INTRODUCTION lv

describing the way he obstructed the surveyors on his estate: first turning them all out of his grounds, and then, when they tried to survey on the roads, watching them all day, and getting between the surveyor and his assistant-sitting on his pony in their line of sight-and enjoying it as much as a schoolboy all the time.

“I wish you could see the room we have prayers in, in the morning; the furniture-veritable old oak; the oriel window with its small and delicate crests; Cromwell’s hat, the one he wore at Marston, and sword, on the wall among the deers’ heads and antlers; Fairfax’s sword, and Cromwell’s watch; and much strange old plate and indescribable antiquities in venerable order. I have several other letters to write to-day, so must be short.

“Dearest love to my mother,

“Ever, my dearest father,

“Your most affectionate son,

“J. RUSKIN.”

Ruskin made brief memoranda of the Farnley pictures and drawings and occasional references occur in his books, but it is in this pamphlet on Pre-Raphaelitism that his principal notice of them occurs. The pamphlet became indeed an account of Turner, written round the Farnley collection. To Mr. Fawkes, therefore, it was dedicated, and Ruskin afterwards wrote from Venice, hoping that the acknowledgment was not unwelcome:-

“VENICE,

“8th February, 1852.

“DEAR MR. FAWKES,-I have long been wishing to write to you, and more to hear from you; but since I left London I have been far from well, and able to write only few letters; but I cannot stay longer without knowing, first how you are, and secondly, that you were not offended at my inscribing my pamphlet to you, of which, not having heard from you since, I have been in some little fear. There was so much in it about your collection that I did not like it to appear without some special acknowledgment of your kindness, but if you do not wish your name to be associated with the opinions expressed in other parts of the pamphlet, I will withdraw it in future editions. But I want, first of all, to know how you are; for you must have felt very deeply what has occurred since last I saw you. For myself, I had been expecting it, and yet it has cast more shadow than I thought over these lagoons which he painted so often-what must it over your secret walks and glens?

“I have heard nothing definite of what he has done-probably you have heard more than I. I was in hopes at first, from a vague

[Version 0.04: March 2008]