The Victorian art critic and philanthropist John Ruskin gave a charge to his contemporaries: Therefore when we build let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for … ‘See! This our fathers did for us.’ When Ruskin wrote those words in the middle of the 19th century, the world was poised for change and progress unlike any other previous period of history. This progress is reflected in both the political documents and stately edifices featured in these windows.
