CHAPTER II
OCTOBER 31, 1810—AUGUST 17, 1811
Enters bookshop as clerk.—Devotes leisure to painting.—Leaves shop.—
Letter to his brothers on appointments at Yale.—Letters from Joseph P.
Rossiter.—Morse's first love affair.—Paints "Landing of the Pilgrims."
—Prepares to sail with Allstons for England.—Letters of introduction
from his father.—Disagreeable stage-ride to New York.—Sails on the
Lydia.—Prosperous voyage.—Liverpool.—Trip to London.—Observations on
people and customs.—Frequently cheated.—Critical time in England.—Dr.
Lettsom.—Sheridan's verse.—Longing for a telegraph.—A ghost
CHAPTER III
AUGUST 24, 1811—DECEMBER 1, 1811
Benjamin West.—George III.—Morse begins his studies.—Introduced to West.—Enthusiasms.—Smuggling and lotteries.—English appreciation of art.—Copley.—Friendliness of West.—Elgin marbles.—Cries of London.— Custom in knocking.—Witnesses balloon ascension.—Crowds.—Vauxhall Gardens.—St. Bartholomew's Fair.—Efforts to be economical.—Signs of war.—Mails delayed.—Admitted to Royal Academy.—Disturbances, riots, and murders
CHAPTER IV
JANUARY 18, 1812—AUGUST 6, 1812
Political opinions.—Charles R. Leslie's reminiscences of Morse, Allston,
King, and Coleridge.—C.B. King's letter.—Sidney E. Morse's letter.—
Benjamin West's kindness.—Sir William Beechy.—Murders, robberies, etc.
—Morse and Leslie paint each other's portraits.—The elder Morse's
financial difficulties.—He deprecates the war talk.—The son differs
from his father.—The Prince Regent.—Orders in Council.—Estimate of
West.—Alarming state of affairs in England.—Assassination of Perceval,
Prime Minister.—Execution of assassin.—Morse's love for his art.—
Stephen Van Rensselaer.—Leslie the friend and Allston the master.—
Afternoon tea.—The elder Morse well known in Europe.—Lord Castlereagh.
—The Queen's drawing-room.—Kemble and Mrs. Siddons.—Zachary Macaulay.
—Warning letter from his parents.—War declared.—Morse approves.—
Gratitude to his parents, and to Allston