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Northcote, in quoting this letter, says that 'Sir Joshua's influence in the Academy was not always answerable to his desire. "Those who are of some importance everywhere else," he said, "find themselves nobody when they come to the Academy." Northcote's Reynolds, ii. 145. William Hunter, scarcely less famous as a physician than his youngest brother, John Hunter, as a surgeon.
He was remarkable for foppery in his dress, and particularly for wearing a bunch of sixteen strings at the knees of his breeches. Goldsmith wrote a prologue for it. "Dr. "There are some critics," answered Farmer, "who will adhere to their old opinions." "Ah!" said Johnson, "that may be true; for the limbs will quiver and move when the soul is gone." Northcote's Reynolds, i. 152.
"I dare believe," Greatheart replied, "that, as the proverb is, he could have bit a firebrand, had it stood in his way; but the things with which he was oppressed no man ever yet could shake off with ease." See ante, ii. 298, note 4. Her sister's likeness as Hope nursing Love was painted by Reynolds. Northcote's Reynolds, i. 185.
A certain friendship too, was struck up between the old Academician, then in his seventy-seventh year, the acknowledged cynic and satirist, and the little wise boy who asked shrewd questions, and could sit still to be painted; who, moreover, had a face worth painting, not unlike the model from whom Northcote's master, the great Sir Joshua, had painted his famous cherubs.
When he looks wicked like that, and sets his teeth but I am not going to be pushed, not by my brother or any one!" said the girl, growing red, and making a step out of his reach. "I won't stand it. I am not a child any more than you." Janey's wrath was appeased, however, when Reginald produced the paper and read Northcote's speech aloud.
Northcote's account of Reynolds's table suits the description of this 'gentleman's mode of living. 'A table prepared for seven or eight was often compelled to contain fifteen or sixteen. There was a 'deficiency of knives and forks, plates and glasses. The attendance was in the same style. There were 'two or three undisciplined domestics.
A horse is only picturesque from opposition of colour; as in Mr. Northcote's study of Gadshill, where the white horse's head coming against the dark, scowling face of the man makes as fine a contrast as can be imagined.
Reynolds wrote of him: 'He may truly be said in every sense, to have been the father of the present race of artists. Northcote's Reynolds ii.137. Mr. Allen was his landlord and next neighbour in Bolt-court. Ante, iii. 141. Cowper mentions him in Retirement:
Pigeon knew no better than to abuse, with what divine charity it had received himself, notwithstanding his public sin against it. When he thought of that public sin, Northcote's countenance glowed with shame, and it continued to glow with a more agreeable warmth when he escaped into thought of the goodness which the Mays had shown him. Had there ever been such goodness?
Northcote, the painter, then a youthful pupil of Sir Joshua Reynolds; and Ralph, Sir Joshua's confidential man, had taken their stations in the gallery to lead the applause in that quarter. Goldsmith asked Northcote's opinion of the play. The youth modestly declared he could not presume to judge in such matters. "Did it make you laugh?" "Oh. exceedingly!"
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