Perhaps I shall have it finished by the time you come home in the spring.

My landscape I finished sometime since, and it is framed and hung up in the front parlor." At last in July, 1811, the great ambition of the young man was about to be realized and he prepared to set sail for England with his friend and master, Washington Allston.

His father, having once made up his mind to allow his son to follow his bent, did everything possible to further his ambition and assist him in his student years.

He gave him many letters of introduction to well-known persons in England and France, one of which, to His Excellency C.M.Talleyrand, I shall quote in full.
SIR,--I had the honor to introduce to you, some years since, a young friend of mine, Mr.Wilder, who has since resided in your country.

Your civility to him induces me to take the liberty to introduce to you my eldest son, who visits Europe for the purpose of perfecting himself in the art of painting under the auspices of some of your eminent artists.
Should he visit France, as he intends, I shall direct him to pay his respects to you, sir, assured that he will receive your protection and patronage so far as you can with convenience afford them.
In thus doing you will much oblige, Sir, with high consideration Your most ob'd't.