Page:The letters of William Blake (1906).djvu/227

 Rh letters to me as would have called for the sceptre of Agamemnon rather than the tongue of Ulysses, and I will venture to give it as my settled opinion that if you suffer yourself to be persuaded to print in London you will be cheated every way; but, however, as some little excuse, I must say that in London every calumny and falsehood uttered against another of the same trade is thought fair play. Engravers, painters, statuaries, printers, poets, we are not in a field of battle, but in a city of assassinations. This makes your lot truly enviable, and the country is not only more beautiful on account of its expanded meadows, but also on account of its benevolent minds. My wife joins with me in the hearty wish that you may long enjoy your beautiful retirement.

I am, with best respects to Miss Poole, for whose health we constantly send wishes to our spiritual friends, yours sincerely,

.

P.S.—Mr. Walker says that Mr. Cumberland is right in his reckonings of Romney's age. Mr. W. says Romney was two years older than himself, consequently was born 1734.