Justice indeed demands this tardy homage. Our vast churches, our superb cathedrals, our mighty castles and palace fortresses, the masterpieces that fill our museums--manifestations of artistic power which should move us, not to servile imitation but to fruitful study,--all were the creations of _native_ architects. That expansive force which made our national art the great civilising medium of the Middle Ages was derived from our own early architects, civil and religious. The principles and practice of monumental art were carried by French architects into all countries, though the results of their teaching are more conspicuous in Italy and Germany than elsewhere. Native builders and artists established the supremacy of French art throughout Western Europe, and even in the East. And though the foreign evolution, which marked the sixteenth century, did indeed exercise a transient influence in France, it must be remembered that the way had been prepared for this apparently novel movement by those French artists who have carried the fame of our beloved country throughout the civilised world. THE END _Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, _Edinburgh_. _BY THE PRESENT EDITOR Price 21s., Cloth._ THE SCOTTISH PAINTERS A CRITICAL STUDY BY WALTER ARMSTRONG, B.A. OXON. AUTHOR OF "ALFRED STEVENS," ETC. _WITH MANY ILLUSTRATIONS_ PRESS OPINIONS "A valuable contribution towards that much needed work, the history of British art.... Of the illustrations, reproducing many of the finest specimens of Scottish art, it need only be said that they are in every way worthy of the publishers of the 'Portfolio.'"--_Morning Post._ "We welcome the work with pleasure, and feel certain it will receive a cordial reception at the hands of all interested in Scottish art. Much might be said in praise of the manner in which the publishers have issued the work from the press.... There are fifteen page etchings or photogravures of pictures by the more famous of our Scottish artists, each in itself a very desirable work of art, and greatly enhancing the value of the volume."--_Scotsman._ "This part of Mr. Armstrong's study every lover of art will read with pleasure, and every Scotsman with pride.... Mr. Armstrong's study is deserving of a hearty welcome, not only for its literary merit, not only for the soundness of its criticism, but also for its refutation of those who would minimise the artistic powers of the Scotch."--_Glasgow Herald._ LONDON: SEELEY & CO., LIMITED, ESSEX STREET, STRAND. _RECENTLY PUBLISHED_ *THE COAST OF YORKSHIRE AND THE CLEVELAND HILLS AND DALES. By JOHN LEYLAND. With Etchings and other Illustrations by LANCELOT SPEED and ALFRED DAWSON. Crown 8vo. Cloth, price 7s. 6d.