21.
To John Flaxman.
19th October 1801.
Dear Flaxman,—I rejoice to hear that your great work is accomplished. Peace[1] opens the way to greater still. The kingdoms of this world are now become the kingdoms of God and His Christ, and we shall reign with Him for ever and ever. The reign of literature and the arts commences. Blessed are those who are found studious of literature and human and polite accomplishments. Such have their lamps burning and such shall shine as the stars.
Mr. Thomas, your friend to whom you was so kind as to make honourable mention of me, has been at Felpham and did me the favour to call on me. I have promised him to send my designs for Comus[2] when I have done them, directed to you.
Now I hope to see the great works of art, as they are so near to Felpham: Paris being scarce
- ↑ Buonaparte opened negotiations of peace at the close of 1801, and the Peace of Amiens was concluded in the following March.
- ↑ There are two sets of eight drawings each for Comus, one of them formerly in the collection of Alfred Aspland, the other, from J. C. Strangers collection, now in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts—neither of them of extraordinary merit It is uncertain which of the two is the one mentioned here.
