He is a rich merchant, an American (cousin to Captain Visscher, my fellow passenger, by whom I was introduced to him).

He has a family of seven children.

I lived within a few doors of him, and was in and out of his house ever day...." Four pages of this letter are, unfortunately, missing.

It begins again abruptly:-- "...

prevented by illness from writing you before.
"I shall endeavor to support myself, if not, necessity will compel me to return home an unfinished painter; it depends altogether on circumstances.