DEATHS.-APRIL. 12. In Great Cumberland-place, sir George Buggin, in his 66th year. In his 67th year, Philip Gill, esq. of Midgham, Berks. 15. Lieutenant-colonel the hon. H. Percy, C. B. M. P. fifth son of the earl of Beverley. - At his house, in Fitzroy-square, W. Page, esq. in the 71st year of his age. At his residence, Baineslade Lodge, Berkshire, John Stanbank, esq. 16. At the seat of the countess of Guildford, Putney Hill, that distinguished artist and accomplished scholar, Henry Fuseli, esq. M. A. and Royal Academician. He attained the age of 87, in perfect possession of his faculties, his mind remaining as completely vigorous and firm, as at any former period of his life. Mr. Fuseli was a native of Zurich in Switzerland; his father, John Caspar Fuessli, (for that is the true family name), was himself a very eminent portrait and landscape painter, who was early in life appointed painter to the court of Rastadt, and obtained no common share of emolument and reputation, both as an artist and as a writer on his art. Young Fuseli was, however, destined for the church, and for that purpose first educated at a school in or near his birth-place, where Lavater was his school-fellow; and afterwards at Berlin, under the tuition of professor Sulzer; where he is said to have imbibed an intense love of poetry, in which he subsequently made some essays in his native language. The writings of Klopstock and Wieland were the first incentives to his muse. His playmate and townsman, Lavater, accompanied him in a tour he made through the country; and the high opinion that celebrated man entertained of him, was shown by his VOL. LXVII. putting into Fuseli's hand, on his departure for England, a small piece of paper, beautifully framed and glazed, on which he found written, in German," do but the third part of what you can do."-" Hang that up in your bed-room, my dear friend," said Lavater, "and I know what will be the result." The result did not disappoint him; their friendship only ended with life; and, on the part of the artist, was continued to Lavater's son with unabated fervor. Mr. Fuseli came to this country about the year 1763, on the persuasion of the English ambassador at the Prussian court (either sir Andrew Mitchell, or sir Robert Smith). Literature was then his study, not his recreation; and he bore the character of a literary agent for promoting a free exchange of belles lettres between us and the continent. In 1765 appeared his first publication: "Reflections on the Painting and Sculpture of the Greeks; with Instructions for the Connoisseur; and an Essay on Grace in Works of Art, translated from the German of the Abbé Winckelmann," 8vo. The late Mr. Coutts, the late Mr. Cadell, and Mr. Joseph Johnson, of St. Paul's church-yard, were among the most intimate of his acquaintances; and through the interest of these respectable connexions, he obtained the situation of tutor to a nobleman's son, whom he subsequently attended on an excursion to Paris. He had not been long in London, when he fortunately became acquainted with sir Joshua Reynolds, who discerned his kindred spirit, and repeatedly begged from him little unfinished sketches, which Fuseli, without yet having any distinct views as to his future occupation, would occasionally produce. The president was so much struck with the conception and power displayed in these efforts, that at last he said, "Young man, were I the author of these drawings, and offered ten thousand a year not to practise as an artist, I would reject it with R DEATHS.-APRIL. future walk in life. contempt." This decided Fuseli's It cannot be denied, however, that the imagination of Mr. Fuseli was more eccentrically vigorous than classically correct; that a scarcely practicable curve was sometimes mistaken for the beau ideal of grace, and distorted attitude for the action of energetic passion; that even his female features, and their proportions, had frequently too much detail for genuine beauty; and that elaboration sometimes supplied the place of expression. His parade of anatomical science led him occasionally into a species of caricature. In 1771, having seriously resolved to devote his whole time to the study of painting, he quitted England on a visit to Italy, accompanied by the poet Armstrong, whom he had known for some time previously. The vessel, in which the travellers embarked, was bound for Leghorn, but driven ashore at Genoa; and thence they proceeded to Rome, Here he made the