WATTS

saying that he to paint “distinguished men of my own time as a legacy... a distinct design I proposed to carry out. I should therefore seize upon the opportunity you offer of painting Sir Stafford, but notwithstanding the flattering things you say I am not by nature a portrait painter & such success as I may have had is the result of so great an amount of labour... that my health will not bear the strain & I have been obliged to give up portrait painting altogether, finishing such as I have on hand, but undertaking no more. It is with great regret I have arrived at this conclusion knowing that portraiture is the only real historic task. I hope you will not be disappointed...”, 2 sides 8vo., Little Holland House, 28th May