The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-03-18
BENJAMIN WEST.
The Great American Artist-somes"'"s
About His Life and ways.

we'll known. was born In Springneiu,
Auchlan township, Perm. But the pecu-
liar circumstances under which he made
| his advent into the world have never
been published. Vests career was re-
markable one, when we consider the dis
advantages under which he ihbored III Die
early youth The success he attained
was in the face of great difficulties; out,
with all he accomplished, his fame has
paled before that of more modern artists.
Nevertheless he WAS great man. ana re,
fected honor both upon bis native land
and his adopted country. II Is also well
known that he was of Quaker origin, and
it was On this account that he devoted
much OF his genius upon works Tor inc
benefit of this society. In the place OF MS
nativity there happened 10 be great
meeting of the Society OF Friends IL
was an extraordinary occasion. Such
assemblies rarey occurred IN the then
sparsey populated country-hence we
| find this solemn brotherhood coming,
from far and near. In crowds 10 assist III
perpetuating the answering faith OF
their fathers and themselves.
On the occasion TO which we are now
referring q noted female orator was to
I address the assembled multitude. She
| was said to he person or singular
sanclity and great powers OF speech;
! hence every member Of the fraternity
| who could, made II point 10 be present.
Among the rest, the mother OF our artist,
although far advanced IN state or
pregnancy, was tempted TO attend the
meeting. At the appointed hour the
speaker appeared before n crowded audi
ence of men and women, sitting apart as
was their custom the men on one side
The aisle and the women on the other.
The address had lasted nearly an hour.
during which the manifestations OF the
moving spirit had been more than usually
active. Suddenly furry on the female
side OF the house attracted attention.
| Whether from the fatigue or from the
excitement consequent upon the attend
ing circumstances we cannot say, but 1t
soon appeared that the mother OF the
future artist had been seized with the
pains of labor. This unexpected event
was noised abroad among the crowd in
rifflings Of whispers until at last by the
tact Of the women 1t was communicated
10 the speaker, who suddenly began
10 apply sort OF sliding scale To her dis
course, and soon succeeded in dismissing
the congregation. Meantime the host OF
women, as If moved by a simultaneous
instinct, surrounded their suffering com.
panion and formed living sanctuary
about her person. Under the protection
at this fortress OF females the necessary
preparations were made, and In due time
the mother gave birth 10 the future artist,
scholar and patriot When all was over
and the thing sufficiently discussed, it
was at once predicted by the venerable
crones of the village that a boy child so
born would certainly turn out to be
somebody more than common. The
prophecy OF the crOning old women
proved in time TO be yeritabe history.
Another episode In the life Of West is
probably unknown, and may be recorded
as evidence of his strength OF character.
We all recollect how In childhood he gave
evidence of his building genius how ne
had 10 struggle against poverty and the
plejudices against his sect how he had
to work his way, until at last he had
acquired money enough 10 enable him to
20 abroad to study his art. After re-
naming In Italy several years he halted
at London on his return TO his native
land Here, however, the hand OF for
tune inlerfered. He was prevailed upon
to remain in the great capital The re-
putation he had made in Italy had preced
ed him, and had become SO established
with the art " ord that he was received
with more than ordinary distinction. Sir
Joshua Reynolds, the gifted and re-
nowued president of the Academy of
Arts and court painter, had just died
To the surprise OF West, the King was
prompted 10 offer him the chair just made
vacant by the death OF Reynolds SO
high an honor bestowed upon the young
stranger American could not be refused
He OF course accepted the position, and
remained In London. But our fortunate
artist had upon his heart a tender but
weightv burden. When he had left his
home amid the hills Of Pennsylvania no
= one was sadder than was she from whom
he WAS 10 part In so much sorrow. The
feelings OF the young lovers may be i'm
agined. But il was necessary that they
; should be separated until his future was
assured His fame and the honors he
!. had received bound him TO those who had
80 lately lavished them upon him but
, his heart was In the highlands Of Ameri-
ca. What was he 10 doY He reflected
upon his situation. Ii was eminently
necessary that he should remain in the
. high position he now occupied. The
, Journey across the sea and TO return was
at tina, time long one The time TO be
thus occupied was too valuable to his
success in his profession 10 be lost He
! determined at once TO be true 10 the wo-
2 man he loved. as well as loyal TO those
; who had befrlended him His distant
2 enamorata meantime had been expecting
. his return TO fulfill their marriage
VOWS What, therefore, was her sur
: prise upon learning from him
. after 60 long waiting, that he had
c concluded 10 remain abroad, and that she
must cross the Atlantic If she would be
! his wife She would have gone at once
: because she knew and trusted her lover
q but her indignant relatives would not
I listen 10 a proposal SO unusual They
I did not feel assured Of Vests fidelity
5 and were unwilling she should run thC
s risk of 80 uncertain venture. Time
passed away. The lovers maintained an
uubroken correspondence. Letters passed
. on the regular "paquets," whica crossed
= the ocean rarely more than twice a year
hot l.. 81 NJ D. tr.rr wa