Fors Clavigera (Volume 3 of 8) Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great Britain

"Fors Clavigera (Volume 3 of 8)" by John Ruskin is a collection of letters written in the 19th century, addressing the working class of Great Britain. In this volume, Ruskin engages in discussions about practical education, the moral responsibilities of individuals, and social inequalities, aiming to inspire workers to achieve a more noble purpose in their lives and labor. Through his work, he seeks to illuminate the connection between art, morality, and the condition of laborers in a rapidly industrializing society. The opening portion of the volume presents several themes and reflections from Ruskin, starting with a light-hearted introduction about a delayed New Year's letter and a recipe for Yorkshire Goose Pie. He uses the recipe to segue into a deeper exploration of practical education and the nature of work, expressing frustration at the lack of serious engagement with his previous letters. Ruskin reflects on various correspondences he received, illustrating the disconnect between lofty ideals and practical realities faced by laborers. He emphasizes the need for a more substantial understanding of education that transcends mere monetary gain, urging readers to consider what it means to pursue a virtuous life, and to seek out heroes and historical figures who embodied these values. The discourse sets the stage for critical inquiries into social dynamics, the meaning of true friendship, and the obligations of society toward its workers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Ruskin was an English polymath – a writer, lecturer, art historian, art critic, draughtsman and philanthropist of the Victorian era. He wrote on subjects as varied as art, architecture, political economy, education, museology, geology, botany, ornithology, literature, history, and myth.