Ruskin, John (1819-1900)
Collection of autograph letters to Ada Hartnell, c.1873-81
£5,544
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 28 September 2022 from 10:00 BST
Description
18 in total, various extents, 31 pp. overall, most on a single bifolium of Ruskin's Brantwood stationery, other letters written from Woodstock Road, Oxford, Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Gueux, and Keswick, a few with no place named, several undated, most addressed to 'My dear Miss Hartnell' and signed 'J Ruskin', two to 'My dear Ada' and signed 'J Ruskin', one to 'My dearest Ada' and signed 'Ever your loving JR', and one to 'Dear Ada' and signed 'J R', one letter (Gueux) torn in half but full text apparently intact, one letter with signature removed. Together with 8 envelopes addressed by Ruskin to Hartnell, and an autograph letter signed to Hartnell from Joanna Severn ('[I] am glad … to tell you that after many months of anxiety about the poor master he is at last showing signs of betterness, for which I am infinitely thankful', with envelope) (1 folder)
Footnote
Note:
A remarkable collection of newly discovered letters casting light on Ruskin's tormented later years and his relationship with an intriguing female acquaintance, whom he clearly held in high esteem, but about whom little remains known.
Ada Hartnell was one of the 32 original members of the Guild of St George, the utopian social organisation Ruskin established in 1878 on the model of the guilds of medieval Venice. She is mentioned by Ruskin in Fors Clavigera as one of a select group of guild companions 'in whose future adherence and support I have entire trust'. During the time these letters were written she lived first at 79 Falmouth Road, London, and later at 6 Brighton Villas, Northumberland Park, Tottenham.
Ruskin's mental stability suffered badly during his seventeen-year relationship with Rose La Touche, who died in 1875. In February 1878 he experienced a total collapse, followed by several further attacks between 1881 and 1889, after which he 'gradually retreated into silence, saying little, and writing few letters' (ODNB), living in seclusion at Brantwood under the care of his relation Joanna Severn.
The earlier letters in the collection suggest that Ruskin frequently visited Hartnell in London. His letters proposing to meet can strike an importunate note, and the type of assignation proposed is in one instance unexpected:
'Would you like to come to the Pantomime at Drury lane to-morrrow with me. You would have to meet me at my good old servants' teashop, 29 Paddington St, Portland place - and I would take the greatest care of you and drive you home. Send me a line here'
In letters evidently written in the aftermath of his crisis, Ruskin confides in Hartnell about the debilitating effects of his mental state, while demonstrating an urgent concern for Hartnell's own health and living arrangements, an intense dynamic encapsulated in one letter from Brantwood:
'I have had several very bad sleepless nights myself, lately - but the mental gloom causes them - it is not the consequence of them. That darkness over the whole world becomes more and more definite to me as one of judgement, and every voice [...] is of the night. I can only keep my strength by refusing to think, and going on with work that I still have pleasure in - and pleasing any body I can innocently please. But I've been freed to write something serious just now - in which your letter helps me so much - you will have it in a week [...] I am so very thankful your health is on the whole better [...] Shall I see if I can get better lodging for you near my museum at Sheffield - there's no smoke unless with strong southeast wind, and lovely country close by, being certainly as cheap as near London. Please think about this and write again'
The later letters also contain much discussion of guild matters, with Ruskin musing on his own suitability to lead 'until they find somebody better', discussing the publication of Fors, indulging in a schoolmasterly harangue in which he dismisses Praeterita as 'mere gossip', and welcoming positive reports of a recent number of Proserpina; Joanna Severn finds frequent mention as someone evidently known to Hartnell and with an interest in her well-being.