ND 

 \H 6 5 



PREFACE. 



In writing the accompanying remarks on colour and the 

 so necessity of encouraging taste, I have been actuated by a 

 v desire to see England rival, and if possible excel, other 

 ^ countries in all the various branches of aesthetic art. I have 

 ventured to point out what appear to me to be certain errors 

 and misconceptions, into which we have fallen or are liable 

 s to fall ; and I have endeavoured to show how important it is 

 r* V that all classes of the community should appreciate the beau- 

 tiful, and encourage the production of good works. Without 

 this we may vainly hope that taste will take permanent root 

 in the country, or that the studies now so laudably encou- 

 raged by some valuable institutions will produce any general 

 and lasting benefit. If I appear to censure, it is only from a 

 j3 regret that errors should be repeated without correction ; and 

 my remarks are not made with a view to find fault but to show 

 why we have sometimes failed to produce a work deserving 

 of praise, and to point out what should be avoided ; with the 

 sincere wish that we may deserve the praise, instead of the 

 censure, of those who now condemn us for deficiency of taste. 

 There are some who, like the Italians, are privileged, by 

 their own superiority in this respect, to condemn us for 



A. 3 



