36 
gnt 
upon genius under all circumstances, 
that 
of 
interesting 
the 
of 
imagination 
those with whom 
he conversecl. 
examining the young Artist's 
On 
performance, he observed to him, that, if he 
could paint as well, he would not waste his time 
OI1 
portraits, 
but 
would 
devote 
himself 
to 
his- 
subjects ; 
torical 
mentioned 
and he 
the Death 
of 
Socrates 
HS 
affording 
one of 
the 
best 
topics 
for 
illustrating 
the 
moral 
effect of 
the art of 
paint- 
ing- 
The 
Painter 
knew 
nothing of 
the history 
of 
the 
Philosopher ; 
and: 
upon 
confessing 
his 
ignorance, 
Mr. Henry went 
IO 
his 
library, 
and: 
taking down a volume of 
the English translation 
of 
Plutarch, 
read 
to 
him 
the 
account 
by 
given 
that writer of 
this affecting story. 
The 
suggestion 
and 
description 
wrought 
upon 
the 
imagination 
of 
West, 
and 
induced 
him 
to 
make 
drawing, 
which 
he 
shewed 
to Mr. 
Henry, 
who 
com mended 
it 
as 
perspi_ 
cuous delineation of 
the 
probable 
circumstances 
of 
the 
event, 
and 
requested 
him 
to 
paint 
West 
said 
that 
he would be happy to undertake 
the 
task, 
but; 
hitherto painted only faces 
having 
and 
{I1 en 
cl oathed, 
he 
should 
be 
unable 
to 
do