“Since my arrival in London I have often been on the point of writing to you, but my consciousness of the nature of your late engagements rendered me diffident of addressing you.
“Now, as I imagine the bustle of things has subsided
with you, I venture to tell you that Mr.
Fuseli received me as you could wish, and will give me a letter
to Canova, and to others at Rome, and
that I have been introduced by Mr.
Christie to Mr. G. W.
Taylor, who has employed me since my arrival in London. He is
kind, liberal, and rich, and is, I think, determined to be of use to art in all
its departments. He has expressed himself particularly delighted with what I
have done for him—three busts of his children in marble. At present I am with
him and his family here, at Earl
Spencer’s villa,
| LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. | 143 |
“It is with the consciousness of the pleasure this will give you I thus write about myself. This consciousness is more fixed and heightened within me when I count the years you have honoured me with your attention and kindness.
“Whenever my imagination glides to Allerton, it is with a deep feeling of gratitude and respect; for it was there my inexperienced youth was led to the path of simple art; it was there it caught the flame of ambition; it was there the suggestion of Rome was given birth to: therefore, dear Sir, though fate has prevented you from indulging your generous intentions towards me on this occasion of going abroad, it has not lessened my gratitude, but has made me feel and value, with more warmth, the superior part of our nature, that divine generosity which, when deprived of those partial gifts of fortune, exists the same in the noble mind, and therefore ought to possess a superior, an exalted place in the estimation of true gratitude. Through life, dear Sir, gratefully and respectfully yours, J. G.”