works of Michael Angelo his constant study, and he ever continued an enthusiastic admirer of that painter's exquisite skill. Nor did the compositions of Raphael and the other pictorial treasures of Rome escape his critical attention; so that, on his return to England in 1778, his connoisseurship was almost without appeal; and indeed, his own performances had shortly after that time so risen into repute, that his only rival was West. During his stay at Rome, he associated much with Canova, and was made a member of St. Luke's Academy. His "Edipus and his Two Daughters" was thence transmitted to this country for exhibition. It was about this time, that he suggested the original idea of the Shakspeare Gallery. After his return to this country, he annually contributed to the exhibition of the Royal Academy. Between the years 1790 and 1799, he produced his "Milton Gallery," a series of 47 paintings upon subjects taken exclusively from the works of our divine bard. They were exhibited collectively in the latter year, and displayed the extent of his intellectual acquirements, his lofty but somewhat extravagant imagination, his fervent and eccentric fancy. None who witnessed it can ever forget the effect produced on them by that sublime exhibition. Every piece had its peculiarly striking merit though some few were distinguished by a superiority over the rest, too evident to escape particular notice. The Lazar House was perhaps the most masterly effort. About 1798, when Barry seceded from the Professorship of Painting, Mr. Fuseli was chosen in his room. Having held this office until 1804, he was then, on being appointed keeper of the Academy, obliged to resign it, in consequence of a standing order of the Institution, that no person shall at the same time hold two offices in it. However, on the resignation of Mr. Tresham in the year 1810, he was unanimously re-elected to the office; and, though the order alluded to remained in force, the keepership was still preserved to him, and he held it till his death. In 1801 he published in 4to. some "Lectures on Painting, delivered at the Royal Academy of London." They contain many bold strictures on artists of long-established reputation, and even the most rigid of his fellow-connoisseurs do not thoroughly acquit him of fastidiousness. His critical powers were again displayed in 1805 in a new and much enlarged edition of "Pilkington's Dictionary of Painters, with alterations, additions, and an Appendix," 4to. Mr. Fuseli enjoyed excellent health, probably the result of his habitual temperance. He was a very early riser, and whether in the country or in town, in summer or in winter, he was seldom in bed after five A. M. He enjoyed the most perfect domestic felicity, and was, perhaps, one of the most affection DEATHS.-APRIL. ately attached husbands that ever breathed. To his wife, who survived him, he left all he possessed. His remains were brought to London on Sunday the 24th, and received at the Royal Academy by his executors, John Knowles, and Robert Balmanno, esqrs. The following day they were deposited in a private vault in the cathedral of St. Paul, close to that of his great friend and admirer, sir Joshua Reynolds. The procession proceeded from Somerset House about eleven o'clock, and arrived at the cathedral a little before twelve. The hearse, drawn by six horses, was followed by eight mourning coaches, and the procession was closed by the carriages (mostly drawn by four horses, with servants in state liveries) of the marquis of Bute, the countess of Guildford, lord Rivers, lord James Stuart, hon. colonel Howard, Mrs. Coutts, sir Edm. Antrobus, sir T. Lawrence, Dr. Symmons, Mr. Lock, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Smirke, Mr. Wyatville, &c. &c. 16. At Ryslip, near Uxbridge, the right hon. lady Wodehouse. At his lodgings, Henriettastreet, Cavendish-square, lieut.-col. John Fraser, of the 50th regiment. 17. At his house, in Abercrombyplace, Edinburgh, major general Thomas William Kerr. 21. At Southampton, Jane, the wife of captain Henry Coxwell, of that place. At Penbedw, in Flintshire, in her 86th year, Frances lady Cotton, widow of the late sir Robert Salisbury Cotton, bart. of Combermere Abbey, in Cheshire. 22. At Ramsgate, aged 29, Julia Jemima, fourth daughter of the late William Hammond, esq. of St. Alban's Court, Kent. 24. At Teignmouth, Ann, the daughter of the late sir Frederick Leman Rogers, bart. of Blackford, Devon. 