He had never travelled; and, in that age, an Englishman who had not travelled was generally thought incompetent to give an opinion on works of art.

But connoisseurs familiar with the masterpieces of the Vatican and of the Florentine gallery allowed that the taste of Somers in painting and sculpture was exquisite.

Philology was one of his favourite pursuits.

He had traversed the whole vast range of polite literature, ancient and modern.

He was at once a munificent and severely judicious patron of genius and learning.