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Ne C 7326/1

Extract from Petition ‘to all charitable and well disposed persons’ by Thomas J. Williams, sent to Henry Pelham-Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle under Lyne; 13 Oct. 1841

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An extract from a letter addressed to the Duke of Newcastle from Catherine Williams, written in a spidery, uneven hand.The title and opening section of poem, printed on white paper with a black peacock feather border. The text reads as follows: 'Master Thomas Williams, of Carnarvon, The Young Artist, 1840. A few of the Scripture Pictures as painted by the Youth already notices, without any instructor, to be seen at his Home. The Painter's Beauties proves his skill/And promise high attainments still;/His scenes not only please the eye,/But whilst they please they edify:An extract from a printed poem praising the paintings of Thomas Williams. The extract reads as follows: Then to admire, we stop our breath /His Lazarus, when quitting death; Intensely do the crowds amaze; As round th' incarnate life they gaze./ Whilst hundreds view his painted scenes/ There's no mistaking what he means,/ Unless some think he has by art/ Endow'd with life a counterpart./ The steps to eminence he treads/ He wings his flight above our heads;/ This bird of nature stands aloof,/ And proudly scales yon airy roof./ The regions Rubens ranged at will/ To imitate creative skill;/ Where Raphael dwelt with equal fame,/ There too we find our artist's name.