“I do not speak of portrait-painters; had I no higher thoughts than being a first-rate portrait-painter, I would have chosen a far different profession.  My ambition is to be among those who shall revive the splendor of the fifteenth century; to rival the genius of a Raphael, a Michael Angelo, or a Titian; my ambition is to be enlisted in the constellation of genius now rising in this country; I wish to shine, not by a light borrowed from them, but to strive to shine the brightest.

“If I could return home and stay a year visiting my friends in various parts of the Union, and, by painting portraits, make sufficient to bring me to England again at the end of the year, whilst I obtained commissions enough to employ me and support me while in England, I think, in the course of a year or two, I shall have obtained sufficient credit to enable me to return home, if not for the remainder of my life, at least to pay a good long visit.

“In all these plans I wish you to understand me as always taking into consideration the will of Providence; and, in every plan for future operation, I hope I am not forgetful of the uncertainty of human life, and I wish always to say should I live I will do this or that....

“I perceive by your late letters that you suppose I am painting a large picture.  I did think of it some time ago and was only deterred on account of the expenses attending it.  All this I will explain to your entire satisfaction when I see you, and why I do not think it expedient to make an exhibition when I return.

“I perceive also that you are a little too sanguine with respect to me and expect a little too much from me.  You must recollect I am yet but a student and that a picture of any merit is not painted in a day.  Experienced as Mr. West is (and he also paints quicker than any other artist), his last large picture cost him between three and four years’ constant attention.  Mr. Allston was nearly two years in painting his large picture.  Young Haydon was three years painting his large picture, is now painting another on which he has been at work one year and expects to be two years more on it.  Leslie was ten months painting his picture, and my ‘Hercules’ cost me nearly a year’s study.  So you see that large pictures are not the work of a moment.

“All these matters we will talk over one of these days, and all will be set right.  I had better paint Miss Russell’s, Aunt Salisbury’s, and Dr. Bartlett’s pictures at home for a very good reason I will give you.”

He did, however, complete a large historical, or rather mythological, painting before leaving England.  Whether it was begun before or after writing the foregoing letter, I do not know, but Mr. Dunlap (whom I have already quoted) has this to say about it:—­