“ occasion, been judiciously scanned, as far as my observation extends, in point of correctness, the author’s pencil is entitled to eulogy . . .”

Jefferson received this letter on November 10, and on April 18 of the following year, 1806, he wrote from Washington to Levett Harris:“ It is now some time since I recieved from you through the house of Smith & Buchanan at Baltimore, a bust of the Emperor Alexander for which I have to return you my thanks. these are the more cordial, because of the value the bust derives from the great estimation in which it’s original is held by the world, & by none more than by myself. it will constitute one of the most valued ornaments of the Retreat I am preparing for myself at my native home. Accept at the same time my acknowledgements for the elegant work of Atkinson & Walker on the customs of the Russians. I had laid it down as law for my conduct while in office, & hitherto scrupulously observed, to accept of no present beyond a book, a pamphlet, or other curiosity of minor value; as well to avoid imputations on my motives of action, as to shut out a practice susceptible of such abuse. but my particular esteem for the character of the Emperor places his image in my mind above the scope of law. I recieve it therefore & shall cherish it with affection. it nourishes the contemplation of all the good placed in his power, & of his disposition to do it . . . ”

John Augustus Atkinson, b. 1775, English painter and draftsman, was taken at the age of nine to Russia, where he remained until 1801. He was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy until 1829 after which nothing more is known of him, and the date of his death is not known.

James Walker, 1748-1808?, English mezzotint engraver, went to St. Petersburg in 1784 as engraver to the Empress Catherine II. He returned to England in 1802 and meanwhile had engraved numerous portraits of the Russian imperial family and of the aristocracy.

Entered by Jefferson in his undated manuscript catalogue, with the price, 27.

Johann Joachim Winckelmann, 1717-1768, German archaeologist, published his Geschichte der Kunst des Alterthums in 1764.

Carlo Amoretti, 1741-1816, Italian litterateur and scientist, translated Winckelmann’s work from German into Italian. Amoretti held important positions and in 1797 became the Director of the Ambrosian Library in Milan.