eagerness in this favourite pursuit, wandering through fields, meadows, and woods, in search of rural scenes, became the common talk of the neighbourhood; and there not being any person in the country who could properly instruct him in his studies, at the age of thirteen he was sent to London, where he made his first essay's art, by modelling figures of cows, horses," and dogs, in which he attained great excellence.

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He soon afterwards became a pupil of Mr. Gravelot, under whose instruction he drew most of the ornaments which decorated the illustrious portraits, so admirably engraved hy Houbraken.

But some of his first efforts were small landscapes, which he frequently

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sold to the picture dealers at trifling prices. He afterwards engaged in painting portraits, and acquired universal reputation. His portriats are calculated to give effect at a distance ; and that effect is produced in so eminent a degree, that the picture may almost be mistaken for the original. But his greatest excellence lay in landscapes, animals, and figures, such as the rustic, shepherd's boy, woodman, and cottage girl, all of which he represented exactly according to nature.

His merit as a man was equal to his celebrity as an artist. He had a most feeling heart; and one of his strongest propensities was to relieve poverty, wherever he found it to deserve a claim on his bounty. But his liberality was not confined to this; he

supported his indigent relatives and unfortunate friends, without showing any capricious partiality.

This worthy and ingenious man died in London, August 20th, 1788, and his remains were interred the week following in the church-yard of Kew.

JOHN HENDERSON.

Or this celebrated young tuan, whose extraordinary acquirements attracted the notice and even commanded the respect of the great Dr. Johnson, several accounts have been published, and much eulogium has been pronounced. By many he has been supposed to have emulated the variety and

extent of knowledge possessed by the Admirable Crichton; and, like that extraordinary character, he has left but little for posterity to form a judgement of the truth of those praises which have been bestowed upon him.

He was born at Ballegarance, near Limerick, in the kingdom of Ireland, on the 27th of March, 1757, of very pious and respectable parents.

He received his education in the school formed at Kingswood, in Gloucestershire, by that celebrated character, Mr. John Wesley; and so rapid was his progress, that he actually became an assistant teacher in that seminary at the age of nine

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years. One who had great opportunities of knowing him, says, that his very infancy denoted something extraordinary and great. He was born, as it were,

a thinking being; and was never known to cry, or express any infantine peevishness. Those years which are spent in weakness, ignorance, and the misconceptions of the grossest senses, were marked by him with strong intelligence. The questions he asked, as soon as he was able to speak, astonished all who heard him; and showed that he came into the world rather to teach others, than to be taught by them. He might say, as the wise man did, was a witty child, and had a good spirit; yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled. Nevertheless when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain Wisdom, except God gave her to me, (and that was a point of wisdom also, to know whose gift she was,) I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him with my whole