1845-07-02 Bigelow Chapel Stained Glass: Ballantine & Allan to Jacob Bigelow, 1831.041.001-004

42 George Street Edinburgh 2^nd July 1845

Jacob Bigelow Esq^re

Sir,

We beg leave to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 14^th ult^a, and feel exceedingly gratified by the perusal of its contents.--

We shall begin to Work immediately on the receipt of the shapes or templets, and shall take care to have it finished and dispatched to your Agents in Liverpool, on or before the first day of March next.

Thorwaldsen's Night and Raphaels Madonna are both known to us, and there is an excellent copy of the latter in the possession of a Gentleman here, to which we have access. The excellent taste shown in the selection of such subjects, as well as in their adaptation to the purpose intended, is fully appreciated by us. We feel the importance of the Work committed to us, and you may rely upon our best exertions being used to treat the subjects Artistically.

We have noted carefully, and understand clearly, all the alterations in the shapes alluded to in your letter, and if upon the arrival of these, there be any point which we do not clearly understand we shall write you. The other instructions contained in your communications shall be rigidly adhered to. We trust that you have returned our design in the paper parcel, if not please do immediately, else we shall not know well how to proceed with the foliated ornament not having kept

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a correct copy. We shall return the designs with the Windows if required.

Your idea of having the representation of Death, in the North Window, executed in sombre tints, that of Immortality, which fronts the Sun, in bright colours, is excellent, and shall be wrought out with our best [cure/case?] --

We will write to you relative to the thickness of our pannels [sic] and send you a sketch of rebats whenever we have the working drawings made out -- Our Mosaic pieces are joined together by lead, and we always keep such references as enables us in case of accidents, to replace any broken pieces, but of all this, we will write you more particularly on a future occasion.--

We believe that it may tend to give you some confidence in our professional skill, and will be gratifying to you to learn that we have been appointed by the Royal Commission on the Fine Arts to execute the entire Painted Windows for the House of Lords, a work of great Na=tional importance - With every sentiment of gratitude & respect - We remain

Sir

Your obedient Servants

Ballantine & Allan