Chapter XVI: Letter XV: To Madox Brown, Hampstead

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

My dear Brown,

Just as you are gone, it occurs to me that, if in writing to
McCracken you mention about the alterations in my picture, it
would be better not to call them _alterations_, as that indicates
that the work required amendment, but to leave him to suppose
them _additions_; also not to say that I have done _much_ to
the thing, but merely that _what I have done_ is greatly for
the better. I do not mean to make any charge for the additional
labour, and therefore to let him suppose that I have done too
much for nothing would look like undignified enthusiasm.

You will say I am improving when mere diplomacy can make me write
all this, so long past bed-time. Good morning.

D. G. R.