Note (return) — Replies.

"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.