Paul's. Opie wrote several works on art, and was Professor of Painting in the Royal Academy. His answer to a troublesome inquirer truly expresses the character of his work. "What do I mix my colours with? Why, with brains." Two of Opie's pictures are in the National Gallery--a _Portrait of William Siddons_, and _Troilus, Cressida, and Pandarus_. Of his art generally it may be said that he possessed considerable power and breadth of treatment. His handling was often coarse, and his colouring crude, especially in female portraits; in fact, coarseness was the leading characteristic of works which were never tame or spiritless. SIR WILLIAM BEECHEY (1753--1839) was a portrait painter who received a considerable share of Court favour. He is variously stated to have begun life as a house-painter, or as a solicitor's clerk. He devoted himself to the study of art at the Royal Academy. He lived for a time at Norwich, produced conversation pieces in the style of Hogarth, but finally settled in London as a portrait painter, and practised with considerable success. In 1793 Beechey was elected A.R.A., and executed a portrait of _Queen Charlotte_, who was so well pleased with it that she appointed him her Majesty's portrait painter. Thus introduced to Court, Beechey trod "the primrose path" of success, and in 1798 painted an equestrian portrait of George III., with likenesses of the Prince of Wales and Duke of York at a review in Hyde Park. The painter was knighted, and elected a Royal Academician. The picture of _George III. Reviewing the 3rd and 10th Dragoons_ is at Hampton Court. His _Portrait of Nollekens_, the sculptor, is in the National Gallery. Beechey's chief merit is accuracy of likeness. JOHN HOPPNER (1759--1810) was another portrait painter who prospered at Court. At first a chorister in the Chapel Royal, he studied art at the Academy schools, became an Associate in 1793, and was elected full member in 1795. He enjoyed vast popularity as a portrait painter, finding a rival only in Lawrence. Many of Hoppner's best works are at St. James's Palace. Three of them are in the National Gallery--_William Pitt_, _"Gentleman" Smith_, the actor, and the _Countess of Oxford_. Three of his works are at Hampton Court; among them is _Mrs. Jordan as the Comic Muse_. Examples of the work of nearly all the above-mentioned portrait painters may be consulted in the National Portrait Gallery at South Kensington. ANIMAL PAINTERS.