| Description | (2 pcs.)
Sir,
By desire of Mr. Fothergill I send inclosed herewith an account of the sales from Soho since your departure. In the course of the ensuing week I am in hopes of sending off several considerable orders (many of which have been long in hand), and at the end thereof shall transmit you an account of the same, and continue so to do weekly so long as you remain in town.
By Mr. Stuart's last letter we observe you request two engine counters may be sent immediately per coach. I have enquired of Mr. Hall for them, who informs me there's not one at Soho and that Mr. Henderson took the last that remain'd. He beli[e]ves there's two or three at Bedworth and one at the Navigation engine. The Engine Register is sent you from Birmingham.
The major part of the iron work for Chelsea was forwarded by yesterday's waggon, and the remainder Mr. Hall says shall be sent with all possible speed, but cannot exactly say when.
Yesterday I pack'd the urn for Sir Harbord and sent it in a box mark'd HH No. 1, to be delivered to Mr. John Stuart on Thursday or Friday next. I should have sent it direct to Sir H. H. in Albemarle Street, but was inform'd you wish'd to have the presentation thereof. Inclosed is an invoice of the same. N.B. The drawing sent us is inclosed in the box. Mr. F. E. can acquaint you the reason of the delay of said urn.
The large glass case for the Persian vase is sent by waggon, but could not pack any smaller in the inside without running great hazard of breaking in carriage. Mr. Scale thought it best not to attempt it. There are sent off for the sale a plated terrene, silver inkstand, and enamel'd candlesticks, &c., which Mr. Keir judged might not be amiss to send.
All the large silver filligree goods are sent, and presume you will likewise exhibit the filligree toast frames sent Mr. Stuart in January, which we do not find are yet disposed of; these are very expensive things.
No body of any particular note hath visited Soho, tho' people are coming daily. The Toy Room now wears a rejected aspect.
Mr. Cramlington and Mr. Shafto, two gentlemen from New Castle were here and gave orders for goods-say plated wares and trays, amount about £30-who, appearing to be gentlemen, I shew'd them particular attention. On their return from viewing the manufactory they express'd their satisfaction, in particular, in meeting with such an intelligent person as Mr. Hall, who explain'd the nature of the engine; it seems they were unacquainted before with the principles thereof. I imagin'd from Mr. Cramlington's questions relative thereto that he must be concern'd with some engine. I intimated to him that if he would be pleased to write you on the subject you wou'd readily give him every satisfaction required.
Lord Hereford, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, was at Soho some weeks ago and order'd a pair of plated goblets, which are just sent him. His Lordship admir'd much some of the paintings he saw, but declin'd purchasing any. He mention'd that some of his family had a choice collection of ancient good paintings and would be very glad for you to see them. He desir'd his compliments to you and beg'd you would not fail to visit him when you went to town, and said the likely times to find him were nine o'clock in the morning and four in the evening.
Lord Beauchamp was here 22d April, admired much the paintings, purchased a Hebe, which was sent to him at the Swan. His Lordship principally wanted to see various ornaments for decorating his rooms; I refer'd him to Jee, Eginton, & Co., but it was so late in the evening that I am afraid he did not see what he wanted. He mention'd his being indebted to you for ice pails and seem'd desirous to pay for them, but did not at Soho. I think he would be pleased to see some of the large mechanical paintings and not unlikely to order some.
Mr. Vere's card table candlesticks were sent per coach the 5th instant.
Mr. R. Preston of Liverpool, who has dealt with you, was here a few days ago, gave order for two urns and . . . goods. He deals in the japan'd business, desired to see our productions, saw them, and said in general their prices were considerably higher than Clay, Fletcher, &c. I told him it was your desire to sell as cheap as any body, and that upon conviction that you were undersold you would endeavour to sell as cheap. I observed to him the goodness of some of the figure paintings, &c., and said that on that account they came dearer; he acknowledged them to be well done, but said that he could not observe any striking difference in them from other people's, and that Clay, Fletcher, &c. (with whom he dealt) made only 1/- extra in charge for paintings of figures in good stile. He was going to London and would call again on his return and perhaps shou'd give an order for trial.
No japan'd wares are sold to signify. I learn Mr. E. has a large quantity of fresh ones nearly finish'd to come in the Room, which will only increase the stock if no orders can be procured to take them off.
The Earl of Inchiquin order is nearly finish'd and I expect to send it soon, either all or part; great has been the delay of this order, and I find Messrs. Jee, Eginton, & Co. have been a hindrance to them by keeping long in hand to engrave. This is too frequently the case with Soho orders, waiting so long in general for engraving.
Mr. F. no doubt has acquainted you with Mr. William James Norman's having been here. On his first arrival Mr. F. was not at Soho; he acquainted me of his intention and desire to establish a correspondency with your house and said his father formerly dealt with you and that he was a distant relation of yours. The particulars of his order presume you are acquainted with.
I have the honour to subscribe myself with the utmost deference, sir, your much obliged and most obedient humble servant,
John Hodges
PS. I purposed giving this letter to Mr. Keir, but could not possibly get in time before his departure. Permit me to desire my respects to Mrs. B., Master M., and Miss N., &c., who I hope are all well.
Excuse haste.
[Edited transcript.]
Account of goods sent off from Soho, 25 Apr.-9 May 1778.
(This document was docketed and filed separately from the letter that accompanied it.) |