given to the French troops.
Fox Hunters
At Hertford Assizes on the 24th. the Earl of Essex obtained a verdict
of one shilling damages against His Brother, the Hon : & Revd. Mr.
Capel, for a Trespass committed on His Lordship's park at Cashioberry,
by the Berkely Hunt, Club of Fox Hunters, of which Mr. Capel put Him-
self at the Head. — His Lordship only wished to have the point of Law
212
1809] Fox Hunters 213
decided. — The Defendants pleaded that their object in Hunting was to
destroy a noxious animal : but Ld. Ellenborough supported His Lord-
ship's council in saying, their object was pleasure & not merely to kill
the Fox. — Besides to kill the Fox they were not justified in committing
great depredation. — From small note-book.]—
July 27. — I expressed my concern at the acct. of the Armistice
between the Austrians & the French, as given in the French Bulletins
— 27th & 28th. — Bourgeois treated the report with contempt, not believ-
ing it, but considering it to be French Finesse of Buonaparte. —
[The trial of Lord Gambier* commenced yesterday morning on board
the Gladiator, at Portsmouth, Sir Roger Curtis, President. — To try Lord
Gambier for His conduct as Admiral, Commander-in-Chief of the Channel
Fleet employed in the Basque Roads between the 17th day of March &
the 29th. day of April 1809. — From small note-book.]
July 31. — Called at Booth's, Stationer, where I was informed of the
extraordinary sale of the Novel, Coelebs. The 10th. edition is now selling.
Cadell & Davies are the publishers. The terms they made with Hannah
More, were, to give Her One Hundred guineas for each edition that
might be published, & that each edition shd. consist of not more than
750.
Commerce with Heligoland
In a letter Lysons informed me, that at Windsor He met Mr. Rosef
at the Equerry's table, who said, That the Commerce of the Country
is greatly increased this year ; — that the exports to that barren rock,
Heliogoland exceed 5 millions, & those to Malta 4 million pr. annum.
— Lysons had conversation with the King upon the Terrace, at Windsor,
& thought His Majesty looked extremely well.
August 1. — Arnald called. — He told me He had painted some
pictures for Lord Carnarvon, who unhappily about a year and a half ago
had a paralytic stroke which deprived Him of the use of His limbs. He
retains His senses, but His memory has failed, so that in attempting to
express what is in His mind, after uttering a few words proper to the
subject, words follow which have no relation to it. — Of this He becomes
conscious, and holding down his Head groans. — Sad state. — His Lord-
ship married a Sister of the present Earl of Egremont. — Arnald found Him
an easy, pleasant Man to do business for. — Sometime before He had the
paralytic stroke He complained that His Eye sight failed Him, & said to
Arnald that He was apprehensive He should become blind, which had
been the case with several of His family.
* Lord Gambier (1756- 1833), Admiral of the Fleet, was tried at his own request, the
charge against him being that he, while in command of the Channel Fleet, failed to give
effective support to the attempt to destroy vessels blockaded in Basque Roads by means
of fireship8 and infernals. Gambier, who was opposed to that method of warfare, was ac-
quitted after a " grossly partial trial " on August 9th, 1809.
t George Rose, M.P. See Index, Vols. I., III., IV.
214 The Farington Diary [1809
A Noble Gift
Arnald had been employed by Percy Wyndham, next Brother to
Lord Egremont. He is 51 years old, a man who has many good qualities,
but many singularities. — He never was married, but abt. 26 years ago
formed a connexion with a very amiable woman, and this attachment
which is now become friendship, is supposed to have prevented him from
marrying. An Earl of Thomond, a near relation of the Wyndham's,
intended to make Percy Wyndham His principal Heir, but while Mr.
Wyndham then a young man, was on His travels, Lord Thomond died
suddenly & not having made a Will, the whole of His Estates devolved
to the present Earl of Egremont. —
His Lordship knowing the intention of Lord Thomond very nobly
gave to His Brother Percy, the House & estate at Aldborough in Suffolk,
where Ld. Thomond had lived. — This He possessed many years, but
thinking the situation not favorable for His Constitution quitted it, and
not considering it proper to dispose of an estate which had been so given
to Him, offered to return it to Lord Egremont, who wd. not accept it,
saying it was to do what He pleased with it ! Mr. Wyndham then sold
it to a Mr. Smith for .£42,000, a very improvident sale, as the timber upon
the estate which was 900 acres, was judged to be alone worth the purchase
money. — There was also an excellent House upon the estate. —
Charles Wyndham, the 3rd Brother married Lady Ann Lambton,
widow of Mr. Lambton of Durham, but does not live with Her. — Willm.
Wyndham, the 4th. Brother is divorced from His late wife, & 3 daughs.
He had by Her live with their aunt, Lady Carnarvon. —
In the melancholy state in which Lord Carnarvon is, He is become
suspicious in the extreme, of Lady Carnarvon as well as others, being
unwilling that they shd. have money to pay Bills &c.
CHAPTER LXVII
1809
Dr. Johnson's Works
August 2. — Lawrence called to propose our going to Mr. Anger-
stein's on Wednesday the 9th. — He told me West has been on a fishing
party with Carlisle & others, in the neighboroud of Carshalton. — While
there, [he said] He shd. make a sketch of the party thus amusing them-
selves. He did so, but Carlisle sd. In it He made Himself the principal
figure, & only introduced them as looking towards Him.
Loutherburgh's I went to with Sir F. Bourgeois. — Before dinner we
walked to the House of a neighbour in which were 8 or 10 of Louther-
burgh's pictures. — Loutherburgh [R.A.] sd. of Dr. Johnson, " That His
works (His style) were as heavy as His person."
Bourgeois spoke of Turner's pictures in the last Exhibition viz. The
views of Tabley, — He sd. they were gaudy but not brilliant, — that the top
of the Skies of the evening picture was brighter than the Sun part. He
spoke to me remarking on the few artists who will go down to posterity.
He mentioned, Reynolds, Wilson, Gainsborough, & a few others. He sd.
Sir Joshua Reynolds recommended to Him to study the pictures of eminent
masters but not to have them placed near Him while He was painting,
as they wd. in that case prevent a proper independent exertion of the
mind.
Loutherburgh remarked on Wilkie's pictures — that He makes all the
parts too principal, — there is a want of subordinate parts. His first
pictures had most of this. —
Bourgeois spoke to me of the difference subsisting between Dance &
Soane, — & wished to concur with me in placing them on a better footing :
— sd. Soane's admiration of Dance was excessive, — that Wyatt He held
to be nothing compared with Him. — He sd. at their meetings while they
were in opposition, Soane always expressed a difficulty in opposing Dance.
— Bourgeois mentioned the proposal in the Council to establish a Professor-
ship in Sculpture, & approved it. —
Our Ships Will Not Return
We dined \ before 5 & came away at II. After dinner Mr. Plowden,
the Council, came in. — Some conversation respecting the Grand
215
216 The Farington Diary [1809
Expedition to Holland. Loutherburgh sd. " If the English Ships go
up the Scheldt they will not get back."* —
Sir Boyle Roche
August 3. — Lawrence I dined with. — Lord Castlereagh sat to Him
yesterday. His Lordship mentioned that while He was Secretary in
Ireland, on one occasion the House of Commons sat from the afternoon
of one day till 3 oClock in the afternoon of the following day before a
division took place. He sd. He bore it tolerably well at the time, but it
brought on a feverish complaint which affected Him afterwards.— He sd.
in the Irish House of Commons He heard Curran, now Master of the Rolls,
at the conclusion of a speech say — " That He was the guardian of His
own Honour." — Sir Boyle Roach [Roche], remarkable for His Bulls &
singular sayings, spoke after Curran, and on the above declaration, re-
marked that " The Honble Gentleman had long been in unprofitable
opposition, and He now congratulated Him upon his having a Sinecure
appointment " (viz. the guardianship of His own Honour). This severe
remark was much talked of. —
Castlereagh and Art
Lord Castlereagh talked a good deal abt. encouraging the arts, &
expressed a willingness to concur in any approved plan for the purpose.
He asked " Whether the giving (by government) 2 or £3000 a yr. for pic-
tures to be painted for publick buildings, so as to give 5 or £600 for an
Historical picture, would induce the principal Artists to become com-
petitors if such a sum shd. be offered as a premium for the best picture."
— Lawrence sd. He did not believe established artists wd. risque the
consequences of competition. — His Lordship spoke of referring to Charles
Long, for His Ideas on the subject. — Lawrence remarked on the danger of
referring it to Individuals, as it was to be apprehended that in such case
patronage of particular artists might be the consequence, rather than a
general view of the whole. —
Historical Pictures
August 4. — Flaxman I met, — He spoke of raising the Salaries of the
Officers of the Academy, — also of His proposal to allot a certain sum
annually for Historical pictures to be painted by Members of the Academy
to be selected by Seniority, or by Lot in rotation. Two hundred guineas
for small pictures,— these to be placed in the Council room during the
Exhibition, & no drawings or other works to be admitted there. — I made
no observation on what He said. — He mentioned that it had been proposed
to appoint a Professor in Sculpture ; this, I said, seemed to be very proper.
— He appeared [to] disclaim having anything to do in proposing it. —
He spoke of Covent Garden Theatre, & sd. it would be as fine a building
as any in this country. — He particularly remarked on the fine effect of
the stair case. —
* See Chapter LXIX. and footnote.
1809] Westall and Smart 217
August 5. — Westall called & desired me to look at His drawing of
" Christ receiving the little Children," which He has finished for Mr.
Chamberlain, — & to give my opinion of the price He shd. put upon it.—
He told me He had been employed more than 3 months upon it, & we
agreed that He cd. not ask less than 300 guineas. — Mr. Chamberlain has
ordered 2 other drawings which are to be 40 Inches wide, — this, now
finished, is about the size of the Storm in Harvest. —
Smart I met today.* He looked thin, & told me He had for some-
time laboured under a diarrhea, & disorder of the stomach & Bowels,
the effect, He said, of uneasiness of mind : but that He has in some
degree removed the cause, & is now advised to go to the Seaside. — In
other respects He sd. that His bodily health (this cause & its effects
removed) is in the best state. He sd. His eye sight is now as good [as]
ever. — He mentioned Cosway as being a year older than himself. Cosway
said He, is 69.— but He would have it believed He is younger than that
age.—
* John Smart (1741-181 1), considered to be one of the best miniature painters of his era.
CHAPTER LXVIII
1809
Lord Gambier
August 6. — Wm. Bissell called on me today & shewed me a note
from Mr. Barrow Under Secretary to the Admiralty, informing Him
that He was advanced to the Rank of Commander, & His Commission
dated April nth. 1809 the day on which He commanded one of the Fire
Ships in Basque roads. We talked of Lord Gambier's trial. — He expressed
great satisfaction at not having been called as an Evidence. He sd.
He was surprised at the evidence which some of the Captains gave.
Lord Cochrane being Himself an evidence only could not cross examine,
which had He been the Prosecutor He might have done, — & which wd.
have made much of what was declared to appear different. — He sd. His
opinion was, that two of the French Line of Battle Ships might have
been taken had there been more exertion. — Lord Cochrane has written
to His Uncle, Mr. Cochrane, of Portman Sqre. in very good spirits. — Mr.
Cochrane made a fortune at Madras. —
[The Hon : Captn. Duncan, this day brought dispatches from Lord
Chatham, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Expedition, stating that on
Sunday morn'g last, July 30th. the troops landed at Veer gat, on the
North East side of the Island of Walcheren, & overcoming all resistance,
took Campveer, Rammakins, & Middleburgh, & abt. 1000 prisoners, &
the whole Island of Walcheren remained in their hands except Flushing
which was closely invested. — General Hope had also captured Schoven,
& North & South Beveland. — Loss on our side in killed, wounded & missing
did not exceed 300. From small note-book. See later entries.]
Castlereagh Nearly Drowned
August 9. — Lawrence called — Ld. Castlereagh had just sat to
him. His Lordship mentioned the narrow escape He had of being
drowned when going down the Thames with Mr. Pitt, the year before the
latter died, to inspect an invention of Sir Sidney Smith's. — It was night
& dark, at the time the accident happened. — In stepping as His Lord-
ship supposed from one boat to another, (flat bottomed boats) He stept
into the water & sunk. — His recollection did not fail Him, & being a good
Swimmer, He kept under water a little time to avoid rising under the
218
1809] Gastlereagh Nearly Drowned 219
boats. When he rose His apprehension was from the boats which were
put off, in consequence of hearing the splash which His falling into the
water occasioned, & gave the alarm. — He called to the boatmen not to
come near Him, — but to leave Him to His own care, — & He swam to
[the boat] which was nearest to Him, by that means avoiding a blow
or anything which might have happened from the boat in the dark,
coming upon Him. — An extraordinary instance of presence of mind and
coolness.
[On the 17th. of May last, Buonaparte issued an Ordinance from His
Camp near Vienna, taking away all temporal power from the Pope, &
attaching Rome & the Pope's remaining dominions, to the Crown of
France. — From small note-book.]
August 11. — Dance I dined with. — We had a haunch of Venison. —
Cockerell as Architect to the India House, has a regular Salary of £500
a yr. but He is required to attend at the India House every Wednesday.
— When any new building is erected He is paid a per centage. —
August 12. — I was at home all day — much rain. — Smirke called
in the evening. His youngest son, Sidney Smirke,* is to go tomorrow
with Lord & Lady Oxford to their seat, Eywood, Herefordshire, at their
desire to be a companion for some months, to their eldest Son Lord
Harley. — The Tutor of Ld. Harley is to give Him school instruction.
Smirke hesitated thinking Sidney wd. be losing time. — Edward Smirke
is the Head Boy in the School in which He is placed, — though but 14
years old. —
A British Victory
August 14. — The Park & Tower guns were fired this afternoon in
consequence of a victory obtained by Sir A. Wellesley over Marshal
Victor. Crowds of people were collected abt. the Mansion House & the
Royal Exchange eager for particulars of the action.
[At the Assizes for the County of Somerset on Monday 14th. inst.
Captain John Davison, of the Royal Marines, was found guilty of having
stolen a piece of muslin value 30 shillings from the shop of James Bunter,
mercer of Taunton. — Captn. Davison is a genteel man, 28 years of age.
— He was sentenced to be transported for 7 years. — From small note-
book.]
* Sydney Smirke (1798- 1877) studied under his brother Robert, won the Royal
Academy gold medal in 18 19, and travelled in Italy and Sicily in the following year. His
principal works include a reconstruction in 1834 of the Pantheon, Oxford Street, the
building of the Reading Room of the British Museum, which was opened to students
in 1857, and in that year Smirke also rebuilt the Carlton Club, Pall Mall, he for the first
time introducing polished granite columns into English architecture. His latest work
included the present Royal Academy exhibition galleries. Elected an A.R.A. in 1847,
he succeeded his brother Robert as an Academician in 1859. He was also Professor of
Architecture at the Academy, and its treasurer for a time, as well as a F.R.S. and F.S.A.
H13 brother Edward (1795-1875) became a lawyer and antiquary, and was Knighted
at Windsor in 1870, on his retirement from the Recordership of Southampton and from
active life.
220 The Farington Diary [1809
Raising R.A. Salaries
Fuseli we called on & found Him painting. — He told us Shee had
proposed in Council, That instead of giving £400 a year to two Historical
painters, to give £1000 once in two years to one History Painter, thereby
-calling forth all His powers. — Fuseli did not favour the scheme but sd.
to us " I being an Historical painter, How can I oppose it ? " — He added,
" That when it comes before a general meeting, it will fall to the ground."
— I asked Him how they proposed to proceed in selecting the Artist to
whom £1000 is to be given ? — He laughed at the difficulty there wd. be
in determining this point. — He sd. the opinion Held by me & Dance, the
Auditors, that the Academy shd. proceed with oeconomy till they shall
have become independent, was treated lightly by those members of
Council who are eager for this proposal being adopted. — Woodforde &
Howard were particularly pressing it. — Fuseli won the heart of Flaxman
by proposing that there shd. be a Professor of Sculpture. — The proposal
for raising the Salaries of the Officers of the Academy has been adopted,
viz. :
To the Keeper an addition of £60.
Secretary ,, „ 40.
Treasurer „ „ 40.
Visitors to have one guinea each night of attendance.
Housekeeper £10 additional.
Professors to be raised from £50 to £60.
Fuseli and his Pictures
Mr. West pressed hard to have the Secretarys salary increased 50
or £60, — & sd. it was made small at the Institution of the Academy
because Newton being in good circumstances did not require it. — Yenn
told Fuseli, He shd. not mind having His salary increased had He not
a family growing up. He wished the payment to commence from Mid-
summer last. When we came away Dance remarked on the pain of being
with Fuseli with His pictures before Him, — a man of so much ability
but whose pictures it was impossible to speak to Him of in such a way as
to cause Him to think they were liked.
CHAPTER LXIX
1809
Capture of Flushing
[August 20. — This day (Sunday) at 10 in the morning the Park &
Tower Guns were fired. Major Bradford first aid du-Camp to the Earl
of Chatham brought dispatches stating that on Sunday the 13th. — inst.
the Batteries before Flushing being completed, a fire was opened upon
the town at ^ past one oClock from 52 pieces of Heavy ordnance which
was vigorously returned by the enemy. Another Battery of 6, 24
pounders was also opened. The whole continued to fire upon the town
till late on the following day. — On the morning of the 14th. Sir Richd.
Strachan commenced a heavy fire upon the town. At 4 in the afternoon
the Fire from the town ceased. Lord Chatham sent to summons the
town. The French General Monet had an Hour allowed Him to consult
a Council of War. — More than that time elapsing & no answer reed,
the firing on the town recommenced, — & at 2 oClock on Tuesday morn-
ing the enemy surrendered prisoners of War, to the amount of 4379
including 489 sick & wounded, in addition to which upwards of 1000
wounded were transported to Cadsand previous to the town being
completely invested. From small note-book. See later entries.]
A Music Master
August 22. — Chalon called, — to solicit my attention to His interest
at the next election of Associates. — He said His Father was a musick
master, & had also knowledge of prints. He became much acquainted
with Mr. John Barnard, son of Sir John Barnard, a celebrated patriotick
member for the City of London in the time of Sir Robert Walpoles ad-
ministration.* Mr. John Barnard had only one child, a daughter.
Chalon availing Himself of the opportunity afforded Him engaged her
affections & married Her, which caused Her father to renounce Her, &
she died of distress of mind, a broken heart, 5 years after Her marriage,
at the age of twenty-four, leaving two children. Mrs. Chalon died at
Paris in 1775, and Her Father, Mr. J. Barnard died in 1784. He had two
* See Vol. II., pages 228-9.
221
222 The Farington Diary [1809
nephews, Lord Palmerston, & a Mr. Hankey. — To Lord Palmerston He
left £10,000. & £90,000 to Mr. Hankey. He bequeathed a small Sum to
young Chalon & His Sister. Captn. Baillie was made the Trustee for
it, but there being some irregularity with respect to the bequest Hankey
disputed the payment of it. — The present Lord Chancellor, then Sir
John Scott, was applied to. He sd. there was difficulty in it, that Mr.
Hankey was a rich man, & it wd. therefore be most prudent to throw
themselves upon His generosity. —
This advice was followed, & Hankey then paid the money. — Mr.
John Barnard also left to Mr. Hankey his large collection of prints and
drawings which were sold by auction. — He left to Paul Sandby, Nollekens,
Serres, & Captain Baillie £300 each. — Chalon told me He married a sister
of James Ward, associate, abt. 15 years ago. — He has been employed by
the Prince of Wales to paint Horses & Dogs, — & is now engaged to paint
for the Marquiss of Ely &c. —
Wellington of Talavera
August 26. — [In the Gazette this evening was announced that
Sir Arthur Wellesley K.B. was created Baron Douro of Wellesley in the
County of Somerset, & Viscount Wellington of Talavera, & of Welling-
ton, in the said County.
In the Gazette this evening was announced that Senegal on the Coast
of Africa, was taken by the English on the 13th of July. From small
note-book.]
August 27. — [Dr.] Hayes called — sd. He was much affected with the
acct. of the death of Sir John Moore given by His Brother. — He spoke
of the reports circulated unfavourable to Sir John when the first accts.
of His retreat were reed. Porden told Him, that members of the govern-
ment spoke of Sir John as having been " Buonaparte struck " so over-
awed by apprehension as to have lost all confidence in Himself & His
army. — Such was the injustice dealt out towards Him. —
Theodore Hook
Lawrence was looking at the front of Covent Garden Theatre with
Boaden. — Theodore Hooke, a young man, was there. The figure of
Tragedy was placed in its situation, — that of Comedy was lying on the
ground. Hooke [said] these represent the present state of Covent Garden
Theatre (Kemble) Tragedy is standing, & Comedy is laid on the ground.
He spoke of the unpopularity of Lord Castlereagh. Within a few days
a report was circulated that His Lordship was sent to the Tower, it having
been discovered that He corresponded with Buonaparte and in consequence
formed plans to enable Him to destroy our Army. —
The friends of Frere our late Ambassador in Spain in order to let Him
down easily proposed to the King to send Him ambassador to Turkey. —
This the King instantly & positively refused. —
1809] Fuseli and Wilson 223
August 29. — Fuseli spoke of Opie having in his Lectures read at
the Royal Academy & now published, — taken from His (Fuseli's) lectures,
much of His matter. — He gave His opinion of Opie's mental powers.
— He sd. Opie's powers were calculated for Scientific pursuits, Mathe-
maticks Sec. for which He had a strong head, — but did not posess much
power of original thought & expression, and that taking away the effect
of the dogged manner in which He spoke there was little that was strong
or remarkable in what He said. Northcote thought differently. He
thought Opie had great power of mind, and that His power was least
shewn in his profession, — Northcote did not admire His pictures. —
August 30. — Mr. Angerstein's at Woodlands, Blackheath, I dined
at. — I went with Lawrence. — We sat down to dinner at 10 minutes past
6. — had tea abt. 9, & came away before 11. — We had a Haunch of veni-
son, Champaigne, — Claret, Pine apple, Melon &c. —
Talavera and Corunna
September 2. — I called on Lawrence. He was with Sir F. Baring
yesterday morning, who spoke of the publication " Moore's Campaign "
as exhibiting a true picture of the state of Spain. He spoke of the Battle
of Talavera, & would not allow it to be a victory, — He called it a repulse.
— Lawrence asked " How then cd. the Battle of Corunna be called a
Victory ? "
[The Gazette contained a letter from Sir Arthur Wellesley dated
Deleytosa August 8, 1809, — stating that He had retreated by the Bridge
of Ano Bisco over the Tagus from Talavera ; — that He had recommended
to Genl. Cuesta to remain at Talavera, — whilst He (Sir Arthur) advanced
towards the French, but that Genl. Cuesta had given up that post & had
followed Him ; — that He had brought off abt. 2000 wounded British
from Talavera, & had left 1500 behind; — that the French had at least
50,000 men, — that at Deleytosa He was well situated to defend the passage
of Almaraz & the lower parts of the Tagus. —
The Gazette of this evening contained a letter from Lord Chatham
dated Head-quarters, Bathz, August 29, 1809, — stating that the enemy
had collected so formidable a force, that all further attempts wd. be
unavoidable. The enemy's force was distributed between the environs
of Bergen Op-Zoom, Breda, Lille, & Antwerp, at least 35000 men. Ant-
werp in a complete state of defense. The British Army, that after pro-
viding for the occupation of Walcheren & South Beveland would have
amounted to abt. 23000 infantry & 2000 Cavalry — The effect of the
Climate at this unhealthy period of the year had been felt, the number of
sick already near 3000 men. — From small note-book.]
A Night at Vauxhall
Dance I called on in the evening & found Him much fatigued in
consequence of having gone with Palmer last night to Vauxhall, where
224 The Farington Diary [1809
He staid & supped with the Proprietors till 3 oClock this morning. — He
remarked on the great change of character in the people of this country
manifested by what is seen there. After the regular musick of the even-
ing was gone through, viz : Singing &c. — a Band of musick played, &
great numbers stood up to dance, a mixture of modest & women of another
description ; — He remarked that such a thing could not have been seen
formerly. — It is adopted from what is seen in the public gardens in Paris. —
The New Theatre
September 5. — Kemble I met, & talked of the new Theatre [Covent
Garden]. I spoke of it highly ; said it could hardly be conceived, when
viewed, but to have been erected at national expence ; — that I felt as a
professional man, that by the impression it wd. make it must raise that
profession, by giving it more consideration, — that I felt decided upon
the propriety of adopting the Doric instead of the Ionic Order, as the
proper light in which to contemplate a National Theatre shd. be in a
grave & moral view. —
September 6. — Sir Edwd. Pellew told Lawrence today that He had
seen several Naval Officers who were with the Expedition in Holland.
They were incensed at Lord Chatham ; spoke of his habits there, — rising
between 12 & one, not receiving Officers till 2 oClock. — All ruined by
delay. Lysons & Lawrence called [on September 10] — they spoke of
the great complaints made of the failure of the Grand Expedition, — & that
at an early period Antwerp might have been approached in 6 Hours.*
Lysons said that in appointing Lord Chatham to be the Commander-in-
Chief they had fixed upon the most indolent man to effect a Coup de
Main.
[The Gazette of last night contained accounts of the taking of St.
Domingo by the British forces commanded by Major-Genl Carmichael
on the 6th. of July last. — Also of the taking of Ischia and Provida on the
Coast of Naples on the 30th. of June by Sir John Stuart.t — From small
note-book.]
Castlereagh Sunk in Spirits
September 8. — Lawrence called in the even'g. — Lord Castlereagh
sat to Him yesterday, and as He supposes soon after He had reed, the
despatches from Sir A. Wellesley informing Him of His retreat to Truxillo.
— Lawrence never saw any man who appeared to be more sunk in His
spirits than His Lordship appeared to be. — He spoke very little, quite
* After the French protecting troops had been withdrawn from the Scheldt to take
part in the Austrian campaign, it was decided by the Cabinet to send an expedition to
Walcheren to destroy Napoleon's fleet and arsenal on that river. While the siege of
Flushing was in progress the enemy was strongly fortifying Antwerp and reinforcing the
garrison, and thus its capture, which at first would have been easy, was rendered impossible
by the British naval and military forces. Chatham's disastrous failure was severely con-
demned. Nevertheless, he was promoted General in the Army in 1 8 1 2, and made Governor
of Gibraltar in 1820, which post he held until his death on September 24, 1835.
t Lieut.-General Sir John Stuart. See Vol. III., page 301.
1809] The Physicians of London 225
unlike what He had done before, — and while He stood for Lawrence to
look at His figure, He seemed to be a figure of woe ; & Lawrence observed
Him more than once to wipe His eyes. —
Lysons told me that Mr. Harrison of the Treasury yesterday told Him
that the rects. from Exports & Imports are greater than ever & astonish-
ing-
R. Price's I dined at. Much conversation abt. the Physicians of
London. — Dr. Baillie allowed to be first in practise, & makes probably
£10,000 a yr. — Sir Walter Farquhar had a run for sometime, being
supported by the Duchess of Gordon, — Mr. Pitt &c. — but He is now only
in the 3rd. or 4th. line. — He never had the opinion of the other Physicians
with Him, & it has been observed that unless a Physician is supported in
His reputation by the acknowledgment of his claim by the Corps of
Physicians His reputation will only be temporary. — Dr. Reynolds was
sd. to have [a] good practise, — to be abt. the 3rd. or 4th. —
Mr. Burroughs mentioned the late Dr. George Fordyce, of Essex St.
as being a man of great knowledge but so habituated to drinking that He
every day drank a Bottle of wine at dinner, a Bottle after dinner, — and a
Bottle after Supper.* — He lived to be 65 years old. — Mr. Burroughs sd.
Dr. Ainslie is considered a man of much acquirement, & of accomplished
manners, — is employed, but not hitherto, in very great practise. —
* George Fordyce (1736- 1802), an Aberdonian, was educated at Fouran, afterwards
at Aberdeen University, where, it is said, he became M.A. at the age of fourteen. Gradua-
ting M.D. Edinburgh in 1758, he came to London, and went to Leyden in the following
year. On settling in London Fordyce began a successful career as a lecturer on medical
science and chemistry, and in June, 1765, he was admitted a licentiate of the College
of Physicians. Five years later he was chosen to fill the office of physician at St. Thomas's
Hospital, a post which he held until his death in 1802. He was a man of odd habits. Care-
less of personal appearance and health, he tried to attend to business without sacrificing
his inordinate desire for pleasure. He would, for example, sit up carousing all night,
in early life, and " lecture for three hours next morning." He died of gouty disorders.
VOL. V. J 5
CHAPTER LXX
1809
Westward Ho !
September 11. — To meet my Brother Robert* at Salisbury
and with him to proceed on a tour to Devonshire and Cornwall, I left
London between three and four oClock in the afternoon in the Egham
Coach to proceed to Staines, 16 miles, to sleep there and be taken up by
the Salisbury Coach on the following morning having taken a place for
that purpose to avoid early rising. The passengers to Staines were
gentlemen easy & agreeable in intercourse. One of them sd. He was at
Eaton School at the time Marquiss Wellesley was there, & was what is
there called " His Fag " viz : " A Junior Boy obeying & serving His
Senior." He remarked the great resemblance which His Lordship bears
to Buonaparte both in person & style of countenance, & in fore thought,
decission, and energy of character. He said if Spain can be roused Lord
Wellesley will do it ; that He is effecting a great alteration in the manage-
ment of their affairs, and that a considerable military force is preparing
to be sent to Spain to support such measures as He may recommend. —
I arrived at Staines at \ past 6 oClock, and Slept at the Bush Inn.
An Eminent Apothecary
September 12. — After having passed the night in a state of much
uneasiness at my Stomach, which commenced yesterday, but was relieved
in some degree by medicine [and] being desirous to protect myself from
the inconvenience of travelling under such circumstance I applied to Mr.
Tothill, reputed the most eminent Apothecary in the place, and found
Him a plain, sensible man, — a quaker. — He looked at two prescriptions
which I carried with me, for medicines to be taken in case of a Complaint
returning with which I had been much troubled the last week. — He said
the medicines prescribed were strong ; that Opium was included, & that
Laudanum might have done. He said my complaint was common at
this season. He gave me a medicine composed of Rhubarb and a cordial,
& another medicine to take if necessary. — Should the complaint continue
* The Rev. Robert Farington, rector of St. George' s-in-the-East, London, for thirty-
eight years. He died in September, 184.1, aged 81.
226
1809] Fellow Passengers 227
He sd. He shd. advise 2 or 3 grains of Calomel ; That He was not inclined
to give astringents ; and that He thought the use of Brandy in disorders
of the stomach & Bowels imprudent. — I asked Him to write the pre-
scription He should think necessary for me if I remained unwell. He
said it would in that case be better to apply to some practitioner on the
spot, they did not like to be directed. —
The Salisbury Coach breakfasted at the Bush Inn, which we left
about half past 8 oClock. In the Coach I found two respectable men
passengers & we had much conversation. One of them told me that He
was born in Lincolnshire and came to London at the age of 15 and is
now upwards of 60. He said, while we were speaking of different modes
of living, that during many years He was acquainted with an old gentle-
man who lived to be ninety. This gentleman informed Him that at the
age of 30 He was much troubled with stomach complaints. He was
advised by a person to whom He referred His case to leave off drinking
tea, and to break off his habit of taking snuff. This He did, and from that
time enjoyed uniform good health, till within two or three years of his
death.
His mode of living was, never to eat anything till dinner time ; He
then eat heartily, and from that time till the same hour on the following
day took nothing, but a crust of bread in the evening. He drank no wine
or spirits, & nothing stronger than table beer. He went to Church every
day, & being fond of Cathedral musick, either attended divine Service
at St. Paul's Church, or at Westminster Abbey. His principal amuse-
ment was collecting prints, which He did to the value of more than £2000.
This temperate, placid life enabled Him under providence, to prolong His
life to a very advanced period. — My journey was made comfortable by
the medicine given me by Mr. Tothill which removed my complaint. —
At 61 miles from London we passed Hursborn, a seat of the Earl of
Portsmouths on the right of the road. It is a large, handsome modern
stone House, situated on a considerable elevation. One of the Passengers,
a resident in this country, told me that Lord Portsmouth married a Lady*
with a large fortune, but much older than himself : They have no children.
The country through which the road to Salisbury passes is uninteresting.
After leaving Basingstoke it becomes very open, with few trees, and is
but thinly inhabited, particularly as Salisbury is approached, till within
a little distance of the town, there are neither trees nor inclosures, to the
right or left, all is open downs.
We arrived at Salisbury about 8 oClock, where I found my Brother
Dr. Farington, at the Antelope Inn waiting there for my arrival.
* John Charles, third Earl of Portsmouth, married, first, on November 19, 1799,
Grace, daughter of the first Lord Grantley. She died without issue on November 15,
18 13, and the Earl was married on March 7, 18 14, to Anne, eldest daughter of John Hanson,
of Bloomsbury Place, London, but the marriage was annulled in 1828 by decree of the
Lord Chancellor. By the verdict of an inquisition the Earl was declared to be in a state
of mental derangement, and dying on July 14, 1853, without issue, was succeeded by his
brother, Newton, who was born in 1772. " Hursborn " is, of course, Hurstbourne Park.
VOL. V. 15*
228 The Farington Diary [1809
The Bishop of Salisbury
September 13. — In the afternoon I wrote a note to the Bishop
[of Salisbury], who arrived at the Palace abt. 4 oClock. He immediately
wrote to invite me & my Brother to a family dinner. We went at 5
oClock & were most cordially received. — Before we were summoned to
the dining room the Bishop shewed us several of the apartments, spacious
and comfortable. He informed us that great alterations and improve-
ments were made in the Palace at the expence of Dr. Barrington the
present Bishop of Durham while He held the See of Salisbury. Sir
Robt. Taylor* was the architect employed. In the great sitting room,
or Saloon, the present Bishop has arranged pictures of many of His
Predecessors. —
Our conversation was chiefly upon the subject of the Tour which
I am commencing with my Brother. The Bishop & Mrs. Fisher had
travelled much in Devonshire & Cornwall, and were equally warm in
their admiration of the beautiful & romantic scenery in those Counties.
They also spoke of the great hospitality they had experienced. In
travelling through Cornwall they had visited Twenty-one families.
On the contrary since He came to Salisbury the Bishop had gone through
Wiltshire, His primary Visitation, and only reed, one invitation, which
was from the Marquiss of Bath, and this was sent at an hour too late
to accept it.
Messrs. Lysons Talked Too Much
After tea we looked at a map, and the Bishop traced a route for
us. Some observations led to His remarking that Messrs. Lysons in
their tour in Cornwall to collect materials for an acct. of that County
were too rapid in their movements, not giving themselves time to receive
information where it might be had, & that in consequence their acct.
of Cornwall wd. discredit them. In some instances they took matter
from such authorities, as would have been shewn to be false had they
been properly examined. He sd. that their time was often passed
rather in talking of what they had seen than in seeking for and listening
to information.
The new Theatre at Covent Garden was spoken of as being a very
fine architectural design. The Bishop sd. He had heard that Mr. Smirke
was enabled to execute the practical part by having the advice of Mr.
Dance who had assisted him with His experience. — I assured His Lord-
ship that on the contrary Mr. Dance had expressed to me His admiration
of [the] knowledge & judgment of Mr. Robt. Smirke in all that related
to the execution of the work, giving Him the sole credit of it. —
The Bishop's Kindness
At J past 9 we left the Palace & were invited to breakfast the follow-
ing morning. On our leaving the Saloon & coming down stairs the
* See Index Vols. I.-IV.
1809] The Bishop's Kindness 229
Bishop followed us to the Hall door, and we came away warmly im-
pressed with the truly friendly kindness we had experienced. My
Brother sd. He had not before seen a man of His rank in the Church
who could be compared with him for gentlemanly, easy, & unassuming
manners. —
September 14.— We went to the Palace & breakfasted with the
Bishop & His family at 9 oClock. — He immediately put into my hand
Six letters of introduction which He had written this morning.
The Bishop spoke of Sir Richard Hoare who He knew in Italy* He
lately published an acct. of a tour in Ireland, which will not do much
for Him as an author ; but He has a great work nearly ready for the
press, an account of the antiquities of Wiltshire, ancient & modern. —
Sir Richd's House, Stourhead, is shewn, with the exception of His
Library to which no persons are admitted but through particular re-
commendation. In the Library is a large window of painted glass,
the subject the " School of Athens " from Raphael.
The rocks at the Lands end in Cornwall were particularly recommended
to our notice by the Bishop & Mrs. Fisher, as being the finest specimens
of rock that are to be found in this Island. — They are of granite. Mrs.
Fisher's favorite study seems to be that of Fossils, of which she shewed
us some specimens, — a scotch pebble polished by Herself, & others. —
A Masterly Retreat
The Bishop told us He had reed, letters from Lisbon from His Brother
Coll. Fisher, who as Coll. of Artillery, has the command of the Forts
upon the Tagus. He gives a very unfavourable acct. of our affairs in
Spain & Portugal, and considers the opposition to the French to be
hopeless. He writes favorably of the people, but represents the Junta's
of Spain & Portugal as consisting of a number of men wholly incompetent
to direct the energies which might be found in the people. They are
little better than old Women. — He mentions that many French officers
who have [been] made prisoners by the English have spoken in high
terms of praise of Sir John Moore's retreat to Corunna, calling it " a
masterly retreat." — He states that the Spanish Junta had made little
or no provision for Sir Arthur Wellesley's army, but had amply supplied
the Spanish Army under Cuesta. The English soldiers were so much
distressed for provisions that with money from their own pockets they
purchased provisions from the Spanish Soldiers who had enough and
something to spare. —
The Bishop told me that while He had the See of Exeter He had
been enabled to make one of His Brothers a Canon of that Cathedral,
& to give Him two livings. — The present Bishop of Durham while He
was Bishop of Salisbury made great alterations at the palace, & laid
out £8000 upon it. The last Bishop (Dr. Douglas) who held it 26 years,
* Sir Richard Colt Hoare (1758-1838), antiquary, translator of "The Itinerary" of
Giraldus Cambrensis, and author of a " Classical Tour in Italy," as well as other works.
230 The Farington Diary [1809
did nothing to it. Dr. Fisher has put it in the best condition ; the
painting of the Palace cost Him £400. Bishop Barrington seems to
have had no taste of landscape Scenery ; Dr. Fisher has cut down trees,
opened views, & made the scenery abt. the palace as picturesque as it
probably can be made. —
The last winter a great flood laid the grounds, 16 acres, wholly under
water, covering the gravel walks, and sweeping away all the fine coat
of gravel. The Cathedral was also under water to the depth of one
foot. This overflow of water happens but seldom, perhaps once in 30
or 40 years. — Bishop Barrington when He made the alterations in the
Palace judiciously had all the principal apartments made on the first-
floor thereby avoiding any possibility of dampness.
CHAPTER LXXI
1809
A Great Group by Vandyck
September 14. — We returned to Salisbury, changed Horses, & pro-
ceeded to Wilton House, Lord Pembroke's three miles distant. — Wilton
House has been long in the hands of Mr. Wyatt to make many improve-
ments [which] are sd. to have gone on very slowly & the House as well
as the approach to it is in such a state that it is difficult to understand
what is intended to be done. It will, however, undoubtedly be when
completed a very singular mansion. At present Lord Pembroke lives
in apartments on the ground floor in which there can be no ostentation
or display, & occasionally makes use of one or two small rooms on the first
floor.
I was particularly desirous to see the large family picture by Vandyke
of Philip Earl of Pembroke & His family. The general effect of the pic-
ture when seen at a distance is very noble, but when I came near &
examined it I saw the touches of Brompton's heavy hand upon it.*
About 36 or 7 years ago He was employed by the late Earl to clean &
repair this picture which He did with little discretion. In this the
largest apartment in Wilton House, there are a considerable number of
family portraits by Vandyke. In other apartments there are many
pictures, viz : Portraits of the late Earl, the Dowager Countess with
Her son the present Lord by Sir J. Reynolds, — a small landscape by
Wilson, but few of them are of much value. —
* Richard Brompton was a portrait painter, whose extravagance landed him into the
King's Bench, from which he was rescued by the Empress of Russia. He went to St.
Petersburg, became her portrait painter, and died in the Neva-side city in 1782.
Brompton, as Farington says, restored the picture (in 1773- 1774), and he relates
what he did to save the colours, which had become ' ; very rotten in parts," from destruction,
and states that slight repainting was necessary to revive the original glazings or transparent
hues.
At another time the tenth Earl allowed his house-steward to scour the family group until
" the complexions turned pale and chalky." It was then varnished, " much to the pre-
judice of one of the finest pictures ever painted." It is said that Philip, the fourth Earl of
Pembroke, paid Vandyck ^525 for this masterpiece, and it was afterwards appraised by
the creditors of Philip, fifth Earl, at ^1,000.
