| Description | (Press-copy of an original in the hand of William Cheshire, signed by Boulton.)
Soho, September 2d, 1807
Dear Sir,
The state of my health for near five years past has shut me out almost wholly from all intercourse with the World and also debarred me from the pleasure of corresponding with my Friends on either subjects of business or pleasure, so that I have been as one who could neither write nor read; the prohibitions of the Faculty and my own inconquerable infirmities having in a great measure precluded me from those enjoyments.
Thus situated it has been with great regret that I have witheld from acknowledging the honor of several very friendly packets from you, [but] to the one now before me, which reached my hand yesterday, inclosing a stamped card, I cannot refrain from dictating a reply, as I feel myself at this moment just well enough to hark defiance at the Faculty.
I confess myself at a loss to penetrate into your views on the subject of the plan you have suggested, as it does not immediately strike me how it can give assistance to the Painter’s Art in any superior degree to what can be, with so much greater facility, obtained from the Copper Plate engraver.
You mention large cards, and large stamps; but without giving an idea of the limits thereof, so that I am doubtful whether you have in your mind a scale of inches, or feet; if the cards are intended to be within the compass of a Medal size the die in which they are to be struck might, I conceive, be as well applied, at once, to the striking of Medals; the labour of engraving a die of even a moderate size being so great, that unless the number of cards to be taken off were very considerable the expence would be an objection of some weight.
Although it is probable that my suggestions may prove I am not clearly comprehending your views I have, nevertheless, thought it proper to give you them as they occur to me, and I beg leave to add, that if you perceive any attainable benefit to the Arts from the prosecution of your idea, I shall be happy to receive your explanation, and to further your plan in any way you can point out to me, altho’ I have been unable to visit my workshops for some years.
I embrace this opportunity of thanking you for having directed my attention to your valuable publication on longevity, from the perusal of which I promise myself a high gratification, having yet been able to read but a few pages of it.
I am, with sincere regard and very respectfully, Dear Sir, your faithful and obedient humble Servant,
Mattw. Boulton
Agreeably to your desire I return herewith the Portrait of the King of [Prussia].
[Edited transcript.] |