My Dear Mrs Gaskell,
I hope you will not think me neglectful in not having before replied to your letter which you did me the honour to send me upon the subject of the painting of the 'Good Samaritan' – My first suggestion to Mrs Schwabe on reading your note was that to identify the picture with Mr Wright's philanthropic missions it ought to contain his portrait – This I suppose is not possible – Without this I do not see exactly how it can be identified with his proceedings in Manchester – Further let me add my candid doubts whether his character be sufficiently known and appreciated by the wealthy inhabitants of your city to ensure the purchase of a large historical picture to be placed as a tribute to his virtue in one of your public buildings … I will endeavour to accompany Mrs Schwabe at the beginning of the week to see the picture, and at all events will let you know through her my opinion of it, which after all is not worth much, as I am not a connoisseur – Again hoping you will excuse my delay in writing.
Believe me
ever faithfully yours
Rhd Cobden
This was written on the 9th of February, 15 days
after the Gaskell letter under discussion was dated, so if Cobden had let two
weeks go by before answering in this era of prolific letter-writing, then his
apologies for tardiness would have been perfectly in order, and his letter
would fit the chronology of events exactly.
Unfortunately, Cobden does not offer a 'hearty feeling' as Mrs Gaskell
hoped, but instead voices doubts and apprehensions regarding the reaction of
the Manchester burghers who would be asked to underwrite the acquisition. The points
he raises are practical and down-to-earth, appropriate to a man of action who
likes to get things done. He is not interested in the allegorical portrayal of
Wright as the Samaritan, but worries that the denizens of Manchester may not
make the connection between the subject of the painting and its dedicatee,
unless it were made plain with a recognizable portrayal of the philanthropist
on the canvas. This, he assumes 'is not possible'. Cobden also makes clear his fears that
Wright's 'humble sphere of action' would not warrant recognition from the
influential townspeople, leaving unfinished the well-worn biblical quotation 'a
prophet is not without honour [save in his own country, and in his own house]'. Despite these misgivings, he agrees to view the painting with Mrs Schwabe, and
it is interesting to speculate about the possibility that he evinced the same
opinions to the artist as he did to the novelist. Watts was preoccupied with
the subject throughout his life, and did indeed paint a version of the picture
with Wright's portrait as the Samaritan, so it is possible that Cobden's
suggestion may have kindled a creative spark in the painter's imagination.
