JOHN RUSKIN'S ROMANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1700, 1 November 1887, Page 3

JOHN RUSKIN'S ROMANCE

When quite a young njan, John Buskin beoame Interested m an unworldly maiden Borne years bis junior whom ha thought beautiful according to the rnlea and theories of art, and whom be wooed on art principles. He married her and treated her aB if she had been a statue, admiring her m a cold, abetraot way not altogether gratefal to a young woman of ardent temperament. Months passed, their relations undergoing no change, he con* tented, she discontented. Meanwhile he had engaged Millais, with whom, as a preRaphael! te he was muoh impressed, to paint her portrait. The susceptible artist was struck with her beauty, and fell passionately m love with her. But, loyal to his friend, be showed her on'y the conventional reßpeot that was due, nt fling the hanger of his heart. Buskin whs at ltßt aroused to his own marital defeots, and to the sense of the mutual love between his wife and the p ilnter. He aoted magnanimously, deciding not to stand m the way of happiness of two persons who were fitted for one another. Tha matter was managed quietly, and m due time she was released from her matrimonial bonds, and became Mrs Millais. The celebrated artist having been knighted, she is now Lady Millais. Ths three have b«en good friends all along.