Collections : [Yale University -Yale Center for British Art]

Burne-Jones jokingly chastises Price for his last "skinny" letter and promises that "now [he]'ll be revenged" in his response. Burne-Jones describes at length how he spends his time in the River Wye area, which he says is like "Elysium." He describes his daily routine of walking in the countryside, reading and going to the cathedral. He says in his time in the area he has "endured two" parties and complains about the questioning he receives from guests, commenting "girls are such -- hm -- hang 'em they do quiz so, and I [Burne-Jones] make such a capital subject." Burne-Jones asks Price how he is finding reading "Fasti" but admits that he himself has begun the book. He states that, on the "urgent orders of [sic] eminent physician," he is returning home in the next week. He asks his friend if he might see him upon his arrival at Worcester. Burne-Jones ends his letter: "I would have sent you a long illustrated letter, if you had behaved like a gentleman to me, but as it is: good bye." In a postscript, he notes "Oh I have fallen in with such cant, but thank heavens I am still alive, aren't [?] you glad - eating sweetmeats till you burst."

Autograph envelope from Edward Burne-Jones, addressed to Cormell Price. *** come back to this *** add letter content ***

Burne-Jones opens by observing that, "like Mahomet of old", Price "finding the mountain won't come to [him]" has "gone to the mountain" and written to Burne-Jones. He offers Price a "free pardon" for not having done so earlier. Burne-Jones accepts Price's congratulations on the "issue of my 'little go'" but notes his tardiness.

Burne-Jones congratulates Price on his "dutiful and exemplary" conduct, developed "for many years under [Burne-Jones's] auspices." He adds: "it gives me encouragement that the philosophical notions I have inculcated, and wh. have brought such fruits in you, will be equally productive in others." However, so that Price is not "unduly puffed-up," Burne-Jones goes on to jovially criticize Price's "volatile, hurry-scurry, hyper-condensed" writing style.

Burne-Jones tells Price that he must write a letter to "Harry" (Henry Macdonald), but, not knowing Harry's address, must send it via Price.

Burne-Jones expresses his delight upon receiving Price's last letter. He regrets that he cannot respond to Price's latest request on account of being very busy. He also remarks that the subject proposed by Price is "really beyond me." It seems that Price's request is related to a specific poet (perhaps Tennyson, who is discussed at length in the previous letter), for Burne-Jones writes that: "I have not found a day without reading or hearing his work - it is unfair I know to other poets, for he is not a compendium of all that is beautiful, but I take a pleasure in forgetting others, and concentrating myself, for a while, on him alone."

Burne-Jones responds to Price's questions about scholarships, noting that the competition for Oxford scholarships "depend entirely upon the men who present themselves for candidacy" and that the University's reputation for "stiffness" deters individuals from applying and so "competition has been less." He tells Price that the scholarships for Queen's College are generous but that the college has changed from "old times." He notes Magdalen College's demyship scholarship form and states that he believes recipients often become full Fellows.

Burne-Jones apologizes for being "forgetful" of Price and admits that he "cannot plead hard work altogether for my cause, so many nameless trifles occur all day long to break the best resolutions." He tells Price that he has heard that he is studying hard and wishes him success in his endeavors. He encourages Price to apply for an Oxford scholarship, noting that even in failure "the practice is very good and often encouraging." He says that this term has been his happiest yet and he has been filling his time with many good things. He admits that he has "fallen back upon my drawings and intend[s] cultivating it to some extent."

Burne-Jones says he would have written to Price earlier had he not had "too much friendship to pour my sorrows into your ear." He states that Price's last letter came at a time when he was "suffering greater mental troubles than [he] ever remember[s]."