business are entered in the first column; the rest of the page is divided into twelve columns, three whereof serve each man for a week. The first of the three contains the number of days, the second the hours extra, and the third the money due for both. Thus one folio page keeps the accounts of all the men's wages for a month. The titles of the other books will, I suppose, sufficiently explain the rest, viz. Tradesmen's Bill Book, Receipt Book, Petty Expence Book, Cash Book, and Ledger, Book of Agreements, Account of Stores received and expended, Letter Book, Rock Journal, and Yard Journal. "I am sorry I have not been able to explain myself in fewer words; and for the present must subscribe myself, Sir, "Yours, &c. I. SMEATON." "Sept. 15, 1758. Plymouth. "We are now going on with the twenty-fourth course, being the last of the solid; but as we propose to attempt to finish a room in order to fix a light, it is still perfectly uncertain when I shall be able to depart hence." "May 1, 1759. London. "The works upon the Edystone have stood the Winter storms; and, I hear, when lately viewed, were found perfectly sound and firm. I am now attending the construction of the Lanthorn, which is framed in town, entirely of copper, iron, and plateglass, and the getting that in sufficient forwardness, so as to avoid mistakes, is what now detains me in town; but yet, though the weather is fine, the winds are by no means favourable to the purpose, nor indeed from former experience must we expect them to be so till the month of June." Mr. GER. VANDER GUCHT* to Mr. RICHARDSON. Feb. 9, 1747-8. "SIR, "As Yorkshire is esteemed the best County in England for horses, and being desirous of a very good one for a one-horse chaise, beg you will be so kind to endeavour to procure one for me. I would willingly have him not under fifteen hands, nor above fifteen and a half; not under five years old, nor above seven; strong, well put together, nimble, and good tempered. If you can meet with such a one, I desire you will be so good to let me know the first opportunity. "I have heard (with pleasure) of your health, and that you intend to see London very soon. I have a companion for your *This intelligent Dealer in Paintings, Prints, and other Curiosities, son of Michael Vander Gucht, and brother of John Vander Gucht, both eminent Engravers, died March 18, 1776; and his Collection of Pictures and Bronzes was sold by auction in 1777. His wife, by whom he had thirty children, died at Paddington March 18, 1790, in her 88th year. Benjamin Vander Gucht, only son of John, one of the earliest Students in the Royal Academy, was drowned, on returning from Chiswick, Sept. 16, 1794. St. St. John, by Guido ;-it is a Madona, with the Child, and Joseph, painted by Morillio in a style between Titian and Vandyke, and very little inferior to either. I have likewise a large one of the old Jacomo Bassano, and several others since I had the pleasure of seeing you last. Wishing you health, and all the happiness this world can afford, I am, dear Sir, your very humble servant, "DEAR SIR, G. VANDER GUCHT." March 14, 1748-9. "I hope you received the two sets of Prints safe, and that they please; I am sure they are as fine as can be. Mr. Regnier has a set of the Battles, which he asks twenty pounds for, and they scarce so good as yours. I have an exceeding fine miniature of a Sleeping Venus and a Boy; it is set in a shagreen case, with a glass, and is a fine size for a snuff-box; it is painted by Massey of Paris, and it much exceeds any thing of that sort of Painting I ever saw; the attitude is so graceful, elegantly drawn, and as finely coloured as it is possible. If you do not come to town this season, and have a desire to see it, please to direct me how to send it, and if you do not approve of it you may return it; the lowest price is eight guineas. I believe I shall have an opportunity in about a fortnight's time to buy some antique Bustos, &c. If it suits you to let me have the balance due to me on your note in time, it will be of infinite service to, dear Sir, "Your most obedient humble servant, G. VANDER GUCHT. "P. S. Poor Johnny Green is very ill." "DEAR SIR, June 22, 1749. "As you desired to know when I met with any thing fine, I take the liberty to acquaint you of two Pictures :-One of Paul Veronese. It is a martyrdom of a Saint; there are eighteen figures, besides horses and small figures at a distance; it is painted in a free and noble style, and every part finely made out; the size of the picture is two feet five inches wide, and one foot nine inches high,-which, I think, would make a good companion to your Peter Cortona, if the size is pretty near. The other is a Landscape by N. Poussin. There are two figures, with some cattle; the size is one foot nine inches wide by one foot four and three quarters inches high; which, I believe, is near the size of the sketch of the Bacchanal you had of me; the price of the Paul Veronese is twenty guineas, the landscape eight guineas. If you have any inclination for them, or either, be pleased to let me know the first opportunity. Johnny Green has seen the Paul Veronese, and admires it much; he is pretty well again, and desires to be remembered to you. Casteels is dead, and has left Johnny one of his executors, with a legacy of only ten pounds; which is all the news I can send you at present. "I am, Sir, your very humble servant, G. VANDER GUCHT." "DEAR "DEAR SIR, July 4, 1749. "I sent last Friday, according to your direction, the two Pictures in a case, and believe they will give you some pleasure; they are both undoubted Pictures of the Masters; the Paul Veronese is painted with great spirit and force of colouring, and the extremities very correct. In the Landscape of Nicola you will see a greatness and simplicity; it is composed of great parts, and, I think, has a fine effect. When you have seen them, I desire you will as soon as convenient let me know your opinion, which will very much oblige 66 Your very "DEAR SIR, humble servant, G. VANDER Gucht." "I received yours, and am glad to hear the Pictures came safe, and that they please. Since I wrote to you last, I have been about threescore miles from London, where I have made a purchase of some fine pictures; the principal (which are very capital) are one by Ann. Carracci (you may see a description of it in