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On the north side of the little bay of Kealakeakua, in Hawaii, the natives point out a rock, jutting into the water so as to afford a convenient landing place, as the spot where Captain Cook fell. A stump of a cocoanut tree is near by, where they say he expired. The top of the tree has been carried to England, and is rightfully treasured among the monuments of enterprise and courage in the Museum of Greenwich Hospital. On the stump, which has been capped with copper for its preservation, is an inscription, of which the following is a part :

NEAR THIS SPOT

FELL

CAPTAIN JAMES COOK, R. N.,

THE

RENOWNED CIRCUMNAVIGATOR,

WHO

DISCOVERED THESE ISLANDS,

A.D. 1778.

BENJAMIN WEST.

THE subject of the following sketch, one of the earliest and most distinguished of American painters, was a native of Pennsylvania. He was born near Springfield, Chester county, on the 10th of October 1738. His family were Quakers, and emigrated to America in 1699: his father, however, being left at school in England, did not join his relatives until 1714. The native tendencies of West were early manifested. It

is said that, when he was but six years old, his mother left him for a few moments to keep the flies from an infant sleeping in the cradle. While he was thus employed, the beauty of the little creature, smiling in its sleep, attracted his attention, and he immediately endeavoured to delineate its portrait with a pen and ink. His mother soon returned, and was surprised and delighted at the attempt, in which she thought she detected a resemblance to the sleeping infant.

Not long after this, he was sent to school, but was permitted to amuse himself during his hours of leisure, in drawing flowers and animals with a pen. He soon desired to represent the colour as well as the shape; but here he was at a loss, for the community in which he lived made use of no paints but the most simple and grave. His American biographer says, that "the colours he used were charcoal and chalk, mixed with the juice of berries; but with these colours, laid on with the hair of a cat, drawn through a goose-quill, when about nine years of age, he drew on a sheet of paper the portraits of a neighbouring family, in which the delineation of each individual was sufficiently accurate to be immediately recognized by his father, when the picture was first shown to him. When about twelve years old, he drew a portrait of himself, with his hair hanging loosely about his shoulders."

His stock of colours was soon considerably enlarged by a party of Indians, who visited Springfield in the summer; and, becoming interested by the sketches which the boy showed them, taught him to prepare the red and yellow paints which they were accustomed to use. A piece of indigo which his mother gave him,

furnished him with blue; and with these three simple primary colours, the young artist felt himself rich.

One of the earliest patrons of the young painter was the father of General Wayne, who lived at Springfield. Happening to notice one day several heads, drawn upon boards with ink, chalk, and charcoal, he was so much pleased with them, as to ask the privilege of taking them home. Next day he called again, and presented young West with six dollars. This circumstance had considerable effect in inducing him subse quently to make painting his profession.

Another circumstance, which occurred about this period, afforded him inexpressible delight. A merchant of Philadelphia, Mr. Pennington, being on a visit to the family, was so much pleased with the efforts of Benjamin, that he promised him a box of colours and brushes. On his return to the city, he not only fulfilled his promise, but added to the stock several pieces of canvas prepared for painting, and "six engravings by Grevling." Nothing could exceed his delight at this unexpected treasure. He carried the box to a room in the garret, and immediately began to imitate the engravings in colours; and even ventured to form a new composition by using the figures from the different prints. "The result of this boyish effort to combine figures from engravings, and invent a system of colouring, was exhibited sixty-seven years after wards, in the same room, with the "Christ Rejected."

It was not long before it began to be known, that a lad lived in Springfield, who gave great promise of excellence as a painter; and before many years he received applications to paint portraits. He was in

dulged, too, with a visit to Philadelphia, where he was greatly excited by seeing several pictures of merit. Books were given or lent him, from which he received some general idea of the principles of the art. His first historical composition was the death of Socrates. The subject was proposed to him by a person of the name of William Henry, of Lancaster, a gun-smith, of a literary turn of mind, who encouraged him to undertake something of more consequence than portraits. Young West was unacquainted with the history of Socrates; but Henry lent him a translation of Plu. tarch, which in a measure supplied the deficiency, and after a time the picture was finished. and attracted much attention.

It led also to an acquaintance which proved of great advantage to the future painter. Dr. Smith, Provost of the College at Philadelphia, being called to Lancaster to arrange the studies of the grammar school, saw the picture, and, after conversing with the young artist, offered to assist him in gaining that education of which he now began to feel the need. The result of this offer was, that Benjamin went to Philadelphia, and resided with his brother-in-law, Mr. Clarkson.

In the capital of Pennsylvania, he laboured diligently at the profession which he had now chosen, and under very advantageous circumstances. He had access to a few fine paintings, and especially to Governor Hamilton's collection, in which was a St. Ignatius, by Murillo. It had been captured in a Spanish vessel, and West copied it, without knowing its author or fully appreciating its value. An anecdote which is given of him at this period of his life, exhibits his

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