[ 194 ]
the eccentricities of his course. Obiit 1705, iEtat. 66.
Sir Peter Paul Rubens and family; by himself. He was a native of Cologne, and though his name is most familiar as a painter, yet there are few situations in which he was not formed to appear conspicuous. lie was an elegant scholar, well versed in six languages, a practised statesman, and accomplished gentleman. To these qualifica- tions lie owed the appointment of ambassador to England, where he concluded a peace between Philip IV. of Spain, and Charles I. He received not only the honour of knighthood from the English monarch, but a present of a sword and diamond ring, and was at the same time engaged to paint the ceiling of the banqueting-house at Whitehall-, lor 3000I. Obiit 1640.
Thomas Kiiligrew was page of honour to the first, and buffoon or jester to the second, Charles; who ; ; iso appointed him resident at Venice, but rather with a view of borrowing money for his so- vereign, than of promoting his country's interests; indeed his excesses were sufficiently scandalous to provoke the noble Venetians, who complained of his misconduct to the King.
MurUlo, l)y hirnxelf. This artist, who was born in the neighbourhood of Seville, is frequently called
�� �
