[ ccclvii ]
PORTRAITS OF JONSON.
"It has been of late years the practice to accompany an account of the life and writings of every eminent author with a list of such resemblances of him as have descended to us. The transition from the writings of a poet to the lineaments of his countenance is at once natural and pleasing: tenentur pictura oculi, aures cantibus. The regret which is felt by every lover of the drama that no painting of Shakspeare has been authenticated, has no existence in the case of his friend. While the rude graver of Droeshoet, preserves in the title page of the first folio, the only genuine resemblance of Shakspeare, numerous portraits of Jonson remain to which no suspicion attaches. Their age, the excellence of their execution, their general correspondence with one another, concurring with their similarity to Vaughan's curious engraving, (to be hereafter particularised) all combine to establish their general authenticity. Ben does not appear to have felt any reluctance at having his features conveyed to posterity,—they were such as he needed not to be ashamed of,—nor is it likely, from his extensive attachments, even if he had felt this reserve, that the partiality of friendship should not have triumphed over his scruples. We know, however, that he submitted to the pallet.
