During the journey to Italy, which Turner made this year with Mr. Munro of Novar, I do not suppose that he ever mentioned the name of Ruskin. That must have been rather a difficult journey, as Munro of Novar was suffering from a 'great depression of spirits'; but the trip seems to have been of benefit to Munro. He reports that Turner enjoyed himself in his way—'a sort of honest Diogenes way '—and that he was companionable enough if such teasing questions were avoided as to how he got this or that colour.
Turner never rhapsodised about scenery. His usual morning question during that journey was, 'Have you got the sponge?' He was fond of laconic remarks. One of them I shall always remember. Ruskin, before starting forth on a certain foreign tour, called upon Turner to bid him good-bye, the ardent youth no doubt expecting, hoping for, priceless words of counsel; but Turner was mainly anxious that the young author should not give his parents cause for anxiety on his travels. 'They will be in such a fidge about you,' were his parting words.
[CHAPTER XLIII]
1837: AGED SIXTY-TWO
'TROUBLES BEGIN TO GATHER ABOUT HIM. NOTHING WILL GO RIGHT'
The pictures exhibited in 1837 did not restore Turner to favour. They included the 'Snowstorm, Avalanche and Inundation,' described as a 'tumult of cloud, wind and raging torrent in the gorge,' the sketch for which he had made on his way to Italy with Munro of Novar; and the 'Departure of Regulus,' which Ruskin included among the 'nonsense pictures.'
Troubles begin to gather about him. Nothing will go right. The beautiful England and Wales series had been received with so little favour that it was decided to discontinue the issue. The stock was put up for auction, but Turner opened negotiations and purchased the whole privately for three thousand pounds. Many of those present were willing to buy portions of the work. To one of these Turner said: 'So, sir, you were going to buy my England and Wales to sell cheap, I suppose—make umbrella prints of them, eh? But I have taken care of that. No more of my plates shall be worn to shadows.'
The dealer tried to explain that he wanted only the printed stock, and Turner seemed to understand, made an appointment, then forgot all about the matter.