CHAPTER IV. 66 WILKIE IN IRELAND.— WILKIE IN SCOTLAND. - LETTERS TO GEORGE JONES, R. A., LADY 66 KNIGHTON. LETTERS IN the autumn of this year Wilkie visited Scotland, of which he gives an account to his sister: it was one for health and friendship rather than for study. The account of his interview with his accomplished friend and relative, now sinking towards the grave, is as interesting as it is touching. Wilkie writes from Fern Tower, the noble mansion of his friend, Lady Baird. My dear Sister, TO MISS WILKIE. Fern Tower, Perthshire, 29th Aug. 1834. On the 21st, I left London alone, and was four days in reaching Edinburgh. At York, Mr. Etty detained me a day, and did the honours of his native city with great kindness. At Newcastle I also stopped, and found out a Dr. Alexander, I had known at Genoa. From Edinburgh, where I had a letter from Lady Baird, I went with John Lister to see Bell's Frescoes at Muirhouse Granton, which really pleased me greatly; and from thence round Corstorphine Hill, to make a call upon the venerated Sir Robert Liston. He was out an airing at Liston Shiells; but pressing to see Mrs. Ramage, she gave a distressing account: "that I should not know a word he said; that it was truly melancholy to see his noble mind so changed; that she scarcely wished him to be seen, and was always distressed when he went to pay visits in Edinburgh; but what had given her, she said, the greatest uneasiness was his leaving home at one time for one entire fortnight, wandering, as she supposed, about the inns in the country, accompanied by his carriage and two servants." When Sir Robert returned I was at the door, and could see at once how his eye brightened when he saw me. Nothing could be more hearty than his reception, though with his usual finished manner. He led me into the drawing-room, speaking all the while in reply to what I was saying to him. The beginning of his sentences were distinct enough; still, as he advanced, the articulation got confused; his words having then the sound of Latin terminations, giving people the mistaken idea that he was speaking in some foreign language. I observed on one occasion, when he tried to ask a question and failed, he tried the question in French, though still with difficulty. I tried to encourage him by replying in the same language. To all I said he showed the most acute intelligence: where I had come from, where I was staying, where I was going, and when I was to be back, trying repeatedly to ask me whether I could not remain with him as I had done before; made the more affecting by his saying, "I am a poor-not able-but I am better-and would be glad to see you." I left him with assurances, that the moment I returned from Perthshire, I would see him again; and was gratified by a visit that really seemed to give him pleasure. I started the next morning by coach to Perth, and in passing the Lomonds could see a prospective view of the hills on the south and north side of the Valley of Eden, taking in distinctly the Mount, Wemyss Hall, and the Walton Hills. From Perth I started in a chaise, and about 5 o'clock reached Fern Tower, where I was received with extreme kindness by Lady Baird and her sister. The mansion is extremely good; and the neighbourhood, comprehending Crieff, Strath Earn, the Ochills, and the Grampians, reminded me at every turn of Italy. The day before I started I dined with Mr. Stirling, at Knightsbridge, to meet Lord Gosford, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Young (Lord Melbourne's secretary), and some military contributors to The Times. Mr. Barnes recognised me as an old acquaintance, and was very civil. So far as I could gather, they thought the throwing out of the Irish Tithe Bill would produce Rebellion, but that Mr. O'Connell had undertaken to keep Ireland quiet. I am sorry that Sir Peter has been induced to give up the Italian part of your journey. However, we shall all be glad to see the whole party on your. return. D. W. TO THOMAS WILKIE. Edinburgh, 11th Sept. 1834. . While at Lady Baird's I went for two days as far as Taymouth, where I had the honour of visiting the Marchioness of Breadalbane. The Marquis was out at the hunting. I was much pleased with seeing that portion of the Highlands. From Fern Tower I came back on Monday last to Edinburgh, where the learned and the cognoscenti of the neighbouring nations were assembling for the Scientific Meeting. On becoming a member of the association, I was at once admitted to all its privileges. The most fashionable science is that of geology; and Dr. Buckland the most striking lecturer. His recent discoveries in geology have made a great impression. His manner of speaking most favourable for a numerous audience, with his power of description and illustration, and his vein of wit and good humour he filled up an hour and a half in the most interesting way. D. W. The picture to which the following letters refer was first commissioned by my friend Mr. Ritchie, of Edinburgh; a gentleman of taste both in art and. literature. On a visit to the painter soon after his return from Spain, when he was speaking of his journey and showing us his sketches, I was struck with the historic truth and character of this composition, and advised Wilkie to expand the subject to the size of life: Ritchie took the artist aside and whispered, "Do what Allan says; name your price, and I will buy the picture." My friend did not live, alas! to see his commission complete. TO GEORGE JONES, ESQ., R.A. Dear Jones, Kensington, 17th Nov. 1834. Your most kind and considerate letter received this morning gratifies me extremely. The Columbus, so much honoured by the inquiries you have made about it, I am painting upon order for a gentleman who took a fancy to the subject, and who made it a condition that it should be painted without delay on account of his advance in years, otherwise it would have given me the greatest pleasure to have seen it in the possession of Mr. Vernon, side by side with works of our fellow-countrymen, which his taste and his public spirit have in so exemplary a manner collected together. This, however, being not now possible, I have only to request that you will assure Mr. Vernon with my regret, that I feel my performance much complimented and enhanced in estimation by the desire he has expressed; and that I feel, had it been disengaged, that there is no friend whose mediation in arranging such an affair could be more congenial to me, from the fine spirit in which it has been proposed, than your own. With high esteem, &c. D. W. |