Samuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals In Two Volumes, Volume I.

les E. Leslie's reminisc

. B. King's letter.-Si

s.-Sir William Beechy.-

nt each other's portr

.-He deprecates the wa

rince Regent.-Orders i

affairs in England.-As

tion of assassin.-Mor

.-Leslie the friend an

r Morse well known in E

om.-Kemble and Mrs. Sid

his parents.-War decl

his parents,

1815 which were passed

full of historical int

m 1812 to 1814, and the

Napoleon Bonaparte culmi

f Paris

war by the United States. The son, on the contrary, from his point of vantage in the enemy's country saw things from a different point of view and stoutly upheld the wisdom, nay, the necessity, of the war. Hi

, both among the Americans who were his fellow students or artists of establishe

ted friend, who afterwards became one of the best of the Ameri

ireside, and there were moments in which, but for my obligations to Mr. Bradford and my other kind patrons, I could have been content to forfeit all th

time we painted in one room, he at one window and I at the other. We drew at the Royal Academy in the evening and worked at home in the day. Our mentors were Allston and King, nor could we ha

an so sincerely religious as Allston may be imagined. He wished to consult Coleridge, but could not summon resolution. He desired, therefore, that I should do it, and I went to Highgate where Coleridge was at that time living with Mr. Gillman. I fou

houghts, therefore, that force themselves on my mind are no part of me and there can be no guilt in them." If he wi

, after it was repeated to Allston, I did not hear

y Leslie, returned to America in 1812, and

to forget the delightful time when we could meet in the evening with novels, coffee, and music by Morse, with the conversation of that dear fellow All

e is evidenced by a letter from his brother, Sidney Ed

nd, with my feet sprawled out before the fire, and with my body reclining in an oblique position against the back of the

nd, is at present residing in London. If you are acquainted with him, give my love to him and my best wishes for

same employment. Four right hands are at this instant writing to give you, at some future moment, the pleasure of perusing the products of their present labor. Four imaginations are

do, and because I hadn't time to write a shorter. I trust for these special reasons you will excuse me for this once, especially when you consider that you asked me to write you long letters; when you consider t

e had by the Sally Ann. We hope to get some ready by the time the next sh

, 1812, to his parents I se

u. He is extremely attentive and polite to me. He called on me a few days ago, which I co

nd have rooms with young Leslie of Philadelphia who has just arrived. He is very prom

of Mr. Leslie, who is also taking mine.... I called a day or two since on Sir William Beechy, an artist of great eminence, to see his paintings. They are beautiful beyond any

a better idea of the art of painting than in any other way. For as some poets excel in the different species of poetry and stand at the head of their different kinds, in the same manner do painters have their particular branch of their art; and as epic poetry excels all other kinds of poetry, because it addresses itself to the sublimer feelings of our nature, so does historical p

ne man, who was apprehended and put an end to his life in prison. Very horrid attempts at robbery and murder have been very frequent of late in all parts of the city, and even so near as within two doors of me in the same stree

itics here and as it respects America. The Feder

magine I write them all over, and distribute it out to all as you think I ought, always particularizing Miss Russell, my p

ach other, the following letter to Morse's mother, from a friend i

February 20, 1812, and, knowing the passage below would be interesting to you, I trans

ction for himself. He is peculiarly fortunate, not only in having Mr. Allston for an adviser and friend, but in his companion in painting, Mr. Leslie, a young man from Philadelphia highly recommended by my uncle there, and whose extreme diffidence adds to the most promising ta

d, you will see, and in due time be agai

erous to a fault and had, by endorsing notes and giving to others, cripp

urt is now in session in Boston which is expected to decide the case. In a few days we shall be able to determine what we have to expect from this case. If we lose it,

ld age. Probably this necessity laid on you for exertion, industry, and economy in early life will be better for you in the end than to be supported by yo

d of pursuing general science, and afterwards of purchasing a plantation and becoming a planter in some one of the Southern States!! Perhaps he

that our war hawks will be able to involve the country in a war with Great Britain, nor do I believe that the President really wishes it. It is thought that all the war talk and prepar

l conditions in America from his point of view, almost at the s

can answer your question whether party spirit is conducted with such virulence here as in America. It is by no means the case, f

the Orders in Council, which orders, notwithstanding the declarations of Mr. Perceval [the Prime Minister] and others in the Ministry to the contrary, are fast, very fast reducing this country to ruin; and it

of emergency, trusting to their future ratification by Parliament. In this case, while promulgated as a retali

il, have been presented to the Prince, but he has declined hearing any of them. Also the Catholic cause remains undecided, an

ect and give you a slight history of

late but little of his history that would be new to you, so that I shall confine myself

efatigable, and the result of those studies is a perfect knowledge of the philosophy of his art. There is not a line or a touch

ch he has attempted truth of color, is not surpassed by any artist now living, and some have even said that Titian himself did not surpass it. However that may be, his pictures of a late date are admirable even in this particular, and it evinces that, if in general he neglec

his character. No man, perhaps, ever passed through so much abuse, and none, I am confident, ever bore up against its virulence with more nobleness of spirit, with a steady perseverance in the pursuit of the sublimest of human professions. He has travelled o

re the malice, the ridicule, and neglect of the world, and at their death to receive the praise and adoration of this same inconsistent world. I think there cannot be a stronger proof t

at pity, as it would be interesting to read what M

to express himself so heartily in sympathy with his master West? And was it the inspiring remembrance of his master's

r by a few pounds, but I now begin to think that I shall not. I am trying every method to be econo

over the country, and but last week measures were adopted by Parliament to prevent this metropolis from rising to rebellion, by ordering troops to be stationed round the city to be ready at a moment's warning. This I call an alarming period. Everybody thinks so and Mr. Perceval himself is frightened, and a committee is appointed to take into consideration the Orders in Council. Now, when you consider that I came to this country prejudiced against our government and its measures, and that I can have no bad motive in telling you these facts, you will not think hard of me w

