Descripción
2Î p., 8vo, Winnington, [Cheshire], 22nd May, [1864, or shortly thereafter] per Van Akin Burd, ("The Winnington Letters," London, George Allen, 1969). Written on black-bordered mourning stationary (see below). A wonderful letter from Ruskin to his mother describing a dance at Winnington School in which he had been involved with his young friend Lily Armstrong, who remained a close friend for years after their initial meeting in primary school. "Winnington, Sunday, 22nd May, My dearest Mother, I have your sweet little letter- All the enclosures too are very pleasant and I am on the whole well. They opened [at Winnington School] a new playroom yesterday which Miss Bell has just roofed in for them, and the little ones had determined to wait for me to have the first game with them in it. So we began with a grand game of cat and mouse - and then at dropping the handkerchief - and then we had Irish quadrilles - which end with a wonderful dance in a labyrinth of rings, and as I was to have Lily for partner, I put my coat on wrong side before, to look like an Irishman; Lily highly approved of this arrangement. Lily at last pulled it off me altogether and put it on herself over her frock and tied her hair up in a hard knot and then we had an Irish quadrille to purpose - till I had no more breath left." He goes on tell of weather and how poorly he has written this letter, and in closing, poignantly alludes to her well being, "glad to hear Joanna helped you with Boo- and that you are a little better able to bear being alone." etc., signing, "For my dearest mother, your most affec. son, J. Ruskin." Ruskin first met Lily Armstrong when she was a 12-year-old schoolgirl at Winnington boarding-school in Cheshire which was run by the financially incompetent Margaret Alexis Bell, and Ruskin provided considerable interest and assistance on her behalf. He was a regular visitor to the school, where he not only proceeded with his own writing, but also joined in games and dancing with the girls. His friendship with Lily lasted well beyond her schooldays, after her marriage, and was evidently deeply affectionate on both sides. Folds, slightly browned. The letter is written on mourning notepaper, used after his father's death, on March 3, 1864. N° de ref. del artículo 4737
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