The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-30

hrepreQuentlY encountered, and they mako a
bravo show upon the walls Of Memorial Hall at
Harvard. few good portraits by Copley may
DO found in this CITY, where the artist resided
for several months In 1771. although no attempt
has ever boon made to classify them. Mr..
A. 7. Perkins. In an interesting monograph
published in Boston n few years ago. mentions
269 oil paintings by Copley. then or recently
existing in America. several having pershed
In the great Boston fire OF 1872: and he estl-
mates that az many more were executed In
England. Copley regularly recorded his works.
but the list was accidentally destroyed not long
after his death. 1t would doubtless have shown
that considerably more than six hundred works,
from tho simple portrait to the elaborate his
torical piece. crowded with figures left his
easel during his long and industrious life.
Tho period between 1764 and l774 witnessed
Copley's most prosperous career In Boston, and
during the latter part Of that time lie lived in n
handsome house Of his own, fronting Boston
Common. His property, consisting OF eleven
acres and occupying the southern and western
slopes OF Beacon Hill ia now ono Of the finest
quarters OF the city, and OF immense pecuniary
value. Here the artist is said to have dispensed
an elegant hospitality. and to have exhibited
in his dress and surroundings somewhat OF the
splendor for which the costumes and draperies
OF his pictures we're noticeable Col Trumbull,
WIZ Nisltu nlHl III lfIl pelnR Ineu IN uHutT-
graduate In Harvard College. describes him as
attired In crimson velvet suit laced with gold.
and having everything about him in handsome
style. He moved in the most cultivated society
Of the town. and his courly manners and
genial disposition made him Il general favor
ite. His younger daughter. who lived to be "a
years OF age. speaking OF his career in London.
once said: Many fine gentlemen came to our
house in George street and have seen many
since: but do not remember to have observed
one who surpassed my father in elegance Of
manner or in the dignity of his department"
Copley's fame had meanwhile reached Eng
land. His Boy and Squirrel" was greatly adj
mired In London when exhibited there. and
curiosity was aroused regarding the untutored
colonial painter who could produce such a
work. His friends urged him to visit the Old
World. and no himself. though arrived at the
age OF 81. did not think that he was too old to
derive advantage from year or two OF study
in the galleries OF Italy In the spring OF IVA
he sailed for Europe. leaving his family con-
sisting OF wife and three small children be-
hind him. and little imagining that he should
never see his native land again. The troubled
relations between Great Britain and her North
American colonies were uniavorabe TO the
pursuit OF the fine arts In the latter. and it is
not surprising 10 find Copley DESTROYS OF pro-
IOuSlnB MS stay dDTOdu ne nedUu pOllicd
discussions which occupied his townsmen in
Boston we're not always to his taste. and his
letters to his wife and friends dwelt little
upon such matters. recording, chiefly his
Impressions OF Italy and her great masters.
But he was by no means Indifferent to what
was going on at home The outbreak OF hos
tilities In 1775 found him hard at work copying
masterpiece OF Correggio. and to his credit
and sasacity 1t should BIO recorded that he
wasted no regrets over the announcement but
wrote at once TO Mrs. Copley: Il cannot think
that the power Of Great Britain will subdue
the country. II the people are united as they
seem to be at present / know 1t may seem
strange to some men Of great understanding
that should hold such an opinion. but 1t is
very evident to me that America will have
the power OF resistance until grown strong
enough to conquer. and that victory and
independence will go hand in hand" To these
sentiments. 1t is believed. he adhered until the
close OF the Revolutionary struggle In por-
trait OF Elkanah Watson. painted in London at
the time Of the conclusion of peace between
Great Britain and the United States. he intro
duced a ship bearing to America the acknowl-
edgment Of her independence. After listen
ing with him." Watson records In his journal,
to the speech Of the King formally recogniz-
Ing the United States OF America as in the rank
OF nations he invited me into his studio. and
there. with bold hand. a masters touch. and
believe. an American heart. attached to the
ship the Stars and Stripes this was imagine,
the first American flag boosted in England"
In the autumn Of l775 he was joined by his
family in England. which country thenceforth
remained his home In London he speedily
rose to distinction; in 1915 he was elected an
Associate of tho Royal Academy. and two years
later an Acadenclan OF his life abroad we
III, L-zl
most notable persons OF the day. from mem
bcrs Of the royal family downward and put
forth his strength in historical pieces. which
are among the finest productions OF the British
school To this department of art he would
have devoted little or no attention had he lived
and died aicitizen of Boston. The works which
gained him most reputation were the Death
OF Major Person" an incident in the invasion
OF the isle OF Jersey by tho French in 1881
which the Duke OF Wellington used TO say was
the best representation OF battle he had ever
seen; the Death of Chatham" well known
from Bartolozzls engraving; Charles |. and
the Five Impeached Members OF Parliament"
now in the Public Library OF Boston: and
the "Siega OF Gibraltar" In painting these
he took almost incredible pains to conform
literally TO tho Incident portrayed on the can
vas. and the likenesses of historical characters
which constitute their most remarkable taa-
ture-giving to them. in fact. something of the
character of monumental rortrature-w
wherever 1t WAS possible, copied from family
portraits. Beioro oomm9ncin; his " Charles l.
and the Five Impeachsd Mombsrs." he visited
every house in England which contained n por-
trat1of IA member Of tho Long Parliament. In
his historical works he was little innuencnd by
his visit TO Italy. but treated his subjects simply
and naturally and with sufficient Individuality
to carry the spectator into tho scHnN repro
sentNd. His prosperity kept pace with his rcpu-
tation. and hc lived for many years In hand
somo style in house in George street. we'll
known atterwlri as the LONDON residence Of
his distinguished son. Lord Lyndhurst. Alter
tho commencement of the present century his
fortunes began TO wanc. from variety Of
causes. chiof ain ing which. probably. were his
own falling powers and tho appearance Of
younger aud mora fashionable painters upon
thu stage. lie still contrbutni when past his
seventeen year. to the annual exhibit of
! tho Academy; but his pictures remained un-
sold and il is sad 10 record that tbiS estimlhlo