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Mr. Thomason, who, it should not be forgotten, copied the Warwick Vase, the size of

the original, in metallic bronze, was knighted by our Sovereign, in 1832, as

acknowledgment of his artistic merits; on which occasion James Bisset, a name well-

known both in Birmingham and Leamington, addressed to him the following lines:

To my very old and highly-esteemed friend, Sir

Edward Thomason, Knt -

Dear Sir:

I congratulate you on the honour

So lately conferr'd by our

Monarch

(the donor),

Who, judging most wisely where merit was due,

The badge of true

Knighthood

bestowed upon you,

And feeling as all other

amateurs

felt,

Rewards you with title, gilt spurs, sword, and

belt;

I remember the time (

fifty years

since, when boys)

Your name at SOHO 'gan to make a great noise;

And when to the 'toy shop of Europe' you came,

Each season exalted a THOMASON'S fame.

As an Artist whose works o'er the globe have

been whirl'd,

Your renown has extended all over the world!

No wonder HIS MAJESTY then thought it right

(High-talented Edward) to make you a KNIGHT!

I am, Sir, Your very faithfully,

James Bisset, A Septuagenarian

Belle Vue Place, Leamington Spa, July 2, 1832

At the time of Sir Edward Thomason's connection with Birmingham, the Charter of

Incorporation had not been granted, the highest governing dignitary being then the

High Bailiff, an appointment conferred annually by election; to this office Sir Edward

Thomason was once chosen in 1818.

Sir Edward filled during twenty years, and for eight foreign Governments, the

appointment of Vice-consul for the town of Birmingham, which regularly introduced

him to foreigners of the highest distinction. He was honoured with more than thirty

orders of foreign knighthood, gold medals of merit, &c.

In 1844 he retired from business, and went to reside at Ludlow, from whence he

removed to Bath, and afterwards to Warwick; where he died in his house in Jury Street,

in 1849. He was interred in the family vault in St. Philip's Church, Birmingham.