LETTER XVIII.

TO MADOX BROWN, HAMPSTEAD.

This is a characteristic epistle. The Mr. T. here mentioned (I use a fancy initial) was not a genius, but there was no real occasion for dubbing him “an ass.” Brown did not produce the proposed etching.

[Chatham Place, London. 4 May 1853.]

My dear Brown,

There is such a thing as one T., who is connected with a magazine to be called _The Artist_, on which my brother is engaged, and the first number of which is to come out, _I think_, on 1st July. The proprietor is Delf, publisher of Read’s poems, and this T. is rather a card among the staff. I met him casually to-day, and he told me that Millais (who had engaged if possible to do the etching for No. 1) found himself prevented by other business, and he asked me whether I thought you would undertake it. I understand they have _plenty of tin to begin with_, and I suppose would of course pay well. We agreed that T. had better call on you and come to some understanding, and he wanted me to get you to name a day when he could call at Hampstead. If you will let me know I will let _him_ know.... The chief thing is, to _lay it on thick_ as to payment, as I believe they really have tin. T. is, of course, an ass, and should on principle be treated with ignominy.

Remember me kindly to Mrs. Brown, and let me hear from you.

Yours most sincerely, D. G. ROSSETTI.