Chapter XXIV: Letter XXIII

GABRIELE ROSSETTI TO DANTE ROSSETTI--Translation.

The phrase “I can’t write clearer” may deserve a moment’s attention. The fact is that my Father’s handwriting was from the first singularly precise and perfect, and such it continued to the last. In the years when his sight had grievously declined he used powerful glasses, and his writing was minute and done with effort, but (with some casual exceptions) it was always uncommonly good. The present letter, though an inferior specimen, is nearly as clear as print.

Frome.
22 December 1853.

My much-loved son Gabriel,

Long have I been thinking of sending you a letter, and I never do
it.

Have you read more of the _Arpa Evangelica_? Your opinion is
valued by me; tell me then something about it, besides what you
have already said.

Excuse me, my dear son, I can’t write clearer--and I fear that
shortly I shall be unable to write at all. My blindness increases
daily, nay hourly.

We shall return to London on the 25th of March, and we return
for ever. I trust to find in good health you, my dearest son,
and your brother and your sister Maria. And you will rejoice in
again seeing dear Christina, and your aged Father, who will soon
go under-ground with beloved Polidori. I learned with pleasure
that you and William and Maria all assisted at his last moments.
Dearest Father-in-law and friend, how much did I love you!

Be heedful of your profession, dearly beloved son, and let the
public see what you are capable of.

Your loving father,
GABRIELE ROSSETTI.