Herbert Harlakenden Gilchrist

“ He afterwards wrote lives of artists for an edition of ‘Men of the Time.’
In 1853 he settled at Guildford. In a visit to London a sight of some of Blake's illustrations of the Book of Job decided him to undertake a life of the artist. He had previously only known the illustrations to Blair's ‘Grave’ and Allan Cunningham's life of the artist. He now resolved to write a full life of Blake. In 1856 he settled in Chelsea, at the express wish of Carlyle, who was his next door neighbour, and with whom he and his wife had some pleasant intercourse. ”

“ Alexander was an affectionate and sympathetic child, and ‘almost as soon as he could walk’ his father's constant companion. At the age of twelve he was sent to University College School, and at sixteen left it to study law. ”

“ Her thoughts were early turned to religious questions, her tendency to liberal opinions being combined with a tenderness for the prejudices of others. A thoughtful letter, written in 1849, upon this subject is given in her ‘Life’ (p. 25) . ”