Brighton.
Suggestion to Photographers.—The Rev. Charles Forster, in his One Primeval Language (p. 96.), speaks of the desirableness of obtaining copies of two great inscriptions in the Djebel Mokatteb,—one in forty-one, the other in sixty-seven lines, supposed to have been written by the Israelites during their exode. In the words, however, of the Comte d'Antraigues, which he quotes in p. 84: "Il faudroit six mois d'un travail opiniâtre, pour dessiner la totalité de ces caractères." Is not this a temptation to some of your photographic friends, who may be turning their steps to the East during the ensuing season, to possess themselves of a treasure which by the application of their art they might acquire almost in as many minutes?
Verbum sat.
Replies to Minor Queries.
Portrait of Pope (Vol. vii., p. 180.).—I cannot at this movement reply to Mr. J. Knight's Query, but perhaps can correct an error in it. There was no White of Derby; but Edward[[9]] Wright of that city, was an artist of high repute. And I have in my possession a portrait of Pope done by him. On the back of this portrait is the following inscription:
"Edward Wright, the painter of this picture, was an intimate friend of Mr. Richardson, and obtained leave from him to copy the portrait of Mr. Pope; which Mr. R. was then painting, and had nearly finished. When the outline was sketched out by E. Wright, he happened to meet Mr. Pope at dinner, and on mentioning to him how he was employed, Mr. Pope said: 'Why should you take a copy, when the original is at your service? I will come and sit to you.' He did so, and this picture was finished from Mr. Pope himself. This account I had from the late William Wright, Esq., my honoured uncle, who had the picture from the painter himself. At Mr. Wright's death, it came to his widow, who gave it to my brother[[10]]; at whose decease, it came to me.
"William Falconer, M.D., F.R.S.
"Bath, March 21, 1803."
The size of the picture is two feet five inches and a quarter by two feet one-eighth of an inch. It is a profile. It has never been engraved, and is in good condition.
R. W. F.
Bath.