[14] Cordwood—charcoal.
[15] For other extracts from the Weekly Bills, etc., see vol. 1., pp. [179 to 183].
[16] The letters and other particulars concerning this demolition and removal will be found in vol. 1, pages [184–5].
[17] In 1787 the weekly wages paid at the works seem to have been about £34. In 1790 there were eleven hands employed in gilding and eight in burnishing, and more burnishers were required.
[18] A notable instance occurs with regard to the design and arrangement and pose of the figure of Lord Howe (modelled by Coffee), the curious and interesting letters concerning which I possess. Another instance was with regard to a bust of Sir Richard Arkwright, for which, by “desire of Mr. Strutt,” Mr. Duesbury had a plaster cast taken from the face of Sir Richard, and had also Wright’s picture lent him by Mr. Strutt. Another instance occurred over a service made for the Duchess of Northumberland in 1795, a letter regarding which, in my own possession, says that the six comports are put into Wright’s hands.
[19] At this time, among other memoranda, I find he had produced “4 knife hands,” for which he was paid £3 13s. 6d.; and a “small figure of Meditation,” for which he had two guineas; and was paid six guineas for eighteen days’ work at Aston.
[20] One of these letters is so amusing that I cannot resist printing it. It is as follows:—“Sir,—I received your favor of the 24th Inst only this day, in Answer I shall tell you that on the 7th Inst I wrote to Spengler to know from whether he had settled with you that I might know whether I was discharged from my bail, he answered me the 9th that he was working indefatigably to bring under the pretended debt (as he call’d it) and that he was allowed out of his weekly wages barely to maintain himself upon this I thought he would continue to work ’till at he had compleatly discharged your debt. But how great was my astonishment when last Saturday sen’night I saw him arrive, in the most pity full condition. I asked him immediately what brought hither, and whether he had settled with you and cleared me of my responsibility, I recd. no other answer, but that nobody would ever ask me any thing and that you owed him money; without saying any thing more he sat down to dinner with me, and after dinner he went up into my room to shave himself and dress his hair; a little while after my servant going up to make my bed found him in it she told him he could not remain in the house, all the rooms being engaged, he begged to be left to take a little rest (being very ill) and he would rise again. I good naturedly never intended to disturb him, and thought him really asleep in my room! ’till 11 o’clock when I went up to take a few things I wanted I found he was gone, and on looking round I missed several things which he has made free with to the amt. of £4 4s. Notwithstanding this I think he is still in London or its vicinity. and that he will have impudence enough to call on me or to write: However I give up every thought of making any good of him. Therefore must beg you to dispose to the best advantage of those things he left in yr possession, and to let me know what further sum is coming to you, without any more law proceedings. When I know your demand I shall endeavour to settle it with Mr. Lygo to whom you may give orders for the purpose I remain Sir Yr most obedt. Hble servt H. Hurter
“London 28th Novr 1792”
[21] See Vol. I., pp. 139 to 141.
[22] For an account of those works see later on in this volume.