SD2502. Ellen Heaton to Joseph Milsand
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 29, 306 (in part).
6. Woodhouse Square
Leeds
Augst 24. [1861] [1]
Dear M. Milsand
Is it not you I ought to thank for the Revue des Deux Mondes containing the second Article on Mr Ruskin’s works, which I yesterday received?– I think I recognize your writing in the address of the envelope,—I have not any more direct clue.– At least, if it is not so, I should like to thank you or to express my enjoyment, of many things in this Article,—& I trust you will pardon me for having fancied I was indebted to you for the copy itself,—as well as for the pleasure of its best contents.
I have often thought of this Article & it appears just when I was not expecting it. I do not suppose you will think I can adopt the whole of it,—but though, if you will forgive the presumption—it seems to me that you & Mr Ruskin agree very much more nearly than you believe,—and that he does not mean that the Science in a thing is to be represented rather than its Life,—or, you, that the Life can be represented except through the medium of Facts consciously or unconsciously learnt,—yet I like your blame of this great Writer better far than the praise most critics award him—and your praise one may truly enjoy—for it is of that, which, after all, is what is best and noblest in him.– One of the most eminent of our younger Sculptors, said to me not long ago, that he was more indebted to Mr Ruskin’s writings than to any other cause for his self-reliance,—& his power to work after his own natural impulses.–
I am sure that you have mourned the loss of One, whom I, too, most deeply deplore.– Here, indeed, not those who were so happy as to know her, only,—almost every one who speaks to me, feels that one is gone from us who can never be replaced. And we who knew Her, know that words are useless to express our grief, as they would be to describe how precious she was.
With hopes soon to discover some other thing by you, in the Revue,—
I am,
dear Sir
very truly yours,
E. Heaton.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Joseph Milsand Archive.
1. Year provided by reference to EBB’s death, 29 June 1861.
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