Page:Anecdotes of painters, engravers, sculptors and architects, and curiosities of art (IA anecdotesofpaint01spoo).pdf/323

 warmly than was his wont, "you do Mr. Banks much wrong, he wanted no assistance."

Banks died in 1805. In Westminster Abbey a tablet is erected with this inscription, "In memory of Thomas Banks, Esq., R. A., Sculptor, whose superior abilities in the profession added a lustre to the arts of his country, and whose character as a man reflected honor on human nature."

JOSEPH NOLLEKENS, THE ENGLISH SCULPTOR.

Cunningham says, "He was passionately fond of drawing and modelling, and labored early and late to acquire knowledge in his profession; yet he was so free from all pride, or so obliging by nature, that he would run on any errand; nor did he hesitate to relate, in the days of his wealth and eminence, how he used to carry pots of porter to his master's maids on a washing day, and with more success than Barry did when he treated Burke, 'for,' says he, 'I always crept slowly along to save the head of foam that the lasses might taste it in all its strength.' Such traits as these, however, I cannot consent to set down as incontrovertible proofs of a mean and vulgar spirit; nay, they often keep company with real loftiness of nature."

NOLLEKENS' VISIT TO ROME.

In 1760, Nollekens proceeded to Italy, by the way of Paris. On arriving in the French capital, he presented himself at the house of an uncle there,