The Ethics of the Dust

by John Ruskin

THE ETHICS OF THE DUST

TEN LECTURES TO LITTLE HOUSEWIVES

ON THE ELEMENTS OF CRYSTALLIZATION

BY JOHN RUSKIN, LL.D.,

HONORARY STUDENT OF CHRIST CHURCH, AND SLADE PROFESSOR OF FINE ART

CONTENTS.

Dedication

Preface to the Second Edition

Second Preface to the Second Edition

Preface

LECTURE

I.	THE VALLEY OF DIAMONDS
II.	THE PYRAMID BUILDERS
III.	THE CRYSTAL LIFE
IV.	THE CRYSTAL ORDERS
V.	CRYSTAL VIRTUES
VI.	CRYSTAL QUARRELS
VII.	HOME VIRTUES
VIII.	CRYSTAL CAPRICE
IX.	CRYSTAL SORROWS
X.	THE CRYSTAL REST
	NOTES

PERSONAE


OLD LECTURER (of incalculable age).

FLORRIE,
   on astronomical evidence presumed to be aged 9.

ISABEL ..................................... "  11.

MAY ........................................ "  11.

LILY ....................................... "  12.

KATHLEEN.................................... "  14.

LUCILLA..................................... "  15.

VIOLET ..................................... "  16.

DORA (who has the keys and is housekeeper)... " 17.

EGYPT (so called from her dark eyes) ....... "  17.

JESSIE (who somehow always makes the room
look brighter when she is in it) ........... "  18.

MARY (of whom everybody, including the Old
Lecturer, is in great awe) ................. "  20.