pensed by temporal rewards, yet it will always insure that peace of mind, which is superior to all the advantages the world can bestow. At his death, the title became extinct.

JOHN BOYDELL, Esq. Alderman of LONDON.

The history of this worthy Alderman affords an extraordinary instance of what a life of spirited exertions is able to accomplish. It appears almost impossible that an individual, who began the world in so humble circumstances, could have effected so much for the improvement of the Arts, and of the national taste. He was a native of Derbyshire, and was originally intended for a Land Surveyor. When more than 20, he was put apprentice to a Mr.Tomms, an Engraver, at a time when there were no very eminent Engravers in England. He saw the necessity of forcing the art of Engraving, by stimulating men of genius with suitable rewards. He himself mentioned, that the first means which enabled him to encourage other Engravers, were the profits he derived from the sale of a book of 152 prints, engraved by himself; and he very modestly allowed, that he himself had not at that time arrived at any eminence in the art of Engraving, and that those prints are now principally valuable from the comparison of them with the improved state of the art within the last 60 years. With the profits of this book, however, he was able to pay very liberally the best Epgravers then in the country, and presented the publick with English engravings of the works of the best Masters. The encouragement he experienced from the publick was equal to the spirit and patriotism of the undertaking, and soon laid the foundation of an ample fortune.

He was elected Alderman of Cheap Ward in 1782; Sheriff in 1785; Lord-mayor in 1790; and in the same year Master of the Stationers Company."

The Alderman had the satisfaction to see in his life-time the effect of his labours. Though he

never himself made great progress as an Engraver, yet he was the greatest encourager of the art that this country ever saw. The English engravings, which were before considered much inferior to those of foreign nations, began from that time to be highly prized; and the exportation of them became a valuable article of commerce. Having done so much for the art of Engraving, he resolved to direct his efforts to encourage the art of Painting in this country. To this effect he undertook that superb edition of Shakspeare, the originals of which were for several years exhibited in the Shakspeare Gallery. The expence of these paintings was prodigious, and more, perhaps, than any individual had ever before embarked in for such an object.

The effect which this produced on the fortune of the worthy and patriotic Alderman will be best explained by the Letter which he addressed to his friend Sir John Anderson; by whom it was publicly read in the House of Commons, when applying for leave to dispose of the Paintings, &c. by Lottery *.

"DEAR SIR,

Cheapside, Feb. 4, 1804.

The kindness with which you have undertaken to represent my case, calls upon me to lay open to you, with the utmost candour, the circumstances attending it, which I will now endeavour to do as briefly as possible. It is above sixty years since I 'began to study the Art of Engraving, in the course of which time, besides employing that long period of life in my profession, with an industry and assiduity that would be improper in me to describe, I have laid out with my brethren, in promoting the commerce of the Fine Arts in this country, above 350,000. When I first began business, the whole commerce of prints in this country consisted in importing foreign prints, principally from France, to supply the cabinets of the curious in this kingdom. Impressed with the idea that the genius of our own coun trymen, if properly encouraged, was equal to that of Foreigners, I set about establishing a School for Engraving in England; with what success the publick are well acquainted. It is, perhaps, at present sufficient to say, that the whole course of that commerce is changed; very few prints being now imported into this country, while the foreign market is principally supplied with prints from England. In effecting this favourite plan, I have not only spent a long life, but have employed near 40 years of the labour of my nephew, Josiah Boydell, who has been bred to the business,

and

The good old man had the satisfaction of living to see the Act passed through both Houses of Parlia

and whose assistance during that period has been greatly instrumental in promoting a School of Engraving in this country. By the blessing of Providence, these exertions have been very successful; not only in that respect, but in a commercial point of view; for, the large sums I regularly received from the Continent, previous to the French Revolution, for impressions taken from the numerous plates engraved in England, encouraged me to attempt also an English School of Historical Painting. I had observed with indignation, that the want of such a School had been long made a favourite topic of opprobrium against this country among foreign writers on national taste. No subject, therefore, could be more appropriate for such a national attempt, than England's inspired Poet, and great Painter of Nature, Shakspeare; and I flatter myself, the most prejudiced Foreigner must allow that the Shakspeare Gallery will convince the world that Englishmen want nothing but the fostering hand of encouragement to bring forth their genius in this line of art I might go further; and defy any of the Italian, Flemish, or French, Schools, to shew, in so short a space of time, such an exertion as the Shakspeare Gallery; and if they could have made such an exertion, the pictures would have been marked with all that monotonous sameness which distinguishes those different Schools. Whereas in the Shakspeare Gallery every Artist, partaking of the freedom of his country, and endowed with that originality of thinking so peculiar to its natives, has chosen his own road to what he conceived to be excellence, unshackled by the slavish imitation and uniformity that pervade all the foreign Schools. This Gallery I once flattered myself with being able to have left to that generous publick, who have for so long a period encou raged my undertakings; but unfortunately for those connected with the Fine Arts, a Vandalic Revolution has arisen, which, in convulsing all Europe, has entirely extinguished, except in this happy Island, all those who had the taste or the power to promote those Arts; while the Tyrant that at present governs France, tells that believing and besotted nation, that, in the midst of all his robbery and rapine, he is a great patron and promoter of the Fine Arts; just as if those Arts that humanize and polish mankind could be promoted by such means, and by such a man. You will excuse, my dear Sir, I am sure, some warmth in an old man on this subject, when I inform you, that this unhappy Revolution has cut up by the roots that revenue from the Continent which enabled me to undertake such considerable works in this country. At the same time, as I am laying my case fairly before you, it should not be disguised, that my natural enthusiasm for promoting the Fine Arts (perhaps buoyed up by success) made me improvident. For, had I lain by but ten pounds out of every hundred pounds my plates produced, I should not now have had

