Mr.Morse received the facts from the lips of West himself, and communicated them to me in these words:-- "'I called upon Mr.West at his house in Newman Street one morning, and in conformity with the order given to his servant, Robert, always to admit Mr.Leslie and myself, even if he was engaged in his private studies, I was shown into his studio.
"'As I entered, a half-length portrait of George III stood before me upon an easel, and Mr.West was sitting with back toward me copying from it upon canvas.

My name having been mentioned to him, he did not turn, but, pointing with the pencil he had in his hand to the portrait from which he was copying, he said:-- "'"Do you see that picture, Mr.Morse ?" "'"Yes sir!" I said; "I perceive it is the portrait of the King." "'"Well," said Mr.West, "the King was sitting to me for that portrait when the box containing the American Declaration of Independence was handed to him." "'"Indeed," I answered; "what appeared to be the emotions of the King?
what did he say ?" "'"Well, sir," said Mr.West, "he made a reply characteristic of the goodness of his heart," or words to that effect.

"'Well, if they can be happier under the government they have chosen than under mine, I shall be happy.'"'" On August 24, 1811, Morse writes to his parents:-- "I have begun my studies, the first part of which is drawing.

I am drawing from the head of Demosthenes at present, to get accustomed to handling black and white chalk.

I shall then commence a drawing for the purpose of trying to enter the Royal Academy.