Letter from David Wilkie, London, to Sir George Beaumont, 1810 September 8 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning his health; saying he has been staying at Miss Baillie's house in Hampstead and that "The change of air has had so good an effect upon me and I already feel so much better that the remedy you propose of spending the winter in Madeira will I believe be altogether unnecessary. I cannot consult Dr. Baillie about it, as he is not in town but the Medical Gentleman who has attended me, with him, says that there is now no tendency to inflammation in the lungs, and consequently a mild climate is no longer necessary. Dr. Baillie repeatedly expressed himself to the same effect before he left me, which I am happy to say renders any apprehensions of a decline altogether groundless. I am sensible however from the lowness to which I have been reduced that my recovery will be tedious, and I am determined to think of nothing till my health is thoroughly re-established. How long it may be till then it is impossible to say, but I can assure you I have at present no fears of any pecuniary difficulties. I thank you sincerely for the hint you have given me on that head, and were it necessary, I believe I should as soon repose myself on your kind friendship as on any that I know. I hope you continue to enjoy good health yourself. I feel more and more the force of the admonitions you have so frequently given me about the preservation of that inestimable blessing."