One day we accompanied him on an excursion, for the purpose of taking a sketch of the magnificent scenery of Gordale, in Craven, from which he afterwards produced a finished painting.
My rude sketch of his person was considered a characteristic resemblance at the time; and though it has the air of a caricature, yet was not meant as such when it was drawn.
If you think it would interest the readers of your "Current Notes," you will perhaps give it as an illustration. If not, I will thank you to return it to me.
Yours, &c.
I. T. A.
Monumental Brasses Removed from the Churches of Fulham and Chelsea.
Mr. Geo. Willis,—Your Correspondent, under the head of "Antiquarian Sacrilege," (Current Notes for December, p. 91,) seems not to be aware that almost all Church Brasses, with very few exceptions, were torn from their places by the sectarian soldiers in Cromwell's time, who affected to consider such things idolatrous. They were for the most part sold for old brass, and some authority (I forget who at this moment), tells us that, in consequence of the number at one time brought into the market, the price of brass was decreased in proportion. There were very few Antiquaries in those days, consequently a very small number of these desecrated Brasses have been preserved, and for those we possess we are indebted to such men as Ashmole, Lilly, and others of that class, who, though sufficiently fantastic and visionary in their pursuits, were still men of some learning and taste.
Some, if not the whole of the lots alluded to by your Correspondent, came into the possession of the late John Meyrick, Esq., through an ancestor of his wife, whose name was "Rush," and the only sacrilege committed by the late Mr. Meyrick seems to have been the preservation of these things from destruction.
I have frequently heard the late Sir S. R. Meyrick mention these Brasses, and regret they were not in his possession.