231
232 The Farington Diary [1809
Busts and Armour
The Collection of Busts and Statues were formerly much spoken
of ; but have been found at the present time by our best Artists to be
much below their reputation. A gallery has been lately built from
a design of Mr. Wyatt it forms a quadrangle & when completed is to
contain the Collection of works in marble. —
The servant that attended us informed us that the Grand entrance
will be through a Vestibule in which statues are [to be] placed and a
large collection of Armour* is to be arranged in it with a gallery for
musick over the door. From the Vestibule the quadrangle gallery of
statues will be entered, in which are doors opening to the Library &
other apartments. The new Library is spacious & handsome. The
Ceiling is formed of small squares with roses at the corners. The ceiling
is wholly made of stucco & is painted in imitation of Oak, very success-
fully. The roses at the corners are gilt. The whole has a very good
effect. —
The present Lord Pembroke is spoken of as being a very respectable
man inclined to domestic social habits. He lately married a daugr.
of Count Woronzow who was long Ambassador from Russia. Their
dispositions are sd. to be similar, & that they live together with all
the comfort that can be enjoyed in private life. His first wife was
His Cousin, daugr. of the late Ld. Bolingbroke. By Her He had a son
and a daughter who are living. There is a fine piece of water in front
of Wilton House & the grounds are well wooded, but the weather wd.
not allow us to walk. —
A Post Boy
We left Wilton about 6 oClock & passed through the village which is
contiguous to the House. It has nothing to recommend it either in
respect of situation or neatness. Our road to Woodyates Inn, the next
stage carried us over Salisbury race course, 2 or 3 miles from the City
which is seen situated in a valley on the left hand of the road. The race
ground is upon high downs. —
We reached Woodyates Inn, 11 miles distant from Wilton abt. 8
oClock, & found our friends Mr. & Mrs. J. Offley, who by being earlier
there had secured beds for us which prevented our being under the
necessity of proceeding farther at a late Hour. — When we came to settle
with our Post boy who had brought us from Salisbury He demanded
Half a crown for the time we stopped at Wilton, saying it was by His
masters order, in addition to His fare. We steadily resisted this unusual
demand, and He finding that we persevered at last became moderate
in his manner & seemed to be convinced of the unreasonableness of
charging the stopping at Wilton while no such demand was made for
the time we were at Longford Castle. —
* The collection of armour at Wilton is gradually being dispersed.
1809] Fifty Pounds an Acre 233
From the high prices at which the landed property of the late Sir
Roger Kerrison of Norwich has been disposed of, there is reason to
expect the dividends of His effects will be larger than at first appre-
hended. On Saturday last there was another sale of part of His estates
in 36 lots which produced the Sum of £42565. — Among these a farm in
Seething Land and Kirkstead, of 160 acres, produced £7900. — Six acres
^ with an Orchard — £610. Four inclosures of land in Brooke contain-
ing 29 acres — £1560. Kirkstead Hall, 170 acres subject to out-going of
£11 a yr. — £8250. — A piece of pasture land, with a small plantation
of young oaks, in all 2 acres and | — £315- — The general produce of Sale
abt. £50 an acre.
Mr. Portman
September 15. — Woodyates Inn is a single House which may be
recommended in every respect. — A little before 12 we proceeded to
Blandford through a country for the most part green. Near Blandford
Mr. Portman,* one of the Members for the County, has a very large
& handsome modern Mansion, situated near the river, and sheltered by
a back-ground of extensive new plantations. At Blandford we found
the people on the alert expecting the arrival of the Prince of Wales on
his way to Weymouth to visit His Sisters the Princesses Mary and
Amelia. He slept last night at Speenham land, and His servants were
sent before to provide Horses. — At Blandford we took some refresh-
ments with Mr. & Mrs. Offley at the Greyhound, kept by a widow & Her
daugr. — civil people. —
Mrs. Damer
Our next stage was to Dorchester. On our way we stopped at Mil-
bourn to water the Horses. Milton Abbey the seat of the late Lord
Milton Earl of Dorchester, is near this place. His Lordship died two or
three years ago and the title became extinct. Lady [Caroline] Damer,
sister to the late Lord, now posesses the estate near Milbourn. The
Father of the late Lord was created Lord Milton Earl of Dorchester.- —
He had three Sons. The eldest Son married Miss Conway, daugr. of
General Conway by his wife the Dowager Countess of Aylesberry. She
is now well known as Mrs. Damer,f having been much reported for Her
Skill in modelling & executing works in Sculpture. To Her Horace
Walpole the last Earl of Orford,! who succeeded Sir Robt. Walpole,
in that title, left His House at Strawberry Hill near Twickenham &
other property. — Mr. Damer Her Husband some years before the death
* Probably Edward Berkeley Portman (1771-1823), of Bryanston, near Blandford, and
Orchard Portman, near Taunton, who was the father of the first Viscount Portman. The
son was born in July, 1799, and married in June, 1827, Emma, third daughter of Henry,
second Earl of Harewood.
t See Index, Vols. I., II., IV.
I See Index, Vols. I., II., III., IV.
234 The Farington Diary [1809
of His Father shot Himself at a Tavern in Covent Garden, the effect
of a mind long used to dissipation and to the pressure of debts which
bore upon it. In the instance of this family the ambition of establish-
ing a Peerage was soon frustrated. The eldest son died in the melancholy-
way above stated and the youngest son did not survive the second
Brother.
From Dorchester we proceeded to Weymouth 8 miles distant where
we arrived about 8 oClock.
CHAPTER LXXIT
1809
The Naples of England
September 16. — The Bay of Weymouth is beautiful. St. Albans
head forms the Eastern point, & Weymouth nase, a high ridge of land,
the Western limit. It was about a mile to the East of St. Albans head
where the Halsewell East Indiaman was lost in Jany. 1786 in which Captn.
Pearce with His three daugrs. and almost the whole crew were lost.
The rock against which the ship struck was so steep that those who
escaped by getting into crevices of the rock were drawn up from thence
by ropes let down by the country people.*
The Esplanade is a delightful walk winding round the head of the
Bay. It is broad, & beautifully gravelled, and being upon the margin
of the Sea, all the benefit that can be derived from exercise and sea
air may here be had. At the West end it forms a pier for the Harbour
which resembles a broad river, in which vessels lye and on its banks
warehouses &c. are situated. Boats for parties to make excursions
* Sydney C. Grier, the novelist, says : " The wreck of the Halsewell, East Indiaman,
the scene of which was pointed out to Mr. Farington in the course of his Dorsetshire
tour, made a strong impression on the public mind when it occurred on January 6, 1786,
and, as we see, was still remembered more than twenty years later. The ship was one of
the finest of the Company's fleet, only four years built, and commanded by the veteran,
Captain Pierce, who intended this to be his last voyage. He had with him two of his
daughters, of fifteen and sixteen, two nieces, and three other young ladies entrusted to
his protection, and when the ship struck, and it proved impossible to get them to shore,
he renounced all chance of escape for himself, and went down into the cabin to share their
fate. He was seen with them just before the sinking of the ship by the third mate, who
was among those saved. These details are taken from the full account in the New Lady's
Magazine for February, 1786, which is ' Embellished with a fine Print, representing the
affecting Situation of Captain Pierce, with his two amiable Daughters, his two Nieces, and
three other beautiful young ladies, clinging round him in the Round-House, just before the
sinking of the Wreck, elegantly executed by Dodd and Eastgate.' Captain Pierce's son
was ' in the Company's employ at Bengal,' and his sisters were to pay him a visit."
Mr. Henry Harries, writing on the same subject, says : " The East Indiaman Halsewell,
758 tons (owner, Peter Esdaile, Esq.), Captain Richard Pierce, sailed from the Downs,
for Indian coast ports and the Bay of Bengal, her third voyage, on January 1, 1786, and
was lost on Peverill Point January 6, 1786.
" Pierce captained her on all three voyages, his chief officer and purser on the second
and third voyages being respectively Thomas Burston and Richard Fowler."
235
236 The Farington Diary [1809
by water may here be had ; if taken for a few hours a moderate sized
boat may be had for Twelve shillings, and for fifteen shillings for the
whole day. On a line with the Esplanade a long row of Houses several
of which having been united form together what is called " the Royal
Pavilion," which is used by His Majesty & His family only* Stacy's
Hotel joins the Pavilion. —
The town of Weymouth like other small Ports, consists for the most
part of mean Houses ; but these do not come into the view from the
Esplanade, from whence there is no mixture of anything disagreeable. —
By a wooden Bridge which is thrown across the upper part of the harbour,
the town is connected, the principal street is behind the row of Houses
which follow the line of the Esplanade & these Houses most of which
are appropriated to accomodate strangers, form a screen before this
part of the town. — The meanest part of the town is on the opposite side
of the Harbour. —
Portland
After breakfast (at which very large Prawns were served, which
with other fish, are daily taken by the Fishermen of this place, & supply
the visitors. We saw Mackarell, Soals, &c.) — we crossed the Bridge of
the Harbour & walked to the Height called Weymouth nase. We
passed large Barracks in which at this time a regt. of Somersetshire
militia were quartered.
The Island of Portland is abt. 4 miles from Weymouth. It was
purchased abt. 12 years ago by Mr. Penn, descendant of Willm. Penn
the founder of the Pensilvania Colony. It is little more than a barren
rock, but He has been tempted to build a Housef of a singular form upon
it, & has gratified a whim at a considerable expense. —
The Royal Party
We saw people collecting upon the pier on the other side of the
harbour & a guard of Soldiers forming a circle. At a quarter before 12
one of the Royal Carriages came from the Pavilion in which the Princesses
Mary & Amelia with a Lady their attendant proceeded to the water
side, where a fine Barge manned with 14 rowers belonging to a Royal
yacht lying in the Bay waited to receive them. The Princess Amelia
walked feebly & was supported. She had long been in a bad state of
health, & lately came to Weymouth for the benefit of Sea air. The
* George III.'s association with Weymouth is commemorated by a statue of him on the
esplanade, and by Gloucester House (which is now a hotel), where he lived. In St. Mary's
Church there is an altar-piece by Hogarth's father-in-law, Sir James Thornhill, who was a
native of Melcombe Regis, which he represented in Parliament for twelve years.
It was from Weymouth that John Endecott sailed in the Abigail to New England on
June 20, 1628.
t South of Portland Prison stands Pennsylvania Castle, which was built about 1800 by
James Wyatt for John Penn, Governor of the Island, who was a grandson of the founder of
Pennsylvania. The grounds and the Rufus Tower are shown to visitors. The English
fleet under Blake and Penn defeated the Dutch Admiral, Van Tromp, off Portland on
February 16-18, 1653. See Index, Vol. I., for John Penn.
1809] The Royal Party 237
Boat soon put off & was rowed with the most beautiful regularity by the
sailors who were all fine-looking picked men, & trained for the purpose.
They rowed in their shirts, but have blue jackets and trowsers & Black
caps on which is a plate with some devices which indicate Royalty. Soon
after the Boat had reached the yatch & the Ladies were placed in it,
the vessel got under an easy sail & with a pleasant breeze proceeded
to sea. During the time that the Barge was rowing to the yatch, a
frigate commanded by Sir Harry Burrard Neale, was manned in all
the yards &c, & immediately after the yatch got under way, this Frigate
& another which lay a little farther off followed Her course, apparently
to protect Her from harm. —
Prince and Duke
Having gratified ourselves [for] sometime in this situation we re-
turned back & went to the Esplanade where we met the Prince of Wales
walking with His Brother the Duke of Cambridge. He [the Prince of
Wales] was dressed in a blue coat very plain & had long cloth gaiters
on his legs, and a round hat. — My Brother who had not seen him for
sometime past thought He was much altered in His appearance ; that
the lines on his face are more strongly marked, particularly abt. His
eyes, that His countenance is sallow, & that He has a shattered look.
Indeed he appeared to great disadvantage by the side of His Brother
who had all the fulness & elastick vigour of a strong man. — They con-
tinued walking or sitting upon a seat on the Esplanade till the yatch
with the Frigates again came in view. — They then proceeded to the
pier to receive their Sisters, Soldiers formed a Circle to keep off the
people as before, & the Royal carriage came. — When the Barge approached
the steps of the Pier, the Prince went down several steps, but returned
to make way for a small Sopha to be carried to the Barge on which the
Princess [Amelia] was placed, & conveyed to the Coach. Her face
was covered with a Veil & Her dress was so close that she cd. not be
seen.
The Prince takes Snuff
The Prince shewed much attention to Her, looked into the coach
to see that all was right, & shook hands with Princess Mary. — Sir Harry
Burrard Neale, Dr. Fothergill & a gentleman of the Court who had
attended her in the excursion landed with Her. Dr. Fothergill a plain
quaker received the Prince's cordial salute with smiling good humour,
but stood upright & did not touch His broad brimmed Hat. The Prince
stroked Him on the back as it seemed facetiously, & they all walked
along the Esplanade to the Pavilion. — The Prince arrived at Weymouth
abt. ii oClock last night. — I observed that He is a taker of Snuff, having
His Box in His coat pocket, & that His Brother partook with Him
in this indulgence.
CHAPTER LXXIII
1809
Hotel Extortion
September 16. — We had now finished our visit to Weymouth &
had only to settle our Bill which was a specimen of the charges made
at Stacy's Hotel. Extortion seems to be carried as far as it can go. —
s
Bread 1
Pint of very bad Port 3
Roast Chicken 3
Mutton Chops 3
French Beans, Potatoes & Butter. 2
Sallad 1
Tart 3
16. for a supper for 2.
Wax lights 2. 6.
2 beds (tent beds in the garret) . . 5
But the expence attending a residence at this Hotel is only one
objection. The House has all the publicity of a thorough-fare. Waiters
appear and disappear. Every time the bell is rung a face different from
the former is presented, not knowing what had been ordered. Such
a variety of persons are in perpetual motion abt. the House that we could
feel no confidence in the safety of our things. There is nothing to re-
commend Stacy's Hotel but the situation and that is dearly purchased
at the expence of every other objection. 73 beds are made up at this
Hotel. Weymouth is certainly to be recommended for the beauty
of the situation, — the fine walk, the Esplanade, — the opportunity of
making excursions on the Sea ; and for the pleasure which may be had
by ascending the heights on the West side of the Bay. All that is pre-
sented to the eye is spacious and agreeable. The Houses which face
the sea are for the most part new, and have a very clean appearance.
They are built of brick.
238
IE. Lead'.
Charmouth.
Lyme Regis.
[E. Leach.
[To face p. 2 jS.
1809] Lyme Regis 239
We left Weymouth abt. 3 oClock & returned to Dorchester, [thence]
to Bridport and reached the Bull Inn at that place about 8 oClock.
Here we found very comfortable accomodation, and felt all that relief
which the mind experiences when hurry & bustle & disorder are
succeeded by stillness & repose. At Stacy's Hotel the character of
the House was expressed in dishes put upon the table. The Fowl had
been stripped of such parts as cd. be taken away, & the wine we could
not drink. Here all was plentiful & proper.
An Ideal Village
September 17. — We proceeded to Lyme, over Hills higher than
we had yet ascended. The appearance of the country was now com-
pletely changed. From being open and uncultivated it now became
a scene of the richest cultivation. The Hills to the tops were covered
with inclosures separated by full grown Hedges and plantations exhibit-
ing a country in the highest state of prosperity that wealth & human
industry can produce. About two miles before we reached Lyme* we
descended into a vale which opens to the Sea, and ascending the opposite
Hill we passed through Charmouthf a village which almost wholl)
consists of Houses of a moderate size, a ground floor and a story above,
such as persons of small independent fortunes might be supposed to
occupy. The few Cottages which were intermixed were also remark-
able for their neat appearance both externally and internally. We
did not recollect to have before seen a village where neatness & comfort
were so manifest, and were tempted to wish to enjoy the pleasure of
such a retirement. While proceeding up the Hill by a very steep road
we met a young man who informed us that Charmouth is principally
occupied by persons who come for the purpose of enjoying the pleasure
of a residence and for Sea bathing there being a fine beach of the Sea
at the distance of half a mile from the village.
Having gained the Summit of the Hill which was the highest we had
passed we saw the town of Lyme laying before us, to which we descended,
* Lyme Regis, which lies on the Dorset Coast, about seven miles from Axminster, was
besieged by the Royalists for two months in 1644. On June 11, 1685, the Duke of Mon-
mouth landed on the quaint little pier, called the " Cobb." It figures also as the scene
of Louisa Musgrove's accident in " Persuasion," by Jane Austen. Sir George Somers,
of " Somers Island " fame, and Captain Coram, founder of the Foundling Hospital, London,
were born in Lyme Regis.
In our own time Whistler added to the fame of the fishing village by staying there at the
Royal Lion Hotel during the fall of 1895, where he prepared for an exhibition of his litho-
graphs which was held in London. In that extraordinary series appeared the glowing
forges, dark stables, " with horses an animal painter would envy, and the portraits of the
smith and the landlord." The pictures painted included two of his finest works, " The
Master Smith " and " The Little Rose of Lyme Regis."
t Off Charmouth, which is two miles east of Lyme Regis, was fought the first naval
battle between the Danes and the Saxons to which a date is given. John Wesley's great-
grandfather was minister at Charmouth.
240 The Farington Diary . [1809
and stopped at an Inn called the 3 Cups,* — a decent House near the
Sea. Lyme is a small town with a port which is protected on the West
side by a pier against which vessels lye. Much of the town is situated
upon the steep ascent of a Hill rising from the edge of the water. It
is much frequented as a bathing place & 7 Bathing machines are arranged
on the Beach for that purpose. There is a subscription room & a walk,
and a Bath for Hot or Cold Sea Bathing. The subscription to the
reading room & walk is half a guinea for the Season or 5 shillings for a
month. There is a good Assembly room, & Card room, the windows
of both look upon the Sea. We were informed that there is also a large
Boarding House for families or Individuals. — The retirement & beautiful
neatness of Charmouth wd. make it a most desireable residence, but
there are conveniences at Lyme which Charmouth does not possess.
In passing through Dorsetshire we remarked that we saw a greater
number of young women and children with well formed features and
fine complexions than we had noticed in other Counties ; & that the
young women had much modesty in their look & deportment. —
Between Lyme and Sidmouth
Our next stage was to Sidmouth 16 miles, when we had proceeded
a few miles on our way we crossed the small river Axe a few miles beyond
the line which separates Dorsetshire from Devonshire. It passes through
a broad & flat valley & falls into the Sea which was in our view. The
country through which the road lays between Lyme and Sidmouth is
not of so high & bold a character as that between Bridport & Lyme.
Much of the road passes between thick Hedge rows, but occasional
glimpses on the right shew a hilly country covered with inclosures, &
the Valley between that we were travelling on a ridge of considerable
height. We arrived at Sidmouth at half-past 6 oClock, & drove to the
London Inn which had been recommended to us. We were disappointed
on entering it, finding it dark, & gloomy, and were shewn into a room
large but witht. a fire place. But the strongest objection to the House
was the Smell which prevailed in it like one of the Fish Houses at
Billingsgate. Finding that though the House was large they cd. not
give us better accomodation, we applied at the York Hotel, which is
very pleasantly situated on the Beach facing the Sea. Here we were
civilly received & had apartments that were very clean & with windows
to the Sea.
* The old Three Cups Inn no longer exists.
CHAPTER LXXIV
1809
Sidmouth
September 18. — Before breakfast I walked to some rocks west-
ward of the place & from thence had a good view of Sidmouth. — Sid-
mouth a market town is situated in a plain open to the Sea on the South
side, and from the West to the East is surrounded by Hills which become
bolder as they project towards the Sea. There is an excellent walk
along the Sea Beach, which is the parade of the visitors who come for
health or for pleasure. Excepting a few Cottages, all the Houses that
face the beach appear to have been erected within a few years. These
are principally, if not wholly occupied by strangers. The resident
inhabitants live in two or three streets which run northward, & a person
might pass a Season at Sidmouth enjoying the air of the Sea, the walk
on the beach, & ascend the Hills, without being sensible that He was
residing in a place which contains a considerable number of inhabitants.
Though the parts are not similar, the Plan of the situation of Sid-
mouth & its environs, is like that of Hastings ; but the valley in which
the latter is situated is closer, & the rocks which face the Sea are com-
posed of larger, and bolder forms. The rocks at Hastings are also of a
better colour for the painter. At Sidmouth they are for the most part
of the colour of India red. — Excepting towards the tops of the Hills
where a dark & sullen useless vegetation is mixed with the grass, they
are cultivated to the extremities which overlook the Sea ; and the Hedges
of the inclosures are so full grown as to form masses of foliage like
plantations. —
Air or Medicine
The air of Sidmouth has long been considered so mild & salubrious
as to be looked to & recommended as the last hope of invalids sinking
under wasting diseases. For consumptive complaints it has been
thought particularly salutary ; but it is to be feared that whatever
benefit might be derived from the purity of this air & from its shelter,
many who hope for benefit from it postpone having recourse to it till the
period is passed when air or medicine might afford essential relief. In
the Church yard of Sidmouth inscriptions on many grave stones recording
VOL. V. 24I l6
242 The Farington Diary [1809
the deaths of young persons who came from various parts of the kingdom
prove their ineffacacy.
The window of our room looked upon the beach, and we had much
pleasure in seeing the walk filled with young people of the place & from
the neighboroud. This day Sidmouth fair was held, & the young folks
seemed to have most pleasure in parading the walk which is the principal
place of exercise for the visitors. They were all dressed in their best
cloaths, and shewed in all the degrees, to what extent the wealth &
prosperity of this happy country operates.
House Re*nts and Living
September 19. — [The Offleys] were accomodated with the use of a
small House beautifully situated in Church field, being one of a row of
Houses which front the Sea. This House is let at the price of five guineas
a week which Mr. & Mrs. Offley considered a moderate price when com-
pared with the prices for Houses on the Kentish Coast, where a House
like this would at Margate, Ramsgate, or Sandgate let for 8 or 10 guineas
a week.
I looked into Wallis's Library subscription room & shop on the
Beach. Here Newspapers are read & books may be had. The Sub-
scription is one guinea for a year, — Sixteen shillings for Half a year, —
Twelve shillings for three months, Ten for two, and Seven for one month.
— I enquired at one of the Lodging Houses which are let to accomodate
those who do not require a whole House. I was told that for a small
sitting room, — a large Bed room, & a smaller Bed room on thejirstjloor
with a room for a servant & the use of a Kitchen two guineas a week was
the price. A female servt. may be hired to cook &c. at the rate of Half a
guinea a week for which she provides Herself with board.
There is a boarding House in the Market place a little way from the
Beach. This House can accomodate 18 persons. A parlour is the
dining room ; & over it is a room which is used as a publick drawing
room for those who reside in the House. The other parts of the House
consists of bed chambers, The terms of living at this Boarding House
A Best Bedroom pr. week. .0.10.6.
Boarding, which is at the publick table of the
House — the Hour of dinner ^ past 4 oClock. 1.11.6.
Servants pr. week 2.6.
it. 4.6.
Persons who do not lodge in this Boarding House may be admitted as
Boarders at the above price. I saw two or three decent gentlewomen
who had made this House their residence.
1809] House Rents and Living 243
At the London Inn there is a large Assembly room where Assemblies
are held every Wednesday even'g. Every other night it is used for
walking, cards & conversation. It is supported by subscription. Ad-
joining Wallis's Library there is a Billiard room, under which there is an
open place with seats, where those who are not inclined to walk may sit
under cover and enjoy the air from the Sea. About 12 oClock we left
Sidmouth. Our Bill was as follows —
Sept. 17. Supper for two. 0.6.0.
Breakfast do. 0.3.0.
Dinner do. 0.8.0.
Tea do. 0.3.0.
Breakfast do. 0.3.0.
Beds & sitting-room. 0.9.0.
1. 12.0.
Wine was charged 5 Shillings a bottle.
The Road to Exmouth
Our road to Exmouth commenced with a very steep-ascent to the
top of Peak Hill the Western boundary of the vale of Sidmouth. For
the labour we had in ascending the Hill we were well rewarded by the
beautiful views of the country we were now proceeding to leave behind.
Sidmouth lay below on the opposite side of the Valley above which
Hills arose equal in height to that we were now ascending. The Inland
country exhibited a scene of the richest cultivation, a prospect altogether
delightful to the eye & to the mind. The rich landscape of the land was
contrasted by the wide expanse of the Ocean which filled the whole space
to the Southward. The bold precipitous front of the East Hill of Sid-
mouth swept down to a long line of bold but what appeared to be lower
shore which at a great distance terminated at Portland Point, opposite
to which the Island of Portland appeared a marked form upon the
Horizontal line of the Sea.
On the Beacon Hill, which seems to be the situation likely to be most
preferred Houses are let from three to Seven guineas a week. — Good
lodgings for single persons may be had for from one guinea to one guinea
and a half a week. — Lodgings are let at the lower price of half a guinea a
week. — There is a boarding house in the town, but the terms on which
people lodge & board we could not learn.
VOL. v. 16^
CHAPTER LXXV
1809
Exmouth and Exeter
September 19. — The air of Exmouth is remarkably mild and clear.
Fogs are scarcely seen here. In the winter season if fog should collect
it is dispersed at an early hour of the morning, seldom appearing later
than Eight oClock, after which time the sky becomes clear & pleasant.
At Sidmouth the air is felt to be sharper than that of Exmouth. — Lord
Gwydir resided a considerable time at the latter place & was much
benefitted by it, but has now built a House at Sidmouth for the pleasure
of residing in a country which affords so much gratification to those who
delight in the beauties of landscape scenery.
Exmouth, like Sidmouth, is generally well supplied with Fish for
the table. Turbot, whitings, Flounders, John Dorys, Lobsters, prawns
&c. &c. — With pies & tarts at dinner Clouted Cream is served, a luxury
perhaps, peculiar to Devonshire. It makes a richness for those who
have the power of a strong digestion. There are a few bathing machines
at Exmouth which are worked forwards and backwards by a rope at-
tached to a windlass like those at Sidmouth. There are also Hot & Cold
Baths. The Bathing machines are attended by Women only, who are
dressed in Blue Jackets and Trowsers. —
Devonshire Cream
September 20. — The morning hazy. — We saw the process of making
Clouted Cream. — Milk taken from the Cow in the evening is put into a
Tin dish and left to stand till the following morning by which time
there is a surface of Cream. This is not disturbed [till] the tin dish with its
contents is placed over a small charcoal fire in a grate which is fixed
upon a stand ; where it remains simmering but is not allowed to boil.
When it has thus stood long enough according to the judgment of the
person who attends to it, the dish is taken from the fire and placed to
cool & when cold the surface is taken off with a large tin ladle perforated
with small holes through which the milky part passes & leaves only the
thick substance called Clouted Cream upon the ladle. —
After breakfast we left Exmouth & proceeded to Exeter ten miles
244
1809] Sir Alexander Hamilton 245
distant from the former place. — Nearly the whole of the road is a narrow
lane between high & thick Hedge rows ; with openings through which
we had slight views of the river Exe & the land which intervened. We
saw nothing to excite any interest but a succession of Houses on the right
& left of the road the seats [Twelve in all] of persons of property.
So great a number of gentlemen's seats within so short a space as
ten miles shews the preference which is given to this country for residence.
There appeared to be but little land intervening between the domain
belonging to one House before that of another commenced.
When we arrived at the Retreat, the residence of the late Sir Alexander
Hamilton,* who died on the 12th. of last June we stopped our Chaise and
walked to the House to view the situation. We found it occupied by
Servants only, and were informed that Sir Alexander left this & His
other property to a nephew who is at present in the East Indies, upon
condition that He shd. take the name of Hamilton. We were informed
that He left but few legacies & that He died posessed of great property. —
The House is situated upon a high bank of the river Exe, which, when the
tide is out has a marshy appearance, but when [it] flows up must be
agreeable to the eye. Powderham Castle woods are seen on the opposite
side of the river but at some distance below the Retreat. — At the back
of the House there is a long walk well sheltered which runs along the
Bank of the river southwards towards Topsham.
Admiral Sir Thos. Duckworth's House appeared to be newly built.
My Brother was acquainted with the father of Sir Thomas. He was a
respectable old Clergyman, a Minor Canon of Windsor, & had the living
of Stoke, near Mr. Penn's stately mansion. It is therefore probable that
Sir Thomas has acquired large property in the public service. —
Exeter
The entrance to Exeter on this side of the City gives a favourable
idea of it. The street which leads up to the Cathedral rises to this point
high enough to show that the upper part of the town is upon a Hill of
moderate height. We entered the City through an Old gate & found
the streets within narrow, such as are generally found in towns that were
fortified and where much space cd. not be alotted for the width of streets.
When a town has been once formed upon such a plan, it will long continue
witht. material alteration.
Nothing but the destruction of a considerable part of it at one time
will afford an opportunity for an essential change in the plan. Though
in the course of time a town of this description may be rebuilt, it will
only be gradually & by small parts as dilapidation or a desire of better
accomodation may render it necessary, and whatever is done will be in
conformity with the mass that is permanent. Thus it will be found that
* It is said that Sir Alexander ran away from his friends in Scotland when he was only
twelve years of age and went to the West Indies. He died possessed of property, including
estates in the West Indies, to the amount of ^100,000.
246 The Farington Diary [1809
in our ancient towns those parts which are not wholly modern exhibit
much of their original character. Having Heard Philip's Hotel in the
Close near the Cathedral well spoken of we made it our Head quarters. —
The view from the Castle walls had been mentioned to us, but we
found only one opening which was to the South a pretty view down
the river Exe but not remarkable ; from the other parts of the walls
we looked down upon the public walk of the City which is overshadowed
by high trees. — To this walk we descended, & found it a very agreeable
parade, with seats at certain distances under the trees. From whence
we saw parts of the county gaol, & the County Bridewell, both new
buildings, extensive & handsome in appearance.
Then and Now
We dined at the Hotel, and in the evening I called upon Dr. Fisher
[brother to the Bishop of Salisbury, and one of the canons of the Cathe-
dral] who I found in His library, without company. He complained of
having a cold to which He is subject, an irritation in the throat which is
much affected by a small quantity of wine or by talking. These increase
the irritation so as sometimes to oblige Him to leave company. Change
of air affords Him greater relief than He finds from any other means
He has used. He spoke of Exeter as not being a healthy situation.
The air of this country is too humid. Fevers of the worst sort,
Typhus fevers, prevail in it.* Upon the Hills indeed a little distance
from the town the air is of a better quality ; there persons troubled
with asthma can breathe easily ; those who in the City could scarcely
# Farington is not the first traveller to note the conditions of Exeter in the old insanitary
days. Canon Kellett described the city some two hundred and fifty years ago as " one of
the nastyest and noysommest in the land." Southey, the Poet Laureate, also condemned
the malodorous state of Exeter.
Visitors to the cathedral city do not need to be told that this unsavoury reputation
long ago ceased to exist. Thank3 to hygienic improvement, Exeter is one of the healthiest
places in the country ; its death-rate is remarkably low.
But Exeter is memorable for other things than sanitation. Its Corporation is one of
the oldest in England. Except in the Revolution, the city has always been loyal to the
Crown. Katherine of Arragon was a frequent visitor in her youth. The device, " Semper
fidelis," beneath the civic arms was given by Queen Elizabeth. Queen Henrietta Maria
gave birth to her daughter, Henrietta Anne, in Bedford House, which no longer exists,
and Thomas Fuller's " Good Thoughts in Bad Times," printed in Exeter in 1645, was
dedicated to Lady Dalkeith, " Lady Governesse " to the " Exeter Princess." This little
volume is said to be " The first fruits of the Exeter Press."
Mr. Donald Norman Reid, great-great-grandson of the Rev. Dr. MacQueen, who intro-
duced Flora MacDonald to Dr. Johnson in 1773, writes :
A description of Exeter Cathedral is given in the Farington Diary for September 20,
1809. Scotsmen may, therefore, be interested to know that a son of the celebrated Flora
MacDonald was buried in the Cathedral. A provincial newspaper, referring to the Colonel's
death in August, 1831, said : " The activity of his mind, and the benevolence of his heart,
would not permit him to remain an indifferent spectator of events daily passing around him,
and he was, in consequence, one of the first to step forward upon all occasions of national
or local interest, as well as to assist in ameliorating individual or general calamity."
The following is the inscription on the monument erected to the memory of Colonel
John MacDonald in Exeter Cathedral :
1809]
Then and Now 247
live. In the whole of this side of Devonshire the air, He sd. is mild but
it wants a bracing quality. The Bishop of Salisbury has enjoyed better
health at that place than He did while He was at Exeter. —
He spoke of the City and the neighboroud as being very populous, &
of the people as being much inclined to associate together. But of the
inhabitants He said they are dirty & that the town is so. — We conversed
upon the subject of our tour. Tomorrow, He sd. His period of residence
as a Canon of the Cathedral commences & which extends to three
months. —
Sacred to the Memory of
John MacDonald, Esq., F.R.S. and F.A.S.,
Fifth son of Captain Allan MacDonald, of the
84th Regiment,
and of Flora MacDonald.
Obit 16 August, 1 83 1.
Aged 72 years.
" Beloved by the poor for his benevolence. Firm in moral rectitude.
In integrity sincere. He departed this live revered and lamented,
Christianity having to deplore the loss of a disciple
Who admired and venerated her principles, and enforced by constant
practice her benevolent and charitable admonitions."
CHAPTER LXXVI
1809
Covent Garden Riots
September 21. — Went to the Post Office where I found letters
from Mr. Lysons and from Mr. [Thomas] Lawrence, dated on Tuesday,
giving me an acct. of the proceedings at the opening of Covent Garden
Theatre the preceeding evening, where riot and organised disturbance
prevented the Play from being heard. The opposition was to the prices
of the Boxes & Pit being raised, and to Madame Catalani being employed.
Macbeth was the Play in which Kemble & Mrs. Siddons appeared.
At the Post Office I read the following Printed Order —
General Post Office — Deer. 1808.
" To all Postmasters."
" Letters immediately after being put into an Official receiving
Box become the property of the persons to whom addressed & therefore
on no application however urgent must a Postmaster return letters
to the writers or to any person for them. They can only be returned
from the dead letter Office in London in the event of not being properly
directed, it being impossible from any other cause to deliver them.
Writers of letters wishing to rectify mistakes must do it by writing
other letters."
F. Freeling
Secry.
A Novel Epitaph
Soon after one oClock we called on Dr. Fisher, who walked with us
down the town, & across the bridge & through the Suburbs called St.
Thomas's & some pleasant meadows to the side of a Hill where we had a
full south view of Exeter. The view is very pleasing to the eye, but the
town presents no feature of importance except the Cathedral ; which
rises above an extensive mass of small buildings the specific forms of
which the eye can scarcely define. — Here Dr. Fisher, after inviting us to
dinner tomorrow, left us to attend the afternoon Cathedral service.
After contemplating the view for sometime we returned through the
suburbs, St. Thomas's, and on passing through the Church yard of the
248
1809] A Novel Epitaph 249
Church of that name remarked on a grave stone an epitaph which had
novelty in the thought, —
" Our life is but a Winters day,
" Some only breakfast and away.
" Others to dinner stay & are full-fed,
" The oldest man but sups, & goes to bed.
" Large is His debt who lingers out the day,
" Who goes the soonest has the least to pay."
Most Picturesque
When we reached the bridge we turned to the left & walked along
the road to Oakhampton nearly a mile gradually ascending and walked
up to a House belonging to a druggist in Exeter, from whence there is a
very extensive view of the country including the City, — the Bridge,
and parts of the river ; but the view altogether was too stragling to
be condensed within the space to which the views I was making were
limited. — Having now viewed the City from three points, — the North, —
the South, & the West, we returned & crossed the bridge, & on seeing
some picturesque old buildings on the right Hand, we descended by a
flight of steps to a level with the river & there found ourselves among
the ancient buildings of the City, & proceeding through narrow short
streets & passages saw a succession of groupes of old Houses, with small
bridges, & water, the most picturesque combinations of this kind that I
recollected to have seen. —
By this time we were sufficiently fatigued to wish for rest and returned
at 5 oClock to dinner at our Hotel, where again we had Dory & Whiting,
and excellent Oakhampton mutton, with good wine, and had nothing
to wish for but better attendance than our Hotel afforded.
Duel on Putney Heath
[On Thursday 21st inst. at 6 oClock in the morning a duel was fought
on Putney Heath between Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning.* Lord
* Castlereagh, finding out that Canning had been secretly trying to get him removed
from the management of the war, challenged his colleague, who was Foreign Secretary,
to a duel.
Lady Garvagh writes : " Your explanatory notes accompanying Farington's delightful
diary are read with such widespread interest that I should like to correct an error in one
of them, which appears to cast a slur on the character and conduct of George Canning.
" The cause which led to the unfortunate duel between Castlereagh and Canning was
not Canning's secret intrigue for the removal of Castlereagh from the War Office, as your
notes suggest. After the Agreement to the Convention of Cintra, when Canning dis-
covered that the projected transfer of Castlereagh from the War Office to the Presidency
of the Council — then held by Lord Camden — had not been divulged to Castlereagh himself
he made vigorous protest to the Duke of Portland. The Premier confessed he alone was
to blame, and promised to remedy the matter at once.
" Illness and the difficulty of obtaining the King's consent to these changes delayed the
fulfilment of his promise. On Canning learning of this further delay he at once resigned
250 The Farington Diary [1809
Castlereagh was attended by Lord Yarmouth, & Mr. Canning by Mr.
Charles Ellis [Lord Seaford]. The ground was measured at ten paces,
and both fired by signal but without effect. They fired at each other a
second time, when Mr. Canning reed. His antagonist's bullet in the right
thigh [Canning's bullet hit the button of Castlereagh's coat]. For-
tunately neither the bone nor any of the Arteries were injured, & the
wound was not considered dangerous. Mr. Canning was put into a Coach,
& conveyed to Gloucester lodge, His newly purchased House at Brompton.
Lord Castlereagh went immediately from the ground to His House in
St. James's Square. — Lord Castlereagh as well as Mr. Canning had
previously resigned the Seals of Office. The determination of the Duke
of Portland, Lord Castlereagh, & Mr. Canning, to resign was communicated
to His Majesty early in the last week. — From small note-book.]
Provisions and Water
To-day we
were informed that at
Exetei
• the prices of provisions
are as follows :
Beef best pr. pound
8*d.
Mutton „ „
7d. to 8d.
Fowls 2 shillings each.
Turbot pr. pd.
I/-
Butter „
1/3H
Ducks pr. couple
5/-
Oakhampton mutton is here considered the choice mutton of the Market.
In Exeter there is a great want of soft water, and to the upper part
of the town, water is carried from the river Exe in small kegs on Horses
and sold at a price proportioned to the distance from the river. — Here
Horses which carry loads have fixed to the pack-saddle crouts as they are
called, on which the burden which the Horse bears rests, and it seems
to be a good contrivance for the purpose.
' rather than enforce the intended change.' Unfortunately, in the meantime Castlereagh
learnt of the arrangement from an indirect source, and immediately accused Canning of
intriguing in secret to get rid of him.
" The fact that a complete reconciliation was effected between them shortly after the
duel clearly indicates that misunderstanding, and not dishonourable conduct, was the cause
of this most disastrous duel."
[Lady Garvagh's letter refers to incidents which, at their clearest issue, are still mystify-
ing. There is no doubt, as we stated, and as Lady Garvagh repeats, that Castlereagh found,
or believed, that Canning had been " intriguing in secret to get rid of him," as War Min-
ister. There is also no doubt that Canning and Castlereagh were seriously opposed to
each other, and, whatever may have been the cause of their antagonism, it ended in a duel,
which was not disastrous. " Canning's bullet hit the button of Lord Castlereagh's coat
and Lord Castlereagh wounded Canning in the thigh. The hurt, however, was but slight,
and he was able to walk off the ground."
This quotation is taken from the Dictionary of National Biography, in which, for con-
venience sake, the story of what led up to the Canning-Castlereagh duel may be read.
The whole affair appears to have been the result of a misunderstanding. In any case,
there was not on my part any intention to cast a slur on Canning.— Ed.]
1809] A Fellow of Brasenose College 251
September 22. — After breakfast I walked to the lower part of
the town near where the Old Bridge stood, and continued in that quarter
all the morning making sketches of the picturesque groupes of Buildings.
—At 5 oClock we went to dinner at Dr. Fisher's, where we met the Revd.
Mr. Huish, Curate to Dr. Fisher at His living of Faringdon 6 miles from
Exeter, In Him my Brother found an old acquaintance. He was a
fellow of Brazen-nose-College, but vacated His fellowship by marrying
in 1789. — He told us His Father was 42 years Rector of Pembridge in
Herefordshire, & having abt. the time of His taking possession of that
living agreed to take £450 a year as a compensation for His claim of
Tithes, He never would demand more than that Sum, which was but
a small proportion of what He had a right to claim.
Mr. Guard of Corpus College
The consequence was, He was looked up to by His parishioners as
a rare man & constantly supplied with presents of what they could
furnish Him with. He was succeeded by Mr. Guard, from Corpus College,
Oxford, who at His first meeting [with] His parishioners reed, from
them an offer to compound for ^1000 a yr. to which he added a demand
to have his Coals carried. He afterwards made a further claim, and
^1200 a yr. was the Sum paid Him. After a few years He demanded
more ; on which His Parishioners made a stand & insisted on His taking
the tithes in kind ; which as the Parish of Pembridge is of great extent,
& the Rectory House being situated at the extremity of the Parish on
one side, He has to send carts 6 miles in one direction, & Seven miles & \
in another direction to collect all that He has a claim to. —
Her Name was De Courcy
Mr. Huish spoke of Mrs. Guard, wife of Coll. Guard. She resided at
Ottery St. Mary, in Devonshire for a while with Mrs. Baker Sister to
Coll. Guard, but in a very short time after the Colonel went to South
America with General Whitelocke, she began to exhibit such levity
as to cause Her to be suspected, & she soon gave proof of criminality.
Her name was De Courcy, and she is reported to be a relation of Lord
Kinsale. — Her figure is very fine, and Her countenance handsome.
