ed with affectionate respect. But the
rest seem to have looked upon him as a somewhat desultory and erratic
young genius, who might or might not turn out well. For their immediate
purpose, the Schools, and Church or State preferment, he seemed hardly
the fittest man.

The gentlemen-commoners of Christ Church were a puzzle to Mrs. Ruskin;
noblemen of sporting tastes, who rode and betted and drank, and got
their impositions written "by men attached to the University for the
purpose, at 1s.6d. to 2s.6d., so you have only to reckon how much you
will give to avoid chapel." And yet they were very nice fellows. If they
began by riding on John's back round the quad, they did not give him the
cold shoulder--quite the reverse. He was asked everywhere to wine; he
beat them all at chess; and they invaded him at all hours. "It does
little good sporting _his_ oak," wrote his mother, describing how Lord
Desart and Grimston climbed in through his window while he was hard at
work. "They say midshipmen and Oxonians have more lives than a cat, and
they have need of them if they run such risks."

Once, but once only, he was guilty, as an innocent freshman, of a breach
of the laws of his order. He wrote too good an essay. He tells his
father:

"OXFORD, _February_, 1837.

"Yesterday (Saturday) forenoon the Sub-dean sent for me, took me up
into his study, sat down with me, and read over my essay, pointing
out a few verbal alterations and suggesting improvements; I, of
course, expressed myself highly grateful for his condescension.
Going out, I met Strangeways. 'So you're going to read out to-day,
Ruskin. _Do_ go it at a good rate, my good fellow. Why do you write
such devilish good ones?' Went a little farther and met March.
'Mind you stand on the top of the desk, Ruskin; gentlemen-commoners
never stand on the steps.' I asked him whether it would look more
dignified to stand head or heels uppermost. He advised heels. Then
met Desart. 'We must have a grand supper after this, Ruskin;
gentlemen-commoners always have a flare-up after reading their
themes.' I told him I supposed he wanted to 'pison my
rum-and-water.'"

And though they teased him unmercifully, he seems to have given as good
as he got. At a big wine after the event, they asked him whether his
essay cost 2s.6d. or 5s. What he answered is not reported; but they
proceeded to make a bonfire in Peckwater,