Richardson's Book); it is the Virgin in the Clouds, with Angels and Cherubim, and at the bottom of the Picture is a view of the City of Bologna; it was brought from Paris by Sir James Thornhill, and, as he said, cost him five hundred pounds. And a Landscape by Nicola Poussin, four feet four inches and a half long by three feet two inches high; the others are of less consequence, as they are chiefly Portraits by Sir Godfrey, &c. "Johnny Green joins with me in respects, and am, Sir, G. VANDER GUCHT. Your very humble servant, "P. S. The Luxemburg Gallery I will take again whenever you please, or you may keep it till I meet with another that is unhurt and the impression as good, which, I do assure you, is exceeding fine.” "DEAR SIR, Sept. 9, 1749. "Having been out of town ever since I wrote to you last, I received both your letters together on Thursday last, when I came home, which is the reason you have not heard from me sooner. The Landscape of Nicola is near the size of your Mille, and is painted in his best manner, and with more spirit than common. There are three figures in the fore ground, and cattle; the figures about seven inches high; at a little distance a figure on horseback, and another figure with a gun on his shoulder; the figures are not highly finished, though every part perfectly made out, and in a noble style of drawing; it has a good French frame, and has not yet been seen by any person whatever. I have just now sent it to be lined; the price to you is thirty-five guineas, and, I do assure you, no person living besides shall have it under fifty. The Ann. Carracci is five feet high, and three feet six inches wide, exclusive of the frame. The subject is, the Virgin sitting in the clouds, with the Child standing in her lap, two Angels, one on each side, in attitude of adoration, beneath these are two boys and three Cherubim's heads, and at the bottom of the Picture, under the clouds, is a view of the City of Bologna, with two small figures on the fore-ground : It is, I believe, the best picture of the Master we have in England; but, I must likewise inform you, it is damaged in several places: therefore would not by any means recommend it any friend unless he could see it ;-because one person may be satisfied with it as it is, and another would have it put in as good order as possible; and which way I am not yet determined, though several persons have been to see. I would not fix any price as yet. I have bought some things since I wrote to you, which I will give you an account of another time, being at present much engaged, and having just time to let you know how much I wish you health and happiness, and that I am "Your very obliged humble servant, G. VANDER GUCHT." ، DEAR SIR, Saturday, Nov. 11, 1749. "I received yours dated the 7th, wherein you inform me of a box sent by the carrier last Thursday se'nnight. I was this day at the White Horse without Cripplegate; the book-keeper tells me no such thing came there ;-from thence I went to the White Bear in Basinghall-street, and can hear of no such thing there; at both places they enquired the name of the carrier, which I could not inform them, you not mentioning it in your letter, Be pleased to let me know as soon as you can whether the carrier received the box, and his name, for I have made all the enquiry I can. As to the Landscape of Nicola Poussin, if it will please you, I will agree to take thirty guineas, and the frame returned; and do assure you I think it one of his very best style, and far superior to the best Gaspars, one of which has lately been sold for 150/. not so big as your Nicola. If you are not entirely satified with it, you may return it with the frame, and the copy of Ann. Carracci. If it gives you pleasure, it will be agreeable to, Sir, your very humble servant, G. VANDER GUCHT." Jan. 30, 1749. ،، DEAR SIR, "I have received your kind present of beef, as likewise sixtyfour pounds one shilling in full for the following pictures, and all "I have a very fine antique Bust; it is said to be Sylla, the same size as your Nero. If you have any inclination for it, and think of being in town this season, pray let me know, and I will keep it till such time as you come to town. "I should "I should have wrote sooner. but have been interrupted by a hurry of business of various kinds; therefore hope you will excuse the delay of, Sir, "Your very humble servant, G. VANDER GUCHT." "SIR, May 3, 1750. "As Mr. Vanacken's sale is put off till next Winter, I thought proper to inform you that I have got a very good impression of the Death of the Virgin, and nine other Prints of Rembrandt, and not the most trifling ones of his, which are all I can pick up at present. I inquired of Harding in St. Martin's-lane, who has a pretty good Burgomaster Six, but will not part with it for less than eighteen guineas, which I think a most extravagant price : If you think proper, I will send you the Prints and Drawings, for your approbation. Besides the Drawings before mentioned, I have met with some which I imagine you will be much pleased with, and desire your answer before I send the following: Four Drawings, Ann. Carracci, Landscape. Two Ditto Two Ditto Two Ditto Two Ditto One Ditto Two Ditto Two Ditto Two Ditto N. Poussin, Landscape. Both, Landscape. Berghem, Landscape. Pierino Del Vaga, History. Aug. Carracci, Two Friars with a Guardian Angel. Chatelain, Landscape. Maes, Landscape. Genoels, Landscape. "I am, Sir, your very humble servant, G. Vander Gucht." Oct. 31, 1751. "DEAR SIR, "I have received the Prints and Drawings which you was pleased to return, as likewise the two Drawings of Both. Since I wrote to you last, I have purchased some Pictures of value, and some other things; and likewise expect a large Picture of Teniers from Paris very soon ;-and, as you are pleased to let me know that you would settle accounts with me very soon, I shall be infinitely obliged if you will be so good as to let it be as soon as you can. I have sent you an account of every particular, which I hope you will find right. I am, with sincerity, Sir, "Your obliged humble servant, G. VANDER GUCHT. A Fruit Piece by Michael Angelo,... £. 8 8 0 Magnani's Gallery, Ann. Carracci. A set of Fowl and Fish, coloured.. 0 6 0 1 1 2725 A Drawing by Vandyke after Raphael.. 7 7 0 2 An Old Man's Head, by Carlo Maratti.. 1 6 07 6 £.30 5 6 Brought |