Arrows of the Chace, vol. 1/2

Arrows of the Chace, vol. 1/2 - being a collection of scattered letters published chiefly in the daily newspapers 1840-1880

Some words are needed by way of a general note to the present volumes in explanation of the principles upon which they have been edited. It is, however, first due to the compiler of the Bibliography of Mr. Ruskins writings,[1] to state in what measure this book has been prompted and assisted by his previous labors. Already acquainted with some few of the letters which Mr. Ruskin had addressed at various times to the different organs of the daily press, or which had indirectly found their way there, it was not until I came across the Bibliography that I was encouraged to complete and arrange a collection of these scattered portions of his thought. When I had done this, I ventured to submit the whole number of the letters to their author, and to ask him if, after taking two or three of them as examples of the rest, he would not consider the advisability of himself republishing, if not all, at least a selected few. In reply, he was good enough to put me in communication with his publisher, and to request me to edit any or all of the letters without further reference to him. I have, therefore, to point out that except for that request, or rather sanction; for the preface which he has promised to{xiv} add after my work upon the volumes is finished; and for the title which it bears, Mr. Ruskin is in no way responsible for this edition of his letters. I knew, indeed, from the words of Fors Clavigera which are printed as a motto to the book, that I ran little risk of his disapproval in determining to print, not a selection, but the whole number of letters in question; and I felt certain that the completeness of the collection would be considered a first essential by most of its readers, who are thus assured that the present volumes contain, with but two exceptions, every letter mentioned in the last edition of the bibliography, and some few more beside, which have been either printed or discovered since its publication. The two exceptions are, first, the series of letters on the Lords Prayer which appeared in the pages of the Contemporary Review last December; and, secondly, some half-dozen upon A Museum or Picture Gallery, printed in the Art Journal of last June and August. It seemed that both these sets of letters were really more akin to review articles cast in an epistolary form, and would thus find fitter place in a collection of such papers than in the present volumes; and for the omission of the second set there was a still further reason in the fact that the series is not yet completed.[2] On the other hand, the recent circular on the proposed interference with St. Marks, Venice, is included in the first, and one or two{xv}other extraneous matters in the second volume, for reasons which their connection with the letters amongst which they are placed will make sufficiently clear. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 49508
Author: Ruskin, John
Release Date: Jul 22, 2015
Format: eBook
Language: English