[In a chapter of his Autobiography entitled "The Magic spell of a Book" Gandhiji tells his readers how he was profoundly influenced by Ruskin's book Unto This Last,a copy of which was given to him by Mr. H. S. L. Polak, his co-worker in South Africa, to read during his journey from Johannesburg to Durban in 1904.]
The book was impossible to lay aside,once I had begun it. It gripped me.
Johannesburg to Durban was a twenty-four hours' journey. I could not get any sleep that night.
I determined to change my life in accordance with the ideals of the book.
This was the first book of Ruskin I had ever read.
During the days of my education, I had read practically nothing outside text-books, and after I launched into active life I had very little time for reading.
I cannot therefore claim much book knowledge. However, I believe I have not lost much because of this enforced restraint.
On the contrary, the limited reading may be said to have enabled me thoroughly to digest what I did read.
Of these books, the one that brought about an instantaneous and practical transformation in my life was Unto This Last.
I believe that I discovered some of my deepest convictions reflected in this great book of Ruskin,
