LETTER VII.

TO MARGARET POLIDORI.

The “unlucky pickle” into which my brother had got was that, as the tenant of No. 72 Newman Street decamped without payment of rent, the furniture &c. of Rossetti, who was sub-tenant of a studio there, were under seizure for the tenant’s default. The picture here mentioned was _Kate the Queen_.

[50 Charlotte Street, London. 1850--? September.]

Dear Aunt Margaret,

Many thanks for your kind gift, which reached me this morning through Mamma. I need scarcely tell you that it comes very àpropos, since I have not come out of the late unlucky pickle without some expense,--or, rather I fear I _shall_ not, since as yet I cannot say I have lost anything, as in any case I should have had to pay my rent to some one. But I fear the bad part is yet to come.

I am glad you liked the sketch of my picture, which is itself in progress. The size is very large--seven feet and a half by four feet. There will thus be plenty of scope to put your present to its use in the procuring models, which I shall proceed to do as soon as I get to work again--that is, I hope, not later than Monday.

I remain, my dear Aunt, Your affectionate nephew, D. G. ROSSETTI.