The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-06-06

her new book on 'sRossetti and the Pre-
Rapaelite Movement" Mrs. j. w.
Wood writes of his stay at Kelmscott:
1.-The scenery of the surrounding
country is brought in vivid glimpses
here and there into Rossetti's poetry,
as, for instance, in Down Stream, and
other lyrics of his later life. Here he
painted The Bower Maiden q pretty
country lass with marigolds." Ros-
setti also painted his well known pic
ture, ''Proserpine," while at Klemscott.
During his stay there, the wife and
daughter of Mr.. Morris, both of whom
had very beautiful features, frequently
sat for Rozsetti, and their illnesses are
to be recognized in many of his most
famous pictures
Mr.. f. G. Stephens, already men
toned as one of the original pre-
Raphaelite brotherhood, and its sole
survivor with the exception OF Holman
Hunt, has just published an account OF
Rossetti and his work in the London
Portfolio" This will contain repro
ductions Of unpublished drawings In
the possession Of Fairfax Murray, ono
OF Rossetti's pupils and of Mr.. Stephens
himself Mrs. Woods volume on Ros-
setti, mentioned above, is the fifth bio
graphical work published since Ros-
setti's death in 1882. but all snch vol
umes are merely preliminary to the inn
portant book Mr.. Holman Hunt him
self has in hand concerning the Eng.
lish pre-Raphaelite movement In which
he took so large part.
There are few of the pictures by
these painters in this country. Up to
within two years no large picture by
Rossetti, Burne Jones or MADDOX Brown
was owned By an American. There ara
very few of the first two to be seen
even in British public galleries. They
are owned mostly by private gentle
men in England. Prof. Charles Eliot
Norton and Mr.. Moncure d. Conway
owned a few choice but small speci-
mems of some of the group. The sale
of the Deyland collection in London,
in 1892 placed number of Rossetti and
Burne Jones pictures on the market,
and some Of them were secured by
Americans, notably by Ar. Samuel
Bancroft Jr., of Rockford, near Will
mington, Del. The paintings OBJ
tanned by him were the basis Of last
years pre-Raphaelite exhibition al
ready mentioned. These have now
been placed IN position on the walls OF
his Rockford home, where they make a
very imposing appearance, and where
] had the pleasure Of seeing them
few days ago. They include Rossetti's
Pound" Lady Lilith," and Water
Willow" ons Of Burne Jones' "Brinr
Rose" series, and the superb Romeo
and Juliet" by Ford MADDOX Brown,
besides a number Of sr3aller paintings
and drawings. The Romeo and Ju-
het" has been recently obtained. Mr.
Bancroft also possesses a nearly COM
| plete set of photographs Of Rossctti's
pictures. Among other treasures Is
the drawing made of Rossettfs face on
the morning after his death by Mr..
Frederick Shields; and a water color
drawing Of Miss Ruth Herbert, a IA
| vorite model of Rossetti
Mr.. Bancroft talked IN a most inter
esting way OF his pictures and his ac'
! quaintances among Rossetti's friends.
/ He knew little of the latter's work as
On artist, although familisr with Ros-
setti's literary work, until visiting in
Manchester he happened to sec tho
water Willow" at his friend MIR. ".
/ A. Turner'S house. Mr. Turner chanc-
ing to die not long after, Mr.. Bancroft
purchased the picture mainly for its
/ association with his friend, and In that
way was led to take an interest IN the
subject The picture called Found" !"
/ he tells me. was never completely I'm
ishsd by Rossstti who worked over 1t,
! Of and on, for tweISy years A part
/ of the background, showing bridge
In London, was put in by his friend
Burne Jones, who found Bossetd work.
ing over the picture one day and Of
tered 10 help him ont with it.
Among other relics OF the poet-paint-
er Mr.. Bancroft has obtained number
/ OF manuscripts Of poems, one or two Of
which have not been published He
also has the proof sheets of the 1881
edition of Rossetti's poems containing
the authors numerous corrections. and
! q rare pamphlet copy of his Hand and
Soul" ronsntic story based on Ros-
sstti's own experiences and beliefs
ARHCR SrEDNAx.
Britain's Big Army.