The annual race for these trophies began on 1 August 1716, the day of the accession of George I. Strange to say, the name of the first winner is doubtful, but this portrait is contemporary. He is seated in his roomy craft; on the river bank are buildings which cannot be identified. Doggett, who provided funds for this event, was a well-known actor, and a keen Hanoverian. The race was originally rowed from the Old Swan, London Bridge, to the White Swan, Chelsea. One of the most famous winners was John Broughton, 1730, who was also for many years champion boxer of England. _Lent by the Watermans’ Company._ 103 LUDGATE HILL FROM THE WEST. Oil picture. 31 by 39 in. On left the church of St. Martin, Ludgate, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, its spire contrasting with the dome of St. Paul’s. In mid-distance, before the façade of the cathedral, is a crowd surrounding a State coach. Ludgate was immediately west of St. Martin’s. William Marlow, who painted this picture, which has been engraved, was born in Southwark, 1740. He studied under Samuel Scott and at the St. Martin’s Lane Academy, travelled in France and Italy, and achieved some success as a landscape painter, exhibiting at the Royal Academy and elsewhere, views of London being perhaps his most successful work. Horace Walpole, in his note on Scott, praises him highly. He died at Twickenham in 1813. By W. MARLOW, 1792 (1740-1813). _Lent by the Governor and Directors of the Bank of England._ PLATE XLV. 104 RANELAGH. Oil picture. 56 by 36 in. The following description of this interesting picture is culled from the “Gentleman’s Magazine,” September 1836: “It represents Ranelagh Grove, leading to Lord Ranelagh’s house and grounds, Chelsea, so celebrated afterwards as a place of fashionable resort. In the foreground are figures setting on two dogs to fight, painted in a style which reminds one of the ‘Stages of Cruelty.’ Behind is a chariot richly ornamented with carving and gilding in the taste of the time, containing a lady and gentleman drawn by two white horses. Another carriage is seen on the right proceeding towards Chelsea through a lane lined with high trees. On the same side of the picture is a village fair, with a number of figures, among which may be recognized the fire-eater, seen in Hogarth’s ‘Southwark Fair.’ On the left a man strongly resembling Colonel Charteris, is conducting a young lady attended by two maids, near whom is the puzzling inscription: KEE PONT HISS IDE [keep on this side]. The distance is a perspective view of a long row of trees with houses on each side, to the present day called Ranelagh Grove.” Richard Jones, first Earl of Ranelagh, built the house at Chelsea known by his name in 1689-90, on land granted by lease from the Crown. He had here a famous garden. The property was sold in 1733, and soon afterwards it became a place of entertainment. Has been ascribed to HOGARTH; perhaps by F. HAYMAN (1708-1776). _Lent by Mary, Countess of Ilchester._