Letter from David Wilkie, London, to Sir George Beaumont, 1806 October 9 : autograph manuscript signed.

Replying to Sir George's advice on a painting [Alfred in the Neatherd's Cottage]; saying "Advice from one of your eminence and experience in the Art must be particularly valuable to one in my situation, conscious of which I have frequently endeavoured to retain in my mind the observation respecting the art that I have accidentally heard you make while I was in your company. The remarks you are pleased to communicate to me in your letter I conceive to be extremely just, and I trust will be of considerable use in the management of the Picture I am at present engaged with; I am perfectly sensible of the difficulties I have to encounter in representing a king in the habit of a peasant, for it has been observed that painters even of eminence have had more assistance from the outward display of rich robes and jewels in giving dignity to their characters, than from any intrinsic greatness they had in themselves, from which I am fully aware that it will not be an easy matter to give majesty and rank when these symbols of greatness are wanting. I also agree with you on the other hand that every appearance of vulgarity should be avoided with peasants themselves, as the principle object in an historical composition is to lead the mind back to the time in which the transaction happened, and the mind being always ready to associate elevated Ideas with Antiquity, the illusion must be instantly destroyed and the purpose of picture entirely defeated, if the vulgar familiarity of the circumstances instantly put us in mind of what passes every day before our eyes : it will however he necessary for me in the present instance to contrast the cottagers as much with Alfred as may prevent him from being mistaken for one of the family. I expect by the time you arrive in town to have the Picture in such a state as may in some measure show that I have applyed your observations to practical use. My friend Mr. Haydon is at present going on vigourously with his picture of the repose in Egypt. The subject Lord Mulgrave has proposed accords entirely with his feelings and he is very much flattered by such a mark of his Lordships attention. He will also consider himself highly honored by a call from you when you are in town,. These circumstances have acted as a stimulus to prompt his exertions and he wishes anxiously to have his picture in a state of forwardness before it is submitted to your examination;" adding that he will give orders for a frame once he hears from Sir George about whom he should use.