404 THE STONES OF VENICE

misery in heart, and error in conduct, than avarice itself, only covetousness is not so inconsistent with Christianity: for covetousness may partly proceed from vividness of the affections and hopes, as in David, and be consistent with much charity; not so avarice.¹

§ 91. Sixth side. Idleness. Accidia.² A figure much broken away, having had its arms round two branches of trees.

I do not know why Idleness should be represented as among trees, unless, in the Italy of the fourteenth century, forest country was considered as desert, and therefore the domain of Idleness. Spenser fastens this vice especially upon the clergy,-

“Upon a slouthful asse he chose to ryde,

Arayd in habit blacke, and amis thin,

Like to an holy monck, the service to begin.

And in his hand his portesse still he bare,

That much was worne, but therein little redd.”

And he properly makes him the leader of the train of the vices:

“May seem the wayne was very evil ledd,

When such an one had guiding of the way.”³

Observe that subtle touch of truth in the “wearing” of the portesse, indicating the abuse of books by idle readers, so thoroughly characteristic of unwilling studentship from the schoolboy upwards.

§ 92. Seventh side. Vanity. She is smiling complacently as she looks into a mirror in her lap. Her robe is embroidered with roses, and roses form her crown. Undecipherable.

There is some confusion in the expression of this vice, between pride in the personal appearance and lightness of

¹ [Ruskin analyzes avarice, and kindred vices connected with money, in Munera Pulveris, §§ 88-94. The passage should be read in connexion with this part of the present chapter.]

² [In his copy for revision Ruskin here notes:-

“akxhdia don’t care-ishness.”

The figure has been restored; she leans back; in the left hand the stem of a flower; the right arm round a branch. Inscribed “Accidia mi stringit.”]

³ [Book i. canto iv. 18, 19.]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]