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Mm into dissipation, but that he was after- wards able to resume habits of temperance and industry. In 1759 and in 1760 he gained the premiums of the Society of Arts, and he had at that time by his indus- try saved the means of getting to Rome, where he worked hard to maintain and improve himself. In 1761 he was again successful and received a premium of 50 guineas from the Society of Arts for a group in marble, and further, the gold medal of the Roman Academy. He exe- cuted some busts and some good groups, sending home to the Free Society's Exhi- bition 'Two Victors in the Pauathenian Games/ 1766, and some busts in 1770; and returned to London in that year with a purse which he had saved, and soon after- wards marrying a lady with a handsome portion, he speedily acquired employment and celebrity.

On his return he was a constant exhi- bitor at the Royal Academy. His contri- butions consisted largely of busts, but he no less exhibited classic groups, repetitions of Diana, Juno, Venus, Adonis? Cupid, Mercury, and other classic divinities. As a restorer of antique marbles he was much and advantageously employed, and he also speculated very profitably inj such restora- tions on his own account. In 1771 he was elected an associate, and the following year a full member, of the Academy. He was patronised by George 1II.? with whom he was in much favour. His bust of Fox made a great impression upon the public. Pitt's bust had equal notoriety. Of the former he is said to have sold 100, and of the latter 150 repetitions, at 100 guineas each. To this profitable branch of his art he chiefly devoted himself and gradually raised his price to 150 guineas. He, how- ever, occasionally produced a group. His ' Cupid and Psyche,' ' Bacchus/ ' Arriaand Paetus,' and several Venuses — among them his ' Venus with the Sandal,' esteemed his best work. There are also some fine monu- mental groups by him. His monument, in Westminster Abbey, of the three captains who fell in Rodney's action, 1782; Mrs. Howard, of Corby Castle, and his statue of Pitt at Cambridge, for which he was paid 3000 guineas, are of great merit; but his chief excellence is in his busts, which, if wanting in vigour, are marked by great simplicity and truth.

He carefully imitated nature. His like- nesses were good, distinguished by exact finish, and an absence of manner, but his gods and goddesses wanted individuality and freshness. He worked with the most persevering industry till February 1819, when he suffered from a sudden paralytic attack, but partially recovering, he amused himself in his studio for about two years, when increasing infirmities rendered him 312

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incapable of any further labour. He died April 23, 1823, and was buried in Padding- ton churchyard. Eccentric and singular in his habits, shrewd in his dealings, given to petty economies, he had amassed a large property, and being without heirs, left 60001. to his assistants and servants, and above 200.000Z. between four of his friends. His life — ' Nollekens and his Times ' — was written by John T. Smith, one of his ex- ecutors, who was for many years keeper of the prints in the British Museum — a gossiping book full of interest, but mixed with many petty domestic affairs which a more tender biographer would hardly have recorded : also by Allan Cunningham, in his ' British Painters, Sculptors, and Architects.'

NORDEtf, John, engraver. Supposed to have been born in Wiltshire in 1546. He was educated at Oxford, and took there the degree of Master of Arts in 1573. He re- sided at Hendon, Middlesex, and was patronised by Lord Burleigh and his son the Earl of Salisbury, ana was, in 1614, Surveyor of the King's Lands. His prin- cipal work as an engraver was his ' Specu- lum Britannia,' a description of Middlesex and Herts, with a frontispiece and maps. He also engraved, in 1609, a view of Lon- don, introducing the Lord Mayor's show. He died about 1626.

NORDEN, Frederick Ludwio, topo- graphical draftsman. Born in 1708, at Gliickstadt, in Denmark, he was brought up to the sea, and became a ship's captain. He was employed by Christian VI. to travel in Egypt and Nubia; and he took the opportunity to make drawings of the inter- esting scenery and remains of antiquity, and on his return they were engraved. He afterwards came to England ana published, etched by his own hand, ' Ruins and Collos- sal Statues at Thebes.' He died here in 1742.

N ORG ATE, Edward, limner. Was born at Cambridge. Son of the Master of Bennet College. He had a talent for limning and heraldry, came to London to pursue this branch of art, and was intimate with the best painters of the time. He gained the notice of the Earl of Arundel, who, in 1633, appointed him Windsor Herald, and afterwards illuminator of the Royal Patents. His works of this class showed exquisite taste and finish. His initial letters, grouped portraits, and bor- ders of appropriate designs, were deemed unrivallea. In 1640 he held the office of Clerk of the Signet and attended the King to Scotland. He was deprived of his office before the execution of Charles I. Fuller states that he died at the Herald's College, December 23, 1650, and was buried in the adjacent Church of St Bennet; but Dalla- way says that his work, ' Miniature, or the.