these letters—­premising, that it relates
    to fac-similes of several old copper cuts in the Public Library at
    Munich, as well as to his own engraving of the above-mentioned
    portrait.  There is something throughout the whole of this letter so
    hearty, and so thoroughly original, that I am persuaded it will be
    perused with extreme gratification: 

    Munich, 17 May, 1819.

    Dear and Reverend Sir;

I am a good old fellow, and a passable engraver; but a very bad Correspondent.  You are a ... and minister of a religion which forgive all faults of mankind; and so I hope that you will still pardon me the retardation of mine answer.  I am now 65 years old, and have never had any sickness in mine life, but I have such an averseness against writing, that only the sight of an ink-horn, pen and paper, make me feeling all sort of fevers of the whole medicinal faculty;—­and so I pray that you would forgive me the brevity of mine letters.  Following your order, I send you jointly the first proof prints of those plates still (already) finished.  The plate of that beautiful head of an English artist, is not yet so far advanced; but in about six weeks you will have it—­and during this time, I expect your answer and direction to whom I shall deliver the whole.  I wish and hope heartily that the fac-similes and portraits would be correspondent with your expectation.

I hold it for necessary and interesting, to give you a true copy of that old print—­“Christ in the lap of God the Father.”  You’ll see that this print is cutten round, and carefully pasted upon another paper on a wooden band of a book:  which proves not only a high respect for a precious antiquity, but likewise that this print is much older than the date of 1462—­which is written in red ink, over the cutten outlines, of that antique print.  You may be entirely assured of the fidelity of both fac-similes.  Now I pray you heartily to remember my name to our dear Mr. Lewis, with my friendliest compliments, and told him that the work on Lithography is now finished, and that he shall have it by the first occasion.  In expectation of your honorable answer, I assure you of the highest consideration and respect of

    Your most obedient humble Servant,

    [Autograph]

[75] [This GRAPHIC WORTHY now ceases to exist.  He died in his
    seventy-first year—­leaving behind, the remembrance of virtues to be
    reverenced and of talents to be imitated.]

[76] [Another OBITUARY presses closely upon the preceding—­but an Obituary
    which rends one’s heart to dwell upon:—­for a kinder, a more diligent,
    and more faithful Correspondent than was Mr. Nockher, it has never
    been my good fortune to be engaged with.  Almost while writing the
    above passage, this unfortunate gentleman ...  DESTROYED
    himself:—­from embarrassment of circumstances!]