Letter from Richard Gray, Glasgow, to John James Ruskin, 1861 September 2 : autograph manuscript signed.

Discussing family matters; reporting that his wife'S health continues to improve and hoping that the "change of air" will help to strengthen Mrs. Ruskin; commenting on Ruskin's business saying "Though I do not at all rejoice in business being so slack, as your mention, I am very glad to think that, at length, you do not require to go to town more than half the week; were though it be from said slackness...I am happy to think John is so well as to be visiting in Ireland. I should have been better pleased to have had a better account of his stomach, but after a life time, as one may call it, of such sedentary labour - and hard mental exertion, it is not so much to be wondered at, but the contrary. I trust he also may benefit by the change to Swiss air, proverbially considered as so fine & good;" commenting on the visit to Glasgow of the Channel Fleet; saying "We have been all a-gog for some days past with the Vessels of the Channel Fleet, now lying at Greenock - and thousands and thousands, from Glasgow & the neighboring towns, have been crowding Railways & Steamers to get on board, & examine such unusual [illegible]. Curiosity seems to have become almost dead in me, however; for I have as yet left them alone in their glory. I am much pleased to find that the Admiral Commanding, gave notice that yesterday being Sunday, no visitors could be received; though expressing his willingness to receive ale on Sunday, while here, as he expects, for the next three or four days. He could not have adopted a more judicious step, nor one that would more highly commend him to the respect of the community in general; adding, in a postscript, "As to our own health, I have much cause to be thankful - though I feel it is not quite so easy, nor so cool to walk a mile or two, as it was a dozen years ago."