My dear M^r Sp.

I hope that you will excuse me troubling you with a question, busy as you must now be. A M^r Pinker has written to me that M^r Willett wishes to pay for & present, a bust of me to the R. Institution; & that he had seen you & that the Institution is willing to accept the bust.—²

The whole affair is a mystery to me; for I never saw M^r W. & cannot conceive why he wishes to present my bust to the R. Institution, with which I have not the honour to be connected.; & I never heard of M^r Pinker, except in connection with this affair.

Therefore will you kindly tell me how far the account is accurate. I do not know what to do; I hate the fatigue & loss of time from sitting; & yet it seems so ungracious to refuse.— If you could tell me that busts were accepted only of men who had served your excellent Institution, all w^d be [simple sailing] for me.—³ Do you by any chance know anything of M^r Pinker & whether he is even a moderately good sculptor.

Pray forgive me troubling you in my perplexity, & believe me