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Florence April 6th, 1893

Charles Henry Hart Esq.
Dear Sir,
In your letter of Sept. 14th 1892 you were kind enough to express a desire to see some of my miniature work in years gone by.
I have taken the liberty of sending to your care the better one of the only two in my possession. If not inconsistent with the regulations of your department, and [[underline]]should [[/underline]] it [[underline]]appear[[/underline]] to [[underline]] you [[/underline]]of [[underline]] sufficient interest[[/underline]]either as a work of Art or as a [[underline]] curiosity [[/underline]], to be admitted among the works of "retrospective" painters, (of whom I consider myself one,) please find a corner for it: if not return it to me as it comes to you, in case No 4 of my [[Scriptive?]] Exhibit. As you will see by the date on the picture, it was painted [[underline]] fifty three [[/underline]] ago! which would seem to entitle it to a place--always providing that it is good enough,--in your exhibit of old masters.  But, pray do not let it embarrass you in the least, to reject it, because I can not judge of it myself.  It may be only a sentimental desire on my part, to be carried back half a century or more to the year when I first "became of age". If you do not hang the picture, please take charge of it till you see or hear from me.
Will it be too much to ask of you to drop me a line when you have seen it, and tell me what you think of it.
Very truly yours
Thomas Ball

P.S. Do not be frightened to find the ivory cracked throug the middle. It was an old accident.