Dear Mr Dalziel
Accept my apologies for not having before answered your reply.
The picture shall be yours & I am going at it hard as possible—Millais has just left me much comforted both as to that & the photos of your blocks, he made some suggestions however for Philip which will be an improvement—
You will I dare say be glad to hear (in confidence) that I intend becoming a candidate for the Old Water Color Socy.—chiefly on the advice of certain of its members, and should like Philip as the specimen.
This I particularly wish kept snug at present. Millais's advice is strongly in its favor.
I shall be glad to hear from you. I perhaps need not say that something toward the plum-pudding will gladden the heart of
Yours very sincerely
Fred. Walker
E. Dalziel Esq.
Years after, Professor von Herkomer produced a very charming etching of this picture, the same size as the original.
Gilbert Dalziel, son of Edward Dalziel, sat to Walker for the boy in "Philip in Church." Walker took a great fancy to him, and they had many games together. The following is a letter from him to his youthful model, which will give an idea of the nature of their friendship: