Page:The letters of William Blake (1906).djvu/223

gave him a history of the reviewing business, as far as I am acquainted with it. He desires me to express to you that he would heartily devote himself to the business in all its laborious parts, if you would take on you the direction; and he thinks it might be done with very little trouble to you. He is now going to Russia; hopes that the negotiations for this business are not wholly at an end, but that on his return he may still perform his best, as your assistant in it. I have delivered the letter to Mr. Edwards, who will give it immediately to Lady Hamilton. Mr. Walker I have again seen; he promises to collect numerous particulars concerning Romney, and send them to you; wonders he has not had a line from you; desires me to assure you of his wish to give every information in his power. Says that I shall have "Lear and Cordelia"^[1] to copy if you desire it should be done. Supposes that Romney was about eighteen when he painted it; it is therefore doubly interesting. Mr. Walker is truly an amiable man; spoke of Mr. Greene^[2] as the oldest friend of Romney, who knew most concerning him of anyone; lamented the little differ-

1. See note i, p. 153.
2. Thomas Greene, of Slyne, Lancaster (1737-1810), solicitor; a friend of Romney from childhood. Romney painted several portraits of him (see Romney, by Humphry Ward and W. Roberts, 1904, vol. ii. p. 64).