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The Early Life of Mark Rutherford (W. Hale White) By: Mark Rutherford (1831-1913) |
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Autobiographical Notes I have been asked at 78 years old to set down what I remember of my
early life. A good deal of it has been told before under a semi
transparent disguise, with much added which is entirely fictitious.
What I now set down is fact. I was born in Bedford High Street, on December 22, 1831. I had two
sisters and a brother, besides an elder sister who died in infancy.
My brother, a painter of much promise, died young. Ruskin and
Rossetti thought much of him. He was altogether unlike the rest of
us, in face, in temper, and in quality of mind. He was very
passionate, and at times beyond control. None of us understood how
to manage him. What would I not give to have my time with him over
again! Two letters to my father about him are copied below:
(185 ) "My DEAR SIR, "I am much vexed with myself for not having written this letter
sooner. There were several things I wanted to say respecting the
need of perseverance in painting as well as in other businesses,
which it would take me too long to say in the time I have at
command so I must just answer the main question. Your son has very
singular gifts for painting. I think the work he has done at the
College nearly the most promising of any that has yet been done
there, and I sincerely trust the apparent want of perseverance has
hitherto been only the disgust of a creature of strong instincts who
has not got into its own element he seems to me a fine fellow and
I hope you will be very proud of him some day but I very seriously
think you must let him have his bent in this matter and then if he
does not work steadily take him to task to purpose. I think the
whole gist of education is to let the boy take his own shape and
element and then to help discipline and urge him IN that, but not
to force him on work entirely painful to him. "Very truly yours,
(Signed) "J. RUSKIN."
"NATIONAL GALLERY, 3rd April. "MY DEAR SIR, (185 ) "Do not send your son to Mr. Leigh: his school is wholly
inefficient. Your son should go through the usual course of
instruction given at the Royal Academy, which, with a good deal that
is wrong, gives something that is necessary and right, and which
cannot be otherwise obtained. Mr. Rossetti and I will take care
(in fact your son's judgement is I believe formed enough to enable
him to take care himself) that he gets no mistaken bias in those
schools. A 'studio' is not necessary for him but a little room
with a cupboard in it, and a chair and nothing else IS. I am very
sanguine respecting him, I like both his face and his work. "Thank you for telling me that about my books. I am happy in seeing
much more of the springing of the green than most sowers of seed are
allowed to see, until very late in their lives but it is always a
great help to me to hear of any, for I never write with pleasure to
myself, nor with purpose of getting praise to myself. I hate
writing, and know that what I do does not deserve high praise, as
literature; but I write to tell truths which I can't help crying out
about, and I DO enjoy being believed and being of use. "Very faithfully yours,
(Signed) J. RUSKIN.
W. White, Esq."
My mother, whose maiden name was Chignell, came from Colchester.
What her father and mother were I never heard. I will say all I
have to say about Colchester, and then go back to my native town.
My maternal grandmother was a little, round, old lady, with a ruddy,
healthy tinge on her face. She lived in Queen Street in a house
dated 1619 over the doorway. There was a pleasant garden at the
back, and the scent of a privet hedge in it has never to this day
left me. In one of the rooms was a spinet. The strings were struck
with quills, and gave a thin, twangling, or rather twingling sound.
In that house I was taught by a stupid servant to be frightened at
gipsies. She threatened me with them after I was in bed. My
grandmother was a most pious woman. Every morning and night we had
family prayer... Continue reading book >>
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