ture his model, and, instead of being the follower of the great artists who had lived before him, endeavoured to qualify himself for being their competitor. In this he was probably encouraged by a man who, soon after Beechey's making the arts his pursuit, had taste enough to discern his talents, and judgment enough to advise him in their application We mean Paul Sandby, who was his very early friend, and whom he still speaks of by the friendly and familiar appellation of Father Paul.

It was fortunate for Alexander Pope that he was very early honoured with the friendship of men who were qualified to point out to him the shortest path to eminence; and it was to the honour of this great poet that he had the good sense to follow their advice. One of them, Walsh, strongly advised him to aim at correctness in his versification, which, as he told him, the English poets had hitherto neglected, and which was therefore left to him as a basis of fame.

We do not know that Mr. Sandby gave the same advice to his young friend, but certain it is, that one great excellence of Sir William's portraits is the attention which he pays to the hands and arms, which are drawn and coloured with as much attention to nature and resemblance of the original, as the face. These, and indeed all other parts of the picture, cxcept the head, some of our present artists consider as so subordinate, that they professedly leave them in a slovenly and unfinished state, as if some of nature's journeymen had made them, and not made them well,

they imitate humanity so abominably. This is vile, and must originate in either ignorance, avarice, or affectation. If in ignorance, it would be to their honour to learn to paint hands and arms and drapery as well as heads: if in avarice, it will lead the world to suspect that what has been said of another art may be applied to painting; that the ancients began by making it a science, and the moderns began by making it a trade; but what is worst of all, such practice will be likely to make it a trade they cannot live by. But we believe it has frequently its root in affectation; and the defence set up is, that it was sometimes the practice of Sir Joshua Reynolds. This is somewhat like the courtiers of Alexander the Great wearing artificial pads on their right shoulders, because

"Great Aumon's son one shoulder had too high."

Of this affectation Sir William never had any portion; his men are painted as they appear, and he does not give the mere map of the face, but the spirit and character of the original. In his female figures he has been generally happy; they are usually strong likenesses, with a natural and easy air, and he has been fortunate in having had for the subjects of his pencil several very beautiful women. This is the most delightful province of painting, and to the art which can sooth the anguish of absence, by presenting, as in a mirror, the features that are most dear to us, the lover and the friend are much indebted. This power is peculiar to painting, for,

If

"If torn from all we hold most dear,
"The tedious moments slowly roll;
"Can music's tenderest accents cheer

"The silent grief that melts the soul?
"Or, can the poet's boasted art
"The healing balm of peace impart?
"Ah, no! 'tis only painting's power
"Can soothe the sad, the painful hour;

"Can bring the much-lov'd form to view,
"In features exquisitely true.

From Sir William's pictures we have had several prints, and several more are engraving and to be engraved. Ward has made an excellent mezzotinto from the Royal Family at a review. There is a very good print of his portrait of the Marquis Cornwallis, and also of children relieving a beggar, in which are introduced the portraits of some of his children.

Many of his performances have been most inimitably copied in enamel by Bone, and some very good copies in miniature have been made by Lady Beechey.

He was elected an associate in the year 1793, and a royal academician in 1797, on the death of Mr. Hodges. He has since that time received the honour of knighthood; and this becomes a more peculiar distinction from his being the only Member of the Royal Academy upon whom it has been conferred since the death of Sir Joseph Reynolds.

DUKE OF PORTLAND.

D.

THE life of this noble Peer is as fruitful in subjects of political reflection as that of any of his co

temporaries.

A a 4

William

William Henry Cavendish, Duke of Portland, was born in the year 1738. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where, in 1756, he recited publicly the English verses with the most deserved approbation. Having finished his education at that learned seminary, he went on his travels; and soon after he came back we find him, then Marquis of Tichfield, returned to the first parliament of this King's reign, for the borough of Weobly, a borough which was then and still is under the influence of his family.

For this borough he did not, however, sit long, being called up to the House of Peers in 1762, on the death of his father. The estate to which he succeeded was rather confined, as twelve thousand pounds a year was settled on his mother, the Duchess Dowager of Portland, who died a few years since.

The carly period of this nobleman's life was marked with no very prominent feature, but he soon began to act a very conspicuous part. As soon as he was settled in the House of Peers, he took part with the Opposition of the day. In 1763 his name is found among the minority, against that very obnoxious bill, which laid a duty on cyder, and he joined with the Duke of Grafton in signing a protest, as he did also the next session, on the question to vote away the privilege hitherto claimed by members of parliament in matter of libel.

His Grace having connected himself with the late Marquis of Rockingham, and that truly patriotic band who opposed Lord Bute and George Grenville's administrations; in 1765, when his friend came into power, he was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the

King's household, which he did not enjoy long, for when they retired, he went out of place with then.

The year 1768 is memorable for some of the most severe conflicts, at the general election, that were, perhaps, ever remembered; and none were supported with greater spirit, or perhaps greater expence than that for the county of Cumberland, when the present Sir Henry Fletcher, and the late Mr. Curwen, stood candidates, under the patronage of the Duke, against the present Earl of Lonsdale and his friend. As this election was attended with some very peculiar circumstances, we shall state the partiulars, which are really curious, at some length.

His Grace having been a steady supporter of the interests and liberties of the people and the honour of the nation, in all the great questions which have been agitated in parliament, during the present reign; this uniformity of conduct and principle brought upon him a peculiar severity from some of the late ministry. They made a grant, in 1767, of his estate in Cumberland, to Sir James Lowther, to serve the purpose of this election, in hopes thereby of preventing the two friends to the Duke, and consequently cnemies to the ministry, from being elected members for the county of Cumberland, at the approaching general election. The fact was alarming, and the design was so manifest, that the whole county resented .it, and returned the Duke of Portland's friends. The following is a short recital of this case.

Towards the end of December 1767, a grant was made from the Treasury to Sir James Lowther, of an extensive