This volume is devoted to Ruskin's studies of Birds and Flowers. The two books which it contains are I. Love's Meinie, originally published in parts between 1873 and 1881; and II. Proserpina, similarly published between 1875 and 1886. In an appendix to each book, additional matter is now printed from the author's MS. or from proof-sheets. A sketch of Ruskin's life from the point at which we left it in the last Introduction down to his serious illness in 1878 will explain the incomplete character of both of these books.

Ruskin reached home after his long sojourn at Venice on June 16, 1877. It had been a busy and not an unhappy time, but some of those who saw him at Venice noticed that he was sadly overtaxing his strength. “Fairly well myself,” he himself noted in his diary (July 16) soon after his return, “but anxious a little about giddiness or dizziness, scarcely perceptible, but not cured since my overwork at Venice; Joanie came in evening and all was bright.” Quiet hours with Mrs. Arthur Severn were what he liked best, and were best for him. “Delicious evening with Joanie,” he notes again (December 19), “telling each other ghost stories.” Another great and characteristic pleasure which awaited him on his return from Italy was the sight of some drawings by Turner, recently acquired for him. While he was still in Switzerland he heard of the forthcoming sale of the Novar Collection.