Correspondence

D O Hill

Letter to P Allen Fraser

5 October 1862

The letter below was written from D O Hill, Secretary of the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, to the artist P Allen Fraser, living at Hospitalfield House Arbroath.

It covers some business of the Royal Scottish Academy, but ends with a personal comment.

It covers some business of the Royal Scottish Academy, but ends with a personal comment.

A copy of the original letter is reproduced below.  Please continue to scroll down the page to read a transcription.

In the transcription I have broken down a very long paragraph into shorter paragraphs for ease of reading.

 Pages 1 and 4

© Reproduced with acknowledgement to William Payne, Hospitalfield Trust

Letter to P Allen Fraser

5 October 1862

TRANSCRIPTION

Private                                                            Edinburgh        5 October 1862

D O Hill Esq.                                  .  

My Dear Sir

I heard from our mutual friend John Hutcheson and others; when he was executing his noble bust of Robert Scott Loudon – and during the time (?) it was exhibited in the academy – that you intended it for the academy collection;  on speaking to Hutcheson of this last night, he dropt a few words that seemed to imply, that the bust was not presented (?), from a feeling on his part, that it might appear it was meant to affect favourably his chance of election as an associate – a circumstance from which his nature recoiled.

 It has occurred to me to take it upon me to write to you on this matter to say that I think no one could by any possibility so construe your generous intentions of doing honour to your friend R S Loudon.

I am moved to this chiefly from the consideration that Mr Loudon is, alas incapacitated  -  we fear lastingly  -  so from again taking any part in the academy's proceedings, or indeed of doing any thing in the art he loved so well.  I saw him lately  -  his right arm  -  and his speech are paralysed.  I fear his life hangs by a thread, and I have thought that without offence. 

I might say to you that if it is indeed your intention to present his bust to the academy the fact of your having done so being communicated  to Mr Loudon might give him    (?)   pleasurable    (?)    , and his family and friends a lasting satisfaction  -  and the reading of our annual report on Wednesday 12th    (?)    would afford the Council a natural opportunity communicating it to the academy and so the public.

I must ask your pardon for presuming to write this letter while I leave it for you to decide whether or not the reason I have addressed, for what you intend to do being done now, should not outweigh Mr Hutcheson’s natural delicacy.  I would be quite willing to take the responsibility of having, for the reason I have given, advised what I have done – and then take all possibility of evil surmisings from any other quarter.

P.S.  I am on the 18^th about to take to me a wife – Amelia Paton the sister of Noel.  I think you will give us your good wishes.