Lord Darnley presents his compliments to
Lady Morgan, and loses no time in
returning an answer
| LIFE AND TIMES OF SALVATOR ROSA. | 157 |
The Death of Regulus, by Salvator Rosa, is, and has been for some years, in Lord Darnley’s possession, having been purchased by him, together with another very fine picture by Guido, from an Italian of the name of Bonelli, who had brought them from Rome, where they were both in the Colonna Palace, till the Prince was compelled to sell them (as Lord Darnley has been informed) to enable him to pay the contribution levied by the French. The Regulus was always esteemed. It is believed to be Salvator’s finest work. The exact price paid for it Lord Darnley cannot ascertain, as there are other things included in the bargain. It was certainly very large, but not so much as generally supposed.
There is also in Lord Darnley’s collection at Cobham Hall, another Salvator Rosa, inferior in merit only to the Regulus, representing Pythagoras teaching his doctrine to Fishermen.
There is an etching of the Regulus, by Salvator himself, which Lord Darnley believes may easily be obtained, and which will give a much better idea of the picture than any description can afford.
Whenever Lady Morgan again visits the Continent, she will find these pictures exactly in her way; and Lord Darnley hopes she will take the opportunity of convincing herself of their merit, and that their common friend, Mr. Porri, will be her cicerone.
Lord Darnley is rather surprised that
Lady Morgan should have heard nothing of
the Regulus in Italy, as
| 158 | LADY MORGAN'S MEMOIR. |
