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picture of Christ Healing the Sickin the Temple ;
an event which formed an era in the history of
the arts in Britain, and contributed in no small
degree to promote ithe interests of the Insti-
tution; Perhaps the exhibition of no work of
art ever attracted so much attention, or was
attended with so much pecuniary advantage to
the proprietors; independent of which, the
history of the picture is itself interesting.
Some years before, a number of gentlemen, of
the society of Quakers in Philadelphia, set on
foot a subscription for the purpose of erecting
an hospital for the sick poor in that city.
Among others to whom they applied for con-
tributions in this country, they addressed
themselves to Mr. West. He informed them,
however, that his circumstances did not permit
him to give so liberal a sum as he could wish, but
that if they would provide a proper place in the
building, he would paint a. picture for it as his
subscription, which perhaps would prove of
more advantage than all the money he could
afford to bestow, and with this intention he
beganthe Christ Healing the Sick. While the