Illustrious men of the United States . d principles contri-buted to make for him a circle of valuable or at-tached associates. Even the Society of Friknds,whose tenets led them to regard historic paint-ing as a luxury, looked gently on the effortsof the young Benjamin; and it is not to bedoubted that, as they saw him rise to eminence,they regarded it as a pleasing proof that theirprofession was not altogether inconsistent witha love for the beautiful. He soon left for Italy,and revelled in delight, as he gazed on the worksof the old masters of the art, who had writtentheir names on the roll of
Illustrious men of the United States . d principles contri-buted to make for him a circle of valuable or at-tached associates. Even the Society of Friknds,whose tenets led them to regard historic paint-ing as a luxury, looked gently on the effortsof the young Benjamin; and it is not to bedoubted that, as they saw him rise to eminence,they regarded it as a pleasing proof that theirprofession was not altogether inconsistent witha love for the beautiful. He soon left for Italy,and revelled in delight, as he gazed on the worksof the old masters of the art, who had writtentheir names on the roll of immortality in suchcharacters of beauty. From the soft skies ofItaly, he proceeded to England, and found inMr. Drummond an efficient friend. The Dukeof York became his friend; and in a long afterlife, Mr. West never gave his benefactor causeof regret. The Royal Society is known all over the civi-lized world, as an institution where is concen-trated the first talent of England; and to be amember of this association, is always an honor. 55 — a high honor. But a greater was reservedfor the American Quaker. When the great SirJoshua Reynolds died, the Presidency of theSociety was given to West, and long and ablydid he fill the station. It is a noble trait in the character of BenjaminWest, that he never forgot or forsook his coun-try. In the Revolutionary struggle, his patriot-ism stood every test; and he was faithful to hisnative land, though surrounded by royalty andaristocracy in the Court of England. His greatpictures are yet in existence : Death on the PaleHorse has a world-wide fame. He died in Eng-land on the 10th March, 1820, respected alike intke Old World and the New.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookidillustriousm, bookyear1856
