--JOHN RUSKIN, Prof.
of Fine Art: _Guide to Principal Pictures_, _Academy of
Fine Arts_, _Venice_.]

Evidence was then called on behalf of the defendant. Witnesses for the
defendant, Messrs. Edward Burne-Jones, Frith, and Tom Taylor.

Mr. EDWARD BURNE-JONES called.

Mr. BOWEN, by way of presenting him properly to the consideration
of the Court, proceeded to read extracts of eulogistic appreciation of
this artist from the defendant's own writings.

[Sidenote: "Of the estimate which shall be formed of Mr.
Jones's own work....

"His work, first, is simply the only art-work at present
produced in England which will be received by the future
as 'classic' in its kind--the best that has been or
could be."--Prof. RUSKIN: _Fors Clavigera_, July 2,
1877.]

The examination of witness then commenced; and in answer to Mr. BOWEN,
Mr. JONES said: "I am a painter, and have devoted about twenty years
to the study. I have painted various works, including the 'Days of
Creation' and 'Venus's Mirror,' both of which were exhibited at the
Grosvenor Gallery in 1877. I have also exhibited 'Deferentia,'
'Fides,' 'St. George,' and 'Sybil.' I have one work, 'Merlin and
Vivian,' now being exhibited in Paris. In my opinion complete finish
ought to be the object of all artists. A picture ought not to fall
short of what has been for ages considered complete finish."

Mr. BOWEN: "Do you see any art quality in that nocturne, Mr. Jones?"

Mr. JONES: "Yes ... I must speak the truth, you know".... (_Emotion._)

Mr. BOWEN: ... "Yes. Well, Mr. Jones, what quality do you see in it?"

Mr. JONES: "Colour. It has fine colour, and atmosphere."

Mr. BOWEN: "Ah. Well, do you consider detail and composition essential
to a work of Art?"

Mr. JONES: "Most certainly I do."

Mr. BOWEN: "Then what detail and composition do you find in this
nocturne?"

Mr. JONES: "Absolutely none."[14]

[Note 14: _REFLECTION:_

There is a cunning condition of mind that _requires to
know_. On the Stock Exchange this insures safe
investment. In the painting trade this would induce
certain picture-makers to cross the river at noon, in a
boat, before negotiating a Nocturne, in order to make
sure of detail on the bank, that honestly the purchaser