declining to give the Proprietor the sum which he asked, Mr. Woodburn
purchased it--solely with the view of depositing it, on the same terms
of purchase, in a NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, of which the bequest of Mr.
Payne Knight's ancient bronzes and coins, and the purchase of Mr.
Angerstein's pictures, might be supposed to lay the foundation.

This statue was accordingly brought over to England, and freely
exhibited to the curious admirers of ancient art. It is the figure of
an APOLLO--the left arm, extended to hold the lyre, being mutilated. A
portion of the limbs is also mutilated; but the torso, head and legs,
are entire: and are, of their kind, of the highest class of art.
Overtures were made for its purchase by government. The Trustees of
the British Museum were unanimous both in their admiration and
recommendation of it: it was indeed "strongly recommended" by them to
the Treasury. Several months however elapsed before an answer could be
obtained; and that answer, when it _did_ come, was returned in
THE NEGATIVE. The disappointment of reasonably indulged hopes of
success, was the least thing felt by its owner. It was the necessity
of transporting it, in consequence, to enrich a _rival
capital_--which, were its means equal to its wishes and good taste, it
must be confessed, makes us frequently blush for the comparative want
of energy and liberality, at home, in matters relating to ANCIENT
ART.]

[90] Mr. Cotman has a view of the gateway of Tancarville, or Montmorenci
Castle.

[91] I am not sure whether this inn be called the _Armes de France_,
or as above.

LETTER XI

HAVRE DE GRACE. HONFLEUR. JOURNEY TO CAEN.

_Caen, May_, 1818.

Well, my friend!... I have at length visited the interior of the Abbey of
St. Stephen, and have walked over the grave of WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR and of
MATHILDA his wife. But as you dearly love the gossip of a travelling
journal, I shall take up the thread of my narrative from the place in which
I last addressed you:--particularly as our route hither was marked by some
circumstances worthy of recital. First, however, for _Havre_.

I staid there only long enough to express my regret that the time of my
residence could not be extended. It happened to be a fine afternoon, and I
took a leisurely stroll upon the docks and ramparts.[92] The town was full
of animation--whether relating to