He was introduced to court at an early period after his arrival. He drew a portrait of the queen Charlotte, with which the king, George III., was so well pleased, that it secured his countenance and friendship to West ever after. He was de sirous of returning to America, but his patron and friend, the king, would not consent. He had been engaged to a young lady of Philadelphia, before his departure for Italy, with whom he wished to fulfil his engagement. But it was concluded to send for her to England; and in 1765 his father accompanied her across the Atlantic, and they were married soon after her arrival. Her maiden name was Sewal, and she was a lady of great merit. In London she was called the Philadelphia beauty.
The productions of Benjamin West's pencil are so numerous, that we shall not attempt to name them. For fifty-five years he was continually add ing to the list. His most celebrated pieces were, the "Death of General Wolfe," " Death on the pale horse," " Christ Rejected," and "Christ healing the sick," the last of which was presented by him to the Pennsylvania Hospital. For " Christ Re jected," J;10,000 sterling were offered and refused. On the death of Sir Joshua Reynolds, in 1791, West was elected president of the Royal Academy, which office he held till his death.
West's mind seemed to be exempt from the spoil of years. To the latest period of his life, he was engaged in his favourite pursuit, and suffered no visible decay of his power, either of design or execution. Till within a short time before his
death, his mind was occupied in devising plans for future works which he had in contemplation.
In 1817 he lost the companion with whom he had lived for more than half a century, and in the month of March 1820, this extraordinary man breathed his last. He was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, London. He left two sons, Rembrandt and Benjamin.
Benjamin West was as remarkable for his calm ness and cheerfulness as for his genius. His habits of simplicity, which were acquired in youth, seemed natural to him, and he preserved them through life. He was mild and dignified, com bining gravity and cheerfulness in his manners. The circumstances of his fortune seemed to cor respond in a remarkable degree with the placidity of his temper. In his passage through life, he encountered no storms, and scarcely a counter cur rent or an adverse wind ever ruffled the tranquil serenity of his progress. His prosperity, and the honours received from nobles and princes, did not change the mild and placid character of the simple Pennsylvania quaker. His mind was absorbed in the profession of his choice, and was unmoved by the applause of the world or the smiles of the great.
In short, his character, from youth to old age, is without a speck or a blemish, and the evidences of his genius which he has left behind him, will enrol his name among the favoured few whom nature has gifted with extraordinary powers. E. LEWIS.