Page:Angelo's Pic Nic.djvu/72

SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE his first allongement, the great advantage, "such a length of lunge" (as mentioned in his memoirs), that extension, his adversary so inferior in size, he must have been out of measure. In fact, after the remarks I have made, as far as my opinion may agree with amateurs or instructors of the science, little doubt appeared to mc, but, that from the first attack to the last, the whole was a contrivance; the ambition of one, and the bésoin of the other, speaks or itself. The next day St. George left London to return to the continent. I need not say, as long as fencing is conS and defence, it is the person attacked to defend himself, especially if opposed to a sword. To stretch out his arm then, he must be foolhardy indeed, to have recourse to such an alternative. SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE. Soon after his arrival in London, from the intimacy sub- sisting between his family and Mrs. Lindley, I had an opportunity of introducing Sir Thomas to my father. Young Lawrence had a peculiar mildness in his deportment and manners, which was irresistibly pleasing. Mrs. Lindley often brought with her a sister of his, a beautiful girl of about seventeen. I met the then Mr. Lawrence, some twenty years after the period mentioned, at the house of a Mr. Malton, where we spent the evening, and where the great artist sang a duet in a most amoroso and affetuoso style, with a very lovely young lady (now living), who seemed to attract him very much, if one might judge pai le langage des yeu* Mr. Malton was a celebrated instructor in perspective, and lived in the neighbourhood of Covent Garden. Some time 14