RUSKIN, John (1819-1900). Author, artist & social reformer.
Autograph Letter Signed to his doctor, George Parsons, 2 pages 8vo with envelope annotated in Ruskin's hand 'To be opened by Mrs Parsons, if the Doctor is out', 'Monday', no date. Asking him to call and remove his loose tooth.
Parsons, from Hawkshead, some five miles from Brantwood, had often attended Ruskin, who came to depend on him in later life. It was Parsons who on 8 June 1878 wrote a certificate of Ruskin's inability (through dementia) to attend or take part in the legal action brought against him by Whistler for libel.

'Would you please be so kind as to bring your pincers over. ... the tooth gets looser and looser and I've had a gumboil for four days and am living on toast and water - or wine, which is worse. ... I'm in no pain, to speak of - only nervous & low (and rather piling it on to teaze you, too!) ... .'

[No: 20667]