Page:The letters of William Blake (1906).djvu/36

 xxx of many colours of precious jewels whenever she hears it named." The first undertaking after his arrival was a frieze of poet heads for his employer's library at Felpham, whither the latter had just removed from Eartham. The Little Tom broad-sheet was also produced at the same time; and it was not long before he was set to work by his patron (through whom he obtained commissions among the neighbouring gentry) upon the uncongenial task of miniature painting; and in addition to all this he was occupied with the engraving of plates for Hayley's Life of Cowper. Any time that could be spared from these labours was devoted to the completion of his commission for Butts. Among the drawings which he did for the latter about this time is one entitled "The Soldiers Casting Lots for Christ's Garment" (dated 1800), which from its extraordinary qualities of invention and energy, we may suppose to belong to the first enthusiasm of his new life. In the foreground three soldiers are dicing excitedly for the seamless coat; while several others leaning upon the shafts of their partizans are bending over and watching the game intently. Beyond is the crucifixion, seen from behind, with the group of holy women, etc., at the feet of Christ. In the distance, upon the terrace of the Temple, which rises up with its many pinnacles mysteriously in the