She had two or three Children by Colonel Guard, and it was remarked
of Her that she seemed to have an antipathy to Her children, & wd.
punish them witht. cause. — The intrigue which she had with the Son
of an Apothecary at Ottery St. Mary caused a prosecution on the part of
Coll. Guard who obtained ^3000 damages against Him. — To avoid the
consequences of non payment for He has no property, He is now abroad
in Spain, with the Army.
Coll. Guard is Brother to the Rector of Pembridge and their Father
was a Lace Manufacturer at Honiton where He acquired a considerable
fortune.
Mr. Huish mentioned a trait of Character in Mrs. Guard, a strong
252 The Farington Diary [1809
instance of the effects of strong passions uncontrouled by principle.
She has at all times spoken of Coll. Guard's conduct to Her as having
been kind & affectionate in the greatest degree and when He was ordered
to South America with His regt. in the expedition under Genl. White-
locke she attended him to the Ship in which He was to embark, & on
the day the ship sailed she secreted Herself in it, that she might go with
him & was with difficulty got on shore, where & for a little time after
she appeared greatly distressed. But these violent feelings soon wore
away & she laid Herself open to intrigues so as to be noticed in a short
time. Her intrigue with the Apothecary was not the only one in which
she was engaged ; Coll. Guard's attachment to Her was so strong that
He wd. again have lived with Her had not His friends prevented it. —
Coleridge
Coleridge, the Poet, and author of several works, is the Son of a
man who taught at a School a few miles from Exeter. His stipend was
very small ; but however little He could do for His children, one of them
was in the Army, & being placed in advantageous situations made a
handsome fortune. Another Brother is a Clergyman, who by keeping
a school, or by receiving young men for education, has made a handsome
sum. — They are natives of Ottery St. Mary.*
[On Friday night, Sept. 22nd, at Covent Garden Theatre, where
every preceeding night from Mond. Sept. 18th, there had been the most
violent opposition to raising the prices, Mr. Kemble came forward &
told the audience that the Proprietors, in order to restore the public
tranquility, were ready & desirous to submit the inspection of the state of
their affairs to a Committee of Gentlemen of unimpeachable impartiality
and Honour. — On Saturday the 23rd. the rioting continued. At length
Mr. Kemble came forward, & said, "As Ladies & Gentleman from the side
Boxes have very properly suggested that the accounts ought to be printed
for the public, they shall be so." Disapprobation prevailed. Mr.
Kemble continued, & said that finding the engagement with Madam
Catalani was not congenial to the public mind her engagement is re-
linquished. The Audience now hurled up their hats & went away. —
Mr. Kemble added that the Proprietors thought they cd. not do a fairer
thing by the public than to make them as well acquainted with their
concerns as they are themselves ; and as this seems to be the sense of
the majority till this examination is over the Theatre shall be shut. —
From small note-book.]
* John Coleridge (1719-1791), the poet's father, was vicar of Ottery St. Mary, where the
translator of " The Ship of Fools " officiated in the Sixteenth Century. Coleridge the
elder was also Master of the Grammar School, and from an advertisement in his " Critical
Latin Grammar " (1772) we learn that " he took in pupils at sixteen guineas a year for board
and teaching." He had ten children by his second wife. James, the third son, entered
the Army, and married Miss Frances Duke Taylor, a " lady of fortune." Samuel Taylor
Coleridge, poet, was the tenth child.
CHAPTER LXXVII
1809
The Organ
September 23. — After breakfast we called on Dr. Fisher & went
with Him to the Cathedral, where the Bishop came to morning prayers. —
The organ is remarkable for the size of the pipes, some of them the largest
in Europe. — The tone of the Organ I thought very fine. — In walking
through the Cathedral the mind will be affected on seeing the many
monuments which are erected to the memory of persons who have come
from distant parts and have passed their last hours in Exeter or its
neighboroud, hoping for that benefit from the Climate which care &
medicine had not afforded. — Premature death was here recorded, &
the affectionate tributes to the memory of those deceased cannot be read
witht. emotion & sympathy. —
A Philosophic Chambermaid
Philipp's Hotel which we were abt. to quit is a House of good ac-
comodation, but it is not possible to conceive a House where greater
inconvenience wd. be suffered from almost a total neglect of attendance.
We considered the charges for dinners to be high ; for a small dish of
fish & some veal & mutton chops we were charged Twelve shillings. —
Here I learnt from a Chambermaid what duties a servant of this de-
scription had to perform in this Hotel, which is also an Inn for Stage
Coaches. She told me she had passed her life in this kind of service.
Every other night she remained up till four oClock in the morning, to
attend to a succession of Coaches the last of which came at that Hour.
She had to attend to those who arrive, & to call up those who were waiting
for the conveyance. Soon after 4 oClock she was at liberty to go to
bed, but she was required to be up again at nine. — On the following
night she might go to bed at 10 and lay till between seven & eight in the
morning. Both this, and another chambermaid, who had similar duties
were neat, well-looking women, but I remarked that they had a worn
look, very much that which is the effect of want of rest. The eye dim,
& the cheek fallen. — When I spoke to Her of the effect of that habit of
life, and the injury it must do to her constitution she owned that she
never felt quite well, but that Her situation was profitable, & there
were numbers who wd. be glad to have it. —
253
254 The Farington Diary [1809
Hospitality
On leaving Exeter, we proceeded to Oxton the Seat of the Revd.
Mr. Swete to whom I had a letter of introduction from the Bishop of
Salisbury. Oxton House is situated about seven miles from Exeter,
on the right of Powderham, Ld. Courtenay's. — We went part of the road
through narrow lanes in which two carriages cd. not pass. On our
arriving at the gate of the grounds, I left the Chaise & walked down to
the House more than half a mile, it then being past four oClock, and I
wd. not drive the Chaise to the door at a time the family might probably
be at dinner. So it proved, for when I got to the House so I was in-
formed by a servant to whom I delivered the Bishop's letter, & sent by
Him an apology for coming so late in the day. I was shewn into a
sitting room & Mr. Swete soon came to me and with great hospitality
urged me to partake of their fare, which I thought it proper to decline. —
I told Him the Bishop had spoken of His knowledge of the picturesque
scenery of Devon, & that I shd. be greatly obliged by any information
He cd. give. He sd. He had devoted much time in making sketches
with descriptions of much of what He had seen, & He opened a book
(quarto) handsomely bound, being one of twenty which stood together,
in which I saw specimens of what He had done. . . . Much pleased
with his kindness. His appearance was preposessing, being handsome,
& His address agreeable. We judged Him to be upwards of 50 yrs. of
age-
The remainder of [our] travelling was for a considerable way through
Mr. Swete's grounds, which seemed to be very extensive, & crossing
a road we entered Lord Lisburne's grounds.
We reached Dawlish in the dusk of the evening, & were disappointed
in the situation of the village and the surrounding scenery, — from having
heard it described to be more inclosed & the rocks & Hills of a bolder
character than it appeared to us. — There are two Inns at Dawlish, Tripe's
Inn, & the London Inn. The former having been recommended to us
we made it our Head quarters. —
[On the 23d. of Sept. at Exeter died Hugh Downman M.D. who had
practised in that City for 30 years. A man of great virtue & simplicity.
He was Author of a Poem, Infancy, much celebrated. — From small note-
book.]
Three Husbands
September 24. — Under the East Cliff & near the Sea, Sir Willm.
Watson* has a House in which He resides Six months in the year, and
the remainder at Bath. He came to this place about 30 years ago. His
Father was an eminent Physician who resided in Lincolns Inn fields.
He first married Mrs. Frail, a widow, who had been married twice ;
* Sir William Watson, M.D. (1744-1825 ?), was the son of Sir William Watson (17 1 5-
1787), the eminent physician, naturalist, and electrician, who died in Lincoln's Inn Fields
on May 10, 1787. Farington's entry verifies the conjecture as to the younger man's
identity.
1809] Swete ne Tripe 255
Her first Husband was Mr. Gurney. She was Sister to Mr. David Barclay,
the Quaker. She died abt. io years ago. When she was young she
had a pretty face & a fine complexion, but Her person was short & much
deformed. She had great vivacity, & had sufficient attraction to engage
the attention & receive the addresses of three lovers who in succession
became her husbands. —
In Dawlish Church, and church yard, we this day read inscriptions
on several monuments erected to the memories of persons who came to
Dawlish and died. Having attended to the dates we had read at Sid-
mouth, Exeter, & Dawlish, we observed that none were of a date more
than twenty years back, & which caused us to suppose that this coast
had not long been visited for the purpose of obtaining health. On
speaking to Mr. Tripe, our Landlord, He sd. that this coast was not
resorted to by Invalids till within the last 30 years. He told us that
Mr. Swete posesses very large property, perhaps £12,000 a year. His
Father was a Surgeon & Apothecary at Ashburton, & that His name
was Tripe. — A Mrs. Swete who reed, or inherited very large property
from a Mr. Martin, left it to the present Mr. Swete upon condition that
He shd. take that name.* He has made very great improvements since
he became posessed of Oxton House. Mr. Swete is a prebend of Exeter. —
While we were on the Beach a beautiful vessel passed near the Shore
which we were told was a Yatch belonging to Lord Courtenay.
Prices at Dawlish
September 25. — Our Landlady informed us that the prices of
Houses & Lodgings at Dawlish are as follows, — viz :
Houses on the Beach from two guineas & a Half to five guineas a
week, but there are not in Dawlish more than three or four
Houses that let for 5 guineas.
In other parts Lodgings may be had for gentlemen consisting of a
sitting-room & a Bedchamber, with the use of a Kitchen for
one guinea & a Half a week. —
Beef — mutton — Lamb — veal — 7|d. pr. pd.
Butter from lid. to I5d. pr. pound.
The Plan of the situation of Dawlish is similar to that of Sidmouth ;
a valley surrounded by Hills which at the North end of the valley are
lower at Sidmouth than those which project to the Sea. — At Dawlish
those at the North end are the highest & here Mr. Charles Hoare has a
House & grounds.! — Sidmouth exhibits a bolder and a richer landscape
than Dawlish. The valley at Dawlish has rather a naked appearance.
Walks have been made, & small trees planted, but the whole looks like a
preparation which in time will be in some degree luxuriant. — The privacy
* Which he did by Act of Parliament in 1781. Swete died in 1821.
t Mr. Charles Hoare, of Luscombe, half-brother of Sir R. C. Hoare.
256 The Farington Diary [1809
of Dawlish to those who wish for retirement is a strong recommendation
to it. There are several Bathing machines. The People appear to
have much more of Country simplicity than is seen at Sidmouth. —
September 26. — On considering what has been done to ornament
the little valley of Dawlish, it will in a few years appear very pleasing.
The stream that runs through it has been made to pass over a succession
of small waterfalls, which though too regular will have a pretty effect
to the eyes of people in general.
Lord Courtenay's Income
I had some conversation with Mr. Tripe, our Landlord, respecting
Lord Courtenay.* He spoke of His Lordship's property as being now
very great notwithstanding His vast expenses. It was amusing to
hear His notion & report of it. He sd. Lord Courtenay's debts were
nearly paid off & that while His estates were in the hands of Trustees
they allowed Him £10,000 a year. He asked me if I knew what His
debts had amounted to, & then told me between 5 & 6 milions ; that
estates in Ireland had been sold but such was His property there that
what had been disposed of was only in the proportion of a thumb to
the whole Hand, when compared with what His Lordship still posessed
in that country. — He sd. Lord Courtenay's property is now £90,000
a year. He asked me if I saw that Tatch belonging to His Lordship,
which sailed past Dawlish on Sunday, & said it had cost Lord C. £30,000.
— Such were the floating ideas in Tripe's mind, who appeared to be much
looked up to by the inferior people of the place and such is the kind of
information which is frequently reed, from persons living within reach
of the influence of persons of property. — We now paid our Bill in which
charges for one day were as follows —
Breakfast for two persons.
Dinner do.
Porter for one.
Bottle of Port.
Tea for two.
Beds, two.
Fire.
At Exeter as follows —
Breakfast for two
Dinner do.
Bottle of Port.
Tea for two.
* William, ninth Earl of Devon and third Viscount Courtenay (1768- 183 5). He never
married and the Viscounty became extinct at his death, the Earldom devolving on his
cousin. See Index, Vols. I. and IV.
0.3.
0.
0.8.
0.
0.0.
4-
0.5.
6.
0.3.
0.
0.4.
0.
O.I.
0.
£-4-
10.
0. 3-
0.
O.IO.
0.
0. 5.
0.
0. 3.
0.
1809] A Devonshire Inn 257
Tripe's Inn is a small House, a walk of 6 or 7 minutes from the Sea.
The other Inn, called the London Inn, is situated about half-way &
appears rather larger. Tripe's House is neat & very comfortable to
live in, much civility & attention, & a Woman Servant who officiated
as Waiter & Chambermaid performed Her duties with such vigilance
& activity that we cd. not but consider Her as worth the whole mass
of those we had left at the Hotel at Exeter. — The wine at Tripe's is
also of better quality than any we had met with on our tour. —
On our noticing what had been done towards improving & beautifying
the valley at Dawlish, we were told that a Mr. Manning of Exeter had
purchased most of the Valley, & much land adjacent to it, that He had
built & is building several Houses for accomodation, & to add to the
inducements to visit the place He has cleared away all the weeds & rubbish
which covered the center of the valley & laid it out in grass plots, with
walks, ornamented with young trees. Here Asses are much used by
Ladies for riding in the morning. —
About two oClock we left Dawlish & passed over a steep Hill the
western boundary of the valley, having the Sea on our left. . .
As we approached Teignmouth, distant between 3 & 4 miles from
Dawlish, we descended a Hill from which we had a fine view of the country
on the opposite side of Teignmouth Harbour. We drove to the London
Inn, and found the town crowded with people, it being Teignmouth
Fair. Our accomodation was not so good as we might otherwise have
had, but was very well for a House of business in a small seaport, and
the people were very civil. —
Beauty and Respect
Having had much report of the views upon the road to Newton
Bushel, we walked near a mile in that, a North west direction, parallel
to the course of the River Teign. The afternoon sun was favorable for
our view looking back to Teignmouth Harbour & the entrance to it,
& to the western Hills & the village of Shaldon. We at once decided
that the oestuary of the River Teign is much more beautiful than that
of the Exe at Exmouth, the buildings of the Harbour forming a more
agreeable line than those of Exmouth & the rocks & Hanging Banks, &c.
on both sides of the Teign are bolder & richer & have more character. —
The view up the river towards Newton Bushel is also very pleasing, &
superior to that looking up the Exe.
In our walk we met many groupes of young people coming from
the country to the fair, and were struck with the clearness & beauty of
the complexions of the women, & with their neat dress. We also noticed
the respect shewn by the country people when passing us by touching
their Hats with an indication of bowing.
vol. v. x 7
CHAPTER LXXVIII
1809
Teignmouth and Turbot
September 27. — Turbot, we were told is a fish not much in request
at Teignmouth except for large parties. The common price is 90!. a
pound. It is generally carried off to other places. — Soles are dearer
than Turbot. — A piper is sold for abt. 4d. — I was asked for a pair of
large Soles 5s. The Piper is a round fish with a large Head with much
red abt. it ; the length 13 or 14 inches of small ones, but I saw one of
18 or 20 inches for which one shilling was demanded. —
Our Bill was more reasonable than that at Dawlish, but that was all
that could be sd. in favour of the House except that the wine was good.
In other respects it was such a House as is found near the Shipping
at Deptford and such places, dirty throughout. —
Dinners o.
Beer o.
Pint of Port o.
Tea o.
Fire o.
Beds o.
Breakfasts o.
o. U
Mr. Tripe had recommended this Inn, & spoke of the other, the
Globe, unfavourably, as a falling House kept by uncivil people. This
was a very unjust report. In consequence of there not being a Chaise
for us when We desired to leave Teignmouth we applied to the other
house & were very civilly told that their Chaises were out & as well as
those of the Landlord of our Inn were engaged for the following day,
but they wd. send over to Dawlish & a Chaise shd. be ready for us in
the morning. — The Globe in addition to this civil disposition of those who
keep it is a much cleaner and more pleasant House than the London Inn,
258
1809] Newfoundland Fishery 259
in which we had particular reason to complain of the Chambermaid &
the Beds. —
From the want of a Chaise we were detained at Teignmouth till past
8 oClock in the evening, when one having returned, we were very happy
to leave an Inn so disagreeable to us. — Being thus obliged to go our
next stage in the night it fortunately happened that we had a fine moon,
which enabled us to see the river & the form of the country, though not
the particular circumstances of it.
On the right of the road coming out of Teignmouth on the side of a
Hill Lord Clifford has a seat beautifully situated. We were told it was
built by Mr. John Baring Brother to Sir Francis Baring for His daughter
to reside in but she dying He sold it to Lord Clifford.
We arrived at Newton Bushel at \ past 10 & were very well accomo-
dated at the Golden Lyon, a small neat House and civil people. —
September 29. — The Newfoundland fishery has been a source of
wealth to the inhabitants of Newton Bushel, but this trade has suffered
great interruption owing to the War. During the peace Sixteen Captains
of Ships which sailed to Newfoundland have at one time resided with
their families at this place. Here at the Season appointed for hiring
Sailors to go the voyage great numbers flocked for that purpose. Our
Landlord sd. there have been 1200 Sailors at one time assembled in the
town, to be hired, and those who had not made an engagement carried
white rods in their hands to distinguish them from others who had
made terms with the Captains.
Burnt Dockey
The terms were higher or lower according to the qualifications, &
experience which the Sailors might have in what was required in the
fishery. — While this body of Sailors remained in the town much money
was spent by them. They had a favorite liquor which they called burnt
Dockey made of Ale, Rum & Eggs, which they drank in great quantities.
Dartmouth was the rival place in this trade. —
Here we had Kennel Coal put on our fire. It was brought from
Liverpool. — Beef & Mutton of the best quality is sold for yd. per pd. at
Newton. — Veal sometimes a little more, 8d. or 9d. — Fowls pr. couple 3
shillings. — Butter is dear, i6|d. per pd. —
The Devonian Riviera
At ten oClock we left Newton Bushel & proceeded to Torquay, a stage
of 8 miles mostly over a hilly and moorish Country, but from some parts
very extensive & interesting views shewing the forms of distant Hills
which are in general better shaped, have more sweeping lines and rise
more to points than I expected to see in Devonshire from the descriptions
vol. v. 17*
260 The Farington Diary [1809
given to me. At more than a mile before we reached Torquay we were
gratified with a sight of Torbay terminating with Berry Head. —
Sir Lawrence Palk
When we arrived at the Hotel at Torquay we found the persons who
had kept it four or five years were this day preparing to leave it, and were
to be succeeded by a Servant of Sir Lawrence Palk, to whom the Hotel
belongs. The land on which Torquay stands, and much of the neigh-
boroud belongs to Sir Lawrence Palk, who found only a few Cottages, at
Torquay. Having resolved to take advantage of the situation He has
been at great expence, has built rows of neat Houses, a fine pier on the
South side to form a harbour, and made walks upon the Hills which
surround the place. He has a House for his own use fronting the Har-
bour. Upon an eminence above it Lord Courtenay has built a House
but it remains unfinished. — The Revd. Dr. Becke, who was tutor to
Sir Lawrence is also building a House at Torquay. —
Sir Lawrence Palk was spoken of. His Grandfather was a Butcher
at Ashburton, and His Father, the late Sir Robt. Palk, having been
brought up for the Church, obtained Deacon's orders, and went to
India. He changed his object, and in time became Governor of Madrass.
Near His House He erected a building to the memory of General Lawrence,
who having acquired a fortune in the East Indies left it to Sir Robert.
It is calculated that Sir Lawrence has £15000 a year ; and a Mr. [Walter]
Palk, a relation of His, whose Grandfather was also a Butcher, has
£8000 a yr. — *
We saw Torbay today under very agreeable circumstances. The
weather was mild & fine, and the whole of the Bay appeared like a lake.
One of the Boatmen of the place shewed us where the Men of War lie
when they run into Torbay for shelter, & said there is not such a Bay
for security in the whole world. He said the ground for anchorage is
so excellent that ships cannot be driven when anchored by any wind.
The anchors take such hold of the ground that in certain weather when
* A correspondent, in the name of " Squire," writes : " May I, in the interests of
historical accuracy and as nearly related by marriage to the Palk family, make a
correction in the extracts you are publishing from the Farington Diary, September
29, 1809 ? It is there stated that the grandfather of the Sir Lawrence Palk of that
date ' was a butcher at Ashburton,' and ' Mr. Palk was also a butcher.' Both statements
are incorrect, as will be seen by reference to the valuable ' Palk manuscripts ' recently
published by the Historical Manuscripts Commission."
[It should be said that Farington's informants were Sir William Elford, the eminent
banker and politician, and William Adams, of Bowden, M.P. for Totnes. Both gentlemen
were near neighbours of Sir Lawrence Palk.
The editor of the " Palk Letters" was apparently not aware of the exact relationship
between Sir Lawrence and the Rev. Dr. Henry Beeke, Dean of Bristol. Mr. Beeke
was his tutor and travelled abroad with him in that capacity. Nor does the editor tell us
that F. D'lvernois, young Palk's other travelling companion, was a distinguished Genevese
refugee and author of a " History of French Finance." He became a naturalised English-
man and was Knighted. — Ed.]
1809] Sir Lawrence Palk 261
ships are suddenly ordered to sail they cannot weigh their anchors, but
are obliged to leave them to be taken up when it is more favourable.
The distance from Torquay to Brixham which is [across] the Bay in a
line rather diagonal is Six miles and a half ; to go round by land it is
Ten miles. — Dartmouth lies on the other side of Berry Head, & though
we found the Boatman very willing to cross to Brixham which He offered
to do with His fishing boat, He made much objection to going round
Berry Head, stating that the tide is so powerful as often to make it
very difficult.
He spoke of the great expence Sir Lawrence Palk had been at in
erecting the fine pier upon which we were then standing, but said it was
of little use from the want of a pier on the opposite side of the harbour
witht. which the sea flows in with such force when the wind blows hard
from one quarter no vessel can lie with security, being in danger of having
her bottom beat in. At Torquay & at Brixham every vessel or boat
which comes within the pier at either place pays one shilling each time
of entrance.
CHAPTER LXXIX
1809
A Wonderful Cavern
September 29. — The reports we had reed, of the beauty of the
scenery of Torquay & its vicinity caused us to expect much, but we were
particularly urged to see Babbicombe & the situation of St. Mary Church
on the Coast between Torquay and Teignmouth. The weather being
fine we proceeded to these points ; but having heard of a Cavern, it
was recommended to us to take a guide who had been accustomed to
shew this curious place. Our conductor was a woman who told us Her
mother had formerly served the same office. We had walked abt. a
mile on the road to Babbicombe when she led us along a narrow path
through a thicket a little way till we came to a rock, in which there is a
Cavity sufficiently wide but not high enough to allow a man to stand
upright in it. She now began to make preparation for our proceeding
into the Cavern, by striking a light to light several candles which she
had in a basket.
She told us that we must each of us carry a candle as the Cavern
was to the end perfectly dark. That the distance to the end of it was
about half a quarter of a mile ; and that [for] a considerable part of the
way we must walk stooping ; that at the end we shd. find a pool of water,
that there the Cavern was of greater height and that by the light of
several candles we shd. see upon the rocks spars and incrustations.
This description satisfied us, and having both seen the celebrated Cavern,
the Peak in Derbyshire, a curiosity of this kind upon a much larger
scale we were willing to forego the inconvenience as well as the risk of
the damp air which might be in a place of this nature especially as we
were warm with walking. Our guide told us that many Ladies had been
induced by curiosity to enter this Cavern, & that sometime since a
gentleman, much an invalid, had found means with the assistance of
his servant to make his way to the end of it.
A Romantic Scene
We returned to the road and went on to Babbicombe, one mile
further. In the course of this walk of two miles we had only one opening
262
1809]
A Romantic Scene 263
to the Sea. The rocks here have a very romantic character, wild &
fanciful in their form. When we arrived at Babbicombe we found
it to consist of a few Cottages situated upon the steep side of a declivity,
a succession of rugged Banks with rocks shooting out down to the margin
of the Sea. We descended to the Shore which scoops into the land and
is remarkable in this little spot for the variety and beauty of the colour,
a brown black near the edge of the water, is succeeded by a warm, mellow
tint between yellow and brown, very soft, and nearest to the back the
largest space is filled with very light shingles, which have a beautiful
effect opposed to the Black brown deep coloured rocks which rise in
various fantastic forms. The effect of the colour of the different parts
of this scene opposed to each other pleased me most, for though romantic
there is nothing very singular in it except the boldness with which frag-
ments of rocks rise at the edge of the water. The Sea has here a vast
expance, and we had a retrospective view of all the points we had visited
since we first reached the Sea Coast. Portland Island was in the farthest
distance ; and we observed Sidmouth, — Exmouth, the point of land at
Dawlish, and Teignmouth.
St. Mary Church is situated more than half a mile from Babbicombe
upon a Hill, and the tower of the Church appears like a land mark. —
Myrtle and Geranium
September 30. — The morning being very wet, but towards noon
it cleared and the remaining part of the day was very clear and pleasant.
Upon the pier I met the Revd. Dr. Becke and accosted Him making use
of Mr. Swete's name as an introduction who had desired me to do it.
Dr. Becke informed us that Torquay is a situation peculiarly favourable
for Nervous and consumptive complaints, the air being warm & dry ;
more so than several other situations on the Coast, as Teignmouth,
Exmouth, Dartmouth &c. where rivers that run in the direction of the
most prevailing winds cause much rain. At Torquay there is no river.
He sd. Geraniums have here flourished in the open air throughout the
winter and myrtles commonly. He could name only one part of the
coast of England that can be sd. to be warmer than at Torquay, which
is that part of Cornwall which runs on from Penzance. — From the heights
on which we were we commanded the whole country up to the point
of Berry Head, & He sd. He believed the whole of that land taken together
was the richest in the kingdom & lets on an average at three pounds
an acre.
Too Much Manner
He spoke of Payne's* drawings and sd. He had made ioo drawings,
views in Devonshire, for Sir Lawrence Palk, who had bound them
* James Paine, the younger, architect and painter in water-colours. See Vols. II.
(page 286), III.
264 The Farington Diary [1809
together, and they were in Payne's best manner, — who, He observed, has
a little too much manner, and does too much. — He sd. Sir Thomas Ack-
land* was here yesterday & made some sketches ; & that He had been
in Norway where He made sketches from some of which Nicholson!
had made finished drawings. He remarked upon the ingenuity of this
artist but that He also had manner. —
While we were down on the Port of Torquay, Dr. Becke sd. it reminded
Him of the scenery on that part of the Coast of the Mediterrenean on
which Monaco, & other picturesque places are situated. The Bay of
Naples He seemed to think not so beautiful as Torbay.
Goals and Food
We talked of the many inducements to a residence at Torquay.
Coals, He sd. are had from Newport in South Wales and are bought
here by the quarter, (a quarter is 1 6 bushels) and that reckoning what
they wd. amount to if sold by London measurements the price wd. be
abt. 47 shillings per Chaldron ; but He observed that the Newport coal
not being of so good a quality as the best Newcastle Coal it may be said
that the price of Coals at Torquay is abt. 55 shillings per Chaldron.
Beef & Mutton, He sd. are 6d. per pound. On the whole He reckoned
that living at Torquay is 25 per cent, cheaper than in London. —
He pointed to Penton a village situated near the Bay & sd. the best
views of the Bay as a piece of water are from thence but the scenery in
other respects is inferior. — After having been on the heights a considerable
time we descended, & He explained to us improvements which are
intended. Rows of Houses are to be built. A Chapel is to be erected,
— a pier on the North side of the Harbour is to be projected to make it
compleat, & much more is to be done. He took us to a House which He
is building for himself, & contrived to afford Him beautiful views while
sitting at His table.
Poulton the Valet
As we approached our Hotel He pointed to Sir Lawrence Palk just
returned from riding and walking with difficulty. He said Sir Lawrence
was attacked with the gout fifteen years ago & from that time had been
a martyr to that disorder which has made him almost a cripple. He
has had Chalk stones growing in various parts, & they are always forming.
He is now only 44 years old. He married Lady Elizabeth Vaughan
daugr. of the late Lord Lisburne, & by Her has eight children, the oldest
16 years old. —
This day . . . Poulton, who had been Valet to Sir Lawrence [for]
* Sir Thomas Dyke Acland (1787-1871), politician and philanthropist, who married
Sir Richard Hoare's only daughter.
t Francis Nicholson, born at Pickering, 1753, was one of the founders of the Old Water
Colour Society and subsequently its president. He died in 1844.
1809] Poulton the Valet 265
22 years, took posession of the Hotel as Landlord. He married a young
woman who had been a Lady's maid, & having saved some money com-
menced this undertaking.
Before dinner our friends Mr. and Mrs. J. Offley arrived from Dawlish,
1 8 miles distant, through Newton Bushel, which enabled us to make
an agreeable evening party. —
CHAPTER LXXX
1809
A Celebrated Government Spy
October 1.— Our Landlord informed us that Dr. Becke travelled
abroad with Sir Lawrence Palk, That He is a native of Devonshire &
that His Father was Vicar of King's Teignton a few miles from Teign-
mouth.
Mr. J. OfRey having walked out this morning sd. the scenery was very
similar to what He had found in Portugal, — Hills, rocks, — white Houses
with slate roofs ; and noticing the fineness of the weather sd. this is
such as we had at Oporto at Christmas where we sat witht. fires with
the window open.
October 2. — After breakfast I called on [the Right Hon.] Mr.
Wickham* at Mr. Vansittart's lodgings, & left my Card. I passed Sir
Lawrence Palk who walked like a cripple. — Mr. Poulton, our new Land-
lord, having accomodated me with a Horse & procured a Boy to attend
me, I proceeded to the South Hill to make sketches from the points I
had fixed upon. While I was engaged on the last Mr. & Mrs. Vansittart
came to a seat near me, and on my leaving the place I saw Mr. Wick-
ham coming towards me. We engaged in conversation & walked down
to the Pier. He said that the scenery of Torquay is superior in beauty,
& variety to any He had seen on the Coast of Devonshire ; But that
He found on enquiry that Torquay is not a place for a family to reside
in witht. being subject to many inconveniences ; that there is no Butcher
in the village, & that many articles that are essential can only be had
by sending to Newton or Totness.
Torquay appears at present to be a harbour witht. ships. Lime
stone & Slate abound in its vicinity, & these articles may cause a con-
siderable export.
October 3. — Mr. Swete & His Son arrived at Torquay last night &
I was with them & Mr. & Mrs. Wickham and shewed them several
* William Wickham (1761-1840) was chief Government spy on the Continent (1794-
97), and afterwards in 1802 he was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland.
266
1809] Mother of Eight 267
sketches. Dr. Becke called upon us & I shewed him my sketches. He
sd. He had lived much in the eastern part of England, & had observed
that the colour of the sky in Devonshire is clearer, & more like an Italian
sky than in the East & North parts of the kingdom, where the sky is of
a grayer colour. He attributed this colour of the sky to the reflection
from the colour of the land which consists of fields of the richest verdure
& that generally.— He spoke of Glover's drawings and said He does all by
colour, for that His drawing is feeble. He remarked that Glover's trees
are badly handled, that they look like imitations of fern, and that He
does not unite His distances with His foregrounds.
Having engaged a boat to carry us to Brixham we were preparing
to depart when Dr. Becke came with Lady Elizabeth Palk desiring
to see my sketches. They were soon followed by Sir Lawrence Palk
& Mr. Swete. I shewed them my series of sketches ; that of Torquay
which Dr. Becke preferred was most approved by the rest, except by
Lady Elizabeth who seemed best to like that from Torquay Bath. —
I was much struck with the manner of Lady Elizabeth who though a
married woman, the mother of Eight children, had all the timidity and
bashfulness of an inexperienced young maiden. Sir Lawrence was
supported into the room. His countenance had all the expression of
good humour, and His deportment was simple & unassuming. We
parted with many expressions of civility. —
Our Boatman
At a quarter past one oClock we sailed from the pier at Torquay and
crossed Torbay to Brixham. The wind was South, East & by South,
which not being much in our favour we were two Hours and a half on
our passage ; the distance Six miles and a Half. It is frequently made
in an Hour or less. But we had no reason to complain. The weather
was now fine as we could wish ; the Sea had no more than a gentle
motion. It was like crossing a Lake. For some time we kept along
shore under the rocks on the Torquay side, where we saw forms of the
most romantic character, & [precipices] of great height admirably calcu-
lated for the pencil. Our Boatman named Leard, a respectable old
inhabitant of Torquay told us He was born in the year 1745, and had
been a sailor 40 years. But His constitution had not been impaired,
He kept to the Oar during the whole passage witht. seeming to be fatigued
by it. He told us that Torbay would be equal to any Bay in the world
if there was a greater depth of water ; but that where the Ships lie to
be in a situation to be secure the depth of water is not more than seven
fathoms, which for Men of War of the largest size is not sufficient. The
Men of War always lie on the West side of the Bay ; the Torquay side
is considered to be a Lee shore. However safe the anchorage of Torbay
may be, Ships are sometimes much distressed when the wind blows
strong from the South East which brings in a heavy Sea, but ships are
seldom, scarcely ever, driven from their anchors.
268 The Farington Diary [1809
Prudence
While we were on our passage our Boatman was much disposed to
converse with us. He told us He married many years ago & had several
children the youngest of whom was then in the boat rowing with the
other oar. When this Boy was two years old His wife died. Being
thus left with a family He felt that it was necessary He shd. have a
wife, but He was also sensible that as He was approaching to Old age
it wd. not be prudent for Him to have a young family, in addition to
those His wife had left Him. He therefore looked out for a person suitable
to His situation and married a woman 54 years old and that it answered
very well. —
Brixham
The approach to Brixham* is pleasing & the white Houses slated,
situated on rocks have a picturesque effect. The Harbour is completely
protected from the sea by a long & High pier & appears like a bason.
We landed and walked to the London Inn, reckoned the best in the
town, & were very civilly received ; but the Inn is such as are generally
met with in Port towns near the Harbour. Though the weather was
now very fine we found the streets dirty, & we judged that they are
commonly so, as we saw straw laid on the floor in the entrance passage
of the House to take the dirt from the shoes before going into the
apartments.
An Unfortunate R.A.
We enquired for the House in which Willm. Hodgesf my fellow
pupil under Wilson, and an Academician of the Royal Academy resided.
He died in March 1796 at this House. Several persons here were well
acquainted with him and spoke of Him with respect. One of them a
respectable woman told us He was a very gentlemanlike man, & was
very attentive to the trades people, which she observed was prudent
as it might make them more inclined to negotiate His Bank notes ; He
being then engaged in a Bank at Dartmouth. His death, she sd. was
very sudden. On Sunday, the day before He died, she walked with
Him part of the way to Church, & He then appeared to be in good health.
The next morning He died. It was reported that He was in difficult
circumstances which pressed upon His mind, and that He drank a large
quantity of Laudanum which killed him. This report, Her Father, a
Butcher, who served the principal families in the neighboroud, mentioned
to the late Judge Buller, who then resided at His House at Lupton 2
miles from Brixham. The Judge replied " It is true, I know it, I have
heard it from Mr. Hunt, of Dartmouth, His medical attendant ". —
She added that it was said that in the Banking concern those who
* Brixham, which was the landing-place of William of Orange, on November 5th,
1688, is popular as a haunt for artists. Few exhibitions are without paintings of its pictur-
esque harbour and brown-sailed fishing fleet.
t See Vol. IV.j pages 8-1 1, and Index of previous Volumes.
1809] An Unfortunate R.A. 269
were engaged with Him in it did not come forward with their advances,
and that He could not bear that the country should sustain any loss
through Him. — She told us that after His death there was a sale at His
House & that many articles, particularly valuable books, were sold for
almost nothing. But that she understood that the most valuable part
of His drafts (drawings) as she called them were reserved by Mr. Carr,
(Sir John) & that though some were sold they were those of the least
value.
CHAPTER LXXXI
1809
Lord Courtenay's Extravagance
October 3. — A trait of the inconstancy and extravagance of Lord
Courtenay was mentioned to us. After having indulged a fancy to
build a House at Torquay so far as to have erected and covered in, He
gave it up and resolved to build one at Brixham. The ground was
measured and preparations made, when He again adopted a new fancy,
which at present is to build a House near Lord Borringdon's at Saltram.
When He last came to Brixham He had with him twenty-four Servants
and fifteen Horses. Such is the extravagance & frivolousness of the
representative of one of the most noble of our English families.
Sir Charles Bampfylde
October 4. — While we were at breakfast part of the East Somerset
Militia marched down from the Barracks on Berry Head, a mile and
quarter dist. on their way to Plymouth. They were remarkably fine
looking men, and had behaved extremely well from the time they were
quartered at the Barracks in July last. The town derived great advantage
from them, as the Officers allowed them to work at their respective
trades, which rendered them useful to the people of the town. Sir
Charles Bamfylde* commanded this Corps but resigned since the regt.
came to these Barracks in consequence of a dispute among the Officers. —
* Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde (1753-1823), D.C.L., M.P. for Exeter, was the eldest
son of Sir Richard Warwick Bampfylde, of Poltimore, M.P. for County Devon. Thomas
Creevey in his Diary gives an account of a dinner party at Carlton House in 1805, during
which the Prince of Wales was very gracious, funny, and agreeable, telling the guests
(among whom were men barely known to him) that " his brother William and himself
were the only two of his family who were not Germans. . . . Likewise I remember his
halloaing to Sir Charles Bampfylde at the other end of the table, and asking him if he had
seen Mother Windsor [a notorious procuress] lately."
Sir Charles was assassinated by one Morland, who immediately afterwards committed
suicide.
Bampfylde's younger brother, John Codrington Bampfylde, was the author of " Sixteen
Sonnets," published in 1778 and dedicated to Miss Palmer (niece of Sir Joshua Reynolds),
to whom he proposed. Sir Joshua, however, opposed to him as a lover, would not allow
him to enter his house, " and Bampfylde thereupon broke Sir Joshua's windows and was
sent to Newgate." Later the younger Bampfylde was for a time confined in a private
madhouse, and ultimately died of consumption about 1796. The family name was origin-
ally spelt Bamfield.
270
1809] Brixham's Trade with London 271
Brixham carries on a vast trade with London and with Bath in
employing a very great number of fishing vessels and sending the fish
caught to those places. Its vicinity to Torbay gives it this advantage
over Dartmouth and other places. Turbot, Soles, & all kinds of sea
fish caught on this coast are brought in abundance to this market. So
great is the trade carried on that when the embargo was laid on previous
to the sailing of the late grand expedition to Holland, it was calculated
that Brixham lost £1000 a week by it. When the wind is fair for vessels
sailing up the Channel the fishing smacks carry the fish to Portsmouth
from whence being only 72 miles it is carried by land to London, but
when the wind is unfavourable it is sent by land to Exeter & from thence
to London. —
We remarked the very great number of Children which were in the
street, more in proportion to the population of the place than cd. be
supposed. It seemed to justify the opinion that Sea port towns are
more prolific than towns differently situated. —
Dartmouth
We were detained sometime at the Ferry of Kingswear the Ferry
boats being engaged to carry over to Dartmouth Sportsmen & Hounds
returned from the Chace. The dogs in full cry had cheered me while
I was employed with my pencil, and the fruit of the sport of the day
was now exhibited. On my enquiring who the Sportsmen were, I
was told " That is young Squire [? R. W.] Seale, and that is Squire Nether-
sot." — On the return of the Ferry boat we were conveyed over the river,
and as we advanced to the middle of the passage the view to the Sea
opened, & the village of Kingswear with a lofty Hill above it on the left,
with Dartmouth Castle & St. Patricks Church at a projecting point
on the river on the right, with a towering Hill rising above it, made
up a scene the most beautifully picturesque of any I had seen of this
nature. — The Ferryman very civilly rowed us to that part of the Pier
opposite to the Castle Inn where we landed and remained, finding Mrs.
Russel the Landlady very civil & attentive. —
October 5. — We walked to Mr. Holdsworth's, a situation recom-
mended to us but we were disappointed. The view is towards the
Sea, over the town which lies below an irregular mass of buildings. We
then passed through [Dartmouth] town to the Castle abt. a mile distant
situated upon a rock which projects into the Sea. The Castle is a small
tower which is made the habitation of a Master Gunner, as He is called,
who has the charge of a small battery of 40 pounders. We were pleased
with the neat appearance of everything abt. the place, & were treated
with great civility. St. Patrick's Church seems to form a part of the
Castle. On the opposite shore there is a small building of the Castle
kind, which we were told was erected by Oliver Cromwell.
272 The Farington Diary [1809
October 6. — The river where the Ferry crosses from Dartmouth
to Kingswear is called one third of a mile wide. The ferry is private
property and belongs to Mr. Luttrell of Dunster Castle in Somerset-
shire, who lets it to the present Ferryman for One Hundred and twenty
pounds a year. The fare for crossing for a single person is one half-
penny. —
Mr. Holdsworth, who has a handsome brick House & resides at
Dartmouth is Governor of the Castle. There are no persons of any
distinction inhabitants of Dartmouth. Mr. [John Henry] Holdsworth
& Mr. Seale [who owned the Hermitage Walk north of the town] and
another or two are considered independent Gentlemen, others who are
spoken of as Men of property are Merchants, Messrs. Newman's [? Lydstone
Newman] &c. — The Newfoundland trade during peace is the great trade
of this place. The River affords fine anchorage, the depth we were
told is from five to 12 fathoms. Large ships can lie off the town. —
Samuel Kelland, Boatman
Having engaged a boat to carry us to Totness, to go with the tide
we left Dartmouth before Eleven oClock. Our Boatman, Samuel
Kelland, goes to Totness daily to carry passengers, and with the return-
ing tide to bring back those who He carries or passengers from Totness.
