Burne-Jones' "overwhelming" amount of work, as explained in the following letter, must be accepted as the reason why he contributed only one drawing to the "Bible," in which he took such keen interest at its commencement.
"52 Gt. Russell St.,
"Bloomsbury,
"Friday.
"My dear Sir.—In a few days you will have 'Ezekiel,' and soon after 'The Coming of the Dove to the Ark.' My work has simply overwhelmed me and my walks the last month, but for the fortnight I can almost give myself to your subject. Your private commission still delights me with its congenial nature. The three subjects you name explain the 'Noah' subject; as soon as I have made a scheme of the 'Carol' you shall have it, and consider about it. Do you think of having a 'Temptation of Adam and Eve'? It would be famous for engraving, with a horny snake all round the tree, and the naked figures could be sufficiently concealed in the thicket so as not to offend the prurient (for they ought not to offend the modest). I shall thoroughly enjoy all this work. You may depend on having the 'Ezekiel' in a few days. I should like a larger block for 'The Building of the Ark.'
"Yours very sincerely,
"E. B. Jones."
Abraham Parting with Lot. By Thomas Dalziel.
By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.
FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."