I am aware that even these extracts are not written in an entertaining style: the Journal was intended to be simply, and rather servilely, a compendium of _facts_. It is however a highly authentic account of the early stages in a movement which proved of great importance, and to which much and increasing public interest has attached--a movement in which men of staunch achievement and eminent name bore the leading parts. As such, I suppose that the P.R.B. Journal may be regarded in some quarters as a document not undeserving of attention. * * * * * May 1849. Tuesday 15th.--At Millais’s--Hunt, Stephens, Collinson, Gabriel, and myself. Gabriel brought with him his design of _Dante drawing the figure of an Angel_ on the first anniversary of Beatrice’s death[148] which he completed in the course of the day, and intends for Millais. Millais has done some figures of the populace in his design of _The Abbey at Caen_[149] since last night, and has also continued painting on the beard in the head of Ferdinand listening to Ariel, being that of Stephens. He says he has begun his “Castle-moat” poem[150] and is to continue it after we left (one o’clock). The plan of writing this diary was fixed, and will, I am in hopes, be steadily persevered in. We minutely analysed such defects as there are in Patmore’s _River_ from Gabriel’s recitation; who also read his poem (in progress) intended as introductory to the _Vita Nuova_[151].... Wednesday 16th.--Gabriel began redesigning _Kate the Queen_[152].... Thursday 17th.--Millais called on us in the evening. He has gone on with his Caen Nunnery design, and has put in some fat men, finding his general tendency to be towards thin ones. He is also progressing with his poem (the Castle-moat subject).... Saturday 19th.--... Hunt ... is getting on with his _Monk succoured by the ancient Britons_ in time of persecution. Woolner has done four of his heads commissioned by Cottingham[153]--Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian, and Leonardo--and is engaged on Vandyck.... I understand that the _Court Journal_, speaking of a picture by one Walters that has been rejected, exclaims against the injustice, considering that such works as Hunt’s and Millais’s,[154] which can have been admitted only for charity, are hung. Sunday 20th.--Gabriel made considerable progress to-day with his _Kate the Queen_ design.... Woolner came in the evening, and showed us two verses of a new song he has begun, having the burden, “My Lady rests her heavy, heavy rest”[155]....