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 146 But I hastened to write to you about Mr. Braithwaite. Hope when I send my proofs to give as good an account of Mr. Walker.

My wife joins me in respects and love to you, and desires with mine to present hers to Miss Poole.

33.

To William Hayley.

12th March 1804.

,—I begin with the latter end of your letter, and grieve more for Miss Poole's ill-health than for my failure in sending the proofs, though I am very sorry that I cannot send before Saturday's coach. Engraving is eternal work. The two plates are almost finished. You will receive proofs of them from Lady Hesketh, whose copy of Cowper's Letters ought to be printed in letters of gold and ornamented with jewels of Heaven, Havillah, Eden, and all the countries where jewels abound. I curse and bless engraving alternately, because it takes so much time and is so intractable, though capable of such beauty and perfection. My wife desires me to express her love to you,