DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI.

93

their sources, are not his at all; but committed in his absence by the presumptuous interference of Oxford Dons, to suit each man's fancies for his own depart

D. G. Rossetti, in the next letter, speaks of his own affairs, especially alluding to one-Plint, a Leeds stockbroker, and purchaser of Rossetti's pictures, who died suddenly, after having just paid a big sum of money in advance for pictures not executed. His death therefore, and the demands of his executors, caused harass to the artist in his money affairs. D. G. Rossetti had, however, a knack of keeping duns and the importunate at a distance. He writes :-" That Plint business has become the plague of my life. . . . G. talks about law. I shut him out as yet; but don't know what will happen. I should like to consult with you; could you look in Monday morning and see my daub, which gets on fast now? Of course it is of the genus daub strictly; but not so bad now, I hope, as before, and sure to improve with the last touches.

"It seems there is some stir in the Times about Llandaff, which I have not seen. . . ."

In response to an invitation from Alexander Gilchrist to go into the country, Gabriel Rossetti writes:

"10th July, 1861.

My wife is staying with the Morrises for a littleso such outs' as I am able to make are made there. But I really must manage one with you, and will write again soon. I could not get to the Cheese' the two days you named, and had no idea you had made a stay in London. My own work seems to drag on as usual.

I have just finished the water-colour of Johnson, and have nearly finished the large head which I have made into Fair Rosamond,' and have been doing some cartoons for glass, for the shop." [This was the name Rossetti and the other sleeping partners constantly applied to the firm Morris and Company.]

"P.S.-My wife is about the same and has not got into the country again yet, I'm sorry to say, as she's had to sit to me a good deal. I hope you have good news of Mrs. Gilchrist and the little ones. out whether Munro is one of us' yet. I saw him, he told me his intended had and I don't know whether this may have put off the wedding, but hear no further news.

I can't make The last time

been very ill,

"Both Wells and Boyce have told me to thank you most warmly for your excellent notice of Mrs. Wells, which also gave me the greatest pleasure."

Mrs. Wells-wife of the Academician, and sister of G. P. Boyce-was a gifted designer, who died in 1861.

Talking of the Life of Blake,' Gabtiel Rossetti says:-"I am glad you approve of my rather unceremonious shaking up of Blake's rhymes [the editing of Blake's poems, i.e., the correction of Blake's grammar]. I really believe that is what ought to be done-perhaps with a word of general explanation.

"I would like much to show you my picture finished, as it will not be fit to see till then-great alterations going on to the last.

"On the tenth I send it to the architects, Pritchard and Seddon, 6, Whitehall, and I should think they would have it on view there for a day or two, before

GEORGE MEREDITH.

95

setting it up at Llandaff. But perhaps I will see you again here before the tenth."

The following is the last letter that Alexander Gilchrist perused from his friend, and is endorsed by the former 19 November, 1861.

"Tuesday evening.

"My DEAR GILCHRIST: Two or three [friends] are coming here on Friday evening at eight or so-George Meredith I hope for one. Can you look in? I hope so-nothing but oysters, and of course the seediest of clothes.

"I trust your family anxieties are less every day now, and that your poor little Beatrice is more and more herself again.

"I have been reading with great pleasure (and corresponding impatience to go on) the two first sheets of Blake, which I return herewith.

"I thought " was more meteoric even than usual the other night-a point on which some light was eventually thrown by the geometrical curves which he described from time to time on the pavement as we walked home. With kind remembrances to Mrs. Gilchrist,

I am yours sincerely

D. G. ROSSETTI."

CHAPTER X.

LAST YEAR OF LIFE AT GREAT

CHEYNE ROW.

1861. AGE 33.

HE "Life of Blake" was nearing completion,

THE

the Memoir practically finished; though still a good deal to do as to arrangement and editing of poems.

:

'Many were the projects to be realised after the Blake. For a life of Wordsworth Alexander had already begun to make preparation and lighter enterprises were to come in between whiles. Countess D'Aulnois, whose sprightly genius has been a good fairy of the nursery for a couple of hundred years, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Kenelm Digby, old Howell (first and most respectable of book-makers)-of these, and many another, it was my husband's cherished hope to revive the faded and forgotten lineaments: to create a small gallery of portraits in which the lover of literature should linger with as curious an interest as does the antiquary amid the relics of the external life of the past. But it was not to be. Life was opening out fair prospects around; the steepest pitch of the hill was climbed; men of rare genius, among them the poet

H