I place no confidence in them, but they may take a fit into their heads to patronize the fine arts, and, in that case, they have it in their power undoubtedly to do as much as any city in this country towards their support." Morse had now made up his mind to return home, although his parents, in their letters of that time, had given him leave to stay longer if he thought it would be for his best interest, but his father had made it clear that he must, from this time forth, depend on his own exertions.

He hoped that (Providence permitting) he need only spend a year at home in earning enough money to warrant his returning to Europe.

Providence, however, willed otherwise, and he did not return to Europe until fourteen years later.
The next letter is dated from Liverpool, August 8, 1815, and is but a short one.

I shall quote the first few sentences:-- "I have arrived thus far on my way home.

I left London the 5th and arrived in this place yesterday the 7th, at which time, within an hour, four years ago, I landed in England.