 Mrs.
Norton's in Golden-square. Although I am no admirer of Bath, I shall leave it
with regret; because I must part with some old friends, whom, in all
probability, I shall never see again. In the course of coffee-house
conversation, I had often heard very extraordinary encomiums passed on the
performances of Mr. T--, a gentleman residing in this place, who paints
landscapes for his amusement. As I have no great confidence in the taste and
judgment of coffee-house connoisseurs, and never received much pleasure from
this branch of the art, those general praises made no impression at all on my
curiosity; but, at the request of a particular friend, I went yesterday to see
the pieces, which had been so warmly commended - I must own I am no judge of
painting, though very fond of pictures. I don't imagine that my senses would
play me so false, as to betray me into admiration of any thing that was very
bad; but, true it is, I have often over-looked capital beauties, in pieces of
extraordinary merit. - If I am not totally devoid of taste, however, this young
gentleman of Bath is the best landscape-painter now living: I was struck with
his performances in such a manner, as I had never been by painting before. His
trees not only have a richness of foliage and warmth of colouring, which
delights the view; but also a certain magnificence in the disposition, and
spirit in the expression, which I cannot describe. His management of the chiaro
oscuro, or light and shadow, especially gleams of sun-shine, is altogether
wonderful, both in the contrivance and execution; and he is so happy in his
perspective, and marking his distances at sea, by a progressive series of ships,
vessels, capes, and promontories, that I could not help thinking, I had a
distant view of thirty leagues upon the back-ground of the picture. If there is
any taste for ingenuity left in a degenerate age, fast sinking into barbarism,
this artist, I apprehend, will make a capital figure, as soon as his works are
known -
    Two days ago, I was favoured with a visit by Mr. Fitz-owen; who, with great
formality, solicited my vote and interest at the general election. I ought not
to have been shocked at the confidence of this man; though it was remarkable,
considering what had passed between him and me on a former occasion - These
visits are mere matter of form, which a
