Venice, July 8th, 1751.
Hon'd Sir,
I have by me a letter that I did myself the honour to write to Admiral Smith above four months agoe [sic], which I deferred sending until I had something more worth your reading to inform you of; which has been deferred from one post to another that I really grew ashamed of writing to him that had the greatest title to my gratitude of any man breathing.
I came to Venice about eight months ago, where I met with the encouragement I mentioned in my letter to Dr. Ayscough, and here I have studied Titian as much as ever I could, which I hope to show you the effects of in my future productions. I am doing a portrait for the German ambassador among other things. What tells better for my private satisfaction is that Signor Zuccarelli, a famous painter of this place, made me an offer of his painting me a picture for a portrait of himself; which I am doing with great pleasure. I have great reason to condole the great loss we have lately sustained; but there is the same God though not the same Prince, who will protect you and my good friend from the vicissitudes of this life.
I can give you very little news from hence. We have had a very poor show here at the Ascension, the Prince being ill at the time of his wedding. The company here is my Lord Poulteney, Sir Matt: Featherstone, Sir William Lowther and Mr. Aldridge. Mr. Smith (blessed be the name) our Consul here, is exceedingly kind to me; he is a very great Virtuoso. Among other things he has got me the painting of Mr. Sackville, which he is to send to my Lord Middlesex; which I hope will do me much honour.
Good Admiral, I never write to you without asking some favour of you; the business of this is to let Mr. Travers send me a good account of your health and happiness, which I shall look at with more pleasure than the first picture of Michael Angelo could give to your ever obliged humble servant,
RICHD. WILSON
