Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-11-21
JOHN WESLEY JARVIS.

JOHN WESLEY JARVIS.
The annexed paragraphs are taken from
"Mr. Dunlap's History ofthe Rise and Progress
of the Fine Arts in the United States," a work
that embraces vast fund Of amusing and en-
tertaining information.
Mr. Jarvis was fond ofnotoriety from almost
any source, and probably thought it aided him in
his profession. His dress was generally unique
His long coat, trimmed with furs like Russian
prince or potenate from the north pole, must be
remembered by many; and his two enormous
dogs, which accompanied him through the
streets, and often carried home his market 5as-
ket will be remembered by all who were chill
dren in New York at the time.
Some southerners having arrived, to whom he
wished to return civiliteS and do honour, the
painter invited several gentlemen Of note to
meet them. He then had his rooms in Wall
street, and Pierre Van Wyck, the recorder of the
city, had his Office below, in the same house.
With Van Wyck, as with most Of the gentlemen
of the city at that time, he was intimate; and
among others, Van Wyck and Gulian c. Yer
panck were invited to meet the strangers
They sat down to table proftIsely covered with
every good and costly Wand the market could
afford venson, pheasants, and canvass-back
ducks tempted the appetite, although knives with
broken handles, and forks with one prong made
the operations of carving and eating somewhat
awkward and difficult, and excited no little sur
prise among the guests who were not aware Of
the painters habits. Wine was as plenty and OF
as great variety as the meats, and the wine glass
es of various sizes, but principally OF the largest
caibre and most profound depth, such as would
not allow of the repetition of Sam Foote'S pun
however old the iquor-"Y our glass of wine
is very little Of its age, " would not apply here.
The mode Of opening bottle (decanters there
were none) was by breaking off the top of the
cork and thrustng the remainder down the neck
with greasy fork-a cork-screw would have
smacked too much oforder.
"JarviS," said the recorder, |. want some
small drink-here's nothing but wine" "Give
the recorder the brandy bottle!" "No, no. give
me some small beer or some water" eve don't
know such things-there is porter and ale."-
"Some ale, then" "Tom! give the recorder
some ae." After pause, Van Wyck says
"Jarvis, where is this ale of yours 2'-"Tom!
why don't you give the recorder some ale?"
"There'S no tumbler, SIR" ''No tumblern "No,
sir" "Well, throw the soap out OF my shaving
cup"
In the course of Mr.. Jarvis's very extensive
practice, he painted the portrait of Bishop Ben
jamn Moore, of New York; and that eminently
worthy gentleman used TO tell one of Jarvis's
quick and humorous thoughts with great glee.
During one of the sittngs, religion became the
subject Of conversation, and the. Bishop asked
Jarvis some questions relative to his belief or his
practice. The painter, with an arch look, but
as if intent upon catching the likeness of the
sitter, waved his hand and said, "Turn your
face more that way, and shut your mouth"
1t is said, that on seeing tall, melancholy
looking Frenchman walking very solemnly
down Broadway, with very large cigar box
under his arm, Jarvis placed himselfimmediate-
ly behind, initiating his funeral step; and as he
saw an acquaintance likely to join in the fun, he
would by signs bring him to follow in the train,
until he got up q string of some length, walking
in solemn procession. The bearer Of the box,
on turning corner, looked round and saw that
he had suite of attendants, of whose motives
he could form no notion. He stopped-the pro-
cession stopped" Gentlemens, vat you mean2"
Vat you mean, gentlemans?" Jarvis answered
Seeing that you are foreigner sir, and have
no friends to assist you in the burial ofyour child
we thought to show our respect by attending the
funeral"
While residing at the hospitable mansion Of
southern planter, the owner being for some days
absent the painter played the following freak.
The house stood little way from the road a
gate being in 'front.' and near il large dog ken
mel, which had not for years had an inhabitant.
Jarvis took paints and brush, and wrote on the
dog-house, "T axe care ofthe dog" It was then his
amusement to see the passing neighbors or ira
vellers approach, and suddenly stop-read the
inscription, and cautiously cross to the other
side Of the road. If a horseman came canter-
ing up, the speed was checked and the road
crossed, or aspur given to the steed and quick
er pace insured. Those who wished to come
to the house avoided the gate, and took back