| Description | Letter to Alexander Macdonald of Kepplestone from John Forbes White, Haddington, saying that he has sent the menu and toasts from the Royal Scottish Academy dinner to Macdonald, and hinting at the row caused by the Lord Provost 'vulgarly called "Coffee Law"', now he is once again at the United Presbyterian manse in Haddington, 'supper over - toddy drunk - songs sung - stories told', they are now settled down to write to Macdonald 'on Maister Thomson's study table which has seldom groaned under such combined literary power', they have had a perfect day, 'our visit to Douglas Murray is a thing to be remembered and would deserve a thorough sketch in some magazine', description of him and of their visit to him in his farmhouse, 'one would as soon expect to find nuggets of gold in a coal scuttle as look for fine pictures in such a queer place', but he has pictures by Bough, Mollinger, Roeloss, McCulloch, McWhirter, Faed, and George Reid, and a 'supposed' Turner, and others, Murray's account of his interest in art, which started with the illustrations to Robinson Crusoe, he also has a fine collection of books, which 'look as if they're for use', visit, too, to his aged horse, and other well-cared for animals, 'a refuge for infirm man and beast', visit with Murray to Hope's Glen in the Lammermuirs, back at Haddington Macdonald's health was proposed by 'George Reid, that eminent artist', he has written to Douglas Murray to visit Macdonald, visit to McKay in Gifford to see his sketches, A. Walker unable to buy one as Leiper had just beaten him to it, Kingsley's speech at the dinner was 'as good as a farce - being ignorant and impudent in his criticisms - and pretentious and shallow on every subject', when challenged 'he took refuge in his shortsightedness (physical I suppose he meant but I think it is mental)', White however got on well with him, 15 February 1871 |