Toward the end of their correspondence, which spanned years 1851-79, John Ruskin, who hitherto had addressed Thomas Carlyle more or less in terms of deferential formality ('Dear Mr Carlyle'), suddenly shifted to 'Dearest Papa', signing himself 'Ever your loving disciple-son'. Whatever the immediate reasons for the change, it simply made explicit Ruskin's steady conception of his relation to Carlyle, the older man by 24 years. In 1866, indeed, as if he were not busy enough, he had offered to become Carlyle's amanuensis. 'I have a notion it would be very wholesome work for me, & it would be very proud & dear for me.'

LRB 1 September 1983 | PDF Download