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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    arms. Opie thinks Sir Joshua was the greatest colourist that we have any knowledge of by their works, including the Italian and Flemish masters. Smirke, Hoppner, and Batty drank tea with me. Hoppner dwelt much on the general bad taste which prevails in this country. That the silly poetry of Della Cruscan* and the works of Angelica [Kauffman] in painting have captivated the publick so as to corrupt the taste. I could not join him in the length he went on this subject. He con¬ templates the works of Sir Joshua Reynolds with reverential respect. November 27.—At 4 o’clock I dined as Dr. Fishers guest at the [Royal] Chaplains table. Mr. Powyss made the third person. The person who prepares the table for the Chaplains informed them that Sir Francis Drake, Master of the Household, had given notice that neither champaigne, or Burgundy, would be allowed at any of the tables, except his Majestys. The plea is the difficulty and uncertainty of obtaining it from France in the present distracted state of that country. Claret, Hock, Madeira, and Port are still to be allowed, though it is probable Claret may soon be withdrawn. * The Della Cruscan School, presided over by Mrs. Piozzi, was a group of sentimental poetasters which Gifford, in Scott’s phrase, “ squabashed ” at one blow in the Baviad. VOL. I. 2*