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The impartial student will be chiefly impressed by the effect of these doctrines in transferring, unconsciously to Ruskin him- self, the chief defenses of collectivist and other progressive social movements from the sphere of economics to that of soci- ology. His doctrine of wealth is as yet often neglected because its place is not found in the conflict over the limits of economics and sociology.
A remarkable feature of Ruskin's influence is its extent. The numerous Ruskin clubs comprise manufacturers, shopkeepers, professional men and women, university professors, teachers, artisans, clergymen, laborers, and other equally diverse classes. 1
Herbert Spencer has enjoyed the distinction and suffered the misfortune of completing recently a system of philosophy. It has been carried out with remarkable faithfulness to the original plan. Since the prospectus of the Synthetic Philosophy was issued, the whole tenor of philosophic thought has changed, some of the most important practical applications of the grow- ing body of knowledge have been made, but the Synthetic Phi- losophy has proceeded, serenely indifferent to the progress of the world. One cannot but admire the man whose physical disabil- ities for thirty-six years permitted at the most not more than three hours' work a day. In the face of that fact the completion of this great system is a marvel, but ope can hardly be expected to accept the later results of this plucky invalid, who for years has been out of touch with the actual affairs of life. The man who could boast in his latest volume that in the middle of this century (especially in England) a degree of individual freedom had been reached "greater than ever before existed since nations began to form" is alluding to a period, the memory of which brings the blush to the cheek of every lover of his kind.
His influence has been great, both negatively in bolstering up a party of reaction, and positively in actual contributions to
1 Deferences RUSKIN. I'nto Thn Last; Crown of Wild Olive ; Ethics of the Dust ; Munera Pulveris; Sesame and Lilies; Fors Clavigera; Prtrterita. Coi i IN WOOD, Life and Works of John Ruskm, 2 vols., London, 1893; The Art Teaching of John Ruskin, London, 1891; The Luskin Header, 1895. GEDDES, John Rnskin, Economist, Round Table Series, 1884. Ax ON, John Kttskin, a bibliographical
