"A French Marchioness, who a few years since, possessed a fortune of £5000 a year, is engaged to sing before their Majesties at the Concerts of Antient Music, which commence on Wednesday next."—(Times, Feb. 1, 1794.)
Savoyards of Fashion—1799.
Of Pictorial Art, we hear but little in Old Times—but the Art Critic of the Morning Post, May 20, 1788, did not fear to speak out, and give his opinion freely.
"Royal Academy.
"235. Theseus receiving the Clue from Ariadne. H. Fuseli.—Poor Theseus, with a broken leg, is endeavouring to support Ariadne, whose figure suggests more the idea of a sick ideot, than a beautiful woman. Whilst we pity the situation of these two lovers, we cannot forbear laughing at the little cock-tailed Minotaur, galoping about, for amusement, in the distance. The design, however, has some merit, but Theseus appears as if he had left his skin behind him, and, indeed, some of his muscles are not in their proper places.
"181. Portraits of three Children. P. Reinagle, A.—The Colouring of this picture is Currant Jelly and Chalk. The glare of crimson and red, confines the eye, in such a manner, that it is difficult to find out what the subject is meant for. This picture (like most of this Artist's works) is an imitation of the stile of some other master, which is certainly very commendable in a painter who possesses no genius of his own; but as we do not think this is the case with Mr. Reinagle, we recommend him, as before, to look at nature.
"175. Portrait of a young Gentleman, and his brother, flying a Kite. W. R. Bigg, A.—We cannot determine on the likeness of these portraits; we are also at a loss to say, whether the figures, or the Kite, are drawn with most taste and elegance."
Fuseli opened a Gallery for the display of a series of his paintings illustrating "Paradise lost."
Advt.—"The general impression felt by all kinds of people, on entering the Milton Gallery, is, this is unlike everything we have seen before. The old nurses stories about the devil are properly confuted by the exhibition of a figure that is bold, daring, and majestic, and a model of muscular strength and gigantic symmetry. 'I have often wondered,' said a Lady, 'how Eve could have been tempted to transgress by such a hideous monster, as Satan has been represented to me: but, if he was, in reality, such a being as Mr. Fuseli paints him, why—That accounts for it.'"[14]—(Times, June 17, 1799.)