wall of the garden which was next the road, with an apparent intention of seeing whether the coast was clear. This changed the young artist's object, and instead of sketching the elm, he, in the few moments before he was observed, made a sketch upon the rough board of the head of the man; and so accurate was the resemblance, that he was immediately recognised to be the inhabitant of a neighbouring village; and upon close inquiry, he proved to be the very fellow who had robbed the garden.

This drawing was shown all about the place, and made young Gainsborough to be considered as a genius above the common standard. The young Coytes lent him their drawing books, and the boy show

ing extreme 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 essays in art, by modelling figures of cows, horses, and dogs, in which he attained great excellence.

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

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

sold to the picture dealers at trifling prices. He afterwards engaged in painting portraits, and acquired universal reputation. His portraits 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 sup

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

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

JOHN HENDERSON.

Of this celebrated young man, whose extraordinary acquirements attracted the notice and even commanded the respect of the great Dr. Johnson, several accounts have been published, aud 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 ex

traordinary character, he has left but little for posterity to form a judgment 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 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 ncver known to cry, or to express any