Friday 2nd.--Woolner’s “character” was sent him by Donovan.[182] It embodies generally the observations he made at the time of the consultation, and ascribes to him a large amount of caution, which Woolner considers to be a correct judgment. In some points, however, he appears decidedly mistaken. After discussing this, we went together to Coventry Patmore’s. The first thing we heard was that his doctor had forbidden him to write in the evening for some time. He is now about to read up for two articles on Russia he intends to write for _The North British_ and _The British Quarterly_ respectively. He says he has some doubt whether one of the little poems he has given us for the _Thoughts_--which of them he is not certain--did not appear in some musical magazine. We had an argument as to whether Browning would be _the_ man some twenty years hence, Patmore expressing an adverse opinion. He remarked that Browning appears to him like a chip from a very perfect precious stone; intense, but not broad in range of subject, nor sufficiently finished. He considers _A Soul’s Tragedy_ to be a splendid title spoiled (!). _Sordello_ he has never read. _Paracelsus_ he admires with a reservation. Two of the short pieces he particularly remembers with pleasure are _How they brought the good news from Ghent to Aix_, and _Saul_.... He does not place Browning so high as Tennyson. I saw Tennyson’s MS. book of elegies on young Hallam, which are to be published some day.... Tuesday 6th.--Looked over a house in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea,[183] with which they, and Stephens who was with them, were greatly taken. It is capable of furnishing four good studios, with a bedroom, and a little room that would do for a library, attached to each. There is also an excellent look-out on the river. The rent, £70. In the evening, we all (except Millais) congregated at Woolner’s, and discussed the matter. Gabriel, Hunt, and myself, think of going at once, and Stephens and Collinson would join after April. We think likewise of getting Deverell. “P.R.B.” might be written on the bell, and stand for “please ring the bell” to the profane. Among other subjects, we spoke of not admitting anything at all referring to politics or religion into our magazine, and decided on cutting out the sonnets _For the Things of these Days_[184] we have hitherto intended to insert in the first number....