Ruskin, John: The elements of drawing: in three letters to beginners (London, 1857)

PREFACE.

It may perhaps be thought, that in prefacing' a
manual of drawing, I ought to expatiate on the
reasons why drawing should be learned; but
those reasons appear to me so many and so
weighty, that I cannot quickly state or enforce
them. With the reader's permission, as this
volume is too large already, I will waive all
discussion respecting the importance of the sub-
ject, and touch only on those points which may
appear questionable in the method of its treat-
ment.

In the first place, the book is not calculated for
the use of children under the age of twelve or
fourteen. I do not think it advisable to engage
a child in any but the most voluntary practice