Flaxman-1-4

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Feb:^y 24 1795

Dear and Kind Friend

The presentation of the little Book was as grateful, as flattering and so much the more, as its contents will if rightly used improve the little Stock of learning and religion of its present professor; if I was a poet I would thank you worthily and Hesiod should sing the praises of Homer, not cross the Sea to contend with him for the Tripod

Do not suppose that you are one of those, forgotten as soon as out of sight, much of our discourse since your departure has been, “where now is the Bard, what is he doing. I hope he is well and happy, he is in a poetic rapture, he is engaged in some benevolent employment for his poor, neighbours, Oh! that I could see him”

I think that you and I shall want other no other inducement to exercise us in great and noble works than the Consideration, that

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Him who has given us what we possess, has a right to expect this from us as the only worthy homage we can render for being placed by him in his Earthly Paradise of Art and Knowledge:

I return my respectful thanks to the Committee for their kind intention which however I have not received; I have considerably advanced the large model of Collins’s figure.

Mrs Nancy desires her kindest wishes and is equally rejoiced with with myself that you met with no more harm in Your dreadful journey

Our friend Thomas gains on the affection of Nancy and myself I have the greatest hopes of his talents, however his attention has been a little relaxed from his studies on account of the Head-Ach

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To day he is better and has drawn a good figure

I have just recieved [sic] a letter from Father della Valle which ‘tho I cannot read, I find by a friends letter that his Benevolence expresses great joy at our safe arrival

I will immediately supply Thomas with an Eschylus and Iliad for M:^r Wright, these shall go to the account of the Piano Forte

We remain
Dear Sir

Your affectionate servants
J & A Flaxman

When Thomas sends anything to Eartham, I will send a cast of your medal, which has been commended by Stothard &c

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To
William Hayley Esquire