Ever affectionately yours, J. RUSKIN. 24. _Extract of a Letter from the late_ MISS SUSANNA BEEVER. ("The Younger Lady of the Thwaite, Coniston," to whom Mr. Ruskin dedicated "Frondes Agrestes.") _October 28th, 1879._ DEAR MR. MALLESON,--My sister has asked me to write and thank you for two copies of Mr. Ruskin's Letters, which you have been so good as to send to her. It is curious that before the post came this morning I had been wondering whether I might ask you for a copy. * * * I have already read these deeply interesting Letters five times. They are like the "foam globes of leaven," I might say they have exercised my mind very much. Things in them which at first seemed rather startling, prove on closer examination to be full of deep truth. The suggestions in them lead to "great searchings of heart." There is much with which I entirely agree; much over which to ponder. What an insight into human nature is shown in the remark that though we are so ready to call ourselves "miserable sinners," we resent being accused of any special fault. * * * 25. _November 7th, 1879._ I am so glad we understand each other now and that you will carry out your plan quietly. I think you should correct the present little book by my revise, and print enough for whatever private circulation the members of the meeting wish, but that it should not be made public till well after the large book is out. For which I shall look with deepest interest. 26. _November 19th, 1879._ MY DEAR MALLESON,--I have not been able to answer a word lately, being quite unusually busy in France--and you never remember that it takes _me_ as long to write a chapter as you to write a book, and tries me more to do it--so that I am sick of the feel of a pen this many a day. I'm delighted to hear of your popularity,[32] being sure that all you advise people to do will be kind and right. I am not surprised at the popularity, but I wonder that you have not had some nasty envious reviews.[33] [32] Meaning in the press notices of the Editor's "Life of Christ."--ED. [33] Seventeen _very good_, five _good_, five _fair_, six _bad_, two _nasty, envious_!--ED. I like the impudence of these Scotch brats.[34] Do they suppose it would have been either pleasure or honour to me to come and lecture there? It is perhaps as much their luck as mine that they changed their minds about it. I shall be down at Brantwood soon (_D.V._). Poor Mr. Sly's[35] death is a much more troublous thing to me than Glasgow Elections. [34] Glasgow University.