The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser

It is with much satisfaction we inform the public, that Sir Benjamin West, historical painter to the King of Great-Britain, is engaged in painting, as a present, for the Pennsylvania Hospital, a large picture, to be placed, by the managers of the hospital, in one of the rooms of the institution.

The subject of the picture is the benevolent Redeemer of mankind extending his aid to the infirm and afflicted of all ranks and conditions in life. The picture is of Sir Benjamin's own choice. It is particularly directed to the following passage in St. Matthew, chapter xxi. verses 14 and 15:--

"And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them."

"And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David, they were sore displeased."

It is not easy to conceive of a subject more fortunately chosen for a picture, which is designed for an institution whose great object is the dispensation of health and happiness to the infirm and miserable. There can be little doubt, that the painting will be executed in Sir Benjamin's highest style of design and colouring. And how much may be expected from the sublime pencil of that great American artist, who has, long since, attained to one of the highest stations in his profession, and who is perhaps unequalled by any painter, in modern times, in the walk of sacred historical painting?

The size of the picture, including the frame, is sixteen feet wide, and ten feet high. The sketch has already been exhibited at the Royal Academy, and has met with the general approbation of the lovers of the fine arts.