4544. John Ruskin to EBB & RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 75–76.
Denmark Hill
11th December [1859] [1]
Dear Mr & Mrs Browning
It has not lately, I think been a time for writing. For looking—working—weeping—not much for talking. My work does no one much good—but on it must go—as so much of life has already been given to it—though often I feel as if it were the weakest of vain things and the cheapest of valueless ones—at this time I mean. Not merely because of the time’s sorrows, or injustices—or any other more stern calls: but because even its mechanism is becoming too strong for any hope of resistance and what of worth can be done must be done by accepting that spirit (or that Spring, I had better have said)—and out of wheels and spindles bringing what whirring result one can, till they have had their day, and pass to the bourne from which—it is to be hoped—neither wheels nor spindles can return. [2] The sense of this, and the right of the mechanical—& worse, art of Munich (& all Germany in its train) depressed me exceedingly this summer and I am only now getting back to something like tranquillity of mind—by ceasing to read the papers, and taking desperately to buds of trees and wreaths of clouds–
I wrote three letters to one of the Edinburgh papers whose editor I knew concerning European—especially English political conduct—just about the time I got your letter. [3] Two of them were printed—after much delay. [4] The third was declared by the able editor unprintable—“it would lose him a hundred subscribers next morning.” You may judge by this it was what wise people do not consider a Temperate or Chaste Production.
The two that were printed bore some bold witness however, and I am glad to be able to refer to them—as fearless words—whether wise or unwise. Some day I will send them to you. You have at present enough to think of, and to feel.
So—waiving all talk about such things—I write merely to ask of Mrs Browning[’]s health and Penini[’]s. And—to say that I am very curious about what I have heard of your taking up art seriously, [5] and should like infinitely to know what you are doing. I think it possible you may find a quite new form of expression of yourself in that direction.
Among us, at present, there is little progress. Hunt spends too much time on one picture, [6] without adequate result—(though a result indeed which could not be otherwise got.) Rossetti is half lost in mediaevalism and Dante, leaving the opposite party most untoward advantage, and nearly all the smaller fry have been led astray in Rossetti’s wake. It will all come right again but time will be needed.
I earnestly hope to get my book [7] done and all literary work with it—this winter and to be able to take a few years of quiet copying, either nature—a Turner—a Titian or Veronese or Tintoret [8] —engraving as I copy. It seems to me the most useful thing I can do. I am tired of talking.
In sincere and continual love to you both
Believe me faithfully yours,
J Ruskin
Address, on integral page: Robert Browning Esq.
Publication: Cook, pp. 330–331.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
1. Year provided by Ruskin’s reference to his “letters to one of the Edinburgh papers” (see note 4 below).
2. Cf. Hamlet, III, 1, 78–79.
4. The letters appeared in The Daily Scotsman: the first, dated Berlin, 6 June 1859, in the issue of 20 July under the heading “Mr Ruskin and the Italian Question”; and the second, dated Berlin, 15 June 1859, in the issue of 22 July under the heading “Mr Ruskin on Foreign Politics.” Ruskin originally sent the letters to The Witness, whose editor was Peter Bayne (1830–96). Alexander Russel (1814–76) was the editor of The Daily Scotsman at this time.
5. A reference to RB’s drawing studies, mentioned in letter 4316.
6. William Holman Hunt’s “The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple” (1854–60).
7. Modern Painters, Vol. V, published in June 1860.
8. Jacopo Robusti Tintoretto (1518–94), Venetian painter.
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