HE HAS "ALWAYS FELT YOU AMONG THE MOST DANGEROUS ENEMIES OF ART - ORDER - & MANNERS" RUSKIN (John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)

Autograph Letter Signed 'John Ruskin' to "My dear Madam" saying that he is "honoured by your reference to me - and grateful for it, - but I hope your pleading for such a pathetic distress stands in need of no aid by petition of mine. I would give you my name, if you needed it - but growlingly, for these forty years of my poet life have been spent on yearly increasing detestation and scorn of all Italian 'Independence and Liberty'—beyond those even which are now issuing in general dynamite in all other lands. And since, in many social principles, I am closely and practically at one with the advocates of the - virtually antisocial principles of Independence & Liberty - I am the more reluctant to let my name be read where it may be totally misunderstood. I am extremely sorry that an amiable and industrious man has lost his money, but heartily wish he had never made any in that line of business. I have greatly enjoyed - and respected your own writings - but always felt you among the most dangerous Enemies of Art - Order & Manners! Would you have the grace and frankness and charity to tell me what - this present April of 1886 you are really thinking as to when we are all going to John Halifax and the rest of us? gentle or simple? ...", 3 sides 8vo., Brantwood, Coniston headed paper, 23rd April

Just a few weeks after this letter, on 15th May 1886, he wrote to his physician John Simon - "I like my girls from ten to sixteen—allowing of 17 or 18 as long as they're not in love with anybody but me.—I've got some darlings of 8—12—14—just now, and my Pigwiggina here—12—who fetches my wood and is learning to play my bells."

Item Date:  1886

Stock No:  40479     

                


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