LETTER XV.

TO MADOX BROWN, HAMPSTEAD.

Chatham Place, London. Sunday morning. [24 January 1853.]

My dear Brown,

Just as you are gone, it occurs to me that, if in writing to McCracken you mention about the alterations in my picture, it would be better not to call them _alterations_, as that indicates that the work required amendment, but to leave him to suppose them _additions_; also not to say that I have done _much_ to the thing, but merely that _what I have done_ is greatly for the better. I do not mean to make any charge for the additional labour, and therefore to let him suppose that I have done too much for nothing would look like undignified enthusiasm.

You will say I am improving when mere diplomacy can make me write all this, so long past bed-time. Good morning.

D. G. R.