The Express.
London, England, 1864-02-01 00:00:00

.IM. RUSKIN AT THZ WORKING HENS
COLLEGE.

Mr. Ruskin met a large gathering of the mem-
lam and friends of the above institution at the college, is
Greet Ormond-street, to deliver& sort of informal lecture,
ea Saturday 'main last. This has growo into a custom
with him since he has given up • permanent residence la
Beglaad. He speaks cm any matters which he may sne-
akily desire to talk to his old pupils upon, and then holds
himself open to any questions which may be asked him
upon any subjects whatever. To judge from the crowded
state of the lecture rooms on Saturday, and the intermit dis-
played by Mr. Ruakin's audience, them intellectual treats--
Joe with they undoubtedly are—are highly appreciated by
the members of the college.
Mr. Bracts said it was always very plea ant to him to
come and nod himself surrounded by such sympathetic
hem as his old friends in the college presented to him, and
explaiaed his long absence by saying how unwell he had
been, and bow necessary it had been to him to live where
the sky could bo's'n without the intervening smoke which
always hid its beauty from Loadoners' eyes. lie had been
bard at work too, perhaps too hard for Lis strength, aud he
bad had many disimaragementa. He had nsed the best part
of his life in the endeavour to make one English painter
understood, and be feared his secret had been but small.
To this day Tuner was a mystery to his country-
men, and his paintings were something worse
than • mystery—they were a trouble and a bore.
Nobody appeared to know what to do with them.
They were tint put into Marlborough House, then into the
galleries at Kensington and now they are put altogether
into a room at the National Gallery, where not one of there
mind be seen. The drawings had fared even worse. He
had Legged of the trustees of the National Gallery, and
almoi.t gonr down on his knees before them, that he might
he permitted ri put them into such frame... would dr:into(
their being seen. This baring been done, no further steps
had been tsken in the matter. Neither the trustees nor
the nation could findaplacein which Turner's drawings could
be exhinitcd, and they had become mildewed and damaged
for want :A proper care during the alterations at the National
Gallery. Mr. Ruskin complained that pre-Raphael-
Aim, having established the principle that the dignity of •
picture depended largely uponits subject, was sow
.generating in that direction, and its professore showed
signs of forgetting the true dignity which always lies in the
conscientious performance of work as such. In architec-
ture, though great things were being done in Eugland—lees
perhaps in London than in other parts, owing to peculiar
mstrietioom nod conditions which might be unavoidable ;
and most notably in Manchester, where, beside' the metal-
ficieut museum, were many noteworthy specimens of the
Gothic style—tbe present genenitioe of Eoglishnien world
peas away before any true appreciation of the glories of
Gothic architecture was arrived at. Another source of dis-
appointment to the lecturer seethe small success which had
Weeded Lis effort. to caltivato a love of nature.
Be bad been told he had base momedul here, and what did
he and 7 That the most lovely misnames." in Europe—
the Falls of Schaffhaueen cod the Lake of Geneva—were
starred for ever. At the falls • seaway bridge, as hideous
as such things usually are, has been thrown across ; the
aneclueval castle which crowned its heights has been con-
verted into an hotel ; while lower down the fells,
factories have been built, poisoning the air with coal
smoke. go lamb for love of Aaiun in that quarter.
At the lake • railway embankment Lad probably for
aver divorced the lovely green slopes from the blue
water., whir, it would have beat just as easy to bare car-
ried the riileay on the other side of tbe lake—but it might
have iuvolved s few miaow,' more Muslims, sad is each a
ease poor ...tore must needs go to the wall.
Spars forbids us to follow Mr. Rookie through all the sub-
Jetts touched upon in his traeureive but eloquest address,
which was concluded by en expression of the faith he has
la the 'aloe of the principle of emaciation as opposed to
competition, and the good that will result to true art from
the progress of the former principle.

Pu CLIC SCHOOLS COMMItIMON. The Public
Schools rommisMcmers held a meetieg at No. 2, Victoria,
street, Westminster, on Saturday last, at which were pre-
sser the Earl of Clarendon, E.G., the Earl of Davos. the
Lord Lyttelton, Sir Stafford H. Northoote. Bart, H.P.,
the Rev. W. H. Thompson and Mr. H. Balked Vaughan.
The secretary. Profaner Bernard. attended the meeting.
Tti E REO lATRAR-GENERAL'S QUARTERLY RETTAIN.
The general result of the quarterly returns is favourable.
The marriage rate wee above the average during the Ent
sine months of the last year for which we have returuk
sad it is well knows that they afford a goad indication
the opinions which the people themselves have of their
prospect. in life. The births are returned for the last
isrter of the year, and greatly exceed the average, while
the deaths are also above the average, bat to a much lees
extort. The birth-rate el the year DM is the highest
that has been observed in England, and the sate of mortality,
eerie' chielly to the prevalence al lever and of 'varieties, Is
air higher than is usual.

-
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