"Whenever we have had anything to write of the late Lord Leighton we have always praised him as a draughtsman; we have always pointed to his book illustration as his greatest achievement...."

"It is not, we must confess, so impressive a design as the grand 'Moses,' or the powerful 'Samson bearing away the Gates.' But it has been put together with all the dignity that the old decorators would have bestowed upon the subject, 'The Death of the First Born.' It might have been, with its three panels beneath, designed for an altar.... The drawing was done for 'Dalziel's Bible,' a publication that was packed with as good book illustrations, as varied illustrations, as ever were produced in England, but that was financially a failure. There is, therefore, every reason why the public should never have appreciated the original designs. But though for Messrs. Dalziel the book was financially never a success, some day their effort to produce the best engravings they could from the best drawings they could get will be acknowledged."—Daily Chronicle, Feb. 20th, 1897.

The following letters will interest the reader, as showing how earnestly Lord Leighton entered into this project of illustrating the Bible:

"Dear Sirs,—I have begun to consider the subjects you propose to me, and will shortly send you a list of the passages in the stories of Samson, of Elijah, and of Jezebel, which appear to me particularly to suggest illustrations. One question I would ask: when you spoke of 'six designs' was it that you wished no more from those chapters, or was it that some are already given for variety to other hands, or that you thought I would not do more for you? I ask this because the subjects I shall send you may be more likely twelve than six. By-the-by, eventually when you get to the Apocalypse I have a great fancy to design the Four Riders.

"I am, dear Sirs,
"Yours very faithfully,

"Fred. Leighton."

Again:

"Dear Sirs,—Many thanks for your letter. When I selected, as particularly congenial to me, the subjects from Elijah and those which concern Jezebel, it was only to secure them for myself eventually, as I have a great fancy for them, but I am quite ready to take the subjects of this year as early in the Bible as you please, if you will only send me your suggestions. Who is going to do that magnificent subject of the 'Promise to Abram that his seed shall be as the stars'? If no one, I shall be glad to take it. Of the three subjects you propose I should like to single out 'Moses Viewing the Promised Land' (not the design I made for St. Paul's) and 'David's Charge to Solomon,' also 'Balaam and his Ass' if you like. I don't see my way to making a good thing of the 'Judgment.' The others seem to call for a great many figures, and you expressed a wish, when I saw you last, to confine yourself to subjects expressed with very few, if possible.

"The 'Samson' is indeed short, but contains much that lends itself for illustrations. I should have wished to treat the following subjects at least: 'The Angel Disappearing in a Flame after announcing to Manoah and his Wife, the Birth of Samson,' 'Samson and the Lions,' 'Samson and the Gates,' 'Samson in the Mill'; the other subjects from the wonderful story would require complicated groups. The above are all broad, simple, and very pictorial. As it is you will find it impossible to distribute your illustrations equally over a book like the Bible, in which one chapter will sometimes contain four or five subjects, and four or five chapters be without one. Will you let me know at your convenience what passages you would like me to treat early in the Bible this summer? It will save time if you can; I shall meanwhile ripen them in my head.

"I am, dear Sirs,
"Yours faithfully,