are to Face-Painters; and besides we have the greatest number of the Works of the best Masters in that kind of any People, not without a competent number of those of the most excellent in every other part of Painting.  And for Encouragement, the Wealth and Generosity of the English Nation affords that in such a degree, as Artists have no reason to complain.

’And accordingly in Fact, Face-Painting is no where so well performed as in England:  I know not whether it has lain in your way to observe it, but I have, and pretend to be a tolerable Judge.  I have seen what is done abroad, and can assure you, that the Honour of that Branch of Painting is justly due to us.  I appeal to the judicious Observers for the Truth of what I assert.  If Foreigners have oftentimes or even for the most part excelled our Natives, it ought to be imputed to the Advantages they have met with here, join’d to their own Ingenuity and Industry; nor has any one Nation distinguished themselves so as to raise an Argument in favour of their Country:  but it is to be observed, that neither French nor Italians, nor any one of either Nation, notwithstanding all our Prejudices in their favour have, or ever had, for any considerable time, any Character among us as Face-Painters.

’This Honour is due to our own Country; and has been so for near an Age:  So that instead of going to Italy, or elsewhere, one that designs for Portrait-Painting ought to study in England.  Hither such should come from Holland, France, Italy, Germany, &c. as he that intends to practice any other kind of Painting, should go to those Parts where ’tis in greatest Perfection.  ’Tis said the Blessed Virgin descended from Heaven, to sit to St Luke; I dare venture to affirm, that if she should desire another Madonna to be painted by the Life, she would come to England; and am of opinion that your present President, Sir Godfrey Kneller, from his Improvement since he arrived in this Kingdom, would perform that Office better than any Foreigner living.  I am, with all possible Respect,

  SIR
  Your most Humble, and
  Most Obedient Servant, &c.

The ingenious Letters sign’d the Weather-Glass, with several others, were received, but came too late.

(POSTSCRIPT.

It had not come to my Knowledge, when I left off the Spectator, that I owe several excellent Sentiments and agreeable Pieces in this Work to Mr. Ince of Grey’s-Inn. [4] R. STEELE.)

[Footnote 1:  Transposed in the volume to this place.  In the number it stood last; following the next letter.]

[Footnote 2:  [Give me leave before I conclude to insert a Letter which]]

[Footnote 3:  [few]]

[Footnote 4:  Mr. Richard Ince, a good Greek scholar, who became Comptroller of Army Accounts, and inherited a fortune, died in 1758.]