Autograph letter signed : Denmark Hill, to Mr. Gray, 1848 Aug. 31.

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Ruskin, John James. Autograph letter signed : Denmark Hill, to Mr. Gray, 1848 Aug. 31.

Autograph letter signed : Denmark Hill, to Mr. Gray, 1848 Aug. 31.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/270914598

Published in excerpt, p. 130: misdated 1 August 1848, with two omissions: (1) [beginning] to prevent misunderstanding, he will enlarge on his last letter [into p. 130, how John's education and talents have fitted him for a society in which George could not hope to move, he and Mrs. Ruskin being also excluded. But this is the society in which Mr. Ruskin wishes the young couple to move, and Effie "gains golden opinions"; (2) [conclusion] he cannot take George into his own business, although before the marriage he told John he might "try & hook him [George] on to my successors" if Mr. Gray failed. He knew of Mr. Gray's position long before John declared for Effie and did not oppose his wishes because of property. He and Mr. Telford began with an agreement that neither would take relatives into the firm. Mr. Telford waived this article for James Richardson, who gave little satisfaction, and it will never be waived again. When he retires, their firm will be annihilated, and some one with £20,000 will start a new House, taking Watson, with 31 years service, and Ritchie with 15, as part of the machinery. He has no opening for anyone beyond £50 to £100 a year. "My Son I have strongly and solemnly enjoined never to put any part of what I give or leave him, in Business. I wanted him to be in the Church--to be a Bishop if he could but to eschew Commerce." It will take another letter to explain how his own experience in establishing a business has caused him "a very anxious Life," which may color his opinions about George. He may also be influenced by what has always been his own "hankering" to be a Lawyer. Nor does he wonder at Mr. Gadesden's difficulty: "I am sure I could not tell where to find an office for a youth." It was Mr. Gray who caused him to believe that not only Mr. Burns would be involved in his failure: "You said I think, your friends knew how their property was staked & must take the consequences." Not wishing to disturb Effie's enjoyment, he kept until today the letter with news of Mrs. [Melville] Jameson's (Aunt Jessie's) illness. They are happy to hear it has taken a favorable turn.

1 item (4 p.) ; 25.7 cm.

Pierpont Morgan Library.