The prime purpose of this book is to present, in small compass, clearly reasoned opinions of men who have treated the philosophy of art not less with simplicity of language than depth of understanding -- novelist and essayist not less than professed critic. A further purpose is to present a brief series of most brilliant descriptions of specific and famous works of art, architecture, sculpture, and painting, by men whose names are synonyms for all that is brilliant. Considered as a whole the collection centres upon a single point, namely, increase of appreciation and love of art behind which, said Rossetti, lies "passionate emotion," and the condition of which is "fundamental brain work." It is a book about men who live, eternal, in their buildings, pictures, sculptures. It is a book by men who have, for the most part, already eternalized themselves in their writings. - Foreword.