these is the following note by Leslie, which proves that one of the small engravings was done under his own inspection :—

"41 PORTMAN SQUARE, Thursday. "DEAR COOPER,-Do not engage any engraver for the little portrait [of Scott ?], as I think I can get Danforth to do it. I shall write to day to Lord Egremont.-Yours most truly, "C. R. LESLIE."

Engraved by M. J. Danforth. Published by Longman, Rees, Orme, and Green. 1828." It was therefore thought desirable to give a lithographic facsimile, somewhat enlarged, of this pleasing portrait.

CHARLES Robert Leslie, R.A., was born at Clerkenwell, near London, in 1794, of American parents. They left England in 1799, and their son was educated at Philadelphia. In 1811 Leslie returned to London; became a student of the Academy; was admitted an Associate in 1821, and R.A. in 1826. In many English galleries, especially in the South Kensington Museum, there are numerous examples of Leslie's paintings. This eminent artist, who is also favourably known as an author, died at London, May 4th, 1859. In the following year, Mr. Tom Taylor published Autobiographical Recollections of the late Charles Robert Leslie, R.A. In this work there is an account of his visit and agreeable reception at Abbotsford.

During his visit Leslie says,

"When I began the portrait, Scott suggested that for the background I should take “Thomas the Rhymer's Glen," one of his favourite haunts. I went with him and Mr. Rose to see it, and when we came near the spot where Thomas was supposed to have met the Queen of the Fairies, Sir Walter and I dismounted from our ponies, and as the descent into the Glen was steep, I offered to help him; but he declined assistance, saying, he could get along best in his own way, etc. . . . The Glen was beautiful, and as he rested himself in his favourite seat near a little succession of waterfalls, he said, with a strong emphasis of satisfaction on the two last words, 'A poor thing, but mine own.' I told him the dimensions of my picture would not admit the scene as a background, as its leading features could not be brought into so small a compass. I might, however, have made a sketch of it with Sir Walter in the spot he loved, and my only excuse for not doing it is that Mr. Rose, who was too infirm to descend into the glen, was waiting for us above."-(Vol. i. p. 89.)

XXV.

PORTRAIT BY NEWTON. 1824. (No. 57.)

THE Original Portrait of Scott by Newton is now at Abbotsford. It is thus described by Mr. Lockhart :

"A small three-quarters in oil, done at Chiefswood in August 1824, by the late Gilbert Stewart Newton, R.A., and presented by him to Mrs. Lockhart. This pleasing Picture gives Sir Walter in his usual country dress-a green jacket and black neckcloth, with a leathern belt for carrying the forester's axe round the shoulders. It is the best domestic portrait ever done. A duplicate, in Mr. Murray's possession, was engraved for Finden's Illustrations of Byron."

The duplicate Painting mentioned in this extract was in the Exhibition (No. 57), lent by JOHN MURRAY, Esq., London, and is well known from small Engravings by Finden, Ryall, and Bird (Nos. 171, etc.)

Another Original by Newton belongs to JOHN FORSTER, Esq., Palace Gate House, Kensington. It is in excellent preservation, and the accompanying Photograph was obtained by Sir William Stirling Maxwell. Upon comparing this with the Abbotsford painting there are several minute variations; but not necessary to be pointed out, unless it be that the face in the Abbotsford painting is more contemplative, and the mouth more curved, and expressive.

NO. XXV.]