Part 20 (1/2)

August 9, 1879.

I was reading again at _Robert Falconer_ the other day. What _grand_ bits there are in it? With such _bosh_ close by. So like Ruskin in that, who is ever to me a Giant, half of gold and half of clay!

When G, Macdonald announces (by way of helping one to help the problems of life!) that the Gospel denounces the sins of the rich, but nowhere the sins of the poor, one wonders if he ”has his senses,” or knows anything about ”the poor.” ”The Gospel” is pretty plain about drunkards, extortioners, thieves, murderers, cursers, and revilers, false swearers, wh.o.r.emongers, and ”all liars”--I wonder whether these trifling vices are confined to the Upper Ten Thousand!

But oh, that description to the _son_ of what it sounded like when _his father_ played the _Flowers of the Forest_ on his fiddle, isn't to be beaten in any language I believe! All the Scotch la.s.ses after Flodden doing the work of an agricultural people in the stead of the men who lay on Flodden Field!--”La.s.ses to reap and la.s.ses to bind--La.s.ses to stook.” etc., etc., and ”no a word I'll warrant ye, to the orra lad that didna gang wi' the lave”!!!![40] and the lad's outburst in reply, ”I'd raither be gratten for nor kissed!”

[Footnote 40: _Robert Falconer_, chap. xix.]

Poor Z----! They don't teach that at Academies and Staff Colleges, nor in the Penny-a-line of newspaper correspondents and the like--but he should get some woman to soak it into his brains that the men women will love are men who would rather be ”gratten for” in honour than be kissed in shame.

_Ecclesfield._ August 23, 1879.

Talking of drawings, what do you think? Caldecott has done me the most _lovely_ coloured thing to write a short tale to for October _A.J.M._ It is very good of him. He has simply drawn what I asked, but it is quite lovely!

A village Green, sweet little old Church, and house and oak tree, etc., etc. in distance, a small boy with aureole of fair hair on a red-haired pony, coming full tilt across it blowing a penny trumpet and scattering pretty ladies, geese, c.o.c.ks and hens from his path. His dog running beside him! You will be delighted!

September 1, 1879.

I have done my little story to Caldecott's picture, and I have a strong notion that it will please you. It is called ”Jackanapes.”... I shall be so _disappointed_ if you don't like ”Jackanapes.” But I think it is just what you will like!! I think you will cry over him!

September 19, 1879.

Isn't it a great comfort that I have finished the serial story, and ”Jackanapes”?--so that I am now quite free, and never mean to write against time again. I know you never cared for the serial; however, it is done, and tolerably satisfactory I think. ”Jackanapes” I do hope you will like, picture and all. C---- sent Mr. Ruskin ”Our Field,” and I am proud to hear he says it is not a mere story--it's a poem! Great praise from a great man!

October 11, 1879.

I was knocked up yesterday in a good cause. We went to see Mr. Ruskin at Herne Hill. I find him _far_ more _personally_ lovable than I had expected. Of course he lives in the incense of an adoring circle, but he is absolutely unaffected himself, and with a GREAT charm.

So much gentler and more refined than I had expected, and such clear Scotch turquoise eyes.