The following article transcribed from the West Australian 28th September, 1928 illustrates how the story of Lizzie and Rossetti continued to fascinate after both their deaths. Sir Hall Caine's original recollections published in 1883, the year after Rossetti's death , had avoided any mention of suicide and Rossetti's feelings of guilt over Lizzie's knowledge of his love for Jane Morris.
Transcribed (from The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Friday 28 September 1928.
ROSSETTI'S LOVE
long-expected recollections of D. G. Rossetti
reveals that. the painter and poet
fell in love with the woman who later became
the wife of William Morris. Rossetti was engaged to
Elizabeth Siddall and married her within two years.
Mrs Rossetti divined the secret of her husband's
hidden love and, Sir Hall Caine affirms.
poisoned herself with laudanum, leaving
Rossetti a letter which he destroyed.
Twenty years later during a midnight
journey from Cumberland to London,
Rossetti unburdened his.soul to young Hall
Caine, saying that his wife's message left
a scar on his heart which was never healed
When Rossetti buried his manuscript
poems in his wife's coffin. Sir Hall Caine
says, Rossetti meant, 'these were inspired
by you. If I wronged you by losing my
love for you the poems shall go to the.
grave with' you.'
The ghost of Elizabeth Siddall, the
writer states, haunted Rossetti's later days
and caused Rossetti's hermit like life
arid his taking chloral, often; three times
a day.
Sir Hall Caine does not say that Rossettti
ever told Mrs. Morris the fact that
he loved her. Elizabeth Siddall thus lives
in his poems whereas his love for Mrs Morris .,
lives, in his .pictures.'
writer states, haunted Rossetti's later days
and caused Rossetti's hermit like life
arid his taking chloral, often; three times
a day.
Sir Hall Caine does not say that Rossettti
ever told Mrs. Morris the fact that
he loved her. Elizabeth Siddall thus lives
in his poems whereas his love for Mrs Morris .,
lives, in his .pictures.'
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