figure of his Hercules in clay, and this cast, by the advice of West,
was entered in competition for a prize in sculpture given by the Society
of Arts. It proved successful, and on May 13 the sculptor was presented
with the prize and a gold medal by the Duke of Norfolk before a
distinguished gathering in the Adelphi.

Flushed with his triumph, Morse determined to compete for the prize
of fifty guineas and a gold medal offered by the Royal Academy for the
best historical painting, and took for his subject, 'The Judgment of
Jupiter in the case of Apollo, Marpessa, and Idas.' The work was
finished to the satisfaction of West, but the painter was summoned home.
He was still, in part at least, depending on his father, and had been
abroad a year longer than the three at first intended. During this time
he had been obliged to pinch himself in a thousand ways in order to eke
out his modest allowance. 'My drink is water, porter being too
expensive,' he wrote to his parents. 'I have had no new clothes for
nearly a year. My best are threadbare, and my shoes are out at the
toes. My stockings all want to see my mother, and my hat is hoary with
age.'

Mr. West recommended him to stay, since the rules of the competition
required the winner to receive the prize in person. But after trying in
vain to get this regulation waived, he left for America with his
picture, having, a few days prior to his departure, dined with Mr.
Wilberforce as the guns of Hyde Park were signalling the victory of
Waterloo.

Arriving in Boston on October 18, he lost no time in renting a
studio. His fame had preceded him, and he became the lion of society.
His 'Judgment of Jupiter' was exhibited in the town, and people flocked