"Crystal Palace,
"Sydenham,
"November 28th, 1863.
"Dear Sirs,—I have carefully considered the proposition you were kind enough to make to me and am reluctantly compelled to decline it. If I edit a Bible at all I should prefer it to be one in which the notes might bear a larger proportion to the text than that which you contemplate, and in which modification of the arrangement of the text itself might be introduced without imperilling the sale of the work, which they would no doubt do in the present case. And as I am not likely to be able to edit more than one Bible in my lifetime, I've no alternative but to reserve myself for a more favourable opportunity. I should also like to be more certain than I am in the present case that there would be no discrepancies between the illustrations and the notes. If you are not provided with any person to undertake the work I think I can recommend you a gentleman who would do it very efficiently. I am sorry that we will not have the pleasure of working together in this instance. With many thanks for your courtesy,
"I am, dear Sirs,
"Yours faithfully,
"George Grove.
"Messrs. Dalziel Brothers."
This refusal of Sir George Grove's co-operation, combined with other insurmountable difficulties which came in the way, caused us very reluctantly to abandon our original project.
Being invited to contribute to the Fine Art section of the Victorian Era Exhibition held at Earl's Court in the summer of 1897, we sent a frame containing selections from Tenniel's illustrations to "Through the Looking Glass," some specimens after F. Walker, and a large frame containing about twenty examples from "Dalziel's Bible," by Lord Leighton, Sir E. J. Poynter, Holman Hunt, Ford Madox Brown, Thomas Dalziel, Sir E. Burne-Jones, and others, with four proofs from Sir J. E. Millais' illustrations to "The Parables." For these contributions the Committee awarded us a Diploma for a Silver Medal.
Daniel's Prayer.
FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."