His fare for each person is one Shilling, for which a person may go &
return but the same fare is charged for going only or for coming from
Totness. We found Him a very civil man, lame of one leg owing to
an accident in slipping in the street at Dartmouth, which did such
injury to the bone as to make Him a cripple. Before that happened
He had been waiter at the Castle Inn many years. — As we had engaged
the boat for ourselves, not knowing of this daily passage of this boat
we paid the usual fare, half a guinea, & a shilling for carrying our luggage
from & to our Inns. — He told us his boat cost him 10 guineas & wd.
now cost 14. — & the rigging & oars made up His expence abt. 14 guineas,
and with His boat He now earns a livelihood. —
Totnes
Proceeding on Sandridge, a seat of Ld. Ashburton appeared on our
left on an iminence. This place was the property of Sir Walter Raleigh.
The village of Stoke Gabriel, and near it Massinet, the seat of Mrs. Exe,
next came in view, on the right of the river. Here we [saw] Salmon
nets, & were informed that much Salmon is taken in this river, We were
now 6 miles above Dartmouth. Sharpham House, the Seat of Mr. E.
Bastard, Member for Dartmouth, & Brother to the Member for the
County* is beautifully situated 8 miles from Dartmouth, & 2 miles
* John Pollexfen Bastard (1756-1816), whose family settled in Devonshire after the
Conquest. As colonel of the East Devonshire Militia, he in 1799, on his own responsibility,
marched his regiment against insurgent rioters, and saved Plymouth docks and dockyards
from destruction. His decisive action won for him the thanks of the King and the Govern-
ment.
1809] Totnes 273
from Totness, and has all the appearance of a place in which Art has
done much to improve natural advantages. The river had now become
narrow and continued to lessen in width as we approached Totness.
After passing Sharpham, a very beautiful contrast to the scenery we
had passed through came suddenly in view. On a low Horizon Totness
Church & part of the town appeared and in the distance Dartmore. —
The effect of this is very striking it being landscape of a character un-
like any we had seen in the course of our tour. — Our Boatman informed
us that the depth of the river at high water at Totness has been sufficient
to enable a vessel of a hundred tons burthen to sail to Totness. He
spoke of the Coal used at Dartmouth. He said the Sunderland coal is
preferred to the Welsh coal, as it makes a clearer fire & is sooner
lighted. —
VOJL. v. 18
CHAPTER LXXXII
1809
The Charm of Totnes
October 6. — We arrived at Totness in three Hours from the time
of our leaving Dartmouth, and allowing for our having stopped at
Greenway, our passage was made in Two Hours & a half.
Dartington, Mr. Champernowne's,* a mile & Half from Totness was
the most marked situation. It being upon a beautiful Hill which is
nearly insulated ; and from this point we saw the sweeping course of
the Dart as it proceeds from the interior of the Country. —
Totness is a neat town, consisting of white or stone Houses with
slate roofs ; a tower of the Old Castle covered with Ivy &c. still remains.
— Totness has its suburbs ; the village of Bridge town is separated from
it by river, but there is an Old bridge over which the road passes through
it towards Exeter & London. — Being fatigued with walking we returned
to our inn and dined at 5 oClock, having fine Soles and Whiting, which
with other fish are daily brought from Brixham, 10 miles distant. —
Our Port wine was particularly good. — We had reason to be satisfied
with the whole of our fare and our beds were excellent. —
October 7. — Meeting people returning from the market caused
us to enquire the price of provissions. We were told, that Beef, Mutton,
& Veal, are sold at yd. per pound ; Ducks 4 shillings a couple, — and
fowls 3 shillings a couple & That Butter is i6d. per pound. A respect-
able House may be had in Totness for twenty pounds a year or less.
The inhabitants of Totness, those of most distinction are most of them
in some degree or other related by marriage. They have much social
intercourse. The usual hour of dining is two or three oClock ; and
parties for the even'g are made at 5 or 6 oClock. There are in Totness
& its neighboroud persons who trade in Cyder to a very large amount.
A Mr. Pulling who resides a mile from Totness had 12000 Hogsheads
* Arthur Champernowne, " a man of taste," collected pictures which were sold at
Christie's after his death, on June 30, 1820. His collection included Titian's "Noli me
tangere " and Domenichino's " Landscape with St. George and the Dragon," now in the
National Gallery.
274
1809] Sir William Elford 275
the last year, part of which was Devonshire & part Herefordshire
Cyder. —
October 8. — There is only one Church in Totness ; the Revd. Mr.
Cummings is Minister. — At Eleven oClock we went to divine Service,
and on leaving the Church I met Sir Wm. Elford,* who instantly cor-
dially invited me to His House near Plymouth and extended His hos-
pitality to my Brother on my introducing him. While we were
conversing a gentleman came to Sir Willm. and on our parting, we had
gone but a few yards when Sir Willm. called after us & introduced the
gentleman as Mr. [William] Adams, one of the Members for Totness,
who pressed us to go & take a family dinner at His House called Bowly,
a mile from the town. Before 3 oClock they called upon us and took
us to Mr. Adams House by a road through the fields which gave us the
advantage of several extensive views including the town of Totness
from a Hill which we had to ascend. Among other objects the village
of Berry Pomeroy was seen, which caused us to ask questions respecting
that property.
The Duke and Duchess
They informed us that the Duke of Somerset posesses this village
and with it an estate of abt. £6000 a year in its vicinity ; and that
altogether He has abt. £14,000 a year. But though this family from
having been much reduced in circumstances is now in so good a state,
the oeconomy of the present Duchess is carried to an extreme which
can scarcely be credited. The Duke invited the Minister who came
to Berry Pomeroy Church to dine with him, and on the table nothing
was put but a leg of mutton at the top & a dish of potatoes at the bottom.
— One day having company to dine with them she sent a servant to
Totness to buy a pound of candles. The man supposing she meant
wax candles purchased a pound, but on carrying them home the Duchess
made him return the candles & receive back the money. — The Duke
of Somerset is considered of a disposition inclined to privacy & retire-
ment. While He was at Oxford, at Christ Church, my Brother sd. He
was disposed to study & was respected for the propriety of His conduct.
He married a daughter of the Duke of Hamilton. His property is but
moderate. —
Mr. Champernowne's estate at Dartington is [worth] abt. £2500 a
year. He resides there but little, preferring to move abt. with His
wife, and they amuse themselves with sketching. —
* Sir William Elford (1749-1837), banker, politician, and amateur artist, of Bickham,
Buckland Monochorum, Devon. He belonged to an old West of England family, and was
a partner of the Elford, Tingcombe, and Clerk banking firm, Plymouth, of which town he
was Mayor in 1797, Recorder from 1798 to 1833, its Tory Member of Parliament from 1796
to 1806. He was elected M.P. for Rye in July, 1807, but resigned in the following July.
The later part of his life was spent at the Priory, Totnes, and he acted as its Recorder for
several years. He died at Totnes. An artist of considerable skill, Sir William exhibited
regularly at the Royal Academy, and was a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Linnean
Society.
VOL. V. 18*
276 The Farington Diary [1809
Froude's Father
The Revd. Mr. Froude was spoken of as being a very respectable
man. Sir William spoke highly of His sketches, particularly of build-
ings, which as far as outlines go, are like the drawings of an Artist.*
Sir Willm. said that there is an old saying in Cornwall, " That
Tre, Pol, & Pen
Are all gentlemen."
Meaning the ancient names of Trefusis Trelawny, — Pol[whele] & Pen-
warne, The ancient Cornish language was similar to the Welsh, but is
now but little spoken. —
Expense in Devon and London
We arrived at Mr. Adams House before 3 oClock, & sat in his study
in conversation. — The expence of living in Devonshire compared with
the expence of living in London was estimated by Sir Willm. Elford
and Mr. Adams to be as two to three, that is that £400 a year in Devon
will go as far as £600 a year will do in London, but in this estimate
they considered that much of this difference arises from the great
expence of House rent & taxes, Servants wages &c. in London. The
difference of Butchers meat they reckoned only at three halfpence a
pound on the average ; but fish & fowls are very cheap. Fowls may
be bought for two shillings a couple, & fish at a very moderate price.
The advantage which might be derived from the low price of fish, Mr.
Adams observed, is very much done away by persons in consequence
of its cheapness purchasing more than is necessary, and thereby bringing
the expence nearer to that in London, where no more is ordered than is
required. —
Devon's Great Trade
The Fishery on the coast of Devon they described to be a very great
trade, & with the advantage of nearly the whole profit being paid for
labour. It is calculated that at Brixham £80,000 a year is received on
the fishery account ; and that during the late embargo at the Ports
£5000 was lost to this town. At Plymouth the fishery is estimated to
produce abt. £10,000 a year. The fish when sent by land, is put in baskets
& conveyed in Carriages which go on Springs like Chaises, which are
forwarded from Post to Post as expeditiously as they can be to London
& other places. —
The great increase of Commercial intercourse at Totness with other
places is remarkable. Mr. Adams said that He remembered when
one Vessel of 80 ton supplied the place with all the articles imported ;
but that now 8 vessels of 90 ton each are employed. — Mr. Adams sd.
that in the year 1766 He was in a Mercantile house in Liverpool. In
1796 He was elected one of the Members for Totness. —
* See entry under October 9th.
CHAPTER LXXXIII
1809
Wealthy Devonians
October 8. — The property of Lord Rolle (landed property) in
Devonshire* is greater than that of any other person. Were it out
of lease it is estimated that it wd. amount to £70,000 a year. At present
He receives abt. £20,000 a year. He has no Children, & lives at the
rate of 4 or £5000 a yr. He has three maiden sisters, but no other
near relation. He has property in other Counties. — Lord Courtenay's
great property is in Ireland, & is estimated to be worth £750,000, chiefly
in the neighboroud of Limerick. He sold a nook of His estate in that
country for £205,000. —
Sir Joshua Reynolds
Before dinner we were shewn into a drawing-room where Mrs. Adams
& Lady Elford joined us, and at dinner before 5 oClock Miss Adams. —
Our dinner was made very agreeable by the Hospitality which was
shewn us. — We had much conversation abt. Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Sir W. Elford told us that Lady Elford's father succeeded the Father
of Sir Joshua as Master of the School at Plympton, a school well en-
dowed having £200 a year or more attached to it. Sir Joshua was
elected Mayor of Plympton & having promised His portrait to be hung
in a room where the Corporation meet, He sent a picture & a letter to
Sir Wm. Elford desiring him to have the picture placed, & informing him
that He had begun & finished it in one day.
Peter Pindar and Others
Dr. Wolcot was spoken of. He was born at Dodbridge, adjoining
Kingsbridge, a town or village near the Coast abt. 1 1 miles from Totness,
& was apprenticed to an Apothecary at Dartmouth. He afterwards
settled at Fowey or one of the Loo's and there became known to Mr.
Trelawny,f who being appointed [Governor] at Jamaica, took the Doctor
* John Rolle (1750- 1842), of Stevenstone, politician, adherent of Pitt, and hero of the
" Rolliad," was created a Baron in 1796. Lawrence painted a portrait of him.
t Harry Trelawny, an officer in the Navy, and Governor of Jamaica, where he died
in 1772, and was buried with public honours. In 1752 he succeeded (as sixth Baronet)
his uncle and father-in-law Sir Harry Trelawny.
277
278 The Farington Diary [1809
with him. He afterwards obtained a Diploma as Doctor of Physic &
settled at Truro, where He became obnoxious to many persons by writing
verses lampooning them. — particularly an Ancestor of Sir John Call.*
Sir John St. Aubynf posesses the Manor of Dock near Plymouth,
which was purchased by an ancestor of His for £2500 a year, and it
now produces to Sir John £15000 a year.
Mr. [George] Cary of Tor-Abbey has abt. £8000 a year. He has
married a person of inferior rank, & is but little in the line of association
with those of His rank. —
Richard Wilson, R.A.
Sir Willm. mentioned an Anecdote of Wilson, the landscape painter.
Wilson had been invited to a gentleman's House but when He approached
it He turned to an acquaintance and said " Are there any young ladies ? "
He was answered in the affirmative. " Do they draw ? " continued
Wilson. The reply was, " Yes " ; " Good morning to you then " sd.
Wilson & turned away. I told Him I had not before heard this anecdote
but that it was much in the stile of Wilson's humour, and of His dislike
to be troubled with seeing weak attempts in Art. Sir Willm. pleasantly
applied this story to Himself having to mention to me that one of His
daughters had made drawings which He wished me to see.
Sir Robert Wigram
Mr. Adams spoke of Sir Robert Wigram & said that He and Mrs.
Adams had dined with Sir Robert when nineteen of His children made
their appearance the 20th. was absent. He said Sir Robert is a very
sensible man and has made a very large fortune, thought to be more
than half a milion. He was at His outset in life a surgeon's mate in
the East India Service. He has now vast concerns, — a large proportion
of shares in Meux's brewery ; and paid £60000 for the greater part of
the property of the Blackwall Dock of Perry & Wells. His eldest son
was sometime in partnership with His father, and posesses £30,000
independent of Him. He retired from business at His father's desire
from whom He expects a large addition of property. He is in parlia-
ment as is another of Sir Robt.'s sons. —
Sir Robt. is abt. 64 years old, & says He shall not live to see His
younger children brought up, but He has given opportunities for the older
sons to bring forward the younger part. When He was made a Baronet
* Sir John Call (1732-1801), first Baronet, was the ancestor to whom reference is made.
He was an Indian military engineer, and distinguished himself against Hyder Ali. In
later life he served as High Sheriff of Cornwall, and was returned in 1784 for the pocket
borough Callington, near Whiteford, his residence. He was created a Baronet in 1791,
and was also a fellow of the Royal Society and of the Royal Antiquarian Society. He became
totally blind in 1795, and died on March 1, 1801.
t Sir John St. Aubyn, fifth Baronet, M.P. (1758-1839). John Opie painted his portrait
standing in a landscape with hound, hat, and cane. St. Michael's Mount is shown in the
background.
1809] Sir Robert Wigram 279
He wrote to Mr. Pitt expressing that He returned His grateful thanks
to His Majesty, and so would His fifteen sons for the honour conferred
upon Him. Mr. Adams saw the letter which passed through the hands
of Mr. Adams's Son who was then private secretary to Mr. Pitt, and has
been in the same capacity with the Duke of Portland. —
Lower Classes Extravagant
While we were speaking of the price of provissions and the great
advantage which the lower orders of the people had in this country
from being supplied with fish at a very cheap rate, one particular sort
was mentioned. It is called Hake & somewhat resembles Cod in its shape
but is of rather a longer form. This fish is particularly cheap, so as
to supply a family for a few pence. But Mr. Adams observed that the
lower classes of the people are less disposed to oeconomise and to avail
themselves of these advantages than those above them in situation.
If they have money if they do not expend it in one way they will in
another, so as in the end to be no richer than people are who are placed
where there are fewer advantages.
Mrs. Adams is sister to Admiral Dacres. She sd. Her family came
from Cumberland & became residents in Devonshire. She spoke of
Mrs. Froude (Peggy Spedding) as being more like the mother of the
present Lord Borringdon than any other woman she had known. This
was giving Her likeness to a most excellent woman. —
We left Mr. Adams's between 8 and 9 oClock, and His attention to
us was carried so far as to send a Servant with a lanthorn with us to
Totness.
October 9. — Totness is situated upon a Hill which is overlooked
from higher Hills to the East, South & West. The Castle & Church
stand upon the slope of the Hill down which a long street runs to the
level of the river. Some parts of the street are similar to the rows
at Chester, the footpath passing under the projecting fronts of the upper
Stories of the Houses. The town is clean and well paved. Few of the
Houses have the appearance of being modern. Like the other towns
we have passed through in this County the Houses are of stone, or grey
or yellowish mortar, & many are white-washed. The roofs are univer-
sally of slate with brick chimney. There is a pretty walk on a level
near the river, with trees on each side which Mr. Adams told us He planted
abt. 30 years ago.
CHAPTER LXXXIV
1809
A Remarkable Story
October 9. — Mr. Adams told us a remarkable story of a marriage
of prudence. — A Mr. Constable who had passed much of His life in the
Army at last retired upon Half-pay of a Lieutenant to reside in Cornwall.
He had been attached to a woman who like Himself had but a small
fortune, but their regard for each other was of a lasting kind, and they
forbore from marrying from an apprehension of having a family which
might subject them to difficulties. Accordingly they agreed to wait
till they shd. have so far advanced in years as to remove this apprehen-
sion. At a certain time a female friend of the Lady hinted to him that
the period had arrived when they wd. have little cause to be alarmed.
He took the hint, & proposed marriage, which was accepted. In
nine months His wife produced Him two children. He mused upon
it, but consoled Himself & Her by saying that by good management
they might still go on. In ten months more she produced three children.
This staggered Him, but he said they had friends, and might hope for
the best. In ten months more she produced another child. He mused,
but again consoled Himself by reflecting that heavy as His burden was
it could not, as His wife had reached Her fifty-first year, be increased.
In ten mouths more she added two more to the Six already numbered. He
now got a situation in the Cornish Militia, which happening to be quartered
at Totness, where Mr. Adams gave an entertainment to the Officers,
among whom was Mr. Constable grey-headed, at the age of 64 who
told Him this story. In 30 months reckoning from the birth of the
two first children, His wife produced Eight children.
James Anthony Froude's Father
At 12 oClock Sir Willm. Elford called in His carriage & took us to
Dartington parsonage, Mr. Froude's, and from thence to Dartington
Hall where we found Mrs. Froude & two of Her children who had removed
280
1809] Dartington Hall 281
from the parsonage on acct. of a fever being in the village. Mr. Froude
was not at home.* —
Dartington Hall is a very ancient building. The principal door
opens into a Hall which for length, breadth & height, is remarkable
for its size, appearing in dimensions like a large Chapel. The roof is
supported by timbers, & the walls are whitewashed. It is in a state
bare of ornament or furniture. We were shown into a sitting-room &
afterwards into a dining-room, a cold & comfortless looking room. —
Several large pictures by Artois with figures by Teniers covered part
of the walls. The pictures not of good quality. Smaller pictures were
hung witht. order, mixed with drawings. An imitation of Wilson,—
among them. A study by Sir Joshua Reynolds, for which Lady May-
nard sat ; a drawing by Canaletto &c. — In the sitting room there are
two landscapes by Salvator Rosa, & a Holy family by Ludovico Carrach.
— From the Hill on which Dartington stands there is a view of Totness,
but here its proper character does not appear. It seems to be placed
in a hollow, the form of the Hill on which it stands being lost. —
We now returned to Totness. Mr. Champernowne has talked of
doing much at Dartington but has done nothing. His property is such
as to afford Him means for improving the place. He is reckoned to have
£4000 a year to expend. — An Eagle kept at Dartington engaged Sir
Willm's attention : a noble bird of the kind. He made a sketch of it
to add to a collection He has long been forming of English Birds with a
view to give their proper character & expression. He observed that
all birds of prey have a projecting foretop. — Before we parted we settled
with Sir Willm. to go to His House on Wednesday next. — ■
While speaking of the pictures of Wilson today on which Sir Willm.
passed the highest encomiums, He mentioned Sir George Beaumonts
pictures, and said He did not mean to say that Sir George did not look
at nature, but that to him the landscapes painted by Sir George all of
them appeared more like pictures painted in imitation of pictures than
of nature. He should suppose that Sir George never painted without
many pictures being placed around Him. —
Sir Joshua's Birthplace
October 10. — At Ivey Bridge we were shewn a large House on a
Hill above the Inn & were told that it had been purchased with an estate
belonging to it by the present posessor of the Inn, who married a Sister
of Messrs. Jones the celebrated Welch Harpers, & composers for that
instrument. — Here we parted from Sir Wm. & His family & proceeded
to Plympton, which lies a little on the left of the road to Plymouth,
* The Ven. Robert Hurrell Froude, Archdeacon of Totnes, was the father of James
Anthony Froude, the eminent historian, who was born at Dartington, Devon.
Richard Hurrell Froude (1803-1836), the theologian, and William Froude (1810-1879),
mathematician, military and naval engineer, also were sons of Archdeacon Froude by his
wife, Peggy Spedding.
282 The Farington Diary [1800
a slight deviation from it. — When we approached Plympton I was
struck with the appearance it made, having a Hill rising boldly above it
and a rich & varied landscape. At the Inn we stopped, & walked to
the School House where making use of the name of Sir William Elford
we introduced ourselves to the Revd. Mr. Hele, master of the School.
With great civility He took us through His House, and shewed us the
school, a large and ancient building standing in a yard at the back of
the House, — having much the appearance of a Chapel. He told us
that when He came into posession of the House & School there was
on [the wall] in one of the rooms a drawing one of the early efforts of
Sir Joshua Reynolds, then a boy. His Father was Master of this school
& Sir Joshua was born in this House.
Unfortunately, Mr. Hele sd. after He came into posession of the
House, He had ordered it to be painted during His absence at a water-
ing place, and had not cautioned them not to paint that part of the
room on which the drawing had been made, as it had not before been
painted. But it afterwards occurred to Him that this might be attended
to by the men employed to paint the House, and He wrote to prevent
it. It was however, too late. The drawing had been covered with paint,
and nothing of it remained to be seen. He sd. that Mr. Philips, the por-
trait painter, while He was sometime before employed at Lord Bor-
ringdon's copied this drawing, & He proposed to write to Him to beg a
copy of the Copy. — Adjoining the school there is an Orchard into which
Sir Joshua confessed He sometimes stole to get an apple, & when He
was at Plympton with Dr. Johnson, He left the dinner party to pick
an apple in the orchard which had afforded Him formerly such
gratification.
His Early Portraits
From Mr. Hele's we went to the town House where some of the
Members, He informed us were bottling wine & of course we shd. find
the room open. We found them so employed and desired to look at
the pictures which were placed on the walls. They were portraits, as
we understood, of persons who had been Mayors of Plympton. Among
them were two half length portraits, one of them of Admiral Lord Edg-
cumbe,* the other also of an Admiral, both painted by Sir Joshua before
He went to Italy, and both shewed that He had acquired a great deal
of ability in his art at that early period of his life considering the low
state in which it was at that period. — But the picture which particu-
larly engaged our attention was a portrait of himself which Sir Willm.
Elford sd. Sir Joshua wrote to him & mentioned that He began and
finished it in one day. — It is a three-quarter portrait representing him
* Admiral Lord Edgcumbe (1721-1795) was George Edgcumbe, first Earl of Mount-
Edgcumbe, and father of the Lord Edgcumbe mentioned in later entries of the tour.
Of the younger Lord Edgcumbe, when Lord Valletort, Miss Burney says that he " is a
ihost neat little beau, and his face has the roses and lillies as finely blended as that of his
pretty young wife," who was the third daughter of John, second Earl of Buckinghamshire.
1809] Early Portraits 283
in the gown of a Doctor of Civil Law. It is an admirable likeness of
him, I think the best I have seen, & is painted with great freshness of
colour, & spirit. On my observing that there were parts of it chipped
off, I examined it closely, and saw that if not put into the hands of
somebody to restore it, the picture will be destroyed. At this time
no injury had happened to the face, and the colour of it was in the most
perfect state. I spoke to the persons present exhorting them to have
the picture sent to London to the care of Mr. Northcote or some one
who wd. know what was necessary to be done to it. —
CHAPTER LXXXV
1809
Wilkie and Haydon
October 10. — I afterwards saw Mr. Hele who came to us and re-
peated what I said. He told me that Wilkie & Haydon were at His
house the last summer, and Wilkie made a sketch of the school. — I made
a memorandum of the House. — He carried Wilkie to the House of a lady
where there is another picture by Sir Joshua painted before he went to
Italy. He took us to the House, but it being passt 4 oClock the lady was
at dinner in the room and we did not go in. — He told us that Lady Bor-
ringdon, (Miss Talbot)* married lately to Lord Borringdon draws and
paints, and takes much interest in His Lordship's pictures, & Has placed
11 or 12 pictures by Sir Joshua Reynolds in one room, the Library,
making a collection of His works. He said that Haydon had been His
pupil at Plympton School, and He was much gratified on my informing
Him that Haydon was considered a young man of great promise by Artists
& others. We left Mr. Hele much pleased with His good humour &
natural manner, which made Him at once our acquaintance. —
At Plympton we were gratified by everything but the dry manner of
the Member of the Corporation whose wine was bottling who seemed to be
filled with a sense of His own importance & had not the least civility
in His manner. I took care to tell Him that I trusted that the saying
" a Prophet has no credit in His own country " wd. not in its principle
be verified at Plympton by their suffering the fine portrait of Sir Joshua
to go to decay. —
Saltram House
We proceeded to Saltram Lord Borringdon's Housef seemingly abt.
* See October 12th and footnote.
t In 1789 George III. and Queen Charlotte were entertained at Saltram by the second
Lord Boringdon, then a minor. Miss Burney, who was one of the Royal party, gives an
interesting description of its reception there.
" We followed immediately after the Royals and equerries," she says, " and so many of
the neighbouring gentry, the officers, &c, were assembled to receive them, that we had to
make our way through a crowd of starers the most tremendous, while the Royals all stood
at the windows, and the other attendants in the hall.
284
1809]
Saltram House 285
a mile & half from Plympton, and passing by a small school saw Lord
Borringdon's carriage, stand at the door, Lady Borringdon being in the
school with the mistress & scholars. We thought it a good trait of Her
disposition, which promised more happiness than He could have enjoyed
with His late divorced vicious wife. — It being near 5 oClock we did not
go into Saltram House, but walked to the front of it to see the situation.
It commands a view of a large estuary through which the river Plym
runs, and Plymouth with its Churches is seen. At high water the ap-
pearance must be fine, but at low water much shore of a bad colour, &
naked effect, cannot be pleasing. — The grounds at Saltram are extensive
& there is great variety of form in the ground, with a noble piece of water,
at high water, running under an extensive wood. Many of the situations
command views of the adjacent country. The House is large & nearly
square in its form. —
Three Towns
We proceeded to Plymouth from three to four miles distant the road
passing along the shore of the broad water which runs under Saltram
woods, being part of the estuary. At Plymouth we made the Pope's
Head our Inn on the recommendation of Sir Wm. Elford, and had very
good table accomodation. At our dinner everything was admirably
dressed & our wine was the best we had tasted since we left home. The
House is situated in a narrow street & the rooms are small & dark, in
every other respect it was what we could wish it to be. —
October 11. — After breakfast I went in a Diligence to Mutton Cove,
the point where the Ferry boat to Mount Edgcumbe takes in Passengers.
— At Plymouth, and at Dock there are regular stands for Coaches and
Diligences which are continually passing from each of these places to the
other. They are licensed by and under the control of the Magistrates
who are members of the Corporation of Plymouth. A Diligence by the
regulation may carry four persons and no more if excepted against
by the passengers ; and a Coach may carry 6 persons. If a Diligence be
called from the Stand by a single person, the fare to Dock, which is two
miles, is eighteen pence ; but when several passengers go in a Diligence
they pay sixpence each ; and when one such passenger has taken a seat,
" The house is one of the most magnificent in the kingdom. It accommodated us all,
even to every footman, without by any means filling the whole.
" The state apartments on the ground floor are superb ; hung with crimson damask,
and ornamented with pictures, some few of the Spanish school, the rest by Sir Joshua
Reynolds, Angelica, and some few by other artists.
" Its view is noble ; it extends to Plymouth, Mount-Edgecumbe, and the neighbouring
fine country. The sea at times fills up a part of the domain almost close to the house,
and then its prospect is complete.
" I had a sweet parlour allotted me, with the far most beautiful view of any, on the
ground floor, and opening upon the state apartments, with a library for the next room to it.
It is a very superb apartment in its fitting up."
It was at Saltram that Sir Joshua Reynolds painted a portrait of the notorious Miss
Chudleigh, afterwards Duchess of Kingston,
286 The Farington Diary [1809
the Coachman may wait till three other passengers make up His number.
The Diligences run from morning till eight oClock in the evening under
these regulations, but after that Hour their fare is arbitrary. Mutton
Cove being half a mile from the stand at Dock, I paid one shilling extra-
ordinary.
The Royal Dock
To those who live in distant parts of the kingdom Plymouth compre-
hends all that is connected with it. But there are three distinct towns,
Plymouth, Stonehouse, and Dock. The first is the largest, & the last next
in size, Sir Wm. Elford calculated that these three towns contain 50,000
inhabitants. At Dock, on the point of land which projects into that part
of the Harbour which is called Hamoaze the Royal Dock is situated,
and Hamoaze which is the mouth of the river Tamar is appropriated for
Men of War lying in Ordinary where they are protected from heavy seas
and other inconveniences. — Dock, (the town & Dock) are in the parish
of Stoke Martin, of which Sir John St. Aubyn is Lord of the Manor
and principal proprietor, or nearly the sole proprietor. Stone House is
separated from Dock, by a small inlet of the Sea, over which a Bridge is
made. Every foot passenger pays one Halfpenny for once going and
returning, and such is the population and the intercourse of these places,
including Plymouth, that the toll of this Bridge was two years ago £2600,
for one year. It was formerly let for £900 a year, & before that for
£600 a year. It belongs to Sir John St. Aubyn & Lord Edgcumbe I
was told. —
Mutton Cove
When I arrived at Mutton Cove the Ferry Boat being on the other
side, I hired what is called a Shore boat, viz : those who ply for passengers.
I was asked 2 shillings, but agreed for eighteen pence. The wind was
high & the Sea was rough, which made the fare, I thought, reasonable.
When I landed on the Mount Edgcumbe side the person who is tenant
to Lord Edgcumbe for the Ferry demanded two pence the price of going
in the Ferry boat, for the privilege of landing on His lordship's ground.
The tenant, I was informed by the Keeper of the Park gate, pays Lord
Edgcumbe near £500 a year for this ferry, & bears all the expences of
Boats and Boatmen. Whoever crosses pays two pence, but may return
witht. further demand. —
Mr. Sleep, the tenant, of the Ferry, a respectable looking and very
civil Man, walked with me to the Park gate which is near the Ferry,
and the woman who lives in the Park gate House gave me all the informa-
tion I wanted to enable me to go to the principal points of view. I
walked up to what is called the White Seat from whence there is a most
extensive view including from Saltram, Lord Borringdon's, and Catwater
on the right to Hamoaze & the river Tamar, on the left. Plymouth, —
Stone House, & Dock, lie between these two points, and all the principal
buildings, the Citadel, — Military Hospital, Governors House, Barracks
1809] Plymouth Sound 287
&c. &c. are seen, with a long line of distant Hills, of which Dartmore
forms a considerable part. From the distance at which the objects are
seen they appear small, but the great variety of matter, with the con-
sideration of the great naval & military power which is there exhibited
gives the Scene much interest. In this view Plymouth Sound a wide
expanse of water & the most exposed part of any where ships lie for
protection when strong winds prevail, separates Mount Edgcumbe
from the Plymouth Shore. St. Nicholas Island is the boundary of the
Sound, & from this point the Sea is called Hamoaze. The whole of this
view is seen from nearly the highest point of the park, over a thick wood
consisting of noble Oak and large beech trees, with, in some parts, masses
of Fir trees. Having remained in this situation sometime I walked
across the Hill to the opposite side from whence the Ocean filled nearly
the whole space that came within the eye, — the rock called Mew stone,
& being on the left nearly touching a point of land, and on the right another
point of land, but all was bare & steril.
CHAPTER LXXXVI
1809
Issure, Please God
October 11. — Maker tower, a land mark, on the height of Mount
Edgcumbe, stood on my right hand. — Having viewed this contrast to
the opposite scene, I walked down the Hill, & went to several points
where seats were judiciously placed, commanding some of the best views
at different elevations. — After having passed some hours in the park I
returned from my walk to the lodge at the gate where I sat a while with
the gate keeper, a good-humoured old woman. She had the Devonshire
dialect very strong issure (Yes sure) which is universal among them. She
laughed at Her provincial Habit, but continually repeated it. She said
that of the people of this part of Devonshire it had been said, that —
" Yes sure, please God, and Lord Edgcumbe, and the great Dog (A Dog
of great size, kept by a Lord Edgcumbe), was to them everything."
In All their Finery
She told me that Lord Edgcumbe allows the park gate to be opened
every Monday to the inhabitants of Plymouth, Stonehouse & Dock, who
come decently dressed. On these days they come in all their finery, &
bring their dinners or tea & strole abt. as they please. On the 22nd
of May last 680 persons came to the Park ; and on the 19th of June 905.
All are required to put down their names in a Book which she shewed
me. Soldiers & Sailors (except Officers) are excluded from this permis-
sion. On other days strangers are admitted, but application must be
made by a note to His Lordship, and their names entered in another book.
— She spoke of the death of Lady Edgcumbe. She died in 1806 of a
lingering complaint which was thought to be a consumption, but on open-
ing Her after Her death it was found to be a liver complaint and that the
liver had adhered to the side. The medical men then sd. Had they known
Her complaint they cd. have cured it. She left 5 children, three Sons
and 2 daughters. The Sons are at school, the daughters young women
17 & 19 years old. — Lord Edgcumbe has property at Plympton & keeps
a Steward there, and annually attends at the election of Mayor, and from
what I could learn influencing the return of members to parliament for
that Borough. Between 4 and 5 oClock rain began to fall, which caused
1809] A Dinner Fit for the King 289
a scramble for Diligences at Dock to go to Plymouth, but having again
crossed the Ferry, after waiting a little while I obtained a place with
four young women, and got back to the Pope's head Inn before
6 oClock. — *
Hamoaze at The Ferry is reckoned to be near Half a mile over, but to
me it did not appear to be so much. — We had again an excellent dinner
and wine, and some conversation with Mr. Curgenven, our Landlord.
He told us that it had been proposed and advertised that there wd.
be a great dinner on the 25th. of October on acct. of the King entering
the 50th year of His reign : But that the offer which had been made to
Him to provide it He wd. not accept being only 5 shillings a Head for
eating, as for that sum He cd. not provide a dinner to do Himself or
the meeting credit on such an occasion. He offered to provide a dinner
and desert for half a guinea a Head, or to take the management of the
whole at their expence for 25 guineas, which would subject Him to very
great inconvenience as well as His family, and wd. be well earned. He
spoke of His wines & sd. He had the best Claret, Champaigne, Hock
& Vin de Grave in the kingdom. However good His Portugal wines are
He reckons His French wines better, having availed himself of every
opportunity when choice wine was to be obtained. — He mentioned a
party who sometime ago dined at His House. 20 gentlemen & 7 ladies.
He gave them a dinner that was highly approved, and before the
Cloth was drawn there was drank, 19 Bottles of Hock, 8 of Madeira,
and 4 of Vin de Grave. Sir John Colpoys was in the Chair. — Our
Whitings to-day, were broiled & dressed with a pudding in the belly,
admirably.
The Toast of the Season
October 12. — At 10 oClock we set off for Bickham, Sir Wm. Elfords,
seven miles & a half from Plymouth, six miles of which or more is upon
the road to Tavistoke. The country we passed through is naked of trees
& uninteresting. When we arrived at Bickham Sir Willm. proposed to
us to go to Maristow, Sir Manasseh Lopes House.f Accordingly He
took my Brother in His Gig, and I rode a Poney. — Maristow is abt. 3
miles from Bickham.
Maristow House was built 45 or 50 years ago by a Mr. Heywood who
* Plymouth people of to-day may be interested in the following description of an
exceptional winter experienced in January, 18 10. The account, which Farington extracts
from a newspaper of the period, is as follows :
" January 20th. — After 6 weeks of incessant rain the inhabitants of Plymouth were
surprised with the most severe frost ever known in that Southern Climate. The ther-
mometer on Tuesday morning, Jany. 17th. in a South situation in the open air, stood at
18 degrees, viz. : 14 degrees below the freezing point. Part of the River Tamar, from New
Passage, was so frozen over, that Boats broke through it, and the Oars cracked the ice with
their strokes."
t See next chapter and footnote.
VOL. V. 19
290 The Farington Diary [1809
had 4 daugrs. Coheirisses, — the eldest the much spoken of Mrs. Musters,*
— another married Admiral Bertie ;f and a third Mr. Orby Hunter.J —
We found Lady and Mrs. Lopes at home & had a Sandwich with them, &
Sir Wm. took us over the House in which there are excellent rooms and
great accomodation & a very neat Chapel. —
From Maristow we rode along the banks of the Tavy up the river
& soon came into grounds belonging to Buckland Abbey the property
by inheritance of Lord Heathfield who by a female bears relation to Sir
Francis Drake the great navigator who posessed this estate which had
formerly belonged to an Abbey. The ride along the Banks of the river
in this part is very beautiful a narrow valley inclosed by woods through
which in those which rise above the river rocks appear. The scene is
very secluded & excites a solemn & agreeable sentiment. — From hence we
returned to Bickham & dined before 5 oClock. —
Prize Money
After dinner Mr. Elford, Son to Sir Willm. came. He is an Officer
in the Devon Militia.- — Sir Willm. spoke of His neighbour Admiral Sawyer,
whose Father in conjunction with Captn. Pownal, both commanding
Frigates, took the rich Spanish prize, the Hermione, which produced
to them 70 or 80,000 a share ; but Captn. Sawyer previous to His sailing
had made an agreement with Captn. Pierrepoint, the present Earl Man-
vers, to divide the profits of any capture either might make. Accordingly
Captn. Sawyer retained only one half of his prize money.
* Sophia Catherine, daughter of James Modyford Heywood, born in 1758, married to
John Musters, of Colwick, in 1776 or 1777, was the mother of John Musters, who married
Mary Chaworth, the " Mary " of Byron's poem " The Dream."
Miss Burney, speaking in her diary of the " pleasing remains of the beauty of Lady
Pembroke and Lady Di Beauclerk," says : " But the present beauty, whose remains our
children (i.e., nieces) may talk of, is a Mrs. Musters, an exceedingly pretty woman, who is
the reigning toast of the season" [of 1779]. The Diarist also said "most beautiful, but
most unhappy." There is an allusion to her unhappiness in the following note :
Mrs. Barrett repeats an anecdote related by a gentleman who saw Mrs. Musters at a
ball in Brighton. He was requested to give Mrs. Musters a glass of water ; " it was turbid
and chalky ; upon which she said, as she drank it, ' Chalk is thought to be a cure for heart-
burn : I wonder whether it will cure heart-ache ? ' "
Her beauty attracted Sir Joshua Reynolds, who painted several portraits of her, including
one full-length, showing her as " Hebe," and another in profile with the head of a child
resting on her right shoulder. The latter is believed to be No. 891 in the Tate Gallery.
t Sir Albemarle Bertie (1755-1824) became a vice-admiral in 1808 and admiral six years
later.
t Probably George Orby Hunter (1773 ?-i843), the translator of Byron into French.
The register of deaths at Dieppe shows that " Georges Orby Orby Hunter, Colonel of
English infantry, of supposed age of 70, parentage and wife unknown, and having his
domicile at No. 6, Grand Rue, Dieppe, died there on 26 April, 1843."
Mrs. Sophia Musters.
Engraved by J. R. Smith, after Sir Joshua Reynolds.
[To face p. 290.
CHAPTER LXXXVII
1809 ©
Beauty and Frailty
October 12. — Lord Borringdon in June last married Miss Talbot
daugr. of a Surgeon & Apothecary at Wymondham in Norfolk. Mrs.
Opie was much acquainted with Her and wrote to Sir Willm. Elford
that Lord Borringdon had made a rare choice, for " He had married
beauty, virtue, talents, and temper." — When Sir Willm. wrote a letter
of congratulation to His Lordship He quoted this passage as having been
received from a Lady who knew Miss Talbot.* — Lady Sarah Paget
(late Lady Borringdon) now lives with Her Husband Sir Arthur, at Sid-
mouth, where they keep one man servant only. Such is Her change of
situation in life. She had one Child, a Son, by Lord Borringdon. — Sir
Willm. said that while they lived together they appeared to him to be very
happy, but she is a weak woman.
The Essence of Judaism
Sir*Manasseh Lopez is descended from a Spanish Jew family which
had long resided in Jamaica.f He purchased the estate of Maristow
* As recorded in the Diary under May 24th, 1808, Lady Boringdon left her husband's
house in Portland Place with Sir Arthur Paget, son of the Earl of Uxbridge.
The marriage, contracted on June 20, 1804, between Viscount Boringdon, afterwards
the first Earl of Morley, and Augusta, second daughter of John Earl of Westmorland, was
dissolved by Act of Parliament on February 14, 1809. There was no surviving issue.
Lady Boringdon, who afterwards married the Right Hon. Sir Arthur Paget, was the younger
sister of Sarah Sophia Fane, who became the wife of the fifth Earl of Jersey.
