Note 77 — BOOK THE FIRST 1807-1810

Perhaps, when compared with his immediate predecessors, he is entitled to some little praise for promoting literature and encouraging the arts. His father had courted popularity by affecting a passion for poetry, and the real or ostentatious respect for letters entertained by Lord Bute had impressed on his mind a notion that it became a sovereign to patronise such pursuits. He accordingly founded the Royal Library, pensioned Dr. Johnson and some less celebrated writers, and collected more than one valuable library. He had, however, little or no perception of the beauties of any of those arts he thus rewarded. He had no relish for poetry, wit, or eloquence; no love of study; no discrimination in painting, sculpture, or even conversation. He had some fanciful notions about architecture, but all perverted or bad.—V.H.