FROM "THE FRAMLEY PARSONAGE."
By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.
By permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.
In 1847 or '48 we were introduced to Mr. George Smith, of Smith, Elder and Co., and for several years executed a fair share of the engravings they required. Amongst the earlier of these works we contributed to "The Jar of Honey, from Mount Hybla," by Leigh Hunt, and "The Dwarf of the Golden River," by John Ruskin. During this period we were not infrequently brought into correspondence with Mr. Williams, literary adviser of the firm. He was a grand old gentleman, with a kind, sympathetic manner, which won for him the sincere regard of all with whom he became associated.
When the Cornhill Magazine was started we were asked by Mr. George Smith (whose courtesy and kindness were at all times most marked during the many years of our connection) to undertake the engravings, as he purposed issuing one or two full page plates with each monthly number. This we did for several years, producing during the time, among the more important works, charming illustrations by Millais, Richard Doyle, Lord Leighton, P.R.A., F. Sandys, and other artists, all of whom, as time rolled on, acquired a prominent position in their art.
Artists not being proverbial for the just appreciation of punctuality, many of these engravings were produced under great pressure, as the following letter from Mr. George Smith will show:
"Dear Sirs,—I am delighted with Mr. Millais' drawing, and I am obliged to you for having engraved it so well considering the pressure of time. There will be another illustration for the June number and another for August; Mr. Millais already has the proofs of the chapters of 'Framley Parsonage' for June and August.
"Believe me,
"Yours faithfully,
"G. Smith.