This represents some Royal assembly, apparently Augusta of
Saxe-Gotha, the wife of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and her
friends, in Kew Palace. The Princess in blue is pouring out the
tea; a lady in white is singing; Handel is at the harpsichord, and
"Orator" Henley close by. The equestrian portrait on the wall
appears to be George II.
Signed _Mar. Laroon_, and dated _1740_. Lent by Mr. Humphry Ward.
55 Matthew Prior . . . . . _By Thomas Hudson, after_ JONATHAN
RICHARDSON.
Half-length, seated, almost in profile to the right. On canvas, 3
ft. 4 in. high, by 2 ft. 9 in. wide. Lent by the Trustees of the
National Portrait Gallery.
Prior--poet, statesman, and diplomatist--published with Charles
Montagu, afterwards Earl of Halifax, in 1689, "The City Mouse and
the Country Mouse," intended to ridicule Dryden's "Hind and
Panther." He was patronized by Dorset, who introduced him to the
Court; and he was often employed in diplomatic offices.