powers of imitation, it will most likely occur to the mind as a consequence of this, that in proportion to what is attempted by art, will art be removed from that simplicity which forms its greatest charm, and that, in a system where the powers become complicated, the singleness of object, and all the effect which belongs to it, is at an end. In answer to this, it may be admitted that simplicity is a delightful quality, and brings a recommendation to many objects with which it is allied, whether it addresses itself to the sense or to the reason. But simplicity will not do of itself alone: unless sustained and contrasted with some power of a varied description, it is by itself, and always by itself, a tiresome and dubious virtue. WILKIE CHAPTER VI. REMOVES TO VICARAGE PLACE, KENSINGTON. —REMOVAL OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE.-ROYAL ACADEMY EXHIBITION OF 1837.-ACCESSION OF QUEEN VICTORIA. -WILKIE COMMANDED TO PAINT THE QUEEN'S FIRST COUNCIL.LETTERS TO MR. COLLINS, R.A., MISS WILKIE, AND SIR ROBERT PEEL. WILKIE did not consume all his time in penning these Remarks, but, obeying his own injunction of always doing something, also employed his pencil on subjects which had long been present to his fancy:—the Sir David Baird, The Escape of Queen Mary from Lochleven, The Empress Josephine and the Sorceress of Saint Domingo, and The Cotter's Saturday Night. The success of his Peep-o'-Day Boy suggested a portrait of Daniel O'Connell to an admirer of the distinguished Irishman; and Wilkie, with some wonder, and perhaps reluctance, accepted the commission. He was busy on these works when he moved to a house, large and commodious, in Vicarage Place, from whence he dates the following letter. TO LADY BAIRD. Vicarage Place, Kensington, 30th Jan. 1837. The figure of Sir David Baird is entirely painted in, and I think that the air of the whole is impressive: the dress I had made up for the purpose. Sir James M'Grigor has just called, and bears his testimony to the entire resemblance; he approves, too, of the dress, which is like that he recollects Sir David wearing in Egypt. Mrs. Agnes and Mrs. Joanna Baillie. have also borne a flattering testimony to the likeness. They had called to see what pictures I had in hand, and, on entering my painting-room, exclaimed aloud, "See, there is Sir David Baird;" and, on inquiry, I found that they knew nothing of the subject of the picture, and had no other clue to the likeness but their having seen Sir David Baird in Edinburgh, shortly after his return from Spain. The figures of the orderly and the pioneer are also painted in, and make a considerable show in the centre of the picture. I have taken out the dogs, considering the wishes of my employer in all cases as a law; but I have as yet devised nothing to supply their place. D. W. TO WILLIAM COLLINS, ESQ. R.A., ROME. Dear Collins, Vicarage Place, Kensington, 6th Feb. 1837. Your most welcome letter from Rome has given us all great pleasure, and enables me to write and report all that is doing. First, then, Reynolds requested me to look over his plate of The Sunday Morning, which I did twice with chalk, &c. He has made a very good mezzotinto plate of it, and has done his best. The figures are extremely good, the landscape well; the chief defect the showing too much of the etched lines on the ground, and on the stems of trees. But this could not be rectified; the general effect is as near as possible. This plate suggests to me that you should get future plates done in mezzotinto. You are pleased to ask about my brother: he is greatly better. I sent him with Helen to Brighton, where I joined them, taking with me an impression of the plate by Cousins of The Maid of Saragossa, which I showed to the King. I took, also, a newly commenced head of the King, for which his Majesty gave me four sittings. This was fortunate: it is the best I have done of the King, by far; remarkably like; so much so, indeed, that all advise me to have it in the Exhibition. On my return from Brighton I took possession of my new house in Vicarage Place. Expenses are increased by this; but if I can manage matters, it is perfectly a luxury for comfort: the painting-room answers capitally. I am going on with The Sir David Baird with great satisfaction. I expect to have five or six pictures ready for the Exhibition. The removal of the Royal Academy from Somerset House has taken place. Had a farewell dinner by advice of Turner, in the old room, at the close of the year. We have lost Richard Westall and Sir John Soane. The former died poor; the Duchess of Kent is to allow a pension to his blind sister: the latter rich; Wyatville thinks about 100,000l. All complain of his temper, which Academy proceedings can exemplify. But this must have been under control, or no such fortune could have been realised. The British Gallery has just opened, with much the usual show. The chief novelty, the interior of Haddon Hall, by Horsley, nephew to Callcott, clever, and combining a mixture of Callcott and De Hooge. I was much pleased with your remarks, though few, on the frescoes of Raphael. Pray think of writing, while in Rome, to your great friends, Sir Robert Peel, Sir George Phillips, the Marshalls, &c.; and pray look at the back-ground of The Communion of St. Jerome, by Domenichino. Sir George Beaumont thought it the finest landscape back-ground in the world. D. W. The Royal Academy was removed this year from Somerset House to new galleries in Trafalgar Square, in which Painting found better room and light than her sister Sculpture. The old apartments were bestowed by George the Third, in days when kings had the power to give they had seen the last works of Reynolds and the first of Wilkie; and it was not without reluctance that some of the aged members bade them farewell. TO WILLIAM COLLINS, ESQ. R. A., ROME. Dear Collins, The impression that Rome has made upon you is not more than I expected, though it may be more than you anticipated. It is, as you say, not only a new sense added to a landscape-painter, but it is to you a new field. As you are now in the prime of |