except Mr. Farish. One of the company, much celebrated for his wit and learning, at length said, "We have been talking for this hour in vain; and Farish, who knows more about the matter than all of us put together, has not uttered a word." In promiscuous company, taciturnity is certainly a striking feature in Mr. Farish's character. Every thing he says seems to be the result of deep thought, and not the spontaneous flow of social and unsuspecting confidence. Among his intimates, however, he relaxes, it is said, into the facetious and agreeable companion. Mechanism, topography, trade, and manufactures, are his favourite topics of conversation. Having spent the chief part of his life in a college, naturalized to authority on one hand, and submission on the other, his manners, though mild, still retain a peculiarity, which distinguish them from easy and polite equality. Without any reciprocity of his own, he is acquainted with the methods of diving into the opinions of others; and, on all occasions, has ap proved himself a watchful guardian of the interests of our present establishments.

S. K.

SIR FRANCIS BOURGEOIS, R. À.

THIS ingenious artist is descended from a family of great respectability at Berne, in Switzer

1799-1800.

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land,

land, where many of his ancestors filled offices of considerable trust in the state.

He was born in London in the year 1756, and was, at an early age, destined by his father to the profession of arms, in consequence of the friendship entertained for the family by the late Lord Heathfield, who had promised to procure a commission in the army for the son.

The young mind of our artist was now occupied with ideas of martial glory, and he constantly attended military evolutions and reviews. Every inducement to alter the natural bias of his talents proved ineffectual; for, having been instructed, while a child, in some of the rudiments of painting by a Mr. Cervant, a foreigner of inconsiderable merit as a painter of horses, he paid more attention to the imitative art, and exerted himself more assiduously to represent with his pencil the manœuvres he beheld, than to acquire a knowledge of the tactical principles on which they were conducted. About this time he attended almost daily the celebrated riding-academy of Mr. Angelo, in Soho-Square, and took peculiar delight in drawing horses in their various attitudes.

Some of his juvenile essays were seen and praised by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Mr. Gainsborough; and, encouraged by their approbation, he relinquished all thoughts of the military profession, and entirely devoted himself to the cultivation of an art to which the impulse of genius irresistibly directed powers. Loutherbourg, who admired his early promise

his

promise of future excellence, readily consented to take him under his tuition. But he did not remain with that able master a longer time than was necessary to acquire a correct knowledge of the true principles of painting, and then determined to indulge his pursuits in the great school of nature, and to study the works of the most eminent masFrom the respectability of his connections, he experienced no difficulty in gaining admission to the best collections in this country; and in the late Marshal Conway, whose taste as a connoisseur, and whose amiable qualities as a member of private society, will be long remembered, he found a şincere friend and a liberal patron.

ters.

Before he attained the age of twenty, he had acquired no mean reputation by his landscapes and sea-pieces, and some of them are now allowed places in cabinets, distinguished for elegance of selection. In 1776, Sir Francis travelled through the Low Countries, France, and Italy, and studied with indefatigable attention the various beauties that grace the productions of different masters and different ages. The facility with which he spoke several modern languages, particularly the French and Italian, was of peculiar service to him in his tour, and procured him an easy introduction to the most precious collections of the fine arts on the continent.

On his return, he continued to prosecute his studies with increased ardour and reputation, and his exhibitions in the Royal Academy considerably

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derably enlarged the circle of his friends and admirers.

About this time, the Prince Primate, brother to the amiable and unfortunate Stanislaus Augustus, king of Poland, came to reside for a few months in this country, and was so captivated with the works of our artist, that he frequently passed whole mornings in his painting-room. His Highness was also very much gratified with the engaging manners and pleasing conversation of Sir Francis, and constantly honoured him with invitations to his select parties. The Prince made him the most liberal offers to induce him to go to Poland, but they were as gratefully acknowledged as they were politely declined.

He was, in 1791, appointed painter to the King of Poland, who also conferred on him the honours of knighthood of the Order of MERIT; and, having been on that occasion introduced at our court to their Majesties, the King was pleased to confirm the title.

In 1792, he was elected a member of the Royal Academy, without any solicitation on his part; and, in 1794, was appointed landscape-painter to his Majesty.

The works of Sir Francis are numerous, and many of them not only grace several of the principal collections in this country, but have found their way into some distinguished cabinets on the continent. His facility in the execution of any subject, which he conceives, has been long a matter

of

of surprise, and the happy variety of tints and glow of colouring with which his chief productions are embellished evidently shew that his labour is "the labour of love, not the task of the hireling." The composition of his pictures is generally in strict conformity to nature, and he is surpassed by few in his just application of the principles of perspective, and in the judicious grouping of his figures.

It is, however, to be lamented, that, in some of his pieces, a hastiness of finishing is observable; and his admirers have often regretted, that, capable as he is of making a distinguished figure in the superior departments of historical painting, he has not allowed his powers to take that extensive range for which they seem sufficiently qualified.

The manners of Sir Francis are highly attractive. His conversation affords pleasure and instruction, and the readiness with which he has, on all occasions, exerted his interest in favour of rising. genius or distressed merit, is an honourable testimony of the liberality of his mind.

N.

DUKE OF RICHMOND.

THE Duke of Richmond was born on the 22d of February, 1735; he succeeded his father in titles and estate the 8th of August, 1750, and took his

seat in the House of Lords in 1756. His Grace attached

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