I have an opporty. to observe tho' not sufficiently to admire that grand and elegant Pile.

I am glad to observe the progress you have made in finishing the Buildings, which you'll wish you had not began before you had seen those in Europe as you have now a prospect of it: tho' perhaps it will make one more attachment to your native Country.

It will not be agreeable after having lived in Rome for about £100 to come into this Country to spend five, for Mr. West says it bears that proportion; but you'll doubtless

consider that the

more you save there the more

you'll be enabled

Y: Affect: Brother

Clacke

to spend here; for here money will go and you Sons of Liberty will find some times without your consent. I am glad to find Sukey and your little family are well. give my love to them, and, Dr. Sir, pray accept of my hearty wishes for your health and happiness as well as success in all your enterprizes.

Please to give my Duty to Papa. I was favor'd with his Lettr: per Capt. Calef. I shall write him per Jany. Pacqt. my Duty and love to all and believe me to be, Your affectio. Brother, JONA. CLARKE.

P. S. 22d: the weather has been very fine from my first arrival in England till this day which is the darkest I ever saw.

Endorsed: Charlestown, 4th March. Recd. under cover and forwarded by your most Humb Servt.,

NATHL. RUSSELL.

DEAR SIR,

Benjamin West to Copley

Some days past Your Brother Mr. Clark delivered into my hands your letter of the 8th of Novr., Which informed me of your intended Tour into Italy, and the desier you express'd of receiveing my Opinion on that Subject. I am still of the opinion the going to Italy must be of the greatest advantage to one advanced in the arts as you are, As by that you will find what you are already in possession of, and what you have to acquier.

As your jurney to Italy is reather to finish a studye then to begin one; Your stay in that country will not requier that length of time that would be necessery for an Artist less advanced in the Arts then you are; But I would have that time as uninterrupted as possible. And for this reason I would have you make this Tour without Mrs. Copley. Not that she would be of any great aditional expance, But would reather bring you into a mode of liveing that would throw you out of your Studyes. So my Advice is, Mrs. Copley to remain in Boston till you have made this Tour, After which, if you fix your place of reasidanc in London, Mrs. Copley to come over.

In regard to your studyes in Italy my advice is as follows: That you pursue the higher Exalances in the Art, and for the obtaining of which I recommend to your attention the works of the Antiant Statuarys, Raphael, Michal Angilo, Corragio, and Titian, as the Sorce from whance true tast in the arts have flow'd. There ware a number of great artist in Italy besides thoss, But as they somewhat formd their manner in paint from the above artists, they are but second place painters. The works of the Antient Statuarys are the great original whare in the various charectors of nature are finely represented, from

With This Note you and Mr Adams

will receive & Print and Medal of my lizziness, The Print is for yourself and the Medal for

Про Адсто:

they are unsidered by the admis= they =ers of the Fine Arts as Excellent in booth

of the benches of ctts, as well as in likens, andes and as such. I request you both will honous

me by bccepting them as a small token of my high for my too American piends.

On the reverse of the Midel are the Names of those Noblemin and Gentlemen ens were soliutous of possessing my Ricture of

christ in the Temple,

as the imminenint of a British Gellery jand your depositing the Print and Medal in your Family, will be considered an honow by Deassis yours with profound respect

the soundest principles of Philosophi. What they have done in Statuary, Raphael, seems to have acquiered in painting. In him you see the fine fancey in the arraignment of his figures into groops, and those groops into a whole with that propriety and fitness to his subject, Joynd to a trouth of charector and expression, that was never surpass'd before nor sence. Michal Angilo in the knowledge and graundor of the Human figure has surpass'd all artists. his figures have the apearance of a new creation, form'd by the strength of his great amagination. in him you find all that is great in design. Corragio, whose obscurety in life deprived him of those aids in the art which Michal Angilo and Raphael had,1 and which prevented his acquiering those Exalances, which so charectoris'd them. But there are other beuties in the art he greatly surpass'd even those in and all others that came after him. Which was in the relieaf of his figures by the management of the clear obscure. The prodigious management in foreshortning of figures seen in the air, The greacefull smiles and turnes of heads, The magickcal uniteing of his Tints, The incensable blending of lights into Shades, and the beautyfull affect over the whole arrising from thoss pices of management, is what charmes the eye of every beholder. Titian gave the Human figure that trouth of colour which surpass'd all other painters. His portraits have a particuler air of grandour and a solidity of colouring in them that makes all other portraits appear trifling. I recommend to your attention when in Italy the workes of the above artists, as every perfection in the art of painting is to be found in one or another of their works. I likewise recommend your going directly to Italy by sea as that will carry you through in one voyage if you land in England first you will have to traval the Continant twice. 1 The antique statues. [West's note.]

1

I have not time, by this oppertunity to write your letters of recommendation, but another will offer in a few days when Mr. Clark has undertaken to send them.

The Honor your workes have allways done you in Our Exhibitions is the very reason you should perservear in the Tour to Italy. the portrait of Mrs. Gage as a picture has received every praise from the lovers of arts. her Friends did not think the likeness so favourable as they could wish, but Honour'd it as a pice of art. Sir Joshua Reynold and other artists of distinguished merrit have the Highest esteem for you and your works.

I Wish you all Happyness and success, and am with great Friendship Your Obedt. Humble Sert.

LONDON, Jany. 6th, 1773.

BENJN. WEST.

Benjamin Andrews to Henry Pelham

Mr. Andrews presents his Compliments to Mr. Pelham, and would be greatly obliged if he could finish his picture in season to be brought home by Saterday; as Mrs. A, agreeable to custom, expects much company next week, and would be glad to have our vacant frames occupied.

The reason of this request is, on account of some Alteration in the Landskip which Mr. Copely said Mr. Pelham was to make; excepting which, Mr. A's picture was done, and Mrs. A's has been finish'd some time.

MONDAY P.M. March, 1773.