| Description | Letter to Alexander Macdonald of Kepplestone from John Pettie, [21, St. John's Wood Road, N.W. London], rumours of Macdonald's illness and writing in consolation, hoping to hear soon that he is better, kind notion of bachelor outing on Arran, Pettie's son is now better, had a good time there, and is now using it for a painting, of which a sketch is attached, dinner for the Royal Academy given by the Lord Mayor, Hook and Millais there, as well as Leighton, debate coming up as to Sunday opening of the galleries, and as to reducing number of entries to four pictures per exhibition, though this would be bad when it comes to Millais, Hook, etc., mention of housebuilding and dimensions of studio, Millais suffering from nervous rheumatism, he is sure Pettie's house will be a good investment, Mrs. Beddington was painted by Millais and now Mr. Beddington wants Pettie to paint him, anxious about the comparison, cruel to make a sick man read his writing, 14 November 1880 |