New-York tribune., 1903-06-03

Miss Gladstone the greatest offence. But 1t IS
quite evident from these letters that there were
delightful reconciliations. The Glasgow com
nlunication was written-so Ruskin explains
between two coats of color which he was laying
oak leaf, and about which he was. that
morning, exceedingly solictous. He loves and
honors Mr.. Gladstone, but has always fercely
opposed his politics. and has always "Despised
forgive the Gorgonian Word) his way Of deciar-
ing them to the people" just as he has always
despised also Lord Beaconsfield's methods Of
appealing to Parliament and to the Queens
ambition He never for instant meant any
/ comparison likeness between DisraeH and
Mr.. Gladstone. It is ''unspeakaby sweet Of
Mr.. Gladstone and his daughter to forgive him
. so soon, and he is inclined TO believe anything
she will tell him OF her father after that. And
he never in his life in such peril of losing
his political independence" as under his little
Madonna's power at Hawarden. BY the way,
Mr. Gladstone in his private diary, under date
October IA 1873. says:
AT dinner Mr.. Ruskin developed his political
opinions. They aim at restoration Of the Judaic
system and exhibit a mixture OF virtuous alb
solutisn and Christian Socialism All in his
charming and benevolent manner"
There is forgiveness also after the "windbag'
conversation, and Miss Gladstone shows herself
TO be really the most perfect angel that ever
st Cecilia brought up The letters seem there
after. however. to lack in affec1onate messages
TO Mr.. Gladstone, but playful references still
occur.
This little volume has many things as char
acteristic of Ruskn as any to be found in all the
long line OF his books. Here we have Ruskin-
the keen and true nature observer; the enthusi-
ter Carlyle; the of 'ininitable and genu
inc modesty'': the ''rhetorcian. teacher. and dt-
viner of the Beautiful who yet disbelieved in
its acceptability by man; and the man who,
while treading a via dolorosa. yet. with gracious
courage, placed a posy before every shrine OF
Beauty and Gentleness and Love" We see him
in a wonderfully sad marsh and pool of
thought; asserting, again. that he has so much
do with death that he is FAR better in the
house Of mourning than of feasting, when the
mourning is noble and not selfsh' or that he
is despondent at the short days and shorter
years; that he is rather going down the hill
than up. it's slippery" but he hasn't turned
only slipped backwards''; that ne is feeling
S II nobody could ever love him. believe him.
or listen to him, get any good Of him ever any
more But We also the "delicately fragile"
fun and feeling Of his letters his love for sibys
and children and vestals." and hear aim
preach, There is no need TO learn negatively:
simply go forward. look forward: never look
backward"
And from the anonymous diarist have. in
connection with Ruskin's second visit to Ha~
warden. a delightful picture that no one would
willingly miss:
Then - brings the Fishery Game and
the Duke OF Argyll and w. z. G. and Ruskia
and Mrs. W. H. @. and others all played and
laughed a good deal Ruskin approved the idea
of the game. but wanted lovely little fishes with
silver scales-instead of little ugly Jumps Of
wood-to catch"