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But this was not

as those who are of a less advanced age. the case with Fuseli; for, although when in his eightyfirst year, his faculties were unimpaired, he still possessed a great degree of sensibility. As one friend dropped into the grave after another, he felt the loss of each, and constantly exclaimed, "It is my turn next," advising me, at the same time, as I advanced in life, to cultivate the friendship of men younger than myself, that I might not be left without friends in old age. Although when a younger man he appeared to his acquaintances to cling much to life, yet later when he spoke of death, it was without fearful forebodings. "Death," (he used to say,) "is nothing; it is the pain and feebleness of body under a lingering disease, which often precedes death, that I dread; for, at my time of life, I can look forward but to a day, and that passes quickly." The following extract of a letter to the Countess of Guildford, dated Nov. 17, 1821, shows his feelings on this subject:

66 'Taciti, soli, e senza compagnia.

"We jogged on, though at a swifter pace than Dante and his guides, sympathising (one at least,) with autumn's deciduous beauty, and whispering to every leaf the eye caught falling, soon shall I follow thee!

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Indeed, were it not for those I should leave behind, I would not care if now."

From infancy, Fuseli possessed very impetuous passions, which required, when a boy, some degree of coercion, on the part of his parents, to control. This irritability, in one instance, nearly cost him his life. At Lyons, when a young man, he had a dispute with a person, which aroused his feelings to such a height, that in a momentary fit of passion he made use of that agility which he possessed in a considerable degree, and kicked his antagonist in the face. The man coolly drew his sword, and immediately inflicted a very severe wound upon the offending leg. Notwithstanding this violence of disposition, when his anger was aroused even to a high pitch, a kind word or look appeased him in a moment. In the several relations of husband, friend, and master, he was most affectionate and kind; but he required to be sought if neglected, he ceased to think of the objects whom he had before loved or esteemed; and his constant expression on such occasions was"I can live without them who can do without me."

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FUSELI'S RELIGIOUS FEELINGS.

Fuseli was seldom induced to speak on religion; but as he attached himself to no particular form or sect, it would be difficult to give a precise idea of his tenets. He was deeply read in the Bible, and recollected, when in conversation, not only those passages which, for historical facts, sublimity, pathos, or poetic beauty, are impressed on most minds, but also the minor circumstances; for he could, from memory, trace the several tribes, and tell you accurately, the genealogy of any particular person. He seldom took up the Bible, which he frequently did, without shedding tears.

He had a perfect reliance on a future state of existence. "If I had not hope in this," he said, "I should hang myself, for I have lived, and still live, for nothing. I am certain I shall exist hereafter, for I feel that I have had powers given me by the Deity, which time has not allowed me to exert or even to develope. I am capable of doing ten times more than I have done."

This prevailing impression broke forth on many occasions. He had accompanied Sir Thomas Lawrence to see a collection of fine casts from the antique, which were arranged in a gallery built for the purpose by Mr. Smirke, at Battersea. In a niche at the end of the gallery was placed the colossal statue of the Farnese Hercules, and by a novel arrangement of the lamps, (the rest of the gallery being in total darkness,) a very powerful effect was given to the statue, which had been turned with its back to the spectator, and thus presented a vast mass of shadow, defined only by its grand outline and the strength of the light beyond it; the source of which was concealed by the pedestal. In the course of the evening, Mr. Fuseli was taken to see this statue, when Sir Thomas Lawrence was for a few moments disappointed by the silence of his friend; but on a servant bringing a light into the entrance-room, he perceived Fuseli excited even to tears, as he exclaimed, with deep tremulous energy: "No man shall persuade me, that these motions which I now feel are not immortal."

Fuseli was once maintaining the immortality of the soul; when a gentleman present, said, "I could make you or any man of sense disbelieve this in half an hour's conversation." Fuseli immediately answered, "That I am sure you could not, and I will take care you shall not."

Being one day pressed by his friend, the Rev. John Hewlett,

upon his belief in the resurrection of Christ, he answered: “I believe in a resurrection; and the resurrection of Christ is as well authenticated as any other historical fact."

He more than once said to Mr. Knowles: "There are now no real Christians, for the religion of Christ died with its great Author; for where do we witness in those who bear His name the humility, self-abasement, and charity, of their Master, which qualities He not only taught, but practised.”

FUSELI AND YOUNG LAWRENCE.

Mr. Knowles, in his Life of Fuseli, states that shortly after young Lawrence's arrival in London from Bath, Fuseli saw the future promise in the youth, and was gratified at making remarks upon his portraits for his improvement. This kind notice from a man whom Lawrence held in the highest esteem for his various acquirements, made a deep impression upon his mind he sought an intimacy with him, which, upon more mature knowledge of the individual, ripened into the closest friendship. At the death of Mr. West, in the year 1820, Fuseli was among the most forward of the Academicians to propose that his friend Lawrence, who was then on the Continent, should fill the Presidential chair.

