1880

[In March of this year Ruskin lectured at the London Institution on “Snakes.” In August he went to France to study some of the northern cathedrals in connexion with The Bible of Amiens: see Vol. XXXIII. pp. xxiii.-xxv.]

To Miss Susan Beever

I'll look out the dial to-night. What a cruel thing of you to make me “look upon it”! I'm not gone to Venice yet, but thinking of it hourly. I'm very nearly done with toasting my bishop; he just wants another turn or two, and then a little butter.

To Miss Kate Greenaway

Brantwood, 6th Jan., '79 [a mistake for 1880].

My dear Miss Greenaway,—I lay awake half (no, a quarter) of last night, thinking of the hundred things I want to say to you—and never shall get said!—and I'm giddy and weary, and now can't say even half or a quarter of one out of the hundred. They're about you,—and your gifts—and your graces, and your fancies, and your—yes, perhaps one or two little tiny—faults; and about other people—children and grey-haired—and what you could do for them—if you once made up your mind for whom you would do it—for children only, for instance? or for old people—me, for instance—and of children and old people—whether for those of 1880—only—or of 18—8—9—10—11—12—20—0—0—0—0—etc., etc., etc. Or, more simply, Annual or Perennial?