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 the finest drawings. The twelve impressions of each of the plates which I now send ought to be unrolled immediately that you receive them and put under somewhat to press them flat. You should have had fifteen of each, but I had not paper enough in proper order for printing. There is now in hand a new edition of Flaxman's Homer with additional designs, two of which I am now engraving. I am uneasy at not hearing from Mr. Dally, to whom I inclosed £15 in a letter a fortnight ago, by his desire. I write to him by this post to inquire about it. Money in these times is not to be trifled with. I have now cleared the way to Romney, in whose service I now enter again with great pleasure, and hope soon to show you my zeal with good effect. Am in hopes that Miss Poole is recovered, as you are silent on that most alarming and interesting topic in both your last letters. God be with you in all things. My wife joins me in this prayer.

I am, dear Sir,

Your sincerely affectionate,

The next letter broaches a scheme of which, since it was never realized, no more can be said than is told in this, and in a subsequent letter. But its originator, Richard Phillips, the 'man of vast spirit, enterprise, and solidity,' demands a passing notice. First a schoolmaster at Chester, then a bookseller at Leicester, he was among the number of those prosecuted and imprisoned in 1793 for selling Paine's Rights of Man. Soon after his release he, having realized a considerable sum by speculating in canal shares, started with the aid of republican friends, the Monthly Magazine as an organ of the 'democratic' party, contributing frequent articles himself signed 'Common Sense.' He besides embarked first in the hosiery and then in the bookselling business again, on a large scale. Three years after the date of the following letter, he was made one of the Sheriffs of the City of London, and on presenting an address 'accepted the honour of knighthood to the great astonishment of his republican friends.' He became bankrupt shortly after; but the Magazine was bought in by friends, and he became its editor.