The former document has the following phrases:  “I bequeath all my studies and works to any provincial gallery or galleries in Great Britain or Ireland, which my executors shall in their discretion select, and to be distributed between such galleries.”  This Will is dated November 1, 1899, and relates to such works as had not already been disposed of.  His great gift to the nation was made in 1897, accompanied by a characteristic letter in which he says: 

“You can have the pictures any time after next Sunday.  I have never regarded them as mine, but never expected they would be placed anywhere until after my death, and only see now my presumption and their defects and shrink from the consequences of my temerity!  I should certainly like to have them placed together, but of course can make no conditions.  One or two are away, and I am a little uncertain about the sending of some others; if you could spare a moment I should like to consult you.”

A few weeks later, following a letter from the Keeper of the National Gallery, he writes as follows: 

“I beg to thank you and through you the Trustees and Director of the National Gallery for the flattering intention of placing the tablet you speak of, but while returning grateful thanks for the intention of doing me this honour I should like it to be felt that I have in no way desired anything but the recognition that my object in work, and the offering of it, has only been the hope of spending my time and exercising my experience in a worthy manner, leaving to time further judgment.  Most certainly I desire that my pictures should be seen to advantage, and have a good effect as an encouragement to artists of stronger fibre and greater vitality, to pursue if only occasionally a similar direction and object.”

At the end of a long life by no means devoid of mistakes and disappointments, it would seem as though Watts attained to his desires.  The man has passed away, while the witness of his aspirations remains.