1795. Benjamin Robert Haydon to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 299–300.
London
Dec 29 1844
Since I have been in Town 40 years—I never [saw] “such a darkness at noon day” [1] – It was a darkness, that “might be felt.” [2] As I groped my way home from Vere St Chapel, the Park was splendid, the Sun had spread out all over Kensington, whilst all over the Edgeware Road, it was musky, the Effect was as if Moscow was burning to the South! I never saw any thing so splendid!
In Church it was exquisite[,] a living Rembrandt– The Clergyman with his four candles was lighted up in a glory, whilst the mighty shadow of the sounding board, e[n]velloped the Ceiling– The Windows were hardly visible, against the dingy Sky—& the Congregation so many sombre masses of dim obscurity– I shall make a Sketch
There’s a Sketch for you–
Aristides is all on the large Canvas. [3] I send you the Sketch–
He is appealing to the Gods as he leaves the Piraeus—& hoping the Athenians may never again want the advice of Aristides–
His Wife with her Infant & his Eldest boy, holding by Aristides—are the group[.] Themistocles on the left, enjoying the banishment of his Rival– The Acropolis & Parthenon, (20 years before it was built) is behind the Walls & Tower of Athens &c. Mob hooting—this illustrates the injustice of Democracy[.] The next will be the horrors of Despotism–
Adieu/ the fog is coming[.]
Yours always & longer
B. R. Haydon
Address: Miss B. Barrett / 50 Wimpole St
Publication: EBB-BRH, pp. 181–182.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. William Cowper, “The Progress of Error,” line 451.
2. Cf. Exodus 10:21.
3. Haydon recorded on 28 December that he had “got in Aristides gloriously. The Duke admired it much … Aristides has brought me good luck” (Pope, V, 406).
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