Painting: Kirkby Lonsdale Churchyard by Joseph Mallord William Turner, which painting is referred to in the lecture as an allegory for the popular disdain for books @ 1:32:12

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The lecture, "Sesame: Of Kings' Treasuries" by John Ruskin delivered by him in December, 1864 at the town halls at Rusholme, Manchester and first published in his book, "Sesame and Lilies", 1868.

John RUSKIN (1819 - 1900)
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About earlier and later editions, Ruskin wrote: "...chiefly written for young people belonging to the upper or undistressed, middle classes; who may be supposed to have choice of the objects and command of the industries of their life... if read in connection with “Unto This Last” it contains the chief truths I have endeavored through all of my past life to display… and am chiefly thankful to have learned and taught.” - Avallon, August 24, 1882*

The only omission from the text of the lecture in the recording is the opening introduction:

""You shall each have a cake of sesame,—and ten pound."
Lucian: The Fisherman.
My first duty this evening is to ask your pardon for the ambiguity of title under which the subject of lecture has been announced: for indeed I am not going to talk of kings, known as regnant, nor of treasuries, understood to contain wealth; but of quite another order of royalty, and another material of riches, than those usually acknowledged. I had even intended to ask your attention for a little while on trust, and (as sometimes one contrives, in taking a friend to see a favourite piece of scenery) to hide what I wanted most to show, with such imperfect cunning as I might, until we unexpectedly reached the best point of view by winding paths. But— and as also I have heard it said, by men practised in public address, that hearers are never so much fatigued as by the endeavour to follow a speaker who gives them no clue to his purpose,—I will take the slight mask off at once, and tell you plainly that I want to speak to you about...books..."

Link to the edition from which the text is derived:
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