SD744. David Wilkie to RB, Sr.

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 372 (in part).

Kensington

Octbr 4th 1831

Sir

The offer you make to me in your letter of yesterday coming as it does from a Stranger I consider extremely handsome. I shall therefore have much pleasure in accepting the flask of oil[,] I suppose Linseed oil, you mention, which from the account you give of its age I should consider not merely curious from its rarity and from the change time has made upon it, but most probably valuable for practical purposes in some quality prized by the Great Master to whom you have al[l]uded, whose material, and mode of painting are naturally the object of study to all who admire or desire to imitate the magical effects of his Labours,

I am Sir your very obedient and obliged Servant

David Wilkie

R. Browning Esqr Junr

Docket, in the hand of RB Sr.: reading in Northcotes life of him—how pleased Sir Jos Reynolds was with a present made to him of a flask of oil 30 years old—I begged Wilkie accept of one that I could warrant for more than 50—& this was his reply.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Berg Collection.

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