Saturday 25th.--Gabriel began making a sketch for _The Annunciation_. The Virgin is to be in bed, but without any bedclothes on, an arrangement which may be justified in consideration of the hot climate; and the angel Gabriel is to be presenting a lily to her. The picture, and its companion of the Virgin’s Death,[194] will be almost entirely white. At Stephens’ two Tuppers only were present. John Tupper read his poem, which is exceedingly clever:[195] it borders nevertheless on the ultra-peculiar.... Hunt, who came late in the evening, is getting on with his etching, of which there remains now not much to be done.... Friday, December 7th.--... Just as Tennyson was leaving, Patmore fixed him, and made him promise to sit to Woolner.... Millais has redesigned the subject of _Christ in Joseph’s Workshop_; the picture of _Ferdinand_ is not very far from finished. Saturday 8th.--Gabriel had Maitland to sit to him for the angel Gabriel in _The Annunciation_. He has recently written various new stanzas of _Bride-Chamber Talk_. Woolner came in the evening, when Gabriel read _The Princess_ through to him, and both of them pronounced it the finest poem since Shakespeare, superior even to _Sordello_. To this latter opinion I demur.... Monday 10th.--... Collinson, after he shall have finished his paintings for this year, means to set to work on the subject of _St. Elizabeth of Hungary_ taking off her crown before the crucifix. We talked about the magazine, and are quite unanimous in considering that the first number must appear; but all except Stephens and myself are somewhat inclined to drop it after that, whether successful or not. We are also disposed to abide by the title _Thoughts towards Nature_, notwithstanding Cave Thomas’s proposal of _The Seed_. We debated the propriety of having an article explanatory of the principles in Art of the P.R.B.; but, as so many papers in the first number are to treat of Art, and as the point will necessarily be brought forward incidentally, it is not thought needful.