He gave Mrs. White £5, interest on the money he borrowed from Humphry, Mr Carwardine has since given him the full £15; Mrs. W. and Humphry's "little Godson" are both well, she sends her regards is grateful for the extra assistance; little Tomey has been innoculated, his mother has just started sending him to school.
He has improved in the art of enamel painting; he has painted the
Duke of Northumberland's picture; he is unable to pay all the money Humphry wishes as his debts are to be settled; he has also had trouble in seperating from a woman, giving her a £40 allowance; he has gave Humphry's picture to [
William Humphry] a month after Ozias left London, he sees Humphry's brother often.
The exhibition [of the
Society of Artists] is the worst ever;
Wright of Darby, who should be with Humphry by now, has three good pictures, but not equal to his best; they are indebted to
Mr. Marlow, his 'Eruption of Vesuvius' was of particular note;
Stubbs had nine pictures, not equal to his best; they had a huge historical work by
Nevay, 'Aggripina landing...', Guido [critic] wrote on it, more than it merited;
van Os had two fine flower-pieces;
Turner was savaged by Guido;
Brumton had a head of the
Earl of Chatham;
Mortimer had only a couple of pen and ink drawings; Carter had ten pictures,
Lord Melbourne bought two.
Continues to describe the
Royal Academy exhibition;
Sir Joshua Reynolds had twelve fine pictures;
West ten, some fine;
Barry had a huge 'Jupiter and Juno', although he thinks Barry mistakes largeness for greatness, Guido was very severe; the 'Royalists' put on a very good show.
The Incorporated Society is in very bad shape,
Gilpin is now President; he fears Stubbs will not exhibit any more; for himself he proposes exhibiting at the 'Royl' next year.