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CHAPTER XIV.

1810–1812.

Proposed Life of Mason—W. Gifford—Notes upon Books—Conversational Memoranda—Illness—Letter to Lady Ailesbury—Letter to a Lady in Ireland—Letter to Lady Sunderlin—His Death—Character—Person and Manners—Collections—Will—Gift of his Brother to the Bodleian Library—Letters and Papers.

About two years after the death of Mason the poet, one of his executors (Rev. John Dixon of Boughton) applied to Malone on the propriety of republishing the translation of Du Fresnoy’s Art of Painting, which with the notes of Reynolds, had been previously published by the former in his works. This led to further correspondence. Hearing that he knew Lord Orford’s executors, the same gentleman requested him to urge on them the return of Mason’s letters to his lordship, which the will of that nobleman directed, but which they had applied for in vain. Malone complied, but also failed in his application—from what cause does not appear.

This eventually led (1811) to the project of a Life of Mason. But who was to write it? Few were deemed sufficiently disposed, or in other respects qualified for the office. At length Gifford, the sharp editor of the Quarterly Review, was proposed, apparently by Malone; but he declined. Could a fiery Tory do otherwise to a Whig no less fierce? But he had ample excuse. The Review was of recent date.