JOHN RUSKIN A PHYSICAL WRECK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1874, 21 October 1887, Page 15

JOHN RUSKIN A PHYSICAL WRECK.

It was reported in London that John Ruskin's intellect is clouded and that he is a physical wreck. For a long time he has suffered from peculiar attacks, which have caused him much trouble. Ever since his divorce his cousin, Mrs Arthur Severn, has watched over him, and in return for her unselfish devotion he made over to her his Brantwood home aud all its treasures, depriving himself in the deed of the right to revoke the gift by declaring that he did not want to possess the right to change the destination of his property whevi acting as his second self. During his periodical attacks Ruskin's entire character is altered. The preseut attack began in April, during Mrs Severn's absence, and he was so violent that his friends were unable to control him. He took a dislike to Mrs Severn, and wrote letters to people all over the • country in which he spoke harshly of her, and said she wished to drive him from his house. ! He did take up quarters at the head waiter's hotel, aud contiuued to write letters about Mrs j Severn. The duty of sealing the letters has always devolved upon his valet, and that faithful servant, appreciating his master's irresponsible condition, delivered all the letters to Mrs' Severn ; thus much unpleasantness, which Ruskin in his proper mind would regret, was avoided, He afterward contiuued to improve for a time, but soon fell into a relapse which lasted some time.