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4 LIFE OF HOLBEIN.

burg, and applying to a very great master inthat city for work, was taken in, and orderedto give a specimen of his skill. Holbeinfinished a piece with great care, and painteda fly upon the most conspicuous part of it;after which he withdrew privily in the absenceof his master, and pursued his journey. Whenthe painter returned home, he was astonishedat the beauty and elegance of the drawing;and especially at the fly, which, upon hisfirst casting his eye upon it, he so far took fora real fly, that he endeavoured to remove itwith his hand. He sent all over the city forhis journeyman, who was now missing; butafter many enquiries, found that he had beenthus deceived by the famous Holbein. Thisstory has been somewhat differently told, asif the painting was a portrait for one of hispatrons at Basil, but the effect was the same,for before he was discovered, he had madehis escape.

After almost begging his way to England,»"9 Patin tells us, he found an easy admit-