However, these 24 designs for the _Volpone_ were never to be. But we know something about them from a letter to Smithers, written on the 19th of December, which he begins with reference to the new magazine of _The Peacock_ projected by Smithers, of which more later. Whilst delighted with the idea of editing _The Peacock_, Beardsley expresses fear lest the business and turmoil of the new venture may put the _Volpone_ into second place, and he begs that it shall not be so, that there shall be no delay in its production. He evidently sent the _Initials_ with this letter, for he underlines that _Volpone_ is to be an important book, as Smithers can judge from the drawings that Beardsley is now sending him--indeed the _Initials_ were, alas! all that he was ever destined to complete--the 24 illustrations were not to be. That these _Initials_ were the designs sent is further made clear by the remark that the new work is a complete, “a marked departure as illustrative and decorative work from any other arty book published for many years.” He pronounces in the most unmistakable terms that he has left behind him definitely all his former methods. He promises the drawings to be printed in the text by the first week in January, and that they shall be “good work, the best I have ever done.” On the morrow of Christmas, Beardsley was writing to Smithers, urging on the production of the _Prospectus for Volpone_; and it is interesting to find in this Yuletide letter that the fine drawing in line and wash, in his aquatint style, of _The Lady and the Monkey_, was originally intended for the _Volpone_ and not for the set of the _Mademoiselle de Maupin_ in which it eventually appeared; but was cast out of the _Volpone_ by Beardsley as “it will be quite out of keeping with the rest of the initials.” So that the style of the Initials was clearly the method he had intended to employ for his illustrations. What his remarkable creative fancy and dexterity of hand designed for the illustrations to _Volpone_ only _The Lady and the Monkey_ and the _Initials_ can hint to us--he was never to create them. The sunshine and the warmth, the picturesque surroundings of the place, the mountains and the sea, brought back hope to the plagued fellow; and again he clambered out of the grave. Languor and depression left him. He was on the edge of Yuletide and had known no cold or chill; indeed his only “grievance is mosquitoes.” He would weigh himself anxiously, fearful of a set-back at every turn. * * * * *