1522. Benjamin Robert Haydon to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 192–193.
London
Feby 6. 1844
My dearest Friend /
I regret to give you bad news, but be assured there is a hidden power at work to lower me in public estimation, by the time the Houses are decorated, so that they may be able to step over & leave me out.
By manouvre & intrigue Alexander could not be hung up– Two old Pictures Saragossa & Napoleon were selected which the public have seen, [1] & Alexander which they have not seen is turned out– I have instantly moved it to the Pantheon, & I beg your family to go & see it, & do me justice– [2]
I attribute it to the following cause–
The Duke of Sutherland gave me leave to finish it, at the British Gallery before it opened[.] The Keeper, [3] a Mean spitish person was out of Town, I wrote him, & moved in, but I found he was annoyed because I did not wait!–
I sent Napoleon & Alexander but he advised me to send Saragossa—(3)—foolishly I did, and I have no doubt the opportunity of being so unconscionable as to send 3 gave my enemies in the Committee, an excuse for preventing my following up the blow of Curtius by Alexander. Thus I have been 11 months & received no reward for my labors—& I dread the Consequences after all my struggles!– I fear to tell all my difficulties to Mary—for you may imagine, how much I have managed to defer & arrange to get through such a work– First came the Cartoons & now this Alexander affair, no Effort I make seems to be rewarded– Do not imagine I fear for myself, I do for my dear Family, for the sale of it, I fear is ruined– [4]
I am yours anxiously
B R Haydon
I assure you it is one of my finest things–
Address: Miss B. Barrett / 50. Wimpole St
Publication: EBB-BRH, pp. 169–170.
Manuscript: University of Vermont.
1. Haydon is referring to the British Institution’s exhibition in Pall Mall.
2. The Pantheon, 306 Oxford Street, was originally a theatre, but in 1834 was reconstructed as a bazaar and picture gallery.
3. William Seguir (1771–1843), Keeper of the National Gallery and Superintendent of the British Institution, had died in November 1843. His brother John (1785–1856) succeeded him as Superintendent of the British Institution.
4. Pope’s checklist does not identify a purchaser of “Alexander’s Combat with the Lion” (no. 122, Pope, V, 596).
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