RUSKIN’S MADNESS.

Evening Star, Issue 9122, 1 May 1893, Page 4

RUSKIN’S MADNESS.

Word comes from London that John Raskin, the most celebrated writer on art of any time, lias gone mail. For years lie has been afflicted with a disease of the brain which at intervals has made him temporarily insane. This state of affairs has continued for years, but the lapses have gradually been getting more frequent. Misplaced affection may’ be said to be the primary cause of Ids mental trouble. W'hen Ruskin was y'oung and already famous he met one evening, at a dance iu London, a most beautiful girl. The hostess pointing h<‘r out to him, told him that he should marry her. Ruskiu, so say T his critics, was 100 enamored of the beautiful iu art to fall in love with a beautiful human being; but, however that may be, he married the girl, and gave her a magnificent home. After a time John Ruakin brought Millais, the painter, to Ids home, ami asked him to paint his wife’s portrait. Millais was then a man of the most superb physique, broad-shouldered, deep-chested, and with great length and strength of limb. Wldlc be was painting the portrait lie fell in love with his friend’s wife, and the wife fell iu love with Idm. Ruskiu saw the unfolding of this romance which might easily grow into a tragedy. His wife loved him no longer. There was neither accusation nor blame for her; but he secured a divorce, and then one morning walked into church with his late wife and Millais, and stood by while they were married. Tho painter Millais became the leading artist in England, and the beauty of Ids wife is one of the charms of Loudon society. It is said that most of the unhappiness which has fallen upon, the latter days of John Ruskin owed its origin to this disappointment. It was in 188(5 that tho first symptoms of any'breaking down of Ruskin’s mind became apparent. It was at Oxford, where he was delivering a lecture. He suddenly became incoherent on the platform, and greatly exercised the feelings of a sympathetic audience. From that time till now he lias been subject to fits of temporary insanity. Sometimes these take the form of breaking all glasses within reach. Sometimes he refuses all except liquid food. His doctor is a local practitioner of middle age, and there has been much comment among the specialists that so eminent a man as Ruskiu should not have the best medical advice. Mrs Lesern, who takes care of Brentwood, is a lady of fifty. She was the adopted child of a cousin of Ruskin, and on tho death of this cousin became Mr Ruskin’s only relative. Mr Ruskin lias made a will leaving Brentwood to her.