A man who can do things well should assume a modesty, even if he has it
not. If you can write well, do not talk--leave that to the man who can do
nothing else. If you can paint, let your work speak for you.

Joshua Reynolds was young, but he was an artist in diplomacy. His talent,
his modesty, his youth, his beauty, won the hearts of the entire
Edgecumbe household.

He painted portraits of all the family; and of course all the visitors
were called upon to admire, not only the pictures, but the painter as
well.

A studio was opened in one of Lord Edgecumbe's buildings at Plymouth, and
he painted portraits of all the great folks thereabout.

On Christmas-Day, Seventeen Hundred Forty-six, the Reverend Samuel
Reynolds died, but before his death he fully realized that one of his
children was well on the way to fame and fortune.

The care of the broken family now devolved on Joshua, but his income was
several times as much as his father had ever earned, and his
responsibilities were carried lightly.

While at the house of Lord Edgecumbe, Reynolds had met young Commodore
Keppel. In Seventeen Hundred Forty-nine, Keppel was placed in command of
the Mediterranean fleet, with orders to clear the seas of the Barbary
pirates. Keppel invited Reynolds to join him on board the "Centurion" as
his guest.