In 1836 Mr. Collins visited Italy, and remained there nearly two years; diligently availing himself of every opportunity of examining the works of the great masters, but at the same time filling his sketch book with transcripts of the more striking features of the natural scenery and careful studies of the monks and peasants, and, above all, of the children, in that land of lazy enjoyment and perennial beauty. On his return in 1839, he sent to the Academy as the fruits of his journey two views in Naples : one with groups of young lazzaroni playing the game of arravoglio ;' the other with Poor Travellers at the Door of a Capuchin Convent ;' also a view at Subiaco. They manifested en increase of artistic knowledge and power, and were greatly admired. The next year he appeared in quite a new branch of art, that of historical painting. With increasing years, Mr. Collins heel been increasing in the depth and earnestness of his devotional feelings, and he not unnaturally felt a strong desire to represent in his own way the scenes on which his imagination loved to dwell. Ous Saviour with the Doctors in the Temple' accordingly appeared on the Academy walls in 1840; The Two Disciples at Emmaus' in 1841. They of course attracted attention, and supplied a topic of conversa tion in art circles, nor did they fail of purchasers; but it was felt to be a positive relief by the great body of the painter's admirers when, after a little toying with native scenery in one or two small pictures exhibited in 1842, he reappeared with all his old freshness and vigour in 1843 end succeeding years, with his ' Windy Days,' and Cromer Sands,' and 'Prawn Fishers,' and 'Cottage Doors,' and the like; and never did Collins enjoy more general popularity as a painter than in these last three or four years of his life.
Collins's journey to Italy not only led him to waste on uncongenial subjects several of the best years of his life, but during it he laid the foundation of the disease which shortened his days. It was not how
ever till 1844 that disease of the heart declared itself in a decided form; but from that time he obtained only temporary relief from its diatressing symptoms, though ho laboured on at his calling with un abated industry, and almost to the last with little perceptible loss of power. He died on the 17th of February 1847, at his house, Devon port-street, Hyde Park Gardena.
Collins was elected R.A. in 1820; in 1840 he was appointed librarian to the Academy, but resigned it on finding that its duties required a greater devotion of time than he could afford to give to them. Collins was, as we have already noticed, fortunate in early finding friendly and liberal patron.. As early at ISIS one of his Norfolk coast aeenes obtains.' a plaos in the Royal Collection, and George IV. subserently constuiedonel a ocenpauiou to it—' Prawn Fishers at 'lasting*. Yet, though so much in request, the paioter never obtained any of those extravagant sums f 'r his works which we sometimes find popular painters deman liog. The largest sum he ever received for a picture was 500 guinea*. from Sir Robert Peel, for his large and admirable ' Frost Scene.' The painting, of Collins are to be met with in moat of the great private collection. lu this *matey. I u the National Gallery the foreigner would look in vain for a ape:dawn of this, one of the most thoroughly national of English painters. Fortunately, the Vernon collection to a oertala extent supplies the deficiency : there may be use an excellent example of his delineations of rustic enjoyment in ' Happy as a King,' painted in 1c36; one of his pleasant coast-scenes, in "rhe Shrimpina—Evenins, painted in 1831 ; and his' Fisherman e Widow,' painte I in 1333. Mr. Collins married In 1S22 the daughter of Mr. Geddes, A.R.A., and sister of Mrs. Carpenter, the well-knowu portrait-painter; and by her had two sons, who claim a brief notice.