Saturday 2nd.--... In the evening we had a full P.R.B. meeting at Gabriel’s.... Millais has had his picture back from the British Institution--on account of its being in reality a portrait, we conclude--and will send it to the Academy.... Millais has had an offer from Oxford to paint a copy of a portrait by Holbein; which, as he does not feel disposed to accept, he offered to Stephens, who will do it after the opening of the Exhibition. We consulted about _The Germ_, and are unanimously of opinion that it will not reach another No. Calculating the number of copies sold among ourselves as ninety-five (not I think more than in fact) and by the publisher as seventy (from which profits we shall have to deduct some few personal expenses, which can scarcely amount to 15s.) it seems that the expense to each of us beyond the receipts will be £1. 15s. 5¼d. This is a kind of experiment that won’t bear repetition more than once or twice.[210] The next meeting is fixed for Monday at Millais’s. On coming home I found a letter from Mr. Cox, of _The Critic_, proposing that, in case _The Germ_ should not continue (as he considers probable), one of the Art-writers in it, or I, should write on the same subject for his paper; in which case he says he would resign the entire management of the articles on Art, the exhibitions &c. He would not be able, however, to offer any remuneration in cash. His proposal is not, I think, disadvantageous for the P.R.B., as it would enable us to review the exhibitions in our own feeling, and might besides lead to some other literary employment. I answered that I would consult the others (Brown, Stephens, and Tupper), and, if they should not undertake it, that I would accept.... Monday 4th.--Gabriel and I went together to the British Institution, of which this is the first day, as I wish to write something in the way of notice in the event of my being retained on _The Critic_.... Tuesday 5th.--I began writing my notice of the British Institution. Gabriel assumed the responsibility of F. S.[211] and a few others.... Wednesday 6th.--John Tupper resigns in my favour; and Stephens wrote me to the same effect, but offering his co-operation in any way he might be wanted.... Thursday 7th.--Woolner and I went to Patmore’s, to whom I gave some _Germs_, and his own poems. He likes the _Testimony_, which is he says in the style which should be adopted in hymns &c., to make them good. Says that there are very fine things in Gabriel’s _Blessed Damozel_, and speaks highly of Stephens’s article.... He says that William Allingham has promised some contributions; but these will probably not be available....