I have seen some prints of the inside of Dr. Johnson's house, which do not give a very accurate idea of the appearance of the rooms, &c.; but, I repeat it, the view of the front in the _European Magazine_ is excellent.
The celebrity of Dr. Johnson may induce you to insert this, which, without that influence, I am aware would be too tedious.
(Vol. iv., p. 368.; Vol. v., p. 189. &c.)
It is only within a few months that the existence of the "N. & Q." became known to me. It seemed likely to be such an useful and amusing publication, from the description I received of it from a literary friend (now appointed vice-consul to the Isle of Mytilene), that I lost no time in becoming a subscriber; and I am rejoiced to add, that my expectations have not been disappointed, though I have not had time to read the Notes or attend to the Queries as fully as I could have wished till very lately.
However, I have now observed amongst the Replies, Vol. v., p. 189., a Note relating to the miniature of Cromwell by Cooper, with several references to other Notes and Queries upon the same subject, originating with a Query from LORD BRAYBROOKE in Vol. iv., p. 368. If the following appears to you worthy of insertion, pray use it.
I have a beautiful miniature of Oliver Cromwell, painted with very great care, and which has every appearance of being an original by Cooper. I remember it all my life in my father's (Lord Holland's) room at Holland House; and on his death in 1840, it was left by him to his friend and mine, John Allen, late master of Dulwich College, who died in 1843, and left it with his books to me.
Cromwell is painted in armour, with a remarkably clean, plain, turned-down shirt collar; his usual countenance, somewhat stern, but full of the expression of good sense and intelligence; reddish hair, and a small portion of it under the lower lip. On the back is written in my father's handwriting:
"This miniature was given to me when at school by Lady Diana Beauclerk, who assured me that it was an original by Cooper, and that it had been long in the possession of the Beauclerk family, who had it from Charles II. (Signed) VASSALL HOLLAND."
Lady D. Beauclerk, herself distinguished as an artist, was the daughter of the Duke of St. Albans, a lineal descendant of Charles II.