Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-05-30

| ttn toG ShCbODCo Va DAAd0 otJO Invite
which benjamin showed them, taught him
to prepare the red aud yellow colours
! with which they painted their ornaments.
. To these his mother added blue, by giving
him piece of Indigo: and thus in a
! manner which might almost be mistaken
for poeticai fiction ratllar than fact,
vas he put in possession Of the three pll-
mary colours. His drawings at length
ATTRACTED the attention Of bis neighbours,
who happening to regret that the artist had
no pencils, he inquired what kind Of things
those were, and they were described 10
him as camel's hair fastened in quill.
As then he could not procure camel's hair,
he supplied the deE;;siene; By e:.....;ag With
bis mothers scissors some fur from the end
OF the cats tail. 10 the following year
Mr.. Pennington, merchant, of PhiIadel-
phia, paid a visit to the West family, aud
beiog struck with the genius of the boy,
upon his return home TO the city, sent
him a box OF paints aud pencils, with
several pieces OF canvass, aud six engra-
wings by Grevling. Nothing could x
coed the rapture Of West upon the receipt
of this present be rose at the dawn Of
the next day, carried the box into the
garret, prepared a pallet, and begai to
initiate the figures 10 the engrasiugs.
Enchanted with his art, he forgot TO go TO
school, and joined the family at dinner,
without mentioning how he had been oc-
cupied. 10 the afternoon be again retired
TO bis study in the garnet !; and for seye-
raj successive days thus devoted himself
to paintiog. The scbooimaster, however,
sent TO know the reason Of his absence.
Mrs. West recoIlectins that she had seen
Benjamin going up stairs every morning,
and snspecting that il was the box which
occasioned this neglect OF the school, af-
fected not TO notice the message, but went
Immediately TO the garnet, and found him
employed on the picture. Her anger was
changed to a different feeling by the sight
of his performance; she kissed MIN With
transports of affection, and assured aim
that she would intercede TO prevent his
being punished. 1t was ever the highest
pleasure of Mr.. West, emphaticaliy to
declare, that it was this kiss that made
him painter. His mother would not al
low him to complete the picture, lest ne
should spoil the half he had already done.
Sixty-seven years after it was sent over to
him by his brother, aud the PresIdent
showed il TO every stranger admitted to
his painting room, declaring, that with all
his subsequent knowledge and experience,
he could not vary the situation of one SIM
gle color for the better A short time af-
ter, young West went to Philadelphia with
his friend Mr.. Pennington, aud while
painting a view of the river with the ves-
sells, was introduced to one Williams a
painter, who lent him the works of Fres-
noy aud Richardson, which, by inspiring
him with enthusiasm for his art, much
contributed to his advancement. Upon
his return to Springfield, he amused HIM
self by painting upon the detached pieces
of broken furniture in the shop Of cabinet
maker, not far from his fathers. These
sketches have been since sought for by
the Americans, aud purchased at enor-
nous prices. Twelve months after his
visit to Philadelphia, young West went
TO Chester county, aud in the course OF
painting a number of portraits became
acquainted with one William Henry. an
extraordinary mechanic, who had scquir-
led fortune by bis abilities. This was
the person that first set him upon painting
History, and the subject of the first his
torical picture was the Death of Socrates,
which Mr.. Henry took great pains to ex-
plain to him from PIutarch. BY Mr..
Henry's interest the young artist was sent
to Philadelphia, to receive classical in-
struction from Provost Smith, until six
teen years old. When he bad attained
that age, general consultation of Qua
kers took place, as TO his future destiny,
when after much debate, it was agreed
that he should follow the profession of a
painter. However, at this time, the
troubles of America breaking out, he en-
tered the army, and was, for short time,
|. the companion in arms of young Wayne,
f afterwards the illustrious General, who
. shared with Washington the glory OF es-
! tablshiDg the independence Of his country.
/ In consequence Of the renewal of his bu-
siness at Philadelphia, aud the liberaIity
! of his friends. he was enabled to acquire
sufficient money to undertake the long
t wished for voyage to Italy.
j Rome, under the pontilicate Of Req
zanico, had then attained the highest
! pitch of elegance aud refinement. The
, singular circumstance Of Mr.. Vests being
, an American, and quaker, drew upon
! him the attention of all ranks, gave rise to
Emany curious incidents too long here to
J recapitulaie. and procured him cousidera-
4 BILE patronage, the most distinguished of
, which was Mr.. Robinson, afterwards Lord
: Granlhaul. This gentleman introduced