DERBYSHIRE TAPESTRY. 97 



In a letter to the Editor, dated the 5th day of April, 1893, 

 Mr. Morris writes : — 



" It may interest you to know that I wove a piece of ornament 

 with my own hands, the chief merit of which I take it, lies in the 

 fact that I learned the art in doing it, with no other help than 

 what I could get from a very good little eighteenth century book, 

 one of the series of ' Arts and Metiers ' published by the 

 Government. 



" I think it must be about fifteen years ago I exhibited two 

 pieces at the Manchester Exhibition. The subjects were Flora 

 and Pomona. Some public body at Manchester bought them, and 

 they are there now. 



" The most important piece I have yet done was for my own 

 College at Oxford (Exeter), It is in the chapel there. The sub- 

 ject is the Adoration of the Magi, designed by Mr. Burnejones. 

 It has generally been thought successful. I am now doing a replica 

 of it, and also a large set of hangings for Mr. D'Arcy, at Stanmore, 

 in Middlesex. The subject is the Achievement of the Sangraal, 

 designed by Mr. Burne-Jones. I have exhibited on three 

 occasions in the Arts and Crafts. Subjects : — 



" Peace, by Mr. Burne-Jones ; 



" A Greenery, designed by Mr. Dearie, one of my pupils ; and a 



"Piece with Animals, designed by Mr. Philip Webb." 



Responsive to a kind invitation from Mr. Morris to vibit his 

 tapestry establishment at Merton Abbey, I went, accompanied by 

 Mr. Taylor-Whitehead, of Burton Closes, F^akewell. The build- 

 ings, chiefly of wood, are said to occupy some portion of the site 

 of the old abbey, close by Merton Station. Here a great surprise 

 awaited us. We soon found that we were in an establislimeiit 

 moved and directed by no common genius. Passing the dye 

 works, where wools of every shade are prepared for the tapestry 

 looms, we soon found ourselves in a large upper room where some 

 painted windows were being leaded and prepared for their destina- 

 tion. Another door led us into the apartment we were seeking — 

 a long upper story, lighted on one side only. Three high warp 

 7 



