A pencil and wash sketch of a ruined abbey by moonlight, with houses and figures in the foreground; one of three works which together consistute a lesson in painting for Queen Victoria, accompanied by a detailed explanation of the three stages in painting such a watercolour written by the artist.

This watercolour, the first stage in Leitch's visual painting lesson, consists of three tones of colour wash. RCINs 919719 and 919720 are stages two and three of the lesson, and RCIN 919718.b the written instructions.

Leitch taught Queen Victoria between 1846 and 1865, as well as other members of the royal family. The Queen found Leitch an excellent drawing master, and on his death in 1888 wrote in her journal of her sadness at the passing of 'dear old Mr Leitch, my kind drawing Master, such an excellent artist, known to me for so many years, connected with happy and sad times, & with Scotland'.