Ozias Humphry, to James White, Exeter

RA Collection: Archive

Reference code

HU/7/28

Title

Ozias Humphry, to James White, Exeter

Date

9 Nov 1808

Level

Item

Extent & medium

1 piece

Content Description

He agrees with the explanation of the fate of the miscarried letter but thinks it should be left now. He saw "young" Mr. Towne at the British Institution on Pall Mall, copying to half-size the famous Claude Lorrain owned by the Earl of Egremont. Mr. West, "being younger (72)" is copying from the marbles lately brought to England by Lord Elgin. The exertions of these "juveniles" shows that the zeal for art is estinguished only with life.

Westmacott's colossal statue for Russell Square has been cast with complete success. The Duke is represented with his right hand resting on a ploughshare, and on a six foot plinth, with a naked boy at each corner representing the seasons. Spaces of the pedestal will contain plaques on various husbandry subjects. His model of Mr. Pitt is now also completed to half size and ready for Cambridge. Both statues are a credit to his endeavours.

Beechey has completed an exquisite portrait of young Wilkie. Also young Smirke has been elected into the R.A., an architect of purity and promise. He dined the previous night with their friend Webber, who is "as deaf as a mill stone and nearly as dumb". They drank White's health with a bumper of excellent madeira.

The large mansion being built for the Earl of Bridgewater by Mr. Wyatt is not in the Grecian style, but the Gothic!