John James Ruskin had been protesting that he was never going to marry, but meant to devote himself to his mother; she replied: "...

But my son an old Batchelor--believe me my beloved Child I feel the full force and value of that affection that could prompt to such a plan--dear as your society is to me it would then become the misery of my existence--could I see my Child so formed for domestick happiness deprived of every blessing on my account.

No my Dr John I do not know a more unhappy being than an old Batchelor ...

may God preserve my Child from realizing the dreary picture--as soon as you can keep a Wife you must Marry with all possible speed--that is as soon as you find a very Amiable woman.

She must be a good daughter and fond of Domestick life--and pious, without ostentation, for remember no Woman without the fear of God, can either make a good Wife or a good Mother--freethinking Men are shocking to nature, but from an Infidel Woman Good Lord deliver us.
I have thought more of it than you have done--for I have two or three presents carefully [laid] by for her, and I have also been so foresightly as to purchase two Dutch toys for your Children in case you might marry before we had free intercourse with that country....