I am perfectly satisfied with Bell's medium and fresh turpentine for the very little use I make of vehicle in painting; but there is always the difficulty of the _final_ varnish in the Academy. I don't like risking mastic or copal _so soon_ on work which contains _nothing_ but oil (and if I ever do use a little, I put poppy oil with it), and the result is that I generally varnish with Roberson's medium, which is safe, but I fear a little inclined to _yellow_ in time. Now what I want you kindly to tell me, my dear Church, is the exact composition of the _three_ Vibert media, and your opinion about the safety of using _all three_ in the prescribed order; and this I should like to know on my return at the _beginning_ of November (hence my haste in writing), and also whether I can safely use these vehicles on work _begun in my usual medium_. It is just possible you may not have heard of the Vibert vehicles; if so, I would ask you to be so kind as to obtain (of course at _my_ expense) a bottle of each of the mixtures and to test them carefully. A line to say this has reached you would find me at the Hôtel Royal Mazzeri, Via 20 Settembre, _Rome_. With kind regards and anticipated thanks. * * * * * HÔTEL ROYAL MAZZERI, ROME, _October 22, 1895_. Many thanks for your prompt and amiable answer. I shall be interested to hear on my return the upshot of your analysis; but I _hate vernis_ in painting, as Bocchini tells us the Venetians did, _comme la peste_. I am very glad you are getting on so satisfactorily with your work on the frescoes. In haste (for I have many letters before me). _P.S._--No; I am sorry to say I am no better of my special ailment though my _general_ condition is good. * * * * * 2 HOLLAND PARK ROAD, KENSINGTON, W., _November 8, 1895_. Excuse the hand of my secretary. Many thanks for your note about Vibert's varnishes, which I shall accordingly dismiss from my mind--the varnishes, I mean, not your note. One chapter in which is revealed Leighton's serious inner life closed during the years he was President. The last letter which has been preserved from his beloved master, Steinle, is dated 22nd November 1883, Frankfurt:--