Autograph letter signed : London, to William Allingham, 1854 Nov. [12].

Apologetically informing him of a delay in finishing the woodblock (illustrating his poem "The Maids of Elfen Mere") and discussing issues related to its publication. Mentioning that Ruskin is "looking very well and in excellent spirits," has joined a scheme for a Working Mens College, and that he is enthusiastically planning to teach (and noting that this is inspiring Rossetti to think about teaching also). Reporting that he is hard at work painting a calf and cart, and describing his calf model as one who "kicks and fights all the time ... and the view of life induced at his early age by experience in art appears to be so melancholy that he punctually attempts suicide by hanging himself at 3-1/2 daily P.M." Thanking him for criticizing his ballad; mentioning mutual acquaintances and recently published poetry; reporting that Miss Siddal is "moderately well." With a postscript giving Millais's address.