| Description | Letter to Alexander Macdonald of Kepplestone from Philip H. Calderon, Hampden Rectory, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, thanking for a good letter, busy holidays prevented a quicker response, now the rain has come on, he has caught cold painting out of doors, then neuralgia, rheumatism and toothache, his new picture is a complete change from the work he does for Aird, which must all be cheerful, the new picture is called 'the faithful heart' and is melancholic, congratulations to George Reid on his marriage, 'any man is to be congratulated on any marriage, for without it no life is complete or perfect … I congratulate him also, for I firmly believe no woman is worth loving under forty', glad that Macdonald has met Armitage, Sambourne could make a good caricature of Gerome's picture 'La porte du Serail' 'you sitting inside, and all our heads heaped up at your library door!'' no chance of going north this year, movements of his children after the holidays, he and his wife are to visit the Airds' country home in North Wales, 'the Vale of Llangollen is so relaxing, it makes me ill in two days', he is glad not to be involved in the Royal Academy exhibition next year, he would like to go to the continent with his painter son but does not think it possible, 30 August 1882 |