SKETCHES OF

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTENDOM FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

WHO HAVE BEEN HELD AT ITS FONTS.

BY

JOHN RUSKIN,

HONORARY STUDENT OF CHRIST CHURCH, HONORARY FELLOW OF CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE, AND SLADE PROFESSOR OF FINE ART, OXFORD.

[Bibliographical Note.-The Bible of Amiens was intended to be, and is described on the title-page as, Part I. of a series of sketches of Christian Art and History, entitled Our Fathers have Told Us; but no other Part was issued by Ruskin, though some chapters intended for the work were printed (see below, p. 190).

A lecture on "Amiens" was given by Ruskin at Eton College on Saturday, November 6, 1880. The minute-book of the Eton Literary and Scientific Society contains the following account of the lecture:

"On Saturday, November 6th, Professor Ruskin gave a most interesting lecture on 'Amiens.' After premising that, the written lecture not having arrived, he could hardly do justice to his subject (a prediction which was by no means realized), the lecturer described first the position held by Amiens in the Middle Ages, as the Venice of France, and proceeded to draw out the contrast between the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries, which 'the intelligent traveller sees so strongly marked nowadays in passing through the town in the shape of fifty black smoking chimneys, and in the midst a tall fair minaret, that does not smoke.' Then after dwelling for a little on the general features of the Cathedral, the lecturer passed on to describe the statues of the Apostles in the Central Porch of the West Front, each statue with its representative virtue and opposite vice below it. A sketch of the legend of St. Firmin, the patron saint of the place, next led to a stirring description of true martyrs. And then followed a description of some of the eventful mediæval history connected with the Cathedral, and especially the arbitration of St. Louis between Henry III. and his barons. In conclusion, Mr. Ruskin spoke of the coinage of the earlier English kings and its various mottoes, exhibiting in illustration a groat of Henry V. This coin he most kindly presented to the Literary Society to form a nucleus for a collection of English coins. He has also given to the School Library some beautiful photographs and a book illustrative of the stalls and carving in Amiens Cathedral. At the conclusion of the lecture the Head Master, who had kindly consented to take the chair, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Ruskin, which was carried by acclamation.

“H. B. SMITH, Secretary."

This report is here reprinted from The Bookman, March 1900, pp. 175–176. A shorter sketch of the lecture appeared in The Eton College Chronicle, December 9, 1880.

The Bible of Amiens has been published:-(1) in five separate octavo "Parts"; (2) in a collected volume; (3) in a smaller "Travellers' Edition" (Chapter iv. only).

1 See below, p. 233.

2 See Vol. XXX. pp. 268-277.

ISSUE IN PARTS

Part I., comprising Chapter i. and Preface.

·First Edition (December 21, 1880).-The title-page of this Part was as follows:

"Our Fathers have Told Us." | Sketches of | the History of Christendom | for Boys and Girls who have been held at its fonts. By | John Ruskin, Honorary Student of Christ Church, and Honorary Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. | Part I.-The Bible of Amiens. | Chapter I-By the Rivers of Waters. George Allen, | Sunnyside, Orpington, Kent. | 1880.

Octavo, pp. vii. +40. Issued (as also the subsequent Parts) in buff-coloured paper wrappers, with the title-page (enclosed in a plain double-ruled frame) repeated upon the front cover; the Rose being added above the publisher's imprint. 2000 copies. Price Tenpence.

In January 1881 the following "Advice" was issued, printed on one side of an octavo leaf:

"It is intended to issue this book in the same form as the original numbers of Fors,' with an illustration of some kind to each number, at the price of Fors'-viz., tenpence-with a French edition similarly at a franc in France.

"The first number is, however, published without its illustration (Plate I.), that it may be in time for Christmas; two plates (map and plan) will be given with the second number, and probably some of the author's architectural studies as the work proceeds.

"In connection with its issue, a series of illustrative photographs will be prepared and sold by Mr. Ward. The author has already given a commission at Amiens, for upwards of thirty plates, to be taken from the bas-reliefs of the Cathedral front, forming a series like that which he has already taken and illustrated from the Tower of Giotto; and he trusts that his final efforts (made under much difficulty and discouragement) to preserve some record of thirteenth-century sculpture may be at least so far encouraged by the public as to admit of their continuance without serious loss to himself. Profit in such undertakings cannot be looked for; nor, for special reason, does the author intend, from this work-text, plate, or photograph-himself to receive any."

The proposed French edition was never issued.

Second Edition (November 1883).-2000 copies. There were no alterations of the text in this edition; but the words "Second Edition" were added on the title-page of the Part, and the date was altered to "1883." Third Edition (June 1893).-350 copies.

The sections (§§) of Chapter i. were not numbered in any of the above editions.

The next chapter issued (November 1881) was Chapter IV. in a separate Travellers' Edition: see below, p. 11.

Part II., comprising Chapter ii.

First Edition (December 1881).-The title-page was the same as that of Part I., except for the altered words Chapter II.-Under the Drachenfels," and the date "1881."

Octavo, pp. 41-88. 2000 copies. Price Tenpence. The sections of this chapter were numbered.

With this part the following circular was issued, printed on both sides of an octavo leaf:

"OUR FATHERS HAVE TOLD US'

ADVICE

The three chapters of 'Our Fathers have Told Us,' now submitted to the public, are enough to show [as now printed in Appendix III., p. 186]. . . united illustration of the power of the Church in the Thirteenth Century.

The next chapter, which I hope to issue soon after Christmas, completes the first part, descriptive of. [again as now printed on p. 186] . . . preparatory chapters.

One illustration at least will be given with each chapter,* [again as on p. 187] . . . subscribers only.

Published by George Allen, Sunnyside, Orpington, Kent: price Tenpence per chapter.

Carriage Paid to any place in the United Kingdom. Each Bookseller, Mr. Ruskin expects, will add such commission for his own profit as he may deem necessary.

Post Office Orders payable to George Allen at Chief Office, London. Cheques crossed London and County Bank.

PUBLISHER'S NOTICE.-To save the inconvenience of small remittances, and ensure the delivery of each chapter as it appears, Mr. Allen will be glad to receive subscriptions in advance for at least one part (comprising four chapters). Should the work not be proceeded with, all balances of subscriptions will be returned.

Christmas 1881."

The notice was reprinted in March 1882, when the following note was added at the words "given with each chapter" :

* The first Plate for The Bible of Amiens, curiously enough, failed in the engraving; and I shall probably have to etch it myself. It will be issued with the fourth, in the full-size edition of the fourth chapter.

Second Edition (May 1885).-2000 copies. There were no alterations in the text.

With this Part was issued as frontispiece "Northern Porch before Restoration" (here Plate XI.).

1 Viz., Chapters I. and II., and the separate Travellers' Edition of Chapter IV.