“Mr. and Mrs. Allston heard him say twenty times he wished I would paint him a picture for the frame.  Mr. Allston, who knew what I was about, told him, no doubt, I would do it for him, and in a week after I had completed it.  I had told Mr. Visscher also that I was considerably in debt, and that, when he had paid me for these pictures, I should be something in pocket; and, by his not objecting to what I said, I took it for granted (and from his requesting me to paint the picture) that the thing was certain.  But thus it was, without giving any reason in the world, except that he had pictures enough, he declined taking them, making me spend three months longer in Bristol than I otherwise should have done; standing still in my art, if not actually going back; and forcing me to run in debt for some necessary expenses of clothing in Bristol, and my passage from and back to London.  During all this time not a single commission for a portrait, many of which were promised me, nor a single call from any one to look at my pictures.  Thus ended my jaunt in quest of money.

“Do not think that this disappointment is in consequence of any misconduct of mine.  Mr. Allston, who was with me, experienced the same treatment, and had it not been for his uncle, the American Consul, he might have starved for the Bristol people.  His uncle was the only one who purchased any of his pictures.  Since I have been in London I have been endeavoring to regain what I lost in Bristol, and I hope I have so far succeeded as to say:  ‘I have not gone back in my art.’

“In order to retrench my expenses I have taken a painting-room out of the house, at about half of the expense of my former room.  Though inconvenient in many respects, yet my circumstances require it and I willingly put up with it.  As for economy, do not be at any more pains in introducing that personage to me.  We have long been friends and necessary companions.  If you could look in on me and see me through a day I think you would not tell me in every letter to economize more.  It is impossible; I cannot economize more.  I live on as plain food and as little as is for my health; less and plainer would make me ill, for I have given it a fair experiment.  As for clothes, I have been decent and that is all.  If I visited a great deal this would be a heavy expense, but, the less I go out, the less need I care for clothes, except for cleanliness.  My only heavy expenses are colors, canvas, frames, etc., and these are heavy.”

A number of pages of this letter are missing, much to my regret.  He must have been telling of some of the great events which were happening on the Continent, probably of the Return from Elba, for it begins again abruptly.

“—­when he might have avoided it by quietness; by undertaking so bold an attempt as he has done without being completely sure of success, and having laid his plans deeply; and, thirdly, I knew the feelings of the French people were decidedly in his favor, more especially the military.  They feel as though Louis XVIII was forced upon them by their conquerors; they feel themselves a conquered nation, and they look to Bonaparte as the only man who can retrieve their character for them.