Portraits are the only things which can support me at present, but it is insipid, indeed, for one who wishes to be at the head of the first branch of the art, to be stopped halfway, and be obliged to struggle with the difficulty of maintaining himself, in addition to the other difficulties attendant on the profession.
But it is impossible to place this in a clear light in a letter.

I wish I could talk with you on the subject, and I could in a short time make it clear to you.

I cannot ask it of you and I do not till I try what I can do.

You have already done more than I deserved and it would be ingratitude in me to request more of you, and I do not; only I say these things that you may not expect so much from me in the way of improvement as you may have been led to suppose.
Morse seems to have made an excursion into dramatic literature at about this time, as the following draft of a letter, without date, but evidently written to the celebrated actor Charles Mathews, will testify:-- Not having the honor of a personal acquaintance with you, I have taken the liberty of enclosing to you a farce which, if, on perusal, you should think worthy of the stage, I beg you to accept, to be performed, if consistent with your plans, on the night appointed for your benefit.
If I should be so much favored as to obtain your good opinion of it, the approbation alone of Mr.Mathews will be a sufficient reward for the task of writing it.
The pleasure which I have so often received from you in the exercise of your comic powers would alone prompt me to make some return which might show you, at least, that I can be grateful to those who have at any time afforded me pleasure.
With respect to your accepting or not accepting it, I wish you to act your pleasure entirely.

If you think it will be of benefit to you by drawing a full house, or in any other way, it is perfectly at your service.