Dr. Alexander Blackwell, a physician, resided in a house near the Botanic Garden; he became involved in his circumstances, and was taken to prison for debt. Mrs. Blackwell possessed by nature a fine genius for drawing and painting, and being told that a Herbal was wanted, she drew from the life several of the physical plants. These were shewn to several eminent men, who being pleased with the undertaking she proceeded with the work, and at length procured her husband’s liberty. She not only made the drawings, but engraved them on copper plates, and coloured them. This celebrated work was completed in 1739. Mr. Rand, who had the care of the Botanic Garden, rendered her every assistance in his power. Unfortunately Dr. Blackwell left Chelsea and went to Sweden, where he was appointed physician to the king. Sometime afterwards, however, he was found guilty of high treason “in plotting to overturn the constitution of the kingdom, and sentenced to be broken alive on the wheel.” {184} It is further said that “he prayed with great devotion; but, having laid his head wrong, he remarked jocosely that, being his first experiment, no wonder he should want a little instruction.” Such jocularity, at such an awful moment, does not accord with earnest prayer. * * * * * The Rev. Thomas Stackhouse, a learned and pious divine, resided in Queen’s Road West, about the year 1750; he was the author of “The History of the Bible,” &c. * * * * * Mr. John Collett, the painter, resided here for a long period. The favourite subjects of his pencil were pieces of humour, somewhat in imitation of Hogarth. Collett died here in 1780. * * * * * Mr. John Giles Eccardt had a house here for some years, and died in 1779; he was a painter of some eminence. The portrait of Gay, the poet, in Lord Orford’s works, now almost extant, is from a painting by Eccardt. * * * * * Mr. W. Hamilton, a pleasing artist, resided also here for several years; his most capital work was “The Queen of Sheba entertained at a banquet by Solomon.” * * * * * Mr. Samuel Cotes lived in Queen’s Road West, where he died in 1818. He painted miniatures both in enamel and water colours, and was in great practice. * * * * *