Fors Clavigera (Volume 5 of 8) Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great Britain

"Fors Clavigera (Volume 5 of 8)" by John Ruskin is a collection of letters written in the late 19th century. This work addresses the labor class of Great Britain and discusses social, moral, and educational issues of the time. Ruskin aims to advocate for the improvement of society by fostering an understanding of beauty, education, and community responsibility among workers and laborers. The opening of this volume begins with Ruskin reflecting on his intentions and the nature of his writing, expressing a desire to engage his readers without being overly prescriptive. He emphasizes the importance of defining the principles behind his thoughts and counteracts any misconceptions about founding a model institution, clarifying that he aims to enhance existing educational systems for the betterment of society. He also shares anecdotes and critiques concerning the moral state of the clergy and the challenges faced by the working class, revealing an urgent call for genuine action to improve both individual and communal life. Ruskin's writings blend personal narrative with social critique, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of moral and practical implications in subsequent letters. (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.