But no more of politics.

I am sure you must have more than sufficient at home.
"I will turn to a more pleasant subject and give you a slight history of the American artists now in London.
"At the head stands Mr.West.He stands and has stood so long preeminent that I could relate but little of his history that would be new to you, so that I shall confine myself only to what has fallen under my own observation, and, of course, my remarks will be few.
"As a painter Mr.West can be accused of as few faults as any artist of ancient or modern times.

In his studies he has been indefatigable, and the result of those studies is a perfect knowledge of the philosophy of his art.

There is not a line or a touch in his pictures which he cannot account for on philosophical principles.

They are not the productions of accident, but of study.
"His principal excellence is considered composition, design, and elegant grouping; and his faults were said to be a hard and harsh outline and bad coloring.