2 MARCH 1878, Page 3

The Academy states what every one who values genius and

high purpose must deeply regret to hear,—that Professor Ruskin is now lying dangerously ill from overwork, at his house at Coniston. We have very lately fallen under his rod in the Fors Clarigera ; but incisive, and not unfrequently unjust, as his literary criti- cisms are, no one would have a right even to feel aggrieved by such injustice, who did not freely admit that it is of far more importance, for his many sincere and grateful disciples, that Mr. Ruskin should be in full vigour, to criticise whom he pleases and as he pleases, than that any of those on whom his rod descends should be spared the smart of his refined but usually searching chastisement. May he soon be well enough to attack us with equal vigour again.