Hunt's letter of introduction was followed by a visit to Edward Jones (afterwards Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Bart.,) at his studio in Bloomsbury. The room was crowded with works of varied kinds, in every sort of method, all showing wonderful power of design, vivid imagination, and richness of colour. We were so fascinated with the man and his art that we at once asked him to paint a water colour drawing, size and subject to be left to him. About that time he had painted a picture, "A Harmony in Blue," for John Ruskin, and it was suggested that ours should be "A Harmony in Red." After some months the result was a most highly elaborated water colour, "The Annunciation." This, of course, was in his early manner, and of great beauty. Later on he made for us a Triptych illustrating the Birth of Christ, the first subject being the "Shepherds Guided by the Star," the centre the "Manger," and the third the "Wise Men from the East." The work was fine in conception and rich in colour. He also made a set of small water colour drawings of the "Seven Days," which were intended for reproduction in our contemplated Illustrated Bible, for which he also made a few drawings on the wood. His contributions to _Good Words_ were very limited. At our request, however, he made slight water colour sketches from some of the few subjects he did do.
The two following letters show that at this time he was quite unknown to the general public, although he was appreciated in the highest degree by those who knew him and his work:
_By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons._]
"62 GT. RUSSELL ST., "_August 1st, 1863_.
"DEAR SIR,--Understanding that you are going abroad for a short time, I write to say that if agreeable to you I should like to keep 'The Annunciation' in my studio until you return; for, as I do not exhibit, that is my only way of letting people see what I have been doing. Pray do not take the trouble to answer if this will be convenient to you.
"And believe me, dear Sir, "Very faithfully yours, "E. BURNE-JONES."
"DEAR SIR,--Your messenger arrived an hour after I posted to you. I send the Triptych. You will have 'The Annunciation' next week; but until it is quite finished, I am unwilling to send it out of my studio. The little drawing of 'The Days' is at this moment gone to have a new glass put before it, but will be ready on Monday. I am sorry that it will not be before. In haste.