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The first extended passage of biblical exegesis in the Notebooks is at the beginning of M, dated Dijon, October 7th. It starts from the Book of Proverbs, and its concern for the stability and kingliness of truth sets out a major theme of Ruskin's investigations. The passage on Secresy at Notebook M2 p.58 and that on Prudence, which is a continuation of it beginning at Notebook M2 p.66, explore related issues, and seem of relevance to the established reputation of Venice as a place of secrets and dissimulation: see Works, 10.342 and Works, 10.428.
Notebook M2 p.109 draws on Deuteronomy, Genesis, Jeremiah and the First Epistle to the Corinthians to explore ideas of immoderation and the abuse of good in those who glory in men rather than in the Lord. It is at the end of the pages concerned with Venice, and the ideas again seem important to Ruskin’s explanation of the fall of Venice.
He returns to Jeremiah on what appear to be the final pages of his notes on the tour. At Notebook M2 p.185; Notebook M2 pp.186L and 186 he draws attention to the priority of moral, religious, and political issues in the definition of good architecture, and in what seems to be the final page of notes on this journey he juxtaposes questions of efficiency and morality.
Notebook M2 p.140 is the beginning of another lengthy passage of theological debate setting out Ruskin’s views on the nature of baptism. That is a response to the Gorham judgment of which he had news on his arrival in Avignon rather than a working out of ideas about Venice.
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[Version 0.05: May 2008]