84 
VIII. 
fell far 
In the year 1759, the harvest 
short of what was requisite 
in Italy 
for  the 
ordinary 
consumption 
of 
the 
population, 
and 
great 
dearth 
being 
foreseen, 
1VIessrs. 
Ruther- 
ford 
and 
Jackson, 
of 
Leghorn, 
3 
house 
of 
the 
first 
consequence 
then 
in 
the 
Mediterranean 
trade, 
and 
well 
known 
to 
all 
travellers 
For 
the 
the 
hospitality of 
partners, 
wrote 
to their 
COFFE- 
spondent 
Allen, 
at 
Philadelphia, 
to 
send 
them 
CElI'g'O 
of 
wheat 
and 
Houn 
Allen 
was anxious that his son, before iinally embark- 
ing in business, should see something of the 
world; and Provost Smith, hearing his intention 
of sending him to Leghorn with the vessel, im- 
mediately waited on the old gentleman, and 
begged him to allow West to accompany him, 
which was cheerfully acceded to, and the Provost 
immediately Wrote to his pupil 
the subject. In themean time-A, 
at New York on 
West had heard 
that there was a vessel at Philadelphia loading for 
Italy, and had expressed to Mr. William Kelly, 
a merchant, who was then sitting to him for 
his portrait, a strong desire to avail himself of 
this opportunity to visit the 
fountain- 
of 
-head 
the 
arts. 
terms 
he had raised his 
Before this period,