288 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
Brixton, March 30th, 1815. 
My dear Johns, — I am glad I have had the pleasure of hearing 
from you again, as I began to fear you had relinquished your pro- 
position, or did not intend to favour me with allowing me to have 
a hand in the business. As you have not to please connoisseurs or 
critics, perhaps you have done well in deciding to secure yourself 
against loss ; for I acknowledge, however desirable for reputation, 
it would have been almost an imprudent speculation where the 
numbers of subscribers must be so limited as in a country town. 
No degradation I hope to Plymouth. 
When you have completed your picture forward it to Mr. 
Stadler, Villiers Street, Strand, and favour me with a letter that I 
may have a peep. &c. 
I wish you would give me permission to do a little more in 
superintending the plate than your letter seemed to promise. I am 
sorry I said anything in my last letter about time ; for since it has 
been deferred so long I can now undertake to do what will be 
necessary without trouble, having nearly completed all my drawings 
for the exhibitions. Eather than impressions should be sent back- 
wards and forwards, till you have made it like the painting, let me 
first suggest what may be necessary to make it correct before it is 
sent to Plymouth, as it will save time. 
I should very much like a palette in your workshop. Though a 
stone, your metal might strike fire. If two agree, three could 
splash away without daubing each other. I have sinned a sin in 
canvas for Somerset House, and not a little one either, by the 
breadth and length thereof, seven feet by five feet. 
I think you should have exhibited this year. It is a good plan 
to keep the name regularly in the Catalogue. Ball is a long while 
priming and loading. Tis to be hoped he will make us all hoj) by 
his pop. I trust his name will be honourable. This devil out of 
the box will keep you from Paris ; but I hope what is so soon up 
will be soon put down. But you can see paintings in London, and 
very good ones too. Come up and spend a few weeks in June. 
Thanks for all assurances of friendship. Mrs. Prout and myself 
wish to be always thus remembered by you. We unite in best 
respects to all. When the engraver has received your picture I 
will get every particular from him about the price, expenses, &c, 
but nothing decided can be said till he sees it. 
