THE Report of the Glasgow Archæological

Society, presented on Nov. 18, 1926, expresses appreciation of the action of the Secretary of Scotland in circularising all Heriters Clerks on the subject of the proposed transference of Heriters' Records to the Register House; and the Council notes with satisfaction the foundation in Glasgow of a Civic Society, framed on the lines of the Cockburn Association of Edinburgh. Ten new members were admitted during the SesSession. sion, this being an increase of four on last

Two

From

chester Guardian for Jan. 11 is an amusing paragraph headed "The American Hat Ritual" by which it appears that to keep one's hat on in such public institutions as picture-galleries and libraries is, by the code of manners of the United States, a serious offence, involving one in the pariah company of those malefactors who scribble on the margins of books, or who mutilate magazines, or who bring dogs into the building, or who use tobacco or eat viands, therein. The writer relates that, on his first visit to the Washington Public Library, standing innocently at a desk where he was applying for a reader's ticket, he was admonished by a voice, courteous but authoritative: Kindly remove your hat." In the printed regulations is to be read: Men and boys shall remove their hats and remain uncovered within the building. In these days when, on the whole, go-as-you-please" becomes more and more the prevailing rule of life it is interesting to note any return anywhere towards stricter notions and practice in etiquette. But, if we mistake not, the United States are here and there more severe on such points as these than the old countries. ON Jan. 12 The Times published a fine

photograph of the reach of the Severn by Shrewsbury School, upon which is seen the Oxford eight at their first practice on this river for the University boat-race. This preliminary training on the Severn is a new departure on the part of Oxford.

Billeau, a Brazier on our Key, for Sir William Pendarves, of Cornwall, who having got immenfe Riches by the Copper Mines, was willing (among his other Curiofities in in that Metal) to fee this Repofitory, which he defigns one Day to hold his Bones.

LONDON, JAN. 14.

We hear that Paul Jodrel, Efq; Clerk to the Honourable Houfe of Commons, who hath executed that Office above 40 years with great Ability and Integrity, having, on account of his great Age and Indifpofition, refigned the faid Place, his Majefty hath been pleafed to grant the faid Office to Edward Stables, Efq;

Two Centinels of the 2d Regiment of Foot Guards lately fought a Duel, and one of them died laft Monday of his Wounds; and the other is committed to Newgate.

There will be two Mafquerades this Winter The first will be on Thursday next. Next Week the Lords of the Admiralty are to fit de Die in Diem, for the more speedy Dispatch of the Navy Business.

We are affured from Gibraltar, that there is at least 1800 effective Men in that Garrifon, with Provifions and Ammunitions for a long Time.

* 1726/27.

Chinnery inherited artistic impulses from

Notes.

GEORGE CHINNERY, 1774-1852, With Some Account of His Family and Genealogy.

(See ante p. 21.)

Richard Ford's apprentice of 1723 was the grandfather of the artist and, in his day, a somewhat celebrated writing-master. We get occasional glimpses of him. The London Evening Post, Feb. 22-25, 1746, has an advertisement of Law Books to be obtained from W. Chinnery of Inner Temple Lane, the titles of some dozen books being set out in the advertisement. In 1760 a little quarto volume entitled Writing and Drawing made Easy, Amusing and Instructive' was printed for, and sold by, T. Bellamy, Bookseller, at Kingston-uponThames. Most of the plates in this book are subscribed: "Wm. Chinnery, Senr., scrip.,' "and in the preface he is described as that able and experienced penman, Mr. William Chinnery, Senior." The writingmaster died on Dec. 22, 1791, in his eightyfourth year according to the Gentleman's Magazine and the European Magazine, and he was interred at St. Bride's, Fleet Street, where the register described him as eminent writing-master." The house, No. 4, Gough Square, would seem to have been given up shortly after this because the artist's father, also William Chinnery, died on March 13, 1803, in Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. He too is buried at St. Bride's, Fleet Street.

an

As mentioned above, this William Chinnery, son of the writing-master, has been described as an East Indian Merchant. Mr. J. J. Cotton speaks of him as of Fort St. David and as owning the Chinnery Factory at Cuddalore in the Madras Presidency. He say there are some pencil and sepia sketches by George Chinnery with the titles: The Chinnery Factory and Our Factory at Cuddalore,' a factory probably for the manufacture of Cuddalore table-cloths, towels, and dimity such as one finds advertised in the Madras Courier of February, 1791. But the present writer has not been fortunate enough to hit upon any documentary confirmation of Mr. Cotton's statement which, however, is not disputed. This William

Society of Artists in 1764 A Portrait of a Gentleman,' and again in 1766' A Portrait in Crayons.' Mr. Algernon Graves' 'DicGeorge Chinnery, who was not then born. tionary of 1907 attributes these pictures to He, however, adds as a description of the artist: "Mr. Chinnery Jnr., Gough Square, Fleet Street"; and the Dictionary of National Biography' is also obviously puzzled by these pictures.

