testimony to the correctness of the resemblance, and Mr. Wivell, whose observations as an artist on the subject, are entitled to the highest respect, is decidedly of opinion that the Felton portrait is the original from which Droeshout copied. We shall, perhaps, return to Mr. Wivell's arguments, at an early opportunity; in the mean time we can strongly recommend the work to the attention of our readers, as containing an abundant mass of interesting and amusing matter." In the progress of forming this work, I have with some levity satirised both persons and circumstances concerned with the object of it, at the same time not intentionally to offend any individual, although some have since complained of the hits being rather too home; and which the Editor of the Literary Gazette has chosen to construe into a deficiency of temper; "Because I cannot flatter, and speak fair, Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive, and cog, Duck with French nods and apish courtesy, I must be held a rancorous enemy. Cannot a plain man live, and think no harm, Be this as it may, there are some people who. * The Editor is in error, I have said it is not, see page 55. who will hazard their reputation without any laudable motive, but for the mere sake of lucre; to those persons satirical criticism may be considered as useful, and the author of it, in the end, a public benefactor; for the writer who is not constant to his subject, soon sinks into contempt, and to avoid any imputations, it is only necessary to preserve an unwearied regard to truth, by so doing, you follow the rules of virtue-such have been my endeavours. I now beg leave to offer a few words in the shape of an apology, for having in it occasionally deviated from the acknowledged rules of English grammar. The Editor of the Literary Gazette, has stated the work to be an "ill written book,' alluding, no doubt, to these blemishes; but, I feel confident, that did the Editor, or my readers, know how little a portion of my life has been devoted to education, or to literary pursuits, they would only marvel that it is done so well; especially, as my circumstances would not permit me to remunerate a literary man, for revising of the manuscript. In the foregoing work my great object has been, not to display fine writing; I pride myself only, upon a knowledge of paintings and engravings; and, I trust the public will give me some credit for the laborious perseverance with which I have pursued that desirable end. The book was undertaken at the time I was rising from a "sea of troubles," the subject has been a favourite one to me, and in this attempt, I have trusted entirely to the disinterested manner in which I have given my opinions, for or against any of the numerous portraits brought under consideration; “ methinks the truth should live from age to age, as it were retailed to all posterity;" and as such, I submit the whole to the scrutinizing judgment of my readers, to form a just estimate of its merits, and pass their sentence accordingly. THE END. ERRATA IN THE FIRST BOOK. Page 161 In the eighth line, instead of Raye, read Kaye. PRINTED BY W. SMITH, KING STREET, SEVEN DIALS. |