JOSHUA REYNOLDS (1723-1792) English painter in the Grand Manner who was the foremost portraitist of his day. Rare A.L.S. "Joshua Reynolds ", 2pp. 4to., Leicester Fields, Sep. 29, 1790 likely to a Mr. Townley. Reynolds returns "a thousand thanks " for having been sent a copy of a speech by Si William Scott. He notes: "...this speech, I really think, will raise his character still higher - So much good sense, and Knowledge of Life, so much sagacity, joined with so much elegance and simplicity if style and Manner...never met before in a higher degree, in the same composition. I read it out-right the moment I received it, which, considering how little I read at present, is paying it a very great Compliment... " A large chip at top margin affects the top of one word in text on verso, else just some light dust soiling at margins and otherwise very good. Scott was a brilliant public attorney who in 1898 commenced a thirty-year position as judge of the High Court of Admiralty. $750-1,000