The accompanying pedigree No. 2 (see p. 40) gives the more recent genealogy of the artist.

William Chinnery, Madras merchant, was himself an artist, and his father before him showed appreciation of line and form. Here, then, is the predisposing influence in the life of George Chinnery, and it is not a matter for wonder that he began early to display evidence of that artistic talent which, had he elected to remain in London, might have gained him a very high place amongst English artists. At the age of 17, i.e., in 1791, he began to exhibit at the Royal Academy. In that year he showed one portrait; in 1792 three portraits, in 1794 twelve portraits, in 1795 two portraits, in 1798 one, and in 1802 three. In the year 1795 he seems to have taken up residence in Dublin, where he lived until the end of 1801. His friend, Mr. Dent of Macao, stated in 1888 that Chinnery went to India about 1802 because of the Irish Rebellion, but the Irish Rebellion was all over and done in 1798. The Dictionary of National Biography' states that he would seem to have accompanied Earl Macartney's mission to China in 1793, but Chinnery himself told Mr. Dent that he did not go with Lord Macartney.

*

He

In Dublin he painted many pictures which were shown in various Exhibitions. painted portraits of Sir Broderick Chinnery and the members of his family then resident in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, a member of the Irish House of Commons and subsequently, after the Union, M.P. for Bandonbridge in the British House. During his residence in Dublin Chinnery is said to have

* In the year 1796 the Royal Dublin Society removed to premises in Poolbeg Street, Dublin, where the drawing schools were established and the Dublin artists were invited to choose Academy. Chinnery was elected as a member a committee to act as directors of the Living of this committee. The History of the Royal Dublin Society,' by Dr. Henry F. Berry.

30 March,

17 Oct.,

4 Oct.,

21 April,

1684,

(25 March,

buried

1705),

22 Oct.,

Abell Gibson. 1684.

1685, buried 31 Oct., 1687.

1688.

William Chinnery of St. Botolph's, Bishopsgate, died 22nd January, 1709, aged 63.

(17th Jan., 1702) Mary,

Rebecca Turner. bapt.

Joseph, Charles,

bapt. bapt.

23 Dec., 29 May. 1712. 1715.

William, Madras merchant, of Cuddalore, died 13 Mar., 1803, buried St. Bride's, Fleet Street.

= Elizabeth Bassett."

1.

= (19.1.1797) Thomas Mary Payton, died at Chelten

George

=

Welch,

born

born

7.1.1774,

7.1.1772

died at

(no fur

Macao,

ham,

ther par

China,

of Dublin.

28.4.1847,

ticulars). 30 May,

aged 76.

1852.

eldest dau. of Leonard T. of Bromton, Middx., d. Paris 1840. P.C.C. Will pr. 4.12.1840.

16.2.1768. (No further particulars).

12.2.1770. d. in Madras, 15 Nov., 1817. E.I.CO. Service.

been patronised by the Lansdowne family, but no evidence of this has been adduced. In the Irish capital he took up his abode at the house of James Vigne, jeweller, of 27, College Green, whose wife was Elizabeth Hardy Eustace, apparently a member of the family that gave its name to the town of Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. James Vigne was the father of three sons* s* and three daughters, and on Apr. 19, 1799, Chinnery married the second of these daughters, Marianne Vigne. Curiously enough an Irish George Chinnery, an attorney of Bandon, Co. Cork, married in the same year and the same month, a Miss Anne Gillman, the attorney being a cousin of Sir Broderick Chinnery mentioned above.

What prompted Chinnery to go to Dublin? He had earned the very warmest praise of his work in London. In A Liberal Critique on the Present Exhibition of the Royal Academy,' published in 1794 by a writer calling himself Anthony Pasquin one reads of Chinnery as follows:

Among the budding candidates for fame this rising young artist is the most prominent. His progress has been rapid almost beyond example: he has adopted a new style of painting, somewhat after the manner of Cosway.

Why then did he turn away from the brilliant London career which seemed to be opening before him? Was there a fairer prospect in Dublin? Was he, or his father, known to Lord Macartney, an Irishman, some time Governor of Madras, and was there better promise of success beyond the Irish Sea? If his father was a free merchant of the Madras Presidency he would probably have known Macartney, just as we shall find he knew the great Lord Thurlow. It has been suggested that Sir Brodrick Chinnery M.P. was aware of consanguinity with the artist and invited him to Ireland to paint portraits of himself and his family. And was it mere accident that he went to reside with this family of Vigne in Dublin? In the returns of Aliens (Huguenot Society Publications) we read of John Lavine and his wife, Burgundians, resident in 1571 in Byshopsgate Ward, St. Botolphe's, and the proceedings of the same Society we find in 1732 the firm of Myré, Vigne and Luard in Threadneedle Street. It is highly probable that acquaintance between the families of Vigne and Chinnery was of long standing,

One of whom was named Henry, who was not, however, Henry Vigne, the traveller, as Mr. Cotton supposes.

and that on account of this acquaintance he took domicile with the Vignes of Dublin amongst whom he found a wife, who does not seem to have been well suited to the task of keeping him from eccentric and extravagant courses, and of whom more than thirty years after his marriage he very ungallantly said to Mrs. Davis, a guest of Mr. W. H. Low at Macao, "Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Chinnery's appearance cannot be exaggerated. She was an ugly woman thirty years ago, what in the name of the Graces must she be now.' It must be said, however, that Chinnery's portrait of his wife, now owned by Miss Maguire of Dublin, is charming and shows her to have been a lovely woman.