On August 23 of the same year (according to Burke) Lord Boringdon married Frances,
only daughter of Thomas Talbot, of Gonville, Norfolk. Lord Boringdon was created
Earl of Morley in 18 15, and died on March 14, 1840 ; his second wife on December 7,
1857. Edmund, their only son, succeeded his father.
t Sir Manasseh Massey Lopes (1755-1831), politician, the only son of Mordecai Rodri-
guez Lopes, of Clapham, Surrey, was born in Jamaica. In 1802 he conformed to the
Church of England, and became a member of Parliament. Procuring his return for Gram-
pound in Cornwall by dividing £2,000 among the sixty freeholders of the borough, he was
sentenced at Exeter in 1819 to two years' imprisonment and to pay a fine of £1,000. Pend-
ing this trial he had been elected for Barnstaple in 1818, and he was unseated and again
fined and imprisoned for having spent a large sum in bribes. On his release from prison
he was returned for his pocket borough of Westbury in 1823, but resigned to make way for
Robert Peel on his rejection by the University of Oxford in 1829. Lopes died at Maristow
House on March 26, 1 83 1, leaving a fortune of £800,000. He had no male child, and he was
succeeded in the baronetcy by his nephew and heir, Ralph Franco, who then assumed the
surname Lopes. His son, Sir Henry Charles Lopes (1828-1899), became Lord Justice of
the Court of Appeal and first Baron Ludlow. #
VOL. V. 291 19*
292 The Farington Diary [1809
abt. 9 years ago, and, as I understood, for abt. £100,000. He posesses
2800 acres of land in this country, but there is much of it common land.
When He made the purchase, He considered how much he cd. make in
every way by His bargain, & in consequence of advancing claims for
trifling matters has had disputes . . . yet with all this desire to obtain
trifling sums when He lost the' election at Evesham, which cost Him
'£10,000 He did not appear to mind it, He has no male child, and has
had the Baronetage made in reversion to [a] young man of the name of
• Franco who is now educating at Oxford. I remarked on [the] Jew look
of Miss Lopez, but Sir Willm. sd. young Franco is in His countenance
the very essence of Judaism distilled from a thousand Jews. — Sir Manasseh
is abt. 53 or 4 years old & with all His peculiarities is a good natured
civil neighbour. —
The Borough of Plympton is influenced by Lord Mount Edgcumbe
& a Mr. Treby who posesses the large House near Plympton. Lord
Borringdon has no effectual interest in it. ^{Hj
The Games of Devon and Cornwall
We talked of the Customs of the people in Cornwall & Devonshire.
The Olympic game, as it may be called, in Cornwall is wrestling. The
combatants seize each other by the shoulders, and strive to throw, their
antagonist which they do by what is called a hug, sometimes with such
force as to dislocate the shoulder. — In common personal contentions
arising from quarrels they fight with their fists, and do not allow of seizing
the Hair or of striking when one of the combatants is on the ground.
They are very provincial in acting together when opposed to people of
other Counties, & have a common saying " One and all." —
The games of the Devonshire people are cudgel playing and wrestling.
In the former no blow goes for anything but one that strikes above the
chin and draws blood. Such a blow is called a Hit, & He who receives
it is considered to be conquered. In their wrestling they have a barbarous
custom of kicking the shins, so as sometimes to cause wounds which confine
a man for a month. But in this county also when they fight with fists
in their personal quarrels all blows must be given while the combatants
are upon their feet, and pulling the Hair, or striking while either has
fallen, is not allowed. In this respect differing from the barbarous habits
in many parts of Lancashire. —
An Amateur Artist
October 13. — Sir Willm. Elford took us in his carriage to Plymbridge
& to some pleasing scenery in its vicinity. On our way we met Captn.
Dannis a neighbour of His who was formerly in the Army, but is now in
the Devonshire militia. He married a lady who resided near Plymouth,
and had a fortune of £40,000. Sir Wm. spoke of his talent for drawing.
After having passed sometime at Plym Bridge we proceeded to a village
called Ridgeway situated near Plympton, & there called upon Captn.
1809] An Amateur Artist 293
Hunt, a gentleman who was formerly in the Marines, but has now a
military office at Plymouth. We found him lame with a Rheumatick
complaint in one knee, which He has had several years. His great
amusement is painting landscape, and the walls of His rooms were covered
with his works, executed with some skill. One of the pictures had been
exhibited at the Royal Academy. I was much impressed with the
appearance of agreeable dispositions in both Capt. & Mrs. Hunt.
From Ridgeway we went to Saltram House, Lord Borringdon's, to
see the pictures. While we were in the Salon Sir Willm. was called out
& soon returned accompanied by Lord & Lady Borringdon, who invited
us to come to Saltram, and after some conversation we accepted the
invitation for the following day to dinner & to stay till Monday morning.
• The Quality of Oak
The expence of Ship-building was spoken of as being now very great
owing to the high price of timber, and Mr. Perrin observed that fir is
much made use of for the outside of Ships, which in the end is bad oeco-
nomy, as in five years it begins to decay and wants repair. He spoke of the
quality of Oak timber. He said Oak, if kept constantly wet or dry
will last a great length of time, but if exposed to be wet and dry, it perishes
& that this effect is seen in Ships, as it is observed that the part of a ship
which soonest decays is that between wind and water as it is called. —
He said the expence of making the lower main mast of a first rate man of
war is now £ijoo. —
Pictures at Mr. Poole Carew's — Antony near Plymouth. —
Portrait of the Earl of Coventry — | length, — expressed to be soon
finished, in a letter from Kersaboom, the painter of it, price with the
frame £16 10. o letter dated — 1694.
Picture by Wootton — subject Nymph's & Diana, highly finished —
painted in 1707 — price £2 3. o.
Picture by Wootton, a Hunting piece, in which a portrait of Lord
Coventry — 2 Horses, 3 men — a stag & several Dogs — 4 feet 6 by 4 feet
4 — price £10 15. o. painted in 1714.
A Pug Dog, by Wyck, 2 feet 5 by 2 feet — Price £23.0.
A large Hunting piece by Wyck — a Portrait of the Earl of Coventry —
with Horses & a pack of Dogs 7 feet by 5 feet 7.
A Portrait of Lady Coventry by Sir Godfrey Kneller — Half-length —
Price £30 o. o.
Smith in 1742 reed. 20 guineas for a picture of two figures, Half lengths,
— the lowest Class of painting — for a Three quarter portrait He had 4
guineas each.
Lens, in 1678 had for a drawing with black lead pencil on Vellum a
small head highly finished, £10. o. o.
CHAPTER LXXXVIII
1809
Peace in the East
October 21. — Peace has been signed between Great Britain and
Turkey. — Sir Harford Jones* has also signed a peace with Persia, and
the whole French Mission are expelled from that Country.
On the 2 1 st. the Duke of Devonshire was married at Burlington
House, Chiswick, to Lady Elizabeth Forster, widow of the Hon : John
Forster, and daugr. of the late Earl of Bristol. No branch of the House
of Cavendish, says the London Chronicle, was present or prepared for the
event ; only two gentlemen from Doctors Commons were present.
The King's Jubilee
October 25th being the anniversary of his Majesty's Coronation
when He entered the $oth year of His reign, there were illuminations &
general rejoicings in London & throughout the kingdom.
Sir David Dundas commander in Chief issued an Order for a general
amnesty & forgiveness for all delinquents confined for offences of a
military nature, upon the joyful occasion of His Majesty entering the
50th. yr. of His r.eign. —
November 6th. (Monday) David Wilkie and George Dawe were
elected Associates of the Royal Academy.
November 8. — This day died Paul Sandby R.A. at His House St.
George's Row, Oxford Turnpike, aged 84. f
* Sir Harford Jones (1764-1847), diplomatist and author, represented England at the
Court of Persia from 1 807 to 1 8 1 1 . In 1 826 he added the name of Brydges in commemora-
tion of his descent on his mother's side from the family of Brydges of Old Colwall, in Here-
fordshire.
t Paul Sandby was born at Nottingham in 1725. In early life he and his brother
Thomas held appointments in the military drawing department at the Tower of London.
Paul, after the rebellion in 1745-46, under the direction of Colonel David Watson, assisted
in " the military survey of new road to Fort George, and of the northern and western
parts of the Highlands." Later, in 1768, he became a foundation member of the Royal
Academy. Sandby was most industrious, and was one of the originators of topographical
art in England. See the " Thomas and Paul Sandby," published by William Sandby in
1892.
294
1809] Covent Garden Theatre Riots 295
December 8. — Deer. 7th. at Hick's HalL John Tyre, an inhabitant
of Islington, was sentenced to two months imprisonment in Newgate,
for bathing himself in the New River, and afterwards running naked
in the field in front of the Houses of Highbury Place. The Court declared
it subversive of .public decency.
On Thursday, Deer. 14th. a numerous Assembly of those who have
contended for Old Prices at Covent Garden "Theatre met at the Crown
& Anchor Tave*rn and dined together. Mr. Clifford in the Chair. —
After dinner Clifford informed the company that there had been a message
to Him from Mr. Kemble which ended in an interview. Mr. Kemble
expressed every disposition to conciliate, as far as he shd. he authorised
to do. Mr. Kemble was then in the House, & if the company wd. give
Him the assurance that Mr. Kemble shd. not experience any incivility
He wd. be happy to introduce Him. — The applauses of the company were
considered an assurance. — Mr. Kemble was placed on a seat at the right
hand of Mr. Clifford.—
To charges which had been made, Mr. Kemble first replied, — " That
as to the Magistrates reading the riot act it was a proceeding of theirs
unknown to the Proprietors of the Theatre."
Kemble Applauded
The demands made were, — First that private boxes should, in number
and in situation, be the same as they were in 1802 before Mr. Kemble
became a Proprietor and Manager of the Old Cove-nt Garden Theatre.
2nd. that the price of admission to the Pit should be reduced to 3s. 6d.
but that the demand of 7 shillings for the Boxes should be allowed. 3d.
that an apology on the part of the Managers would be expected, and that
Brandon on acct. of His bad conduct, shd. forthwith be dismissed. 4th.
That all prosecutions and actions on each side should be quashed. —
These resolutions were agreed to except the dismissal of Brandon, which
Mr. Kemble had no authority to do. —
On Friday night the 15th. Mr. Kemble announced from the Stage
that Brandon had been removed from His office. — Mr. Kemble also made
an apology in His own name & that of the other proprietors for improper
persons having been admitted to the Theatre. — Mr. Kemble then per-
formed the character of Penruddock & was much applauded. —
Wardle v. Mrs. Clarke
December 11. — This day in the Court of Kings Bench an action
brought by Coll. Wardle against Wrights, Senior & Junr. upholsterers, &
Mrs. Clarke for a conspiracy to cause him to pay for goods had by Mrs.
Clarke from [the] said Wrights.— The trial began at two oClock & concluded
abt. 11 at night when the Jury found the Defendants not guilty. The
Jury consulted in the Box abt. 5 minutes. Council for Coll. Wardle —
Mr. Alley.— For Defendants— Attorney General & Mr. Garrow— Lord
296 The Farington Diary [1809
Ellenborough gave a severe charge against Coll. Wardle. — The Dukes of
York & Kent, & Gloucester were upon the Bench ; also Lords Moira
& Chichester. — Mr. Alley stated that Lord Chichester paid £10,000 for
suppressing the book intended to have been published by Mrs. Clarke
respecting the Duke of York. — *
G. M. Woodward the Caricaturist, recently came in a Coach to the
Brown Bear, Bow-street, wrfere appearing to be very ill, He was taken
care of and soon died.f
The Chancellorship
December 16. — On Thursday evening the 14th. inst. the Contest
for the Chancellorship of Oxford terminated, — the numbers being —
Lord Grenville 406.
Lord Eldon 393.
13-
Duke of Beaufort 238. (Voted 1037)
The number of those who were entitled to vote amounted to 1282. —
All «the Bishops, who have a vote, it is understood voted for Lord
Grenville, except two, who, it is reported voted for Lord Eldon. — The
Convocation met on Wednesday morning the 13th. & the polling con-
tinued during [the] day & night, without interruption until its
conclusion. —
December 19. — The Liverpool Advertiser says. — E. Satterthwaite is
now living in the North part of this Country. He Has 5 Children living
whose ages together make 257 years, — 36 Grandchildren whose ages
make 712 years ; — and 7 Great Grandchildren which make 18 years — in
all 987 years.
The St. James's Chronicle gives the following extract of a letter from
Philadelphia, Nov. 10: " The Emperor Napoleon has created Mrs. Jerome
Patterson of Baltimore, a Duchess of the House of Napoleon, with a
suitable establishment of 40,000 Crowns per annum. Her Son, a Prince
of the French Empire : Coll. Toupard, late of the American Revolu-
tionary Army, is appointed Governor of the young Prince, with the rank
of General, and a splendid salary. He has left Philadelphia for Baltimore,
to take upon himself the duties of his appointment. Baltimore is to be
the Imperial and Royal residence for the present."
* Colonel Wardle (i762?-i833) was a soldier and politician. It will be recalled by
readers of the Diary that he on January 27, 1809, brought forward an unsuccessful motion
in the House of Commons against the Duke of York in connection with the scandals asso-
ciated with him and Mary Anne Clarke. Afterwards Wardle's financial troubles forced
him to go to the Continent, and he died in Florence on November 30, 1833, aged seventy-
one.
t George Moulard Woodward (i76o?-i8o9) received no artistic training, but, coming
to London with an allowance from his father, he soon won popularity as a social carica-
turist in the manner of Bunbury. Of dissipated habits, Woodward lived mostly in taverns-
and died, as stated, in November, 1809.
1809] The Duke's Will 297
December 21. — According to the Will of the late Duke of Portland,
says the St. James's Chronicle every domestic that lived in his service 1 5
years has an annuity to the amount of his yearly salary, and every
other who lived with him a year is to have a years wages. He has left
£100 a year for life to His French Cook, exclusive of the Income tax,
who has since been taken into the service of the Prince of Wales, at
a salary of £200 per annum. —
On Wednesday, Deer. 20th. the Corporation of London presented an
address to His Majesty remarking on the quarrels among His ministers,
& requesting an inquiry to be made into the conduct of the late expe-
dition to Holland. Mr. Ryder, Secry. of State, read His Majesty's an-
swer, not noticing the ministerial quarrels and expressing that though
the object of the expedition had only in part succeeded He did not think
it necessary to order any inquiry into the conduct of the Officers of the
Army & Navy who served conjointly ; adding that Parliament wd. in
its wisdom require such papers as to them shd. seem fit. —
Wellesley Family Posts
Marquiss of Wellesley, Now Secretary of State for foreign department.
Lord Wellington, Commander in Chief in Spain.
Hon : Henry Wellesley, Ambassador to Spain.
[William] Wellesley, Secretary of State for Ireland.*
* On becoming heir to the estates of his cousin, William Pole, he assumed the additional
name of Pole in 1778. He was created Baron Maryborough in 1821, and in 1842 he suc-
ceeded to the Irish Earldom of Mornington.
END OF VOL. V.
INDEX
INDEX
•
. Abbot, Charles (Speaker of the House of
Adair, Mrs., 1 5
Commons, afterwards Lord Colches-
Adam, Mr. (Chancellor to the Prince of
ter), 123, 167
Wales), 208
Ahelard, The Skull of, 149
, William, 32B., 114, 148, 180 5 notice
Abercorn, John James, 1st Marquess of,
of, 114M
57, 63, 157, 212
Adams, Dr., 89
Aberdeen, George, 4th Earl of, 114;
, Mr. (Secretary to the Duke of
Lawrence's portrait of, 49
Portland), 36, 279
University, 225K
, William (M.P. for Totnes), 26 in.,
Abigail, 23 6k
275-6, 278-9-80
" Abraham & Isaac," a landscape with,
, Mrs., 277-8-9
by Gaspar Poussin, 83K
, Miss, 277
Abu Simbel, the Temple at, iik
Addington, Henry (afterwards Viscount
"Academic Annals of Painting," 122, 130,
Sidmouth), 196 ; Copley's portrait
134, Hi, 170
_ of, 13 5«
Academy, Royal, 8, 10, 13 and «., 14 and
Adige, River, 167
«., 19K., 26«., 27, 31 and «., 38 and
Admiral Gardner (ship owned by John
•
»., 40, 42-3, 48-50, 52, 54-5, s6«.,
Woolmore on East India Service), 1 izn
57, 60, 66k., y. and «., 72, 78, 79,
Admiralty and Artists, 136 ; employs
8 3> 86 -7> 9°j io 5 k -> iiim -j "3> "7
William Westall to paint pictures,
and »., 124, 127, 130, 133, 136, 137
182-3, 189
and «., 143, 145, 152, 153 and ».,
Adolphus, John, 7, 91, 118, 122
158, 183, 206, 215, 219K., 223, 275«.,
Agar, Captain, 150, 198
293-45 salaries at,_ 47, 55, 199-200,
, Welbore Ellis, 150
201, 216, 220 ; presidency of, 8, 49M.,
Aikin, John, D.D., 1037* *
127 ; Leonardo da Vinci's Cartoon in,
Ailesbury, Caroline, Dowager Countess of.
13K. ; law relating to vacancies, 22 ;
See Conway, Lady Caroline
expenses of, _ 52, 55, 133-4, 178,
Ainsley, John (Lord Mayor of London,
184; varnishing days extended, 55;
1807-8), 89
George III. and, 55, 151 5 and
Ainslie, Dr., 225
students at British Museum, 68-9 ;
Aix-la-Chapelle, 87K
generosity of, 93 ; price of catalogues,
Albion Hotel, Jermyn Street, 168
133-4 5 council of, and J. S. Copley,
Insurance Company, 189
135 ; annual dinner (1809), 145,
Alcazar, Royal Palace of, at Seville, 87
149 ; Sunday op*ening of, 153
Aldborough, Edward, 2nd Earl of, 89
Schools, Royal, 10, 11, 3872., 54, 63K.,
, Countess of, 89
nyn
, Suffolk, 214
Ackland, Sir Thomas Dyke, 264 and n
Alexander I., Tsar of Russia, 7, 27, 118
, Lady, 264K
and n
" Acropolis of Athens Restored," by Sir
, William, 2, 3, 10, 154 ; his panorama
Robert Smirke, R.A., 57
view of Rio de Janeiro, 10
Acton, Sir John, General, 45K
" Alexander's Feast," picture by H. Sin-
Adair, Mr. (Army agent), 15
gleton, 3 8k
3c
I
•
302 The Farington Diary
Alley, Mr., 295-6
Aspland, Rev. Mr., 89
Almaraz, 223
Assembly Rooms, The, Manchester, 107
Altieri, Prince of Rome, sale of his two
Asslet, William, 211
pictures by Claude, 84 and n
Astorga, Spain, 109
Alvanley, Richard Pepper, 1st Lord, 82ft
Athanasi, Giovanni d', iim
, William, 2nd Lord, 82 ; notice of,
Atheneum, The, Liverpool, 102
ib. n
Athens, 31, 209
Ambleside, 172
Athlone, Frederik Christian Reinhart,
Amelia, Princess (daughter of George III.),
5th Earl of, 28 ; notice of, 28ft
94, 233, 236-7
, William Gustaaf Frederik, 9th
Amen Corner, London, 4, 6
Earl of, 28ft
America, North, 93ft. For general mention
Atkinson, John Augustus, 136
of America see United States
Auchmuty, Sir Samuel, General, 40
Analytical Review, The, 20 in
Augusta, Princess, Beechey's portrait of,
" Anastasius," by Thomas Hope, 50ft
205
Andrews, Rev. Mr. (of St. James' Chapel),
Aust, George, 97 and n
75
■ , Mrs., 97 ; notice of, ib. n
" Anecdotes of Painters," by E. Edwards,
Austen, Jane, " Persuasion " by, 239ft
A.R.A., 158
Austria, War with France, 167, 184, 209-
Angelo, Michael, 40, 46, 68, 122, 183
10 ; armistice with France, 212-3
Angerstein, John Julius, 1, 32, 35, 57,
" Autumn : Chateau de Steen," by P. P.
84, 123, 132, 134, 177, 183, 189, 215,
Rubens, 71ft., 76 and n
223 _
Axe, River, 240
Children, Lawrence's portrait of,
Aylesbury, Thomas Bruce, 4th Earl of, 25B
49, 7i
Aylesford, Heneage, 4th Earl of, 186
Annet, Peter, 162ft
Aytoun, John, 57 and ft., 91-2, 122
Annual Register, The, 25ft., 34, 82M., 144M
, William, 122, 136
" Another Word or Two," a poem by
Peter Coxe, 49 and «., 50
Babbicombe, 262-3
Antiquary Society. See Society of An-
Backhuysen, Ludolf. See Bakhuisen
tiquaries
Bafont, Mr., 140ft
Antrim, Mark, 5th Earl of, 45 and n
Bailey, Mr. (Barrister), 91-2
Antrobus, Edmund (afterwards Sir), 152
■ , Mr. (Agent to Sir George Beaumont),
Antwerp, British and (1809), 223, 224 and n
202 •
Apodaca, Don, Spanish admiral, 89
Baillie, Captain, 222
Apsley House, Hyde Park, 86»
■ , Matthew, M.D., 8, 118, 225; his
Arden, Richard Pepper. See Alvanley,
abilities, 23-4, 35-6
Richard Pepper, 1st Lord
Baird, Sir David, General, 109
Ardkinglas, 45?^
Baker, George (Print collector), 25-6, 29,
Aristaenetus, Epistles of, 210
37-8, 61, 66, 154, 209 ; and the grand
Arkwright, Sir Richard, 202
climacteric, 154
■ , Richard, 203 ; purchases Hampton
, Mrs. {nee Guard), 251
Court, Herefordshire, 202
Bakhuisen, Ludolf, 198
Armitage, Lady, 78
Baltimore, 296
Armstrong, Dr., 118
Bampfylde, Sir Charles Warwick, 270 ;
■ , General (American Minister in
notice of, 270ft
Paris), 108
■ , John Codrington, 270M
Arnald, George, 49, 71, 213-4 ; his early
• , Sir Richard Warwick, 270B
life, 61
Bangor, 195 #
Artois, Jacob van, 281
Bank of England, number of clerks em-
Artramond, co. Wexford, 64ft
ployed (1808), 22
" Art Sales," by Algernon Graves, 159ft
Banks, Sir Joseph, 136, 182
Ash, Dr. (son of John Ash, M.D.), 23
Bantry Bay, 124
Ashburton, Alexander, 1st Lord, 193, 272
Barbados, 93ft, 148 and n
, Louisa, Lady, 56ft
Barbauld, Rev. Rochemont, 103 and «
, 260, 261ft
— — , Mrs. {nee Aikin), 103, 2oi«. ; notice
Aspern, Battle of, 209
of, 103ft. j Dr. Johnson and, ib. n
9
Index 303
Barclay, Captain (the Pedestrian), walks
Beauharnais, Eugene, 167
, 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours, 207
Beaumont, Lady (mother of Sir George
, David, 255
Beaumont), 2 ; Owen's portrait of, 94
Barclays Bank, 82
, Sir George, 2 and «., 3, n, 50-52, 56,
Baring, Charles, Lawrence's portrait of, 1 14
5877., 62-3, 65, 6677., 70-2, 77-8, 81, 94,
, Sir Francis, 15, 27, 62, 69, 193, 223,
112, 1 1377., 128, 132-4, 136-7, 142,
259; Lawrence's portrait of, 114;
157-60, 172, 178, 183, 186-7, 197,
his fortune, 189
203-6 ; his manner of living, 2 ;
, Henry, 114
reprobates the rage for water-colour
, George, 114
drawings, 71 and n. ; his gifts to
— , John, 259
National Collections, 7177., 7677. ; his
■ , Thomas, 114
collection of pictures, 76 ; Reynolds's
Barker, Benjamin (Artist), 14 and n
portrait of, 76 ; Hoppner's portrait of,
, Richard, 202
77 ; Lawrence's portrait of, 94, 143 ;
, Robert, 10, 11
as dictator on works of art, 205 ; his
, Thomas (Artist), 1472
art, 281
Barnard, Sir John, 221
■ , Lady, 2-3, 51-2, 56, 62, 70, 94, 132,
, John, 221-2
157, 182-3, J 9 j Reynolds's portrait
Barnstaple, 29 m
of, 76
Barn Theatre, Banbury, 78
, Sir George Howland Willoughby, 51
Barrett, Mrs., 29077.
Beckett, Sir John, 19272
Barrie, Colonel, 193
, Lady. See Lowther, Lady Anne
Barrington,Hon. Shute (Bishop of Durham),
Beckford, William (Author of " Vathek "),
206, 229-230
84
Barrow, Mr. (Under Secretary to Ad-
Beddoes, Thomas, M.D. (of Clifton, near
miralty), 218
Bristol), death of, 108 ; notice of, ib. n
Barry, James, R.A., 117
Bedford, Captain R. W., 176-7
Bartolozzi, Francesco, his engraving of
, Georgiana, Duchess of, 19
Gainsborough's portrait of I. Sancho),
, John, 6th Duke of, 19, 83, 86
2772., 86, 8777
Coffee House, Covent Garden, 176
, Gaetano Stefano, 86-7, 93 ; notice
House, Exeter, 24677
of, 8772
Bedlam Hospital, 23
- — — , Mrs., 87 and n
Beechey, Sir William, R.A., 54, 72, 86-7,
, Miss. See Vestris, Madame
i"> H3, 145, r 53j l 97, 2 °°; his
Basingstoke, 227
portrait of the Earl of Romney, 2777. ;
Basire, James, 198 and n
his manners, 52 ; his portrait of Lord
Baskerville, Miss Mary. See Haydon, Mrs.
Mulgrave, 94 ; and his knighthood,
(grandmother of R. B. Haydon)
205 5 his portrait of George III., 205 ;
Basque Roads, The, 213 and 77., 218
and of Princess Augusta, 205
Bastard, E. (M.P. for Dartmouth), 272
, Mrs., 205
, John Pollexfen (M.P. for Devon-
Beeke, Rev. Dr. Henry (Dean of Bristol),
shire), 272 ; notice of, 27272
260, 26177., 263-4, 266-7
Bath, Thomas, 2nd Marquess of, 228
Beggar's Opera, The, by John Gay, 154
, 3 2 , 63, 97, 102, 116, 199, 254, 271
Belcher, Mr., sen. (Pugilist), 92
Bathurst, Rev. Mr., 196
■ — ■ — , Mr., jun. (Pugilist), 92
■ , Henry, Bishop of Norwich, 56, 196
Bell, Archy, 104
, Henry, 2nd Earl, 8672
Inn, Derby, 95
, Henry, 3rd Earl, 158
Inn, Leicester, 95
Battersbie, Mr. (Banker), 199
Bell's Weekly Messenger, 3 1
Battersea, 34
Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, 186
Battoni, Pompeio, his portrait of 4th Earl
Belzoni, Giovanni Baptista, 11 77
of Essex, 203
Bengal, 112, 11372., 23577
Beacon Hill, Devonshire, 243
Bentinck, Lord William Cavendish, General,
Beauclerck, Lord Frederick, 82
19277.
Beauclerk, Lady Di, 29072
, Lady. See Lowther, Lady Mary
Beaufort, Henry Charles, 6th Duke of 6q,
Beresford, William, General, 2577
296
Berg, Grand Duke of, 60
304 The Farington Diary
Bergen-op-Zoom, 223
Bond Street, London, 136, 154, 1 59 ;
Berkeley Hunt, The, 212
Water Colour Drawing Exhibition in,
Berlin Museum, izm
5 2 > 54, i3 6
Bernard, Sir Thomas, 61, 170
Bone, Henry, R.A., 79 ; his portrait of
Berri, Due de, 1 ion
Lady Emma Hamilton, 144M
Berry, Miss Agnes, 117, 190
Bonnor, Edmund, Bishop of London, 132
Head, Torquay, 260, 263, 270
Boodle's Club, 32ft
Pomeroy, Devonshire, 275
Booth, Mrs., 11 in
Bertie, Sir Albemarle, Admiral, 290
, Mr. (Stationer), 213
and n
Borghese Palace, Rome, in
, Lady, 290
Borringdon, Augusta, Lady (first wife of
Berthier, Louis Alexandre, Prince of
2nd Lord), 6$n., 291 ; her elopement
Wagram and Neuchatel, Marshal of
with Sir Arthur Paget, 65 and n,. 29 in
France, 212
, Frances, Lady (second wife of 2nd
Bessborough, Frederick, 3rd Earl of,
Lord), 284-5, 2 9 I an( i n -i 2 93
i2in., 149
, John, 2nd Lord (afterwards 1st Earl
Best, Captain, 50K., 89
of Morley), 65 and «., 270, 279, 282,
, Lady Emily, 89
284 and k., 285, 291 and «., 292-3 ;
Betty, William H. W. See Roscius, Young
his collection of Reynolds's works, 284,
Beveland, 218
285K
Bexley, Nicholas, 1st Lord, 157K
Borron, Thomas, 107 and «., 108
Bible Society, The, 17
Borrowdale, Constable's " View of," 136-7
Bickham, 289-90
Boscawen, Mrs. (of Chelsea), 202
Bigg, William Redmore, R.A., 14, 171 ;
Boston, Lincolnshire, 160
notice of, i4»
Boulogne, 31, 209, 212
— — , Mrs., 14
Bourdon, Sebastian, " The Return of the
, Miss, 14
Ark from Captivity," by, 76 and n
Billingsgate, 240
Bourgeois, Sir Peter Francis, R.A., 1, 10, 33,
Birmingham, 191 and n
43, in, 131, 150-1, 197,213,215
Bissell, William, 218
Bourne, Francis, 48 and n
Blackburne, Rev. Dr., 105-6
, William Sturges-. See Sturges-
, Miss, 106
Bourne
Blackfriars Bridge, 103W
Bowles, Miss Anne. See Sturges-Bourne,
Blackheath, Kent, 27, 114, 122, 194
Mrs
Black Lion, The, Chester, 100
, Charles, 174
Blackpool, 123-4
, John, 142
Blackwall Dock, 126, 130, 278
, Miss Laura, 48, 182
Blake, Mr., 170
, Oldfield, 4872., 78, 134, 174, 202
, Robert, Admiral and General,
■ — — , Rev. William Lisle, 159 and «., 160
23 6n
Bowman, Mr. (Earl of Lonsdale's agent at
Blandford, 233
Whitehaven), 112
Blenncrhassett, Miss, 38
Bow Street Police Station, 179
, Conway, 38 and n
Boydell, John, Alderman, 41M
Blessington, Countess of, 50^
■ , josiah, 41, 133, 157, 182; his
" Blind Fiddler, The," by Sir David
Gainsborough landscape and other
Wilkie, R.A., 76 and n., 136
pictures, 41 and «., 42 and n., 156, 177,
" Blue Boy, The," by Thomas Gains-
1 8 1-2, 197 ; sues Drummond the
borough, R.A., 85«
banker, 110-11, 154, 156, 189, 197
Boaden, James, 222
, Messrs., Edition of Shakespere, 41,
Bohemia, 210
i", 154, 156, 197
Bolingbroke, Frederick, Viscount, 232
Bradford, Major (A.D.C. to 2nd Earl
Bombay, William Westall's view in, 51
Chatham), 221
Bonaparte, Napoleon. See Napoleon I.
Bradstead, Essex,* 196
, Elizabeth (wife of King of West-
Braham, John (Singer), 88, 154
phalia), 3 6n
Brandon, Mr., 295
, Jerome, King of Westphalia, 36^
Brasenose College. See Oxford University
• — - — , Lucien, 183
Brathay, near Ambleside, 191 and »
Index 305
Braun (or Brandt), Mr. (Head Page to
Bunter, James (of Taunton), 219
George III.), 164
Burckhardt, John Lewis, n«
Brazil, 10 ; establishment of the Royal
Burdett, Sir Francis, noti., 158, 164,
Family of Portugal at, 58
188-9 '■> hi s m »ral character, 159-60
Breda, 223
, Lady, 158
Brest, British attack on, 176-7
Burgess, Mrs. (mother of William Burgess),
Bridgewater, Francis, 3rd Duke of, origin
211
of his picture collection, 183
, William, 211
Bridgwater, Charlotte Catherine Anne,
Burke, Mrs. (of Beaconsfield), 51
Countess of, 62
, Edmund, 126, 182, 196, 197
, John William, 8th Earl of, 62, 192
Burke's Landed Gentry, 109ft
Arms, Manchester, 105
Peerage, 34, 93«., > 130ft
Bridport, 240
Burlington House, Chiswick, 294
Brighton, 190, 290M
Burnet, Gilbert (1643-1715), Bishop of
Bristol, Bishop of (1807-8). SeeLuxmore,
Salisbury, 9M
John
Burney, Miss Fanny (Mme. D'Arblay),
, Frederick Augustus, Earl of, 294
282ft., 284ft., 285ft., 2 9 ow
" Britannica Depicta," by Rev. D. and S.
Burns, H. (Artist), 105 and n
Lysons, 96, 140
, Robert, his meeting with Dr. Currie,
British Empire Exhibition, Wembley, 32K
103 and «. 5 " Life of," by Dr. Currie,
Forum, Brewer Street, 37
103M
" British Gallery of Engravings, The," by
Burroughs, William, 225
Rev. Edward Forster, 20 and »
Burston, Thomas, 23 5«
Institution, 23, 26, 64, 102, 117 and
Bushey, 202 and «., 204, 206
«., 141, 144ft., 157 and «., 170-1, 202,
Bush Inn, Staines, 226, 227
220
Butler, Samuel, 64
Museum, 3 and «., u«., 27M., 31,
Buxton, Farington's view of, 96
n8w., 122, 1277*., 129;*., I 4 2w -j I 99 K -j
Castle, 99
219ft. ; art students at, 68-9
Byron, George Gordon, Lord, 50M., 153ft.,
Brixham, 260, 266-7, 2 ^8 and «., 270, 274 ;
290ft
fishery trade of, 271, 276
Broadhurst, Mr. (of Bath), 97
Cade, Mr., 38-9
, Mrs. (Frances Whittaker), of Bath, 97
Cadell, Thomas, 76
Bromley, William (Engraver), 27ft., 157ft
and Davis, Messrs., 35, 69, 75-6, 87,
, Kent, 10, 20, 188
92, 95-6, 99, 112, 117, 124, 136, 140,
Hill, Kent, 193
173, 194, 213
Brompton, Richard, 231 ; notice of, ib. n
Cadiz, 88-9, 170
> 174
Cadogan, Captain, his duel with Lord
Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, 55, 136
Paget, 175
Street Society of Water-Colour
, Charles Sloane, 1st Earl of, 175M
Painters. See Royal Society of
Cadsand, 221
Painters in Water-Colours
Cassar, 200
Brown, Mather, 81
Calcutta, 113ft
" Brown Bear, The," Bow Street, 296
Calder, Sir Robert, Admiral, 173 and «
Brunn, 212
Calderon, Miss Luisa, tortured by General
Bryan, Michael, " Dictionary of Painters,"
Picton, 25 and «
by, 105ft., 155, 183, 190 and «., 192
Caldwell, James, in
Brydone, Mr., 25
" Caledonian Sketches ; or, A Tour
Brynstone Street, London, 104
through Scotland," by Sir John Carr,
Buccleuch, Henry, 3rd Duke of, 75
91 .
Buckinghamshire, John, 2nd Earl of, 282ft
Call, Sir John (1st Baronet), 278 ; notice
Buckland Abbey, Devonshire, 290
of, 278ft
Buenos Ayres, 25ft. ; General Whitelock at,
, Sir John (2nd Baronet), 278
25-6, 28-30, 38-40
Callcott, Sir Augustus Wall, R.A., 49, 79
Bull Inn, Bridport, 239
in, 117 ; pictures by, 202, 204
Buller, Judge, 268
Callender, Mr. (brother to Colonel James
Bunbury, Henry William, 296ft
Callender), 45
VOL. V.
20
306 The Farington Diary
Callender, Mrs. (mother of James Callen-
Carnarvon, George Edward Stanhope, 5th
der), 45»
Earl of, iitt
, Miss Caroline Henrietta. See Sheri-
, Henry, 1st Earl of, 213
dan, Mrs. Tom
" Carpenter's Shop, The," by W. Mul-
, Lady Elizabeth (wife of Colonel
ready, R.A., 172
James Callender), 45 and n
Carr, Mr. (Architect of York), 168
, James, Colonel (afterwards Sir James
, Sir John, 57, 269 ; sues Messrs.
Campbell), 45 ; notice of, 45K
Verner and Hood for libel, 91-2, 122 ;
Callington, near Whiteford, 2j%n
"Caledonian Sketches" by, 91;
Calonne, C. A. de, 85K., 86
" Stranger in Ireland" by, 122
Cambridge, Adolphus Frederick, 1st Duke
Carrach [Carracci], Ludovico, 281
of, 237
Carrick-Moore, James, M.D. See Moore
, 20, 122, 194
Carrington, Robert, 1st Lord, 69, 72, 137
University, 122 ; Trinity College,
Carshalton, 215
75 ; Christ College, 89, \6zn
Carter, Dr., 7, 8
Camden, John Jeffreys, 2nd Earl of (after-
Carver, Mrs., 93
wards 1st Marquess), 158, 179, 249K
Cary, Mrs., now
Camelford, Thomas, 2nd Lord, 50 and n.,
, Francis Stephen, 1177*
89
, George (of Tor Abbey), 278
Campbell, Mr. (of Princes Street), 49
" Cases in Crown Law from 1730 to 18 15,"
, Sir Alexander, 457*
193 and n
, Sir James. See Callender, James
Cassiobury Park, Watford, Herts, 202, 203,
Camphor, value of, 184
212 ; pictures at, 203 and «., 206
Campvere, 218
Castle Acre Priory, Norfolk, 205
Canaletto, Antonio, 281 ; " View of
Castle Eden (ship owned by Rowland
Venice " by, 76 and n
Webster in East India Service), 1 13K
Canning, Mr. (father of Statesman), 26
Inn, Dartmouth, 271-2
, Mrs. (mother of Statesman), 26 and
Town, Queen's County, Ireland, m
»., 148 and n
Castlereagh, Robert, Viscount, 32, 144
, George (Statesman), 18, 26, 27,
and «., 145, 147, 170, 216, 218-9 J
48K., 69, 126, 147, 158, 187, 208 ;
Lawrence's portrait of, 216, 218, 224-
Lawrence's portrait of, 208, 210 ;
5 5 and encouraging the Arts, 216 ;
his duel with Lord Castlereagh, 249
unpopularity of, 222 ; his duel with
and «., 250 and n
Canning, 249 and «., 250 and n
Canterbury, Archbishop of (1758-1768).
Catalani, Madame Angelica, 30, 105, 248,
See Seeker, Thomas
252 ; Morning Post on her engage-
, Archbishop of (1805-1828). See
ments, 185 and k., 186
Manners-Sutton, Charles
Catherine II., Empress of Russia, 23 m
s 2 > 4, 7
Catwater, 286.
Cathedral, 8
Cavendish Square, London, 145
Cape of Good Hope, now
Caviglia, iik
Capell, Rev. William Robert, 212-3
Chaillot, near Versailles, 191B
Cardigan, Robert, 6th Earl of, 205
Chalk Farm, 82«
" Card Players, The," by Sir David
Chalon, Mr. (father of H. B. Chalon), 221
Wilkie, 10, 33, 43
, Mrs. {nee Barnard), 221
Carew, Mr. Pole, his collection of pictures,
, Miss (sister to H. B. Chalon), 222
293
, Henry Bernard, 221-2
Carey Street, London, 119
, Mrs. H. B., 222
Carlisle, Sir Anthony (Surgeon), 74, 80,
Chamberlain, Mr., 217
118 ; on eminent doctors, 23-4, 170-1,
Chambers, Captain (son of R. A. ), 104
215
, Mrs., 104
, Frederick, 5th Earl of, 66, 205-6
, Sir William, R.A., 104
Carlton Club, London, 219W
Champagny, M. (French Minister of
House, London, 270W
Foreign Affairs), 108
Carmichael, Major-Gen., 224
Champernowne, Arthur, 274 and «., 275,
Carnarvon, Elizabeth Alicia Maria, Coun-
281
tess of, 213
, Mrs., 275
Index 307
Charles, Archduke of Austria, 165, 210-212
Cintra Convention, The (1808), 96, 98-
Charles I., King of England, 122, 174
100, 249«. ; Wordsworth's publication
and n
on the, 179, 182-3, 2 °7
II., King of England, 20, 70
Ciudad Rodrigo, 30M
V., Emperior of Spain, 60
Clancarty, Lord, 144
Charlotte Augusta, Princess (daughter of
Clarence, William Henry, Duke of (after-
Prince of Wales), 6 and «., njn
wards William IV.), 113
Sophia, Queen of George III, 27M.,
Clarke, Mr. (picture dealer of Princes
118, 139, 284 and «
Street), 174
Street, Bloomsbury, 11 jn
, Rev. Mr. (of Nantwich), 99
Street, Fitzroy Square, 45, 95
, Mrs. Mary Anne, and the Duke of
Charlton, Mrs., 34
York, now., 113, 114 and «., 116-20,
, Miss, See Lady Innes
122, 138, 139 and »., 148, 171, 180-1,
Charmouth, 239 and n., 240
296^. ; and members of the House
Charnwood, Benjamin, 34«
of Commons, 117; notice of, 139^.5
Charterhouse School, 49M
sued by Colonel Wardle, 295-6
Chartley, George Ferrers, Lord (after-
, R. G., 148 and n
wards 3rd Marquess of Townshend),
Claude, Jin., 134, 186, 195, 202, 204;
75 and n
" The Death of Procris," " Narcissus
, Lady, 75 and «
and Echo," and " Goatherd and
Chatham, Hester, Countess of, 142
Goats " by, 76 and n. ; " The Sacri-
, John, 2nd Earl of, 142, 158 ; as
fice to Apollo" by, 84 and n. ;
Commander of Walcheren Expedition,
"The Landing of Aeneas" by, ib. ;
218, 221, 223, 224 and «
" Mercury Lulling Argus to Sleep "
, William, 1st Earl of, 74, 141, 142,
by, 140 and n
162 ; portrait of, by William Hoare,
Clifford, Mr., 295
R.A., 141 and «. ; " Death of," by
, Charles, 6th Lord, 259
J. S. Copley, i44«
Clifton, near Bristol, 32
Chelsea, 29, 98, m«
Cobbett, William, 21, 112, 201, 211 ;
Hospital, 97, 148/z., 193
on the checking of Napoleon's progress,
Cheshire, 75, 95
84
Chester, 99-100, 133, 279 ; Farington's
Cobham, John Cavendish, 9th Viscount,
view of, 99-100 5 Warwick Smith's
141s
view of, 99
Cochrane, Alexander Forrester Inglis,
, Bishop of (1800- 1 809). See Majen-
Lord, Admiral, 173a., 176-7, 218
die, Henry William
, Hon. Basil, 218
Castle, 10 1
Cockerell, Samuel Pepys, 15 1-2, 219
Chichester, Thomas, 2nd Earl of, 89, 296
" Ccelebs in Search of a Wife," by Hannah
Chicully, River, 39
More, 131 and «., 159, 213
China, 10, 16 and n., 113K; William
Cogan, Thomas, M.D., 106
Westall's view in, 51
Coleorton, 51, 76, 81, 94, 128, 134, 202
Choiseul Collection, The, 140
Coleridge, James, 252W
Chorley, Lancashire, 81
, Mrs., 25272
Christ College, Cambridge. See Cam-
, Rev. John, 252 and n
bridge University
, Samuel Taylor, 51, 62, 191M., 252
Christ Church College, Oxford. See Ox-
and n. ; opinion of Dr. Johnson, 62,
ford University
70 ; on bad taste in writing, 132 ;
Christian, Mr. (Chief Justice of Ely), 108
conceit of, 207
Christie, James (Auctioneer), 116
Collard, Alderman (of Bristol), his plan
, Messrs. (Auctioneers), 198, 274K
for mail coaches, 64
" Christ Receiving the Little Children,"
, Mr. (son of the Alderman), 64
byR. Westall, R.A., 217
College of Physicians, 225«
Chrystall, Joshua. See Cristall
Collegiate Church, Manchester, 105
Chudleigh, Miss (afterwards styled Duchess
Colleton, Sir James Nassau (1752-1815),
of Kingston), Reynolds's portrait of,
receives compensation for lost Ameri-
285a
can property, 93 ; notice of, 93«
Churchill, Charles, z6n
, Lady, 93M
VOL. V.