Such is the statement of Mr. Knowles, the intimate friend of Fuseli; but it does not accord with an anecdote related in the Life of Sir Thomas Lawrence, vol. i. p. 98, where it is stated that young Lawrence called upon Fuseli, bringing with him a letter of introduction from an old friend. Fuseli, being miraculously in a good humour, received Lawrence kindly, saying, "I shall be very happy to see you whenever you are disengaged." The ingenuous youth took this literally, and called the next day. By Gort!" cried Fuseli, as he entered the room, "you must have plenty of spare time on your hands!" The young man retired in confusion, nor did he call again.

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FUȘELI'S WIT AND HUMOUR.

Fuseli was discoursing one day at his friend Mr. Johnson's table, upon the power and merits of Phocion, the brave Athenian general; when a stranger, who had apparently listened with attention to the conversation, gravely put the question, "Pray, Sir, who was Mr. Phocion?" Fuseli imme

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diately answered, "From your dialect, Sir, I presume you are from Yorkshire; and, if so, I wonder you do not recollect Mr. Phocion's name, as he was Member for your county in the Long Parliament !”

Calling one morning upon Mr. Johnson, Fuseli found him bargaining with an author for the copyright of a book. When the gentleman left, Mr. Johnson said, "That is Mr. Kett, and his work is to be called the Elements of Useful Knowledge." "In how many volumes?" said Fuseli. "In two octavos," was the answer. "No, no, Johnson," said he, "you cannot be serious: the ocean is not to be emptied with a tea-spoon."

Discoursing with a lady upon sculpture, who was, however, too well read in the classics to be a subject of his mischievous pleasantry, he pretended to inform her of a fine bas-relief which had been received by the Royal Academy from Rome. "What is the subject?" she asked. "Hector and Andromache," said he, "dashing out against a wall the little Astyanax's brains!" "Pooh! why do you tell me such stuff?" said she. "Ay! you may laugh," replied Fuseli, "but it would go down with many a one. I have often said such things in company without detection."

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The students were constantly amused with Fuseli's oddities. He heard a violent altercation in the studio one day, and inquired the cause. "It is only those fellows the students, sir," said one of the porters. Fellows," exclaimed Fuseli ; "I would have you to know, sir, those fellows may one day become Academicians." The noise increased-he opened the door and burst in upon them, exclaiming, "You are a den of wild beasts." One of the offenders, Munro by name, bowed, and said, "And Fuseli is our keeper." He retired smiling, and muttering, "The fellows are growing witty."

A student, as he passed, held up his drawing, and said confidently, "Here, sir, I finished it without using a crumb of bread." "All the worse for your drawing," replied Fuseli ; "buy a twopenny loaf, and rub it out."

A person who desired to speak to the Keeper of the Academy, followed the porter so closely, that he announced himself, with "I hope I don't intrude." "You do intrude,” said Fuseli, in a surly tone. "Do I?" said the visitor; then, sir, I will come to-morrow, if you please." "No,

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sir," replied he, "don't come to-morrow, for then you will intrude a second time: tell me your business now."

When Blake, a painter infinitely more wild in conception that Fuseli himself, showed him one of his strange productions, he said, "Now some one has told you this is very fine." "Yes," said Blake, "the Virgin Mary appeared to me, and told me it was very fine: what can you say to that?" "Say?" exclaimed Fuseli, "why nothing-only her ladyship has not an immaculate taste."

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Condemning in general terms a large historical picture, which a person at table had admired, he was asked for some specific fault: "Why," said he, "the fellow has crammed into his canvas fifteen figures, besides a horse, and, by Gort, he has given only three legs among them." has he hidden the others?" was asked. know?" he answered, "I did not paint the picture; but I wonder how any man can talk of a painter, and praise him, who has given fifteen men and a horse only three legs."

Why, where "How should I

William Roscoe, who sat in Parliament for Liverpool, was a friend of Fuseli, and on a visit in 1804, he pointed out to him the great improvements made in the town within a few years. The painter replied: "I do not wonder that you look upon these with some degree of complacency; for they may be considered as the work of your hands, and as such I view them with interest; but, methinks, I everywhere smell the blood of slaves;" alluding to the wealth derived by the Liverpool merchants from the Slave Trade, and Roscoe's efforts for its abolition.

Fuseli had a great dislike to idle talk, and unmeaning observations. After sitting silent in his own room, during the "bald disjointed chat" of some idle callers-in, who were gabbling about the weather, he suddenly exclaimed, "We had pork for dinner to-day!" "Dear! Mr. Fuseli, what an odd remark !"-" Why, it is as good as anything you have been saying for the last hour."

Fuseli spared no one-and was merciless to the miser Nollekens. Once, at a party at Mr. Coutts's, Mrs. Coutts, dressed like Morgiana, came dancing in, presenting her dagger at every breast as she confronted Nollekens, Fuseli cried

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