of peace and contentment," which you say cannot be done in America without pecuniary aid. May it aid you in industrious pursuits, and enable you also to ensure the assistance of your son Octavius, which you anticipate, and enjoy the solace of your daughter's society.

From every source I can collect, you have greater advantages within your reach than you could ever hope for in this country; but be cautious of connecting yourself with the natives, and not rest too much upon the promises of those, who, if they find you possessed of a little capital, will be forward to shew their confidence in you, and induce you to plunge into the vortex of speculation, that has already undone you more than once. He who speculates beyond his means is not strictly honest; and as your son George "never broke an engagement," tell him to embody it in his prayer to the Supreme Being, when he solicits "not to be led into temptation," to remember he should " do unto others as he would wish them to do towards him."

Our poor father has paid the debt of nature. I ever honoured him, loved him, and cherished him; which reflection is the proudest consolation of my life. He died happy and in peace, regretted and admired as a man of inflexible integrity and pure

character.

Poor George has had a great deal to buffet with; but I hope and trust is going on well.

My son-in-law, Mr. Benjamin Williams, has obtained from his good patron, my friend, Mr. Samuel Williams, the order for your relief, which will be forwarded as I have previously stated.

I write this, which I send by an American trader,

with the chance of your receiving it before the packet arrives, to soothe and comfort you.

God bless you, and prosper you, is the hearty wish of

A PERSON, under the signature of T. L., has, in your paper of to-day, denounced the proceedings of a body of men " designated the Stock Exchange, as disgraceful to the country as it is injurious to individuals;" and that, with your permission, he will, in a future communication, endeavour to remove the veil which has so long concealed the system" by which they are carefully and sedulously kept shrouded and secured from observation."

He tells you they have "advanced, with shameful notoriety, beneath the inevitable, though, perhaps, reluctant toleration of a debilitated and embarrassed Government." This sentence is, in part, true. True, they have advanced under a debilitated system of government, which debilitated system has plunged the nation into difficulty and danger, and enriched themselves; therefore the hit is fair upon both parties: but if it be disgraceful to the country, as it is injurious to individuals," for God's sake, where the crime is, "let the great axe fall."

66

This gentleman tells you his situation in life has afforded him great facilities of observation and inquiry.

He speaks, in part, correctly, but not with true candour; for he should have told you he was, although not a member of the Stock Exchange, a clerk to one of its respectable body, who, when he discovered his misplaced confidence to be perverted from his own interest, and his property endangered by the mal-practices of T. L., thought it right (for his own security and the honour of the house,) to dismiss him from his service. He should also have mentioned, that when, on an application to the Committee to be re-admitted, he was refused, in consequence of his improper conduct: yet this immaculate person would willingly have associated with those whom he attempts to hold in derision and contempt !

Sir, I challenge this bold and impudent traducer to point out a community of persons in the kingdom, (with the exception of such as himself, who are to be found in every community), more honourable, more liberal, more charitable, or more patriotic, as a body, than the Stock Exchange-a society built upon true honour, unshackled with legal restraints, and where every man's word is his bond.

AN OLD MEMBER.*

TO SIR JOHN LEICESTER, BART. HILL STREET,

SIR,

BERKELEY SQUARE.

Tavistock Place, January 5, 1821.

I TAKE leave to bring to your recollection an inimitable painting of Thompson, executed by your

Vide MORNING CHRONICLE.

order some ten or twelve years ago The Fishing Boys. At the time this celebrated artist was painting it, he also had a commission to paint (from a crude drawing of my own), not strictly a portrait, but something characteristic of one of my little girls, and, with a happy facility of fancy, made it an interesting little picture. It happened, at the time, you gave it a preference to your own; and the circumstance being mentioned to me by Mr. Thompson, it was agreed we should change ground: you took The Little Girl, and I The Fishing Boys.

Now it often happens to gentlemen, admirers of art, when they have for some length of time possessed a picture, they become indifferent, and pant for other subjects. Variety is a predominant feature in patrons of art and if so great a patron as yourself should feel inclined to change ground again, preferring my picture to yours, I will most readily exchange the one for the other. I have two motives for it:-one, that I have attempted a feeble copy of Thompson - the other, that I am desirous of possessing the infantine playfulness of my dear daughter.

I am almost afraid I am presuming too much in occupying so much of your time; but having experienced your attention and politeness, when I had the honour of looking at your collection, through the introduction of my friend Mr. Britton, (although perhaps not now in your remembrance), you will, I am sure, consider any apology unnecessary.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

B. O.

To J. PICKERSGILL, Esq. SOHO SQUARE.

DEAR SIR,

Tavistock Place, January 25, 1821.

I SEND you some specimens of my attempt in lithographic art. You will, perhaps, recognise the features which emanate from the original artist, and, perhaps, allow the resemblance to be tolerably correct. I send you myself, and also beg to introduce to you my revered parents.

I cannot doubt you are in full practice, and most sincerely hope your talents are properly appreciated and rewarded.

Believe me to be, dear Sir,

Yours very truly,

B. O.

To CHARLES LAURENCE, Esq. KEPPEL STREET.

DEAR LAURENCE,

IF

Tavistock Place, January 25, 1821.

If you have no objection to "an old friend with a new face," who is disposed to accept a place in your portfolio, and you should receive him with a hearty welcome; take him; but do not "treat him according to his deserts:" for whip me, if I think he deserves the lash so generally levelled by the bard at such unoffending mortals.

We are told to assume a virtue, if we have it not; why then should I not assume to tread in the line of art without having the qualification to aspire to it? Do I for this deserve whipping? I have seen artists, ay, and great ones too, who have made such faces, that one would have thought some of Nature's journeymen had