AUGUST 24, 1811--DECEMBER 1, 1811 Benjamin West.--George III.--Morse begins his studies.--Introduced to West.--Enthusiasms.--Smuggling and lotteries.--English appreciation of art.--Copley.--Friendliness of West.--Elgin marbles.--Cries of London.-- Custom in knocking.--Witnesses balloon ascension.--Crowds.--Vauxhall Gardens.--St. Bartholomew's Fair.--Efforts to be economical.--Signs of war.--Mails delayed.--Admitted to Royal Academy.--Disturbances, riots, and murders CHAPTER IV JANUARY 18, 1812--AUGUST 6, 1812 Political opinions.--Charles R. Leslie's reminiscences of Morse, Allston, King, and Coleridge.--C.B. King's letter.--Sidney E. Morse's letter.-- Benjamin West's kindness.--Sir William Beechy.--Murders, robberies, etc. --Morse and Leslie paint each other's portraits.--The elder Morse's financial difficulties.--He deprecates the war talk.--The son differs from his father.--The Prince Regent.--Orders in Council.--Estimate of West.--Alarming state of affairs in England.--Assassination of Perceval, Prime Minister.--Execution of assassin.--Morse's love for his art.-- Stephen Van Rensselaer.--Leslie the friend and Allston the master.-- Afternoon tea.--The elder Morse well known in Europe.--Lord Castlereagh. --The Queen's drawing-room.--Kemble and Mrs. Siddons.--Zachary Macaulay. --Warning letter from his parents.--War declared.--Morse approves.-- Gratitude to his parents, and to Allston CHAPTER V SEPTEMBER 20, 1812--JUNE 13, 1813 Models the "Dying Hercules."--Dreams of greatness.--Again expresses gratitude to his parents.--Begins painting of "Dying Hercules."--Letter from Jeremiah Evarts.--Morse upholds righteousness of the war.--Henry Thornton.--Political discussions.--Gilbert Stuart.--William Wilberforce. --James Wynne's reminiscences of Morse, Coleridge, Leslie, Allston, and Dr. Abernethy.--Letters from his mother and brother.--Letters from friends on the state of the fine arts in America.--"The Dying Hercules" exhibited at the Royal Academy.--Expenses of painting.--Receives Adelphi Gold Medal for statuette of Hercules.--Mr. Dunlap's reminiscences.-- Critics praise "Dying Hercules" CHAPTER VI JULY 10, 1813--APRIL 6, 1814 Letter from the father on economies and political views.--Morse deprecates lack of spirit in New England and rejoices at Wellington's victories.--Allston's poems.--Morse coat-of-arms.--Letter of Joseph Hillhouse.--Letter of exhortation from his mother.--Morse wishes to stay longer in Europe.--Amused at mother's political views.--The father sends more money for a longer stay.--Sidney exalts poetry above painting.--His mother warns him against infidels and actors.--Bristol.--Optimism.-- Letter on infidels and his own religious observances.--Future of American art.--He is in good health, but thin.--Letter from Mr. Visger.--Benjamin Burritt, American prisoner.--Efforts in his behalf unsuccessful.--Capture of Paris by the Allies.--Again expresses gratitude to parents.--Writes a play for Charles Mathews.--Not produced