New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-27
THE SUdRPLES PORTRAITS OF FLASHING
TON IND MRS. WASHINGTON.

There are now on exhibition at the Union
Ieae Club two portraits OF Washington and portrait
Of Mrs Washington painted from life by the late MT
sbarpl-s o. England These pictures are the properly
Of an English family to whom they have descended by
inheritance from the original Mr. Cary. for whom
,ho were rontei They are brought 10 this country by
Naor walter their present owner for exhibition ana az
they are not for sale, the natural desire thN Is
suIe 10 be generally felt for some record oil
,ucb important and interesting works IS met by giving
The public an opportunity 10 buy copies Of them made by
the auotype process These copies can be subscribed
for al the Union League Club where Major Walter has
been Hospitality accommodated with YeuliShed room
in which 10 display the pictures.
Although there is "a difference in tho spelling Of the
name we believe there is no to doubt that the Mr.
sbar. who painted these portraits the James sharp
less of whom our homespun Vasar William Dunlap gives
80 good an account his History OF the Arts OF De
,ign in America" Dunlap tells us that James
ebaruless an Enghshman, ana beng
az Roman Catholic family was educated in France and
intended Ike John Kenble for the priesthood but like
Ih no nr.ferred the fine arts lie married before
ing 10 this country and the first attempt at passage
was taken prisoner by the French. and with his vile and
three children was carried 10 France ana there Kept
prisoner for some months When liberated, he made
more successfu effort and landed in NcwIork about
l7os He visited all the cities and towns of the United
States carrying letters to persons distinguished either
military civil or literary, with request Of paint
inc their portraits for his collection. This
being granted, and the portrait finished III
nbout two hours the likeness generally induced order
for a CODY and brought sit,ers all who 1t. His
price FOR the profile fifteen dollars and for the full
face never so good, twenty dollars. He painted i'm
Yoense numbers and most OF them very valuable for
Characteristic portraure. His headquarters was New
York and generally travelled in fouT-wheeled car
rage OF his own continuance which carried the whole
family and all his implements. and was drawn by
large horse. lie plain welldispOsed man. AID ac
seI 81
Uncommon facility with his materials. Mr..
sharIless was man OF science and
uechauican well "a painter In the first volume
Of TIE Hosack and Francis Medical and Philosophical
Register will be found paper steam carriages
frmiug this character. Mr.. sharpless had acquired
rroucrtv without meanness, and looked the enjoy
,nent Of easy crcumsanc old age, when he died sud
denly the age OF sixty in NewYork Of an osscauOn
Of the heart and buried in the Cemetery Of the
Roman Catholic Chapel IL Barclayst. His widow. her
daughter and youngest returned TO England and
long resided Bath after selling the dstin gishcd
heads among which had the honor 20 be numbered.
nj public The two sons, James and Felix
practsel their fathers arr in America. Felix resided
AMI died in North Carolina" Dunlap Vol H. PIP H. To-
Duullps account of shsrpless runs nearly parallel
with given In the prospectus distributed by Major
Walter The chief discrepancy indeed the only serious
one between the two accounts Is in the date Of the
artists visit TO this country Major Walters pro-
spectns says 1894 and Dunlap says 1898, four years
later and only year before the death Of Washington
MAJOR Walter says that SIR. Sharpes paid us
q second visit IN 1909, and that he died
February &c, 1911. Dunlap was careless
writer, and we believe Ia not much depended
for accuracy In details The account published by
Major Walter seems TO be founded a better knowl-
edge Of the subject and 10 be entitled to confidence
The difference in the spelling Of the of much
importance. In America precise and literal
IN pronunciation Of proper and OF In
he he Inn old cf
The American who asked If Lord CbOlmonde-ly pro
nounced Chumley. and not In oil syllables as our coun
tyman NJ at home, and told by the porter
that he not, bat that OF his people WERE will
illustrate the point When Mr.. sharpes was here, we
perhaps read his name sharpless and then wrote
process going before eyes business signs all
the city Dunlap does US why Mr. sharples
came TO this country but Mr. Walters prospectus gives
the object Of his Journey that he for the benefit of
his health and that being relative OF Mr. Cary Of tho
house Of Cary Co.. merchants Of London who before
the War Of Independence acted and correspond
snts Of Washington, then officer in the British SER
vice. he well provided with orders and commissions
" pain; portraits OF officers and gentlemen for their fan