Volume 1

The Farington diary / edited by James Greig.

  • Joseph Farington
Date:
[1922?-1928]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Farington diary / edited by James Greig. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    1802] Lord Nelson and the Hamiltons 848 May 5.—At noon went with Daniell & Smirke to see the Duke of Bridgwaters pictures by an order from Lord Gower. The pictures very fine. I was particularly interested by a picture of Cuyp, a Port scene evening, most scientifically arranged & beautifully coloured. May 8.—We had much conversation about painting. Hoppner thinks the Cuyp at the Duke of Bridgwaters very fine—but admires the sea view by Claude extremely. He thinks it is more probable we shall see another Cuyp than a Claude. Buonoparte Very Unpopular May 14.—G. Smith has been in Paris 7 months, and is returned extremely disgusted with the state of Society—No morals,—no integrity. Characters of the lowest kind abounding in wealth which they expend in a licentious way.—There appears to be an indifference to everything but pleasure. No principle remains.—The Government may be said to resemble that of the Pretorian bands in Ancient Rome. The military power awes everyone ; Buonoparte is very unpopular, and not respected, and his abilities not rated high.—Moreau has more of the public opinion. —Mr. Smith said “ He wd. rather live upon a Crust in England than in plenty in France.”—I expressed to him that it had been my opinion for some time that Buonoparte aimed to be Emperor, or King of France, He said He thought so too.—He said Frenchmen have no hearts, they feel not for each other,—but they are pleasant to live with.—He thinks a person may live in Paris at half the expence of England,—and in the South of France, He was informed that for £200 a year a person might keep his Carriage. May 24.—This evening King the actor, took leave of the Stage after performing Lord Ogleby. He first appeared on the boards of Drury Lane 54 years ago, Mrs. Mattocks has been on 50 years. War Memorials Rossi called going & returning from the Committee at the Treasury, Mr. Long, Mr. Banks [R.A.], Mr. [R. P.] Knight only were there, Sir George Beaumont came in just before He left the Committee. Flaxman was the first called in. They gave him Lord Howe’s monument, 6000 guineas. A very good design Rossi said.—Banks was the next called. He is to have the monument to Captn. Westcott, 4000 guineas. He before reckoned upon Lord Howe’s & that Flaxman wd. have Genl. Abercrombies.—Westmacott was the third called in. They gave him Genl. Abercrombies, 6000 guineas. Rossi was called in last. He is to have that of Captains Moss & Riou, which is to be composed partly from his design for Lord Howe’s monument & partly of an Idea proposed by this Committee.—He thinks Westmacotts sketch for Genl. Aber¬ crombies monument an indifferent one.—