for art as you have done would have great weight ; and I venture to hope that, notwithstanding your late public announcement that you are very ‘cross and ill-natured,’ you will be able to see your way to accede to my request.
“I may mention that I don’t write officially as Hon. Sec. of the committee, but as a friend of Walker and an admirer of yours. — Believe me, faithfully yours,H.S.M.”
Mr. Ruskin wrote the desired letter at once, and sent it by Arthur Severn to me. It was on a Sunday afternoon we read it together, and were both some- what depressed by its general tone. I sent it on to the Times office, and wrote to Mr. Ruskin acknow- ledging its receipt, and ventured to murmur gently at his criticism. This letter and his characteristic reply, though previous in date, will fall better in their place after the perusal of the celebrated Times letter.
From the “Times,” Thursday, January 20, 1876.
The Frederick Walker Exhibition.
Mr. H. Stacy Marks, A.R.A., the honorary secre- tary to the “Walker Memorial Fund,” has received the following letter from Mr. Ruskin, in answer to a request that Mr. Ruskin would record in
