EGBERT, called the Old, a celebrated Flemish painter of humorous conversations, of whom, though fo universally known, we have no information as to the time in which he flourished, or the school in which he was taught. Though the taste of his compositions is but low, yet it ought to be considered that he took his subjects from nature; from persons in the meanest occupations, whose drefs, actions, and manners, could not furnish the imagination with any ideas of elegance: and to express their passions and undigulged humours, seems to have been the utmost of his ambition. By frequenting fairs, merry-meetings, gaming-houses, and inns, he acquired a surprising power of connecting humorous circumstances. He designed and drew correctly, and his pictures have a strong effect from his accurate management of the chiaro obfuco. Some of his pictures have suffered from unskilful cleaners, and many things are fold as his which dihonour him; but his genuine works, well preserved, have a clearness and force equal to any of the Flemish artists.