214 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



by Pliny, made of dark blue glass with white enamel 

 figures. The vase is about a foot high, and the figures 

 between five and six inches, engraved in the same 

 manner as a cameo, and of the grandest and most per- 

 fect Greek sculpture. 



" Since I repaired the bust of Mrs. Siddons after 

 moulding, a friend of mine, J. B. Burgess, Esq., of Bed- 

 ford Square, has been very desirous to purchase it, to 

 set it with the model of Mercury and several other 

 models he has of mine. As you have the mould of the 

 model, I think it cannot be of much use. To let Mr. 

 Burgess have it will oblige him, and be of some little 

 advantage to me. You may depend on this, no other 

 use will be made of it than being placed in his study, 

 and if I have your permission to sell it to him, I shall 

 take off half my charge for it in your bill. 



" I return you many thanks for the liberal praise you 

 bestowed on my Chess-figures ; and with best and most 

 respectful wishes to Mrs. Wedgwood and your family 

 from Mrs. Flaxman and myself, I have the honour to 

 be, sir, your most obliged servant, J. FLAXMAN." 



Mr. Wedgwood answered the above letter as follows : 

 " Etruria, 20th February 1784. Dear Sir I duly re- 

 ceived your favour of the 5th inst., with the observations 

 you were so kind as to make upon the paintings for 

 my drawing-room ceiling, stating some difficulties you 

 were under, and desiring my decision upon them. 



" The two heads of Divinities, and a sketch of the 

 Allegory for the centre, came to my hands last night. 



