The quarrel with Hunt I understand thus far. Mrs. H. was in the habit of borrowing silver of Haydon--the last time she did so, Haydon asked her to return it at a certain time--she did not--Haydon sent for it--Hunt went to expostulate on the indelicacy, etc.--they got to words and parted for ever. All I hope is at some time to bring them together again.--Lawk! Molly there's been such doings--Yesterday evening I made an appointment with Wells to go to a private theatre, and it being in the neighbourhood of Drury Lane, and thinking we might be fatigued with sitting the whole evening in one dirty hole, I got the Drury Lane ticket, and therewith we divided the evening with a spice of Richard III----
Good Lord! I began this letter nearly a week ago, what have I been doing since--I have been--I mean not been--sending last Sunday's paper to you. I believe because it was not near me--for I cannot find it, and my conscience presses heavy on me for not sending it. You would have had one last Thursday, but I was called away, and have been about somewhere ever since. Where? What! Well I rejoice almost that I have not heard from you because no news is good news. I cannot for the world recollect why I was called away, all I know is that there has been a dance at Dilke's, and another at the London Coffee House; to both of which I went. But I must tell you in another letter the circumstances thereof--for though a week should have passed since I wrote on the other side it quite appals me. I can only write in scraps and patches. Brown is returned from Hampstead. Haydon has returned an answer in the same style--they are all dreadfully irritated against each other. On Sunday I saw Hunt and dined with Haydon, met Hazlitt and Bewick there, and took Haslam with me--forgot to speak about Cripps though I broke my engagement to Haslam's on purpose. Mem.--Haslam came to meet me, found me at Breakfast, had the goodness to go with me my way--I have just finished the revision of my first book, and shall take it to Taylor's to-morrow--intend to persevere--Do not let me see many days pass without hearing from you.
My dear Taylor--I have spoken to Haydon about the drawing. He would do it with all his Art and Heart too, if so I will it; however, he has written thus to me; but I must tell you, first, he intends painting a finished Picture from the Poem. Thus he writes--"When I do anything for your Poem it must be effectual--an honour to both of us: to hurry up a sketch for the season won't do. I think an engraving from your head, from a Chalk drawing of mine, done with all my might, to which I would put my name, would answer Taylor's idea better than the other. Indeed, I am sure of it. This I will do, and this will be effectual, and as I have not done it for any other human being, it will have an effect."