352 THE WEDGWOODS. 



others are lower, so that upon the average they will be nearly the 

 price at which they were ordered. 



" I hope they will meet y r 

 "approbation, and 



/'am, Sir, 



"Your obt Ser*, 



"En. EGINTON." 



Josiah "Wedgwood, the friend of Boulton and of Eginton, 

 the warm patron of art, and the encourager ot every useful 

 invention, purchased some of these pictures, as will be seen 

 by the following interesting letter : 



" Whampton, Septf. 22nd, 1781. 



"Mr. HODGES. 



" SIE, After considering the great risk you run, in sending 

 the picture by the Coach, with the uncertainty even of its being dry 

 against the time fixed, I conclude it of much less consequence that 

 I should bestow a few days more in rendering the Picture I am now 

 at work on equal to the original, than to have one totally spoiled in 

 the carriage, and the intention of the whole order frustrated thereby. 

 I have therefore sent you the Original, as a companion to the other ; 

 and you may depend on having the remaining picture returned to 

 you equal to either of the former, and I shall have the satisfaction 

 of compleating my part of the order in due time. If these pictures 

 are not sent away till Monday, there should be some white of egg 

 given to the' Time and Cupid, as it, is scarcely dry enough to bear 

 the carriage. 



" Please, if you can, to return by the bearer the Time and Cupid 

 which is to be painted for Mr. Boulton, with the Circle of the 

 Graces breaking Cupid's bow, for Mr. Wedgwood. 



"lam, Sir, Your obt. St., 



"JosH. BAENEY." 



"Mr. JON HODGES, Soho." 



Eginton's process was so successful, and was so highly 

 approved by people of taste, that interest was made to get 

 him an annual pension from Government in acknowledg- 

 ment of his services. Boulton, however, not much to his 

 credit, put a veto on the movement, and thus prevented a 

 fitting and gratifying recognition of his talents from being 

 made. Thus says Mr. Boulton 



