My dear Friend, the idea of appearing as a collaborator beside you, my master, would be in the very highest degree delightful and flattering to me. It is therefore only after mature deliberation, and in the firm confidence that you will at least appreciate the sincerity of your Leighton, that I have to decline with real regret Herr Bruckmann's flattering invitation. _You_, more than any one else, will agree with me that an artist can execute no first-rate work, indeed dare undertake no work, that is not a genuine expression alike of his feelings and his convictions. I must candidly confess I cannot agree about a complete illustration of the Shakespearian plays, those masterpieces already in existence as _exhaustively finished_ works of art; it seems to me that in literature only those subjects lend themselves to pictorial representation which stand in the written word more as _suggestion_. Subjects perhaps which are provided in the Bible or in mythology and tradition in great variety, or are not already generally in possession of the minds of the spectators of living plays (_e.g._ the Greek Tragedies). It is for the most part a struggle with the incomparable, already existing _complete_--which is quite intimidating to my capabilities. Do not take this ill, my dear Friend, and do not consider it too great a presumption that I, your pupil, declare so plainly against you where you think so differently. To go back over one detail, I must also confess that _to me_ a _coloured cartoon_ is not a natural mode of expression; a _drawn_, or a _grey in grey_ (grau in grau) painted cartoon--well enough. A size five feet high is to me, for a _suggestion_ of colour, at least five times too large; just as little could I give a suggestion of form in this size. Colour is not necessary; but if one should use it in half life-size, it is too noble and poetic, I think, for one to venture, so to speak, to clarify it. Will you forgive me for all this, dear master? However, I shall see with deep interest the progress of the beautiful work which you will certainly execute. I have heard with some sorrow of the burning of the venerable Dome, and am just writing to Otto Cornhill in respect to a lottery which is to be arranged for the re-erection of the tower. I have read what you tell me of your dear family with great pleasure; please remember me most kindly to your wife and children; also to my old comrades V. Müller, Wecker, and the rest. I am very glad to hear that G. Wecker, the apostate, has returned to art. He was, undoubtedly still is, a very gifted man, but had to guard somewhat, had he not? against the _ornamental_. But my letter is becoming too long. Farewell, my dear Master; take nothing amiss from your grateful, devoted pupil,