xvii Wedgwood and Flaxman 2 1 3 



daily for some time past. However, I have now sent 

 two of the Corners and Centre, accompanied with the 

 difficulties I am under, for your contemplation and 

 decision. I think, when you have fastened them with 

 pins in their places, and considered the effect, you will 

 find either the heads are too large for the Centre, or 

 that the figures in the Centre are disproportionately 

 small for the heads. If you think the heads have a 

 proper effect, and are not too large when seen in their 

 proper places, I must reduce the number of figures in 

 the centre, and place them upright in the long way of 

 the oval, retaining the allegory; or make them Genii 

 children telling the same story ; by which means also 

 the whole will have a better proportion. If you think 

 the figures in the centre of a proper height and the 

 heads too large and heavy, I will alter the Corner to 

 whole figures of children (Genii) sitting with the same 

 attitude the heads have now ; and in this case I shall 

 reduce the number of figures in the centre to show the 

 outlines more distinctly, like paintings on the Etruscan 

 vases, as this manner has the best effect. When you 

 have determined these matters and sent back the paint- 

 ings, they shall be finished with all possible despatch. 



" I wish you may soon come to town to see Sir 

 William Hamilton's Vase (Barberini or Portland Vase). 

 It is the finest production of art that has been brought 

 to England, and seems to be the very apex of perfec- 

 tion to which you are endeavouring to bring your 

 Bisque and Jasper. It is of the kind called ' Murrinan ' 



