Westall has sent me four of the six prints for Roderick,

the others are not yet finished: I am very much pleased with these. If I were persuaded according to the custom of these times, that it is absolutely necessary to find some fault with every thing, I might perhaps say that the engraver has aimed at throwing too much expression into the eyes, in some of the plates. Those which are come are Roderick at the foot of the Cross,

– Adosinda shewing him the dead bodies,

– Florinda at her confession,

– & the death of Count Julian.

The first strikes me as the best & for this reason; that the subject is altogether picturesque, it explains itself sufficiently; whereas to know what the others mean, the poetical situation must be understood. – I am much more desirous that this xxx speculation should succeed on Westalls account than on my own. He had set his heart upon it, in the belief that it would be of service to me to have my poems thus illustrated (as the phrase is), – & in the feeling that the publishers were acting unhandsomely in having such things done for every writer of any note except myself. The success would have been certain had it been done some years ago. At present it is very doubtful.

The Peninsular Views

arrived at the same time. That of Cintra I suppose to have been taken two or three hundred yards below the house which we inhabited.

Guarda & Bilbao seem not to be well printed in these impressions, – there is a mistiness about them, – like chalk drawings which have been rubbed. The view of Lisbon is not well chosen. Zaragoza, Tudela, Villa Velha & above all Marvam are very beautiful.

How is Chantrey?

Something like a message from him has been brought me by M^r Gee,

expressing a wish that I would sit to him when I come to London. When will that be you ask? And many I dare say ask the same question, who know not what pains, as well as thought, I must take for the morrow, before I can afford two months of travelling & expenditure. – Tonight I shall finish with Q Marys reign. Elizabeths will require not a long chapter – James’s a short one.

The next one of the most important in the book, but xxxx easily & soon written, because the materials are ready.

Another chapter comes down to the Revolution, & one more will conclude.

Then I shall set out for town, & eat ice there instead of oysters.

What is become of Gifford? The delay of the Review

is a great inconvenience to me at this time. If it be not speedily forthcoming I must ask you for forty pounds, – for I have workmen to pay.

My annual catarrh is come, & this night I attack it vigorously according to the Dog Stars prescription. Ora pro nobis!