"Yours ever sincerely,
"W. Holman Hunt."
Summer Snow.
FROM "GOOD WORDS."
By Sir E. Burne-Jones, Bart.
Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.
Hunt's letter of introduction was followed by a visit to Edward Jones (afterwards Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Bart.,) at his studio in Bloomsbury. The room was crowded with works of varied kinds, in every sort of method, all showing wonderful power of design, vivid imagination, and richness of colour. We were so fascinated with the man and his art that we at once asked him to paint a water colour drawing, size and subject to be left to him. About that time he had painted a picture, "A Harmony in Blue," for John Ruskin, and it was suggested that ours should be "A Harmony in Red." After some months the result was a most highly elaborated water colour, "The Annunciation." This, of course, was in his early manner, and of great beauty. Later on he made for us a Triptych illustrating the Birth of Christ, the first subject being the "Shepherds Guided by the Star," the centre the "Manger," and the third the "Wise Men from the East." The work was fine in conception and rich in colour. He also made a set of small water colour drawings of the "Seven Days," which were intended for reproduction in our contemplated Illustrated Bible, for which he also made a few drawings on the wood. His contributions to Good Words were very limited. At our request, however, he made slight water colour sketches from some of the few subjects he did do.