St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-20

cause of general desire among his
most intimate friends to have nothing
said about it. Now, however, the re-
moval of his publisher from Orpington
to London and the change in the sale of
Ruskin's books from the mo discount"
system which he instituted to the or
dinary methods prevailing in the book
trade, together with vther circum-
stances. make further secrecy impOssi-
Bile. The story OF the great mans break
down, as told yesterday by gentleman
who for many years has been in inti-
mate business and private relations
with Mr.. Ruskin, is as follows: "Mr.
Ruskin'S mind has been gradually fail
ing for seven or eight years. The first
public suspicion of the fact was aroused
at Oxford in 1856. when, alter deliver
ing several lectures of a series,
HE BROKE DOWN
in the delivery of one of them and be-
came incoherent on the platform. He
delivered no more lectures there. and
the matter was flnshed up. His health
improved, and in 1888, OH the occasion
of his last visit to London, he went to
the Academy and other galleries in
company with Oscar Wilde and was
never more perspicuOus In comment or
brilliant in conversation. At this time
he said he should not Immediately re-
turn to Brentwood, his residence in
Cumberland. and he took a place at
Sandsgate in Kent. He then went
to France, and after spending
same time at Amiens went thence
to Florence on visit to Miss Alex
ander and seemed in good health. at
Venice. however. he had an attack, and
broke down mentally. Mr.. and Mrs.
Severn. living at Brentwood, were sent
for. In company with them and two
physicians lie was brought home. or
his life at Brentwood since his return
very little is known. In July last, how
ever. Miss Kate Greenaway went to
visit him. but her stay was brought to a
sudden termination by an unfortunate
occurrence. In company with Mr.. Rus
Kin she went out on the moor back of
brentwood to make some water-c0lor
sketches. In the midst of her work she
noticed that her companion was acling
and looking strangely. and talking in
coherently. Suddenly
HE SEIZED HER CoLoRs
and large brush and angrily daubed
paints of all kinds all over her sketches.
She ran back to the house and informed
Mrs. Severn. who sent all attendant out
TOR hlm, she having had an attendant in
waiting on him ever since bis return.
Since that time Mr.. Ruskin has been
necessarily detained in his own house.
No one outside of Brentwood has seen
him since August. In November re-
porlS reached London of his having had
q violent par0Xysm, during which he
BROKE all the windows of his room, Since
that time he has lain in bed coptinu-
ously. He refuses all except LIQUID
food. and manifests no desire to get
up. He is steadily growing weaker.
and the probability is th 1T if he ever
leaves his ped he at all events will
never go out of his house again,
His doctor is Charles Powers, q local
practitioner of middle age. There has
been some IA ther critical comment
among the specialists of London over
the fact that SO eminent a man. whose
con iitiOn demands the care of a speciai.
D.
phYsi clan who, while a capable general
has not the special ability
which the case peiatively needs. AIr.
Ruskin,s family physician is DIR. Ac-
lands OF Oxford. a lifelong friend. Int |
a difference of opinion between them in |
1875 deprived him thereafter of DR.. |
Aclands' services. Mrs. Severn. DIR.
Powers. and two attendants now have |
him in charge, and, being
RETICENT IN THE MATTER.
little is known here as to what is going |
on. Mrs. Severn, whose name has been |
mentioned so frequently Of late. is |
lady OF fifty. She was the adopted |
enid OF an elderly lady cousin of Rus |
kln's. and on the decease Of the cousin |
became Mr.. Ruskin's only relative. with |
the exception of another cousin. Can't |
Ruskin, of the army. The two cousins |
have. however, not been on speaking |
terms for many years. On the occasion |
of Mrs. Severn's marriage with Ny. |
Severn. a water-cOlor artist, Mr.. Ruski. /
settled 9l,700 on Mrs. Severn. He COLI
eelved dislike to Severn soon after
wards. and for years Severn has not !
been permitted to live at Brentwood. |
though his wife has dwelt there
They have lived |
together only during the peri I
obs OF Mr.. Ruskin's visits abroad.
Mr.. Ruskin has made VIII. leaving |
Brentwood to her. The house is won /
derful treasury of art and other valila- I
bles, whose value cannot be estimated. /
The ewner in twelve years past has |
spent over e100,0O0 on artistic gems of
various kinds, and these, in addition 10
his many presents from friends, make |
wonderful collection. There are con
tributions from n,any English and for
elgn artists, sketches innumerahle, and
a collection of precious stones. Among
his remarkable possessions are 800 mis- /
sails, some of them illuminated, which T
are worth small fortune in themselves.
as they comprise one-f0urth of the en-