HIS LIFE AND WORKS 121
II. Dedication erased ; name and address of publisher
altered to H. Bryer London.
137. FELICIA. J. R. Smith.
Directed towards right, looking to front; hat, muff.
Under, Painted and Engraved by I. R. Smith. Felicia.
London Published Apl. $th 1796 by I. R. Smith No 31
King Street Covent Garden.
Said to represent Miss Lefevre, then, and for some time after-
wards, at Drury Lane.
138. SIR JOHN FIELDING. Hone.
H.L., directed to front, face turned upwards towards
left ; own hair, loose gown ; hands resting on upright
book on table before him, lettered The Law, and crush-
ing a serpent beneath it. Under, Painted by N. Hone
R.A. Engraved by J R Smith Sir 'John Fielding, Knt.
Publish'd Novemr 23, 1773 by J R Smith No 4 Exeter
Court Strand. H. 15-j; Sub. 13J; W. n|.
I. Before inscription, in scratched letters, N Hone
pinxit J R Smith fecit. Publish'd 23 November 1773.
IL As described.
III. Address erased ; instead, Published by Carey &
CFatson 35 Mary k bonne Street, Piccadilly, London.
Born 1715; died 1780. He was half-brother to Henry Fielding,
the novelist; was assistant magistrate at Bow Street, and on the
death of his brother succeeded him as magistrate. He was born
blind, which, perhaps, was considered an excellent reason for
appointing him to administer justice. Opinions varied very
much as to both his honesty and ability. Cole says: “ Though born
blind, and of no great reputation as to strict integrity, yet he was
esteemed a very useful member of society.” The Duke of
Bedford, to whom he appealed to protect him from false reports,
said he considered him “ irresolute.” But as Junius’s opinion of
that same Duke of Bedford was the talk of the town at the
moment, it cannot be expected that the victim would be very
sympathetic about the wild pamphleteering to which Fielding was
subjected. He had a reputation for wit, but it seems to have been