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society. Prizes were also given to women for spinning the greatest quantity of thread and yarn; and to cottagers for possessing the cleanest cottages, and best cultivated gardens.

Lately as the mail coach was on its way from Llandilo to Carmarthen, the driver fell from the box, on his head, and was killed on the spot: the guard took the reins, and drove the coach into Carmarthen, but, by coming in contact with the church-yard wall, a male outside passenger had one of his legs fractured, and a female passenger was severely injured.

The Rev. E. Evans is preferred to the rectory of Hirnam, Montgomeryshire.

Married.] The Rev. Evan Williams, rector of Llangefni, Anglesea, to Maria Dorothea, eldest daughter of the late Herbert Jones, esq. of LlynonAt Llanbadarnfawy, Cardiganshire, George Peacock, esq. of Bath, to Miss Jemima Duenford, of Aberystwith-The Rev. Rice Price, to Mrs. Elizabeth Anne Gwynne, of Llanclued, Radnorshire-At Yyspyttycynfyn, Cardiganshire, Wm. Jones, esq. of Hafodau, to Margaret, third daughter of William Hughes, esq. of Tynyllwyr, near Aberystwith-At Haverfordwest, Captain Davies, R. N. to Miss Pavin, of the Happy Retreat, near Milford.

Died.] At Brynllithrig, near St. Asaph, Rev. P. Whitley, vicar of that cathedral, and rector of Cwm, Flintshire-At Welch Pool, Rev. William Moody, jun. son of Rev. Wm. Moody, of Bathampton House, Wiltshire-At Llanfechau, Montgomeryshire, Rev. Mr. Evans-At Llandillo, Mr. Wm. Tollerton.

SCOTLAND.

There is at present to be seen, at Arbroath, a beautiful phenomenon of nature, arising from stagnate water by the late hot weather. In a bason belonging to a salt-work, stopt some time ago from working, the combination of gases occasioned by the decomposition of the water, has become so powerful that, after dark, its surface appears as if sparkling with fire; and when a stone, or other weighty substance, is thrown in to disturb the fluid, a brilliant bluish flame immediately takes place.

A monument has recently been erected in the Grey Friars church-yard, Edinburgh, to the memory of the Scottish poet, Allan Ramsay.

Births.] At Dunnekeir House, the lady of Lieut.General Sir John Oswald, of a son-At Gester, the Marchioness of Tweedale, of a daughter-At Cullen House, the lady of Col. Grant, M. P. of a son -At Edinburgh, the lady of Captain David Campbell, of a son.

Married.] At Westerhall, Dumfriesshire, Major Weyland, 16th lancers, to Lady Johnstone, widow of Sir John Lowther Johnstone, bart.-At Edinburgh, Capt. Wm. Cunningham Dalyell, R. N. to Maria, youngest daughter of A. J. Sampayo, esq. of Peterboro' House, Middlesex-At Westerball, in Annandale, Major Weyland, of Woodstock House, Oxfordshire, to Lady Johnstone, mother and guar

dian of Sir Frederick George Johnstone, bart. a minor (grandson of the late Governor Johnstone), to whom the immense estates of the late Sir Wm. Pulteney descended-At Kirkhill, near Aberdeen, Thomas Barclay, esq. of London, to Mary, second daughter of Captain C. Adamson, of Kirkhill.

Died.] At Portobello, near Edinburgh, Right Hon. Alexander Lord Elibank-At Blackaddle, near Sanquhar, Wm. Johnstone, esq. of Roundstonefoot, one of his majesty's justices of the peace for Dumfrieshire, 87.

IRELAND.

The new magistrates for the city of Dublin are, Alderman B. King, lord mayor, Wm. Whiteford, and W. C. Brady, esqrs. high sheriffs.

Dr. Kyle is appointed provost of Trinity college, Dublin.

Government intend to erect a lunatic asylum, capable of containing 100 persons, for the counties of Limerick, Clare, Kerry, Tipperary, and the eity

of Dublin.

Births.] At Ballygiblin, the lady of M. W. Becher, esq. M. P. (late Miss O'Neil) of a son, since deceased-In Tuam, Lady Matilda Burke, of a son-In Ely Place, Dublin, the lady of Hon. Henry Caulfield, of a son and heir—In Dublin, the lady of Hon. and Rev. John Pratt Hewitt, of a son -The lady of Thomas Purcell, esq. solicitor, of a son-In Mountjoy-square, Dublin, the lady of Sir Nicholas Conway Colthurst, bart. of a son and heir In Waterford, the lady of T. Hutchinson, esq. of a daughter.

