Autograph letter signed : [London], to Ford Madox Brown, 1881 March 9.

Concerning the sale of Rosetti's painting 'Dante's dream at the time of the death of Beatrice' to the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool; telling him how much they are looking forward to his "...visit, however brief. Audsley wants you to go & see his art curiosities - the organ be built, his Japanese treasures, &c. Samuelson & that 'Ratsbane' were in London yesterday & wired me that they wanted an introduction to Rossetti with a view to the purchase of the Dante's Dream. I told S. that R. would be most happy to receive him but thought it well to telegraph Rossetti & leave him to act as seemed to him best. As might have been guessed R. declined to see the other man, & so I fear all 'the fat's in the fire.' Picton was also in London & Samuelson writes that the thing would probably have been done at once if Rossetti had consented to admit Rathbone. God knows what now may result. Somehow I imagine in such a case you could have been civil to Lucifer himself & not compromised yourself much either. This in thine ear. I must say, however, that I vastly admire the loyalty Rossetti manifests. I don't believe I could have done the same in his case. He is really a man of tremendous character. I suppose you would get the Courier. Do you find it hard to account for the over-weening vanity which occasioned the mention of my own name in that connection?;" sending his regards to Mrs. Brown.