VANDYKE IN AMERICA.
(Vol. viii., pp. 182. 228.)
To your correspondent C. I would say, that his observation—that the Query was as to an engraving, whilst my answer was as to a picture—is not true; as I am sure, from memory, that Mr. Westmacott used the word "portraits." But I plead in extenuation of my pretended grave offence, 1. That the Query was not propounded by C., but by a gentleman to whom the information given might be, as I supposed, of some interest; more particularly as I referred to the Travels of an Englishman, both of which, author and work, were accessible. 2. That, in common with the American readers of "N. & Q.," I regarded it as "a journal of inter-communication," through whose columns information might be asked for, the request to be treated with the same consideration and courtesy as though addressed to each individual subscriber. I may add that Lord Braybrooke and Mr. Wodderspoon (Vol. iv., p. 17.) have urged "the necessity for recording the existence of painted historical portraits, scattered, as we know they are," &c.
Now, as to the expression "worthies, famous in English history." I presume I need do no more concerning its application to Lord Orrery, Sir Robert Walpole, &c., than say, it was used as signifying "men of mark," without intending to endorse their "worth" either morally, mentally, or politically; its application to Colonel Hill and Colonel Byrd, as meaning "men of worth," might, did your limits permit, be defended on high grounds.
Then as to the possibility of Vandyke's having painted the portraits. If C. will have the kindness to look at C. Campbell's History of Virginia, he will find,—
"1654. At a meeting of the Assembly, William Hatchin, having been convicted of having called Colonel Edward Hill 'an atheist and blasphemer,' was compelled to make acknowledgment of his offence upon his knees before Colonel Hill and the Assembly."
This Colonel Hill, generally known as Colonel Edward Hill the Elder, a gentleman of great wealth, built the mansion at Shirley, where his portrait, brought from England, hangs in the same place, in the same hall in which he had it put up. It represents a youth in pastoral costume, crook in hand, flocks in the background. By a comparison of dates, C. will find it possible for Vandyke to have painted it. (See Bryan's Engravers and Painters.) It has descended, along with the estate, to his lineal representative, the present owner. Its authenticity rests upon tradition coupled with the foregoing facts, as far as I know (though the family may have abundant documentary proof), and I doubt very much whether many "Vandykes in England" are better ascertained. I would add that several English gentlemen, among them, as I have heard, a distinguished ambassador recently in this country, recognised it as a Vandyke. This picture, amongst others, was injured by the balls fired from the vessels which ascended the James river, under command of General Arnold, then a British officer. On the younger Mr. Hill's tomb at Shirley is a coat of arms, a copy of which, had I one to send, would probably point out his family in England.[[2]]
As to Colonel Byrd's portrait. There were, I believe, three gentlemen of this name and title, more or less confounded in reputation, the second of whom, generally known as "Colonel Byrd the Elder," by reason of his son's history, was born in 1674. The picture is of his father, that is, of "old," or "the first Colonel Byrd," and is in the same style as that of Colonel Hill's, representing a shepherd lad. He was an English gentleman of great wealth, and certainly of some benevolence. In Campbell's Virginia, p. 104. (see also Oldmixon, vol. i. p. 427.), it is stated, 1690, a large body of Huguenots were sent to Virginia. "The refugees found in Colonel Byrd, of Westover, a generous benefactor. Each settler was allowed a strip of land running back from the river to the foot of the hill (Henrico County). Here they raised cattle," &c. He sent his son to England to be educated under the care of a friend, Sir Robert Southwell. The son became a Fellow of the Royal Society, "was the intimate and bosom friend of the learned and illustrious Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery," was the author of the Westover MSS. (mentioned in Oldmixon's preface, 2nd ed.), portions of which, "Progress to the Mines," "History of the Dividing Line," &c., have been printed, others are in the library of the American Philosophical Society.[[3]] His portrait is "by Kneller, a fine old cavalier face," says Campbell. The letters received at Westover might prove not uninteresting even to C., seeing that there were so many titled people among the writers; and to a gentleman of education and intelligence, the Westover library would have been a treasure-house. In the Loganian Library in this city is a large MS. folio, whose title-page declares it to be "a catalogue of books in the library at Westover, belonging to William Byrd, Esq.," from which it appears that in Law there were the English reporters (beginning with Y. B.) and text-writers, laws of France, Scotland, Rome (various editions of Pandects, &c.); Canon Law, with numerous approved commentators on each. In Physic a great many works, which, as I am told, were, and some still are, of high repute: I note only one, Poor Planter's Physician interleaved. This, to every one who has been upon a great Virginia plantation, bespeaks the benevolence characteristic of the proprietors of Westover. In Divinity, besides pages of orthodox divines, Bibles in various languages (several in Hebrew, one in seven vols.), are Socinius, Bellarmine, &c. The works on Metallurgy, Natural History, Metaphysics, Military Science, Heraldry, Navigation, Music, &c., are very numerous; and either of the collections of history, or entertainment, or classics, or political science, would form no inconsiderable library of itself.
An impression of Colonel Byrd's book-plate, given by a friend, is enclosed. I must add that the pictures at Brandon are at that mansion, through the marriage of Mr. Harrison (a signer of the Declaration of Independence) with the daughter of the third Colonel Byrd.
I have occupied much more space than I intended, but I have said enough I hope to show, 1. That it is possible, from dates, from the character, wealth, and position of Mr. Byrd and Mr. Hill, together with the length of time the pictures have remained in the respective families, for Vandyke to have painted these portraits. 2. That as men who directed the energies, developed the resources, of our infant settlements, who brought hither the products of science, literature, and art, who exhibited the refinements of birth, the graces of good breeding, yet were always ready to serve their country in the field or in the council, Mr. Byrd and Mr. Hill are vastly more worthy of commemoration and reverence than all the Earls of Dredlington that ever sat at his majesty's Board of Green Cloth.
J. Balch.
Philadelphia.
Footnote 2:[(return)]
It is curious to observe how matters of history appear and disappear as it were. "The mighty Tottipottimoy," says Hudibras (part ii. cant. ii. l. 421.),—on which the Rev. Dr. Nash has this note: "I don't know whether this is a real name or only an imitation of North-American phraseology; the appellation of an individual, or a title of office:"—Tottipottimoy was king of the warlike and powerful Parnunkies, and was defeated and slain by the Virginians, commanded by Colonel Hill, in the action from which Bloody Run takes its name.
There is a curious passage in the Westover MSS. concerning William Penn, of which Mr. Macaulay should have a copy, unless one has been already sent to him.