Mancliestcr Memoirs, [ W. .i'//?'. (1900), A^^'. 14. 39 



Liverpool 30''! Aug. 1784. 

 Dear Sir, 



I received your lellcr of the 2f')'h & am satisfied with the reason you give 

 for not having wrote sooner, the day after Mr Martineau left us the pictures 

 arrived from Manchester, hut I am sorry no drawings of yours came with 

 them, it was a heavy stroke upon us, Vjut I hope we shall yet be able to hold 

 up our heads. We are now in midst of the Hurry. I am just returned 

 from the house where are arrived a great number of pictures, I believe 

 above a hundred, and among them many very capital, we have arrang'd the 

 Catalogue and with Roscoe's assistance have made it a very respectable one. 

 to-nn)rrow we meet to hang the pictures and I am afraid we shall find it 

 ' difficult to please all parties. Tarlton is come and proves as hot as fire, yet 

 they don't all shrink from it. Pack has exceeded my hopes in Miss Phillips, 

 he has got a striking likeness, and has made it an elegant picture, 'tis his 

 masterpiece. Tate has painted Mrs Richard Heywood* the same size (half 

 length) these are to be pitted against each other on each side S"" Joshua. I 

 am pleased to find this business has caused such an emulation— you can't be 

 serious in talking of not coming to the exhibition, that wou"d be too bad 

 indeed, you can certainly spare a couple of days during the three weeks we 

 shall keep it open, which will be from the 6th to the 27'h of next month, 

 this includes the festival week, your plan will therefore be, to come over 

 some day during the music, and hear one or two of the concerts if you can 

 do nothing else. Now I am on the subject of music I have something to say 

 to you respecting the concert you mention which Old Prospero hinted when 

 last at Manchester, lie told me about it the other day, and I endeavoured 

 to dissuade him from it by assuring him that I never knew anything of that 

 kind answer, he has not come to a determination to try it, but I find some 

 Manchester people who were lately here have assured him it would be 

 successful from the favourable light she stands in. he says moreover he can 

 have any assistance necessary, without expence, and he doubts not one of the 

 principal singers will also lend him a hand, the Theatre he can have for 

 nothing — under the circumstances, and with the certainty of making a 

 successful concert perhaps you may think more favonrable of it. I should be 

 glad to have your opinion, but I perceive you are not desirous of having 

 anything to do with the Old P'ellow, and I suppose you don't wish to 

 encourage them to come. I don't wonder at this at all, but I own I am a 

 dood deal surprised you did not see Miss Phillips either of the times she was 

 over. I would not have been bored by the old man so long without being 

 repaid by a little of his daughter's company, hut I daresay you had sufficient 

 reason for declining it. 



We expect a deal of company at the Festival. The Prince of Wales 

 will be at Lord Derby's, together with the Duke & Duchess of Devonshire, 

 Duke .t Duchess of Portland, and a long string of Nobility, so there is no 

 doubt but that the scheme will answer very well at the advanced 

 subscription. I remain as usual, yours, 



THOS. TAYLOR 



* Mary, dnughter of William Earle. 



