MARGARET RUSKIN

MARGARET RUSKIN, NEE COX (FORMERLY COCK) (1781-1871) A SERIES OF TWELVE AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED TO HER SON JOHN RUSKIN (1819-1900) Denmark Hill, 23 April 1864 - 5 July 1870 (2 misdated), 11 1-2s, 1 bifolium, 3s, beginning My Dearest (one My ever Dearest) including references to his daily letters to her, guests and mutual acquaintances, observations on the weather, the effects of light on the landscape and flowers ("The brightness of the buttercups and lilac gone but the Liburnum [sic] Hawthorn beautiful beyond far beyond telling but I fear their brightest beauty will be past before you will be at home", "I do not think you can see any thing more truly heavenly than you could see here to day and louder or more beautiful bird music, it is impossible you could ever hear"), homelife ("do not trouble yourself about candles.. I get through evening till ten with my knitting very well, it is much more agreeable to me now being alone when you are away and having anyone with me to think of and provide for"), scenes from her occasional drives ("the three cows standing under the oak with their man… as if placed for right effect to the Hills appeared like a landscape in rock Chrystal" and, after a drive round Hyde Park "Never was humanity so utterly disguised as every class of females in the Park have accomplished [sic] form of dress and colours quite abominable") but especially the inextricable connection between her Christian faith and love for her son.Provenance: The local Antique Dealer Miss Elizabeth Tyson (1878-1970) of Busk House, Ambleside by whom acquired in person at the Sale of the remaining contents of Brantwood, Coniston, July 1931 or else shortly thereafter; thence by descent to the present vendor