“You ask in your letter what books I read and what I am painting.  The little time that I can spare from painting I employ in reading and studying the old poets, Spenser, Chaucer, Dante, Tasso, etc.  These are necessary to a painter.

“As to painting, I have just finished a large picture, eight feet by six feet six inches, the subject, the ‘Death of Hercules,’ which is now in the Royal Academy Exhibition at Somerset House.  I have been flattered by the newspapers which seldom praise young artists, and they do me the honor to say that my picture, with that of another young man by the name of Monroe, form a distinguishing trait in this year’s exhibition....

“This praise I consider much exaggerated.  Mr. West, however, who saw it as soon as I had finished it, paid me many compliments, and told me that, were I to live to his age, I should never make a better composition.  This I consider but a compliment and as meant only to encourage me, and as such I receive it.

“I mention these circumstances merely to show that I am getting along as well as can be expected, and, if any credit attaches to me, I willingly resign it to my country, and feel happy that I can contribute a mite to her honor.

“The American character stands high in this country as to the production of artists, but in nothing else (except, indeed, I may now say bravery).  Mr. West now stands at the head, and has stood ever since the arts began to flourish in this country, which is only about fifty years.  Mr. Copley next, then Colonel Trumbull.  Stuart in America has no rival here.  As these are now old men and going off the stage, Mr. Allston succeeds in the prime of life, and will, in the opinion of the greatest connoisseurs in this country, carry the art to greater perfection than it ever has been carried either in ancient or modern times....  After him is a young man from Philadelphia by the name of Leslie, who is my room-mate.”

How fallible is contemporary judgment on the claims of so-called genius to immortality.  “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

In another letter to his parents written about this time, after telling of his economies in order to make the money, advanced so cheerfully but at the cost of so much self-sacrifice on their part, last as long as possible, he adds: 

“My greatest expense, next to living, is for canvas, frames, colors, etc., and visiting galleries.  The frame of my large picture, which I have just finished, cost nearly twenty pounds, besides the canvas and colors, which cost nearly eight pounds more, and the frame was the cheapest I could possibly get.  Mr. Allston’s frame cost him sixty guineas.

“Frames are very expensive things, and, on that account, I shall not attempt another large picture for some time, although Mr. West advises me to paint large as much as possible.

“The picture which I have finished is ‘The Death of Hercules’; the size is eight feet by six feet six inches.  This picture I showed to Mr. West a few weeks ago, and he was extremely pleased with it and paid me very many high compliments; but as praise comes better from another than from one’s self, I shall send you a complimentary note which Mr. West has promised to send me on the occasion.