"This nobleman in the interim fell into the clutches of the dealers in old pictures; the treatment a man who painted new ones was to expect where these gentry once get a footing[77] so much alarmed the artist, that he thought it best to set his Lordship at full liberty to take or reject the picture by writing the following letter, and putting him in mind of the agreement which was made when the work was undertaken:-- _Mr. Hogarth's Letter to Sir Richard Grosvenor._ "SIR,--I have done all I can to the picture of 'Sigismunda.' You may remember you was pleased to say you would give me what price I should think fit to set upon any subject I would paint for you; and at the time that you made this generous offer, I in return made it my request that you would use no ceremony in refusing the picture when done, if you should not be thoroughly satisfied with it. This you promised should be as I pleased, which I now entreat you will comply with, without the least hesitation, if you think four hundred too much money for it.[78] One more favour I have to beg, which is, that you will determine on this matter as soon as you can conveniently, that I may resolve whether I shall go about another picture for Mr. Hoare the banker, on the same conditions, or stop here.--I am, etc. "_June 13, 1757._ _Sir Richard Grosvenor to Mr. Hogarth._ "SIR,--I should sooner have answered yours of the 13th instant, but have been mostly out of town. I understand by it that you have a commission from Mr. Hoare for a picture. If he should have taken a fancy to the 'Sigismunda,' I have no sort of objection to your letting him have it; for I really think the performance so striking and inimitable, that the constantly having it before one's eyes would be too often occasioning melancholy ideas to arise in one's mind, which a curtain's being drawn before it would not diminish in the least.--I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, RICHARD GROSVENOR. "GROSVENOR SQUARE, _Sunday morning, June 17_. _Mr. Hogarth's Reply._ "SIR RICHARD,--As your obliging answer to my letter in regard to the picture of 'Sigismunda' did not seem to be quite positive, I beg leave to conclude you intend to comply with my request if I do not hear from you within a week.--I am, etc. W. H. "His Lordship not thinking fit to take any further notice of the affair, here it must have ended; but things having been represented in favour of his Lordship, and much to Mr. Hogarth's dishonour, the foregoing plain tale is therefore submitted to such as may at any time think it worth while to see _the whole truth_ in what has been so publicly talked of."