PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION 313

cannot answer; and my health and avocations may, in many unforeseen ways, interfere with the progress of the work. Each number, however, will, as far as regards the subjects contained in it, be complete in itself; and subscribers are not considered as pledged to continue to receive the work any longer than they may desire to do so.

My best thanks are finally due to Mr. Lupton, Mr. Boys, and the other engravers of the various Plates,¹ for their careful execution of the portions of the work entrusted to each.²

¹ [For notes on Ruskin’s engravers, see Vol. IX. pp. xlix., 1.]

² [The following is the original Announcement of the work, reprinted from the end of the first edition of the first volume of The Stones of Venice:-

MR. RUSKIN’S

ILLUSTRATIONS OF “THE STONES OF VENICE.”

____________________________

PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

In Twelve Parts, Folio Imperial size. Price One Guinea each.

EXAMPLES

OF THE

ARCHITECTURE OF VENICE.

SELECTED AND DRAWN TO MEASUREMENT FROM THE EDIFICES.

BY JOHN RUSKIN,

AUTHOR OF “THE SEVEN LAMPS OF ARCHITECTURE,” “MODERN PAINTERS,” ETC.

______________________________

PROSPECTUS.

MR. RUSKIN has found it impossible to reduce to the size of an octavo volume all the sketches made to illustrate his intended Essay on Venetian Architecture; at least, without loss of accuracy in detail: he has thought it better to separate some of the plates from the text, than either to throw the latter into a folio form, or diminish the fidelity of the drawings. The subjects which are absolutely necessary to the understanding of the Essay will alone therefore be reduced, and published with the text; the rest will be engraved in the size of the drawings, and will form a separate work, which, though referred to in the text, will not be essential to the reading of it. The Essay will thus be made accessible in a form involving the least possible expense to the general reader, and those who may be more deeply interested in the subject may possess the book of illustrations executed on a scale large enough for the expression of all details.

A short explanatory text will be given with each number of the large plates, so as to save the trouble of reference to erratic notices in the Essay.

In order to prevent future disappointment, MR. RUSKIN wishes it especially to be observed that very few of the drawings will be of entire buildings. Nearly all the subjects are portions of buildings, drawn with the single purpose of giving perfect

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