1724 - 5 Rome (by 23 Dec. 1724 - 21 Jan. 1725), Naples (Jan. - Feb.), Rome (by 17 Feb. - by 21 Apr.), Padua (18 Jun.), Venice ( - Jul. - Sep.) [England Jan. 1726]
Matthew Sewell accompanied John Hanbury to Italy in 1724. In October 1724 Hanbury was said to be going to Leghorn before Venice,1 and Sewell arrived in Rome with John Hanbury and a Mr Downing in December 1724. Stosch stated they were loyal to the King, and introduced Sewell to Cardinal Alberoni later that month. On 21 January 1725 Sewell, with Downing and Hanbury, left Rome for Naples, but they had returned by 17 February. By 21 April Hanbury and Sewell who, according to Stosch, had prevented several young English travellers from falling into the hands of the Jacobites, had left for Hanover, while Downing went to France,2 but on 18 June 'Mathews' Sewell and John Hanbury were in Padua.3 In July 1725 Rosalba Carriera began a portrait of 'Mr Sewel', and in September had begun a pastel portrait of 'Mr Seven inglese', conceivably the same;4 Hanbury had also sat in Venice to an unknown painter, his portrait costing 11 guineas.5 Hanbury, presumably with Sewell, was back in England by January 1726.5 An account book for Hanbury's tour, giving their itinerary and detailed expenditure (Italian lessons and gambling losses, for example), was recorded in 1929.5
1. Abercairny MSS 464 (Jamineau, 27 Oct. 1724). 2. SP 85/15 (Walton, 23, 30 Dec. 1724; 20 Jan., 17 Feb., 21 Apr. 1725). Rawlinson jnl.MSS (21 Jan. 1725). 3. Brown 1787 - 8. 4. Sani 1985, 787 - 8; 1988, 29. 5. Ilchester, Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, 32 (as Charles Hanbury Williams).