INTRODUCTION xxvii

people, who are ready to listen to me, some of the simple truths about architecture and painting which may perhaps be better put in conversational than literary form. I shall however write the lectures first that I may be sure of what I have to say, and send them you to look over.”

“(August 19.)-... I cannot now get off without a great fuss, as I have sent a synopsis of the four lectures to be regularly printed with the others published at the commencement of the season. I rather liked the idea of giving my first lecture in your native city; and therefore met the request more immediately and unhesitatingly than I should have done had it come from any other quarter; besides that, I have many friends and admirers in Edinburgh, and am in some respects far better understood there than in London. The Edinburgh artists-Harvey, D. O. Hill, Noel Paton,¹ etc., are all eager to meet me, while the London ones are all too happy to get out of my way, and the only letter you have yet got, showing true appreciation of my book, except George Richmond’s, is from the Edinburgh Dr. Brown. If I succeed at all, I shall do my cause more immediate good than by twenty volumes (although I consider that for ultimate purposes writing is best); and I cannot fail altogether because I shall assuredly have plenty to say, and shall say it in a gentlemanly way, if not fluently. I have given plenty of lectures with only one or two people to listen to me, and I don’t see why it should be a great condescension to spend the same words on the cleverest people in Edinburgh. Every one of my friends whom I have mentioned my purpose to-and I spoke of it to many in London when I first got Lewis’s letter-strongly urged me to lecture: there was not one dissentient voice. I hope, as you think over the matter more, it may not seem so objectionable to you; it seems to me a matter of very little consequence one way or the other; for, however well I may succeed, I shall not lecture much; and if I should fail, people will only say I can write but not talk, which has been the case with many men before me.”

“(October 2).-The lectures have not delayed Modern Painters, as I did not intend to write any more till I had a rest. The lectures have been quite by the way. I will promise you the first chapter of Modern Painters as a New Year’s gift, if I remain in good health.”

Having decided, then, to give the lectures, Ruskin occupied himself at Glenfinlas in preparing both the discourses themselves and the

¹ Sir George Harvey (1806-1876), an original member and afterwards President of the Royal Scottish Academy; David Octavius Hill (1802-1870), landscape and portrait painter, seeretary to the Scottish Society of Arts; Sir Noel Paton we shall meet again in a later volume.

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