Autograph letter signed : place not specified, to William Hayley, 1805 July 23.

Addressing Hayley as "my ever dear Hermit"; referring to problems Hayley is having with his eyes and asking for the names of a clergyman and a musician who "is to set the songs of that divine creature who is gone before us to regions of Harmony and happiness"; promising, if the songs are to be published by subscription, to subscribe and encourage others to do so too; writing that he has been very ill with gout and that he has had to be away from home "for some weeks in order to promote the wellfare of your old pupil William"; mentioning that he regrets that Hayley could not meet with him and Braithaite (or Braithwaite) in London, since "he has been acquainted with our dear painter from very infancy and I have no doubt but somewhat wd. have been produced by our meeting that might have been of essential service to your intended publication, as he is truly solicitous that the work shd. do all possible honour to our dear [George] Romney"; telling Hayley that he has received a letter from Dr. Steele about his brother, the artist Christopher Steele, to whom Romney was first apprenticed and that he will send it to him if he would like to see it; concluding "If ever I see Sussex again it will be this year but I believe never, my infirmities grow fast upon me ... I am fast approaching to Idiotism as I every now and then experience total suspension of my intellects for a considerable time."