need of perseverance in painting as well as in other businesses,
which it would take me too long to say in the time I have at
command--so I must just answer the main question. Your son has very
singular gifts for painting. I think the work he has done at the
College nearly the most promising of any that has yet been done
there, and I sincerely trust the apparent want of perseverance has
hitherto been only the disgust of a creature of strong instincts who
has not got into its own element--he seems to me a fine fellow--and
I hope you will be very proud of him some day--but I very seriously
think you must let him have his bent in this matter--and then--if he
does not work steadily--take him to task to purpose. I think the
whole gist of education is to let the boy take his own shape and
element--and then to help--discipline and urge him IN that, but not
to force him on work entirely painful to him.

"Very truly yours,
(Signed) "J. RUSKIN."


"NATIONAL GALLERY, 3rd April.

"MY DEAR SIR, (185-)

"Do not send your son to Mr. Leigh: his school is wholly
inefficient. Your son should go through the usual course of
instruction given at the Royal Academy, which, with a good deal that
is wrong, gives something that is necessary and right, and which
cannot be otherwise obtained. Mr. Rossetti and I will take care--
(in fact your son's judgement is I believe formed enough to enable
him to take care himself) that he gets no mistaken bias in those