Dear Sir Joshua

I am just to write what I fear you
will not read after lying in a dying state for 6 months
The extreem affection which I’m informd
of by a friend which Sir Joshua has expressd induces me to beg a last favor, which
is to come once under my Roof and look at my things, my
wood man you never saw, if what I ask more[?] is not
disagreable to your feeling that I may have the honor
to speak to you I can from a sincere Heart say that
I always admired and sincerely loved Sir Joshua Reynolds

Tho^s Gainsborough