Some Account xlix
among his papers a few slight hints upon
this subject, in which he speaks of his merits
and defects with that candour which strongly
marked his character, though they are only
detached thoughts, and did not receive his
final revision and correction, I am unwilling
to suppress them :
** Not having the advantage of an early
academical education, I never had the faci-
lity of drawing the naked figure, which an
artist ought to have. It appeared to me too
late, when I went to Italy and began to feel
my own deficiencies, to endeavour to acquire
that readiness of invention which I observed
others to possess. I consoled myself, how-
ever, by remarking that these ready inventors,
are extremely apt to acquiese in imperfection;
and that if I had not their facility, I should
samples have been seen in the Exhibitions. She has had
the honour of being much employed in this way by their
Majesties, and for her extraordinary merit has been re*
eeived into the Royal Academy.”