[From "The Y. M. A. Magazine," conducted by the Young Men's Association, Clapham Congregational Church. September, 1879. Vol. iii., No. 12, p. 242.]
BLINDNESS AND SIGHT.[132]
Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire,
18th July, 1879.
My dear Sir: The reason I never answered was—I now find—the difficulty of explaining my fixed principle never to join in any invalid charities. All the foolish world is ready to help in them; and will spend large incomes in trying to make idiots think, and the blind read, but will leave the noblest intellects to go to the Devil, and the brightest eyes to remain spiritually blind forever! All my work is to help those who have eyes and see not.
Ever faithfully yours, J. Ruskin.
Thos. Pocock, Esq.
I must add that, to my mind, the prefix of "Protestant" to your society's name indicates far stonier blindness than any it will relieve.
FOOTNOTES:
[132] This letter was sent by Mr. Ruskin to the Secretary of the Protestant Blind Pension Society in answer to an application for subscriptions which Mr. Ruskin had mislaid, and thus left unanswered.
[From "The Y. M. A. Magazine," October, 1879, Vol. iv., No. 1, p. 12.]
THE EAGLE'S NEST.[133]
To the Editor of "The Y. M. A. Magazine."