Flaxman-3-8

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Aug:^st 27: 1795
Buckingham Street

Dear Kind Friend

After the severe task of parting on Sunday evening, we were recieved [sic] by the hospitable Guy's [sic] in a manner that must make us remember and love them as long as we live, to crown his kindness at Suppertime M:^r Guy presented one with a draft from the Subscribers to the Monument for ^£46-^S16- being ^£6 - ^S16- more than I expected, this additional gift was endeared by the friendly manner in which it was presented and the flattering testimonies of the subscribers, Chichester will ever be dear to me if I was a Sovereign I would grant it privileges, if I was a rich Artist, I would Shew my gratitude in Some other way, I do not forget that this Spirit of taste and liberality \is derived/ from my Eartham Benefactor; whose life I hope may be crowned with blessings according to his Activity in dispensing them to others: I delivered Your letter to M:^r Rose as I did the parcel to the Rev:^d R: Clarke: whom I found reading in a Two-pair of Stairs room, the whole appearance was decent and Age rendered his person venerable, I did

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intend to have presented him with Half a Guinea but as I cannot be so liberal at present as I should like to be, I will in preference beg of my friend Thomas to give Half a Guinea to poor Herrington's family (I mean the Madman) without mentioning my name to them and I will return it to him when he comes to town — I could not send this letter before to day because I have been collecting information concerning M:^r Weller; M:^r Sharpe is not inclined to take a pupil, but I have seen M:^r Parker an old acquaintance of mine & a friend of M:^r Stothard's who does not seem unwilling to enter into a negociation with M:^r Weller on the subject, I have seen different prints after Stothards [sic] drawings by him, beautifully engraved in Strokes, Stothard says if he intended to make either of his Sons an engraver he would put \him/ under M:^r Parker;" if I had a Son I should be glad to do so too, for he is one of those Steady, persevering men, who is constantly advancing in the best pursuits of his Art, he is besides, religious, mild & Conscientious; he said concerning M:^r Weller's relation that he could not take \him/ for 5 years to do his duty by him for less than 200 Guineas & that concerning his employment & time, he shall be carefully instructed in the principles of his profession whilst his Master will look much more to his diligence in his Studies than to the exact observation of hours:

If M:^r Weller is inclined to open any Correspondence with M:^r Parker, he lives at Spring Place Kentish Town

London

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& all farther negociations must now depend on themselves for you \know/ My Dear Freind [sic] illeg how I am engaged at present

pray when you have an opportunity present respectfull [sic] & particular thanks to M:^r M:^rs Guy & their young Ladies & Gentlemen, for their extraordinary kindness & attention to M:^rs Flaxman & myself, I have looked out the drawings from which I intend to send M^r: Guy, copies,

now for my friend & fellow Student Thomas, tell him we love him, think of him, & hope Sea that bathing will strengthen his outward \man/ whilst he is forming his inward by occasional attention to the Authors, we know he is happy whilst in the Company of his Dear Bard, pray remember me kindly to Socket, Mary & Kill eé & Eat eé

I have the honor to remain

Dear Sir
your most obliged & affectionate Servant
John Flaxman

To Robin Goodfellow from Titania greeting —

My dear Tom

We all arriv'd in Buckingham Street safe & Happy, thank God! tho not without a sorry headach on the part of Titania, I have in one of my nervous fits made a friend of Burn's vow never to visit Eartham more, for Indeed I do not like to leave it!— Make all the haste you can to us my dearest Boy for without you the house seems very lonely, even Tom Kitten mews for you & [?]Woustrep{?] is become Obstreperous, the Goddess of Wisdom herself has suffer'd from your absence, all

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this about a little changling Boy ! give us notice of your coming I beseech you - Say everything that is kind for me to our favorite Bard, except that I love him, for that would be too Scandalous in this Worlds [sic] Eye e'en tho' I Swore it were in Payment only for his great Friendship to my husband —

Remember me kindly to Mary with thanks for her attention during my abode at Eartham, also to our good friend Socket and to my little merry favorite George give my Love & a kiss—

William Hayley Esq^r
Eartham
^near Chichester

I wish also to be remembered to the worthy Mrs Meyers & her Family including Miss Green, tell them I will visit them \as/ soon after their return to Kew as their own affairs will permit — —

Believe me my dear Tom Phid
Sincerely & affectionately
Your Friend
A F —