The Flower and the Leaf of Chaucer, illustrated, circa 1885

Attributed to George Leslie but bearing strong resemblances to the work of Mary Leslie, this manuscript appears to be a mockup for an unpublished edition of Chaucer's poem, "The Flower and the Leaf." The poem is copied out by hand in a small, cursive hand, and each page has illustrated panels depicting scenes from the poem, with decorative borders. The intricate details and carefully drawn figures in medieval costume evoke the Victorian fascination and interpretation of medieval aesthetics. Naturalistic embellishments in the page borders, including drawings of flowers, birds, insects, and reeds at water's edge, are done in a careful and moderately skillful hand.