I am, My dear Sir, Yours very truly, R. B. BYAM, ESQ. Vicar of Kew. To J. RIGBY, Esq., Kew. To this _capital_ letter my father replied:-- Kent Villa. DEAR AND REVEREND SIR, I cannot refrain from expressing to you my warm thanks for the very kind and disinterested manner in which you have been pleased to entertain my humble idea in regard to the restoration of Gainsborough's tomb, and the erection of a tablet to his memory in the church, the duties of which you so ably fulfil, nor can I but wholly appreciate your very kind but far too flattering reference to myself in your letter to our friend Mr. Rigby which coming from such a source is I assure you most truly valued. Your most obedient and obliged Servant, E. M. WARD. The tomb was restored, a new railing placed around it, and a tablet to the artist's memory was also placed by my father inside the church. [Illustration: THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH ESQ^R DIED AUG^{ST} the 2^{ND} 1788 AGED 61 YEARS ALSO THE BODY OF GAINSBOROUGH DUPONT ESQ^R WHO DIED JAN^{RY} 20^{TH} 1797 AGED 42 YEARS ALSO MARGARET GAINSBOROUGH WIFE OF THE ABOVE THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH ESQ^R WHO DIED DEC^{MR} THE 17^{TH} 1798 IN THE 72^{ND} YEAR OF HER AGE RESTORED AND ENCLOSED AS A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT BY E. M. WARD R. A. SEPTEMBER 1865 GAINSBOROUGH'S TOMB AT KEW CHURCHYARD AND TABLET TO HIS MEMORY INSIDE CHURCH.]