“Derby, Dec. 4, 1789.
“My Dear Sir,
“Pray how is my friend Tate? He has given of late but a bad account of himself; is obliged to live with great uniform temperance, and deny himself that conviviality he is so well calculated for. I wrote to him some little time ago, part of which letter I make no doubt but you are acquainted with, as it was my wish you should. You see I have enough of the Devil in me to wish to retaliate upon the misguided Alderman (Boydell), who I hear loses ground very fast, and will shortly have none to work for him but his half-starved creatures.
“I am engaged at present and shall be for some time with portraits, so that my historical pictures are, I fear, very distant. However, I do not lose sight of them, and as the hour’s exercise I daily take on horseback seems to contribute much to my health, I hope to be a tiptop by and by to attack ’em.
“However light my friend Smith made of the gout when you was with him, it has proved a serious affair to him, subjecting him to much pain and a long disuse of his pencil. Pity it is a man’s industry should prove an evil to him, and his laudable endeavours to provide for his tender offspring frustrate its own intention. Adieu, my good friend, and believe me yours very sincerely,
“JOSH WRIGHT.”
“St. Ellens, 24 June, 1791.
“My Dear Sir,
“Yesterday I received a letter from the Secy of the Spring Gardens Exhibition to know the price I had fixed upon the picture of “Antigonus,” a gentleman having applied for it, and desired him to write to me. Mr. Barrow, the Secy told him the conditions which I meant to part with the large pictures, namely, that they should be engraved from, by capital artists (which was not strictly what I meant). To this he had no objection, and assured him if he purchased the picture it should be engraved by Mr. Middiman, or some artist of equal reputation. It should seem from hence the person who is about the picture buys it with an intent to have a plate made from it, which will preclude my having it done by Heath, though from what you said to me last on that head, there are little grounds for hope of that ever taking place. Pray do you know the character of Mr. Middiman as an engraver?
“I should not have troubled my friend with this business (tho’ I am at all times and all occasions happy to have his advice) had not my friend Tate, when last here, asked the price of the ‘Storm’ for your Brother, Mr. H. Philips, at which time I did not give him a decisive answer. Therefore I think it incumbent on me, before I treat with the Gentleman, to inform you the price is 100gs. and shall be glad of your answer by return of post if convenient.
“The extremely cold weather immediately succeeding very hot, has diseased me very much. I have had for some time past a nervous fever hanging about me, and am now much disturbed with an inflammation on my liver. Art stands still. Adieu, my good friend, and believe me, with much respect,
“Yours very sincerely,
“JOSH WRIGHT.”
“Derby, Sep. 24th 1792.
“My Dear Philips,
“This morning I have sent off by Shawcross a case addressed to you, containing the book of drawings after Mic. Angelo, and a slight sketch of a wild scene which I painted some years ago. I looked it up the other day, and if you think it worth a place in your collection, please accept it with my esteem.
“The picture of the ‘Ponte Salerno’ is in such a state I shall not be able to finish it at present. I retouched the sky some time ago & some other parts of the picture, & the colours are changed in a most abominable manner. One never can depend upon fresh colours laid on old. I hope the little picture I have sent you will not share the same fate. I have finished the ‘Storm’ except the figure of Antigonus. Your Brother Frank seemed to like it much; indeed those who have seen it give it the preference to the other. I have brought ye ship nearer, which heightens the distress of the scene; and being much larger, the masts go above the horizon, and make a ballance to the other side of the picture.
“I am going to begin a cottage on fire for a Gentleman at Bristol. He has offered me 50gs. to finish it highly. I have also finished Tate’s ‘Moonlight,’ which is much admired. I think I shall send it with the ‘Storm,’ not by way of receiving the cash—for that I forbid—but to give you taste and pleasure, for I flatter myself it will. Perhaps if he has no place to hang it, you would give it house room till wanted.
“When I have thought a little more about manufacturing pictures, and have digested a plan for such business, I shall like it much, if I can get a sale for them. I have got two or three on the stocks. The one is finished, the other far advanced. The finished one is on a pannel, which I had by me, but the smooth surface is not calculated for expedition. The subject is ‘The Lake of Albano,’ sunset. Being done from one pallet, there is great unity and harmony in the colouring. When you have received the case, pray give me a line, for I shall wish to know Mic. Angelo is safe in your possession. Adieu, my good friend. Give my respects to Mrs. Philips and all my friends, in which compl. Romana wishes to unite.
“I am, very sincerely yours,
“J. W.
“To J. L. Philips.”
“Nov. 29th 1792.
“My Dear Sir,
“To have read such flattering accounts of my picture from all hands is highly satisfactory to me, and none more so than the last. With respect to the payment, as you are so kind to take my cash into your hands, I wish you would place it with the rest, and in a few posts I will remit between 5 & £600 to be added to the other sums. I thank you for your friendly advice about the ‘Indian Widow,’ and tell our friend Tate, who I suppose will communicate it to Mr. McNiven, that in consideration of a little of his assistance to lay out my property to advantage, I will deduct 10gs. I sent it off by Shawcross last Monday, and hope it will be safe in Manchester ere this gets to hand. I have remembered the outline of ‘Vesuvius’ for friend Tate, which I should think may be enveloped in smoke, but no fire should appear, indeed the hot Lava does not show itself by daylight.
“I am glad to hear plates are in readiness for Mic. Angelo. I fear I shall never do my part; my hand is too unsteady now for lines. Adieu, my good friend. Romana wishes to join in best remembrances to you & Mrs. Philips & your family, to our dear friend Tate, Mr. Moreland, &c.
“Dear Sir,
“Your much obliged friend,
“JOSH WRIGHT.
“Derby, Nov. 29th 1792.”
“Pray what is your opinion of the Stocks at this time? I have a little property in, and have some thoughts of selling out. I bought in about 76. The little picture on pannel is too square; the right measure of ye frame at the end should cover ⅛th in., and ye top and bottom ½´´, which will bring the picture into better proportion.”