Letter from David Wilkie, London, to Sir George Beaumont, 1807 March 3 : autograph manuscript signed.

Expressing his pleasure in learning that Sir George had safely received the painting and that he was very satisfied with it; accepting Sir George's advice on exhibiting it and asking his advice on having an engraving made of it; saying "I intend to follow your advice in exhibiting it for which purpose I will require to have it in town before the end of this month as the time of receiving the Pictures at the Royal Academy is about the beginning of next month. When I saw you last I requested your permission to have a print engraved from the picture and since that time I have had several applications and some considerable offers made me for the privilege of publishing it by people of respectability. I find that it will [be] utterly impossible to get it done in the stroke engraving from the length of time it will take, and that if it is to be done in the chalk manner, even then a great part of the plate must be done from a small copy of the Picture, as otherwise from the tedious process of engraving it would require the Picture to be much longer in the hands of the Engraver than I would by any means wish it to be absent from you. I request therefore that you will do me the favour when you write me to give me your opinion on the subject and advise me how to act. Since Lord Mulgrave has been in town he has seen the Picture I am now engaged with and likes the subject very much. Mr. Jackson is at present giving very regular attendance at the Royal Academy. Mr. Haydon seems to improve very much in execution as he advances with his Picture;" adding that Mr. Jackson and Mr. Haydon wish to be remembered to him.