| Description | Letter dated 23 August 1866 to Macdonald from George Reid, R.S.A., 355 De Bree Straat, Utrecht, with apologies for not having written sooner, complaints about the country ('flat, foggy hot country. A month or two at a time may be all very good here, but the idea of having to pass all ones life in such a spot seems to me quite intolerable. Of course these poor dutch men (most of them) have never known anything better and consequently seem quite contented with their lot'), meeting with Mollinger and his father, who had an interesting head, and served with Napoleon in Russia and at Waterloo, Mollinger's poor health, present work a view of Mentone, picture of his sent to J.C. Bell of Broughty Ferry, 'you can't expect a dutchman to paint mountains', description of Dutch view by Mollinger for Edinburgh, description of Reid's latest two pictures, including one of Cowie Kirk, mention of another artist in Utrecht, a Mr. Testas [?] who was on the French expedition to Egypt and only paints Egyptian scene, interesting visit to see art in Amsterdam, and visit to artists' club there, particularly impressed by Rembrandt's work: 'such a sight should take the conceit out of all us small men', visit affected his own ability to paint, description of Utrecht and smoking habits, manner of collecting bridge tolls, fishing, intentions of writing to Cassie. |