Miss Beale sent him the number containing her paper on ‘Britomart.’ He replied at once:—
‘March 12, 1887.
‘Have you not yet to add to your Britomart, at p. 219, due justification of Feminine—may we not rather call it Disguise—than Lie? And, for myself, may I say that I think Britomart should have sung to the Red Knight, not he to Britomart.—Ever faithfully yours,
J. Ruskin.’
Five days later he wrote:—
‘But I much more than like your essay on Britomart.
‘I am most thankful to have found the head of a Girls’ College able to do such a piece of work, and having such convictions and aspirations, and can only assure you how glad I shall be to find myself capable of aiding you in anything.... I trespass no further on you to-day, but have something to say concerning ball-play as a Britomartian exercise, before saying which, however, I will inquire of the Librarian what ground spaces the College commands, being so limited in its bookshelves.—And believe me, ever your faithful servt.,
John Ruskin.’
Miss Beale replied to this by sending her paper on ‘Lear,’ to which came this response:—
‘March 22, 1887.