The Sun.
London, England, 1822-12-28 00:00:00

Mrs. Rt. Williamson 1 1 0
Mr. R. Embleton - 1 1 0
Mr. R. Burdon 0 10 6
At Morland and
The Marquis of Hert- '
ford - - £lO 0 0
J. Pittman, Esq. Pro-
prietor of the Sport-
Jac Magazine 5 0 0
H. Alexander 5 0 0 ,
Subscriptions are likewise received at Messrs. Grote, Pres-
eott, and Co.'s, No. 62, Threadneedle-street.
The fbllowing letter to the Royal Academy will explain
the particulars of this melancholy case. The gentleman re-
duced by a shocking calamity to this painful necessity, is Mr.
John Scott, the eminent animal and landscape engraver. To
all persons who have the slightest acquaintance with the works
of living artists, the mention of the name is a sufficient intro-
duction. In the course of an industrious life (and what,life
can be more industrious than the Engraver's ?) Mr. Scott has
finished several hundred plates, which are all in high estima-
tion. The Sporting Magazine, Mr. Daniel's Rural Sports,
and other works of a similar nature, owe a large Rortion of their
reputation to the exquisite delicacy and truth of Mr. Scott's
graver. His two large plates—" Breaking Cover,' and. " the
Death of the Fox," after Gilpin andßeinagle—are possessed
by ever lover of Art who prizes pictures of animals and field
sports. Indeed many good judges conceive, that these plates
are alone sufficient to place Mr. Scott at the top of his profes-
sion in that line. We cannot conceive any thing more distress-
ing, than a man of high talent, who was living respectably by
his labours in a profession of which he is ardently fond, sud-
denly cut off from his, means of subsistence, and thrown into
utter despair by an afflection so dreadful as a paralytic stroke.
" To the- President and Members of the Royal Academy.
" Gentlemen—l am reluctantly compelled by necessity to
make the present appeal to your benevolence in behalf of my-
self, a wife, and a numerous family.
" For many years past, by indefatigable exertions, I have
been enabled by my humble abilities as an Engraver to support
an increasing family, now amounting to nine children, in re-
spectability and comfort, and still enjoyed the cheering prospect
of a continuance in such honourable endeavours as every inde-
pendent mind delights in. But by one of those awful visi-
tations of Providence, which it is not for us to question, I was
rendered wholly incapable of further professional labours. I
suffered a violent paralytic stroke in March, 11121. My medical
advisers recommended a visit to my native air, as the only means
likely to restore my shattered frame. A stay at Newcastle or
some months affording no change for the better, I returned to
London. In my absence, my enemies injured my interests by
insidiously lamenting my total loss of intellect, while they se-
cretly promoted their own selfish and mercenary views. The
consequence of such conduct was, that I have been deprived
of worlc, amounting. to many hundred pounds, which was trans-
ferred to the hands of the men who had thus assailed me in the
hour of affliction.
" In this state of sickness and distress, I was advised by my
friends to take a house in Regent-street, for the better sale of
my prints, and to let a part furnished ; and although this step
has answered my most sanguine expectations, and would enable
me and my family to live rent-free, yet the previous embarrass-
ments arising from a total loss of income, had brought me to
such a state, that nothing can save me from inevitable ruin but
the interposinl hand of benevolence. To aggravate the ills
with which I ate encompassed, my wife has fallen sick from
over exertion to avert them ; and the husband of my only mar-
ried child is consigned to prison for debt, leaving his wife and
two helpless infants an additional burden on me.
" I trust, Gentlemen, this recital of my misfortunes will be
a sufficient apology for the boldness with which I have ventured
to adaress you. I plead urgent distress, and feel confident I
shall not plead in vain to those who know the difficulties with
which Artists are often beset, and who have on various occa-
sions stood forward to their assistance. Although I have not
the honour of being a member of the Royal Academy, I trust I
shall receive the sympathy and commiseration of its members,
and influence them to rescue me from irretreivable ruin by a
timely donation, which will enable me to complete the works
eordided to my execution, and again to support my family by
my owe exertions. Trusting you will not deny me that assist-
Mee, for which I shall feel for ever grateful,—l remain,
Gentlemen, with sentiments of the greatest respect, your obe-
dient and hiimble servant, t" JOHN SCOTT."
This appeal was not without its effect. Seconded by Sir
Thomas Lawrence (who has behaved with a feeling and deli-
cacy which double the value of his generosity), Mr. Some the
architect, and other Gentlemen, who have hearts to appreciate
sufferings like those above detailed, the Academy voted to Mr.
Scott a donation of thirty guineas, to head the subscription-
list. What adds to the hopes of kr. Scott's friends on this
occasion is, that the aid now sought from the sympathy of the
Professors and Patrons of Art., and the benevolence of the Pub-
does not extend to the support of himself and his family
fbr an indefinite time,—which might render hopeless all exer-
liotis it), his behalf. He is so far recovered as to be able to re-
sume his work partially, and is greatly assisted by his son, a
youth-of promising abilities. Should such a stun, therefore,
e raised, as would relieve him from the immediate pressures
Which threaten to crush him, he possesses the' consoling pros-
pect of maintaining his family as formerly. The following Sub-
xcriptions have been received':—The Royal Academy, 311. Ifs. ;
Sir :Fla, Lawrence, Pxesident, 41.