Letter from William Hayley, Eartham, to John Howard, 1784 June 16 : autograph manuscript signed with initials.

Thanking him for a book and asking him to sit for a portrait by Romney; saying "I have just had the delight of receiving from you the third Edition of your invaluable Book & have traced you with new Enthusiasm thro' Portugal & Spain. If any thing could add to the affectionate admiration with which I contemplate your volume it would be the very graceful & new decorations with which it is embellished. The Binding is indeed very remarkable for its grave & singular Beauty - How shall I sufficiently thank you for thus giving me at one & the same Time a model of mechanical Elegance and the sublimest Lesson of indefatigable Virtue. Your late obliging letter found me in London where I was paying a short visit to my Friend Mr. Romney. I call'd in Ormond Street with great Hopes of meeting you & I lament my disappointment the more because I lost the opportunity I expected of making a request to you in which I still hope you may indulge me as it is a request suggested in affection & respect. I have a very strong desire as I can see you so seldom in person to possess a resemblance of you & as my kind friend Romney has a peculiar pleasure in giving me portraits of the few Individuals whom I particularly love & admire I cannot help requesting the favor of you to sit to Him for yr Picture whenever yr important Pursuits will allow you a few Hours leisure for that friendly purpose. I have two different views in this request - first the delight I should have in possessing your Picture - 2dly the ambition I feel of inserting a small engraving from it in a projected edition of my poems which are to appear decorated with engraved medallions of the eminent persons to whom the distinct works are addressed - at the Head of these I am very solicitous to place Mr. Howard if you will kindly permit me to do myself that Honour - as the world has received my publications with great indulgence they may live at least for some years & as long as they do so I cannot but wish them to express in every shape the veneration I feel for your active virtues & the cordial Esteem with which I am / dear Sir / yr sincere & affectionate Friend / WH."