[Bibliographical Note.-This essay on Prout first appeared in The Art Journal of March 1849, No. 129, pp. 76-77. It was published anonymously. The article was headed by a portrait of Prout and a facsimile of his signature. The following editorial note was appended:-

[“Our engraving on wood is from a sketch in crayon by Sir W. Ross, R.A., one of Mr. Prout’s many FRIENDS; no member of the profession has ever lived to be more thoroughly respected-we may add beloved-by his brother artists; no man has ever given more unquestionable evidence of a gentle and generous spirit, or more truly deserved the esteem in which he is so universally held. His always delicate health, instead of, as it usually does, souring the temper, has made him more considerate and thoughtful of the troubles and trials of others; ever ready to assist the young by the counsels of experience, he is a fine example of upright perseverance and indefatigable industry, combined with suavity of manners and those endearing attributes of character which invariably blend with admiration of the artist, affection for the man.”-Ed.]

The essay was reprinted as a pamphlet in 1870, with the following title-page:-

Samuel Prout. | By | John Ruskin, M.A. | Honorary Student of Christ Church and | Slade Professor of Fine Art. | Oxford. | Printed for Private Circulation Only. | MDCCCLEXX.

Crown 8vo, pp. vi.+10. The imprint on the centre of the reverse of the title-page is “T. & G. Shrimpton, Oxford.” On p. v. is the following preface:-

“It is more than twenty years since these admirable remarks appeared in the Art Journal. Their author leaves them in silent neglect. They are therefore here revived in print for the benefit of a few friends who are at once hearty admirers of Prout and reverent listeners to Professor Ruskin on this as on all other subjects.”-Oxford, 1870.

Issued in dark blue wrappers, with the title-page reproduced upon the front cover.

The essay was next reprinted (with the paragraphs numbered) in On the Old Road; (1) in the first edition (1885), vol. i. pp. 206-220 (§ § 137-148); (2) in the second (1899), vol. i. pp. 210-224 (§ § 137-148). The paragraphs are in this edition re-numbered.

There are no various readings to record, except that the spelling of the artist’s name “Cozens” has here been substituted for “Cousins” (in all previous editions).]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]