encouraging him to visit his friends in England, discussing mutual friends including James Boswell and Samuel Johnson ("... I hope you have seen Dr Johnson's lives of the Poets as far as he is advanced. he is still at work - he has given me a sight of Addison Prior and Rowe which are admirable. It is very lucky this opportunity of bringing out his critical knowledge which I take to be his chief excellence..."), admitting to the reason for the fading of his portrait of the Earl of Erroll ("...the truth is for many years I was extremely fond of a very treacherous colour called Carmine, very beautifull to look at, but of no substance..."), sending works to Fettercairn House, and returning repeatedly to his attempts to get Lord Erroll to settle his bill, 12 pages, 4to, one with autograph address panel, docketed, London, 21 April 1778 to 18 October 1783, light damp staining, fold tears 

The Forbes Baronetcy was created in 1626 for Sir William Forbes (d. circa 1650) by James VI in the Barontage of Nova Scotia. The majority of the works offered here were acquired by the sixth Baronet, also William (1739-1806), who added Pitsligo to his title in 1781. He was an eminent Scottish banker and benefactor, good friend of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson (see lots 45-46), and finally succeeded in recovering the Pitsligo estates forfeited after the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. His son William, the seventh baronet, beat Sir Walter Scott to the hand of the renowned beauty Williamina Belsches Stuart (1776-1810), and it was with their marriage that the family moved to her family seat, Fettercairn House in Kincardineshire, Aberdeenshire.

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...I am sorry to hear you have no thought of coming amongst us again, Boswell makes nothing of the journey, he seems to set out for England as a man would go a few miles in the Country to dine with a friend, He made a visit last year to Dr Johnson when he was in Darbyshire, in this easy manner and when he had seen him he was satisfied and returned to Scotland, he is come now a second time to the great pleasure and satisfaction of his friends..."

Sir William Forbes (1739-1806) came to know Reynolds, as well as Johnson and other members of the Literary Club, through his close friendship with James Boswell. Reynolds's portrait of Forbeಌs is now at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.