20*
308
The Farington Diary
Colleton, Sir James Roupell (1783-1848),
93 and n
, Sir John (1608-1668), notice of, 9372
, Sir Robert Augustus William,
Brigadier-General, 9372
Collins, Wilkie, \on
, William, R.A., 40K ; his portrait of
Hon. Mrs. Hare, 40, 48 ; prices for
his pictures, ib
Colman, George, 187
Colnaghi, Paul, 157
, Messrs., 14m., 15772
Colonna Palace, Rome, 8372
Colpoys, Sir John, 289
Colworth, Bedfordshire, 1672
Combe, William (author of " Dr. Syntax "),
85, 196
Down, near Bath, 141
Commercial Room, The, Market Place,
Manchester, 107
Committee of Taste, The, and public
monuments, 186
Complete Peerage, The, 2872., 14772
Comrie, Mr. (an Attorney), 114
Coningsby, Lady Frances. See Williams,
Lady
Family, The, 202
Constable, Lieutenant, marriage of pru-
dence, 280
, John, R.A., 9 and «., 4272., 48, 52,
65, 136, 137 and «., 140, 143, 169,
1 71-2 191 ; "Memoirs of the Life
of," by C. R. Leslie, 4272. ; " View of
Borrowdale " by, 136-7
, Mary, 13072
Conway, Miss Anne Seymour. See Darner,
Hon. Mrs.
, Lady Caroline, 233
, Henry Seymour, Field-Marshal,
233
Cook, George Frederick (Actor), 154,
i75»., 208
, James, Captain, Hawkesworth's
" Voyages of," 2
, Richard, 35
Cook's Hotel, Dover Street, 168, 173
Cooke, Mrs., 40
Cookson, Dr., 5, 6
Coolboy, co. Wicklow, 6472
Cope (or Coape), Mr., 85-6
, C. W., R.A., 11772
Copeland, Thomas, F.R.S., 207 and n
Copenhagen, 18
Copley, John S., R.A., 151 ; his dispute
with Sir Edward Knatchbull, 2 ; his
portrait of Lady Jane Grey, 47 ;
R.A. Council, 135 ; and B. West, 135 ;
Copley, John S., R.A. — continued.
his portrait of Prince of Wales, 135
and n., and of Lord Sidmouth, 13 572 ;
his " Death of Earl of Chatham," 14472
, John S. (afterwards Lord Lyndhurst),
150 and n
Coram, Captain Thomas, 23972
Cork, 125
Cornewall, Folliott Herbert Walker, D.D.
(Bishop of Worcester), 75
Cornish Militia, 280
Cornwall, 75, 226, 228, 263, 276, 27872. ;
wrestling in, 292
, Duchy of, 28, 3272
Corpus Christi College. See Oxford Uni-
versity
Correggio, his art, 11 ; " Io " by, 121 and
n. ; "Jupiter and Io" by, 12172
Corunna, 129, 17772. ; Sir John Moore at,
109, 112, 115, 171, 222, 223, 229
Cosway, Richard, R.A., 149, 217
, Mrs., 149
Cotman, John Snell, 7172
Cottesmere, Rutlandshire, 67, 192
Cotton, H. E. A., letter from, 11372
, Mr., 127
, Mrs., 127
" Counties of England," published by
Cadell and Davis, 69, 75-6
Courier, The, 105, 108 and 72
Courtenay, William (9th Earl of Devon),
254-5, 256 and 72., 260, 270, 277
CouttSj Thomas, 118, 158
Covent Garden, 160, 233
Garden Theatre. See Opera House
Coventry, Countess of, Sir Godfrey
Kneller's portrait of, 293
, Earl of, portraits of, by various artists
in the Carew Collection, 293
,45
Cowley, Abraham, 132
Cowper, George Nassau, 3rd Earl, 62, 63
, William (Poet), 20172
Cox, Mr. (an agent in China), 16
, David, 7172
Coxe, Peter (Auctioneer), " Another Word
or Two," poem by, 49 and 72., 50 ;
notice of, 4972
, Peter, M.D., 4972
Venerable William (Archdeacon of
Wiltshire), 4972
Cozens, Alexander, 7172
, J. R., 6972., 7172
, Miss Sophia, 69 and 72., 70, 93 ;
her income, 90
Crauford, Robert, Colonel (afterwards
General), 30, 39 ; notice of, 3072
Index 309
Craven Hill, 205
Danby, Mrs.,and'J. M. W.Turner, 1 1 1 and n
Creevey, Thomas, 86, 27072. ; notice of, 8672
, Miss Evelyn, 11 172
Crewe, Hon. Miss Emma, 127 and n
■ , Miss Georgiana, 11 172
, John, 1st Lord, izyn
Dance, Charles, Capt., 130
, Lady, 190
, George, R.A., 23, 28, 40, 5872., 69,
Cristall, Joshua, 56, 60, 68
94, "2, "4, n6, 127-8, 130-1, 133-4,
Crofts, Richard, 6o«
151-2, 160, 172, 174, 176, 198-9,
Crompton, Captain (of 9th Regiment), 98
215, 219-20, 223-4, 228
Cromwell, Oliver, 272
, Nathaniel, R.A. See Holland, Sir
Cross, Mr., 108
Nathaniel Dance
Crown and Anchor Tavern, Covent Garden,
" Dancing Daffodils," by Wordsworth, 190
295
Daniell, Thomas, R.A., 10, 22-3, 27, 46,
Inn, Nantwich, 99
5 2 , 54, 57, 68, 124, 133, 200 ; " Pic-
Cuesta, Spanish General, 223, 229
turesque Voyage to India " by, 181
Cumberland, Ernest Augustus, Duke of, 1 53
, William, R.A., 16, 17, 57, 5872., 114,
, 3, 6, 75, 95, 125, 179, 279
124, 139, 181 j " Interesting Selec-
Cumming, Rev. Mr. (Vicar of Totnes
tions from Animated Nature " by,
Church), 275
181; "Picturesque Voyage to India "
Cunliffe, Sir Foster, 12722
by, 181
" Curate, The," by Rev. Evan Lloyd, 13372
Dannis, Captain, 292
Curgenven, Mr. (Landlord of Pope's Head
Danube, 183, 209-10
Inn), 289
Dart, The River, 271-2-3-4
Curran, John Philpot, 216
Dartington, Devonshire, 274-5, 280, 28172
Curre, John, 13372
Hall, 280, 281
Currie, James, M.D. (Burns's first Editor),
Dartmoor, 273, 287
102-3 ; his meeting with Robert
Dartmouth, George, 3rd Earl of, 62, 194
Burns, 103 and n. ; notice of, 103 and n
, 259-60, 263, 268, 271-2, 274, 277
Curtis, Mr. (of Twickenham), 81
Castle, 271-2
, Rev. Charles, 13072
Darwin, Erasmus, 20172
, George, 13072
Dashwood, Miss. See Kingston, Mrs
, James, 13072, 146 and n
, Sir Henry Watkin, 15672
, Timothy, 13072
Davis, Mr. (of Cadell and Davis), 35, 69, 75,
, Alderman Sir William, 129-30, 138,
87, "4, "7> "9, J 9 8
14672. ; notice of, 13072
, Mr. (M.P. for Colchester), 84
, Lady, 13072
Davison (or Davidson), Alexander, 55 5
Curzon Street, London (formerly Bolton
Government charges against, 144 and
Row), 1672
72., 145 ; notice of, 14472
Cuyp, Albert, 195
, John, Captain Royal Marines, 219
" Cyclopaedia, or Universal Dictionary of
Davy, Rev. Mr., 205
Arts, Sciences and Literature," edited
, Sir Humphry, wins Napoleon's
by Dr. A. Rees, 133
prize for experiments in galvanic
fluid, 9
Dacres, Admiral, 279
Dawe, George, R.A., elected an Associate
Dalkeith, Charles William, Earl of (after-
of the R.A., 294
wards 4th Duke of Buccleuch), 75
Dawlish, 254, 257, 258, 263, 265 ; Faring-
, Lady (Governess to Princess Henrietta
ton describes, 255-7
Anne), 24672
Church, 255
Dallas, Sir Robert, 101 and 72
Day (? Alexander), 83 and 72
Dalrymple, Alexander (Hydrographer to
, Mrs., 83
Admiralty), dismissed from Admiralty,
, Sir John (Advocate- General, Bom-
74 and n
bay), 80
Damer, Lady Caroline, 233
, Lady, 80
, Hon. John, 233-4
" Day in Spring and Other Poems," by
, Hon. Mrs., 26, 233
R. Westall, R.A., 54 and k., 93-4
Dampierre, Mr. (Barrister), 91-2
Deal, 137
" Damocles," by A. Dubost, 17
" Death of Procris, The," by Claude,
Danby, George, 11122
76 and »
310 The Faring
ton Diary
Decies, William, Lord (Archbishop of
Dixon [Dickson], William (Bishop of Down),
Tuam), 50M
64-5
Dee, The River, 99, ioim., 102
, Mrs., 64-5 ; notice of, 65a
Demerara, 35
Dixwell-Oxenden, Sir Percy Dixwell
Denbigh, 127M
Nowell. See Oxenden
Denman, Dr., 24
Dock, near Plymouth, 278, 286, 288-9
" Dentatus," a picture by B. R. Haydon,
Dodbridge, Devonshire, 277
204-5
Domenichino's" Landscape with St. George
Deptford, 258
and the Dragon," 274W
De Quincey, Thomas, 19 ib
Doncaster, 198
Derby, Farington's view of, 95 ; races at,
Dorchester, George, 3rd Earl of, 233
95-6
, Joseph, Earl of, 233-4
Desenfans, Noel Joseph, 150-1
, 233-4, 239
Despenser, Francis, 15th Lord le, 156
Dorsetshire, 240
D'Esterre, M., 82W
Douglas, Mr. (Artist), 172
Dettingen, Battle of, 4i«
, John, Bishop of Salisbury, 8, 9K.,
Devaynes, Mr. (Banker), 140
229, 230 ; Miller's portrait of, 972
Mrs., 140
, Mr. (son of Bishop of Salisbury),
Devis, Arthur William, his " Death of
8, 9 and n
Nelson," 156, 157 and n
, Miss, 9»
Devonshire, Elizabeth, Duchess of, 153K.,
Douro, River, 173
294
Dovedale, 96
, William, 5th Duke of, 294
Dover Street, London, 6
, 34, 6zn., 93, 226, 228, 240, 244,
Downman, Hugh, M.D., 254
247, 254, 259, 263, 266 "7>. 275-6,
Downs, The, 210, 23 5«
277, 279, 288 ; cudgel playing and
Drake, Sir Francis, Admiral, 290
wrestling in, 292
" Dream, The," poem by Lord Byron,
Militia, 290, 292
290«
De Wint, Peter, ym
Drummond, Mr. (the Banker), sued by
Dibdin, Charles, I3«
J. Boydell, 110-11, 197
, Thomas John, 13M
, Samuel, A.R.A., his life story, 42,
Dick, Dr. (Surgeon's Mate), 112 and «.,
43 and n. ; sued by Boydell, 154, 156
ii3»
, Mrs., 43
, John (Surgeon on East Indian Ser-
Drummond' s Bank, 139M
vice), ii2«., 113M
Drury Lane Theatre, 42ft., 137, 176, 178,
, Sir Robert Henry, Major-General,
179, 185K., 186; fire at, 119, 120,
113M
142 ; insurance of, 120
, William (Surgeon on East Indian
Dubber, John, 211
Service), 112K., 113^
Dublin, 185K. ; vice in, 124
, William, M.D. (of London), 113W,
Dubost, Antoine, "Damocles" by, 17;
134
and Thomas Hope, 17
, William (Assistant Surgeon), 113M
Duckworth, Rev. Mr., 245
, Mrs., 113W
, Sir Thomas, Admiral, 245
, William Fleming, 113M
Dudley, Sir Henry Bate, 196K. ; and the
, Mrs., 113M
Rectory of Bradstead, Essex, 196
Dickens, Mr. (Surgeon), 49
Dulwich Art Gallery, 150M., 1 5i»
Dictionary of Literature and Biography,
Duncan, Hon. Captain, 218
147
Dundas, Sir David, 166, 294
of National Biography, io3«., 105W.,
Dunmore, John, 4th Earl of, 97W
139M., 141M., i44«., i57«-j 16211.,
Dunmow, Essex, 2, 94
i66«., 25o«
Durham, Bishop of (1791-1826). See
Didsbury Church, 96
Barrington, Hon. Shute
Dieppe, 290W
, 167, 196
Digby, Sir Kenelm, 203
"Dutch Sam" (Pugilist), 92
Dignum, Charles, 88
Dilettante Society, The, 14 and «., 123
Eagle and Child Inn, Buxton, 96
D'lvernois, Sir F., 261M
Fire Office, 120
Index 311
Ealing, 197
Elford, Sir William, 26 in., 275, 276, 277-8,
Eames, Mr. (Landscape gardener), 174
280-1, 282, 285, 289-293 ; notice of,
East Devonshire Militia, zjzn
27572
India Company, 16 and n., 80 ;
> Lady, 277
Scotsmen in, 2 and «., 113M
, Tingcombe & Cleric, Messrs. (Ply-
"East India House," by William Foster,
mouth Bankers), 27572
1 6m
Elgin, Thomas, 7th Earl of, 81, 84, 92;
India Service, 278
his collection of Marble Works of Art,
India Shipping, 130
31, 46, 68, 72, 130
Indies, 136, 245, 260
Elizabeth, Queen of England, 246*2
Somerset Militia, 270
Ellenborough, Edward, 1st Lord, 2572.,
Eaton, near Chester, 102
30, 92, 123, 213, 296 ; and liberty of
Hall, 192
the Press, 91-2 ; Lawrence's portrait
Ebly, Gloucestershire, 140
of, 114 ; and Art, 149
Eccleston, Rev. Mr., 105
Ellis, Charles, 250
Edgecumbe, George, 1st Earl of Mount-,
Elwes, John (a wealthy miser), 114
28272., 286, 288, 29272. 5 Reynolds's
Elwin, Mr. (Picture dealer), 159
portraits of, 282
Ely, John, 2nd Marquess of, 222
, Countess of (wife of 1st Earl), 288
Endecott, John, 23672
, 2nd Earl of, 28272
England, i6«., 2872., 31, 38-9, 47, 4972., 5072.,
, Countess of (wife of 2nd Earl), 282/?
64B., 85, 124, 131s., 139, 16272., 166,
Edgeworth, Maria, 20 1»
169, 186, 267 ; war with Spain, in.,
Edgware Road, London, 36, 82
25, 29, 30, 38-40 ; war with France,
Edinburgh, 140, 18572., 22572. ; Trustees'
7, 20, 25, 29, 30, 38-40, 69, 84, 96,
Academy in, 140
98 and 72., 99, 100, 108-9, 112, 11372.,
Castle, 99
115, 129, 132, 165, 166 and n., 167,
Edinburgh Review, 122
170-3, 176-7, 183, 200, 209, 216, 218-9,
University, 209
221-4, 22 9 5 Napoleon I. and mari-
Edmonds, Mr. (Undertaker), 49
time power of, 18 ; unclaimed divi-
Edridge, Mr. (father of H. Edridge, A.R.A.),
dends and lottery prizes in, 22 ;
63 «
Union with Ireland, 58 ; as an inde-
, Henry, R.A., 10, 26, 46, 580., 61, 63,
pendent nation, ib. ; relations with
66, 87, 92, 193-4, 202-3-4-5-6; his
America, 59, 108 ; trade with Con-
portrait of Pitt, 60 ; notice of, 63 n. ;
tinent, 64 and n.; Spanish Deputation
his candidature for Associateship of
in, 85 ; armistice with Spain, 87 ;
R.A., 72, 78-9, 87 ; his miniature of
Spain and Treaty of Peace with, 89 ;
B. West, 193 ; his portrait of Mrs. C.
extraordinary heat in, ib. ; Civil
Long, 206
Wars in, 9372. ; price of coals in, 108 ;
Edwards, Miss, 93
comparison of expenditure between
, E., A.R.A., Farington's " Life of,"
1 79 1 and 1808, 158 ; during the
61, 66 ; " Anecdotes of Painters " by,
French Revolution, 163 ; historical
158
painting in, 177 ; state of the Arts in,
Egham, 226
204, 216 ; commerce of (1809), 213,
Eglinton Tournament, The, 4572
225 ; expedition to Holland, 216,
Egremont, Charles, 2nd Earl of, 2772
218, 221, 223, 224 and n., 297 ; ex-
, George, 3rd Earl of, 107
travagance of the lower classes in, 279 ;
, George O'Brien, 3rd Earl of, 213-4
Peace signed with Persia and Turkey,
Egypt? 1 1, 86, 16672.; excavations in,
2 94
n«
Entwhistle (or Entwisle), William (of
Eightieth Regiment of Foot, 28
Rousham), his collection of pictures,
Eldon, John, 1st Earl of, 30, 149, 171,
107 and n
222, 296
Erskine, Thomas, 1st Lord, 91, 150 ; his
" Elements of Art," a poem by Sir M. A.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Shee, 135-6, 160, 178, 183, 200, 201,
Bill, 181, 188-9
208
Esdaile, Peter, 23572
Elford, Mr. (son of Sir William Elford),
Essex, Frances, Countess of (wife of 4th
290
Earl), 202-3
312 The Farington Diary
Essex, George, 5th Earl of, 203, 206, 212-
Farington Joseph, R.A. — continued.
3 ; sells Hampton Court, Hereford-
124, 130, 133-4-5, 145, J53, 178, 184,
shire, 202
200, 201, 206, 216, 220, 223 ; and
, Sarah, Countess of (1st wife of 5th
B. West, 8, 11, 31, 122, 153; and
Earl), 203
Mrs. Charles Long's art, 20 ; and
, William Anne, 4th Earl of, Pompeio
the Elgin Marbles, 31, 46 ; prices for
Battoni's portrait of, 203
his drawings, 35 ; Lawrence's portrait
, 5
of, 49, 71 ; his Life of Edward
Street, London, 225
Edwards, 61, 66 ; and Cadell and
Essling, Battle of, 210
Davis's " Counties of England," 69,
Este, Sir Augustus Frederick d' (son of
75-6 ; and Reynolds's portrait of Mrs.
Lady Augusta Murray), 149
Siddons as " The Tragic Muse," 86 ;
Eton College, 48 and «., 98, 183, 226
leaves for Lancashire, 95 ; makes a
Euripides, Plays of, 209
series of views en route for the
Europe, 192, 253 ; and a maritime power,
" Britannica Depicta," 95-6, 99, 100 ;
21
visits Manchester's institutions, 107 ;
European Magazine, The, 130ft
returns to London, 109 ; " The Old
Museum, The, 177, 181, 183
Palace at Lincoln " by, 116; and Lady
Gallery, 197
Thomond, 145-6 ; " View of London
Everard, Miss, 155
Bridge " by, 157 ; his advice to Sir D.
Everitt, Mr. (Banker), 73
Wilkie, R.A., 158, 169 ; " Ouse Bridge
, Mrs., 73
at York" by, 159, 1745 on Words-
Evesham, 292
worth's poetry, 179 ; and charges for
Examiner, The, 31
drawing, 182 ; on Turner's prices,
Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, 102
206 ; and New Opera House, Covent
Exe, Mrs., 272
Garden, 224 ; leaves London for a
, River, 245-6, 250, 257
Devonshire and Cornwall tour, 226 ;
Exeter, yn., 244, 246ft., 254, 255, 270,
his description of the various places
274, 296ft. ; Farington describes, 245-
en route, 226-294
254
, Richard (brother to Diarist), 43, 95-6,
Castle, 246
104-5, 112, 113ft., 119
Cathedral, 229, 245-6, 247 and «.,
, Mrs., 96
248, 253
, Rev. Dr. Robert (brother to Diarist),
Exmouth, 103, 243, 257, 263 ; Farington
48, 226 and ft., 227-8-9, 245, 251, 275
describes, 244
, William (nephew of the Diarist), 56,
Eywood, Herefordshire, 153
57, 69, 95-6, 102, 107, 109, 159
Farndip, Northamptonshire, 61
Fagel, Baron Hendrick, 20 and «
Farquhar, Sir Walter, 225
" Fair Women," by William Sharp, 32ft
Farrington, John, 10 1
" Fair Women Exhibition," Grafton Gal-
, Thomas, 10 1
leries, 32ft
Ferdinand VII., King of Spain, 87
Falkland, John Charles, 9th Viscount, 127
Ferrier, Dr., 105
Farington, Harry (brother to Diarist), 107,
Ffarington, William, Colonel (of Shawe
199
Hall), 109 and n
, Joseph, R.A., 2«., 4, 5, 7, 9ft., 10,
, Mrs., 109
n«., 15, 16, 20, 22-3, 25, 27, 32-4,
Ffolkes, Sir Martin, 119
37-8, 40-1, 43, 46-52, 54, 56-7,
Fielding, Henry, 102 and n
58, 60, 62, 64, 67, 69, 70, 73, 75-7,
, William, 102 and n
80, 83ft., 85, 88, 90, 92, 96, 102, 103M.,
Filmer, Edward, 92
107-8, 112, 113ft., 114, 1 16-7-8-9,
Finch, Hon. Daniel, 5
123, 126-7-8, 13 1-2-3, 136-7, Ho-2,
, Hon. and Rev. Dr. Edward, 5
145, 147, 150-1, 154, 156-60, 161-2,
Fisher, Edward, 141ft
168-173, 176, 181, 184-5, l88 "9, I 9 2 ,
, John, Bishop of Salisbury, 4, 5, 7, 8,
193, 195-6, 197-8, 202, 207, 209-10,
9M., 50, 75, 228, 229-30, 246-7, 254
212-3, 217, 219, 223, 225, 235ft., 26i«. ;
, Mrs., 7, 9, and «., 228-9
and R.A. affairs, 8, 13, 14, 22, 42, 47,
, Colonel (of Royal Artillery), 229
52, 55, 72-3, 78-9, 87, 93, "3, "7,
, Rev. Mr., 229, 246-7-8-9, 251, 253
Index 313
Fitzgerald, W. T. (Poet), 69
Freebairn, Mr. (son of Robert Freebairn), 1 1
Fitzpatrick, Hon. Richard, General, 19
, Robert, n 72. ; death of, 11
Fitzroy Square, London, 16, 173
Freeling, Mr. (a Post Office Official), 64, 248
Fitzwilliam, William, 4th Earl, 74
Free Thinking Christians, a religious sect, 29
Flaxman, John, R.A., 124, 127, 200, 216,
Frend, William, 89
220 ; his sketch for Reynolds's monu-
Frere, John Hookham, 147 and 72., 222
ment, 146
Frith, W. P., R.A., 11772
Fleming, John Willis, M.P. 156 and n
Frome Grammar School, 2672
, Mrs., 1 5 6b
Froude, James Anthony, 28072
Florence, 46, 83ft., 15372., 296ft
, Robert Hurrell (Archdeacon of
Flushing, 69, 218, 22472. ; captured by
Totnes), 276, 28072
British, 221
, Robert H., 280, 281 and 72
Folkestone, Jacob, Viscount, 277Z. ; price
, Mrs. (Peggy Spedding), 279, 280, 28172
paid for his peerage, 147 and n
, William, 28172
— - — , William, Viscount (afterwards 3rd
Fulham, 158, 161, 201
Earl of Radnor), 160
Fuller, Thomas, 24672
, Viscountess, 160
Fullerton, William, of Fullerton, death of,
Fordyce, Mr. (son of Dr. Fordyce), 23, 35
25 ; notice of, 2572
, George, M.D., 23, 172, 225 ; notice
Fuseli, Henry, R.A., 4, 32, 47, 50, 55, 90,
of, 22572
"8, 133) 153) i5 8 > l 77> J 97, i99> 2 °°)
Forster, Rev. Edward, " The British
201 and 72., 220, 223 ; and religion, 4 ;
Gallery of Engravings,'' 20 and n
" History of the Arts of Painting " by,
, John (afterwards Lord Oriel), 189
40 ; his Milton Gallery, 40 ; " King
, Hon. John Thomas, 294
Lear " by, in; his knowledge of
Fort George, Scotland, 29472
Shakespeare, n 8-9
Fortescue, Lady, 72
, Mrs. (wife of R.A.), 4, 13, 201
Foster, Lady Elizabeth. See Devonshire,
Duchess of
Gainsborough, John (father of the R.A.),
, William, " East India House " by, i6n
4172
Fothergill, Dr., 237
, Thomas, R.A., 33, 76, 202, 203, 215 ;
Foundling Hospital, 23972
his portraits of Ignatius Sancho, 2772. ;
Fowey, Cornwall, 277
of the Romney children, 2772. ;
Fowler, Richard, 23572
" Wood Scene, Cornard, Suffolk," by,
Fox, Charles James, 14, 19, 20, 27, 65, 86,
41 and 72., 4272. ; W. T. Whitley's
11472., 162, 195 ; his pious deportment,
" Life of," 4272. ; " The Blue Boy "
15 ; " History of the Early Part of the
by, 8572. ; his portrait of Auguste
Reign of James II." by, 19 and 72.,
Vestris, 8772. ; " Landscape with Market
. 2 °> 7 2 > 77, 7 8 > 8l
People" by, 14472. ; his art, 204
Frail, Mrs. See Watson, Lady
Gambier, James, 1st Lord, Admiral, his
France, 31, 64 and 72., 82, 86 ; war with
attack on Brest, 176-7 ; court-martial
Portugal, 6 ; war with Russia, 7 ;
of, 213 and 72., 218
war with England, 7, 20, 25, 29, 30,
Gamble, Rev. Mr., 196
38-40, 69, 84, 96, 98 and 72., 99, 100,
" Ganymede," by Titian, 8372
108-9, II2 > Il 3 n -> Il $i i2 9j x 3 2 > i6 5>
Gardanne, French General, 168
166 and 72., 167, 170-3, 176-7, 183,
Gardner, Miss. See Kingston, Mrs
200, 209, 216, 218-9, 22I- 4> 22 9 j
, Rev. Mr. (of Battersea), 161
occupation of Holland by, 2872. ; rela-
, Alan, 1st Lord, Admiral, 56 ; death
tions with Spain, 84-5, 88, 90 ; Spain
of, 116
declares war on, 87 ; partiality of
, Lady, 168
America to, 108 ; Revolution, 163 ;
, Alan Hyde, 2nd Lord, 69, 116, 137,
war with Austria, 167, 184, 209-10 ;
168, 172-3
campaign in Germany, 201 ; agrees to
, Hon. Mrs. (first wife of 2nd Lord
armistice with Austria, 212-3
Gardner), 137
Francis I., Emperor of Austria, 210
, Lady (second wife of 2nd Lord
I., King of France, 60
Gardner), 137, 173, 176
Franco, Ralph, 29172., 292
, William, Captain R.N., 69
Fraser, William W., M.D., 23
, William Dunn, 7571
314 The Farington Diary
Garrick, David, 78
Gloucestershire, 158
Garrow, Sir William, 41, 91-2, 295 ; his
Glover, John, 53, 68, 78, 204, 267 ; his
fees, 92
methods of teaching drawing, 53
Garvagh, Dora Lady, Letter re Castle-
" Goatherd and Goats,"by Claude,76 and «
reagh-Canning duel, 249ft., 250ft
Golden Cross Hotel, Charing Cross, 95
Garvey, Edmund, R.A., 55
Lion, Newton Bushel, 259
Gatcliffe, Rev. Mr. (Fellow of Collegiate
Goldsmid, Abraham, 161 and n
Church at Manchester), 96, 105
, Mrs., 161
Gay, John, The Beggar's Opera by, 154
Goode, John Mason, 89
Genoa, 124
Gordon, Jane, Duchess of, 19, 225
Gentleman's Magazine, The, 53«., 61
Gordon's Hotel, 25
George II., King of Great Britain, 41M.,
Gore, Sir John, 89
49ft., 147 and n
Gould, Mr. (of Hanson Grange), 96.
III., King of Great Britain, 5, 9, 27ft.,
Gower, General, 39
47, 73, 75, I22 , 124, i35, *39, l8 4;
, Lord Granville Leveson- (afterwards
213, 249ft., 250, 272ft., 279, 284, 289 ;
1st Earl Granville), 7
and R.A., 55, 151 ; and B. West, 11 1 ;
Graham, Mr. (Solicitor to Lord Lonsdale),
Lawrence's portrait of, 123 ; attempt
6 7.
on his life, 164; his speech on the
, Sir James, 192
prorogation of Parliament (1809),
, John, 140
192-3 ; Beechey's portrait of, 205 ;
Grampound, Cornwall, 291ft
association with Weymouth, 23 5 and n. ;
Grand Rue, Dieppe, 290M
Jubilee celebrations of, 294
Grant, Mr. (Chairman of India Company),
V., King of Great Britain, 64ft
167
, Rt. Hon. David Lloyd, M.P., 64ft
, Rev. Dr., death of, 209
Inn, Liverpool, 102
, Charles, 16-17 ; notice of, i6«
Inn, Sandbach, 98
, Sir William, 126, 189 ; his manner of
Inn, Stamford, Lincolnshire, 162ft
speaking, 20-1
Germany, 165 ; French campaign in, 201
Grantley, 1st Lord, 227M
Gibbs, Hon. Vicary, 28ft., 147ft
Grassmere, 64
, Sir Vicary, 41, 91, ioift., in, 119,
Grattan, Henry, 69, 173
122, 126, 176, 295
Gratz, 212
Gibraltar, 41ft., 224ft. '■> " Historical Sketch
Graves, Algernon, "Art Sales" by, 159ft
of," by John Heriot, 148ft
Gray, Mr. (Deputy Treasurer to the Prince
Gifford, Helen Selina, Countess of, 45ft
of Wales), 208
, William (Author of " The Baviad "),
Great Cumberland Place, London, 207
122
George Street, Westminster, 45
Gilbert Buildings, Lambeth, nift
Oak, The, at Ruyton, Shropshire, 60
Gill, Charles (Artist), 93
Greece, 46
Gillam, Captain, iw
Green, (George ?) (of Dell Lodge, Black-
Gilpin, Sawrey, R.A., 22
heath), 88 and «
Ginkle, Lady Christina, 28
, Mrs. (of Blackheath), 143
" Girandola at the Castle of St. Angelo,"
, (Joshua ?), 155 and «
by Joseph Wright (of Derby), 107
, Rupert, 157 and n
Girtin, Thomas, 71ft
, Valentine, 27ft., 34, 117, 157 and ft.,
Gladiator, H.M.S., 213
170
Globe, The, 100
, Mrs. See Charlton, Mrs
Fire Office, 120
, Miss, 127, 131
Inn, Teignmouth, 258
, Wigram & Green, Messrs., 88«
Gloucester, William Frederick, 2nd Duke
Greenhill, John, his portrait of Seth Ward,
of, 6, 150, 270ft., 296 ; and Sir David
9ft
Wilkie's picture, " The Card Players,"
, Mr., M.P. for Thirsk, 147-8
i°, 33, 43
Green Street, London, 36
House, London, 1 50
Greenway, Devonshire, 274
House, Weymouth, 236ft
Greenwich Hospital, 157 and «
Lodge, Brompton, 250
GrefHer Fagel, The. See Fagel, Baron
Place, London, iiom
Hendrick
1
Index 315
Gregson, Mr. (Pugilist), 84; his boxing
Hamilton, Mr. (Tutor to the Goldsmid
match with Gulley, 60 and «., 81 ;
family), 161
his figure, 81
, Sir Alexander, 245 and n
Grenville, William Wyndham, 1st Lord,
, Archibald, 9th Duke of, 275
72 ; elected Chancellor of Oxford
, Archibald, Lord, 144 and w., 147-8
University, 296
, Lady Emma, 133 5 Henry Bone's
Greville, Hon. Charles, 827?.
portrait of, 14472
" Greville Memoirs," 8272
, Gavin, 83
Greyhound Inn, Blandford, 233
, James, Viscount, 212
Grey, Hon. and Rev., 5
, William, R.A., 22
, Charles, 2nd Earl, 149, 207
, Sir William, 133
, Lady Jane, John S. Copley's portrait
" Hamlet," C. M. Young as, 78
. of, 47
Hamoaze, 286-7, 289
Grier, Sydney C, Letter from, 23577.
Hampshire, 837?
Griffith, Rev. Dr., 105
Hampstead, 169, 197
Grignon, Charles, jun., 54
Hampton Court, Herefordshire, 202, 203
Grimthorpe, Edmund, 1st Lord, 19277.
Court, Middlesex, 104, 205
Groot, Dr. Hofstede de, 15977.
Handel, George Frederick, portrait of, by
Grose, Mr. Justice, 145
William Hoare, R.A., 141 and n
Grosvenor, Henrietta, Countess, 145
Hankey, Mr., 222
, Robert, 2nd Earl of (afterwards 1st
Hanover, 6477.., 16677., 167
Marquess of Westminster), 72, 84, 8577..,
Square, 86
102, 192
Hansard, Thomas Cur son (Printer), 61
Bridge, Chester, 10 iw
Hanson, John, 22777.
Gate, Hyde Park, 86
Grange, 96
Square, London, 22, 86, 158, 187
Harcourt, George Simon, 2nd Earl, 81 5
Guard, Lieutenant-Colonel, 25-6, 29, 30,
death of, 145
251-2 ; his domestic troubles, 38
, Lady, 145
, Mrs., 26, 38, 251-2
, Dowager Lady, 145
, The Misses, 37
, William, 3rd Earl, General, 145
, The Rev. Mr., 37, 251
Harden, Mr., 172, 191
, Mr. (a Honiton lace manufacturer),
Hardman, John, 97
.251
, William, 97 and 72., 105
Guildford, Francis, 1st Earl of, 187
Hardwicke, Philip, 3rd Earl of, 71-2
, Frederick, 2nd Earl of. See North,
, Countess, 71-2
Lord
Hare, Hon. Mrs., W. Collins's portrait of
, George Augustus, 3rd Lord, 187
40, 48
, Susan, Countess of, 158
, James, 48 and n
Guildhall, London, 91, 111, 123
Harewood, Henry, 3rd Earl of, 23372
Coffee House, London, 91
Harland, Mr. (Surgeon and Apothecary of
Gulley, Mr. (Pugilist), 92 ; his boxing
Ashbourne), 96
match with Gregson, 60 and k., 81
Harlech Castle, J. Ward's view of, 71
Gurney, Mr., 255
Harley, Lord, 219
Gwydyr, Peter, 1st Lord, 244
Harpur, Mr. (one of J. M. W. Turner's
Gwynn, General, 174
executors), 11172
Harries, Henry, Letter from, 272., 11272.,
H., Captain, 53
11372., 23572
Haddington, Scotland, 14877.
Harris, Mr. (Picture dealer), 84, 157
Haddon, Rev. Mr. (Rector of Warrington),
, Thomas (of Covent Garden Opera
106
House), 18577., 207
Halhed, Nathaniel Brassey, 210
Harrison, Mr. (of the Treasury), 193, 225
Halifax, 166
, Thomas, 10 1 and n
Hall, Charles Henry, D.D., 75
, Mrs., 97
Halsewell, East Indiaman, wrecked off St.
Hart, Miss. See Reddish, Mrs
Alban's Head, 235 and n
Hartington, William Spencer, Marquess of
Hamilton, Dr., 81
(afterwards 6th Duke of Devonshire), 96
, Mr., 81, 130
Harvey, Mr. (of Norwich), 204
316 The Faritij
£ton Diary
Harvey, Sir Elias, Admiral, court-martial
Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, iiik
of, 173 and n
Henry IV., King of England, 202-3
Hastings, 60, 198, 241
, Mr. 89
Hatton Garden, 193W
Herbert, Mr. (of Killarney), 61
Haughton, Moses, 4
, Sidney, 1st Lord, of Lea, 47W
Havell, William, 53, 68, 204
Hereford, Bishop of (1808-18 15). See
Haverhill, Essex, 94
Luxmore, John
Hawes, William, M.D. (Founder of the
Herefordshire, 275
Royal Humane Society), death of, 106
Heriot, Mr. (son of John Heriot), 148
Hawker, Mr. (of Dudsbridge, near Rod-
, John, appointed Paymaster to Lee-
borough, Gloucestershire), 140
ward and Windward Islands, 148 ;
Hawkesbury, Robert, 2nd Lord (afterwards
notice of, 148M
2nd Earl of Liverpool), 170
Hertford Assizes, 212
Hawkesworth, John, LL.D., " Voyages of
Hesse, Prince of, 94, 167
Captain Cook " by, 2
Hewlett, James (of Bath), 26 ; notice of,
Hay, Mr. (Engraver), 140
26«
Haydon, Mr. (father of B. R. Haydon),
Heywood, James Modyford, 289-90
62 and n
, Samuel, his " Vindication of Fox's
, Mr. (grandfather of B. R. Haydon),
History," ign
62 and n
Hibbert, Robert, jun., 89
, Mrs., 62 and n
Hick's Hall, 295
, Benjamin Robert, 26, 52, 62, 65,
Highbury Place, 295
71, 136, 140 and n., 142-3, 147, 171-2,
Hill, Mr. (Picture dealer), 1 5 1
186, 284 ; and Sir David Wilkie, 48 ;
, Mr. (Secretary of Water-Colour
story of his parentage, 62 and n. ;
Painting Society), 193
" Dentatus " by, 204-5 ■> " A. Holy
, Mr. (Surgeon), 172
Family " by, 205
" History of the Arts of Painting," by Henry
Haydons of Cadhay, The, 6zn
Fuseli, R.A., 40
Hayes, Sir John Macnamara, M.D., 7, 34-5,
" History of the Early Part of the Reign of
170, 184, 222
James II." by C. J. Fox, 19 and «.,
, Lady, 184
20, 72, 77-%, 81
, Middlesex, 89
Hoare, Miss (eldest sister of W.Hoare,R.A.),
Hayman, Miss (Keeper of the Princess of
6 3 .
Wales's Privy Purse), 27
, Miss (youngest sister of the R.A.), 63
Haymarket Theatre, I75«
, Charles, 255
Hazlitt, William, 175W
, Prince (Secretary of Foreign Corre-
Heaphy, Thomas (Artist), 54, 56, 68, 78, 204
spondence of the R.A.), 62, 63, 97, 122,
Hearne, Thomas, 33, 35, 46, 49-50, 65, 66,
134, 141-2, 184 ; " Academic Annals"
81, 93, 122, 136, 160, 174, 202-3-4-5-6
by, 170
Heath, James, A.E. (Engraver), 54, 141, 197
, Sir Richard, 264«
Heathfield, George, 1st Lord, 290 ;
, Sir Richard Colt, 255 ; books by, 229
Reynolds's portrait of, 41 and «., 42,
and n
177 and «., 181-2, 183 and «., 197;
, William, R.A., 141 ; his fortune, 63 ;
notice of, 41 n
portraits by, 141 and n
" Hebe," Mrs. Musters as, by Sir J.
