Judson Mar 25th 1857


My dear Sir


     I have been hoping for a long time to hear from you
as your have been owing me a letter for a long year or more & I
cannot think that your business is so pressing that you have
not time.  Will you take the trouble to write me on the receipt of
this & confer the favour I am about to ask?


     Within a few weeks past I have undertaken a picture in
oil & have succeeded beyond my expectations, but as you my well
suppose I find very great difficulty.  Will you be good enough to
tell me as  fully as you can the process which you use from first
to last.  How & with what colours do you put in the first sketch?
How & with what colours the second, & how the last?  What colours
do you use tints, clouds near & distant foliage, trunks of trees
etc., etc.  I have failed most in near foliage of anything & I observe
that your trees in the fore ground are peculiarly well done.  Do not
confirm your remarks to my questions, but be as full as you
would think it necessary if I were with you & your were giving
me the first lessons.  I have only painted one picture, “Winder
mere Lake Cumberland, Eng.”  This being from an engraving, I 
have had no guide in the use of the colours.


     I have procured two of your pictures from the Meth.
Mag. Cint.  “Prairie Scene” & “Big snake creek.”  I have seen one
just out & hope to get that, I think them very fine & hope
they furnish you a good return.  I have no expectation of
attaining anything equal to yours, but I hope to improve