The Republican journal., 1900-03-29
Jonn Kuskin.

10 THE EDITOR OF IHE JOURNAL: In
the death of John Ruskin, England and
the world loses one of the noblest and
grandest of men. His life, which ended
here on earth few weeks ago in old age,
was an inspiration and a help to the youth
of all lands who desire to be somebody
and do something to better the condition
of the human race. But it is not to Rus
kin, the artist, author, or critic, that I
would pay my humble tribute, but to
Ruskin the man. He was born amid
luxury, and received the best educational
training of his times, graduating at Ok
ford, and later finishing his art education
in sunny Italy, the land of the worlds
greatest painters. When Ruskin's father
died he left him nearly million dollars,
but unlike him Ruskin built homes for
worthy working men and women, assisted
students to obtain an education and strug-
Cling artists were patronized and encour-
aged. In 1877 he had spent in this way
three -fourths of his inheritance and all
the income of his writings, and then, in
order to carry out his educational plans,
he determined to part with the remainder
OF his wealth-except such a sum as
would yield him $500 year on which
| labors. In comparison with rich men like
the late Jay Gould how dwarfed, puny
and insignificant the latter seems Gould
lived for self, and made money his God.
He has been returned to mother earth
and the busy world has forgotten him.
Ruskin lived to better the condition of
and poetry, and he has gone,
Where the bright spirits dwell,
Where hearts know no sorrow,
Farewell! fareweln'
We love and honor his memory, which
can never die. What is wealth? what are
riches? Let Ruskin answer: "There is
no wealth." he assures us, ''but life
Life, including all it's pos ers of love, of
JOY, and of admiration. That country is
richest which nourishes the greatest num-
Der of noble and happy human beings;
that man is richest who, having perfected
the functions of his own life to the utmost,
has the wsest helpful influence, both
personal and by means of his possessions,
over the lives of Others
How much better the world might be;
how much less self h and grasping, if we
had more men like Ruskin, the noble mind
ed friend of humanity, whose heart was
ever softened i'll sympathy for the working
classes in the land he loved. Well has he
said, ''He only is advancing in life whose
! heart is growing softer, whose blood is
| becoming warmer, whose brain is acting
quicker, whose spirit is entering into
living peace.''
read in the London Daily Mail few
days ago that the poor of that great city
were filled with deep sorrow over the
death of the great and noble man of
whom write; and pray let me ask how
could it be otherwise? Who built houses
for the poor in London and organized the
st. George Guilds? None other than
John Ruskin, the brave prophet of a
purer and better day. God bless him,
now and forever. l have long loved him
and his works 10 Modern Painters,''
political Economy ''The Crown of
Wild Roses" ''Unto His Last 'Three
Lectures on War Traffic and Work" My
mind and heart have been made better and
my best resolves invigorated by reading
these grand books. Long will his name
live; long will it stand among the brightest
stars as lover Of right of justice and
truth.
Nothing can cover mis- high fame but
Heaven.
No pyramids set off his memories,
But The eternal su bstance of his greatness,
10 which we leave him.
FRANK w. GowEN.
Philadelphia, March 20, 1900.