By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.
By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.
Further on in the same letter he writes:
"It is almost unnecessary for me to say that I cannot produce these quickly even if supposing I give all my time to them. They are separate pictures, and so I exert myself to the utmost to make them as complete as possible. I can do ordinary illustrations as quickly as most men, but these designs can scarcely be regarded in the same light—each Parable I illustrate perhaps a dozen times before I fix, and the 'Hidden Treasures' I have altered on the wood at least six times. The manipulation of the drawings takes much less time than the arrangement, although you cannot but see how carefully they are executed. Believe me, I will not again halt in the work, but will supply you regularly, although I may occasionally delay in the production. I know you will take every care in the cutting, so I will not say anything about that. I enclose with the block a few remarks.
"Ever yours truly,
"John Everett Millais.
"I suppose you have nearly completed the 'Five Foolish Virgins.' I am always anxious to get the proofs."
Sir John was at all times ready to help a brother or sister artist, and avoid as far as possible running in competition, as the following few lines will show.
In a letter dated February 8th, 1863, he writes: