1338. Benjamin Robert Haydon to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 256–258.
London
July 28 1843
My dear Friend /
How a Man of my experience in the World & Society & all the separate Classes I had offended by my love of Art & love of Truth, could be so weak as to put myself in their power, is one of those anomalies the Weakest & wisest are sometimes guilty of–
The Connoiseurs have never forgot their prostration on the Elgin Marbles. [1] The Academicians their whitened exasperation before the Com-mittee—nor the Nobility my lectures at Oxford, on their imperfect knowledge of Art– [2]
These 3 classes were my judges, & they have well paid me off my old score, in hopes I [am] so old as not to bear these oppressions as I did in my Youth—am I?– Maturity is better able to bear than Youth– I send you some more Books to guard, if not a liberty–
I had a kind letter from Loc[k]hart yesterday, who feels severely my treatment, he says what is the Truth, Caractacus, The Jury & Edward the Black Prince ought to have been the 3 first– This is exactly my own honest conviction–
Be assured My dear Friend, people are annoyed at the display of talent—more than pleased and instead of employing these young Men under direction, mine or others, they will let them sink back again to get their daily bread– You saw what Brougham said, after all—“The Building Committee” might prevent the thing going further or the Wisdom of Parliament!– [3]
This is what I foresaw, my restless urging is a nuisance they dont like—& the enthusiasm of the people is so exactly what I told them it would be that they are frightened at what I shall urge them next– Poor Creatures, unworthy the people accident has placed beneath them–
God bless you
Ever yours
B R Haydon
Fred is paid off from the Howe & re-appointed to the Penelope—& was home for a Week,—much improved—he went this morning—& thank God he did so, from a home of harrass & daily expectation of a Gaol—depend on it that is a fact—& dont you be astonished when it comes[.]
Address, on integral page: Miss B. Barrett / 50. Wimpole St.
Publication: EBB-BRH, pp. 135–136.
Manuscript: University of Vermont.
1. Much controversy had surrounded the Elgin Marbles, Richard Payne Knight, for example, holding that they were the work of journeymen, not worthy of the name of artists, and that, while they might be original, they were too much damaged to be of any artistic value. In an article “On the Judgment of Connoisseurs” in The Examiner of 17 March 1816 (pp. 162–164), Haydon criticized Payne Knight and others who denied their beauty and originality. His opinion was instrumental in persuading the British government to purchase the Marbles in 1816.
2. Haydon refers to testimony given before a parliamentary committee in 1836 (see letter 1239) and to his six lectures at Oxford in March 1840.
3. Haydon recorded in his diary for 25 July: “‘After the models were sent in, it by no means followed employment would follow because the wisdom* of Parliament might refuse to carry it further.’ Lord Brougham, July 25, 1843. Think of the wisdom of Parliament refusing to give vent to the genius of the Country, which has now been proved to exist ... Exquisite farce!” Haydon wrote “*Ignorance” as a footnote. (Pope, V, 298.)
Lord Brougham had warned that “it was only charity” to give “early and timely notice” to those sending in drawings or models that they did so at their own risk, as Parliament in its “wisdom and liberality” might decide against incurring the very great expense of decorating the new building in such fashion (see The Times, 26 July 1843, p. 3).
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