E[lizabeth] B[anks], Rome, to Ozias Humphry, 25 Newman Street, Oxford Street, London

RA Collection: Archive

Reference code

HU/2/67

Title

E[lizabeth] B[anks], Rome, to Ozias Humphry, 25 Newman Street, Oxford Street, London

Date

1 Apr 1778

Level

Item

Extent & medium

1 piece

Historical Background

The "Mrs. Pars" spoken of was in fact the wife of John Smart, who had eloped to Europe with Pars.

Content Description

She thanks him for the advice given on their impending journey; Mr. Banks has written a complaint concerning Humphry's freightage; Mr. Day has paid his hairdresser's bill; the woman who made his shirts still claims he owes money; Mr. B. thanks him for his help in the Wedgwood affair, he has a Cupid in hand in marble for the Bishop of Derry; she thinks the Caractacus will not reach London in time for exhibition, and Mr. G[renville] is refusing to pay more than £100 for it; she bemoans their luck with commissions.

Mr. Marchant will stay another winter in Rome; "Mrs. Pars" is dying of consumption, and so [Mr. Pars] is distraught, "death has made great havoc here", Wiseman has died; of his friends Mr. Delane is well, Mr. Durno has returned from Florence, Bettina at the Coffee House has given birth to a girl; she has barely been able to enjoy the festival.