4989. John Ruskin to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 258–259.
Lucerne.
17th November. 1861.
Dear Mr Browning
I do not know what others of your friends may have ventured to write or to say to you. I could say nothing—can say nothing: but that I love you, and there are few people whom I do—and that when you care to see me or hear from me—I shall thankfully come if I can, or write if I cannot.
I think also I may venture to say this: that however enthusiastic the love—or devoted the respect borne by all whose respect or love was in any wise worthy of her, to Mrs Browning—there was not one among them who more entirely and reverently shared in aim & hope with her—than I; nor one who regards her loss with a more grave, enduring, bitterness & completeness of regret.—not the acute—consoleable suffering of a little time; but the established sense of unredeemable, unparalleled loss which will not pass away.
I have been ill—not a little, neither: and am so still, more mentally than otherwise however.—and am little fit to face sad thoughts—not that I have many others to face. But I cannot write to you—indeed of what should I write to you, every way my superior in powers of thought, and of suffering. You might possibly have been in some sort relieved if I could have asked you to forget yourself for a moment, and to think of me or of things that interested me—but I cannot even do this—for I am myself in a state of sick apathy, or dull resolution—plodding on with work which will probably be as fruitless as it is pleasureless. I shall be here probably for three weeks more– I stay here to get light, and peace neither of which I can have in London, but I must get home before the end of the year for my father & mother’s sake. If you care to say anything to me—a letter poste restante Lucerne—or Denmark Hill after New year[’]s day, would find me.
Ever dear Mr Browning believe me affectionately yours,
J Ruskin.
Address, on cover sheet: Robert Browning, Esq. Continued in an unidentified hand: 1 Chichester Road / Upper Westbourne Terrace / W.
Publication: Cook, p. 392.
Manuscript: University of Texas.
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