O God, in whose hand are the hearts of kings, who art the consoler of the meek and the strength of the faithful, and the protector of all that trust in Thee, give to our king and queen and to the Christian people wisely to manifest the glory of Thy power, that by Thee they may ever be restored to forgiveness. Extend, O Lord, over Thy servants and handmaidens, the right hand of Thy heavenly aid, that they may draw near unto Thee with all their heart, and worthily obtain their petitions. Kindle with the fire of Thy Holy Spirit our reins and our hearts, O Lord, that we may serve Thee with a clean heart, and please Thee with a pure body. O God, from whom are all holy desires, right counsels, and just works, give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that both our hearts (may obey) Thy commands, and the fear of the enemy being taken away, we may have quiet times by Thy protection. * * * * * Upon one of the blank leaves of this MS. are some interesting remarks upon its probable date, furnished by Mr. Ruskin himself. "The style, and pieces of inner evidence in all this book speak it clearly of the first half of the thirteenth century. The architecture is all round arched--the roofs of Norman simplicity--unpinnacled--the severe and simple forms of letter are essentially Norman, and the leaf and ball terminations of the spiral of the extremities, exactly intermediate between the Norman and Gothic types. The ivy and geranium leaves begin to show themselves long before the end of the thirteenth century, and there is not a trace of them in this book." This evidence of early date, however, is qualified by the further statement, "old styles sometimes hold on long in provincial MSS." J. RUSKIN. BRANTWOOD, _April 14th, 1881_. THE END _Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. _Edinburgh and London_ _WORKS BY JOHN RUSKIN_ MODERN PAINTERS. In 5 vols. with all the Woodcuts, 1 Lithograph, and the 89 Full-Page Steel Engravings. The text is that of the 1873 Edition, with Notes, and a New Epilogue. Cloth, £6, 6s. the 5 vols., imp. 8vo. THE STONES OF VENICE. Complete Edition. (Imperial 8vo.) 3 vols. with the 53 Plates and the Text as originally issued, and Index. Cloth, £4, 4s. the 3 vols. EXAMPLES OF THE ARCHITECTURE OF VENICE. With the Text and the 16 Plates as originally published. Cloth cover (unbound), atlas folio (about 25 in. by 17 in.), £2, 2s. THE POETRY OF ARCHITECTURE; or, The Architecture of the Nations of Europe considered in its Association with Natural Scenery and National Character. With Frontispiece in Colour, 14 Plates in Photogravure, and 9 Full-Page and other Woodcuts. 4to, cloth, 21s.