Poor Allan is suffering much from his eyes, and Williams* is dangerously ill-both men of merit and genius as well as of excellent conduct and

manners.

TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART.

My dear Sir,

Foulden, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, 12th Sept. 1829.

I feel much gratified by your thinking of me. What you are pleased to request respecting Mr. Wilson shall be attended to on my return to London, from whence I have come to recover from the fatigues of study.

Here there are no pictures, but nature is in great beauty, and in a high state of cultivation.

you health and

every happiness, &c.

Wishing

D. W.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Dear Sir William,

Windsor, 21st April, 1829.

We have proceeded but slowly, yet the portrait is advanced. I have been honoured by his Majesty with three sittings, which, weak as I am, I have made the most of, and have got the head completed. I must try the hands, which if they can be made like, I shall be satisfied, and proceed with the rest at home.

have painted, with that exquisite feeling of nature that characterises his enchanting productions."

Scott referred to Wilkie in the way that Fielding and Smollett appealed to Hogarth.

* Greek Williams.

24th. Have had another sitting, which has helped me greatly. Seguier being present during the sitting, recommended two more sittings to be allowed me, to serve solely for the head. This has served as a stimulus, and detains me here still—a week beyond the time we thought of.

Your kind friends here have treated me most handsomely, though I have been ashamed of intruding upon them for so long. The ten days have advanced the picture considerably.

25th. Yesterday and to-day have had two more sittings, in all six, with the promise of a concluding one to-morrow. His Majesty appears to take a good deal of interest about the picture.

D. W.

TO ANDREW WILSON, ESQ.

Milburn Tower, near Edinburgh, 27th Sept. 1829.

Your letter was forwarded to me here, and I begin to answer it, having fresh in my mind the impression made by a visit to Hopetoun House, which Sir Robert Liston has enabled me to make, now that I am with him in its neighbourhood.

The structure is superb, and perhaps leads one to expect the vestibule or hall to be larger than it is. The Man in Armour, placed over the chimney-piece, in the first room, is a low-toned, deep, and rich picture, the head being the chief and only light, and had that imposing effect, that it looked a dozen times better than when I first saw it at Tagliafico's. This, I find,

has been much admired, and I only wonder that I thought so little of it. It is now a most striking and imposing picture.

The Rubens next drew my attention, on the side of the room next the door, perhaps rather large for the room, and for its situation, but of a most commanding tone and appearance. The Virgin's head, with the St. Joseph, and the heads near the Virgin, are very fine-a perfect school for effect and colour. I do not know if this be a popular work—perhaps not; but it is the chief work of art in the house, and gives a character to the collection.

The Ecce Homo of Vandyke I also liked. This I must have seen before. Of the others, the Cuyp, with the men and horses, I was greatly pleased with. One remark I could not help making on looking over these pictures was, the attractive effect produced by tone and transparency. This strikes me the more, that I have been for some time away from seeing pictures.

You mention again the Lomalini picture, and that the large family picture might be considered proper to recommend to Mr. Peel. As I am at a distance, I cannot ascertain his pleasure upon this, but think we must be guided by the following plan. The purchase of the Carega Bishop has been repeatedly proposed, and he has repeatedly given his order for the purchase of it, upon what you think reasonable terms. this, therefore, be alone thought of: take no steps, make no other offer, and only act if an advance is made to you, and if you think it necessary to prevent it falling into other hands. Do not let me ask for

Let

new instructions. I feel quite assured The Bishop will justify the price; and after it has been preferred, let there be no change: an unpleasant effect would be produced were it to fall into other hands.

The Lomalini picture might possibly turn out better than it looks, as The Man in Armour has done. Callcott thought of it for Lord Caledon. I think that it, or the half-length of the lady, would be capital pictures for any gentleman to import for his own house; but I suppose the terms for the large one would be high.

The most striking picture I have seen in Edinburgh is Mr. Gordon's Velasquez. The head and hands of this are very fine, more complete and having more tone than the same picture in the Doria.

The copy of The Transfiguration looks uncommonly well. It is on the staircase of the Institution. Nothing can look more like the picture. The purchasers seem pleased with it, but I doubt if it is likely to lead to any thing like imitation. I see none of the aspirants directing their attention that way. None of the painters have ever adverted to it to me.

The differences between the Institution and the Scotch Academy have reached their maximum. The Institution has one principle of durability-wealth. The Academy, to make up for this, have had recourse to speculation—they have become at once what we in London have never ventured upon, The Patrons of Art, not only buying Etty's large picture, but giving some new commissions. This, even if successful, must come to a close. If an Exhibition can pay for the

works of art that support it, and keep together an Academy at the same time, it will be something new. Still, unless the painters do as Raeburn did-exhibit at their own houses (which we often wish we could do in London), the exhibition of the Institution, independent of them as it is, will not answer their purpose. It is said the law officers think the terms of the Institution Charter capable of accommodating all parties; but it is evident that some time must elapse before the members of the Scotch Academy can be brought to this opinion.

I heard lately, with regret, of the death of Hugh Irvine, at Aberdeen, and had to regret the loss of Williams in my late visit. I hope to hear a good account of Allan in the climate of Italy.

D. W.

In this visit to the North, Wilkie passed some time at Foulden in Berwickshire, the residence of a family of his own name and lineage, for whom he ever retained a strong regard: he made a few excursions along the border; but his chief and ruling object was to confirm his own notions in his picture of the King's visit to Holyrood, for which he had, as has been related, made several studies. In the accuracy of this picture, both in scene and portrait, he was more than usually anxious.