Would find proper hints for his pencil to sketch
In a mitre bestow’d on so sordid a wretch.”
Hayley intended these lines to be inserted in the newspapers, and sent them to Wright for his approbation, who thought them so very severe that he objected to their being published, and only showed them to a few of his most intimate friends. The original copy is now in the possession of the writer.
Gainsborough having left Bath in 1774, it was thought by Wright that there would be a good opening for a portrait painter in that city, and accordingly in December of that year he left Derby with his family. At Bath,[23] however, he met with but little patronage, as we learn from the following extracts from letters:—
“Bath, Jan. 15, 1776.
“Since I wrote the within, Lady Ferrers has brought the Dutchess of Cumberland to see my pictures, wch her Highness much approves of. Thro’ Lady Ferrers’ recommendation her Highness will sit to me for a full-length; a good beginning this, tho’ a late one, and I hope will prove successful. I am glad the conclusion of my letter is better than the beginning.
“JO. WRIGHT.”
“Bath, 9th February, 1776.
“I have now past one season, the biggest of the two, without any advantage. The Duchess of Cumberland is the only sitter I have had, and her order for a full-length dwindled to a head only, which has cost me so much anxiety, that I had rather have been without it; the great people are so fantastical and whining, they create a world of trouble, tho’ I have but the same fate as Sr Jos. Reynolds, who has painted two pictures of her Highness, and neither please. I am confident I have some enemies in this place, who propagate a report that I paint fire-pieces admirably, but they never heard of my painting portraits; such a report as this was mentioned to her Royal Highness, after she had given me the commission for a full-length, as I was told by one of her domestics.
“This is a scheme of some artists here (who, to our shame be it said, seldom behave liberally to one another) to work me out, and certainly it proves at present very injurious to me, and I know not whether it will be worth my while (considering how little business is done here, and has been done these four or five years past) to stay to confute ’em. I have heard from London, and by several gentlemen here, that the want of business was the reason of Gainsborough’s leaving Bath. Wou’d I had but known this sooner, for I much repent coming here. The want of encouragement of the Arts, I fear, is not only felt here but in Town also, and artists are become so numerous that the share which falls to each is small. I wish I had tried London first, and if it had not suited me, I would then have retired to my native place, where, tho’ upon smaller gains, I could have lived free from the strife and envy of illiberal and mean-spirited artists. What I have seen since I have been here has so wounded my feelings, so disturbed my peace, as to injure my health, but I will endeavour to shake it off.
“JO. WRIGHT.”
“Bath, Ap. 15th, 76.
“My dear Brother,
“I have sent my two pictures[24] to the Exhibition, where I hope they will meet with as much approbation as they have here, and better success with regard to the sale of them, or I shall be run aground with this year’s expenses. I have only painted 4 heads yet; the prejudice still runs high against me. I am now painting a half-length of Dr. Wilson & his adopted daughter, Miss Macauley; this is for reputation only, but you must not say so. The Doctor is a very popular man, and is fighting in my cause stoutly, for he thinks me ill-treated; he wishes he had known of my being in Bath five or six months ago, he could have been of use to me before now, and I wonder my friend Coltman (if he knew) did not mention him to me; indeed, if I stay I shall have need of all the friends I can make. I know not what to think of it, sometimes revenge spirits me up to stay and endeavour to triumph over my enemies; at other times more peaceful reflections take place, & I am for retiring to pursue my old walk of painting. I have some intention of coming to Derby, with your leave, to paint the sea engagement, at the time when Bath is deserted by almost all, but will say more of this in my next.
“JO. WRIGHT.”