[...] I confess that I thought himself the most interesting object and I had more curiosity to see the master than the gallery. He was walking about the room when we entered and received us with great politeness. He is a man of about 6 feet considerably advanced in years, of a calm benevolent aspect and a fine high brow. He wore a fur cap below which streamed a quantity of lank grey hair. His appearance was altogether peculiar but perfectly unaffected. [...]