My dear sir,—I have in my possession a picture of my
late son, painted for Dr. Keate by Sir
Martin Shee. It was returned to me by Dr.
K. after the loss that I sustained, partly for the purpose of
enabling Sir Francis Chantrey to execute
a bust, which he did with great skill and success. The picture was not restored
to Dr. Keate, he having expressed a wish that it should
continue with me. As I cannot help thinking that the ultimate destination of
such pictures, when they are persons worthy of the place, is the
Provost’s lodge, already so rich in monuments of art, and so abundant in
testimonies of Eton merit, I should be far more pleased that this picture of my
son—who, if his life had been prolonged, might have displayed the mature
fruits of talents which bore a very beautiful blossom, and excited the
admiration, as well as conciliated the friendship, of some now among the most
distinguished youth of England—should be VISIT OF ROGERS TO ETON. 273
