The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-10-06
TWO NOTABLE PICTURES
NOW HANGING IN THE VIRGINIA
CAPITOL.

to Our Historic state House.
Upon the walls of the House OF Dele
gst in the Capitol at Richmond hang
two striking pictures. Strangers and
others manifest sucn interest ia these
paintings as to make frequent inquiry
into their history. and are as often dis
appointed in not being able to get the
information they desire. They repre-
sent two OF the most remarkable men
Of modern times. They were contem-
poraries, and were both distinguished
Tor their devotion to the principles of
human liberty to the individual rights
Of man. and to his capacity for self
government. They had sprung from
the same race. and although citizens OF
different countries when their portraits
were painted, bad originally been sub
jecss Of the same government. The
career Of one of these iilustriOus men.
the great Earl Of Chatham. is TOO well
known 70 be dwelt upon here. AZ
leader of the House Of Commons and
the House of Lords. ard as Secretary
Of State. his powers Of mind and ca.
pacity for craftsmanship proclaimed
him in his day the foremost
man Of the realm. But it was az
the Jealous advocate Of American
liberty that he won the applause of his
own c0untrymen and the affection Of
the struggling patriots on this side the
Atlantic. IL was while making his last
and greatest speech upon this. his
favOri;e theme. that he fell in the House
OF Lords exhausted by the fervor and
enthusiasms Of his appeals to the
mother government in behalf Of her
suffering colonies. and from which at
tack be never recovered. One month
after this memorable event his deaf
deprived England Of her greatest sub
iect and hei most IllustrIOus son. Mr..
Pitt had been intended for the military
service Of his country, and had actually
been an officer OF Dragons. We eau
well imagine what the temper of bis
leadership would have been as a soldier
bad not the eXIgeucles OF the times in-
ducel him 10 resign the glories Of the
field FOR the higher and more attractive
houors of the forum.
The companion portrait is that Of one
who. i'm his day. was greater and wiser
even than the liiustriOu5 COmmOner OF
England. Although not endowed with
tire gift of eioqueuce and the majestic
presence # the great orator. he was
mlghtier with the pen and wiser IN
council. Having, if possible. pro-
founder convictions of man IS inherent
right TO self government. his phiio-
sophie mind has 50 clearly expoundsd
ihe thcOrems Of a universal democracy
that thc name of Jefferson will ever be
IndissoIubiy as oclaicd with the cause
OF human rights.
The TWO portraits referred TO are
therefore worthy Of more notice than
has heretofore been accorded them.
They are both full length. AID Of the
same size. Just before Lord Chatham +
portrait was brought 70 America, a sub
ecrlpion bad been taken up by gentle
meu in the county OF Nostmlreland ,
Va. for the pusp Sc OF securing pOr-
trait of Lord Camden, whose advocacy
% the cause OF America tad also en-
deared him to the people ot Virginia.
Toe commis-i0n for this purpose was
entrusted To a wealthy son of Virginia.
then residing IN London. Accordingly.
he undertook the delicate aud agreeable
duty. Having called upon the noble
Lord aud informed him OF the wishes
OF the gentlemen OF Westmorelaud, ne
expressed his qualification at such an
evidence of their esteem and consented
% SIT for the portrait. Bsni1min West.
the great American painter. was 40 this
time residing in London aud had al
ready begun the career of success.
which eventually made him PRECEDENT
Of the Royal Society upon the death q
Sir Joshua Reynolds. lie WAS there
fOro employed % paint The rOpo-6d
portrait Of Lord Camden. Many ap-
pOiniments were made for this purpose.
but none OF Them were ever fulfilled.
On ole occasion Nr. West was invited
% Lord Camden 5 cOun'ry-seat while
hat nobleman was supposed 90 be re-
hfved for the time from the cares Of
State.
-c4fcely had this been done when his
LoIdship was suddenly summoned to
attend q meeting of the Council in
London. And SD. what with his feeble
health. his constant employment and
from other causes tine picture was
never Painted. The gentleman to
whom tins duty had been assigned was
"a Mr.. Edmund jennings. Although
disappointed M procuring the portrait
oi L0rG Camden. he determined To- fur
ui~h the gentlemen OF W,simoreianG
with the portrait OF one whose interest
10 their country Is cause was even more
devoted than that oi MS Lordship. Ac-
c0rdiDgly. ne secured at bis own cost =
full length portrait OF Lord Chatham.
and sent it over 80 Virginia. The pic
tufe arrived safely in WCstmofeland.
and the IalnJlc munliicence Of the
giyer was duly appreciated and
Acknowledged.
This is the portrait now hanging
in the ball Ct the House Of Delegates.
When Il ir-t arrived 10 was placed IN
Suatford Hall. WestmOieland county,
then the seat Of Richard Henry Lee,
ESD. where it remained until new
court. bouse was erected. about the year
1925. From S,rattord Hall it was re-
moved 20 the courthouse Il bad now
been in Virginia nearly sixty years.
ami IN accordance with the well-knOW u
neglect aud utter disregard with which
WORKS OF ar aud of public interest have
been generally treated by the Virginia
people. it began to suffer for want Of
suitable apartment in which 10 place
il for preservation. Accordingly.
through the agency Of q member OF the
Legislature from Westm0reland county.
application was made to the court OF
that county BY the State Library Com
miltse hat this picture should be sur
rendered for the characterization Of the
public library. This action was taken
rs iar back Us 1888. bur the following
extract from the record will show that
1t was nearly fourteen years before any
practical result followed.
AT a monthly session, begun and
held for WeslmOIeiand county, on Mon
day. the 2jlh day Of January. iei7. -
"The1ustices of this court having been
summoned TO appear hero tins day to
take some order touchiog the pfeseiva-
ton and d'sp)-ai Of the portrait Of
Lord Chatham. IL is ordered that the
proposition of tho Legislature submit
ted to the County Court Of Westmore-
land some years ago ia relation
80 said portrait. be. and the same
is hereby adopted: and the cleIk Of this
county is directed 10 send on 10 the
legislature a copy Of the proposition
aforesaid, and request the delegate OF
this county 10 bring the same TO the no