"Emily Tennyson."
This letter was accompanied by the following note from Millais:
"My dear Dalziel,—I enclose Mrs. Tennyson's answer to my note. I said that not to bother him, if he couldn't say 'Yes,' to write himself. It is just what I expected; however, we have lost nothing by the attempt. I should have thought it easy enough to write a few lines to each, as I should find it easy enough to illustrate anything. I am sorry to have kept you so long for the two fellows seated on the gate.[17] Cut it with all your might.
"Yours very truly,
"J. E. Millais."
Ultimately the matter was placed in the hands of Tom Taylor, the dramatic author, who was at that time art critic to the Times, as well as a liberal contributor to Punch, of which journal he subsequently became editor. He wrote:
"8 Richmond Terrace,
"Whitehall, S.W.
"June 5.
"Dear Sirs,—I have just received the proofs. I have thought much over the subject of poems to Birket Foster's drawings, and I think that I would do what you wish on certain conditions.
"1st.—That I might call in aid my wife's verses, it being understood that she will do one here and there. I may say that she is homely born and bred, and that her verses would be above the mark of my own, as far as I can judge. She has written much, both words for music and music, before her marriage, as Miss Laura Barker, and her music is of a very high order. I merely write this that you may understand I am not forcing a novice on you. I wish her to be associated with me in the work, from a belief that the union of her with me will increase its value to the public.
"2nd.—The price I would suggest for thirty poems is £100. This is putting the work at 'Once A Week' terms, and is the lowest price at which I could write and do justice to both you and myself. If these terms suit you, I believe I could have the thirty by the end of July, or if your arrangement is to publish in parts, at the rate of four a week, the mode of payment to depend on that of delivery, i.e., according as it is of the whole at once or of the poems in fours. I will retain the whole set of proofs till I have your answer.