DEAR LEIGHTON,--I wish you joy with all my heart, and congratulate us all on your election. There ought to have been no sort of doubt as to the result, but the best of us are misconceived sometimes, though in your case never was a right more incontestable. All I hope is that your new duties will in no way interfere with the practice of your Art. I only venture to write, now, as one who, so many a year ago, saw your beginning with "Cimabue," and from that time to this remained confident what your career would be. But you know all this, and it requires no answer, being rather a spurt of satisfaction at my own original discernment than any assurance which I can fancy you need from,--Yours very truly, ROBERT BROWNING. Pen's letter to me, two days since, contained his earnest wishes for what has just happened, and he will be delighted accordingly. From Matthew Arnold:-- ATHENÆUM CLUB, PALL MALL, S.W., _November 15_. MY DEAR LEIGHTON,--One line (which you need not answer) to say how delighted I am to see what an excellent choice the Royal Academy has made. I only hope poor O'Conor may not take advantage of the occasion to plant an ode and a letter.--Ever sincerely yours, MATTHEW ARNOLD. From Hubert Herkomer:-- _November 27, 1878._ MY DEAR SIR FREDERIC LEIGHTON,--I am just recovering from an attack of brain fever, and although I am not allowed yet to write, I can no longer wait without dictating a letter to express my own individual pleasure at your being the new President. Three years ago you wrote me a letter after seeing my "Chelsea Pensioners." Perhaps you little dreamt of the tears of joy that that letter caused in a young painter, who will always feel that he owes you a debt of gratitude; and now he glories in your being the chief of that body which attracts to it all the principal art of the country. All England feels that you, from your new position, will give new life to it. Perhaps you will allow me, when I am sufficiently recovered, to come and see you. In the meantime believe me to be, with most heartfelt congratulations,--Sincerely yours, A.H., _pro_ HUBERT HERKOMER. SIR FREDERIC LEIGHTON, P.R.A. A friend writes:-- _November 15._