Chapter XXVI: Letter XXV: To Madox Brown, Finchley

“Emma” was the second Mrs. Madox Brown. The Dr. Wilkinson here mentioned was Garth Wilkinson, an eminent Homœopathist, Editor of Blake’s _Songs of Innocence and Experience_, etc.

The picture by Miss Anna Mary Howitt at the Portland Gallery was _Gretchen at the Fountain_. My brother, in saying that Miss Howitt had been “kicking up quite a great row” with this picture, only meant that the work had been much noticed and admired. The statement that Miller (John Miller of Liverpool) had bought Deverell’s _As You Like It_ is only one of several references to Walter Howell Deverell, and his then recent death, occurring in these letters to Madox Brown. The other references, being more appropriate in another connexion, are omitted here. The _As You Like It_ was a picture from Shakespeare’s play--the mock marriage of Orlando and Rosalind.

[Chatham Place, London.
30 March 1854.]

My dear Brown,

What has become of you? You were not well when I last saw you,
nor I believe was Emma. I have been meditating Finchley for a
long while, but have never been able to get there. So would you
write me a word to say that you are both better, and to make,
if possible, some kind of arrangement for us to meet. Lizzy and
I would be very glad if you could both fix an evening to come
here,--_only_ I fear a bed upstairs would not be possible, as
those rooms are taken.

Lizzy has been very unwell lately. I have introduced her to the
Howitts, and we have spent several evenings there. They are quite
fond of her, and most delighted with her productions. I have also
brought her and my sister Christina together, as our family are
now in London again.

The Howitts insisted on Lizzy’s seeing a Dr. Wilkinson, a friend
of theirs, and I believe an eminent man. He finds that the poor
dear has contracted a curvature of the spine, and says she ought
not to paint at present; but this, of course, she must. He says
her case is a very anxious but by no means a hopeless one. You
know, I suppose, that Miss Howitt has been kicking up quite a
great row with her picture at the Portland Gallery. Miller has
bought poor Deverell’s _As You Like It_ for 50 guineas.

Lizzy is sitting by me working at the most poetical of all
possible designs, and sends her love to both Emma and you.

Yours affectionately,
D. G. ROSSETTI.