John Ruskin's 200th birthday tribute.

It is very gusty and rainy here today and it has unsettled Arthur, who dislikes strong wind ruffling his fur.
He has run upstairs and will sleep on a comfy bed until teatime.
It is a cat's life!
Today in 1819 John Ruskin was born. He was very gifted and a profound thinker about life, nature and although a Londoner by birth, he loved Coniston in the Lake District, where he made his home at Brantwood, where he passed away 20th January 1900.
I feel an affinity with some of his writing and beautiful drawings and paintings .
Do visit Brantwood if you feel prompted to, as especially in the Spring, it is a wonderful place and has a fabulous untamed woodland and well planned garden, Paul and me enjoyed walking in.
John Ruskin championed the Pre- Raphaelites, and he strongly advocated Education for the working man.
It is worth reading his poetry and writings but here is a beautiful extract from Unto This Last, published in 1860:
THERE IS NO WEALTH BUT LIFE
"Life including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration.
That country is the richest which nourishes the greatest number of noble and happy human beings; that man is richest who, having perfected the functions of his own life to the utmost, has also the widest helpful influence, both personal, and by means of his possessions, over the lives of others."