THE GUILD OF ST. GEORGE

By G. D. MARTINEAU, THE republication of John Ruskin's Praeterita has been noticed, with some erudite observations, by Mr. Harold Nicolson. This event coincides with a small discovery, consisting of a collection of letters written by Ruskin over a period of some ten years. They are of interest, in view of what has been said about his incapacity to bestow affection and his own admission that he "couldn't like invalids." The letters are concerned with his work for the Guild of St. George, designed to be a kind of primitive agricultural community, which he founded in 1871, on the principles that "food can only be got out of the ground, and happiness out of honesty." They are all addressed to Mr. William Graham, who admired Ruskin, agreed with his views, and went to work for him as a kind of manager, responsible among other matters for paying the wages of workmen. The owner of the letters has informed me that he was a man of independent means ; it is important to remember this in reading them, for it might ,sound otherwise as though Mr. Graham were seeking material assistance on his own behalf.

Ruskin writes first from Coniston, in September, 1875: "My dear Sir,

"My absence from home prevented my sooner answering your letter. It is entirely pleasing to me in its temper and feeling —and of course—the instant my business gets into any practical shape, you would be just the kind of person to help me. And I hope the time is not far off. In case you read the next Fors Clavigera—do not be alarmed at the solemnity of the pledge required for the Companions ; as you may work on the estates in perfect peace and good fellowship with us, without being a Companion."

He goes on to say he cannot promise anything till the end of the year.. In the following month he writes thanking Mr. Graham for expressions of sympathy, at the same time offering him advice on his handwriting, telling him he writes almost too good a hand- " Surely it takes more time than is needful for legibility "—a charge which could certainly never have been made against Ruskin himself. In November a letter from Oxford begins "My dear Graham," whom he then takes to task for his " excitability " and for being prevented by consideration for his dog from going to see beautiful places. He promises him "rough work," enough to maintain him without hardship, and even ends "always affectionately yours." At the same time a postscript renews the criticism of his correspon- dent's calligraphic flourishes, especially the C's and G's, which, if his ,reproductions of them are accurate, are certainly fantastic.

In April, 1876, Ruskin is offering him "maintenance as one of the Companions militant," the subscription for which appears to have been Li, and he can come up and work whenever he likes "on our ground in Worcestershire." A fortnight later a letter from him at Grantham reveals that Mr. Graham is changing from a sedentary to a "real rough life," and "a little backwoodsman's work" is contemplated "as soon as summer comes on—if we have any." On the last day of the month, however, Ruskin (then at Knaresborough) has changed his mind, and has decided to send Mr. Graham first to the Isle of Man, "where I shall soon have a

chance of seeing you." .: Mr. Graham's parents then raised some objection, and the move was postponed for a short time, with Ruskin's approval. It will be seen that, when it took place, it was not art unqualified success.

"Coniston, 20th June, '76.

"My dear Graham, "Your letter makes me nervous about you. I fear you will not last, in your new life—and that it will eventually suit you no more than your old one. All these sensibilities must be kept under control—unless we can act on them. Treat every animal kindly you have to do with—but don't write nonsense to me about lambs as if you had never heard about butchers and mint sauce before. As soon as you can, I should like you to cure yourself of that habit of flourishing as you write—and don't underline, nor write words big. I can understand what you mean without being 'shouted at' as it were, with big letters." There is more in this vein, concluding with an injunction not to 131 concerned with the "eternal destiny either of pig or of worms " but to eat what is wholesome to him, meat or vegetable.

The reply to this must have shown some improvement both iq philosophy and handwriting, for Ruskin expressed himself al delighted, adding that there was no real need to learn to kill ; "but it is not a cruel trade. Butchers are not ill-natured generally. Still less, soldiers." Ruskin was in Venice in November, but sent authority for a provision of "four pounds' worth of clothes, by St. George's gift." In March he acknowledged that he had put Mr. Graham to a "much more grievous trial" than he intended as an agriculturalist in the Isle of Man, asked him for a proposal "as to the best position" in which he could "act for St. George," and enclosed a cheque for five pounds. Yet, on the last day of 1876, Mr. Graham is still in the Isle of Man, being reminded from Venice that "St George, though faithful, is a rough Master."

There is no more until August of 1877, when Ruskin is again at Coniston and Mr. Graham at I3ewdley, where he is evidently going to work, but in the same month he has gone to Carlisle, and Ruskin has been disturbed to see Mrs. Graham (his mother) in tears ; "You ought, if possible, to be near her." He offers, however, to get him work at Sheffield, and there are desultory discussions, until Mr. Graham is happily back in Worcestershire in the summer of i878, remaining there apparently until 1881, when he moves to Glasgow. In March of that year Ruskin was ill, and a formal letter was written by his secretary, Mr. Laurence J. Hilliard, stating that he did not think the Guild was "in a position to promise permanent employ. ment to anyone." He added:

"I shall be obliged by your not mentioning the Master's illness to anyone, as it is particularly desirable that the Papers should not get hold of it."

It seems as though Mr. Graham became alarmed at this news, and wrote somewhat unguardedly, for Ruskin, on recovery in June, expressed himself in a manner which suggests that his health had affected his temper: "My dear Graham,

"Did I, or did I not—tell you that if you wanted to see ma you might—but that I was unable to discuss any serious point of business ? Upon which statement you instantly send me a long letter and your money accounts—and make a request that X will build you a house and bring one of my best men to be a partner with you. I am very sorry that you are so foolish—bug I must put an end to this at once. I will write to Mr. Baker, and desire that your salary be paid you in my own proper terms and way. You have seen me—and may stay here till Saturday, and rest or enjoy yourself.

"I have absolutely made up my mind about you—and you must hold your peace. If you think—as it appears to me you do, that I am dying—I hope you are mistaken—but if not—you must at all events get at present out of my way. You can neither understand nor move me—only make me more and more firm. in my impression of you—long ago—from your various letters.

"I am in work for five hundred people at once just now—and if there were' ten thousand instead—could manage them as easily4 as I can one simpleton.—Ever faithfully yours,

J. RUSKIN."

After this, there is an understandable silence for five years ; bu on March 12th, 1886, Ruskin wrote a reply to a letter received fronsl Bewdley:

"My dear Graham, "There is no occasion for your dying, but if you could make your living now outside the Guild, I should be glad, as I have nq intention at present of employing more hands than I need.—Evee faithfully yours, J. Rustax."

Here, at length, we are afforded a glimpse, at first hand, of the handwriting which alternately irritated Ruskin and disturbed his conscience ; for, at the foot of it, Mr. Graham, who has had letters, ending "truly," "gratefully," and even, as we have seen, "always affectionately," pens a bitter comment in his elaborate copper-plate: "So cruelly cold ; so anything but 'Ever faithfully yours.'

—W. G."