Flaxman-3-10

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7 Nov 1799 [added in pencil]

Dear & Kind Friend

By M:^rs Lushington's letter from you which I saw yesterday evening, I am concerned to find that you have been under some anxiety at Not having heard from me & indeed I am convinced that my conduct would be really criminal in giving any addition to the affliction under which You have laboured so long & therefore I should have written to You imediately after M:^r Meyer's visit, if I had not understood, that he intended to send the result of his Message & I really thought one letter to you upon so Melancholy a Subject would be better than two however, as it is necessary I shall repeat what I said to M:^r Meyer, in Case of that Melancholy event which may be dreaded I will make the Cast I promised, but with respect to any visit to Sussex at present it is totally impossible for me, not only on account of the necessity of My constant labour on which I am doing but also because several of the things under hand cannot be left

for

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different cogent reasons which might be much better given in Words than writing & by some indeed which it would be highly improper to set down in a letter & of which you shall have a Satisfactory account when we meet; with respect to Miss Cromwell's Monument it will be so easily set up when ready that when the situation is pointed out to the Mason he will set it up in a day or two without the least occasion for My presence which must be utterly useless, besides which that Monument is not in a condition to be sent to Chichester for 'tho the bas-releif [sic] has been finished a Year, M:^r Cromwell has not yet sent me the Inscription & therefore in this respect it is incomplete; I should be much gratified to see both yourself & my Suffering friend for whose situation I feel most sincerely as well as for that affliction that which has so long & intirely occupied your Mind & in which all friends must partake, but upon this Subject it is better to say little excepting, that that [sic] I regret I cannot see You at present for my employments have nott [sic] Suffered me to leave them for more than one day even upon pressing business for the last Twelvemonths [sic]

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When I saw M:^r Long last he did not seem to know what he was likely to do for M:^r & M:^rs Hodges's Monumental Inscription Tablet however from information obtained in the neighbourhood he finds there is a Carver & Mason near the place who can execute anything wanted & by that means save the expence of Carriage & packing Cases from London

if this plan is followed which seems the best, my drawing from \your/ Idea & Guinea towards the Subscription shall be ready when called for; with kindest remembrance to my patient, Suffering friend & the earnest wish of happier days for you both in which Nancy cordially unites, I remain

Dear Friend
your obliged
& affectionate
J Flaxman

Nov:^r 27:^th 1799
Buckingham Street
Fitzroy Square

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William Hayley Esq:^re
Eartham
^near Chichester