Præraphaelite diaries and letters

Dante Alighieri · en
I have asked Hannay to come round to-morrow evening. He and you
  were the only defaulters on Thursday except John Seddon, who it
  seems is out of town. Can you come in to-morrow instead? Do if
  you can. I will try and get William also, though I heard last
  night at Millais’ that he was rather unwell.

  What do you think? My sketches are kicked out at that precious
  place in Pall Mall. I am, of course, more than ever resolved to
  paint my picture of the pigs. Alas! my dear Brown, we are but too
  transcendent spirits--far, far in advance of the age. Do not let
  us bring up this subject to-morrow if Hannay or any one else is
  present, as it is of no use trumpeting one’s grievances. But do
  come.

                                               Your friend,
                                                  DANTE G. ROSSETTI.


                             LETTER XIII.

                      TO MADOX BROWN, HAMPSTEAD.

“The blessed white eyesore” was the picture _Ecce Ancilla Domini_,
now in the National Gallery.

                                              14 Chatham Place.
                                                   [1 January 1853.]

  My dear Brown,

  This blessed afternoon the blessed white eyesore will be
  finished. Therefore, if you have any last directions about
  your pictures now in Green’s hands, you had better give them.
  Yesterday after giving up the Angel’s head as a bad job (owing to
  William’s malevolent expression) at about one o’clock I took to
  working it up out of my own intelligence, and got it better by a
  great deal than it has yet been. I have put a gilt saucer behind
  his head, which crowns the _China_-ese character of the picture.

                                                          Yours,
                                                            D. G. R.


                              LETTER XIV.

                      TO MADOX BROWN, HAMPSTEAD.

                                              14 Chatham Place.
                                                  [14 January 1853.]

  My dear Brown,

  I find that the blessed white daub will not be finished before
  to-morrow evening, but then it _will_ be finished. Green has
  still got the frame; and herewith I write to him to send for the
  picture. I suppose your case is not gone yet, but write in order
  that you may not be in doubt as to my movements. The fact is, I
  have been very lazy.

                                                Your affectionate
                                                            D. G. R.


                              LETTER XV.

                      TO MADOX BROWN, HAMPSTEAD.

                                          Chatham Place, London.
                                                     Sunday morning.
                                                  [24 January 1853.]

  My dear Brown,