DEAREST MAMMA,--You were no doubt surprised to see a sock arrive in Bath in solitary grandeur, unaccompanied by any sort of note. The fact is, for some days past I have been working at a rate which made me altogether unfit for correspondence. I have just returned from Lyndhurst, where I have been doing a bit more fresco--and very stiff work it was--up and at work at seven, and at it best part of the day, perched generally on an uncomfortably narrow ladder, and with my head almost blown off by the agreeable but overpowering smell of the vehicle with which I painted. The result is as far as it goes tolerably satisfactory--everybody there is delighted, and though that, of course, does not prove much, it is at all events agreeable to me that they derive so much pleasure from my work. The stained-glass window, too, which has been executed at my desire from Jones' designs, gives great satisfaction--is a lovely piece of colour, and (which was, to me, of paramount importance) does not hurt my fresco, though, of course, in the nature of things, it outshines tenfold in point of brilliancy; hence the folly, to my mind, of ever putting glass and wall painting in immediate juxtaposition. I shall go and paint another slice in June, after which Aïdé leaves, so I may not be able to finish my work till he returns in autumn. On my road to Lyndhurst, I paid a visit to Lady Dorothy Neville (Lady Pollington's sister) at Dangstein--a very beautiful place near Petersfield. On Monday week the Royal Academy opens--I shall be curious to see what pictures they have taken; my work at present will be a woodcut for Dalziel--then that for the _Cornhill_--then a drawing for Cundall's Bible--Mrs. Magniac's portrait--the cartoon for the remainder of the Lyndhurst fresco--then perhaps a new picture. I wish some one would buy the old ones! Have you read "Sylvia's Lovers"? Don't read "Salammbo"--it is hideous. DEAREST MAMMA,--My chair has arrived safe and sound; once more, my very best thanks for it. Aïdé _is_ one of the most _excellent_ men that ever lived--I like him extremely. By-the-bye, I am made one of the ensigns in our Rifle Corps, so that when you come to town you have a chance of seeing me strutting about with a sword. I write in haste. Good-bye, best love to all.--From your very affectionate boy, FRED. [Illustration: THE FRESCO PRESENTED BY LORD LEIGHTON TO LYNDHURST CHURCH--"THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS." Completed 1864]