“I know nothing of Liverpool—and what can I say there—but that it has first to look after its poor—and the churches will take care of themselves.
“Ever truly yours.”
The second letter, dated 27th December 1879, reads:—
“My Dear Sir,—A bad fit of weariness,—not to say worse—kept me from fulfilling my promise. The paper you were good enough to send me is safe, but I fear left at Herne Hill—it can be got at if you require it.
“I am sincerely glad and grateful for all you tell me of your proposed work.—Most truly yours,
“J. Ruskin.”
Ruskin, however, was not the only famous writer who had his eye on the young man working away in Liverpool. Already Matthew Arnold and Lord Houghton had made friendly and encouraging advances—the former writing him a long letter of praise concerning an essay of Caine’s which had come into his hands, and the latter asking Henry Bright (the H. A. B. of Hawthorne) to arrange an interview between himself and the rising young littérateur. These marks of distinct encouragement from eminent and well-loved men were a source of keen pleasure to Hall Caine; they not only gave him confidence in his own powers, amid many discouraging circumstances, but made him feel that his strenuous labour was not being done in vain.