WESTMACOTT

(1795-1831, Artist) saying that he has no great reason for breaking in upon your painting just now for London was never duller nor news scarcer; still a little gossiping may not be missed if it is only for the purpose of keeping myself in your memory. The subject which now absorbs our attention as artists is the unexpected and lamented death of poor Sir Thomas Lawrence, and were there any other business moving I believe that would put everything else out of our heads. You will of course have read the accounts in the papers & there is but little to be asked. The cause of his death seems to have been exhaustion, the bandage which had been tied round his arm having given way, the blood flowing had filled the sleeve of his coat which being tightened at the wrist had not allowed it to escape perceive it in time to stop it - his body has been opened & it is the opinion of the medical men that he could not have lived long as ossification of the heart had begun. His high talent, the interest he took in art generally, his accomplished mind & gentlemanlike manners, joined to the favor in which he was held by the King & his popularity with the most distinguished persons in the Country render his loss impossible - it will be difficult if not impossible to find any person who invites so much to himself as he did or who will make so perfect a link between the Artist and the Aristocracy. He is to have a public Funeral on Thursday week, first lying in state at the Academy. Of course at present nothing is known about his successor to the Chair - conjecture is afloat & the most absurd speculations are made... he then discusses a visit and says he couldn't get away from London and continues that Gibson has lately written me a good account of himself & our friends to ay Eastlake is painting a beautiful Picture of a Party returning from a Festa surprised by Bandits - & says it is a mixture of Fra Bartolomeo & Titian - he seems to think that poor Wyatt will always be lame, but I am glad he is much better, & full of orders... he does not say a word of poor little Ewing, not does Severn. When he writes - I'm afraid he is losing his popularity amongst our old good friends & he has too much delicacy & good feeling to enjoy our inferior set. Do you ever hear from him...I suppose your Picture is going on with flying colours. The works for the Br Gallery are received today I believe, do you intend to exhibit there? Hollins is putting up a pretty picture of Pilgrims kneeling before a Church door in the Campagna, for Somerset House I suppose..., 4 sides 4to., including integral autograph address leaf with seal, 21 Wilton Place, Hyde Park Corner, 12th July