occasion

ment, and of being cheered in its progress by the elogium of several individual Members*. After the

occasion to trouble my friends, or appeal to the Publick; but, on the contrary, I flew with impatience to employ some new Artist with the whole gains of my former undertakings. I see too late my error; for I have thereby decreased my ready money, and increased my stock of copper-plates to such a size, that all the Printsellers in Europe could not purchase it, especially at these times so unfavourable to the Arts. Having thus candidly owned my error, I have but one word to say in extenuation. My receipts from abroad had been so large, and continued so regular, that I at all times found them fully adequate to support my undertakings at home-I could not calculate on the present crisis, which has totally annihilated them-I certainly calculated on some defalcation of these receipts, by a French and Spanish war, or both; but with France or Spain I carried on but little commerce-Flanders, Holland, and Germany, who, no doubt, supplied the rest of Europe, were the great Marts; but, alas! they are now no more. The convulsion that has disjointed and ruined the whole Continent, I did not foresee-I know no man that did. On that head, therefore, though it has nearly ruined me and mine, I can take but little blame to myself. In this state of things, I throw myself with confidence upon that publick, who has always been but too partial to my poor endeavours, for the disposal of that which, in happier days, I flattered myself to have presented to them. I know of no means by which that can be effected just now but by a Lottery; and if the Legislature will have the goodness to grant a permission for that purpose, they will at least have the assurance of the even tenour of a long life, that it will be fairly and honourably conducted. The objects of it are my Pictures, Galleries, Drawings, &c. &c. which, unconnected with my copper-plates and trade, are much more than sufficient to pay, if properly disposed of, all I owe in the world. I hope you, my dear Sir, and every honest man, at any age, will feel for my anxiety to discharge my debts; but at my advanced age of 85, I feel it becomes doubly desirable. I am, dear Sir, with great regard, your obedient and obliged servant,

JOHN BOYDEll." * The Earl of Suffolk, in particular, paid many compliments to this" enterprizing Encourager of the Arts;" but threw out a number of severe animadversions on the slovenly and very infe rior manner in which engravings are now executed by British Artists; and asserted, that, in consequence of such deficiency of skill, the Revenue was materially injured, there being now but little demand for our engravings in the foreign markets; though the revenue which arose from their exportation was formerly 200,000l. per annum.

In one instance, the Alderman was panegyrized from the pulpit. In a Sermon preached before the Corporation of London, Jan. 8, 1804, the Rev. John Perring says, "It is a material part

of

passing of the Act, it became one of the principal employments of the Alderman's life to arrange with his own hands the several prizes. He did not, however, live to see the event of the scheme; being called from his labours, Dec. 12, 1804. He had attended his duty as Alderman at the Old Bailey Sessions on the 8th, when it is supposed he caught cold. On the 10th he found himself much indisposed; on the 11th he was pronounced by his physician to be in danger; and the next morning expired without a groan*. It was rather singular,

of my design, however imperfect the execution, in humble imi tation of a certain worthy and venerable Member of this most respectable Corporation, to endeavour to lead one of the Fine Arts into the service of Religion. It would be needless to enlarge on facts so generally credited, that the gentleman alluded to, laudably impressed with an ardent desire to add to the honour of his country, and to the improvement of morals, has most liberally expended hundreds of thousands of pounds in promoting and encouraging the liberal arts. He has attempted to establish here the curious art of Engraving, and has succeeded in his undertaking. He has also, at great expence, adorned with prints a magnificent Bible t; and, in a grand gallery, he has exhibited a very great number of the best historical scenes. These have chiefly been taken from the works of that dramatic author whose genius has proved the boast of this country and the admiration of the world. If, in these two attempts, success has proved inadequate to his hopes, the design was at least laudable *. I need not, also, enlarge on the various paintings which, from the same generous source, adorn the principal room of Council in this City, and which are adapted, not only to encourage the Arts, but faithfully, and in a striking point of view, to display some of the most gallant exploits of the British arms and the vast extent of our commerce. It may not be improper, also, to hint at the various allegorical designs, by the same hand, which are calculated to promote improvements in morals, so very essential a part of true religion,"

* In the Gentleman's Magazine for 1808, vol. LXXVIII. p. 401. is a view of the house in which the Alderman's father resided; and in the same volume, p. 777, is a copy of verses, which the Alderman printed for the use of his Friends, under the title of "Advice to Youth;" and which he thus prefaced: "The following verses, which, I believe, were never before printed, were An unfortunate mistake for Macklin's exertion in the same cause. It is a fact, that unforeseen, continual wars have proved the most destructive enemy to the elegant arts. By these means former most nume→ rous demands for English engravings have almost totally ceased.

written