You will be pleased to hear that the King has sent for me to arrange about the sittings for his portrait for the Scottish Hospital. The reception was full of good humour, and has been very consolatory to me. This, as you know, was a matter of some anxiety. D. W.

TO MISS WILKIE.

York Hotel, Brighton, 8th Nov. 1831.

His Majesty has honoured me with two sittings, and every thing goes on well. I proceeded yesterday morning to the Pavilion, found the materials arrived, and was told that the King expected me; and before we could get the colours prepared, had a message to say his Majesty was ready to see me. He proposed at once to sit. I have had a second sitting. The King is full of condescension and good humour -all that see the picture seem to think it most promising.

D. W.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

York Hotel, Brighton, 28th Nov. 1831.

It appears to me that every thing has gone on favourably here, every assistance has been given me, the sittings, both in number and duration, have been exactly what I wished; and the portrait, if I can judge at all, appears to be satisfactory as to likeness, although adapted to the air of a state picture. Still, as you well know, it is the impression that it makes

upon the public that must determine the success of such a work.

One of the first questions asked me here was what had become of the late King's portrait? This was followed by a gracious command that I would write to Lord Melville to request arrangements to be made for its reception in Holyrood House. Upon hearing since from Lord Melville that his Lordship has settled this with the proper authorities, I have been again commanded by his Majesty to send off the picture as soon as I get to town to see it packed. This I have great pleasure in informing you of, as executor to his late Majesty.

D. W.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Dear Sir William,

Kensington, 20th Dec. 1831.

The portrait of his late Majesty was packed and sent off by sea on Tuesday last, and is probably now in Edinburgh.

I have had, since I saw you, a letter from Lord Melville, stating that as the King of France's residence in the state apartments of Holyrood House would prevent the picture being seen by the public, if placed there in its intended situation, his Lordship proposed that it should first be exhibited at the Royal Institution of Edinburgh, which he was pleased to say would be a gratification to the public. I have written to Sir Herbert Taylor upon the subject, and

his Majesty, I have been informed in reply, entirely approves of the suggestion.

You are so obliging as to remind me of the proposal you made me, that I should visit you this Christmas at Blendworth; but you have well considered the pressure of work to be got through before the Exhibition. This is such, that it requires I should entreat Lady Knighton and yourself to excuse me at this time; the more so as you have given me the hope of seeing you soon, with Mr. Knighton, in town.

In the event of this, I trust to seeing you repeatedly, when you can honour me with a visit, and also that I shall have the pleasure of watching Mr. Knighton in his renewed pursuits, which, like the law or any other study, should be persisted in with all the discipline of a profession. A language is to be acquired which the discourse and practice of others is necessary both to acquire and to use; at the same time he is one of those who will not be satisfied with the language alone, unless combined with the learning and the power it unfolds to the active mind. Will you please to state to him that six of the medals given by the President a week ago at the Royal Academy were given to Mr. Sass's pupils.

D. W.

For some time Wilkie had superintended the progress which Mr. Knighton, the son of Sir William, made in drawing, a tasteful study to which he was much attached, and in which the great artist directed him with the hope that he would do honour to his instructer by the elegance of his productions.

The hope of Wilkie young Knighton was not permitted to prove. The death of his father opened other prospects, and when he became a baronet he ceased to be a painter; but his esteem for his preceptor was in nowise lessened. He continued to interest himself in his fame and fortunes; and, like all the other friendships which Wilkie's genius and worth inspired, his survives-and threatens not to die.

CHAPTER III.

66

WILKIE COMPLETES HIS PICTURE OF JOHN KNOX PREACHING.". ROYAL ACADEMY EXHIBITION OF 1832.-LETTERS TO ANDREW WILSON, MISS WILKIE, AND SIR WILLIAM ALLAN.-DEATH OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. -WILKIE AT STRATHFIELDSAYE AND BRIGHTON.-LETTER TO JAMES HALL. LETTERS TO SIR ROBERT PEEL AND SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON.-ROYAL ACADEMY EXHIBITION OF 1834.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Kensington, 28th Feb. 1832.

IN regard to my own doings here, about which the kind interest you take never fails to assist me, the portrait of the King is all painted in. Seguier did not propose any alteration, but wishes me with glazings to work it up to as much force in colour as possible. The Knox I expect to have in a frame in a few days. I have commenced glazing upon it, and have still six weeks to work up both pictures in.

D. W.

To the Royal Academy Exhibition of 1832, Wilkie sent a full length portrait of William IV., and one of the noblest pictures of the British school-John Knox preaching the Reformation in St. Andrew's. He was stimulated to exert his genius on the great work of Knox, first, because the scene of the picture was laid near his birth-place; secondly, because George