| Description | Letter dated 12 November 1870 to Macdonald from George Reid, R.S.A., 68 George Street, Edinburgh, thanking for his note, mention of visiting Haddington [to see Alexander Thomson], details of the Royal Scottish Academy election (at which Reid was made associate), at which he was not present but of which Chalmers, Cameron, George Hay and Brodie brought him news, party following in the 'Abbert', Leyde ('a very quiet and decent sort of fellow') and McBeth ('an oldish and exceedingly respectable and utterly commplace man - just like his work') elected at the same time, but Smart lost, further comments on McBeth who talks of nothing but Kirk sessions and the Free Church: 'to paint a minister is his highest pleasure', progress of Dr. Stuart's [Dr. John Stuart, advocate, 1813 - 1877] portrait, unpleasant competitiveness over the Academy, letter from Artz to say that the Prussians will not take Paris. |