ix 
of 
ambition 
for 
the 
consciousness 
of 
talent. 
Many 
men 
of 
I10 
inconsiderable 
fame 
have 
set out in their career with high expectations in 
their favour; but few, of whom such hopes Were 
entertained, have, by a succession of works, 
in which the powers of the mind were seemingly 
unfolded with more and more energy, so long 
continued to justify the presentiments of his 
early friends. 
is 
It 
the object of 
however, 
this undertaking to form any estimate of the 
genius of Mr. West, or of the merits of his 
works ; 
another 
opportunity, 
distinct 
from 
his 
memoirs, will be taken for that purpose; but 
only to resume the narrative of his progress, in 
his profession, by which it will appear that a 
series 
of 
circumstances 
1'10 
less 
curious 
than 
those 
which 
tended 
to 
make 
him 
an 
artist, 
facilitated 
his 
success, 
and 
placed 
him 
in that 
precise station in society, where, in this country, 
at the time, there was the only ,cl1ance of 
profitable employment as an historical painter.