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

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]."

Burne-Jones asks why Price has not yet sent the "MS," presumably a piece for The Oxford and Cambridge Magazine. He tells him that Burne-Jones's aunt has been Price's "champion all along," transcribing a humorous conversation he had with her at breakfast the previous day, in which Burne-Jones describes Price as a "reprobate" and "a dissolute little creature" while "Auntie" defends him as a "dear little fellow." Burne-Jones says he does not want to hurry Price over the magazine but that they should "make a work of it, and not a mere pastime." Burne-Jones instructs Price to send his piece to him.

Burne-Jones sends his best wishes for Price's recovery from a bout of illness, remarking that he "daren't tell Auntie about it, or she'd be hurrying off to nurse [Price]." He asks if Price could stay in Birmingham for the first three days of the following week as Burne-Jones will be visiting his father and would like to see Price, commenting that "it seems generations past since [they] had one of those dear evenings."

Burne-Jones begins the letter with the following declaration: "Mr Jones begs respectfully to inform the public that he executes pictures of the most chaste and unique description upon the most reasonable terms." He then lists prices for a variety of types of drawings, including "love scenes, executed in bold style, indian ink" (5 shillings) and "full length caricature" (2 shillings and sixpence). He goes on to announce that he is "desirous of forming classes for the reading of Ruskin." Burne-Jones says that if Price were in London, he would see the streets "placarded" with such announcements before he gives up the joke, commenting "no you wouldn't, what lies I tell."

Burne-Jones says that he owes Price more apologies than he has time to write at present. He tells Price he has taken rooms at Old House, Ship Street in Oxford and asks that Price tells him which train he will take to Oxford so that Burne-Jones can meet him.

Burne-Jones says he has been a "villain" in his lack of correspondence with Price and says that the rest of the day will be given over to writing him letters, remarking that although the letter will only take half an hour to write, "the exertion will completely do for [him]." He asks if Price is "lonely out there" and says he has encouraged William Morris to write to him and will try to get "everyone" to do the same. He says they will all be so glad when Price comes back.

Burne-Jones thanks Price for his last letter, commenting that it has been passed around and shared with "all who want [Price] back." He pleads with Price to move back to Britain, offering Price a room in his home until he can find something permanent. He tells Price his family are spending three months in Venice from May and that Price could have their home in London to himself.

"Dearest Crom, I won't write at length; you may never get this -- we shall be in Venice I hope in a week to stop there for nearly a month, direct poste restante. I do do hope we shall meet this year. Love from Georgie. Most affectionately yours, Ned."