BIB_ID
106625
Accession number
MA 1903
Creator
Burne-Jones, Philip, 1861-1926.
Display Date
1897 August 18.
Credit line
Gift of Mrs. Edwin Milliken, 1957.
Description
1 item (3 pages) ; 17.8 x 11.3 cm
Notes
Two pen and ink sketches on the first page dated "Studio / Aug. 18th, 1897. London." The first sketch is of a man sitting in front of an easel and painting with the caption beneath it "Look on this Picture" The second sketch, beneath the first, is of a man, with a strong resemblance to Louis Parker, lying on the grass, with mountains in the background and a mountain goat perched on a hill nearby, with the caption "And On This!"
Provenance
Gift of Mrs. Edwin Milliken, 1957.
Summary
Comparing the routine of duty with the pleasures of idleness; referring to the sketches he made on the first page of this letter (see above) saying "Which, dear Friend, seems to you the worthier life? That of a man who remains in the desert, his nose daily applied to the grindstone of Duty, working & toiling in loneliness, regardless of the thermometer, joyless & friendless, cheered & strengthened only by the presence of said grindstone - or that of a man who shirks all duty & responsibility, & taking a railway ticket at a venture, is presently far away in cool groves, among mountains & cataracts, surrounded by friends, often sleeping slothfully - drinking beer also in abundance, & eating the bread of idleness to satiety! A hideous existence you say - surely there are no men who live on this wise!' - But I answer in grief that there are - not many I trust - possibly not even more than one, but one I know of, & honestly have I described him. And he, from his cool grottos - battening upon his bed of roses, dares taunt the Toiler with lightness of conduct & unworthy living!"
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