| Description | Letter to Alexander Macdonald of Kepplestone from John Pettie, The Lothians, Fitzjohn's Avenue, South Hampstead, London, thanking him for the wine, hoping that Macdonald feels better, visit from Mrs. Anderson and her daughter, 'they have a nice place about a mile hence with pasture and cows, altho' they are dreading the building mania in this direction', busy trying to paint despite seasonal weather, died with Sir Frederick, a jolly host, with a pleasant house and a view of his partly finished pictures, description of one he particularly liked, a classical figure, reaction to Douglas becoming President of the Royal Scottish Academy, 'he is a fastidious man but a genuine one', he has begun Mac's head and will finish it soon, dinner with Sir Henry Thomson and seeing his Millais portrait, liked too Hunter's pictures of the Ailsa Craig with two steamtugs, he has not seen many pictures for the Royal Academy, his own big canvas is nearly eight feet, 'I trust it may like the bullet find its billet', he likes his new studio, hopes that Macdonald might be able to come and see it, 12 February 1882 |