Page:Life of William Blake, Gilchrist.djvu/475

 which he says he will take one copy of Job for himself, but cannot, as yet, find a customer for one; but hopes to do somewhat by perseverance in his endeavours. He tells me that it is too much finished, or overlaboured, for his Bristol friends, as they think. I saw Mr. Tatham, senior, yesterday. He sat with me above one hour, and looked over the Dante. He expressed himself very much pleased with the designs as well as the engravings, and hopes soon to get proofs of what I am doing.

I am, dear Sir,

Yours sincerely,

This Mr. Cumberland, of Bristol, was one of the few buyers from Blake during these years. For him the artist now executed a slight, but interesting commission—an artistic card-plate; no infrequent thing in former days. Reynolds had such an one, and Hogarth also. The whole conception appears to be symbolic of life. Two boys playing fate with the distaff; last the angel with sickle to reap the harvest of God; and other figures harder to interpret.



The inscription below is, ''W. Blake inv. & sc. æt.'' 70. 1827. The Mr. Tatham, senior, was the architect I have already mentioned as father of a young sculptor then among Blake's most enthusiastic followers.