He very quickly gained prominence in the drawing school of the Royal Dublin Society, where he became one of the directors of the Living Academy. In November, 1799, in the Irish capital an exhibition of painting, sculpture and architecture was opened of which Chinnery was secretary and treasurer. In 1801 the Royal Dublin Society purchased one of his pictures called Attention,'* and he painted portraits of his wife; of his sister-in-law, Miss Maria Vigne; of Mrs. Eustace his wife's grandmother (a wonderful picture Mrs. Eustace died a few weeks after the portrait was painted); a delightful miniature of Michael Gaven, who married contrary to her father's wish, Catherine Vigne, his other sisterin-law; of Sir Broderick Chinnery and his family; of Ann, Countess of Mornington; of Ninian Mahaffey, and of General Vallancey, that fertile author of theories about Round Towers, the Irish language, and Inland Navigation, theories most of them baseless but paraded with a great display of erudition.

an

Preserved in the Royal Irish Academy is anonymous journal of much interest which has several references to the artist, praise often commingling with blame. Of Attention' the author writes:

It is a picture in which the most difficult attitudes and the greatest variety of drapery have, like the motley penmanship of а Christmas piece, been assembled to display the powers of the artist who wishes it appears to paint everything in an uncommon manner. Cooke of the Theatre Royal, is an excellent His portrait of a celebrated musician. Mr. likeness but coarsely executed. Elsewhere the journalist' censures Chinnery for stepping out of his natural

* See The History of the Royal Dublin Society,' by Dr. Henry F. Berry.

ist"

walk, the study of the human face divine, in order to depict the beauties of landscape, which at once calls to mind Sir Edward Paget's dictum about him in a letter dated May 5, 1825: "He likes landscape painting a thousand to one better than portrait painting." This anonymous Dublin journalstates that one of Chinnery's landscapes entitled, A View from Glenna Cottage Killarney,' is well executed, but other landscapes near it are much superior, and he is very severe on Castle Dermot, Ruined Church, and on "the stripes of scarlet, black, purple, and yellow that appear in Sunset, Kilarney.' The production of these pictures shows that the artist's residence in Ireland was not confined to Dublin and its environs: he must have travelled, a certain amount, much farther afield. It is possible too that his anonymous critic may never have seen Killarney on a July evening when the sun shines out after rain and colours show on the hills and in the sky that are well nigh incredible to any but those who are fortunate enough to catch glimpses of them. In June, 1802, however, the critic laments that several of the best artists had been transplanted to London, Chinnery* amongst these being a very considerable loss, as his talents promised a very high rank in the Academy."

As stated above, Chinnery exhibited one picture in the Royal Academy in 1798, his address being then given as 20, Lower Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, and in 1802 he exhibited three portraits of the children of his eldest brother, William Bassett Chinnery, Clerk in the Treasury and Agent for the Bahamas, who had a remarkable, if tragic, career, the children being George Robert Chinnery, winner of the Newdigate prize in 1810 with a poem entitled The Dying Gladiator,' his twin sister, Caroline Chinnery, and Walter Grenfell Chinnery. And then follows a long gap of twentyeight years before the Academy saw another product of his brush in 1830, the Portrait of Dr. Morrison engaged in translating the Bible into the Chinese Language.' He left England for Madras on June 11, 1802, on the ship Gilwell which arrived in the Madras Roads on Dec. 21 in that year. It may be mere coincidence, but it seems to be worth noting in connexion with the name

Chinnery gets sometimes the addition of R.H.A. This is erroneous. The Royal Hibernian Academy was not founded till 1823. + Madras Courier, Dec. 22, 1802.

to

of this ship, that his brother William's residence at the time was Gilwell Hall, Sewardstone, Essex. His brother, John Terry Chinnery, had already preceded him Madras in 1792 as a writer in the East India Company's service. From 1802 to 1807 Chinnery resided at Fort St. George. His name appears in the Indian Register for those years, but his wife and two children did not follow him to India until 1816.

Chinnery was at all times a tireless worker; in a letter of the year 1815, formerly in the possession of the Reverend Marmaduke E. Browne of Hampstead, now in the writer's possession, he describes himself as having been a close student of his art for twentyfive years, and this tribute is justified by the testimony of Mr. Hunter and others. But the record of his output of work in Madras is meagre. The authenticity of some of the portraits ascribed to him by Colonel H. D. Love in his List of Pictures in Government House does not seem to be well established.