This volume contains letters resulting from an intense period of work for Lawrence and document the enormous personal success that resulted.
It is interesting to note that the character of the archive changes almost immediately after Lawrence moves into 65 Russell Square in 1814. Although there continues to be many letters from Lawrence to Farington other correspondents appear for the first time, all writing to Lawrence himself. This suggests that the continuity of Russell Square (Lawrence's home until his death) allowed many more manuscripts to survive.
The volume contains documents relating to Lawrence's knighthood in 1815. There are also revealing manuscripts dealing with his increasingly friendly relations with the
Prince Regent and Lawrence's important friendship with
Charles Stewart. Lawrence's intimate association with the death of
Princess Charlotte Augusta in 1817 is recorded.
The volume concludes with important letters on the congress of Aix la Chapelle, Lawrence's personal observations are detailed. The success of the Royal portraits of Aix cemented Lawrence's reputation as the foremost portrait painter of Europe at the time.