Hobbema, M., " Wooded Landscape with a
Reynolds, 290M
Water Mill " by, 157, 159 and n
Hele, Rev. Mr. (Headmaster of Plympton
Hodges, William, R.A., 136, 268, 269 ;
School), 282, 284
" The Old Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury,"
Heligoland, 213
by, 116
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 93
Hodgson, Brian (of Ashbourne, Derbyshire),
Henchman, Humphrey (1592-1675), Bishop
162M
of Salisbury, Greenhill's portrait of, 9K
Hogarth, William, 23 6«
Henderson, Mr. (Dentist), 133
Hogg, Mr. (of Ebly), 140
, Sir John, 89
Holdsworth, John Henry, 271-2
Henrietta Anne, Princess, 246^
Holkar, Rebellion of, 28«
Maria (Queen Consort of Charles I.),
Holland, Henry Richard Vassall, 3rd Lord,
2468
i9>. 2 °> 7h 77-%
Index 317
Holland, Sir Nathaniel Dance-, 165,
Hughes, Miss. See Wells, Mrs. William
198-9 ; his art, 52
, Thomas, D.D., 4, 5, 6 ; and adminis-
, 271 ; French occupation of, 28ft
tration of Communion at St. Paul's,
, British Expedition to (1809), 216, 218,
4, 5
221, 223, 224 and «., 297
, Mrs., 5 and ft., 6
Holmes, Sir Charles J., 68ft., 83M
Huish, Rev. Mr. (of Faringdon), 251-2
" Holy Family," picture by B. R. Haydon,
, Rev. Mr. (of Pembridge), 251
205
Hume, Sir Abraham, 48ft., 62, 150, 195
Holylands Coffee House, 49
, Lady, Reynolds's portrait of, 62
Homer, 70 ; " Iliad and Odyssey " of,
Humphry, Ozias, R.A., 46, 68, 128
translated by A. Pope, 132
Hungary, 210
Honiton, 128
Hungerford Bridge, 1 54ft
Hood, Sir Samuel, Admiral, 56ft
Hunn, Mr. (a Plymouth Draper), 148 and «
, Hon. Lady, Lawrence's portrait of,
Hunt, Captain, 293
49, 50, 56 and ft., 71 ; notice of, 56ft
, Mrs., 293
Hook, Theodore, 222
, Mr. (of Dartmouth), 268
Hope, Henry, 62, 63
Hunter, Mr. (British Consul in Spain),
, Sir James Archibald, General, 115,218
88
, John (of Amsterdam), 50ft
, George Orby, 290 and n
, Thomas, 26, 51, 84 ; and Dubost, the
, Mrs., 290
artist, 17 ; notice of, 50
, John, M.D., 107ft. j Reynolds's
, Mrs., 17, 5o«. ; Shee's portrait of, 50
portrait of, 183
Fire Office, 120
, Rev. John (Headmaster of Lichfield
Hoppner, John, R.A., 26, 49 and «., 50, 57,
Grammar School), 53ft
86-7, in, 122, 181, 197; his portraits ,
Huntingdon, Mr., 159
of Mrs. M. A. Taylor as " Miranda,"
Huntington, Henry, 177ft
32ft. ; of Pitt, 57, 60 ; of Sir George
Hurd, Richard, Bishop of Worcester, 75
Beaumont, 77; his health, 118; his
Hurstbourne Park, 227 and n
portrait of Miss Sinclair, ib. 5 " Venus "
Hyde, Alexander, Bishop of Salisbury
by, 149 ; his portraits of Countess of
(1665-1667), 9«
Oxford, 15372. 5 °f Lord Thomond,
Park, 114ft. j proposal to erect build-
171 ; " Oriental Tales translated into
ings in, 86 and n
English Verse " by, 208 and n
Hyder, Ali, 278ft
, Mrs., 118
Home, Mr. (Surgeon), 199
Ibbetson, Miss. See Madan, Mrs. Martin
Houghton Hall, 205
Ham Hall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, 42ft
House of Commons, 18, 20, 22, 3072., 33, 64,
" Iliad and Odyssey of Homer," translation
69, 85-6, 116, 141, 142, 144 and «.,
by A. Pope, 132
145, 148, 152, 158, 166-7, 1 %9i 296ft- ;
Imperial Fire Office, 120
bias of reporters in the, 21 ; and the
Incledon, C. B. (Actor), 88, 154
Duke of York's conduct as Commander-
India, 32, 145, 147, 260 5 natives of, and
in-Chief, 1 10 and ft., 1 12-3, 1 14 and ft.,
English missionaries, 16-17 5 mutiny
117, 122-3, 126-7-8-9, 148; late
at Vellore, 16
sittings in, 167, 216 ; sale of seats in,
House, 219
188 ; reporters in, 196
" Infant Hercules, The," by Sir J. Rey-
of Lords, 28»., 30ft., 33, 34«., 85, 137,
nolds, 186
181, 189
Innes, Sir James Nor cliff e, 34 ; his claim
Houston, Richard, 141ft
to the Dukedom of Roxburghe, 34 and
Howard, Bernard Edward (afterwards 12th
«. ; notice of, 34ft
Duke of Norfolk), 18
, Lady (nee Wray), 34 and n
, Henry, R.A., 19 and «., 20, 145, 153,
, Lady (nee Charlton, Charlewood, or
178, 200, 220 ; elected R.A., 22
Charnwood), 34 and n
Howe, Hon. Mrs., 9
" Interesting Selections from Animated
Howland, Mrs., 94
Nature," by William Daniell, 181
Street, London, 95
" Io," by Correggio, 121 and n
Hughes, Mr. (Surgeon), 2
" Iphigenia, The," by Sir J. Reynolds,
, Mrs. (wife of Surgeon), 2
146
318 The Farington Diary
Ireland, in., d\n., 105, 124-5, ^9, 208, 212,
" Journey to Rome and Naples," by
216, 256, 266k., 277 ; Union with
Henry Sass, 117K
England, 58
Junot, Andoche, Due d'Abrantes, French
Irish House of Commons, 216
General, 129, 132 ; at Vimiera, 98
Irish Times, The, 6^n
and k., 99
Ischia, Italy, 224
" Jupiter and Io," by Correggio, 121K
Isle worth, 25K
Islington, 295
Katherine (of Aragon), Queen of England,
Italy, 4, 46, 86, 219K., 229, 282, 284 ;
246K
Napoleon annexes Rome and the Papal
Katrine, Loch, 169
Territories of, 82 ; defeat of French
Kauffman, Angelica, R.A., 22
Army in, 1 67
Kelland, Samuel (Boatman), 272-3
Ivybridge, Devonshire, 281
Kellermann, F. C, Due de Valmy, Marshal
of France, 96
Jackson, John (Pugilist), 92
Kellett, Canon, 246K
, John R.A., 65, 136, 143 ; notice of,
Kelly, Michael, 88
66k
Kemble, John Philip, 60, 72, 142, 152, 154,
, Mrs., 66k
222, 224, 248, 252, 295 ; his acting,
Jacomie, Don, Spanish Major-General, 89
17-8, 78; and a pint of wine, 208;
Jamaica, 277 and n., 291 and n
as an actor, 208
James II., King of England, and VII. of
, Mrs., 72
Scotland, C. J. Fox's " History of the
Kendal, Duchess of (Mistress to GeorgelL),
Early Part of the Reign of," 19 and «.,
147K
20, 72, 77-8, 81
Kennedy, Miss, 102-3
, George, A.R.A., 31 ; notice of, 31K
Kensington, 97
Street, Buckingham Gate, London, 89
Kent, Edward, Duke of, 296
Jameson, Mr. (Artist, of Ambleside), 61, 172
,89, 191
, Mrs., 172
Kentish Volunteers, The, 27K
Jardine, Matheson & Co., Messrs. (of Hong
Ker, Sir James Innes-. See Innes, Sir
Kong), 1 6k
James Norcliffe
Java, Island of, 84
Kerrison, Sir Roger, 82, 233 ; notice of, 82K
Jenner, Edward, M.D., 1 14-5, 2ook
Kersal Moor, 104
Jennings, Colonel, 162K
Kerseboom, Friedrich, 293
Jenson, M., %jn
Keswick, 51, 125
Jerningham, Ned, 142
Kibworth, Leicestershire, 103K
Jersey, George, 5th Earl of, 65K., 29 in
Kilcommon, co. Wicklow, 64K
, Sarah Sophia, Countess of, 65K.,
Killarney, Lakes of, 61, 124-5
29 IK
King, Peter, 7th Lord, 89
John, Prince of Lichtenstein, 212
" King Lear," picture by H. Fuseli, R.A.,
Johnson, Rev. Croxton, 105-6
in
, Mrs., 106
" King Lear," W. Sharp's engraving of
, Joseph (Bookseller), 40, 54, 158, 201 ;
West's picture of, 41
notice of, 20 m
Kingsale, Susan, Lady, 38 and n
, Dr. Samuel, 53K., 133K., 215, 246
King's Arms Tavern, Golden Square, 1
and k., 282 ; Coleridge's opinion of,
Bench, Court of, 41, 104, no, 144-5,
62, 70 ; as a mannerist, 70 ; and Mrs.
154, 156, 295-6
Barbauld, 10372. ; his " Lives of the
Bench Prison, 86, 104, 133K., 196, 231K
Most Eminent English Poets," 132
Kingsbridge, Devonshire. 277
, T., 124-5 .
Kingsgate, Kent, 127
Jones, Mr. (Artist), 116
King's Teignton, near Teignmouth, 266
, Sir Harford, 294 ; notice of, ib. n
Kingston, John (M.P. for Lymington), 156
, William (Marshal of King's Bench),
, Mrs. {nee Knightley), 15 6k
104
, Mrs. (nee Gardner), 156
, Messrs. (Welsh Harpers), 281
, Mrs. (nee Dash wood), 156
Jordaens, Jakob, 126
Kingswear, 271-2
Jordan, Mrs., 113
Kinsale, Lord, 251
, Miss, 113
Kirkpatrick Fleming, Dumfriesshire, 103K
Index 319
Kirkstead Hall, 233
Lawrence, Sir Thomas, R.A. — continued.
Knatchbull, Sir Edward, 2 ; his dispute
Hon. Lady Hood, 49-50, 56 and n., 71 5
with J. S. Copley, R.A., 2
of four children of J. J. Angerstein, 49,
, Miss. See Hughes, Mrs. (wife of
71 ; of Pitt,_49, 57, 60 and ft., 74, 77,
surgeon)
93 ; of Farington, 49, 71 ; of Lord
Kneller, Sir Godfrey, his portrait of the
Aberdeen, 49 ; and of Lord Redesdale,
Countess of Coventry, 293
58 ; his art, 71 ; and Reynolds's por-
Knight, Mr., 148
trait of Mrs. Siddons as " The Tragic
, R. Payne, 14, 20, 22-3, 54, 61, 127,
Muse," 86 5 his portrait of Sir G.
183, 186, 195 ) on art and artists,
Beaumont, 94, 143 5 group of Sir
14, 15 -, his collection of gems, etc.,
Francis Baring, his brother and son-in-
127 and «
law, 114; his portraits of Lord Mul-
Knightley, Lucy (of Fawsley, Northampton-
grave, 114; of Lord Ellenborough,
shire), 156 and n
114; and of George III., 123;
, Mrs., 156 and «
too scrupulous, 132 ; his portraits
, Valentine, 156ft
of Lord Grey's children, 149 ; of
George Canning, 208, 210 ; of Lord
Lady Burgess (ship owned by John Prinsep
Castlereagh, 216, 218, 224-5 '1 anc ^
in East India Service), 113W
of Lord Rolle, 277ft
Lagos, Cape, defeat of Spanish fleet off, i«
Lawson, Sir Wilfrid (10th Baronet of Isell),
Laidler, James, 75ft
179ft
Lake, Gerard, Viscount, General, 28 and ft.,
, Sir Wilfrid (1st Baronet of Brayton),
29 ; death of, 28 ; Prince of Wales and,
179ft
28-29 ; poverty of, 32
, Sir Wilfrid (2nd Baronet of Brayton),
Lamb, Charles, 191M
179ft
Lambton, Lady Anne, 214
Leach, Sir John, 152
, William Henry, 214
■ , Thomas, 193 and n
Lancashire, 81, 95, 292
Leakey, James, 9 ; notice of, 9ft
Lancaster, Mr. (Schoolmaster), 19
Leard, Mr. (Torquay Boatman), 267
" Landing of Aeneas, The," by Claude,
Leeward Islands, 148
84 and n
Lefebvre-Desmonettes, Comte Charles,
" Landscape with St. George and the
French General, 109
Dragon," by Domenichino, 274ft
Leghorn, 46
Landseer, John, A.R.A., 45, 111, 117 and
Le Hunt, Thomas, 64ft
«., 133, 197
, Mrs., 64ft
Land's End, Cornwall, 229
Leicester, Sir John Fleming (afterwards
Lane, Samuel, jun., 82
BarondeTabley),m, 117, 137,149,204
Langford, William, D.D. (Canon of Wind-
> 42, 95> 2 °3
sor), 6 ; his vanity, 183-4
Square, panorama in, 10
Lansdowne, Lord, 193
Le Keuk, Henry, 198ft
Lastingham, Yorkshire, 66n
, John, 198 ; notice of, ib. n
Lawranson, Thomas, 199 and «
Lennap, David van, m
, William, 199ft
Lens, Bernard, 293
Lawrence, John Laird, Governor-General
Leominster, 202
of India, 260
Leopold, Prince (afterwards King of the
, Mr. Justice, 211
Belgians), 6
, Thomas, 248
Lettsom, John Coakley, M.D., 23
, Sir Thomas, R.A., 1, 7, 9ft., 14, 15, 18,
Leveson-Gower, Lord. See Gower
30, 31, 35-6, 40, 52, 56, 57-8, 60, 63-4,
Lewis, Miss. See Poggi, Mrs
69, 72, 78, 92, 114, 116, 121 and «.,
, James (Architect), 138-9
123, 127, 134, 142, 145, 162, 164,
j William, 175ft
177-9, l8 9> i9°> J 97> *99> 20 7j 209-10,
, William Thomas (Actor), 154; his
212, 215-6, 222-3-4 ; and a picture for
farewell to the stage, 175 and n
the Dilettante Society, 14 and n. ; and
Lewisham, Kent, 6
the Princess of Wales, 27 ; his purchase
Leyden, 225M
of Reynolds's portrait of Lord Heath-
Lichfield, 53 and «
field, 4i«., 181-3 ; his portraits of
Cathedral, 52, 53 and n
320 The Farington Diary
Liddell, Mr., 47
London Chronicle, The, 294
Lille, 223
London Gazette, The, 100, 190, 192, 222-3-4
Limerick, Edmund Henry, 1st Earl of, 210
Inn, Brixham, 268
— , 277
Inn, Dawlish, 254, 257
Limousin, L., i6«
Inn, Sidmouth, 240, 243
Lincoln, Bishop of. See Tomline, Sir
Inn, Teignmouth, 257-8-9
George Pretyman
, Lord Mayor of (1807-8). See
, Farington's view of the Old Palace
Ainsley, John
at, 116
and Surrey Dispensaries, 106
Lincolnshire, 227
Londonderry, 3rd Earl of, 32W
Lincoln's Inn Fields, 254 and n
, Countess of, 32B
Liniers, Jacques de, French General, at
, Charles Stewart, 6th Marquess of, 327?
Buenos Ayres, 38-9
Long, Charles (afterwards Lord Farn-
Linnean Society, 275W
borough), 20-1, 26, 63, -]-], 148, 151,
Linnel, John, " View near the Thames " by,
183, 185, 188, 193-4-5, 216 ; his
7i
love for works of art, 10, 186 ; and
Lisbon, 229 ; French take possession of, 6
reporters in the House of Commons,
Lisburne, Wilmot, 1st Earl of, 254, 264
21
, Wilmot, 2nd Earl of, 264
, Mrs., 10, 81, 194; as an amateur
Liskeard, 22«
artist, 20 ; Edridge's miniature of, 151 ;
" Little Rose of Lyme Regis, The," by J.
Edridge's portrait of, 206
McNeil Whistler, 239W
, Rev. William, 195, 196, 206
Liverpool, 102, 259, 276
Longford Castle, 232
Liverpool Advertiser, The, 296
Longman and Rees, Messrs. (Publishers),
Merchants and American trade, 33
x 9> J 33
" Lives of the Most Eminent Painters," by
Lonsdale, James, Earl of (173 6- 1802), 67
Matthew Pilkington, 158
, John, 1st Viscount, 78
" Lives of the Most Eminent EnglishPoets,"
, William, 1st Earl of (1757-1844), 3, 6,
by Dr. S. Johnson, 132
58-9, 61, 69, 72, 77-8, 81, 112, 128,
Llanycil Church, Merionethshire, 133s
HS: !Sh I77". 1 * 1 ) l8 5" 6 > l88 > J 9 2
Lloyd, Charles (Quaker Banker), 191M
and n., 193 ; his manner and mode of
, Charles (Poet), 191 ; notice of, ib. n
living, 6j ; and popular amusements in
, Mrs., 19172
war time, 178-180
, Rev. Evan, Mortimer's portrait of,
, Countess of, 179, 188-9, *93
133 ; notice of, 133M
Lopes, Sir Manasseh Massey, 289, 291-2 ;
Locke, John, 92 ; monument to, 89
notice of, 29 \n
, William (of Norbury), his health, 35-6
, Lady, 290
London, 8, I3«., 19 and n., 29, 31, 38,
, Miss, 290, 292
41B., 42, 42»., 43«., 53, 61, 67, 87«.,
, Mordecai Rodriguez, 29 m
8 9> 94-55 99) io 3 and »•» II 7 n ; i3°>
Loughborough, 203
140, 148, 158, 172, 174, 178, i8s».,
Loutherburgh, P. J., R.A., 57-8, 151, 215 ;
186, 191-2, 193-4, 205-6-7-8, 221,
his art, 139 ; and the safety of the
225 and n., 226, 264, 274, 276, 283,
British Expedition to the Scheldt, 21 5
294, 296K ; tainted air of, 114-5 ;
Lowbon, Mr. (Agent to Duke of York), 148
expenses of the Court of Common
Lower Gloucester Place, 168
Council of the City of, 115, 138 ;
Lowther, Lady Anne, 179, 188, 192 and n
police of the City of, 123 ; Tower of,
, Lady Caroline, 179, 188
198, 222; guns in, 219, 221, 294;
, Hon. Henry Cecil, 179
City Corporation and the Expedition
, Lady Mary, 179, 185, 188, 192 and «.,
to Holland, 297
193
, Bishop of (1777-1782). See Lowth,
, 58, 67, 112, 128, 151, 168, 179, 192
Robert
Ludlow, Henry Charles, 1st Lord, 29 m
, Bishop of (1787- 1 809). See Por-
Lupton, near Brixham, 268
teous, Beilby
Lussac, M. Guy, 9 and n
, Bishop of (1809-18 13). See Ran-
Luttrell, Mr. (of Dunster Castle), 272
dolph, John
Luxmore, John, Bishop of Bristol (after-
Bridge, Farington's view of, 157
wards Bishop of Hereford), 4, 75
Index
321
Lyceum, The, Liverpool, 102
Lyme Regis, 240 ; description of, 239 and
«., 240
Lysons, Rev. Daniel, 80, 161, 228 ; " Britan-
nica Depicta " by, 96, 140
, Samuel, 26, 64, 74-5, 112, 116, 131,
140, 161, 177, 189, 192, 198-9, 213,
224-5, Z2 %i 2 4-8 ; " Britannica Depicta"
by, 96, 140 ; his salary as Keeper of
Tower Records, 193
, Mrs., 26-7
Lyttleton, William Henry, 1st Lord, 205
Macartney, George, 1st Earl, 10
Macaulay, Thomas Babington, Lord, 103M
Macdonald, Archdeacon, gn
MacDonald, Capt. Allan, 247«
, Flora, 246ft., 247ft
, Colonel John, 246ft., 247ft
MacDonell, Lady Elizabeth. See Callen-
der, Lady Elizabeth
Machell, Richard, Capt. (of 30th Regt.),
165, 166 and ft
MacMahon, John, Colonel, 153
MacMillan, Mr. (Printer to R.A.), 170
MacQueen, Rev. Dr., 246ft
Madan, Martin, sen., 202«
, Martin, jun., 202 and n
, Mrs., 202
Maddocks, Mr. (M.P. for Boston), 160
Madeira, 136, 139
Madras, 218, 260
Madrid, 60, 109 ; French possession of, 88
Madura, Island of, 84
" Maecenas' Villa," by R. Wilson, 76 and ft.,
" Magna Britannia," by Rev. D. and S.
Lysons, 96
Magniac, Charles, i6«
, Colonel Francis, i6«
, Mrs., 1 6«
, Hollingworth, 16-17 ; notice of, i6«
Collection of Works of Art, sale of, i6«
Mahon, Philip Henry, Lord (afterwards
4th Earl Stanhope), Pitt and, 72
Mahratta War, 28ft
Maidstone, Kent, 27
Mainwaring, Mr., M.P., 22
Majendie, Henry William, Bishop of
Chester, 6, 75
Mallory, Mr., 109
Malone, Edmund, 51, 126
Malta, 147, 213
Manchester, 96-7, 102, 105, 109, no;
riots at, 69 ; Madame Catalani in,
105 ; institutions in, 107 ; water-
works at, 181
Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition, 107ft
Coach, The, 96
Mandry's Hotel, Leicester Square, 89
Mann, Sir Horace, 147ft
Manners-Sutton, Charles, Archbishop of
Canterbury, 8, 195 ; privilege of, 80
Manning, Mr. (of Exeter), 257
Mansell, William Lort, D.D., 75
Mansfield, David William, 3rd Lord, 174
Mansion House, London, 219
" Man Taken from his Ale-House Com-
panions," by Sir D. Wilkie, 169
Mantua, Duke of, 174ft
Manvers, Charles, 1st Earl, 290
Marchant, Nathaniel, R.A., 4, 79, 119,
127
Marchi, G. F. L., 37, 50, 61, 93 ; death of,
49 ; notice of, 49ft
Margate, 242
Marine Society, The, 27s
Maristow, 289, 290, 291 and «., 292
Marlow, William, 81
" Marmion," by Sir Walter Scott, 208
Martin, Elias, 79 and ft
, H., M.P., 158
,Mr., 255
Martinique, 166 ; surrender of, 165 ;
yellow fever in, 165-6
Mary, Princess (daughter of George III.),
233, 236-7
Massena, Andre, Due de Rivoli, Prince
d'Essling, Marshal of France, 210
" Master Smith, The," by J. McNeil
Whistler, 2397*
Matterosa, Viscount, 85
Mattocks, Mrs. (Actress), 73
Mathews, Charles (Actor), 154; notice of,
154B
, Mr. (father of the Actor), 1 54«
Maxwell, Lady Stirling- (of Keir), 45ft
Maynard, Lady, 281
Mays [Maese], Miss Sarah. See Aust, Mrs
McKenzie, Captain, R.N., 175
Meadows, R. M. (Engraver), 54
Meaken, Annette M. B., " Hannah More "
by, 131M
Mediator, H.M.S., 177
Mediterranean, The, 86, 264
Melbourne, Peniston, 1st Viscount, 82«
Melcombe Regis, 236ft
Melville, Henry, Viscount, 58 and «., 59,
178-80 ; on political affairs of England,
58-9 ; and Pitt, 162-3 5 his self-
portrait, 163-4
Memel, 71
" Memoirs of the Life of John Constable,"
by C. R. Leslie, 42ft
VOL. V.
21
322 The Faring ton Diary
Mengs, Raphael, his portrait of Sir Charles
Moore, Mrs., 80
Hanbury Williams, 203
, Sir John, General, n8«., 132, 137,
Merchant Taylors' Hall, 69
i77». 5 his retreat to Vigo, 108-9 >
" Mercury Lulling Argus to Sleep," by
death of, 109; at Corunna, 109, 112,
Claude, 140 and n
115, 171,222-3,229; his letter writing,
" Methodist, The," by the Rev. Evan
200 ; " Life of J. Carrick-Moore " by,
Lloyd, 133M
2oow. ; his fortune, 201
Metz, Conrad Martin, 185
, Peter, M.P. for Coventry, 45
Meux's Brewery, 126, 130, 278
•, Thomas (Anacreon), 57
Mew Stone, The, 287
Moorsom, Sir Robert, Admiral, 176
Meyer, Miss, 131
Moravia, 210
Middelburg, captured by British (1809), 218
More, Hannah, Mrs., " Coelebs in Search
Middiman, Samuel, 69
of a Wife" by, 131 and «., 159, 213 ;
Middle Temple, The, 193K
" Life of," by A. M. B. Meaken, 13 m
Milbourn, 233
Morgan, John, i6»
Mildmay, Sir Henry Paulet St. John, M.P.,
Morland, Mr., 270K
45, 83 and n
, George, " Interior of a Stable and
Miles, Sir P., 84W
Pigs " by, i44«
" Mill, The," by Sir A. W. Callcott, R.A.,
Morley, Edmund, 2nd Earl, 29 in
202, 204
Morning Chronicle, The, no
Millais, Sir John, R.A., 117ft
Morning Herald, The, 4i«., 42«
Miller, William (Publisher), 19, 20, 72,
Morning Post, The, 6on., 6$n., 89, no».,
135, 160
144, 157, 175 and n., 192, 207; and
Mills's Coffee House, Gerrard Street,
the engagements of Madame Cata-
London, 46, 49
lani, 185 and «., 186
Milman, Sir Francis, M.D., 23
" Morning Scene, A," by Sir A. W.
Milton Abbey, 233
Callcott, R.A., 202
— - -, John, 62, 64, 70
Mornington, William, 3rd Earl of, 297 and n
Minet, Joseph, 189
Moroni, Giovanni Battista, 174
" Miranda," Hoppner's portrait of Mrs.
Mortimer, John H., A.R.A., his portrait
M. A. Taylor as, 32K
of Rev. Evan Lloyd, 133
Moira, Francis, 2nd Earl of (afterwards
Moserby, Colonel (of Stow, near Lichfield),
1st Marquess of Hastings), 138, 149,
53
170-1, 189, 296
, Miss, 53
Monet, French General, 221
" Moses in the Bulrushes," by R. Westall,
Moniteur, Le, 9
22
Monmouth, Duke of, 78, 239W
Mostyn, Mr., sen., 83 and n
Monro, Dr. Thomas, 33, 73, 87, 202-3,
, Mrs. (nee Thrale), 83ft
205-6
, Mr., jun., 83ft _
, Miss, 205
Mote, The, near Maidstone, 27 and n
Montagu, Duke of, 27
Mount-Edgecumbe,Earl of. SeeEdgecumbe
, Mrs. Elizabeth, 97
, 285 and n., 286-7-8
Monte Video, 38 ; withdrawal of British
Mulgrave, Henry, 3rd Lord (afterwards
from, 38-40
1st Earl of), 10, 26, 30, 43, 56, 57-8,
Montrose, James, 3rd Duke of, 192
65, 66n., 70, -]-], 136, i43>.i57> ^
, Duchess of, 192
171, 176, 182, 186-8,2045 dismisses A.
Moore, Mrs. (mother of Sir John Moore),
Dalrymple, hydrographer for the
201
Admiralty, 74
, Miss (sister to Sir John Moore), 201
, Lady (afterwards Countess of), 56 ;
, Miss (daughter of James Carrick-
Beechey's portrait of, 94
Moore), 200»
Muller, Mr., his portrait of Bishop
, Charles, 201
Douglas, 9«
— — , Frank, 201
Mulready, William, R.A., " Carpenter's
, Graham, 201
Shop " by, 172
, James Carrick-, M.D., 177 and «.,
Muncaster, Lowther, 2nd Lord, 168-9
200, 201 ; notice of, 2oo«, 222
Castle, 169
, John (Archbishop of Canterbury), 80
Murdoch, Mr. (of Madeira), 139
Index 323
Musters, John, sen. (of Colwick), 29077
Newgate Prison, 145, 16277., 27077., 295
, Mrs., 290 ; notice of, ib. n
IS! em Lady's Magazine, The, 23577
, John, jun., 29072
Newman, Lydstone, 272
, Mrs., 290K
Newmarket, 207
Mutton Cove, Plymouth, 285-6
Newport, Cornwall, 18
Monaco, 264
, South Wales, 264
Murray, Lady Augusta, 149
New River, The, 103, 295
, John (Publisher), 54, 86«., 122, 135-6
Newton, Francis Milner, 220
, Hon. William, 97 and n
Abbot, 266
, Hon. Mrs. See Aust, Mrs
Bushel, 257, 259, 265
Nichols, John, 89
Nagle, Mr. (a Manchester Police Officer),
Nicholson, Francis, 264 and 77
104-5
Nicol, George (Bookseller), 157
Nantwich, 99
" Niobe," by R. Wilson, 76
Napier, Sir William F. P., General, 307*
Nixon, James, A.R.A., 94 ; R.A. and his
Naples, 4577., 224, 264
pension, 93
Napoleon I., Emperor of the French, 9, 59,
, Mrs., 81, 93-4
60, 6472., 85, 87-8, 90, 109, 124, 165,
, William (of Lincoln), 9377
166, 170, 183-4, 192, 201, 209, 212-3,
" Noli me tangere," by Titian, 27477
222, 224 and n., 226 ; his generalship,
Nollekens, Joseph, R.A., 54-5, 222 ; his
7 ; and maritime power of England,
bust of Pitt, 60
18 ; annexes Rome, Papal territories,
, Mrs., 54
Tuscany, Parma and Placentia, 82 ;
Norfolk, Charles, nth Duke of, 14, 18
William Cobbett on the checking of
Normanton, Charles, 1st Earl of (Arch-
his progress, 84 ; his adventurous spirit,
bishop of Dublin), death of, 207
86 ; imposes a tax on women of Paris,
, Welbore Ellis, 2nd Earl of, 207
108 and n. ; insurrection against, 167 ;
North, Dudley Long, 18
and his officers, 171, 197 ; unites
, Hon. Frederick, 187
Rome with French Empire, 197, 219 ;
, Frederick, Lord (2nd Earl of Guild-
his resolution of mind, 210-11 ; and
ford), 187
Mrs. Jerome Patterson of Baltimore,
Northcote, James, R.A., 10, 17, 55, 62, 63,
296
88, 90, 93, in, 148-9, 151, 197, 223,
" Narcissus and Echo," by Claude, 76
283 ; " Progress of the Arts in
and n
Europe " by, 18 ; his self-portrait, 50 ;
National Gallery, London, 4177., 7177., 8377.,
his picture of St. John, 143 ; his
1 1 177.., 15077., 15777., 177K., 18377., 27477
portrait of Mr. and Mrs. S. Whit-
■ Portrait Gallery, 6877
bread, 207
" Nativity, The," by Sir J. Reynolds, 186
Northampton, William George Spencer
Navy Officers' Club, 163
Scott, 5th Marquess of, 5677
Neale, Sir Harry Burrard, 237
,95
Neave, Sir Richard, 158
North Creyke, Norfolk, 196
■, Thomas, 158, 169
Norway, 264
Nelson, Lady Charlotte, 8
Norwich, Bishop of (1805-1837). See
, Horatio, Viscount, 14477. ; Mrs.
Bathurst, Henry
Darner's bust of, 26, 133
, 8277
" Nelson, Death of," picture by A. W.
Company of Players, The, 2677
Devis, 156, 157 and n
Nottinghamshire, 13077
, Rev. William, 1st Earl, 4, 7, 8 ; and
Nuneham, 145
Church affairs, 8
" Nymphs and Diana," by Wootton, 293
Nethersot, Squire, 271
New Bond Street, London, 15772
Oakhampton, 259, 250
Newcastle, 264
O'Connell, Daniel, 8277
Newcastle-under-Lyme, 98
, Morgan, 8277
New College. See Oxford University
O'Connor, Arthur, 15377
Cross, 198
O'Donell [MacDonell], Lady. See Cal-
England, 23677
ender, Lady Elizabeth (wife of
Newfoundland Fishery, 259, 272
Colonel James Callender)
VOL. V.
21*
324
The Farington Diary
Offley, Charles, 157, 172, 174, ig Z - sa \ e f
his pictures, 157, 159 and n
, Mrs., 159, 172
, Foster Cunliffe-, 127K
, John, 52, 128, 156, 232-3, 242, 265-6
, Mrs., 159, 232-3, 242, 265-6
, William, 37, 73, 159
, Mrs., 73, 159
Old Bailey, London, 29
Park, Durham, 167-8
Water Colour Society, 26471
Oliver, Archer James, A.R.A., 38, 153
Opera House, The, Covent Garden, i3».,
112-114, 137, 151, i85«., 186,207-8-9,
216, 222, 224, 228 ; public opposition
to prices at, 248, 252, 295
House, Haymarket, 185W
Opie, John, R.A., 12, 22, 127, 151 ; strength
of his mind, 63 ; his mental powers,
223 ; his portrait of Sir J. St. Aubyn,
M.P., 278«
Oporto, 156, 167, 266
O'Reilly, Walter, Lt.-Col., 34K
, Lady. See Innes, Lady (nee Charl-
ton, etc)
" Oriental Tales translated into English
Verse," by J. Hoppner, R.A., 208
Orleans, Louis, Duke of, i2ira
, Philip, Duke of, i2i«
Ossory, Lord, 19
Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire, 251-252
and n
Ottley, William Young, 121
Oude, The Nabob of, 80
" Ouse Bridge at York, The," by Joseph
Farington, R.A., 159, 174
Owen, Rev. Mr. (of Putney), 17
, William, R.A., 52, 54-5, 84, 145 ; his
portrait of Sir G. Beaumont's mother,
94
Oxford, Edward, 5th Earl of, 145, 153, 219
, Jane Elizabeth, Countess of, 153, 219 ;
notice of, 153K. ; Hoppner's portrait
of, ib
, 3i,48
University, 32K., 29 1«., 292 ; Brase-
nose College, 251 ; Corpus Christi
College, 251 ; Christ Church College,
75, 275 ; New College, 126, 146 ; Lord
Grenville elected Chancellor of, 296
Oxton, near Exeter, 254, 255
Paddington, 63W
Page, Francis. See Bourne, Francis
Paget, Sir Arthur, 291 and n. ; his elope-
ment with Viscountess Borringdon,
65 and «., 291K
Paget, Lady Augusta. See Borringdon,
Augusta, Lady
, Henry William (afterwards 1st
Marquess of Anglesey), 174, 175K. ;
his duel with Captain Cadogan, 175
— — , Lady, 174
Paine, James, jun., 155, 190, 263 and «., 264
, Mrs., 190
, Miss, 190
, Sir Ralph, 205
, Tom, " The Rights of Man " by, 42
Palk, Mr. (of Asburton), 260, 26 in
, Sir Lawrence, 260, 261 and «.,
263-4-5-6-7
, Lady, 264, 267
, Sir Robert, 260
, Walter, 260
Palmer, Captain, R.N., 172
, Major, 64
, John (Comptroller of the Post Office),
138, 223 ; and mail coaches, 64
, Miss, 270M
Palmerston, Henry, 2nd Viscount, 222
Pantheon, Oxford Street, 219M
Paris, 9 and «., 121M., 129, i53«., 221 ;
Napoleon imposes tax on women of,
108 and n
Park Lane, London, 130
Parr, Dr. Samuel, 202
Parma, annexed by Napoleon, 82
Parmigiano, " The Vision of St. Jerome "
by, 157 and n
Parrot, Mr., 177
Parr's Wood, near Manchester, 96-8
Parry, Dr. (of Bath), 116
Pasquin, Anthony, 32M
Paterson, Robert, 36M
Patterson, Mrs. Jerome (of Baltimore),
created a Duchess by Napoleon, 296
Pavia, Battle of, 60
Pay Office, Whitehall, 20
Payne, Tom (Bookseller), 27
, James, 116
Peak, The, Derbyshire, 260
Hill, Devonshire, 243
Pearson, George, M.D., 68
Peel, Sir Robert, 29 1«
Pellew, Sir Edward (afterwards 1st Vis-
count), 84, 224
Pemberton, Dr., 212
Pemb ridge, Herefordshire, 251
Pembroke, Catherine, Countess of (second
wife of the nth Earl), 47 and «.,
232
, Elizabeth, Countess of (first wife of
nth Earl), 232, 290K
, Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of, 23 1
Index 325
Pembroke, George Augustus, nth Earl of,
" Picturesque Voyage to India by the Way
47 and «., 168, 231-2
of China," by Thomas and William
, Henry, 10th Earl of, 231 and n
Daniell, 181
, Philip, 4th Earl of, Vandyck's por-
Pierce, Richard, Captain of East Indiaman,
trait of, 231 and n
Halsezvell, 235 and n
, Philip, 5th Earl of, 23 \n
Pierrepoint, Captain. See Manvers
Peninsular War (1808-1814), 30K., 96, 98
Pigot, Sir Arthur, 139
and n., 98-100, 109, 112, ii3«., 115,
Pilkington, Matthew, " Lives of the
129, 165, i66»., 167, 170-1-2-3,
Painters" by, 158
183-4, 200, 209-10, 212-3, 2I 9> 222 )
Pilot, The, 100
223-4, 229
Piombo, Sebastian del, his " Raising of
Penn, Mr., 68
Lazarus," 183
, John, 236 and n., 245
Piozzi, Mrs. See Thrale, Mrs. Henry
, William, 236 and n
Pitcairn, David, M.D., 29
Pennsylvania, 236 and n
Pitt, Mr. (a Moorfields Broker), 13
— ■ — Castle, 236s
, Mrs. (wife of the Broker), 13
Penrith, 5
, Mrs. Ann (Actress), 13 and n.,
Penton, Devonshire, 264
14
Penwarne, 276
, Miss Harriet, 13W
Penzance, 263
, William, 40, 69, 141, 186, 194, 196,
Perceval, Hon. Spencer, 21, 27, 75, 112, 117,
209, 218, 225, 277K., 279 ; his pious
119, 128, 148, 170, 188, 196
deportment, 15 ; Lawrence's portrait
Perreau, Daniel, 142 and «
o f ) 49) 57) 60 and «., 74, y 7 , 93 ;
, Robert, 142 and n
Hoppner's portrait of, 57, 60 ; Nolle-
Perrin, Mr., 293
kens' bust of, 60 ; Edridge's portrait
Perry, Mr. (owner of Blackwall Docks), 68
of, 60 ; and Lord Mahon, 72 ; and
& Well, Messrs., 130
Lord Melville, 162, 163 ; and political
Persia, 2947*. ; War with Russia, 167-8 ;
spies, 163
Peace signed with England, 294
, School of, 27
" Persuasion," by Jane Austen, 239K
Pizarro, melodrama by R. B. Sheridan,
Peters, Rev. William, R.A., in, 186, 197
42 and n
Pether, William, 61, 63
Placentia, annexed by Napoleon, 82
Petrograd, 7, 23 in
Planta, Joseph, 3
Petworth, 27W
Plowden, Mr., 215
Peverill Point, 23 5»
Plym, River, 285
Phidias, Lord Elgin's Works by, 68
Plymbridge, 292
Philadelphia, 296
Plymouth, 28, 62 and n., 109, 148 and «.,
Philip's Hotel, Exeter, 246, 253, 257
270, 275 and n., 276, 285 and k.,
Philips, Sir Richard (Bookseller), 42, 91,
293 ; Farington describes, 285, 289
. ?38
and n
Phillips, Mr. (Auctioneer), 157, 159
Dockyard, 272M
, Mr. (of Warwick Square), 198
Sound, 287
, Thomas, R. A. (Professor of Painting at
Theatre, The, z6n
the Royal Academy), ign., 46-7, 84,
Plympton, 281-2, 285, 288, 291 ; Sir J.
113,118, 122, 145, 153, 178, 199, 200-1 ;
Reynolds's association with, 277,
elected R.A., 22
282-3-4
Phipps, Hon. Augustus, 28, 48, 50, 58»., 70,
School, 282, 284-5
137, H3) H7, l6o > l6 9> l8z
Poggi, Mr. (Art dealer), 81
, Hon. Mrs., 28, 70, 137, 147
■ , Mrs., 81
, Hon. Edmund, General, 28, yj, 169,
Pole, Wellesley, 74
176, 203
, William, 297K
, Hon. Constantine Henry (son of 3rd
Political Register, The, 211
Lord Mulgrave), 56
Polwhele, 276
Piazza Coffee House, London, 142
Ponsonby, John, Viscount, 86, 173
Piccadilly, London, 52, 165
Pope, Alexander (Actor), 55-6, 173 and n
Picton, Sir Thomas, General, his trial for
, Mrs. (third wife of Actor). See
torturing Luisa Calderon, 25 and n
Wheatley, Mrs. Francis
326
The Farington Diary
Pope, Alexander (Poet), his translation of
Homer's "Iliad and Odyssey," 132;
portrait of, by William Hoare, R.A.,
141 and n
" Pope's Head Inn, The," Plymouth, 285,
289
Popham, Sir Home Riggs, Admiral, 39
Porden, William, 102, 222
Porson, Richard (Professor of Greek at
Cambridge), death of, 102
Porteous, Beilby (Bishop of London), 5,
153, 161, 171, 195, 196; death of,
162 ; notice of, 162K
, Mrs., 161, 162K
, Robert, i6zn
, Mrs., 162M
Porter, Miss Jane, 11 8k
■ , Sir Robert Ker, 118 ; notice of, 11 8k
■ , Lady. See Scherbatoff, Princess
■ , Walsh, 189
Portico, The, Mosely Street, Manchester,
107
Portland, William Henry, 3rd Duke of,
3 6 > 75) 249K., 2 5° 5 nis will, 297
" , 2 3.6, 243, 263
Prison, 236K
Place, London, 65, 169, 195, 291K
Portman, Edward, 1st Viscount, 23 3 n
(Edward Berkeley ?), 233 and n
■ i Mrs., 233K
Square, London, 65K
Portsmouth, Anne, Countess of (second wife
of 3rd Earl), 227??
