DEAR Sir—My friend whom you have obliged by the loan of your picture, having had it very exactly copied (and a very spirited Drawing it is, as every one thinks that has seen it—the copy is not much inferior, done by a daughter of Josephs, R.A.)—he purposes sending you back the original, which I must accompany with my warm thanks, both for that, and your better favor, the “Messiah,” which, I assure you, I have read thro’ with great pleasure; the verses have great sweetness and a New Testament-plainness about them which affected me very much.
I could just wish that in page 63 you had omitted the lines 71 and 72, and had ended the period with
“The willowy brook was there, but that sweet sound— When to be heard again on Earthly ground?”— |
And in page 154, line 68, “I come ordained a world to save,”—these words are hardly borne out by the story, and seem scarce accordant with the modesty with which our Lord came to take his common portion among the Baptismal Candidates. They also anticipate the beauty of John’s recognition of the Messiah, and the subsequent confirmation from the voice and Dove.
| 1819 | BYRON ON LAMB AND LLOYD | 533 |
You will excuse the remarks of an old brother bard, whose career, though long since pretty well stopt, was coeval in its beginning with your own, and who is sorry his lot has been always to be so distant from you. It is not likely that C. L. will ever see Bristol again; but, if J. C. should ever visit London, he will be a most welcome visitor to C. L.
My sister joins in cordial remembrances and I request the favor of knowing, at your earliest opportunity, whether the Portrait arrives safe, the glass unbroken &c. Your glass broke in its coming.
Morgan is a little better—can read a little, &c.; but cannot join Mrs. M. till the Insolvent Act (or whatever it is called) takes place. Then, I hope, he will stand clear of all debts. Meantime, he has a most exemplary nurse and kind Companion in Miss Brent.
