Aspects of Kentish Local History

and a very proper room it is for such use; and it seemed very well furnished, and great exactness was used in placing the books to the best advantage, according to their several dimensions. Some pictures there are in it but none that I remember very remarkable, excepting one which upon account of the vileness of the artist* ought not to have been placed there or any where else to common view by any person who has any true value or esteem for the person it represents; for I think it is the worst piece of portrait that ever in my life I saw, and if it were in any other place one would go near to suspect it to be a designed abuse upon the youth supposed to be represented by it, for I defy any burlesque painter to do it more effectually, though he were instructed by any inveterate enemy of the family. If one were to form a judgment from this piece one would be apt to give credit to the silly, common report of some people that he is no better than an idiot; but I rather think the painter deserves that appellation; and it is hardly to be imagined that anybody can be so injudicious as not to perceive either the meanness or abuse of this piece, and its unfitness for such a place wherever all sorts of gentlemen are doubtless received. Before we came into this gallery we passed through a room furnished with many pictures of Archbishops and Bishops, chiefly very modern. We saw a very fine piece of Holbein (as my Lord informed me) which, upon account of the art, made

some amends for that which raised my spleen so much in the Library. It was of Bishop Wareham, [Abp. Cant. (1503-32)] and seemed a very curious one, though I cannot agree with the [page 75]person who showed it to us and for the honour of the Archbishop's palace affirmed it to be 800 years old. In passing on this way we saw a picture of a young man in a Spanish habit, which by the family is called the Proud Spaniard; but Lord Harley informed me it was done for Prince Charles when he was in Spain. The public library seems well furnished with books, but the room is somewhat dark.
   From hence we came the direct road for Dartford by Greenwich and over Shooters Hill, whence there is a noble prospect of the river and the town towards the west, and also into Kent eastward. On the east ascent of this hill a pretty ancient beggar has fixed his abode, and is somewhat particular in his address to travellers. He only tells them simply the hour of the day (it was a quarter past ten when we passed by), and I believe is generally successful in this way of application; and if he can in time afford it, I would recommend to him the assistance of my friend Gibbs³ to erect a more decent habitation than he now has on this pleasant situation, and if after the example of great wits,
   * Marginal note: "no artist" written above in MS.