ie, the artist's step-daughter, but
neither the _Edinburgh Gazette_ nor the local Directory states the
nature of their business. In the proceedings in connection with
Raeburn's own bankruptcy, however, he is described as "portrait-painter
and underwriter." What underwriter exactly means is uncertain, but it
may be that the son was a marine-insurance broker, that Raeburn himself
took marine-insurance risks. In any case his ruin seemed complete.
Not only did he lose all his savings but he had even to sell the York
Place studio, of which he was afterwards only tenant. He failed, paid
a composition, and, two years later, proposed settling in London. By
those of his biographers who have noticed it at all, this failure and
the contemplated removal south have been very closely associated. But
a more careful examination of the whole circumstances makes such an
assumption rather doubtful. Alexander Cunningham, in a letter written
on 16th February 1808, tells a correspondent--"I had a walk of three
hours on Sunday with my worthy friend, Raeburn. He had realised nearly
L17,000, which is all gone. He has offered a small composition, which
he is in hopes will be accepted. He quits this to try his fate in
London, which I trust in God will be successful. While I write this I
feel the tear start." So far the connection is evident enough. But
although the artist received his discharge in June of the same year,[2]
it was not until two years later that he took active steps towards
carrying out his idea.[3] The time was highly propitious. Hoppner had
just died (23rd January 1810), and Wilkie records in his journal (March
2nd) that he had heard that that artist's house was to be taken for
Raeburn. Lawrence was now without a rival in the metropolis, and
Raeburn's talent was of a kind which would soon have commanded
attention there. The opening was obvious, but Raeburn's reception by
the gentlemen of the Royal Academy, when he visited London in May, was
not very cordial, and fortunately for Scotland, if not for himself, he
was persuaded to remain in Edinburgh. From then onward the fates were
kind. To quote his own words, written in 1822, "my business, though it
may fall off, cannot admit of enlargement."

Wider recognition also came to him. He had exhibited at the Royal
Academy as early as 1792, but it was 1810 before he became a regular
contributor, and in 1812 he was elected an Associate, full membership
following three