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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.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Dear Sir William,

Kensington, 31st Oct. 1829.

Excuse me informing you that I am to-day arrived from Scotland, Abbotsford being the last place from which I started, where I left Sir Walter in good heart, being, as he says, "still keeping to the hill side." Should you be in town, it would gratify me extremely could I have the honour of seeing you.

D. W.

CHAPTER II.

LETTERS TO ANDREW GEDDES AND SIR ROBERT PEEL.-DEATH OF SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE.-LETTER FROM SIR WALTER SCOTT.

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT.

WILKIE A CANDIDATE.

LETTERS

TO ANDREW WILSON. -WILKIE PAINTS AND EXHIBITS GEORGE IV.
IN THE HIGHLAND DRESS, AND THE KING'S ENTRY TO HOLYROOD.
- LETTERS TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON.
-ROYAL ACADEMY EXHIBITION OF 1831.-WILKIE AT BRIGHTON.

- DEATH OF GEORGE IV.

To his friend Andrew Geddes, then in Rome, Wilkie writes a long letter of news, in which he does justice alike to the works of amateur and artist- Thomson of Duddingstone and Sir Thomas Lawrence.

TO ANDREW GEDDES, ESQ.

Dear Geddes,

London, 8th Dec. 1829.

Your letters from Rome reached me when in Edinburgh. You seem, upon the whole, disappointed by your first winter's residence in Italy, but I venture to predict, both for yourself and your good lady, that your second winter will be more comfortable. I found my second so much more agreeable than the first, that I would not venture a third for fear of destroying the illusion.

Thomson of Duddingstone I saw frequently: he has an original and vigorous way of treating what he

paints. He seems to be employed a good deal; but less for what he is original in than in what is more like other people. He has tried some things with extreme transparency, that to the that to the eye of a painter are pleasing, but, from the want of detail and imitation, not likely to catch the common observer. He has a fine enthusiasm about him, which every one must like.

Lawrence has lately painted the young Queen of Portugal, but it is only a likeness: I expected it to be like one of the Infantas of Velasquez; but you know Lawrence is always greatest where no one can approach him—that is, in female beauty. His portrait of the Duchess of Richmond was beautiful. He has also had a portrait of Mr. Soane, and is now doing one of Wyatville in his happiest manner.

With respect to my own occupations generally, the only labours we know much of, I may state what is now going forward. The King's Entry to Holyrood, so long interrupted, is now drawing to a close. It is all painted in, and waits only for the toning. A wholelength portrait of the King is also in progress, in the Highland dress. I purpose shortly, too, taking up another Spanish subject.

Dec. 12th. Two nights ago Sir Thomas Lawrence delivered the medals to the students in the Royal Academy. In his address he stated, that as Shakspeare was now admired even in France and Germany, so was English art by the same courtesy appreciated, and even its principles imitated by foreign professors. He wished, likewise, that the English students would allow the same homage to what was excellent in the schools of other countries, by devoting themselves

more to the study of drawing. He here presented to the attention of the Academy a cartoon in chalk by the German Overbeck, now in Rome; which he recommended to them as a lesson of that extreme fidelity and simplicity, in the details of the human figure, which in earlier times had been the forerunner of the highest excellence.

has been this last summer to Boulogne, to make studies of the French coast, and has brought back new material for a time: a change of material, and even a change of style, is necessary to stimulate the painter as well as the public; discrimination still is wanted to fix the kind and extent of change that will be permitted.

In the theatres, Terry, your friend, is gone; the other stagers go on as before, with the exception of Fanny Kemble, who has produced that impression that the fortunes both of Covent Garden and of the Kemble family seem retrieved by it.

D. W.

TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART.

Kensington, 28th Dec. 1829.

It will give me great pleasure to have the honour of waiting upon you at dinner on Saturday next, agreeable to your obliging invitation.

I had to-day a letter from Mr. Wilson at Genoa, in answer to one from me intimating your determination respecting his services, and he requests me to express to you his most grateful thanks for the handsome present you have made him, for which he

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