| Description | Correspondence with, and relating to, John Ruskin [1819-1900, art critic and social critic].
/1 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 29 January 1885, with envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/1b). Ruskin asks questions about Lodge's lecture, which he feels tries to cover too much in one go. With manuscript copy of letter, possibly in Lodge's hand, numbered OJL/1/346/1a. A pencil annotation on the copy states that the lecture was on the subject of dust and mist, and refers to Nature, 22 January 1885.
/2 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 9 February 1885. Ruskin thanks Lodge for answering his questions. He expresses doubt about W. Thompson's idea that cirri clouds are caused by air waves. He describes a scenario involving air and water and asks Lodge what would happen. With manuscript copy of letter, possibly in Lodge's hand, numbered OJL/1/346/2a
/3 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 16 February 1885. Ruskin responds to the information Lodge has sent concerning the behaviour of water and air in a particular scenario, and asks further questions. He remarks that several ideas were entirely new to him, such as the constant motion of molecules in a liquid. With manuscript copy of letter, possibly in Lodge's hand (numbered OJL/1/346/3a), and envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/3b).
/4 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 18 February [1885]. Ruskin thanks Lodge for his letter and writes that his chapter will be corrected accordingly. He writes: 'Of the molecular motion I thought yesterday till I was sick and giddy and could eat no dinner'. He writes that Lodge's curve papers are invaluable. He asks a further question about the interaction of water and air. He asks whether two molecules side by side in space would repel each other and go in opposite directions forever. With manuscript copy of letter, possibly in Lodge's hand (numbered OJL/1/346/4a), and envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/4b).
/5 Letter from John Ruskin [to Oliver Lodge], written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, sent 20 February 1885. Ruskin thanks Lodge for putting him at ease and proposes to send further questions on Monday. With manuscript note in Lodge's hand, stating that Ruskin's letter was written in answer to his note apologising for worrying Ruskin with 'over much detail'. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/5b).
/6 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 22 February 1885. Ruskin proposes to send Lodge one question a week. He asks a supplementary question about the hypothetical scenario previously described involving air and water in a tube. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/6a).
/7 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 6 March [1885]. Ruskin explains that his scenario involving a tube of air and water is 'wholly mythic'. He writes that his question is essentially about the appearance of visible mist. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/7a).
/8 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 8 March 1885. Ruskin sends further clarification regarding the hypothetical tube of water and air. He writes that he is still getting accustomed to the idea of 'perpetual motion and universal motes'. He asks a question about clouds. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/8a).
/9 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 14 March 1885. Ruskin writes that he is re-arranging all his notions of 'solution - diffusion - volatilization - explosion' as a result of Lodge's informative letters. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/9a).
/10 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 14 March 1885 (probably mis-dated, should read 16 March). Ruskin discusses motion, heat, vapours, and asks a question about the formation of mist and hailstones.
/11 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, [dated 20 March 1885]. Ruskin insists that he wishes to learn from Lodge, and asks for clarification regarding the movement of water molecules in a tube of air. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/11a).
/12 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 1 April 1885. Ruskin writes that he has been familiarising himself with current scientific theories. He asks about Lodge's work and whether he is interested in human and moral matters. He finds it easier to discuss things with Lodge than with Professor Seeley. He asks a question about mist. He adds that he has resigned from Oxford as a result of the vote on vivisection. With manuscript copy of the letter, possibly in Lodge's hand (numbered OJL/1/346/12a) and envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/12b).
/13 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 9 April 1885. Ruskin thanks Lodge for his beautiful letters. He writes that Lodge should not regret 'the apparent loss' of seven years: 'Be thankful that life indeed began for you at 21. Mine scarcely did, till I was older than you are now'. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/13a).
/14 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 17 April 1885. Ruskin thanks Lodge for sending a letter about air and a book about electricity. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/14a).
/15 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 25 September 1885. Ruskin writes about his recent illness and current state of health. He writes that he has no heart to go on with his investigations into clouds; what he has written must be printed as it is. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/15a).
/16 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 2 October 1885. Ruskin thanks Lodge for his soothing letter but goes on to express regrets about his life's work: 'I don't suppose there ever was a creature who wanted so much to live life over again [...] how differently I might have succeeded, if I had but in meekness and patience, tried to persuade men, each according to his place and light - and learned from each the difficulty in his way'. He may put something of this in his 'Praeterita'. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/16a).
/17 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 23 September 1885. Ruskin returns Lodge's explanatory letters; sadly his illness will prevent him from pursuing scientific work. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/17a).
/18 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 23 April 1886. Ruskin discusses an address in the Telegraph and thanks Lodge and others for their support. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/18a).
/19 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated Easter Tuesday 1886. Ruskin writes that Lodge's letter will help him to resist dwelling on his failures in his autobiography. He outlines his ideas for a response to the address. With envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/19a).
/20 Letter from John Ruskin to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 15 May [1886]. Ruskin refers to 'lovely letters' which he put aside. He asks whether Lodge has seen Labelaye's 'idiotic' article on the economic crisis and gives his own opinion on the cause of the crisis.
/21 Letter (possibly a draft) from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 4 February 1885. Lodge sends information about the effect of radiation on water and water vapour and the formation of precipitation.
