Flaxman-1-15

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Dear and Kind Friend

I am heartily concened at Your account of Poor Thomas's health, 'tho I think with you that the worthy and able M:^r Guy's advice, the attention of his Parents and his Salubrious Native Air can scarcely fail to bring about his cure, and I hope in a much shorter time than might be expected, however I am please to find that his ardour for the Arts of Design is not abated, and I shall willingly consider this as a happy omen of his speedy recovery

It is necessary that I should repeat Nancy's and my own thanks and gratitude for Your kind visit to M:^r Huskinson [sic] in behalf of my brother in law M:^r John Denman, from whom I learn, that the Manufacture of Guns has very lately taken such a turn from the continuation of the War, that it will be needless for you to trouble yourself farther at present in his interest for the India Company's Contract

I wish I could have seen M:^rs Mary before she left town to thank her for the Garters which She was so good as to make for M:^rs Flaxman and me:

You desire to know the success of my Second visit to Grosvenor Square, I will tell you, I perceived much of the pretence to Honor and Virtue common at this day altho I could distinguish little of of the things themselves

to say the truth my conduct did not add much to the Sincerity of the Scene for I thought it prudent to veil my own opinions in some measure that they might not too much irritate the fair pattern of Excellence against the persons I wished to serve — Nancy unites in love to you and our Dear Tom with hopes for his speedy recovery

I have the honor to be
Dear Friend
Your ever obliged

John Flaxman

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London Feb^y twenty seventh 1798
M.^r Hayley Esq^r
Eartham
Chichester

Free [?] Newark [?]