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1774] To the Eev. William Cole 19

You certainly ask no favour, dear Sir, when you want
prints of me. They are at anybody's service that thinks
them worth having. The owner sets very little value on
them, since he sets very little indeed on himself; as a man,
a very faulty one j and as an author, a very middling one :
wMch whoever thinks a comfortable rank, is not at all of
my opinion. Pray convince me that you think I mean
sincerely, by not answering me with a compliment It
is very weak to be pleased with flattery; the stupidest of
all delusions to beg it. From you I should tat© it ill,
We have known one another almost fifty years—to very
little purpose, indeed, if any ceremony is necessary, or
downright sincerity not established between us. Only tell
me that you are recovered, and that I shall see you som©
time or other. I have finished the Catalogue of my collec-
tion; but you shall never have it without fetching, nor,
though a less punishment, the prints you desire. I propose
in time to have plates of my house added to the Catalogue,
yet I cannot afford them, unless by degrees* Bngwrors
are grown so much dearer, without my growing ri&het, that
, I must have patience! a quality I seldom have, tut when
I must. Adieu! Yours evor,

a w.

P.S. I have lately been at Ampthill, and saw Queen
Katherine's cross. It is not near large enough for the situa-
tion, and would be fitter for a garden than a park: but it is
executed in the truest and best taste* Lord Qssory is quite
satisfied, as well as I, and designs Mr. Essex a present of
some guineas. If ever I am richer, I shall consult the
same honest man about building my offices, for which
I have a plan: but if I have no more money ever, I will
not run in debt, and distress myself; and therefore veonit
my designs to chance and a little economy.

C 2



	1774] To the Eev. William Cole 19 You certainly ask no favour, dear Sir, when you want prints of me. They are at anybody's service that thinks them worth having. The owner sets very little value on them, since he sets very little indeed on himself; as a man, a very faulty one j and as an author, a very middling one : wMch whoever thinks a comfortable rank, is not at all of my opinion. Pray convince me that you think I mean sincerely, by not answering me with a compliment It is very weak to be pleased with flattery; the stupidest of all delusions to beg it. From you I should tat© it ill, We have known one another almost fifty years—to very little purpose, indeed, if any ceremony is necessary, or downright sincerity not established between us. Only tell me that you are recovered, and that I shall see you som© time or other. I have finished the Catalogue of my collec- tion; but you shall never have it without fetching, nor, though a less punishment, the prints you desire. I propose in time to have plates of my house added to the Catalogue, yet I cannot afford them, unless by degrees* Bngwrors are grown so much dearer, without my growing ri&het, that , I must have patience! a quality I seldom have, tut when I must. Adieu! Yours evor, a w. P.S. I have lately been at Ampthill, and saw Queen Katherine's cross. It is not near large enough for the situa- tion, and would be fitter for a garden than a park: but it is executed in the truest and best taste* Lord Qssory is quite satisfied, as well as I, and designs Mr. Essex a present of some guineas. If ever I am richer, I shall consult the same honest man about building my offices, for which I have a plan: but if I have no more money ever, I will not run in debt, and distress myself; and therefore veonit my designs to chance and a little economy.

	C 2