Letter from David Wilkie, London, to Sir George Beaumont, 1823 October 31 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning the financial difficulties of Haydon but adding "I have heard he has been trying to make such sketches and pictures as might be sold & was happy to hear that in one instance he had been successful;" relating news of his own work; saying "I am now beginning a Picture six feet long of the King entering Hollyrood [sic] House. The sketch I had the pleasure of showing you I have since been to show to His Majesty at the cottage at Windsor Park. Sir Charles Long was present and the King seemed most favourably disposed towards the undertaking and gave me his commands to proceed and proposed to sit for the portrait of himself when I have got all the figures laid in and his own figure sufficiently advanced for that purpose. I have therefore begun the picture somewhat larger than the Duke of Wellingtons [The Chelsea Pensioners], and am in hopes that with so many objects as it contains well suited for paintings and with the interest of Portraits in action and the association connected with the Scene itself I am in hopes - though it is still an experiment - that I may be able to make it an effective subject;" telling him of the unexpected pleasure he had in seeing one of Sir George's paintings at the home of a friend, the Secretary of the Greenwich Hospital; saying "It is the picture from Wordsworths Poem I think of Peter Bell. It has a high rock with a cleft or cavern in it and a man sitting in front of the Rock - I can assure you that seeing it among other things it had a striking effect, and both from its colour and sentiment was most gratifying to look at. The Professor - Mr. Locker, Secty to the Hospital, who I believe got it at some sale values it much;" relating news of the marriage of Mr. [Edward] Irving in Scotland; sending his compliments to Lady Beaumont.