5559. John Ruskin to RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 31, 227–228.

[London]

[Postmark: 25 February 1865]

Dear Browning

I am so sorry: but then illnesses must be I suppose– One has spiritual measles too sometimes—which are worse. Thank you so much for that extract. I was deeply grateful for Milsand[’]s review. [1] What he was surprised at, I suppose was simply my saying & feeling, he was right where he had said I was wrong– [2] One generally sucks all the praise and throws the blame back in the critic’s face with a “and be damned to you” for all thanks—at least that[’]s the way the P R Bs [3] serve me.

Ever affectionately yours,

JR.

Address: Robert Browning Esq / 19. Warwick Cresc’t / Harrow Road.

Publication: Cook, p. 481.

Manuscript: University of Texas.

1. L’Esthétique anglaise: étude sur M. John Ruskin (1864).

2. In a letter to Joseph Milsand, dated 12 February 1865, Ruskin wrote: “I entirely feel the truth of the greater part of what you say respecting my failures: more especially in having attributed far too much historical and representative,—far too little decorative and ideal power to the higher conditions of art” (see SD2748). See also SD2754.

3. i.e., members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

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