"The friendly affability of the learned Peer on this singular occasion afforded me frequent opportunties for unreserved conversation with him; and in the course of it I stated a question to this experienced judge of mankind, which he answered with a candid frankness that proved he was aware of his own mental peculiarities. Our mutual concern for Romney's health led us to speak on the singular state of his mind, and on the various mental infirmities so apt to over-cloud the evening of life. In discussing this copious topick I asked my contemplative Visitor if he could resolve the following question: Suppose two men, of very powerful minds, but of minds differently exercised in different lines of life, one, for instance, continually employed in scientific researches, and the other in pursuits of imagination; if both their minds begin to shew symptoms of decline at the same age, which of the two will be troubled with the darkest and most oppressive mental infirmities, the man of reason, or the man of fancy? 'Assuredly the man of reason,' said Lord Thurlow. I could not help repeating inwardly to myself,

silently comparing the fits of spleen to which this noble Lord and our friend Romney were occasionally subject: the spleen of Romney burst out in rapid and transient flashes, like the explosion of a rocket; the spleen of Lord Thurlow rolled forth in a gloomy volume, like an eruption of smoke, followed by a fluent fire, from the labouring Vesuvious.

"Different as these two memorable men appeared in their studies, in the texture of their nerves, and in their public capacities, they greatly resembled each other in one particular: whenever they wished to please, the style and tone of their conversation united uncommon charms of entertaining vivacity and of delicate politeness."

"His early and long estrangement from a virtuous partner and parent, so mild and meritorious, was the great error of his life; it appears the more pitiable as it proceeded, originally, from mistaken ideas of professional ambition, and it continued from that awkward pride by which men of quick and apprehensive spirits are too frequently deterred from confessing and correcting their own misconduct."

"The person of Romney was rather tall; his features were broad and strong; his hair was dark; his eyes indicated much vigour, and still more acuteness of mind. The features of the human visage, which he considered as the surest index of the heart was in his own countenance very remarkable. By the quick or tardy movement of the fibres around the lips, he was accustomed to estimate the degrees of sensibility in his sitters; and of himself, in this particular, it might have been said, with truth,

"For his heart had all the tenderness of Nature: never, I believe, were the lips of any man more quick to quiver with emotions of generous pity at the sight of distress, or at the relation of a pathetic story. His feelings indeed were perilously acute. Thye made him a man of many frailties; but the primary characteristick of his nature was, that true Christian charity which more than compensates for manifold imperfections. He had a deep and cordial veneration for the Saviour of Mankind; and was doubly attached to the Religion of Christ. In his season of mental health it animated and delighted his mind, in furnishing the finest subjects for the exercise of his art; and still more, as affording the only ground for a steadfast hope of eternal felicity. His piety, which was sincere, was not the produce of study, but the offspring of feeling. He was often disposed to direct his eye to the face of Heaven, and read in the skies, with a contemplative and devout spirit, both the power and benificence of God. He used to say, that he could find every sentiment in the variations of colouring that he observed in the clouds. It must, however, be confessed, that with him, as with most men, a quickness of perception to feel and acknowledge the attributes of his Maker had infintely more influence on the contemplations of his mind than on the conduct of his life. Sensible that the profession of Painter exposes a frail mortal to peculiar temptations, Romney was anxious to guard his pupils against the perils of immorality by the kindest admonition; a proof of his considerate