do assure you that I have truly studied the two little pictures I now send, and do not repent of the time I have spent upon them. God bless you.—Yours, W. B.
P.S.—I have taken the liberty to trouble you with a letter to my brother,[1] which you may be so kind as to send, or give him, and oblige yours,
W. B.
25.
To Thomas Butts.
Felpham, 25th April 1803.
My dear Sir,—I write in haste, having received a pressing letter from my brother. I intended to have sent the picture of the "Riposo,"[2] which is nearly finished—much to my satisfaction, but not quite. You shall have it soon. I now said the four numbers[3] for Mr. Birch, with best respects to him. The reason the Ballads have been suspended is the pressure of other business, but they will go on again soon.
Accept of my thanks for your kind and heartening letter. You have faith in the endeavours of me, your weak brother and fellow-disciple; how