“QUEEN STREET, MAYFAIR,
“_Dec. 22, 1828_.
“MY DEAR SIR,--Shortly after my return from Rome, in 1798,
I espied a bust in Rosso Antico, lying under a counter at a
broker’s shop, in Great Portland Street. I recognised its
antiquity; it was _a Faun_, large as life, in the best style
of art. I bought it for the trifling sum of £1. I had it in
my study many months. During this period, I often assisted
Nollekens in the architectural department of his monuments,
receiving no thanks; but an invitation one day, as we talked
Italian together. On accidentally mentioning my antique Faun,
he came to see it, and was so struck with its beauty, that he
would never rest till he got it out of my hands. He succeeded,
by offering me some models of his own, and ten pounds. Wishing
to oblige him, I let him have the bust, and he sent me two
miserable models not much higher than my thumb, of a Bacchus
and Ariadne, since broken to pieces.
“This bust was in the collection at his sale, and it was
knocked down by Christie to the Duke of Newcastle for a hundred
and sixty pounds.
“With great respect, ever yours truly,
“CHARLES HEATHCOTE TATHAM.”[419]