The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-22

number, l., IL AMI 10 being especially pro-
life. After two unsuccessful attempts he
poem entitled ''Salsetto Elephanta."
After 20 his verse fell off and practically
ceased when he was G.
w. &. Collingwood, editor and compiler
OF Mr.. Ruskin's verses, can only say of
them that they contain many a senorous
line and noble thought. He ayOwedly
prints them, not because Of their merit as
poetry. but because they help to explain
their authors character which, he thinks.
is misunderstood. In making poet laure-
ate a man who has written little or moth
ing which pretends to be poetry for near
half century Mr.. Gladstone has shown a
magnanimity which is nearly as surpris-
ing as his choice. It is within recent
memory that Ruskin has vituperated the
grand old man III vigorous prose as dis
memberer of the British empire. People
who have not heard of Ruskin's verse
ting have heard that for several years
pi there have been times when his mind
was partly unhinged. While the accounts
of his mental disturbances are doubtless
exaggerated. there is equally little doubt
that he is no longer what he once was.
Mr.. Coiiingwood, the collector of Mr..
Ruskin's verses, has recently published
biography of him which is evidently writ
ten with the authority of its subject. In
it many interesting details arc given of
the daily life OF the man who is perhaps
more widely known as the exploiter of
Turner than as the writer of some of the
most musical of English prose. This
rather questionable service which Ruskin
did for British art IL apparently better re-
which he made art and architecture inter-
esting even to those who had little liking
for such things naturally.
Lucky horse shoes abound at Mr.. Rus
kin's house a. Brentwood. No gas or
lamps are used in the house. Mr.. Rus
kin's bed chamber is literally lined with
Turner's drawings. Mr.. Ruskin rises
works at his desk in q bay window some
times until nightfall, his sole companion q
cat. Mr.. Coliingwood makes no reference
to any decay in Mr.. Ruskin's faculties.
even under the veil of references TO his adj
vancing years--he is now 81. Nor does Re
give any details of the direct causes Of
Ruskin's separation from his wife. She
got TO love Miilais, the painter, whom
Ruskin had befriended to his own I'M
doing. and after the divorce she married
him.
Mr.. Rnskin made himself famous, at any
rate among certain class OF readers, at
the age OF "a with the first volume of
Modern Painters" The last volume was
not published until seventeen years after
u.
Venice" was printed in 1851, the other vol
umes in succeeding years. Between the
Intervals Of publication OF his more elabo-
rate works he wrote a small library. which
has given him All almost equal title TO
fame.
Ruskn is re-eminently the apostle of
Fre-Raphae!itism, but II was his leading
British artists to the copying of nature on
general principles rather than as exempi-
tt,,,t IN, ha nf u
did true service to art.
Mr.. Ruskin is perhaps chiefly known
among book publishers by his insistance
upon being his own printer. In so doing
he keeps his works at a price which rem
ders them the dearest of works OF art.
while he receives an income from them
which. as the author alone, he probably
never would have got. II Is now about
$1,000 a year. and for many years was
much more. lie has need of II all. for the
fortune ri f21o,000 which he inherited
from his father a wine merchant Of Lon
don. has been wasted. his hiographer says,
not in riotous living. but ON an army OF
pensioners. Much OF Ruskin's present IN
come Is spent in charity.
What he said Of Whls;ler's a Nocturne
in Black and cold" Is good sample OF
Mr.. knskIas vigorous style:
For Mr.. Wh!stier's own sake no less
than Tor The protection OF the purchaser.
Sir Coatts Lindsay ought not TO have ad-
mittei into the gallery picture IN which
the ill-et!ucatet conceit OF the artist SO
nearly approached the aspect OF xllIui I'M
posture. | have seen and heard much of
cocaney impotence, bat never expected
to hear a coxconb ask 20 gulreas for hing
ing pot OF paint in the pu5ilc's face.
NJ. Whistler sued for go damages
and got farthiug.
Here are some Of Ruskin's verses. which
are not nrsi-c!ass poetry, being scarcely SC
imaginative a. ais prose:
soS5.
From Lconl. a Romance OF l;alyl
FDii, broad and bright, Is the silver light
az moot: an3 stars on food anI lea.
BDt "a fsy breast !. star ess Hlgas,
For coma - say farewell
How glad. Aax swift, won't 70 be
he ssep lha, bore Hsc baes 20 thee.
Nos cody comes upon ras aeaTi
The meeting .ass ID bit 10 park
DO no. ssx o tear bzf while
i ger where must aol s.ay,
Oh. gave gEe bat parting .m'les
To .aGht ne oa NV lonely way
To s.ans 5r3 3lans beacon star
To Enf Reverted glance. x-A'
through faadzl at. wEIfa can have no morrow,
y 60 tie deep, s..eat. surge OF sof!os.
sarSiA
When our celisa. - dssols'e.
And hoEe - oEert6ro~a,
AID wAea the heart srss. bear the weight
oE its own loFe alone.
Aad = hea the sn1I- xaoso thoughts are deep.
Must guard ten gnreves.es.
AID feel tass "a - fgai. eu, Keep