Married.] At Moss Hill, co. Roscommon, Patrick Coury, esq. to Susan, daughter of Patrick O'Beirne, of Dangan, in same county, esq.-At Kilworth, Thomas St. John Grant, esq. of Kilmuny, to Anna Esther, daughter of Rev. Alexander Grant, vicar of Clondelane, co. Cork-At Lyons, the seat of Lord Cloncurry, Henry, Baron Robeck, to Hon. Mary Lawless, his lordship's eldest daughter-At Taney, Wm. Maxwell Eason, of Stephen's Green, Dublin, esq. to Charlotte, daughter of Daniel Beern, of Mount Anville, esq.-At Kilshaunick, co. Cork, James De la Cour, esq. of Beauforest, to Henrietta Georgiana, daughter of late James Lombard, of Lombardstown, esq.-At Wexford, Rev. Richard Waddy Elgee, son of the archdeacon of Leighlin, to Cassandra, daughter of late Rev. Samuel Hawkshaw, prebendary of Lyhallen, diucese of Clogher.

Died.] At Carrigatoyle Castle, co. Kerry, Mrs. Gaff, wife of Christopher Gaff, esq. 55-At Sallymount, near Dublin, William Bourke, esq. late of Limerick-Capt. Robert Mayne, R. N. 90-At Mydora, co. Meath, Peter Cruise, esq. 83-At his seat, Knockthomas, Richard Evans, esq. 47, justice of the peace for the county of Carlow-In Merrion Square, Dublin, Mary Anne, only surviving daughter of late Sir John Hort, and sister to the present Sir William Hort, bart. 24-In Rutland Square, Dublin, Dr. James Clarke, 32-In Londonderry, Dr. Robert Maginnis.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY S. AND R. BENTLEY, DORSET STREET, FLEET STREET.

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London Published by Henry Colburn & C Conduit Street, Dec 11820.

No. 83.]

NEW MONTHLY

MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER 1, 1820.

[VOL. XIV,

MEMOIR OF BENJAMIN ROBERT HAYDON, ESQ.
(WITH A PORTRAIT.)

TO RECORD the successful efforts of a man of genius is one of the most pleasing tasks of the biographical writer, who is too often engaged in the melancholy office of describing the painful and unavailing struggles of merit and virtue with poverty, neglect, and obscurity. Of the numbers possessed of talents intended for the improvement, instruction, and delight of society, how few attain that publicity and extended scope of action essential to the developement of their powers! and out of the small number who succeed in thus attracting attention, how few are entitled to boast that merit has been the only cause of their distinction. The individual who relies on truth and the consciousness of his talents, who, disdaining every byepath, resolutely and industriously pursues the road to fame over its most rugged rocks and steep acclivities, destroying instead of avoiding the obstacles which impede his progress-this man, whatever be his fate, is sure of the esteem of the wise. But when his noble efforts are seen crowned with triumphant success, those who can appreciate the merit of his endeavours, join with the most heartfelt pleasure in the universal applause which success never fails to

command.

Mr. Haydon is an instance of this undeviating pursuit of truth, which has led him to his present well-merited eminence in art. His life has been remarkable for the contentions in which he has been involved, by his enthusiasm in the cause of historical painting, unrestrained by the prudential considerations which usually guide the conduct of those who aspire to reputation, and who are aware of the danger of relying on merit only. Whether the splendid proofs of talent which he has exhibited will ever reconcile those whom his steady opposition and blunt contradictions have rendered less sensible to his merits than the public in general, we cannot predict; but it is evident that NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 83.

the painter of the Judgment of Solomon, and the Triumphant Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, will be considered by posterity as a man whose opinion on works of art was entitled to some respect, even when it has differed from that of connoisseurs, and been expressed without much delicacy for the feelings of his opponents. The writings of this artist, elicited by his disapprobation of the conduct of individuals and societies connected with the fine arts, will long continue to delight and instruct the students and admirers of those arts, when the persons and occasions which called forth these powerful effusions of professional zeal and science are forgotten. Sanctioned and dignified by the productions of their author's pencil, they will prove the disinterested ardour with which he laboured for the advancement of the fine arts, not only by his own performances, but by pointing out to all his competitors the means of attaining excellence, and to society at large the true principles of criticism. Nothing is more admirable in Haydon's character than the rational diffidence which induced him to prepare himself by the severest studies for realizing those splendid images which must have prevailed in his mind when he de termined to become a painter. He maintains, indeed, in one of his publications, that young artists do not begin to paint sufficiently soon; that they form exaggerated notions of the preparatory requisites for a great picture, and delay the attempt to think, ostensibly from diffidence, but in reality from idleness or imbecility. But as well by the context as by his own practice, it is evident that he means only that they should try to paint in order to discover and remedy their deficiencies, not with the idea that genius will supply the want of acquired skill, or that patronage ought to attend their crude indications of talent.

