Dear Sir

I am very glad that the first block will be of use to you but I must alter the hairs on the dog back myself. The engraver cannot so will you kindly ask M^r Cooper to send it to me again.¹

With regard to the second dog I endeavoured to carry out your written remarks & in one important respect did so contrary to my own belief & experience (viz, in putting the head down instead of up   I think that a dog seldom or never puts its head down when it sees its master unless it is afraid of him. A dog never puts on the expression you want except in the presence of a man & always looks at the mans eye & so always puts its own head up. To give the effect of a wagging tail is impossible in a drawing which can only illustrate a climax. In painting it can only be hinted at & the observer must know what is meant before he looks at the picture. Setting on one side the “wagging tail” I think that the accompanying rough sketch gives an idea of the expression you want & should you think so I should have much pleasure in drawing it on the wood for you if you will kindly ask Cooper to send another block with the 1^st illustration.² I am quite sure you will forgive me for returning your very kind present & will understand my motive when I tell you that as a student of animal expression it has given me much pleasure to assist you & I told Miss Bonham Carter that I had so steadily refused to draw on wood that these sketches would be simply a labour of love.³ What I should like would be if you would send me a copy of the book when it is done⁴

I am dear Sir with many thanks | Yours truly | Briton Riviere