He claims me as his pupil, and told me a day or two since, in a jocose manner, that he should have a battle with Mr.West unless he gave up all pretension to me." We gain further information concerning Morse's first triumphs, his painting and his statuette from the following reminiscences of a friend, Mr.Dunlap:-- "It was about the year 1812 that Allston commenced his celebrated picture of the 'Dead Man restored to Life by touching the Bones of Elisha,' which is now in the Pennsylvania Academy of Arts.

In the study of this picture he made a model in clay of the head of the dead man to assist him in painting the expression.

This was the practice of the most eminent old masters.

Morse had begun a large picture to come out before the British public at the Royal Academy Exhibition.

The subject was the 'Dying Hercules,' and, in order to paint it with the more effect, he followed the example of Allston and determined to model the figure in clay.