TO DOCTOR POWELL, &c. &c.

Tavistock Place, February 11, 1821.

An old friend, "now declining in the vale of years, ""whose brow bears the appearance of a tragic volume," and who, "like one, whom the vile buffets of the world have made so out of love with life, that he would sue to be rid of it, is desirous of a place in the portfolio of Doctor Powell: but should he be " thought revengeful, ambitious with more offences at his beck than he has thought to put them in;" or should he have any thing in him " dangerous, which wisdom fears; then let a "treble woe fall ten times treble" on that cursed head, whose vain ambition would aspire to such distinction and protection.

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If he should be received, well; if not, " treat him according to his deserts."

B. O.

To DOCTOR BLICK, CORAM STREET.

DEAR SIR,

Tavistock Place, February 17, 1821.

PROUD of having so able a colleague as yourself, it would be presumption in me to offer an opinion whether it should be in "aereostation," or by aeronauts." I think the application of either bear with equal force, and that it will escape the eye of criticism.

I am no chymist: the iodine and the fluorine are combustion to me; and if you do not blow me up for not giving you more (or, at least, some) assistance, I shall be satisfied. Mr. Cooper may be very scientific; but, "methinks he doth profess too much."

Yours very truly,

B. O.

To JAMES BURTON, ESQ. REGENT'S PARK.

MY DEAR SIR,

IF

Tavistock Place, February 25, 1821.

If you have no objection to an old friend, who never wears his heart upon his sleeve for daws to peck at; but is, in the beaten way of friendship, a man more sinned against than sinning: one, whom Fortune's favours and rewards have met with equal thanks - one who is not passion's slave; but has a proud respect for early intimacy. If such a one yet lives in your mind's eye, and you can cherish him in your heart's core, or even give him a place in your portfolio, he will fancy himself honoured in the extreme. But should you think such a fellow, crawling between earth and heaven, unworthy of such honour; then cast him from your presence, as a mark for Scorn to point her slow, unmoving finger at, or whistle him down the winds to prey at fortune.

A word or two before you go. I have done the artists some service; but they don't know it. No more

of that. I pray you when you look upon this portrait,

speak of me as I am,

Nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice !"

Then will you speak of one who cannot love the arts too well. Set you down this, and say beside, that in retirement from the busy world, and basking by the genial warmth of my own fireside, I took by the hand my port-crayon, and drew it thus.

B. O.

To MISS CHRISTIANA OAKLEY, TOOTING LODGE,

MY DEAR CHRISTIANA,

SURREY.

Royal Exchange, March 5, 1821.

Six months have passed over, and I have scarcely had six days of your company during that period. Now that the cause is removed, and you say you are perfectly well, I should rather expect you would be anxious to come home without being urged, and more especially when you consider, that not only yourself, but your sister also, are occupying that room which, perhaps, shuts the door against some near and dear friend of the kind friend who has shown you so much indulgence. How can I sufficiently thank dear Mrs. Thomas for her unbounded attention, solicitude, and true friendship! Such affection shall be "in my memory locked, and you yourself shall keep the key of it."

We have a party whom we expect at dinner on Thursday: we lack ladies, and therefore you must attend. If your return of speech has kept pace with your return of health, you will serve to fill up the ennui of conversation, and you will have a good opportunity of recounting your "hair-breadth escape," and, perhaps, of exciting in the breast of your hearers the sympathetic expression of-" "Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful!"—and it is not unlikely they may wish" they had not heard it." At all events, you may give them "a round unvarnished tale," and thus add to the "general joy of the whole table."

Richard passed the day with us yesterday, and returns to Hammersmith this morning.

Say every thing kind for me to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas;