Page:The works of John Ruskin (IA worksofjohnruski01rusk).pdf/14

viii ''drawings which have not hitherto appeared. Portraits and some other illustrations are also included. Particulars are supplied in the introductions or other prefatory matter to the several volumes.''

''In addition to collecting material already printed, much new matter—literary as well as artistic—has been placed at the disposal of the editors. This is of three kinds: (1) Unpublished MSS. by Ruskin; (2) the author's MSS. of published Works; and (3) Letters and Diaries. Under the first head, many interesting pieces are published for the first time in this edition, and most of the volumes contain some new matter. The defence of Turner in reply to "Blackwood" (an essay which was the germ of "Modern Painters"), some unpublished letters (1852) intended for the "Times," on political economy (which form, in like manner, the germ of "Unto This Last"), several Oxford Lectures, and the Rede Lecture at Cambridge (1867), may be mentioned among the more important chapters here added to the body of Ruskin's Works.''

''The author's MSS. have, for the purposes of this edition, been carefully collated with the existing texts. The text of the edition is throughout that which was last revised by the author; but in footnotes or otherwise, passages from the MSS. are occasionally supplied, or variations noted. Ruskin was a prose-poet, and his works repay the close textual study which is habitually given to those of the poets. It is interesting to see the artist at work. Sometimes, loo, there is a biographical interest in such study; but especially is it interesting to see that Ruskin more and more altered not to be eloquent, but to be true. Less and less did he correct for rhetorical effect. He revised, not to add colour, but to secure greater closeness of expression,—to convey more fact in fewer words.''