“I am sorry to have it only in my power to reply that the portrait of Mr. Shelley, to which you allude, is by no means a good one:—it is the size of life in oil, but unfortunately very unfinished. There are, however, several very striking points of resemblance, and I indulge a hope that when I can afford it, a first-rate engraver might succeed in making a good print of it. I do not know anything so disagreeable or unjust, as the too frequent custom of prefixing prints unworthy of the persons represented, and in this case there would be great danger that even Mr. Heath would not succeed. I should therefore be averse to having it done, unless by him, and unless it were in my power to cancel it altogether if I did not approve of it.
“If it had been otherwise—if the picture had been one which would only have needed fidelity and care, I should have been happy to have furnished you with an opportunity of making an engraving, and be assured it is not necessary to apologise to me for an application on this subject.
“I believe Mr. Leigh Hunt is our common acquaintance.
