Letter from David Wilkie, London, to Sir George Beaumont, 1824 December 28 : autograph manuscript signed.

Apologizing for not stopping at Coleorton on his way from Scotland "...but the season was too far advanced, and I was obliged to hurry to London. The last place I visited before my journey south was Abbotsford, where Sir Walter Scott has now completed a most superb chateau - much in the Flemish style and though not suited to the country about it, has yet within itself so much comfort and magnificence and his style of entertaining his friends is so truly Baronial and appears to give so much pleasure to himself as well as to those who share his hospitality that one can scarcely fancy an instance of wealth or honors being more happily bestowed. He proposes being in London next Spring, and is at present in excellent health;" relating news of current exhibitions; saying "The proposed Exhibition at the British Gallery after being discussed by artists both in public and in private, and with every variety of opinion has I believe been acceded to by a majority of them and so far as I can learn will be sufficiently supported to justify the Directors in carrying it into effect. This I should look forward to with much interest, though more with curiosity than any other feeling, what will be the general hue of such an Exhibition in point of [illegible] rich, I fear it cannot be...but compared with the golden age of Sir Joshua, Wilson & Gainsborough, it will show a change and the public must pronounce whether that is for the better or worse. The Royal Academy has been thrown into a state of Excitement by the resignation of Sir Anthony Carlisle as Professor of Anatomy. Six candidates have started, of whom a Mr. Green, a Mr. Charles Bell are the most prominent. Sir Thomas Lawrence has become author having published at the request of the Academy his Lecture of Last Year delivered to the Students - This he has probably sent to you - He has also converted the two upper stories of his house into a showroom or Gallery - large and magnificent, at least 90 feet long. Our friend Owen remains the same still suffering as he has been for five years back - Collins is engaged with two pictures one for Mr. Peel & one for the Duke of Bedford. My friend Allan of Edinburgh is painting a most successful picture of the Death of the Regent Murray, which the Duke of Bedford has bought - he is getting it ready for next Exhibition, but was in great danger of losing it altogether having been burnt out by the late fire, his picture however with other valuables were got away before the fire could get to this house on the Parliament Square;" asking about the health of Lady Beaumont and expressing his hope that they will be able to come to the Exhibition in Pall Mall and perhaps become a contributor to it and that their trip to Italy will take place; adding that he wishes he could visit them there but his work for the King "...must engross my whole attention;" asking to be remembered to Lady Beaumont..