Bakkehussamlingen

Be pleased to let me have your precise and proper address of your residence at Copenhagen

21 Upper Bedford Place
29 June 1881

My dear M^me Jerichau
     For some days (perhaps I should say for some weeks), there has been a [roulean?] upon my desk addressed to me as from Mac Millan xxx 3/6 °, which I have hitherto omitted to open; for I had altogether forgotten all about it: but this morning having nothing particular to do, I xxx unfolded it and found three numbers of your publication, with the beautiful illustrations from your graceful pencil, & your son’s contributions of Constantinople. But there was no letter or note from M^c Millan & […?] // I must now let you know somewhat of my late history. I know, that I shall be soon 86 years of age, and within a very few months, I have been materially affected by my advancing period. In fact I have lost I may say all memory, and even events and occurrence of merely a few months ago I cannot recall. My hearing also fails me & my sight to a degree. For my general bodily health, it is excellent (thank God) I have no disease or complaint upon my frame whatever. But my faculties fail me though physically so strong, and I cannot walk above 100 yards, & then I toddle along till I get a cab or hansom or some conveyance. And so in God’s Providence I approach my latter end, submissively & grateful to an Heavenly Father for all his Gracious dealings and forbearance to a poor [human?] that I am, relying only on his Grace through Jesus Christ // This must account for any of my shortcomings to you, my dear Friend, & Ihope you will pardon my failings. Pray did you receive the Royal Academy Catalogue which I sent you the very day it opened? And I hope I added an illustrated critical review with scratch illustrations, as I had intended to do. You will have learned from me[,] I think, that my nephew Andrew is returned with his Wife & family. I understand that he has a rich collection of sketches & views from nature, which are highly approved. He is now in the country with his whole group of young ones working away at the country house of M^r Twining his wife’s Father. I am anxiously awaiting his return to enjoy the sight of his works. He is highly blessed in possessing a wise & highly cultivated Partner of his life – her voice & style of singing are exquisitely first rate. // I am afraid that our school does not maintain the position it ought to occupy in the struggle with foreign nations. The art union distribute this year a series of prints like engraving, entitled the Road to Ruin. In fact the story of a Gambler’s passion & fall, painted by Frith, whose merit you must be acquainted with. The grouping & expression of the figure are admirable, but to my mind the general effect is too black & dark.
     I must now conclude and not further try your patience with my small talk. I wish I had more to tell you about art, my the bye, that is a striking statue of Minerva dug up at Athens, of which I have got a photograph. The figure is of late style of art, but still retains som[e]what the Phidean elements of high art, failing in proportion. Ihope M^r Jerichau enjoys good health & is fully occupied in producing his fine work, and your son also that he finds patronage for his taste & skill & that yourself dear Lady have lately executed & are engaged upon some congenial subjects worthy your powers. My sisters […?] with me […?] expression of faithful […?] & regard. Believe me ever […?] Tho. L: Donaldson