Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... Washingtons and members of Congress. Washington impressed him as reserved but not austere, unaffectedly dignified and habitually polite. Once he saw the General laugh heartily when he rode in unexpectedly upon the portly John Van Home, who, having just finished a hard race with his prospective dinner in the shape of an elusive pig, rose from the struggle with the squealing animal in his arms to find himself face to face with the Commander in Chief. The elder Dunlap, with his usual indulgence, had decided that William should be sent to London, the Mecca of early American seekers after / culture, to learn art under the great Benjamin West. The winter was spent in preparation which consisted of the study of French and dancing, and much attention to billiard-playing, card-parties, balls, and sleigh-rides. On the 4th of May, 1784, the aspirant sailed for England on the good ship Betsy, taking with him i as credentials the full-length Washington and a copy from Copley. Upon his arrival at London about the middle of June, Dunlap hastened to introduce himself to West, and to display his pictures, which were mildly praised. He established himself in two rooms in Rathbone Place, and after a sufficiency of sight-seeing, settled to sketching from a pair of busts. The drawings gained him permission to enter the academy at Somerset House, a privilege of which he did not avail himself because of bashfulness. When winter came he reveled in the theatres and saw most of the sue cessful dramas of the day, including "The School for Scandal" and "The Critic" with the original casts. The Bannisters, Kemble, Mrs. Jordan, and Henderson were his admiration, but to the divine Siddons he paid complete homage. "At this time," he said, "she was in her prime, and her...
