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[33]

I have seen in Baltimore, certified on the back of it by Robert Gilmore, as "painted for him by James House, from Stuarts first Portrait of Washington"

To me it was very interesting in making this copy from the work of a fellow artist, to study his first impressions of the living countenance of Washington - and to others it should be equally interesting to observe how the same artist may, more or less accurately mark what he sees, producing, as in this case, two Portraits, tho corresponding in some respects, yet differing in others leaving it to more impartial judges than himself to decide on their comparative and ultimate merit

Mr Stuart requested Washington to sit for another portrait which was granted at the solicitation of Mrs Washington for whom it was to be finished.  It was begun upon a half length canvas, as it now exists - the Head alone being finished, in a different position, light and shadow, from the first.  From this head he executed as I have understood with varying success forty copies.

At this period of our narrative it is proper to anticipate a piece of information which I received from Judge Washington - that when