He writes at the request of
Mr. Singleton, to whom the Duke has given a miniature commission, a little whole length of
Charles II from
van Dyck. Singleton, his old student, paints alone in his apartment, and this commission would take him three months. He would, therefore, rather decline the commission, hoping not to offend the Duke, than be forced to paint away from home. The picture would be perfectly safe with Singleton and could be returned at any point if required.