■ , Grace, Countess of (first wife of 3rd
Earl), 227 and n
, John Charles, 3rd Earl of, 227 ; notice
of, 227M
, Newton, 4th Earl of, 227K
— > 89, 113K., 213, 271
Portugal, 156, 166 and n., 172, 229, 266 ;
war with France, 6 ; establishment of
the Royal Family of, at Brazil, 58 ;
British defeat French in, 98 and n
Street, London, 127
Poulton, Mr. (Valet to Sir L. Palk), 264,266
■ , Mrs., 264
Poussin, Gaspar, " Landscape with Abraham
and Isaac" by, 83 n
, Nicolas, j6
Powderham Castle, Devonshire, 245, 254
Powell, William (Actor), 78
, A. II., 127
, Miss. See Cotton, Mrs
" Powers of the Pen, The," poem by the
Rev. Evan Lloyd, 133 and n
Powis, Edward, 1st Earl of, 127K
Pownal, Captain, 290
Powyss, Dr. (Dean of Canterbury), 8
Prado, Madrid, The, 83K., 150K
Premise, French Frigate, H2«
Priaulx, Mr. (Steward of Salisbury Work-
house), 9«
Price, Sir Charles, 116, 138
, Ralph, 189, 190, 225
, Richard, 80, 116
— — , Sir Uvedale, 77, 153K
Priestley, Joseph, LL.D., 201K
" Progress of the Arts in Europe," by James
Northcote, R.A., 18
Pulling, Mr. (of Totnes), 274-5
Putney Bridge, 163
Heath, Lord Castlereagh's duel with
George Canning on, 249 and n., 250
and n
" Pylades and Orestes," by B. West, 11
Quarterly Review, 103K. ; foundation of, 122
Quebec, 144K
Queen Anne Street, Portland Place, iiik
Quin, James (Actor), 69
Radnor, William, 1st Earl of, 147K
Radstock, William, 1st Lord, Admiral,
191-2 ; his picture by Titian, 1 ;
notice of, in. ; his collection of
pictures, 143
, Lady, in., 192
■ — — , 2nd Lord, in
Rainier, Admiral, 167
" Raising of Lazarus," by Sebastian del
Piombo, 183
Raleigh, Sir Walter, 272
Rameses II. (" Young Memnon "), nn
Rammekens, 218
Ramsay, Allan, 13K
Ramsgate, 242
Ramus, Mr. (George III.'s Head Page), 80
, Miss. See Day, Lady
Randolph, John, Bishop of London, 195
and n
Ransom & Morland, Messrs. (Bankers), 157
Raphael, 9, 14, 40, 68, 122 ; " School of
Athens " by, 229
Rathbone, Mr., 33
Rebecca, Biaga, A.R.A., 31K., 93 ; death
of, 3 1
Redburn, near St. Albans, 95
Redesdale, John, 1st Lord, Lawrence's
portrait of, 58 ; on Irish affairs, 58
Redditch, Mr. (Actor), 148 and n
Reddish, Mr. (of Frome), 26m
, Samuel, 26 ; notice of, 26k
, Mrs. (first wife), 26k
, Mrs. (second wife). See Canning, Mrs
Index
327
Rees, Rev. Mr., 89
, Abraham, D.D., his " Cyclopaedia
of Arts, Sciences and Literature," 133
Regent, Prince. See Wales, George
Augustus Frederick, Prince of
Regulation of Vestries Act, 48/1
Reid, Donald Norman, Letter from, 24677
Reinagle, Philip, R.A., 13 ; notice of, 137*
Rembrandt, 86, 186; "Woman taken
in Adultery " by, 50 ; " The Saluta-
tion " by, 134 and n
Rendlesham, Peter, 1st Lord, 128
" Return of the Ark from Captivity, The,"
by S. Bourdon, 76 and n
Revenge, H.M.S., 89
Reynolds, Mr. (son of Dr. Reynolds), 150
, Henry Revell, M.D., 23, 150, 225
, Sir Joshua, P.R.A., 977., 19, 38 and 72.,
4972., 56, 76, 117, 126, 149, 150, 186,
215, 231, 27072., 281 ; his portrait of
the 2nd Lord Romney, 2772. ; his par-
simony, 37 5 his portraits of Lord
Heathfield, 41 and n., 42, 177 and n.,
181-2, 183 and «., 197 ; of Lady
Hume, 62 ; of Sir George and Lady
Beaumont, 76 ; of Mrs. Siddons as
"The Tragic Muse," 8572., 86, 177
and 72., 183 ; of John Hunter, 183 ;
his pictures in the Duke of Rutland's
collection, 186 ; his pictures for New
College, 146 ; " The Iphigenia " by,
146 ; Flaxman's sketch of monu-
ment to, 146 ; his association with
Plympton, 277, 282-3-4 ; his portraits
of Admiral, Earl of Mount-Edgecumbe,
282 ; his pictures in Earl of Morley's
collection, 284, 28572. ; his portraits
of Miss Chudleigh, afterwards styled
Duchess of Kingston, 28577. ; and of
Mrs. Musters, 29072
, Rev. Samuel (father of Sir Joshua
Reynolds), 277, 282
" Rhymes on Art," by Sir Martin Archer
Shee, P.R.A., 54
Richards, Miss, 13, 14
, John Inigo, R.A. (Secretary to the
Royal Academy), 13, 1972., 52, 133,
151, 178, 199, 200, 220 ; notice of,
1372. ; R.A. Council and his salary, 55
Richardson, Mr. (Steward to Lord Lons-
dale), 67
, Joseph, M.P., 18 and n
Richmond, Surrey, 80
Ricketts, Charles, 1747*
Riddel, Walter (of Friars Carse, Dumfries),
103 and n
Ridgeway, 292-3
" Rights of Man, The," by Tom Paine, 42
Rio de Janeiro, 10
Ripon, 16277.
Rising, John, 171
, Mrs., 171
" Rival Princes, The ; or a Faithful Narra-
tive of Facts relating to Mrs. M. A.
Clarke's Political Acquaintance with
Colonel Wardle, etc.," by Mrs. Mary
Anne Clarke, 139 and n
Rivers, George, 2nd Lord, 4, 153
Roberts, Rev. Thomas, 13072
Robinson, Crabb, 1037*
Roche, Sir Boyle, 216
Rochester, 205
Rodin, Auguste, on life study in Art, 10/z
Rodmarten, 140
Rodney, George Brydges, 1st Lord, Ad-
miral, 104
Rogers, Captain (of the Windsor Castle
Packet), 42
, Samuel, 14, 69, 93, 126, 15377.., 190
Roland, Pierre, 367:
Rolica, 16677.
Rolle, John, 1st Lord, 277 and n. ; Law-
rence's portrait of, 27777.
Rolliad, The, 8277., 27772
Romana, M., 170
Rome, 31, 46, 54, 83 and 72., 8777., 130, 15777.;
English Art students in, 4 ; annexed
by Napoleon, 82, 197, 219
Romilly, Sir Samuel, 89
Romney, 2nd Lord, 277?.
, Charles, 1st Earl of, 27 ; notice of,
2777. ; Beechey's portrait of, ib
, Frances, Countess of, 2777.
, George, 12, 127
" Romney Children, The," portrait by
Gainsborough, 2777
Rosa, Salvator, 281
Roscius, Young (W. H. W. Betty), 17, 78 5
his farewell to stage, 88-9
Rosebery, Archibald Philip, 5th Earl of,
60 n
Rose, George, M.P., 4, 72, 77, 167, 213
Rosetta, 16677.
Rossi, John C. F., R.A., 11, 88, 92, 209
Rothschild, Lord, 2777.
, Alfred de, 13477
Rousseau, Jean Jacques, 118
Rouvelet, M., 36
Roxburghe, John Henry, 6th|_Duke of,
34«
, William, 4th Duke of, 34
Roxburghshire, 41 n
Royal Academy. See Academy
Antiquarian Society, 27877
328 The Faring
ton Diary
Royal Exchange, 219
St. Patrick's Church, Dartmouth, 271
Humane Society, 106
Paul's Cathedral, 5, 30ft., 37, 63, 89,
Institution, 62
103ft., iiim-j 227; Communion at,
Lion Hotel, Lyme Regis, 239ft
4, 5 ; four principals of, 6
Military College, Great Marlow, 3, 81
" St. Peter Martyr," by Titian, 160
Mint, The, 48
Petersburg. See Petrograd
Society, The, 9, 27ft., 275M., 278ft
Thomas's Church, Exeter, 248-9
Society Club, 74
Thomas's Hospital, 172, 225ft
Society of Arts, The, 27ft
Salisbury, Bishop of. See Fisher, John
Society of Painters in Water-colours,
Corporation of, 9ft
5 1 , 136
, 226-7, 2 3i -2
Royston, Philip, Viscount, death of, 71-2
, Bishop's Palace, 228-9-30 ; portraits
Rubens, Peter Paul, " Autumn : the
in, 9 and «
Chateau de Steen " by, 7IM., 76 and
Cathedral, 230
ft. ; landscapes of, 186
Salt, Henry, 11 ; notice of, lift
Rudd, Valentine, 142ft
Saltram, Devonshire, 270
, Mrs., 142 5 notice of, 142ft
House, near Plympton, 284 and «.,
Russel, Mrs. (Landlady of Castle Inn,
285 and ft., 286, 293
Dartmouth), 271
" Salutation, The," by Rembrandt, 134
Russell, Jesse Watts, M.P., 42ft
and «
, Mrs., 42ft
San Andrea, Spain, 88
Street, Drury Lane, 119
Sancho, Bookseller (Mews Gate), 27
Russia, 118 and «. ; war with France, 7 ;
, Ignatius, 27; Gainsborough's portrait
war with Persia, 167-8
of, 27M. ; memoirs of his life by Jos.
Rutland, John Henry, 5th Duke of, his
Jekyll, 27ft
Reynolds pictures, 186
Sandbach, 98-9
Ruysdael, 202
Sandby, Paul, R.A., 55, 222 ; death of, 294 ;
Ryder, Richard, 297
notice of, ib. n
Rye, 275ft
, Thomas, 294ft
, William, 294ft
Sachsenburg Fort, 212
Sandgate, 242
" Sacrifice to Apollo, The," by Claude, 84
San Domingo, captured by British (1809),
and «
224
St. Alban's Head, Weymouth, 235
Sandridge, Devonshire, 272
Anne's Church, Soho, 50
San Salvatore di Lauro, Church of, 157ft
Asaph, George, Viscount (afterwards
Sardinia, King of, 134
3rd Earl of Ashburnham), 20, 62, 77
Sass, Henry, 117 ; notice of, 117ft
Aubyn, Sir John, M.P., 278 and ».,
, Richard, 1 1 jn
286 ; Opie's portrait of, 278ft
Satterthwaite, E., 296
Domingo. See San Domingo
Savary, Anne Jean Marie Rene, Duke of
George's Row, Oxford Turnpike, 294
Rovigo, French General, 7 and n
Helen's, Lord, 9
Savery, Mr. (of Slade, near Plymouth),
James's Chapel, Hampstead Road,
62«
ii, 61, 75, 145, 154
Savile, John (Vicar Choral at Lichfield),
St. James's Chronicle, 296-7
and Anna Seward, 52, 53 and «
James's Park, guns in, 219, 221
Sawyer, Admiral, 290
James's Square, London, 144ft., l $h
, Captain (father of the Admiral), 290
250
Scheldt, British Expedition to (1809),
" St. John," picture by Northcote, 143
216, 224ft
John D'Acre, 210
Scherbatoff, Princess, 118
Mary Church, Devonshire, 262, 263
Schiavonetti, Luigi (Engraver), 93
Mary's Church, Weymouth, 236ft
" School of Athens," picture by Raphael,
Michael's Church, Charleston, South
229
Carolina, 93ft
Schonwen, Holland, 218
Michael's Mount, 278ft
Scotland, 43, 59, 168, 245
Nicholas Island, 287
Yard, 163
Pancras Church, 93ft
Scott, Claude (Sir ?), 191 and «
Index 329
Scott, Sir Walter, 5«., 53W., 131K., 178 ;
Sherwood, Battersea, 161
R. Westall, R.A., and, 208
Ship Tavern, Water Lane, London, 198
, Sir William (afterwards Lord
Shrewsbury, Hodges' view of the Old
Stowell), 5
Welsh Bridge at, 116
Scott-Waring, Major John. See Waring,
Sicily, i66«., 21972
Major John Scott-
" Sick Woman, The," by Sir David
Scrivener, John Freston, 977.
Wilkie, R.A., 43
Seaforth, Francis, Lord, $6n
Siddons, Mrs. Sarah, 142, 248 ; Reynolds's
Seaham, 102
portrait of, as " The Tragic Muse,"
Seale, R. W., 271-2
85^., 86, 177 and n., 183
Seatonian Prize, i6zn
Sidmouth, 10377.., 244, 255, 256, 291 ;
Sebright, Sir John Saunders, M.P., 60 ;
Farington describes, 240-3
notice of, 6o»
■ , Henry, 1st Viscount. See Adding-
, Lady, 6o»
ton, Henry
Seeker, Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury,
Sillwood Lodge, Brighton, 837*
i6zn
Simeon, Rev. Charles, 37, 62
Segar [Seguier], David, 76
Simpkin, Mr. (of Crown and Anchor
Senegal, captured by British, 222
Tavern), 145
Serres, John Thomas, 222
Sinclair [or St. Clare], Miss, Hoppner's
Seti I., sepulchre of, 1 in
portrait of, 149
Seven Years' War, The, 41K., 45«
Singleton, Henry, 38 ; notice of, ib. n. ;
Seville, 88-9
" Alexander's Feast " by, ib. n
Seward, Miss Anna (" Swan of Lichfield "),
, Mrs., 38
and John Savile, 52, 53 and «. ; notice
Sleep, Mr. (Ferryman at Mutton Cove), 286
of, 53M
Smart, John, 217 and n
, Thomas (Canon of Lichfield and of
, Sir John, Lieutenant-General, 224
Salisbury), 53ft
and n
, Mrs., 53K
Smirke, Sir Edward, 219 and n
Seymour, Mr. (Solicitor of Margaret
, Richard, 31, 118 ; his art, 35
Street), 64
, Mrs., 35
Street, Portland Square, 5
— , Robert, R.A., 23, 31, 35, 94, 112,
Shakespear, Sir William, 113M
114, 117, 118, 145, 209, 219 ; his
Shakespeare, Arthur, 82
habits, 139
, 17, 89, 97 ; Messrs. Boydell's edition
, Sir Robert, R.A., 31, 34, 48, 58-9,
of the works of, 41, ill, 154, 156, 197
61, 67, 72, 77, 111-2, 128, 145, 151-2,
Gallery, The, 42W., 197
176, 192, 197, 207, 209, 219ft., 22 ^ '
Shaldon, 257
" The Acropolis of Athens Restored"
Shannon, Henry, 3rd Earl of, 125
b y 5 57
Sharp, W., his engraving of West's " King
, Sydney, R.A., 219 5 notice of,
Lear," 41
219W
, William, " Fair Women " by, 32«
Smith, Mr. (of Aldborough, Suffolk), 214
Sharpham House, near Dartmouth, 272-3
— ■ — , Sir Sidney, 218
Shaw, Sir James, 138
, Warwick, his view of Chester, 99
Sheckly, Mr. (Artist), 81
, William (Actor), 26m
Shee, Sir Martin Archer, R.A., 22, 57, 72,
, William, M.P., 42, 85 ; notice of,
113, 122, 124, 145, 160; his art, 36;
85«. ; and Hyde Park building
his portrait of Mrs. T. Hope, 50 ;
scheme, 86
" Rhymes on Art " by, 54 ; " Elements
, Mrs., 86
of Art," poem by, 135-6, 160, 178, 183,
, William (Artist), 293
200, 201, 208
Smyrna, m
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 18, 32«.,
Soane, Sir John, R.A., u»., 40, 57, 133,
45 and «., 86, 142, 210 ; Pizarro
193-4, 215 ; his little mind, 40
by, 42 ; and a pint of wine, 208
, Lady, 40
, Mrs., 45
Museum, The, n«
, Tom, 45 and «., 57
Sobraon, Battle of, 11377.
, Mrs., 45 and n
" Social Day, The," a poem by Peter Coxe,
Sherlock, William P., 81
49"
330 The Farington Diary
Society of Antiquaries, 55, 131, 140
Stonehouse, 286, 288
of Artists, 38ft
" Storming of Seringapatam," by Sir
Somers, Sir George, 239M
Robert Ker Porter, 1 18ft
Somerset, Edward Adolphus, nth Duke of,
Stothard, Thomas, 36
275
Stower, C., 89
, Duchess of, 275
Strachan, Sir Richard, Captain, 221
, Jane Georgina, Duchess of, 45ft
Strand, The, 5«., 154ft
House, 158
" Stranger in Ireland," by Sir John Carr,i22
Somersetshire Assizes, 219
Stratford, 199
Militia, 236
Stratford-on-Avon, 88
Somerville, Kenelm, 17th Lord, 88
Strawberry Hill, 203, 233
Sophia, Princess (daughter of George III.),
Streatham Place, Bloomsbury, 117ft
237
Stuart, Sir John (of Maida), 25ft
Sophocles, Plays of, 209
Sturges, Rev. John (Chancellor of the
Sotheby, Messrs. (Auctioneers), nn
Diocese of Winchester), 48 and w
Soult, N. J. de Dieu, Due de Dalmatia,
Sturges-Bourne, William, 48, 77, 159 and «.,
Marshal of France, 108-9, l ^7t J 7 2 "3
160 ; notice of, 48ft., 182
South America, 251-2
, Mrs., 48 and «., 78, 160
Southampton, 219M
Sudbury, 41ft
Southey, Robert, 191ft., 246ft
Suett, Richard (Actor), 154
South Seas, The, 136, 182
Suffolk, 205
Spain, 118, 120, 132, 167, 174M., 197,
Sun, The, 100, 148 and »., 208
222-3, 226, 229, 297 ; war with
Sunderland, 273
England, in., 25, 29, 30, 38-40;
Sunninghill, Berks, 116, 190
relations with France, 84, 85, 88, 90 ;
Sussex, Augustus Frederick, Duke of, 149
population of, 85 ; declares war on
Sutton, Charles Manners-, Archbishop of
France, 87 ; armistice with England,
Canterbury. See Manners-Sutton
87 ; peace with England, 89 ; the
, near Lichfield, 53
French in, 148 ; English and French
Swallow, Mr., 198
in, 170
Sweden, 58
Speenham Land, 233
Swete, Mr. (Surgeon), 255
Spencer, George John, 2nd Earl, 74, 85
, Mr. (son of Rev. Mr. Swete), 266
Spithead, view of, by Turner, 147
, Rev. Mr., 254, 255, 263, 266-7
Stacey's Hotel, Weymouth, 239 ; charges
— -, Mrs., 255
at, 238
Swillington, Yorkshire, 58
Stafford, Granville, 1st Marquess of, 17,
Swinburne, Mr. (brother to Sir John Swin-
. 20, 41, 57, 65, 143, 197
burne), 52
Staines, 226
Sylvester, Mr. (Recorder of London), 42
Stainmoore, 168
Symes,Rev.Mr. (brother of Mrs. Dixon),64«
Stamford, George Henry, 5 th Earl of, 5
, Rev. Abraham, 64ft
Stanhope, Mrs. Arthur, 9
, Mrs., 64ft
Stanislaus II., King of Poland, 151
, Glascott, 64ft
Stanley's Auction Rooms, 14472
, Miss Henrietta. See Dixon, Mrs
Stanmore School, 202
, Rev. Jeremiah, 64B
Star, The, 100
, John, 64M
Steers, John W., 194
, Rev. Michael, 64ft
Stephen, Sir James, i6«
, William F., Letter from, 64K
Stewart, Colonel, 17
, Rt. Hon. James, 56ft
T., Colonel, 53ft
Stirling Castle, 99
Tabley, view of, by Turner, 147, 215
Stirling-Maxwell, Lady. See Maxwell
Tagus, The River, 6, 223, 229
Stockholm, 79
Talavera, i66« ; campaign at, 223
Stockport, 133
Talbot, Miss Frances. See Morley, Coun-
Stockwood, 96
tess of
Stoke, Dorsetshire, 245
, Thomas, 291 and «
Gabriel, 272
, William (1659 ?-i73o), Bishop of
- — Martin, 286
Salisbury, 9ft
Index
331
Talfourd, Judge, 191M
Tamar, River, 286, 2897*
Tancred College, near Knaresborough, 155
Taplow, 22, 37, 51
Tarporley, 99, 100
Tate Gallery, London, 29cm
Taunton, 219
Tavistock, 289
Tavy, River, 290
Taylor, Mr. (Comedian), 88
, Miss, 119
, G.W., 85B
, Jeremy, D.D., Bishop of Down and
Connor, 132
, John (formerly Editor of the Morning
Post), 17, 77, 81, 142, 148, 201, 207-8 ;
on J. P. Kemble's acting, 17-8, 78
, Rt. Hon. Michael Angelo, M.P., 32 ;
notice of, 3272
, Mrs., 3272. ; her portrait as " Miranda"
by Hoppner, 3222
, Sir Robert, 32ft., 228
, W. (of the Opera House, Haymarket),
1857*
, Watson, 1 57«
Teddington, 2872
Teign River, 257
Teignmouth, 257-9, 262-3
Tellicherry Roads, 11272
Temeraire, H.M.S., 173
Tempest, John, M.P., 3272
Temple, The, 57, 199
Teniers, 143, 169, 281
Texel, 137
Thackeray, William Makepeace, 11372
Thames, The, 218 ; John Linnel's view
near, 71
Thanet, Sackville, 9th Earl of, 76
Thebes, im
Thomlinson, Major (of Lincoln), 94
Thomond, Mary, Marchioness of, 37, 126,
145, 171 ; her fortune, 51 ; and
Farington, 145-6
, Murrough, 1st Marquess of, 51, 145 ;
death of, 22 ; notice of, ib. n. ; en-
graving of, 145-6 ; Hoppner's portrait
of, 171
, William, 2nd Marquess of, 125
, Percy Wyndham O'Brien, Earl of,2i4
Thomson, Henry, R.A., 52, 72, 78-9, 86-7,
in, 118, 145, 153
Thornhill, Sir James, 236 and «
Thorntons, The, 16
Thrale, Mrs. Henry, 8372
, Miss Cecilia. See Mostyn, Mrs
"Three Cups Inn, The," Lyme Regis,
240 and n
" Three Tuns," Monte Video, 39
Tickell, Richard, 210
Tilsit, Russians at, 7
Tipper, Mr. (Publisher of Leadenhall
Street), 117
Titian, 14, 192 ; his self-portrait, 1 and 72. ;
"Venus and Adonis" by, 8372.;
" Ganymede " by, 8372. ; copies of his
"Venus and Adonis," 150 and 72.;
" St. Peter Martyr " by, 160 ; " The
Twelve Caesars" by, 174 and 72.;
" Noli me tangere " by, 27472
" Tivoli," picture by R. Wilson, 151
Tomkins, Petro William, 197
Tomline, Sir George Pretyman (Bishop of
Lincoln), 6
Toms, Mr. (Artist), 37
Tooke, Home, 20122
Topsham, Devonshire, 245
Torbay, 11272., 11372., 260, 271 ; beauty of,
260, 264, 267
Torquay, 259, 270 ; Farington describes,
260-7.; price of coals in, 264
Torres Vedras, Portugal, 9872
Tothill, Mr. (Apothecary), 226-7
Totnes, 266, 272-3, 277, 279, 280 ; Faring-
ton describes, 274, 281 ; trade in, 276
Castle, 274, 279
Church, 273, 275, 279
Toupard, Colonel, 296
Tower Hill, London, 17572
of London. See London
Towneley, Charles, 194
Townshend, George, 2nd Marquess of, 75,
131
Trafalgar, Horatio, Viscount, his health,
4, 7, 8 ; death of, 8
, Battle of, 173
Traveller, The, 100
Treby, Mr., 292
Trelawny, Sir Harry (5th Baronet), 27772
, Sir Harry (6th Baronet), 277 and 72
, Trefusis, 276
Tresham, Henry, R.A., 50, 54-6, 136, 197
Trigge, Miss, 161
Trinidad, 25
Trinity College, Cambridge. See Cam-
bridge University
Tripe, Mr. (Surgeon). See Swete, Mr
, Mr. (Innkeeper), 255-6-7-8
Tripe's Inn, Dawlish, 254-5, 257
Tromp, Martin Harpertzoon,
Admiral, 236
Trotter, Mrs. (Housekeeper to
Academy), 13
, Sir Coutts, 152
True Briton, The, 14872
Dutch
Royal
332
The Farington Diary
Truro, 278
Truxillo, 224
Turin, 68
Turkey, 222 ; peace signed with England,
294
Turner, Mr. (Agent to the Prince of Hesse),
94
, Charles, 40 ; his engravings of Law-
rence's pictures, 114
, J. M. W., R.A., 14, 49, 52, 71W., in,
117 and «., 133, 170, 202; and Mrs.
Danby, m and «. ; death of, nift. ;
his bequests, ib. ; " View of Tabley "
by, 147, 215 ; " Spithead" by, 147 ;
his pictures at Cassiobury Park, 203,
206; his art, 204, 215 ; prices of his
pictures, 206
, William (of Oxford), 13, 170 5 notice
of, 13K
Turnham Green, 1 1 6
Tuscany, annexed by Napoleon, 82
" Twelve Caesars, The," pictures by Titian,
174 and «
23rd Dragoons, 130
Twickenham, 81, 141 «
Twining, Richard (1749- 1824), 5
, Richard, (1772-1857), 5 and n
, Mrs., 5
Tyre, John, 295
Tyrol, The, 212
United States of America, 7, 31, 857?., 13 ik.,
190 ; British manufactures exported
to, 33 ; debt to Britain, 33 ; agricul-
ture and commerce of, 59 ; relations
with England, 59, 108 ; shows par-
tiality to France, 108
Uxbridge, Henry William, 2nd Earl of
(afterwards 1st Marquess of Anglesey),
65
, 291ft
Valabregue, M. (husband of Madame
Catalani), 105, 185W
Valentia, George, Viscount, " Voyages and
Travels to India " by, 195
Vandergucht, M., j6
Vane, Rev. Sir Hervey, 32M
, Lady, 32K
Vandyke, his portrait of Philip, 4th Earl of
Pembroke, 23 1 and n
Vansittart, Mr., 266
, Mrs., 266
Varley, John, 13, 56, 68
Vaughan, Dr., 15, 23
, Lady Elizabeth, See Palk, Lady
Lawrence
Vauxhall, 81
Vauxhall Gardens, 223-4
Veere, Holland, 218
Vellore, India, cause of mutiny at, 16
Venice, Canaletto's view of, 76 and «
" Venus," picture by Hoppner, 149
" Venus and Adonis," by Titian, 83ft. ;
copies of, 150 and n
" Venus and Cupid," by B. West, 11
Verner and Hood, Messrs. (Booksellers), 57 ;
sued for libel by Sir John Carr, 91-2,122
Vernon, Miss, 145
, Edward Venables (Archbishop of
York), 80, 145
Vestris, Auguste Armande, Gainsborough's
portrait of, 87ft
, Madame, 87ft
" Vesuvius, An Eruption of," by Joseph
Wright (of Derby), 107
Victor, Claude Perrin, Due de Belluna,
Marshal of France, 219
Victor-Emanuel I., King of Sardinia, 68
Victoria and Albert Museum, South Ken-
sington, 13ft., 26ft., 155ft
Vienna, I2i«., 219
Vigo, Spain, 109
Villeneuve, 173ft
Vimiera, 96, 166 and n. ; French defeated
by Sir A. Wellesley at, 98 and ft. ;
Battle of, 129
Vinci, Leonardo da, his cartoon in the
Royal Academy, 13ft
" Vindication of Fox's History, A," by
Samuel Heywood, 19ft
Virginia, 162ft
" Vision of St. Jerome, The," by Parmi-
giano, 157 and n
Vivian, Richard Hussey (afterwards 1st
Lord Vivian), 175
Voltaire, F. M. Arouet de, 97
Vorarlberg, 212
" Voyages and Travels to India," by
George, Viscount Valentia, 195
Wagram, Battle of, 210
Wakefield, Rev. Gilbert, 201 ft
Walcheren, British Expedition to (1809),
216, 218, 221, 223, 224 and ft
Waldegrave, John, 3rd Lord, \n
Wales, Caroline Amelia Elizabeth, Princess
of, 122, 139, 153, 177 ; and Lawrence,
27 ; Prince of Wales and her debts, 208
, George Augustus Frederick, Prince
of (afterwards George IV.), 32ft., 117ft.,
139, 144ft., 153, *7h 222, 233, 237,
270ft., 297 ; and General Lake, 28-9 ;
Copley's portrait of, 135 ; and debts
of Princess of Wales, 208
Index
333
Wales, 105
Wall, Charles, Lawrence's portrait of, 114
Wallis's Library, Sidmouth, 242-3
Walpole, Horace, 127ft., 147ft., 2 33
, Sir Robert, 221, 233
Wapping, 130
Warburton, William (Bishop of Glouces-
ter), 133 and n
Ward, James, R.A., 27, 57, 60, 66ft., 68,
113, 117, 137, 222; "View of Har-
lech Castle" by, 71 ; his engravings
of Lawrence's pictures, 114; notable
engravings by, 193
, Miss. See Chalon, Mrs. H. B.
, Seth (1617-1689), Bishop of Salis-
bury, 9«
Wardle, G. Lloyd, Colonel, M.P., charges
Duke of York with improper conduct
as Commander-in-Chief, no and ft.,
119, 138, 139 and ft., 148, 180;
receives freedom of City of London,
138 ; sues Mrs. Clarke, 295-6 ; and
Duke of York, 296ft
Waring, Major John Scott-, 17
Warren, Dr., 23-4
, Mr. (Engraver), 140
Washington, George, 59
Water Colour Painting Society, Spring
Gardens, 193
Colour Society, The, 13M
Waterfield, A. J., Letter from, i62«
Waterloo, Battle of, 113ft
Watson, David, Colonel, 294ft
, Sir William (171 5-1787), 254 and n
, Sir William (1744- 1825 ?), 254 and n
, Lady, 254-5
Watts, David Pike, 42ft., 52, 143, 192
— , Miss, 143
Wauchope, Gen., i66w
Webber, Mr. (Wine merchant), 156
■ , John, R.A., 128, 136
Weddel, Mrs., 177
Wellesley, Sir Arthur. See Wellington,
Duke of
, Hon. Sir Henry (afterwards Lord
Cowley,) 175ft
, Hon. Henry, 297
, Richard, 1st Marquess of, 36 and «.,
167, 297 5 appointed Ambassador to
Spain, 147; leaves for Spain, 210;
in Spain, 226
, Countess of {nee Roland), 36 and n
, Countess of {nee Paterson), 36ft
, Lady Charlotte, 174, 175 and n
Wellington, Arthur, 1st Duke of, 32, i66«.,
172, 219, 224, 229, 297 ; and Cintra
Convention, 96, 98ft., 99, 100 ; defeats
Wellington, Arthur, 1st Duke of — con.
French at Vimiera, 96, 98 and ft. ;
created Baron Douro of Wellesley
and Viscount Wellington of Talavera,
222 ; at Talavera, 223
Wells, John, 68
, Lieutenant, 129
, Sir John, Admiral, 129 and n
, William, 1 and «., 2, 68, 112, 126-7-8-
9, 140 and m
, Mrs. (mother of William Wells), 2,
126-7
Wesley, John, 239ft
West, Benjamin, P.R.A., 1, 20, 32, 41, 49,
5°> 55> 8 3«-> 8 8, 9°> "3) I2I «-> I2 7
and «., 131, 143, 145, 151, 153, 160,
183, 184, 186, 200, 215 ; his Presi-
dency of R.A., 8, 49ft., 127 ; and
Farington, 8, n, 31, 122, 153 ; his
work at Windsor Castle, 8 ; his art,
n, 12 ; " Venus and Cupid " by, n ;
" Pylades and Orestes" by, n;
Sharp's engraving of his " King
Lear," 41 ; his opinion of Elgin
Marbles, 46, 122, 130 ; his experiences
in Italy, 46-7 ; and Fuseli's salary at
R.A., 47 ; and the Ideal and Real Art,
67-8 ; and George III., in; and J.
S. Copley, 135 ; and Titian's Twelve
Caesars, 174 ; Edridge's miniature of,
193 ; and R.A. Secretary's salary, 220
, Mrs., 160, 184
Westall, Richard, R.A., 22, 57, 88, 92,
123-4, 126, 135, 136, 145, 182-3,
197 ; " Moses in the Bulrushes " by,
22 ; "A Day in Spring and other
Poems " by, 54 and m., 93-4 ; and
Sir Walter Scott, 208
, William, R.A., 136, 139 ; views in
China and in Bombay by, 51 ; em-
ployed by Admiralty to paint pictures,
182-3, l8 9 ; "Christ Receiving the
Little Children" by, 217
Westbury, 83ft., 291ft
West End, Hampstead, 41
Indies, 166, 205, 245ft
Westmacott, Sir Richard, R.A., 79
Westminster, Hugh Richard Arthur, 2nd
Duke of, 177ft
Abbey, 227
, City of, 56, 1 52 ; job and post master's
charges in, 1
Hall, 31
Westmorland, 6
, John, Earl of, 65ft., 166, 177-8, 291ft. ;
notice of, i66«
Weston, Rev. Dr., 6
334 The Farin
gton Diary
Weymouth, 184, 233-4 ; description of,
Williams, Sir Charles Hanbury, 203
235-239 ; George III., association
— , Lady, 203
with, 236
Williams-Wynne, Sir W. See Wynne
Wharton, Mr., M.P. for Durham, 167-8,
Wilson, Mr., 172
188
, Mr. (Liveryman), 138,
Wheatley, Mrs. Francis, 55-6, 173
, Rev. Mr. (Canon of Windsor), 141
, Mr. (son of Mrs. Wheatley), 173
, Lestock P., 68
Whisted, Mr. (of Spring Gardens), 136
, Richard, R.A., 31, 71K., 107 and «.,
Whistler, James McNeil, " The Master
J 33-4> 183, 186, 194-5, 203, 206, 215,
Smith " and " The Little Rose of
231, 268, 278, 281 ; prices of his
Lyme Regis" by, 23 gn
pictures, 14 ; " Niobe " by, j6 ;
Whitbread, Samuel, M.P., 33, 126, 148 ;
" Maecenas' Villa " by, 76 and n., 151 ;
Northcote's portrait of, 207
his art, 107 ; " Tivoli " by, 151 and n
, Mrs., 207
Wilton House, Salisbury, 168 ; art collec-
Whitby, Yorkshire, 43
tion at, 231-2
Whitefoord, Caleb, 55
Wiltshire, 228-9
Whitehaven, 58, 112
Wimbledon, 59, 85, 158, 162-3
Collieries and Estate, annual value of,
Wimpffen, Baron, Maj. -General, 212
67
Winchester, 83 n
Whitelocke, Bulstrode, 25K
Assizes, 211
, John (father of the General), 25M
Windermere, 125
, John, Lieutenant-General, 251-2;
Windham, William, 20, 25K., 69, 81, 85-6,
at Buenos Ayres, 25-6, 28-30, 38-40 ;
145, 208 ; as a political character,
notice of, 25K. ; court-martial on, 29
147-8
Whitfield, Mr. (Actor), 78
Windsor, 5, 183, 213, 219K., 245
Whitley, W. T., " Life of Gainsborough "
■ Castle, 75, in, 151, 164, 213 ; B.
by, 42«
West's work in, 8
Whitworth, Charles, Earl, 64 and n
Windsor Castle (Packet boat), 42
Wickham, William, 266 and n
, Mother, 270K
, Mrs., 266
Windward Islands, 148
Wigram, George Vicesimus, 68k
Wimslow, Cheshire, 105
, Sir James, 68k
Withington, Mr., 97
, Joseph Cotton (Bishop of Rochester),
, Mrs., 97
68k
Woburn Abbey, 19, 20
, Sir Robert, M.P. for Wexford, 47
Wolcot, John (Peter Pindar), 17, 122, 277-8
and «., 68, 130, 278-9 ; notice of,
Wolff, Jens (Danish Consul in London),
68«
34, 161 and n
, Mr. (eldest son of Sir Robert), 278
, Mrs., 161
Wilberforce, William, 69, 112, 117, 188,
Wollstonecraft, Mary, 20 ik
194-5
" Woman taken in Adultery," by Rem-
Wilkes, John, 133K
brandt, 50, 134
Wilkie, Sir David, R.A., 1, 2, 10, 26, 44, 49,
Wood, Mr., 124
57, 58K., 62, 140, 143, 171, 188, 284;
Woodcot (ship owned by R. Wigram, on
" The Card Players " by, 10, 33, 43 ;
East India Service), 112K
" The Sick Woman " by, 43 ; and B. R.
" Wooded Landscape with Water Fall,"
Haydon, 48 ; " The Blind Fiddler "
by M. Hobbema, 157, 159K
by, 76 and «., 136 ; Farington's advice
Woodford Road, The, 138
to, 158, 169 5 pictures by, 169 ; his
Woodforde, Samuel, 49, 50, 52, 54, 135,
art, 215 ; elected an Associate of the
149, 200, 220
R.A., 294
" Wood Scene, Cornard, Suffolk," by
, Rev. David (father of R.A.), 44
Thomas Gainsborough, 41 and k., 42K
, Mrs. (mother of R.A.), 44
Woodward, Mr. (father of G. M. Wood-
Wilkinson, Mr. (Agent to Duke of York),
ward), 296K
148
— , Mrs., 37
, Tate, 154K
, George Moulard, 296 and n
William, Prince of Orange, 268
Woodyates Inn, 232-3
, David, 89
Woollett, William, 205
Index
335
Woolwich, 86, 173, 199
Wootten, Thomas, 293
Worcester, Bishop of (1781-1808). See
Hurd, Richard
, Bishop of (1808-183 1). See Corne-
wall, Folliott Herbert Walker
Worcestershire, 158
Wordsworth, William, 3, 64 ; Edinburgh
Reviewers and his poems, 51 ; bad
taste in writing, 132 ; his publications
on the Cintra Convention, 179, 182,
183, 207; "Dancing Daffodils" by,
190
Woronzow, Mile. See Pembroke, Cathe-
rine, Countess of
, Simon Count (Russian Ambassador),
47»., 232
Worsley, Mr., jun., 98
, Mrs. (of Piatt, near Manchester), 98
Wray, Sir John, of Fairfax Nor cliff e, 34ft
Wright, Joseph (of Derby), " An Eruption
of Vesuvius " and " Girandola at the
Castle of St. Angelo " by, 107
, Messrs. (Upholsterers), 295-6
Wyatt, James, R.A., 168, 215, 231, 236ft
Wyberg (Thomas ?), 179 and «., 180-1
-, Mrs., 179M
, Thomas, jun., 179ft
Wycke, John, the Younger, 293
Wyndham, Lady Anne. See Lambton,
Lady Anne
Charles, 214
— , Lady Frances.
tess of
, Percy, 214
, William, 214
See Romney, Coun-
Wynne, Captain, 166
, Sir Watkin Williams-, 127 and »., 194
, Lady, 127ft
Wyvil, Mr., 168
, Sir Marmaduke, 168
Yarmouth, Countess of (Mistress of George
II.), 147
, Lord, 250
Yenn, John, R.A., 133, 152, 199, 220
York, Archbishop of (1808- 1847). See
Vernon, Edward Venables
, Frederick, Duke of, 157, 196;
charged with improper conduct as
Commander-in-Chief, no and «.,
1 12-3, 114 and «., 122-3, 126-9, x 37j
138, 148, 166, 169, 180 ; and Mrs.
Clarke, now., 113, 114 and ft., 116-
7-8-9, 120, 122, 138, 139 and «., 148,
171, 180-1, 296ft. ; resigns from Com-
mander-in-Chief, 129 ; his life assur-
ance, 189
, i62«., 168
Hotel, Bridge Street, Blackfriars,
208
Hotel, Sidmouth, 240
Lunatic Asylum, 26ft
Yorkshire, 168 ; Yeomen of, 180
Young, Charles Mayne (Actor), as " Ham-
let," 78
" Young Woman attended by a Physi-
cian," by Sir D. Wilkie, 169
Zachary, Michael, 159ft
Znaim, 210 ; Armistice of, 212
Zoffany, Johan, R.A., 127
Printed at
The Chapel River Press,
Kingston, Surrey.
THE
FARINGTON
DIARY
JANUARY 9, 1808, TO
DECEMBER 21, 1809
BY
JOSEPH
FARINGTON, K. A.
Edited by
JAMES GREIG
GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
NEW YORK MCMXXV
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