Letter from Dante Rossetti, London, to Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon, 1870 : autograph manuscript signed.

Thanking her for her thoughtful note; discussing the curtains and wondering whether she will be needing the house next Saturday; trying to make up his mind about Glottenham, though he has decided to stay where he is until the end of the week; sharing that he might go to London again to start work in good earnest, though he might bring it to Glottenham later; feeling he could benefit from country air; thinking about how Glottenham has quarters for painting with good light, which is desirable; thinking he may take a room at first on trial and perhaps even do so before leaving the neighborhood; sharing that he has no clear recollection of the extreme beauty of the old mansion, which he thinks has great character; wondering how her brother can refrain from being there longer; thanking her sincerely for the brief loan of the house, which has been deeply beneficial to him; sharing that he is “quite another man” and that the sudden crisis of his vision has improved; sharing that though his eyesight is not totally strong, the issue no longer presents unnatural difficulty; promising to keep her informed of his leaving.