Fors Clavigera (Volume 2 of 8): Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great BritainRuskin, John
General
Fors Clavigera (Volume 2 of 8): Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great Britain
Ruskin, John
Aesthetics; Conduct of life; Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century; Social problems; Working class -- Great Britain
"This letter, notwithstanding the poor butler's manner of
writing it, gave us such an idea of our good old friend, that
upon the reading of it there was not a dry eye in the club. Sir
Andrew opening the book, found it to be a collection of acts
of parliament. There was in particular the Act of Uniformity,
with some passages in it marked by Sir Roger's own hand. Sir
Andrew found that they related to two or three points which he had
disputed with Sir Roger the last time he appeared at the club. Sir
Andrew, who would have been merry at such an incident on another
occasion, at the sight of the old man's hand-writing burst into
tears, and put the book into his pocket. Captain Sentry informs
me that the knight has left rings and mourning for every one in
the club."
I am obliged to give you this ideal of Addison's because I can neither
from my own knowledge, nor, at this moment, out of any domestic
chronicles I remember, give you so perfect an account of the funeral
of an English squire who has lived an honourable life in peace. But
Addison is as true as truth itself. So now, meditate over these four
funerals, and the meaning and accuracy of the public opinions they
express, till I can write again.
And believe me, ever faithfully yours,
JOHN RUSKIN.
NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE.
A cutting was sent me the other day, from a provincial paper,
apparently well meant and conducted, but which in its column of
'aphorisms,' having, unfortunately, ventured to lead off with one on
political economy, enunciated itself as follows:--
"All capital comes back at last, though sometimes by a
roundabout road, to the pocket of the labourer, in the shape
of wages. Consumable produce, however, may be dissipated in a
thousand ways, in none of which is either the capitalist or the
prolétaire benefited at all."
I don't happen to know, at this moment, what a 'prolétaire' is, and
can't find it in my French dictionary; but will ascertain, by next
month; and, meantime, I keep the 'aphorism,' being a very curious one,
for future comment.
A letter from "a working woman" has given me much pleasure. She
says she does not understand my plans; but can trust me. She may be
pleased to know that I don't yet understand some of my plans myself,
for they are not, strictly speaking, mine at all, but Nature's and
Heaven's, which are not always comprehensible, until one begins to act
on them. Then they clear as one goes on, and, I hope, my expression
of what I can see of them, for her, and all true workers, will, also.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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