/22 Letter (possibly a draft) from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 6 February 1885. Lodge gives a lengthy explanation of weather conditions in terms of the movement of water in air.
/23 Fair copy of above (OJL/1/346/22).
/23a Draft of first paragraph of OJL/1/346/22
/23b Two hand-drawn graphs [by Oliver Lodge]: 'Curve shewing the space occupied by a given weight of saturated water vapour at different Temperatures' and 'Curve shewing the weight of water-vapour necessary to saturate a given space'. It seems these were sent to Ruskin with the letter below (OJL/1/346/24).
/24 Letter (possibly a draft) from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 13 February 1885. Lodge gives a detailed explanation of the movement of particles in a tube containing water and air. He describes the formation of clouds and mist. Lodge enclosed two graphs with his letter (see OJL/1/346/23b).
/25 Incomplete letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 14 February 1885. This appears to be another draft of the opening pages of OJL/1/346/24
/26 Incomplete letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 19 February 1885. Lodge apologises for worrying Ruskin with information about atoms. He explains how water would evaporate in a closed tube of air.
/27 Draft letter (not sent) from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 25 February 1885. Lodge responds to Ruskin's questions about the absorption of radiation by water vapour, with reference to the hypothetical tube containing water and air. He answers Ruskin's question about whether two molecules in space would repel each other.
/28 Notes written by Oliver Lodge, University College, Liverpool, dated 4 March 1885, on the absorption of radiation by water and water vapour, and how this affects temperature.
/29 Incomplete letter (not sent) from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 7 March 1885 (this is a draft of the letter below). Lodge writes further about the hypothetical tube and the expansion of air. He explains that the formation of mist depends on the presence of motes or particles in the air.
/30 Letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 7 March 1885. Lodge sends information about the movement of air in a hypothetical tube. He explains that the formation of mist depends on the presence of motes or particles in the air.
/31 Letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 11 March 1885. Lodge discusses the fringes of cloud depicted in a little painting sent by Ruskin. He explains the presence of fine dust in the air.
/32 Letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 13 March 1885. Lodge explains that 'all bodies possessing some heat must be in a state of molecular quiver' and describes the movement of particles in solids, liquids and gases.
/33 Letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from 26 Waverley Road, Liverpool, dated 15 March 1885. Lodge suggests amendments to 'Coeli' should Ruskin decide to re-write the book but insists: 'The greater part is both very right and very beautiful'.
/34 Letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from University College, Liverpool, dated 17 March 1885. Lodge corrects Ruskin's description of the diffusion of ink in water. He describes the causes of weather phenomena particularly dew, mist, tropical rain and hailstones. He hopes Ruskin will not be distracted from his social work. He is glad of the opportunity to correspond with Ruskin whom he respects deeply.
/35 Letter (possibly a draft) from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from Trefriw, dated 7 April 1885. Lodge offers to help Ruskin with geology questions. He writes that he has a low opinion of Harry Govier Seeley both personally and scientifically. He gives an account of his education (describing his school days as 'miserable'), the development of his interest in science, and the beginnings of his career. He writes about his attitude to art and his sympathy for fellow human beings. He writes about political concerns such as pollution and the monopolisation of land. He writes about his family. He writes about his response to Ruskin's work. He offers to send Ruskin clay and other materials.
/35a Another version of the above (OJL/1/346/35).
/36 Draft of letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from 26 Waverley Road, Liverpool, dated 1 October 1885. Lodge reassures Ruskin that his work is of great value. He believes Ruskin's despondency is probably a result of general ill health and advises him not to dwell on the past until he is better. With an additional page (below).
/36a Letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin, written from 26 Waverley Road, Liverpool, dated 1 October 1885. Lodge praises Ruskin's writings, mode of life, and tone of thought, and describes the impact that Ruskin's work has had on his view of the world. This page appears to have been inserted into letter OJL/1/346/36.
/37 Letter from Joan Ruskin Severn to Oliver Lodge, written from Brantwood, Coniston, Lancashire, dated 22 January 1886. She writes that [John] Ruskin was very grateful for Lodge's 'memorial' which helped to lift him from his despondency. She hopes Mrs Talbot can be included in any supplemental list of names.
/38 Letter from E. T. Cook to Oliver Lodge, written from 1 Gordon Place, Tavistock Square, dated 13 January 1905. Cook asks Lodge to suggest additional notes for inclusion in the revised edition of Ruskin's book. Cook approves of Lodge's plan to write an article on Ruskin and Science. With envelope numbered OJL/1/346/38a
/39 Letter from Percy William Bunting [1836-1911, social reformer and journal editor] to Oliver Lodge, written from 11 Endsleigh Gardens, London, dated 18 April 1905. Bunting encourages Lodge to send his article on Ruskin and Science. With note headed 'B'ham Ruskin Soc 3 December 1902' (numbered OJL/1/346/39a) and envelope (numbered OJL/1/346/39b).
The file also contains part of a draft letter from Oliver Lodge to John Ruskin about diffusion, clouds and mist. This item is unnumbered.
query
1 additional item between 346/35 & 346/35a (unsure what this refers to)
10 additional items between 35a & 36 (unsure what this refers to) |