Benjamin Robert Haydon was born at Plymouth, Jan. 26, 1786. He is deVOL. XIV.

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scended from a respectable Devonshire be unavailing, and therefore consented family. His grandfather and father to his going to London for the purpose of studying at the Royal Academy. Accordingly, in May 1804, he arrived în the metropolis.

were booksellers at Plymouth, and both had some taste for painting. While yet an infant, Haydon shewed a strong predilection for the arts which have since raised him to eminence. This inclination was confirmed during his education at Plymouth grammar-school, then conducted by the Rev. Dr. Bidlake, a man of taste, and a tolerable painter and musician. Haydon frequently attended the doctor while engaged in painting, and soon became ambitious of producing something original himself. His first attempt was the caricature of a schoolfellow, whom he represented crying and holding a cup to catch the tears; a production which was greatly admired by his juvenile companions. After this performance Haydon received some instructions from a drawing-master; but the devotion he evinced for the art alarmed his father, who never intended him to cultivate it as a profession. He was therefore sent to a school at Honiton, kept by the Rev. W. Haynes, who was vainly requested to check the growing inclinations of the future painter. But the worthy master soon discovered not only that his pupil's ardour was inextinguishable, but that it was rapidly communicating to every boy in the school. He therefore advised Haydon's father no longer to attempt to repress the youth's inclination. Being afterwards sent to learn merchants' accounts, Haydon neglected those tedious studies for poetry and drawing, to the disappointment of his family, who wished to see him qualified for making his way in the world. His father's perseverance in this contest with nature produced an agreement that Haydon should for seven years attend to his father's affairs, and afterwards be at liberty to follow his own inclinations. He continued, however, his favourite pursuits with unabated eagerness. About two years afterwards he became possessed of Reynolds's admirable discourses, which, by the encouragement they offer to industry and talent, finally and irrevocably decided Haydon's profession. From this time he began to study regularly and intensely he copied the plates in Albinus' Anatomy, and made himself master of the names, forms, situation, and uses of the muscles. When Mr. Haydon, sen. found his son thus arduously toiling through the drudgery of art, he perceived that all farther opposition must

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He applied himself immediately and most earnestly to study, having determined to draw and dissect for two years before he should begin to paint. This resolution was founded on the most correct principle; whether the object might not be attained in a shorter period we know not. Fuseli, Opie, and Smirke, approved his resolution, but it is said that another distinguished artist affected to think anatomy a superfluous study for a painter! Through the kind offices of Mr. Prince Hoare, to whom Haydon had obtained a letter of introduction, he was enabled to cultivate the friendship of these great painters, particularly of Mr. Fuseli, who was much interested in his favour by the talent and industry he evinced, and took pleasure in every opportunity of advising and assisting him in his studies. In 1805 he acquired the friendship of Wilkie, then lately become a student in the academy, and, we are happy to say, the mutual regard of these two highlygifted artists has ever since continued to increase.

Haydon began his first historical pieture in 1806, which he finished in March 1807, and exhibited at the Royal Academy the same year. The subject was, Joseph and Mary resting on the road to Egypt after a day's journey over the parching Desert; Joseph holds the Divine Infant, while the Virgin sleeps under the protection of two Guardian Angels. This picture excited universal admiration; and being afterwards exhibited at the British Gallery in 1808, was purchased by Mr. T. Hope.

About this time some dissensions arose between the students and some of the academicians, on occasion of the present of a silver vase made to M. Fuseli by the students; and, as Mr. Haydon took an active part in the arrangement of this well-nierited compliment, it has been asserted that he became thenceforth obnoxious to some of the academicians. It is certain that a law was passed, prohibiting similar expressions of approbation on the part of the students for the future. This transaction elicited the hostile feelings which were afterwards heightened by the dissatisfaction of Haydon at the conduct of the academicians, in hanging his second historical picture, the Death of

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