25. At Dingmale, Rosshire, Rose, wife of captain T. Munro, H. P. 42nd regiment. At Field House, near Whitby, Yorkshire, Christopher Richardson, esq. in the 73rd year of his age. - At Abbey House, Bermondsey, James Riley, esq. in the 61st year of his age. - In Hill-street, Berkeley-square, in his 83rd year, the right hon. James Grenville, first baron Glastonbury, of Butley, Somerset, a privy councillor, and a lord of trade and foreign plantations. His lordship was born July 6, 1742, the second son of James Grenville, esq. by Mary, daughter and heiress of James Smyth, esq. of Harden, Herts. His father was the third son of Richard Grenville, esq. of Wootton, by Hester, countess Temple; and was a lord of the Treasury, cofferer of the Household, privy councillor, &c. He was first elected to the House of Commons as member for Thirsk, on a writ dated Dec. 17, 1766, he then taking the place of his uncle, the hon. Henry Grenville, who was made a commissioner of the Customs. At the general election in 1768 the family appear to have lost their interest in that borough; for vice-admiral sir Thomas Frankland, bart. then returned without contest both members (himself and his brother), as he and his son have ever since. Mr. James Grenville, however, again entered the House in 1770, as member for Buckingham town, on the death of another uncle, the hon. George Grenville. 1782 he was made a lord of the Treasury and a privy councillor He was re-chosen for Buckingham at the general elections of 1784 and 1790; but in Dec. that year was induced to accept the stewardry of the Chiltern Hundreds for the purpose of succeeding to the representation In DEATHS.-APRIL. of the county, and supplying the place of his first cousin the secretary of state, then created baron Grenville. He was again returned for Buckinghamshire at the general election of 1796, but retired in July, 1797, by again accepting the Chiltern Hundreds, and, Oct. 20 following, was himself advanced to the peerage by the title of baron Glastonbury of Butley, county of Somerset, with remainder to his only surviving brother Richard, a general in the army, and his issue male. Neither his lordship nor his brother were ever married, and his brother having died before him, April 22, 1823, the title is extinet. 27. At Paris, in his 80th year, or, according to another account, aged 84, baron Dominique Vivant Denon, so well known as director of the French Museum, and for his travels in Egypt. He was attending on the 26th of April at the sale of the valuable collection of paintings by the old masters, the property of M. Perrier. The concourse of amateurs, which this sale had drawn together, was immense, and rendered the room in which they were assembled so oppressively hot, that the baron, unable to endure it any longer, retired for relief to the fresh air. The day was chilly, and the sudden change of temperature produced an almost instantaneous effect upon him; he was seized with a trembling, and, getting into his carriage, proceeded immediately home: medical assistance was procured without delay, but the symptoms of approaching dissolution came on so rapidly as to convince the faculty that their aid was vain. In fifteen hours he was no more; a short illness thus terminating a long life. M. Denon was born in a small town in Burgundy, of a noble family; destined to shine in courts, he was at first appointed page of the chamber. The king, at an early age, appointed him gentleman in ordinary, and soon after, secretary of embassy; and in this quality he accompanied baron Talleyrand to Naples, and, during the absence of the ambassador, remained as chargé d'affaires. In that post he had several opportunities of displaying superiority of talent. His wit and gaiety were proverbial; and the former more than his politics, having the misfortune to displease the queen of Naples, Marie Caroline, he retreated from Naples, and went to reside at Venice, where he was known as the chevalier Denon. His talents, his amiable disposition, and the elegance of his manners, gave him a ready introduction to the well known Madame Albrizzi; and he soon became one of her greatest favourites, and the soul of her delightful parties. She has drawn his portrait in all the flattering colours of an exalted and an Italian friendship. Devoted to the arts with a passion that knew no limits, his mornings were entirely occupied in Italy in improving himself in the study of the Fine Arts, and particularly in drawing. When the Revolution broke out he