to keep you in suspense it is no less than the assassination of Mr. Perceval, the Prime Minister of Great Britain. As he was entering the House of Commons last eveni

eace or the Head of the Regent.' This country is in a very alarming state and there is no doubt but great quantities of blood will be spilled before

kill a Senator?' there were three cheers, and so through the whole, whenever anything was said concerning conspiracy and in favor of it, the audience applauded, and when anything was said against it they hissed. When Pierre asked the conspirators if Brutus was not a good man, the audience was in a great u

ay 17, he says in a le

and condemned to be executed to-morrow morning (Monday, 18th). I shall go to the pla

written the da

who cried out, 'God bless you,' repeatedly. I saw him draw the cap over his face and shake hands with the clergyman. I stayed no longer, but immediately turned my back and was returning home. I had taken but a few steps when t

young artist was faithfully pursuing his studies,

profession; it is a slow and arduous undertaking. I never knew till now the difficulties of art, and no one can duly appreciate

ems to give him the greatest pleasure to think that one day the arts will flourish in America. He says that Philadelphia will be the Athens of the world. That city certainly gives the

ate. He was very glad to see me and calls on me every day while I am painting. He keeps his carriage and hor

ust of these troublous times, comes this request

e is a favorite writer with her and she has a great desire to see the style of his countenance. If you c

ay 25, 1812, is from

lling out. I find his thoughts of art agree perfectly with my own. He is enthusiastic and so am I, and we have not time, scarcely, to think of anything else; everything we do has a reference to art, and all our plans are for our mutual advance

y day and superintends all we are doing. When I am at a stand and perplexed in some parts of the picture, he puts me right and e

it to Mr. Allston, with the expectation of praise, and not only of praise but a score of 'excellents,' 'well dones,' and 'admirables'; I say it

must see my faults. What he says after this always puts me in good humor again. He tells me to put a few flesh tints here, a few gray ones there, and to clear up such and such a part by such and such colors. And not only that, but take

ters are among our acquaintances. We paint them if

be uninteresting to you; they consist merely of studies and drawings from plaster figures, hands and feet and such things. The p

rning and evening and we make our own coffee (which, by the way, is very cheap here) and tea. We live quite in the old bachelor

consequence, as I saw at his house a great number to be sent to all parts of the world to distinguished men. I find papa is

d. The Orders in Council are the subject of debate at the House of Commons this evening. It is an important cr

y, and so does every American here who sees how things are going with this country, that, should America but declare war, before hostilities commenced Great Britain would sue for peace on any terms. Great Britain is jealous of us and would trample on us if she could, and I feel ashamed when I see her supported through everything by some of the Federal editors. I wish they could be here a few

rt dresses. The gentlemen were dressed in buckram skirted coats without capes, long waistcoats, cocked hats, bag-wigs, swords, and large buckles on their shoes. The ladies in monstrous hoops, s

, but he is very red and considerably bloated. I likewise saw the Princess Charlotte of Wales, who is handsome, the Dukes of Kent, Cambridge, Cl

appearance. I must say I admire her acting very much; she is rather corpulent, but has a remarkably fine face; the Grecian character is finely portrayed in it; she excels to admiration in deep tragedy. In Mrs. Beverly, in the play of the 'Gamesters' a few nights ago, she so arrested the attention of the house that you might hear your watch tick in your fob, and, at the close

ertain degree they are harmless, but, too much attended, they dissipate the mind. There is n

it is always the custom on such occasions for his brethren by trade to serenade the couple with marrow-bones and cleavers. Perhaps you have heard of the phrase 'musical as marrow-bones and cleavers'; this is the origin of it. If you wish to experience the sound let each one in the fami

as Zachary Macaulay, editor of the "Christian Observer," and father of the histo

r. Morse to dine with him at his house at Clapham on Saturday next at five o'clock. Mr. M.'s house is five doors beyond the Plough at the entrance of Clapham Common. A coach goes daily to Clapham fr

une,

ther of June 28, 1812,

ng us into an unnecessary war with a country that I shall always revere as doing more to spread the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to the benighted heathen, and those that are famishing fro

r conversation and actions and not to make yourself a party man on either side. Have your opinions, but have them to yourself, and be sure you do not comm

letter his

our mother has given you sound advice as respects the course you should pursue. Be the artist wholly and let politics alone. I rejoice that you are where you are at the present time. You will do

swers in a letter

ime to write you. Mr. Wheeler, an American, who has been here some tim

proceedings in Boston. If they knew what an injury they were doing their country in the opinion of foreign nations, they certainly would refrain from them. I assert (because I have proof) that the Federalists in the Northern States have done more injury to their country by their violent opposition measures than even a French alliance could. Their proceedings are copied into the Eng

s nor Democrats are Americans; that war with this country is just, and that the present Administra

true American's blood boil. These are not used by individuals only, but on the floor of the House of Commons. The good effects of our declaration of war begin to be perceived already. The tone of their public

may not find my father, and I hope that he will be neutral rather than oppose the war measure, for (if he will believe a son who loves him and his country better the l

l piece; the subject is 'Marius in Prison,' and the soldier sent to kill him who drops his sword as Marius says, 'Durst thou kill Caius Marius?'

soon to show them I am so. In the mean time, if industry and application on my part can make them happy, be assured I shall use my best endeavors to be industrious, and in any other way to give them comfort. One of my greatest blessings here is Mr.

one of my best and most intimate friends, and in whatever I ca

e is very attentive to us, visits us constantly, and is making us presents of various kinds every day, such as half a dozen best Madeira, etc. He