Fors Clavigera (Volume 3 of 8): Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great BritainRuskin, John
General
Fors Clavigera (Volume 3 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
From pages 11, 20, and 21 of the introduction to this work, I quote
the following observations on St. Paul's, the Nineveh sculptures,
and the Houses of Parliament.
I. OF ST. PAUL'S.
"Since London was first built, which we are led to believe
was about the year 50, by the Romans, there has not been a more
magnificent building erected in it than St. Paul's--this stupendous
edifice which absorbs the attention, and strikes with wonder all
who behold it, was founded by Ethelbert, the fifth King of Kent,
in the year 604 A.D. And it is certain that since the completion
of this building succeeding generations have made no progress in
the construction of public buildings."
II. OF THE NINEVEH SCULPTURES.
"There is one feature in the Nineveh sculptures which most
beautifully illustrates and corroborates the truth of the
Scriptures; any person who has carefully read the Scriptures,
and has seen the Nineveh sculptures, cannot fail to see the
beautiful illustration; it will be remembered that the king is
spoken of in many places as riding in his chariot, and of the
king's armour-bearer following him to the battle. In the Nineveh
sculptures you will see the fact exemplified--the king in his
chariot, and his armour-bearer defending him with his shield."
III. OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
"Of all the Gothic buildings that we have in our country, both of
ancient and modern date, the Houses of Parliament are the best and
most elaborate; the first step of its grandeur is, that it stands
parallel to the majestic stream of the River Thames, and owing
to its proximate distance to the river, there is no thoroughfare
between it and the water; its open situation gives it a sublime
view from the opposite side; but especially from Westminster Bridge
its aspect is grand and magnificent in the extreme. Its superb
tracery glitters in the distance, in the sight of the spectator,
like the yellow autumnal foliage of some picturesque grove, which
beautifies the verdant valleys and bedecks the silvery hills. The
majestic figures in their stately order, encanopied in their
Gothic palaces, bring to our remembrance the noble patriarchs
of old, or the patriots of recent days. Its numerous pinnacles,
turrets, and towers, rise up into the smoky and blue atmosphere
like forest trees, which will stand as an everlasting memento
of the great and noble-minded generation who raised this grand
and magnificent structure, so that after-generations may say,
'Surely our forefathers were great and illustrious men, that they
had reached the climax of human skill, so that we cannot improve
on their superb and princely buildings.'"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account