Star.
London, England, 1830-01-26 00:00:00

TUESDAY EVEN,

SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE.
We copy the following handsome eulogium of dvalata
President from the Dublin Literary Gazette, a wietly
publication just commenced in the Irish capital, lad
which seems likely to become a very useful miscellany.
The death of Sir Thomas Lawrence has natunsey
filled our minds with deep regret ; feeling, as we do; That
in hint the arts have lost their brightest ornament, tlieir
best benefactor. In whatever light we view his chaise-
ter, whether as a great and accomplished painter—A
liberal and enlightened patron—a generous and Manly
rival of contemporary genius, or a c)urteous and peaks

valial
gentleman, he claims oar admiration and respect, fo 6:
him wars *entered all itha.shigh TAW* .141101
tute intellectual hgbity. In his hands thiiiirt 'iris it-'
rated : England may. therefore be justly: .per of her
departed son, for henas done his part in raising her cha-
racter amongst the nations of Europe. . .
Upon these great public grounds do we, in common
with the enlightened portion of the British public, lament
his death. But as Irishmen, as persons zenions for the
welfare of our native country, we in an especial manner, •
mourn his loss ; for we are not unmindful of; the assist-
ance which he gave to the rising arts of Ireland, nor
would ws be deemed ungrateful for such powerful and
disinterested support.

By his recommendation and advocacy, our national
school of art, the Royal Hibernian Academy, was insti-
tuted. He, with a zeal worthy of his great and com-
prehensive mind, urged and sustained in the highest
quarter, the claims of the Irish artists, and hailed their
incorporation with the enlarged feelings of philanthropy,
of patriotism, and of tnste.

We trust it is not necessary to inform our Irish
readers, that immediately after the incorporation of the
academy in question, their late venerated president,
Francis Johnston, Esq. erected, wholly at his own ex-
pense, that noble building in Lower Abbey-street, now
the residence of that body. No sooner was that muni-
ficent act communicated to Sir Thomas Lawrence, than
he at once made an offer of his services, to paint a whole-
length portrait of Mr: Johnston, to be placed in the
academy, of his tribute of veneration, and respect for
that man, who, to use Sir Thomas's own words, " was
our common benefactor and friend."

This offer was communicated througk ono of the mem-
bers of the Royal Hibernian Academy, Mr. Thomas J.
Mulvany, who was then in London, and who indeed had
always been the medium of communication between Sir
Thomas and the academy. Through this gentleman, be
also presented the fine cast of the Berberini Fawn, which
is now placed in the academy.
The delicate state of Mr. Johnston's health was such,
that he was unable to visit London, from the period at
which Sir Thomas had made his generous offer, and that
circumstance has unfortunately prevented the academy
from now possessing one of the finest works of that
great painter—for it was his intention to have made
it truly worthy of the great occasion.
A very short time before Mr. Johnston's death, when
he found his health fast declining, he requested Mr.
Mulvany to offer to Sir Thomas Lawrence, on the first
opportunity, an ardent expression of his thanks, for the
honour he had intended him. Immediately onhis death,
Mr. Mulvany wrote, informing Sir Thomas of the melan-
choly tidings, and stating in Mr. Johnston's own words,
the request that he bad made—the answer to that letter,
we are now enabled, by the kindness of the gentleman
to whom it is addressed, to lay before our readers; and a
document, more honourable to Sir Thomas's head and
heart, or more deeply interesting at the present moment,
to every enlightened or generous mind, we could not
offer to the public eye.
Russell-square, March 1**,1559.

MY DiAt SJII,I have never received intelligence that has
more sincerely grieved me, than the news which you now send me.
You know that I cannot mean to say, that I, who have lived
nearly to the common age of man, and have had my share of pri-
vate sorrow, feel the loss you have announced to me, with the
same poignancy of grief, that long intimacy of friendship, or still
nearer ties, inflict upon us at the moment of separation ; but eon-
cern more genuine or deep. for the death of an individual whom I
have been taught to regard with every feeling of esteem, respect,
and admiration, I certainly have never felt. I need not say how
much these sentiments are at once enhanced and embittered by
that generous remembrance of me in his last moments, which you
so feelingly communicate, and which I shall long hold to my bean,
as the dearest tribute of a friend.
I am sure that no testimony of respect and intitade will be
wanting at this afflicting moment. If I were not fettered by en-
gagements of so imperious a nature, as to he in themselves the
most serious dudes, I should hold this sad event ample cause and
justification, of my bog•hoped-for visit to Ireland, that with the
gentlemen of the Academy, I might have the consolation of
joining in the bet dation. the memory of our common benefactor,
and testifying that deep impression of the noblesees of his mind.
which will now mix itself with every effort of that Institution,
whose welfare must have bad precarious existence, but for the in-
fluence of his example. I shall be still weft anxious to follow, es
bumble distance, the path in which he his troddso ; sad if the
exertions of my pencil, may indeed be conoidered a comparative
advantage, to the annual resources of t►e Academy, they shall
never be wanting *We I live.
I beg the fame of you to inform me of the earliest and beset
Otne at reeepden. of the wade intended for the•enulag
I ►now not if it will he la buy power to Witt a whole length, hit
thous of other sins, I shall probity NA of recent and
which he,. never been exhibited.
I know not lethal family ebb estimable man has left ; her I
14" e in the charge of my Mende MT: Manny, the duty of Gaff-
, itog my condolence and respect. •
Prig renteinbes me with rend, to the gentlemen al the Niko-
oho Atiettemy; and believe me to remain. with the sineets.
(hob% • hty dear 814
Your obliged and tablifed Massie,
. •
TO Thema. .1. Mulvey, Best. • •
Ate: Ate. be.
(loyal Ribes-igen Acatlenry,bobilis: • . , • •