GILBERT

thanking him for his letter and for the kind words you utter about the Times article on my work at Windsor. I have for some time past doubted my chances of success as regards the appointment at South Kensington, but now with such an authoritative... as the one you give me I am quite prepared to renounce all hope, and all further striving. Why I wanted the post was, that I might, during my leisure, devote myself to the production of original work untrammelled by Commissions, and the dictates of others. The price may have been high to pay for such a desire... the official nature of the position which might be thought ill suited to my own, but I had hoped I might have exercised some good in the schools, and amongst the Art Masters who are under the official regime. Again, it was that 'irksome uncertainly' to which you allude, the enlarging parasite of my life - which led me to aspire to, and desire official employment... it has it's sweet certainty. I am accustomed to disappointments, though I am credited with a rich account of Fortune's smiles. I have only one hope, and that is, that I have not overdrawn my account in asking friends such as you are to 'back' my future demand, to no purpose..., 4 sides oblong 4to., 18 Maida Vale, W., 8th August