Mr Nollekens, in 1778, when modelling the bust of Dr Johnson, who then wore a wig, called in a beggar to sit for the hair. The same artist was not equally fortunate in the locks of another great character, for on his application to a beggar for the like purpose, the fellow declined to sit, with an observation that three half-crowns were not sufficient for the trouble.
The late Mr Nathaniel Hone, in the year 1850, painted the portrait of James Turner, a common beggar, who valued his time at a shilling an hour. Captain Baillie has made an etching of this picture.
That truly spirited painter, Mr Ward, made similar overtures to a lame sailor, who thought fit to reject them and prefer his begging occupation.
One of the many fine things produced by Flaxman, is a figure of a blind sailor, Jack Stuart, mentioned in page 19 of this work. The artist has introduced him in a beautiful monument, erected in Campsal Church, to the memory of Misses Yarborough.
Beggars have not only been useful to artists as models, but serviceable to them in other instances. Francis Perrier, who was born of poor parents, when a boy entered into the service of a blind beggar, for the express purpose of getting from France to Rome to pursue his studies in that city; and Old Scheemaker, the sculptor, Nollekens's master, absolutely begged his way from Flanders to Rome for the same purpose.
Though the biographical part of this publication exhibits some curious customs of the London beggars which have fallen within the author's observations, and though it may in some instances be deemed original, yet he confesses that he has adopted the usual craft of the common vender, who invariably puts the best sample into the mouth of the sack. Such, he needs not state the truly interesting Introduction to be; it was written and presented to him by his honoured and valuable friend, Francis Douce, Esq.
INTRODUCTION.
The present work is very far from being offered as a general view of that peculiar branch of pauperism, which includes the many wandering classes of mankind that are supported by the casual and irregular bounty of others, or by means that have at least the appearance of industry or honourable ingenuity; for that would be a task requiring the united efforts of the historian, the legislator, and the antiquary. It may be deemed sufficient to submit to the reader's notice, such accounts and gleanings as immediately relate to the particular characters which are here once more embodied and presented to him by the aid of the graphic art. In the mean time, a slight sketch of the state and progress of mendicity in former ages may be neither unacceptable nor without its use.