I need not say that such a flattering review of them gave me pleasure, for, whatever cause I have to see them with disappointment, such sympathy as you express cannot be anything but most welcome. But there is so little to say of the kind of information you ask for, and I should like to say nothing, for a sudden feeling of being ridiculous overwhelms me. At Oxford till twenty-three, therefore no right to begin art at all, never having learnt one bit about it practically, nor till that time having seen one ancient picture. to my remembrance. Provincial life at home, at Oxford prints of Chalon and Landseer - you know them all. I think Morris's friendship began everything for me, everything that I afterwards cared for. When I left Oxford I got to know Rossetti, whose friendship I sought and obtained. He is, as you know, the most generous of men to the young. I could not bear with the young man's dreadful sensitiveness and intolerable conceit as he did with mine. He taught me practically all I have ever learned; afterwards I made a method for myself to suit my nature. He gave me courage to commit myself to imagination without shame, a thing both good and bad for me. It was Watts much later who compelled me to try and draw better. I quarrel now with Morris about art. And I quarrel too with Rossetti. If I could travel backward, I think my heart's desire would take me to Florence in the time of Botticelli. I do feel out of time and place, and think you should let me go crumbling and mouldering on, for I am not fit for much else but a museum. You see I am writing in front of my work and ought to know, and I do know. (1873) ... I found your book when I got home last night, and it was a real pleasure for me to have another proof of your love and sympathy. And there will be this additional pleasure about it, that I know how heartily I shall be at one with you when I read it ... We shall meet on Sunday at lunch. Georgie is away, but Margaret dispenses lower middle-class hospitality with a finish and calm which would not disgrace a higher social position. ... Carr Mio, so you have thrown me over! Well, perhaps you are right; at any rate, I am wrong to have trusted. I confess I marvelled at your bravery in so openly defying woman, but knew that you must be justified in some consciousness of strength. But lo! you are even as I, who boasted not. Still, we will have Barnum another night. I must see the fat lady, and will. ... Dear Carr, I too feel just the same. I want years and years of us together, and much work and a little play. We will put it off for a week, then, and I will try and rearrange, and perhaps Tadema will join. - Yours affectionately, EB-J. (1898) ... Saturday / Dear A., - Could we have a bit of a walk to-morrow afternoon if you came round for me at ... In your room is no memorial of my craft—I want you to choose a thing to set up there. ... Why wont you see me—why wont you come. I've been seedy and keep to the house—come and dine to-day—do please.—Your affectionate Ned