LAWRENCE, SIR THOMAS, a celebrated English painter, was born at Bristol, on the 13th of April 1769. His father, who kept an inn, first in Bristol, and afterwards in Devizes, made some pretensions to literary taste, and was in the habit of reciting poetry; an accomplishment which his son acquired at a very early age, as well as that of taking likenesses with striking fidelity. One of the earliest instances recorded of young Lawrence's genius is to be found in an incident which occurred to Lord and Lady Kenyon, some years previous to the time when the former was elevated to the peerage. Happening to remain for a day at the inn of the elder Lawrence, they were introduced by Boniface to his son, who, he said, "although then only in his fifth year, could recite them poetry or speeches, or take their likenesses." The visitors agreed that the boy's skill with the pencil should be put to the test; and the future president having been lifted on the table, and seated in an arm-chair, took their likenesses with a rapidity, a spirit, and a correctness, which astonished them. With the exception of a few lessons in Latin and French, obtained through a private channel, all the education which young Lawrence received, he acquired between his sixth and eighth year; but his was a mind capable of educating itself, and long ere the young artist attracted public attention, he had treasured up more than an ordinary stock of knowledge. But drawing, particularly taking likenesses, chiefly occupied his attention until he was ten years of age, when he began of his own accord to attempt original compositions of the highest class. The subjects which he chose were of the most ambitious description, such as Peter denying Christ, Haman and Mordecai, and the like. His fame as an artist now spread amongst the families of distinction in the surrounding counties; and not long afterwards, the Honourable Daines Barrington noticed him in his Miscellanies, as a striking instance "of early genius in children." The elder Lawrence having failed in business, removed to Bath, where he placed his son for some time with a celebrated crayon painter, under whom he made surprising progress. At this time he executed, at half a guinea each, likenesses of the fashionables of Bath; and this initiatory exercise in drawing individuals in high life, arrayed in their gay and elegant costume, had, doubtless, considerable influence in forming the style of the artist, and preparing him to become the painter of patricians. He now numbered amongst his warm admirers and patrons persons of rank and fortune; but the most remarkable incident in his early career, was his receiving the great silver pallet from the Society of Arts, with a present of five guineas. These marks of distinction were conferred upon him for executing in crayons the Transfiguration of Raphael, when he was only thirteen years of age. His large crayon drawings became in great request; and in Oxford, Salisbury, and other places which he visited, he obtained considerable employment for his pencil. When in his sixteenth year, he conceived a strong desire to appear upon the stage; but the remonstrances of his friends induced him to abandon this project; and about a year afterwards, he made his first attempt in oil painting. In 1787 he removed to London, where he availed himself of the public institutions for instruction in his art, and commenced that career which terminated so triumphantly. He was received at the house of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and encouraged by the great head of the English school of art. His admission as a student at the Royal Academy, and his first appearance in the exhibition at Somerset House, soon followed his arrival in the metropolis. Each succeeding year he increased the number of the performances which he sent in; and his reputation growing space, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy on the 10th of November 1791. The death of Sir Joshua Reynolds in 1792 opened up a fair field of competition for aspiring genius; and although