Page:The letters of William Blake (1906).djvu/238

 172 twenty dark, but very profitable, years. I thank God that I courageously pursued my course through darkness. In a short time I shall make my assertion good that I am become suddenly as I was at first, by producing the "Head of Romney" and "The Shipwreck" quite another thing from what you or I ever expected them to be. In short, I am now satisfied and proud of my work, which I have not been for the above long period.

If our excellent and manly friend Meyer is yet with you, please to make my wife s and my own most respectful and affectionate compliments to him, also to our kind friend at Lavant.—I remain, with my wife's joint affection, your sincere and obliged servant, .

42.

To William Hayley.

18th December 1804.

,—I send, with some confidence, proofs of my two plates, having had the assistance and approbation of our good friend Flaxman. He approves much (I cannot help telling you so much) of "The Shipwreck." Mrs. Flaxman also, who is a