TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

My dear Sir,

Woburn Abbey, 11th Sept. 1828.

I have just had the honour to receive your letter of the 10th, and the royal command you therein convey to me, intimating that it is his Majesty's pleasure I should complete, for his Majesty's collection, the series of Spanish subjects "containing the three pictures I showed to you, and the fourth, which I propose to paint," has given me the most unfeigned pleasure.

This undertaking, by which I feel so highly honoured, I hope to get accomplished by next Spring Exhibition.

D. W.

TO ANDREW WILSON, ESQ.

September, 1828.

I have already sold my four Italian subjects; and the four Spanish pictures, a series of illustrations of the late war, now in progress, are bespoke. I have also just finished a full-length portrait, size of life, of Lord Kellie, for the county of Fife. Still, with all this, I work slowly, and with much pain and fatigue.

Callcott has written to complete the purchase of Wallis's Vandyke at the price stated. I find Vandykes here a good article: still I doubt if much business can be done, and to speculate will not do. Of the Duchess of Orleans I saw at Madrid, I find

a duplicate at Woburn-it is from the Orleans collection and a finer picture. Woodburn admired very much my Cardinal by Vandyke, but Seguier not much. Doctors cannot agree.

I hope to hear of your own labours. Fear not oil nor glazing. What I see around me here is dryness, littleness of objects, and multitudes of detail-the white and the flat light, the poor and the laboured shadow. I hope when Turner gets to Rome he will for once try to leave the haze and the fog of London behind him.

D. W.

Littleness of object-multitudes of detail-the white and the flat light-the poor and the laboured shadow-observed by Wilkie, haunted them like evil spirits, and still haunt the English school: he did much to lay them or drive them away. "All your painters," said a distinguished foreigner, "seem standing still, save Wilkie!"

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Dear Sir William,

Kensington, 10th Oct. 1828.

In regard to the dedication to the engraving of The Chelsea Pensioners, permit me to observe that, as I owe my whole interest in it to the Duke of Wellington, and must hope for great indulgence from him before it can be completed, the dedication to his Grace is all I have to offer him as an acknowledgment for so important an obligation, and the only way in which his name can appear upon the plate.

The list of subscribers, on the other hand, is an affair not of mine, but of Messrs. Moon and Co., the print-sellers, who, wishing to make it as much as possible a national work, and to interest as much as possible the public in its favour, humbly and respectfully desire that the name of our great and distinguished sovereign should be placed in their book, and, if possible, by autograph, as patron to their arduous undertaking.

D. W.

TO LADY BEAUMONT.

Dear Lady Beaumont,

Kensington, 12th Nov. 1828.

For the last two months I have been at the sea-side, and part of the time with Sir Willoughby and Lady Gordon in the Isle of Wight, who were both of them speaking of your Ladyship and of the late Sir George in terms of great affection. I have also been to Dover, near to which I called upon Mrs. Siddons, whom I found visiting Lady Byron. She naturally mentioned the circumstances of her last visit to you, and had much to say expressive of her esteem and regard for the late Sir George Beaumont. Indeed I am frequently reminded of him. I have just been to the National Gallery, where I was much attracted by those works he used so justly to admire. In conversation with my brother artists, particularly with Collins, our discussions upon matters of art bring us constantly to refer to the opinions and principles of Sir George Beaumont as a landmark, showing us in

what way new and original ideas should be regulated, by bending to those rules which have been sanctioned by the approval of ages.

For myself, I feel somewhat better now than on my arrival from the Continent, and I am again trying to work. The fatigue of writing, however, is such, that you must excuse this not being written in my own hand, &c.

D. W.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Dear Sir William,

Kensington, 23d Dec. 1828.

Mr. Ackermann has made me a proposal for permission to engrave The Spanish Girl for his annual publication "The Forget-me-not." Presuming upon the kind consent you have given me, I have answered him in the affirmative. Your silence I shall consider as a confirmation of this arrangement.

The picture in question I completed three days ago, but the arrangement will, of course, delay its being sent home to you for some time.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Dear Sir William,

D. W.

Kensington, Dec. 1828.

His Majesty's most gracious bounty in allowing me the loan of the picture of The Scotch Wedding to engrave from, I feel most humbly grateful

for.

Thus readily granted, it is an additional proof

of his generous wish, so handsomely evinced to me on my first landing, to restore me to better times.

The small sketch of my picture at Munich (The Will) I would let go, with frame, at 35 guineas.

The head of Walter Scott I am proceeding with. It comes better than I expected. I have ordered a frame, and hope to have it nearly done by the time you see it.

Indeed, upon the subject of working, you have in your kindness given me great encouragement. You have cheered me extremely, in assuring me that I work as much as is necessary. My best thanks for your kind wishes, and most friendly encouragement and good offices, of all which I feel deeply sensible.

D. W.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Kensington, 29th Dec. 1828.

Nothing can exceed the gratification your letter of the 26th has given me, by your assurance of the kind manner in which you have thought of me. I could make a good deal of the public, if I could feel somewhat more independent of the public.

My three Spanish subjects will be completed about the end of January, and, if agreeable, will then be ready to be submitted to his Majesty's inspection. I shall then be free to recommence The Entry to Holyrood House. I think I am able for this, as it is far on towards completion. Might this be shown also, to have his Majesty's pleasure expressed about it?

D. W.