THE EARLY LIFE OF MARK RUTHERFORD




Autobiographical Notes



I have been asked at 78 years old to set down what I remember of my
early life. A good deal of it has been told before under a semi-
transparent disguise, with much added which is entirely fictitious.
What I now set down is fact.

I was born in Bedford High Street, on December 22, 1831. I had two
sisters and a brother, besides an elder sister who died in infancy.
My brother, a painter of much promise, died young. Ruskin and
Rossetti thought much of him. He was altogether unlike the rest of
us, in face, in temper, and in quality of mind. He was very
passionate, and at times beyond control. None of us understood how
to manage him. What would I not give to have my time with him over
again! Two letters to my father about him are copied below:


(185-)

"My DEAR SIR,

"I am much vexed with myself for not having written this letter
sooner. There were several things I wanted to say respecting the