1845-02-28 Bigelow Chapel Stained Glass: David Ramsay Hay to Jacob Bigelow, 1831.041.001-001

Edinburgh 28th Feby. 1845

Sir,

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 14th Dec. last together with the lithographic outlines of the cemetery chapel windows, which were forwarded to me about the middle of last month. I feel highly gratified by the proof which your letter affords of the estimation in which my professional skill is held by you, and I have endeavoured to evince my sense of the value of your good opinion by the thought which I have bestowed on a series of designs which shall be shortly forwarded. Your lithographic outlines I have put in to the hands of Messrs Ballantine and Allan of this city who have been selected by the Royal Commission of the Fine Arts to furnish the painted glass for the principal portions of the New Houses of Parliament. These Gentlemen thus placed at the head of their profession, are intimate friends of mine and they are now engaged under my instructions in making the designs you require. I have requested them to forward you also an estimate of the cost of executing these designs in painted glass in the best manner, and I would strongly advise you to commit the matter intirely [sic] to them. Their work in brilliancy and harmony of colour equals the best specimens of the antique, and far excells them in symmetrical proportion, as well as in accurate drawing. No water coloured sketch can convey a correct idea of the effect of painted ^glass. Neither can

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it be expected that manufacturers of painted glass such as you describe those in your neighbourhood to be, will be qualified to execute the work from the drawing that will be sent you. I know that my friends here will furnish you with the windows at the lowest remunerating rate, and in the event of your employing them, I am convinced that these productions will prove equally creditable to your taste and their abilities.

Should anything, more in my own line, be required, such as, scrolls for the walls with illuminated mottos, which I generally do in oil painting and gilding upon a cloth or paper medium, and which can be easily and permanently fixed to the wall with white lead by any common painters, I shall be most happy to supply them.

Trusting the sketches which follow this will meet your approval, and apologizing for the delay which has occurred between your letter and my reply

I remain,

Sir,

Your Obliged and most obedt Servt_

D.R. Hay

P.S. I shall pay Messrs B & A: The Five pounds you were so good as remit for their trouble in preparing the sketch.

D.R.H.

to

Doctor Jacob Bigelow} ...M.D.} Boston}

[stamp: L MRB]

By first Steamer Packet

Doctor Jacob Bigelow Boston United States America

[stamp; overlaying first line of address PAID at EDINB. F MAR 1 1845]

[seal: stamped red wax]