John Thomas Barber Beaumont, more familiarly known as Barber Beaumont, was born in 1773. As a youth he was devoted to historic painting, the talent which he evinced being recognised both by the Royal Academy and by the Society of Arts, from each of which he won the medals awarded to excellence in their several departments. He soon, however, abandoned historical for miniature painting, where again his ability was acknowledged by his appointment to the post of portrait painter to the dukes of York and Kent. His connection with royalty probably stimulated him to raise a rifle corps in defence of England, when the first Bonaparte threatened invasion. Like all which he undertook, he gave his heart and soul to it. He published a couple of pamphlets, the first “by Captain Barber,” and the second anonymously. He recommended that the people should be armed as sharpshooters and pikemen, and pointed out the special advantage of the invaded over the invaders; and so devoted was he to the cause, that he established a paper--the “Weekly Register”--to stimulate the exertions of others by recording his own. The corps of which he was captain became an evidence of his personal zeal. In a trial of skill between the various regiments he won the first prize; and so satisfied was he of the efficiency of his men that, on one occasion, in Hyde Park, he held the target while the entire corps, one after the other, discharged their rifles into the bull’s eye at the distance of 150 yards. In his hatred of the French emperor, in his love of boxing, and his belief in Queen Caroline, he was a “distinguished Englishman.” These were three articles of faith of that day, and he believed in all. In 1806, Mr. Beaumont found his true vocation; and the active spirit which had distinguished itself in painting and in defending his country, in abusing Bonaparte and lauding our “injured Queen,” turned its attention to the poor. In conjunction with the County Fire and Provident Life Offices, he attempted to establish an association for the working man. Though this did not succeed, it was not for want of devotion. In every part of the country, agents explained its benefits. Many thousand pamphlets were distributed, but the artisan and labourer could not be induced to join it.