JOSEPH KNIGHT.
Thanks to the courtesy of my friends Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co., I am able to give a complete list of these, and I have placed it at the end of this memoir.
LIFE OF D. G. ROSSETTI.
D.G. Rossetti.Another work of Knight's, the life of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, published by Walter Scott in 1887, has been pronounced by many the best life of Rossetti that has yet been written; and Mr. William Michael Rossetti in his 'Reminiscences' (published by Messrs. Brown, Langham & Co. in 1906), in mentioning how his "brother valued his [Knight's] discernment in poetical and other matters, and liked his manly geniality, harmonizing with a very handsome exterior," states regarding this life that "among all the records of him [his brother] which have appeared, none is written in a kindlier or fairer spirit than that of Mr. Knight—who can understand a man of genius, prize his fine personal and intellectual qualities, and make reasonable allowance for his peculiarities and defects" (vol. ii. pp. 331–2).
The following letter from Dante Rossetti to Knight appears in Knight's life of Rossetti, and is inserted by permission of the Walter Scott Publishing Company: it is in reference to an article written by Knight which appeared in Le Livre:—
- Westcliff Bungalow, Birchington-on-Sea, Kent
- 5 March, /82.
- Westcliff Bungalow, Birchington-on-Sea, Kent
MY DEAR KNIGHT, Curiously enough, I had not till to-day seen Le Livre for December and read (though I had heard of it from Watts) your generous and unforgetful praise of one, whom you could not speak of more warmly if we met as often as I could wish. Of the article's purport I hardly have a right to speak further, but can more pardonably dwell on its true literary quality. I do not gather, of course, whether the French is your own or rendered by another. In either case the tone could not be more akin to the language. I have come here for a short time, being much out of health. Watts is with me to-day, and sends his truest remembrances from the sofa where he is reading your article. I have not seen the Marstons for some time, but must try to do so on my return to London, and I do hope you and I may yet again foregather. I have been penning a few verses to-day in lack of other occupation. I write with this to Ellis & White to send you a copy of the new edition of my old Poems. In 'Sister Helen' (which I remember you always liked) there is an addition which (though it sounds alarming at first) has quite secured Watts' suffrage.
- With love from what is left of me,
- Yours affectionately,
- D. G. Rossetti.
- Yours affectionately,
