The times., 1899-10-01
RUsKIN IN OLD AGE.
English Pride in the Venerable
Critic.
(From the London DaiIy News-

(From the London Daily News-)
Mr.. Ruskin's day begins about $50 or 10
o'clock. After breakfast he sits and rests
in his own room, sitting by the window
when the morning is warm and the prospect
is fair. Mr.. and Mrs Severn still live with
him, and they. with their five children,
complete the household. Mrs. Severn reads
all Mr.. Ruskin's correspondence. and may
be said to act as his private secretary. Mr..
W. G. CollingwOod, who wrote his Life"
lives ar Lane Head, house on the same
side of the lake as Brentwood. He is
frequent visitor, and often advises Mrs.
Severn on matters arising out of the cor
respondence.
About IL O'Clock Mr.. Ruskin is taken out
in the bath chair by his valet This takes
the place Of the morning walk, which he
used to enjoy so much, and which was
abandoned only about year ago. The
route taken is invariably the same From
the lodge gate the road runs to within
about hundred yards OF the lake. and it
is along this that the bath chair is wheeled
AS a rule, some one has come out from
the village TO obtain a glimpse Of the in
valid The hour when Mr. Ruskin may
be expected on fine days is we'll known
TO the villagers, and tourists and pilgrims.
taking advantage of the information, post
themselves along the road at points where
they hope 10 have their desire gratifled- AS
Mr.. Ruskin passes they lift their hats.
Sometimes one of their number viii make
bold to voice the sentiments OF all. and
| offer their respectful greetings TO the mas
| ter. Mr.. Ruskin invariably returns these
greetings with courtesy.
| If the day is very fine and warm, and he
| feels tempted to stay outside awhile, Mr..
Ruskin is taken to his favorite place OF
| retreat This is a seat which he himself
! had constructed on the shore Of the lake.
It is on a slight eminence. in little cove
| or bay and commands an extensive pros
pect Looking north, over the lake, Hell
| Vellyn is plainly discernible, unless the
| clouds are resting their laboFing bosoms
upon its lofty summit. To the south, a
jutting point just shuts out the view OF
| Fir Island, but, looking straight across
this point the only other island on the
lake named Peel Island, is seen with
| great distinctness. Mr.. Ruskin has eE-
joyed the view from this seat times with
cut number When he was able to wa
it was his favorite retreat. Now that he
has 10 be wheeled to il and lifted IN and
out of his chair he loves 1t as much as
ever. 1t is still the fairest spot round
Coniston. and the view it affords is still
the finest of all views in Mr.. Ruskin' 5
eyes.
After luncheon MIR. Ruskfn may take a
| second short ride in his chair. or he may
sit out on the lawn for short time.
Otherwise he will stay in his own room
until dinner time doing or being read TO
by Mrs. Severn or his valet, Baxter, who
has been his body attendant these twenty
years or more. The daily papers are read
to him. and he still manifests an interest
in topics of the time Beyond this he has
no other form of relaxation. He used to
play chess with Mrs. Severn and other
members of the household but he aban-
doned the game some time ago. He dimes
alone in his own room about o'clock An
hour later he seeks his couch.
1t is pathetic TO hear some of the VII
layers talk about Mr.. Ruskin. They know
little about him as master and teacher.
They call him prof" Ruskin, though
| many perchanee could hardly say why.
They know however, that he is one OF
the most famous Englishmen Of the time
They know that Coniston has been made
famous all over the world By reason OF
his association with il. In a measure they
feel that his own glory has been reflected
upon their beautiful district. They are
grateful TO him for it. Many OF them know
him more intimately They have met him
and held converse with him. and, like all
who have been brought within the In
fuence OF his fascinating personality, the
feeling they have for him is one of love and
reverence. Mr. Ruskin has honor wher-
| ever English is spoken. Unlike some pro-
phets, he has also honor in his Own village
The name of John Ruskin is still the
greatest of all living names in that part
, of the lake district of which COniston |:
che centre. And TO none is his present con
dition more pathetically interesting thar
10 the simple peasantry around his noun
tain home