The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-04 00:00:00

the Penny Cyclopeedia, one of the happiest' efforts

of his pen.
On the style of so popular a writer it would be
out of place here to dwell. It was, like his con-
versation, animated, epigrammatic, and discursive,
charged with thought, and sparkling with plea-
santry. With great powers of sarcasm, he was one
of the most gentle and amiable of companions, and
one of the kindliest of critics. One or two reviews,
of books well worthy of castigation, remain to
show how effectively he could apply the lash. But,
in his hands, the lash rarely descended on indivi-
duals. He was much more given to praise, per-
haps to over-praise than to blame. In the field
which he had made peculiarly his own, he was ever
ready to bid a new labourer welcome, and to call
public attention to the merits of a possible rival.
Of English critics he was among the first to do
justice to the historic genius of Prescott and the
graphic power of Borrow. -
In the fine arts his knowledge, his skill, and his
judgment were remarkable. Had he not been an
eminent writer, he might have achieved eminence
as a painter. His portfolios wore stored with ad-
mirable sketches of Spain and Italy ; and these
portfolios were ever at the service of his literary
and artistic friends. From his sketches were made
some of the beautiful drawings by Mr. Roberts, so
popular in the Landscape Annuals of other days. His
sketch-books have contributed to the embellishment
of many various works, from Lockhart's Spanish
Ballads to the Illustrated News. He was not
only familiar with the masters of literature and
art, with Homer, Shakspeare, and Cervantes, with
Raffaele and Velasquez, but he was at home in all
the minor mysteries of conoisseurship. No man
could more accurately discriminate an Andrea from
a Lucca della Robbia ; a true Rembrandt etching
from a copy ; the porcelain of Capo di Monte
from that of the sister factory of Buen-Retiro.
Few collectors have been more diligent, versatile, and
successful in, that enticing pursuit or pastime. His
collection of etchings or drawings by Parmegiano,
one of the finest ever formed, is now in the British
Museum. Among the Spanish pictures which he
brought from Spain, and which want of house-room
compelled him to part with, were several of the
gems of the late Exhibition at Manchester. Of his
Majolica ware we have already spoken. Sonie of the
finest existing. specimens of that interesting branch
of the ceramic art hang on his walls in Park-
street. Near them, among choice Italian and
Spanish pictures, are some remarkable landscapes
by Wilson, an artist by whom Mr. Ford inherited,
through his mother, the daughter of Mr. Booth,
one •of . Wilson's chief patrons, about 60 pictures.
The books collected by Mr. Ford were worthy of
the works of art among which they were placed.
Many of the rarities of great Heber library re-
pose on his shelvps in Park-street and Heavitree,
and have been rendered more precious by his notes.
In curious Spanish literature there are, probably,
few private English libraries so rich.
Those, and they are many, who had the happi-
ness of mingling m the circle which met around Mr.
Ford's hospitable board, and in his pleasant drawing-
rooms, will long remember with affectionate regret
those social gatherings and the kindly spirit which
presided over them and pervaded them. In the give
and take of conversation Mr. Ford had few equals
and no superiors. In most societies where we have
had the good fortune to meet him he probably,
knew more on most objects that could be started
than any other of the guests. Yet, in his hands,
conversation never degenerated into monologue ;
and, although ever ready and able to talk, he was
never indisposed to listen. From the jealousy of
the professed wit he was altogether free ; and, feel-
ing no jealousy himself, he inspired none in others.
Perhaps few men of equal mark had so few ene-
mies, and certainly no man of private station is
likely, for many a long year, to leave so great a
void in English society.
For the last two years his friends and family
observed with concern that his health was giving
way. On the appointment of a Royal Commission
to report on the best site for the National Gallery,
in the winter of 1856-7, he was named, with his
own consent, one of the Commissioners, but before
the Commission met he resigned his place in it, on
the ground of impaired health. Since that time
he suffered. from several attacks of illness, but until
the end of last July he continued to mingle in
society. Early in August he was again prostrated
by the malady which proved fatal on the Ist of
this mora.
Mr. Ford was three times married—first, to a
daughter of the late Lord Essex ; secondly, to a
daughter of the late Lord Cranstoun ; and, thirdly,
to a sister of the late Sir W. Molesworth, who
survives him. By his first marriage he leaves
three children, of whom his only son is attache to
the Legation at Lisbon. By his second marriage
he leaves a daughter. His brother, the Rev. James
Ford, prebendary of Exeter, and author of several
?refound theological works, survives him.