The letters of Richard Ford, 1797-1858

THE LETTERS OF RICHARD FORD



Richard Ford
from a sketch by J. F. Lewis in 1832
Emery Walker Ph. Sc.

1797-1858 EDITED BY ROWLAND E. PROTHERO, M.V.O. FORMERLY FELLOW OF ALL SOULS’ COLLEGE, OXFORD AUTHOR OF “THE LIFE OF DEAN STANLEY” “THE PSALMS IN HUMAN LIFE,” ETC. ETC. WITH PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS NEW YORK E. P. DUTTON AND COMPANY 1905 PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD., LONDON AND AYLESBURY, ENGLAND
Sixty years ago, few men were more widely known in the world of art, letters, and society than Richard Ford, the author of the Handbook for Spain . A connoisseur of engravings, an admirable judge of painting, the interpreter to this country of the genius of Velazquez, he had no rival as an amateur artist. From his sketches Roberts made many of his best drawings; some were reproduced by Telbin, others appeared in the Illustrated London News and the Landscape Annuals of the day, or supplied illustrations to such books as Byron’s Childe Harold and Lockhart’s Spanish Ballads . One of the first critics who appreciated the beauties of the ceramic products of Italy, he formed a fine collection of Gubbio and Majolica ware, and the works of Giorgio and the Della Robbias. The contents of his Spanish Library, to which many of the prizes of the Heber sale found their way, were as rich as they were rare and curious. His taste was no less varied than sound, and few art treasures in clay, metal, and marble, were beyond his ken. Nor was his knowledge of the mysteries of cookery less profound, and Amontillado sherry and Montanches hams were introduced by him into this country. Well and widely read, gifted with a wonderful memory and a keen sense of humour, possessed of an extraordinary faculty for happy, unexpected turns of expression, full of curious anecdotes and adventures, he was a delightful talker. Entirely without the jealousy of the professed wit, he was an equally admirable listener. No man was a more welcome guest in society, none had more friends or fewer enemies.