Page:The letters of William Blake (1906).djvu/152

 88 18.

To. , 10th May 1801.

,—The necessary application to my duty, as well to my old as new friends, has prevented me from that respect I owe in particular to you. And your accustomed forgiveness of my want of dexterity in certain points emboldens me to hope that forgiveness to be continued to me a little longer, when I shall be enabled to throw off all obstructions to success.

Mr. Hayley acts like a prince. I am at complete ease. But I wish to do my duty, especially to you, who were the precursor of my present fortune. I never will send you a picture unworthy of my present proficiency. I soon shall send you several. My present engagements are in miniature-painting. Miniature has

Cowper, inscribed: From a Portrait in Crayons Drawn from the Life by Romney in 1792: Engraved by W. Blake, 1802. Blake's miniature is now in the possession of Canon Cowper Johnson.