adopted its principles, at least in appearance. Selected by Buonaparte to accompany him to Egypt, he by turns wielded the sword and handled the pencil. His stock of gaiety never left him, even in the greatest reverses, and under the severest privations. Denon returned with Buonaparte to France, and prepared his great work "Travels in Upper and Lower Egypt during the campaigns of General Buonaparte." Napoleon said one day, on looking over Denon's work, "If I lost Egypt, Denon has conquered it." Napoleon rewarded his attachment and superior talents, by appointing him director and administrator-general of the Museum and Medal-mint. No medals were allowed to be struck, of which the design and execution had not received the approbation of Denon. When it was proposed to erect a column in the Place Vendome, in honour of the grand army and the battle of Austerlitz, which was to be composed of cannon taken from the enemy in that campaign, Denon DEATHS.-APRIL... MAY. was appointed to superintend its execution. The column of Trajan at Rome was intended as the type; but Denon has greatly surpassed his model. In casting the bronzes in basso-relievo, many imperfections occurred in the plates which puzzled M. Denon to remedy; he at length hit upon a plan which perfectly succeeded, and he fancied himself the happy inventor, or discoverer, of the secret. A less enlightened mind would therefore have felt mortified on finding that his secret had been known and practised above two thousand years. On the fall of Napoleon, Denon was maintained in his place by Louis XVIII; but on the return of the ex-emperor from Elba, he could not resist the ties of old affection and gratitude; and he, of course, lost his place on the second return of the king. He since lived in retirement, enjoying the otium cum dignitate in its fullest extent. His cabinet of rarities in works of art, and a choice but very numerous assemblage of Egyptian antiquities, drawings, paintings, and curiosities, which was open several days in the week, was the resort of strangers from all parts of the world; and his kindness and affability rendered him the most interesting object there. For the last seven years, he had employed the leisure moments disengaged from the offices of friendship, in the composition of a work on the History of Art, with between three and four hundred plates from his own cabinet. The subscription was closed in a short period after his intention was known. He resolved not to print one copy more than was subscribed for, and the number of subscribers was limited to five hundred. The baron was buried in the cemetery of Père la Chaise, attended by upwards of a hundred persons of the most distinguished literary eminence, as well as others of the highest military rank. His two nephews followed as chief mourners. An immense crowd of the poorer orders followed in the train, and their tears and benedictions bore testimony to the sincerity with which his loss was deplored. The body was removed at twelve o'clock from his house on the Quai Voltaire to the church of St. Thomas Aquinas, which was hung with black on the occasion, and high mass performed with the utmost solemnity. There were twelve mourning coaches, and a considerable number of private carriages at the obsequies. A detachment of the garrison were present to render the deceased military honours. As he died unmarried, his property, which was very considerable, devolved on his two nephews; one of whom resided with him; the other is a colonel in the French service. 27. At Brussels, Sarah, the lady of rear-admiral Winthrope. 29. At her house, in Ringstead, Norfolk, lady Martin, in her 66th year, widow of the late sir Mordaunt Martin, bart. of Burnham, Norfolk. At Achnagairn, in the county of Inverness, John Fraser, of Achnagairn, esq. in the 84th year of his age. 30. At his house in Tilney-street, John Vernon, esq. of Buckhurst Hill, Berks. Francis Pierpont Burton, aged 18, eldest son of the hon. sir Francis Burton, K. G. H. nephew of the marquis of Conyngham. MAY. 1. In the 72nd year of his age, William Taylor, esq. many years principal proprietor and manager of the King's Theatre. Esther Burgess, widow of the late Hugh Burgess, esq. of Mary-labonne. Atkins Edwin Martin Atkins, esq. of Kingston Lisle, near Wantage. At his house in Preston, Lancashire, John Gorst, esq. At the Vicarage, Runcorn, Cheshire, Sarah, relict of Theodore Perney, esq. formerly of Calcutta. 3. At Nice, lieut -gen. Matthew Banne. |