HISTOEY OF THE LINLITHGOW 



The last letter of interest mentions the completion 

 of the picture and arrangements for its despatch to 

 Dalkeith. 



27 Sussex Place, Regent's Park, N.W., 

 Aug. 23 [1863]. 



My dear Duke, — The picture will leave my house for 

 Dalkeith on the 1st September. I only quite completed it 

 yesterday. To-morrow or the day after, I must give it 

 a slight varnish, and it will require all the week to be 

 thoroughly dry. The carver and guilder has orders to 

 call for it on Monday the 31st and send it by rail to 

 Dalkeith on the 1st of September. 



I am much obliged for your kind message. I assure you 

 I painted the picture con amore, and I hope it is a good 

 memorial of poor old Will. I wish I had painted the 

 horse from nature. But Will was so urgent — "I maun 

 hae my horse Sam Slick," that I had no option, and on 

 the whole it is best that it should be a brown animal. . . . 

 I am ever, my dear Duke, yours very truly, F. Grant. 



Amongst these letters there is one from William- 

 son to the Duke which, besides indicating his Grace's 

 constant kindly attitude towards Will, expresses 

 the latter's unswerving regard for his master. 



St Boswells, 10 Nov. [1862]. 



May it please your Grace, — I beg to say it is with a 

 feeling overcome by more than I can express (having 

 received from Mr Sutherland a note intimating your Grace's 

 never failing consideration and kindness) that I attempt to 

 address you, so far short of what my mind, under a less 

 impressed state, would have enabled me to do. 



However, I beg to assure your Grace it is with the 

 sincerest gratitude that I conjure up all the benefits I 

 have received from you, but as the case is without a 



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