John Ruskin letter to Ellen Heaton, 1858 November

Ruskin says he had hoped to come into town but couldn't manage it. Ruskin says he can't believe that Heaton has returned home and is preparing to travel again in the time since they last met. Ruskin expresses his envy that Heaton was able to see the Brownings, remarking that he had sent a letter to Elizabeth Barrett Browning a month ago but that he has no time to write letters at the moment. He asks Heaton to send his love to the Brownings and to tell them that he will write to them soon, asking Heaton to send him a letter when she sees them to tell them how they are. Ruskin asks Heaton if he can take charge of her Turners. Ruskin says the last volume of Modern Painters is taking shape and that he is contemplating writing an essay on how to distinguish good poetry from bad and muses that Robert Browning might have some ideas that would be useful on the matter. Ruskin gives his best wishes for Heaton's journey and tells her that he has been reading some of her writing lately. He says he has not seen the Richmonds since he has been home and asks Heaton to pass on his love to them. [Date provided by Surtees: November 1858]