and
fish shops. As to pictures--well, never mind them. Farewell!

In the chapel opposite this house preaches Robert Montgomery!

19 CHARLOTTE ST., RATHBONE PLACE.
[13 _June_ 1844.]

Oh, Barton man! but I am grilled here. Oh for to sit upon the banks of
the dear old Deben, with the worthy collier sloop going forth into the
wide world as the sun sinks! I went all over Westminster Abbey yesterday
with a party of country folks, to see the tombs. I did this to vindicate
my way of life. Then we had a smoke with Carlyle and he very gloomy
about the look of affairs, as usual. I am as tired this morning as if
I'd walked fifty miles. Morton, fresh from Italy, agrees that London is
not fit to live in. I can't write, nor can you read perhaps. So
farewell. Early next week (unless I go round by Bedford) I expect to see
good Woodbridge.

_To S. Laurence_.

BOULGE, _July_ 4/44.

DEAR LAURENCE,

I have but lately returned from Holbrook, where I saw your last portrait
of Wilkinson. It is very capital, and gives my sister and all her
neighbours great satisfaction. Jane indeed can talk of nothing else. I
will say this however, with my usual ignorance and presumption, that I
think the last day's sitting made it a little heavier than when I left it
unfinished. Was it that the final glazing was somewhat too thick? I
only mention this as a very slight defect, which I should not have
observed had I not seen its penultimate state, and were I not a
crotchetty stickler for lightness and ease. But I hope and trust you
will now do all your future sketches in oil in the same way in which this
is done: the long brush, the wholesome distance between canvas, painter,
and sitter, and the few sittings. For myself, I have always been sure of
this: but I can assert it to you with more confidence now, seeing that
every one else seems to agree with me, if I may judge by the general
approval of this specimen of the long brush. Besides, such a method must
shorten your labour, preserve the freshness of your eye and spirit, and
also ensure the similitude of the sitter to himself by the very
speediness of the operation.

Mills was very much delighted at W.'s portrait. What will you say of me
when I tell you that I did not encourage him to have his wife painted by
you, as he seemed to purpose! You will pray heaven to deliver you from
your friends. But notwithstanding this, I am sure this last portrait
will bring you sitters from thi