“Chardin,” sharˈdănˌ. (1701-1779.) An eminent French painter. His pictures were mainly domestic scenes, executed with beauty and truth.
“Walpole,” Horace. (1717-1797.) A famous literary gossip and wit of Hogarth’s time. Although highly educated and given an opportunity for a political career, he preferred his pictures, books, and curiosities. Among his many works were “A Catalogue of Royal and Noble Authors,” and “Anecdotes of Painting in England.” Walpole was no admirer of Hogarth, for he says of him: “As a painter he has slender merit.”
“Churchill.” Called “The Great Churchill.” (1731-1764.) A popular English poet and satirist. In youth he was fitted for a curate’s place, but after ordination and two years of the profession he abandoned his position and began his career as a writer, producing several popular poems and satires. He was accused of profligacy, but Macaulay says: “His vices were not so great as his virtues.”
“Wilkes,” John. (1727-1797) A friend of the former, and a celebrated English politician. Well educated, clever, bold and unscrupulous. In his second term in Parliament he was obliged to resign from his indiscreet attack on Lord Bute, in a journal which he had founded. The next year he accused the king of an “infamous fallacy,” which so enraged the administration that Wilkes was finally outlawed. Returning to England he was elected to Parliament, but arrested. He was repeatedly expelled from the House, a persecution which secured the favor of the people. In 1774 he was made lord mayor of London, and was afterward a member of Parliament for many years.
“Sigismunda.” Daughter of Tancred, prince of Salerno. She fell in love with a page, to whom she was secretly married. Tancred discovering this put Guiscardo, the husband, to death, and sent his heart in a golden cup to his daughter.
“Pinegas,” pinˈe-gas.
“Zuccarelli,” dzook-ä-rĕlˈee. (1702-1788.) An eminent landscape painter of Tuscany. His scenery is pleasing and pictures well finished. He visited England in 1752, where he was very popular, being one of the original members of the Royal Academy. It is said that all his pictures are marked with a pumpkin growing on a vine or stuck with a stick on a rustic’s shoulder as the rebus of his name, which means in Italian little pumpkin.
P. 501, c. 2.—“Royal Academy.” The most influential and oldest institution in London connected with painting and sculpture. It was founded in 1768. It consists of 40 academicians, 18 associates, 6 associate engravers, and 3 or 4 honorary members. It holds annual exhibitions of modern and ancient art, and has organized classes for art instruction.
“Llanberis,” llanˈbe-ris.
“Carnarvon.” A northwest county of Wales, bordering on Menai Straits, famous for its slate.