By July 1878 Ruskin was able to report himself as “having got into quiet work again,” and he was not without hope of recovering strength enough to resume the duties of his Oxford Professorship. The quiet work consisted largely of the studies of rocks and flowers, described in the last chapter; but presently he felt himself able for a more general resumption of his activities.

In August he went with Mr. Arthur Severn to sketch at Malham, and presently he was well enough to pay some visits. In September he was in Scotland staying at Dunira with Mr. William Graham and his daughter (the “F” or “Francie” of familiar letters of Burne-Jones and Ruskin), and afterwards he was invited to go to Hawarden, where the Duke of Argyll was to be of the party. The visit to Dunira is recorded in two pleasant papers which Ruskin contributed to the Nineteenth Century (Nov., Dec. 1878), entitledThe Three Colours of Pre-Raphaelitism. He had found in the house the “Ecce Ancilla Domini” of Rossetti, the “Blind Girl” of Millais, and a drawing called “The King's Bridal” by Burne-Jones. They suggested to him an analysis of three different aspects of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. The visit to Hawarden was a success, and one of the party made a study of “three strongly contrasted characters.” The Duke found things very well as they are. Ruskin was for remoulding,” this sorry scheme, of things nearer to the heart's desire.