of their actual qualities as made us at once unite the whole history of the man with his resemblance. The picture of the Duke upon the field of Waterloo, with his watch in one hand, and his spy-glass in the other, was an example of what I mean; and I cannot believe that Vandyke or any one else ever painted a picture of more expression; at least I never saw such anxiety, joined with the most steady resolution; such consciousness that judgment and science had done all they could, and that the crisis must terminate favourably, with such a natural feeling that the fate of the world was in the balance; and that the struggle, though a brief, must be a dreadful one.

There was a picture of the Pope, too, which struck me very much. I fancied if I had seen only the hand, I could have guessed it not only to be the hand of a gentleman and person of high rank, but of a man who had never been employed in war, or in the sports by which the better classes generally harden and roughen their hands in youth. It was and could be only the hand of an old priest, which had no ruder employment than bestowing benedictions.

I had promised, at Mr. Peel's request, to commit myself once more to our president's important pencil; but death hath come between me and that chance for personal distinction.

The loss to the Academy is no doubt very great : a star has fallen—a great artist is no more. I cannot but think the loss will be filled up, however, so far as the presidency is concerned, by adding it to the designation on this letter. All who have heard you speak in high terms of your powers of eloquence; and

of your talents as an artist there can be but one sentiment. I heartily wish, for the honour of the Academy and the electors, that they may be of my mind, and I am sure that their judgment will be approved by all Europe.

I spoke with a young friend lately, who gratified me by telling me how high The Reading of the Will was estimated in Germany, and ranked even above the best masters of their own school. I am extremely gratified by the sketch you did of my unworthy person, and still more for the Banquet at Milnwood interrupted by Bothwell, and also for the sketch of Old Mortality.

My best wishes attend Miss Wilkie, in which Anne begs to join. I hope you see Sophia sometimes, and the ladies indulge in a ballad together, being, as Virgil has it,

Et cantare pares et respondere parati.

I sometimes think of being in London in spring. I should wish to see what you are doing with the Spanish sketches,

Of which all Europe rings from side to side.

Adieu, my dear Wilkic.

Believe me yours truly,

WALTER SCOTT.

To this I add with reluctance, that, though the king, the patron of the Academy, named Wilkie his painter in ordinary-a polite way of intimating a wish that his brethren should elect him president,-there

was but one solitary vote (that of Collins's) recorded in favour of one who, as far as fame, and genius, and honesty go in the estimate of merit, stood second to none in the ranks of British art. For this I have heard it urged, that the president's chair is by use and wont the right of a portrait painter, and properly so, since the nature of his labours brings him much into. the company of the titled and the far-descended, in whose hands the patronage of painting lies, and thus promotes art. Others, with more plausibility, argued that the situation of president resembles that of speaker in the House of Commons, who is chosen less for his eloquence than his knowledge of the etiquette necessary to be observed among those who are now and then inclined to forget that they are gentlemen at least by act of parliament. But the public at large comprehended none of these subtleties, and marvelled that the highest station was not awarded to the finest genius rather than to the readiest speaker; while others of the portrait brethren, whose sense of their own merit happened not to be small, scarcely concealed their disappointment at the tide of favour having flowed past them.

TO SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, BART.

Dear Sir William,

Kensington, 11th Feb. 1830.

The King's Entry to Holyrood, and The Guerilla's Return, are, I think, ready to be submitted for his Majesty's inspection, whenever I shall have the high honour to be commanded to do so.

I am now working upon the whole-length, for which I have a fine-looking Highlander for a model.

Mr. Seguier has favoured me by looking at the whole, and encourages me in the whole-length.

Mr. Dobree writes me word that he has at present no inclination to part with the picture of The Letter of Introduction.

D. W.

TO ANDREW WILSON, ESQ.

Kensington, 18th Feb. 1830.

Extract of a Letter from Sir Robert Peel.

"I believe you have not seen the pictures, or I would be governed by your judgment. I should wish to have the full length (The Lady and Page), and am not anxious about the smaller pictures, what most people would perhaps prefer.

"Would it be possible for you to ask Mr. Callcott's opinion of the large picture; and if he has a high opinion of it, will you be good enough to write accordingly to Mr. Wilson?"

Upon this I waited on Callcott, and his observation was, that as he had seen the pictures in question in so hurried a manner, and without any view to their sale, he could not now take upon him to give an opinion either of their merits or value. This I wrote to Mr. Peel, and have been favoured with his reply, which I give you at full length :

"If Mr. Wilson thinks The Lady and Page a first

rate picture by Vandyke, I shall be glad that he bought it on my account, on his principles of valuation suggested in his letter to you. I am content to abide by his judgment. I prefer it to the others on account

of its size."

The question of a first-rate picture by Vandyke you are perhaps more competent to judge of than any person I know. I, therefore, who cannot guide you,

abstain from all remark.

D. W.

Dear Sir,

TO ANDREW GEDDES, ESQ.

Kensington, 22d Feb. 1830.

I do not wonder at the impression made among you in Rome by the death of Sir Thomas Lawrence; here, it engrossed for a time every other pursuit. One of the last remarks he made to me, indicated his extreme admiration of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who he thought had, with Rembrandt, carried the imitation of nature, in regard to colours, further than any of the old masters; at the same time he admitted Reynolds could not be felt or admired by foreigners. When you, on your return to England, first see again the works of Reynolds, pray take notice of the impression they make upon you.

D. W.