A final and absolute verdict upon the relative merits of works of art is in most cases an impossibility. Since there is no such thing as an absolute objective standard of comparison for all works of a given class, the personal equation and the time equation must always enter largely into critical estimates by individuals or groups of individuals. Least of all are we likely to pass correct judgments on contemporary works, because we measure them wholly or mainly by the dominant taste or fashion of our time, instead of by that larger experience and more impartial judgment which comes with the lapse of decades and centuries. When, however, a large number of intelligent and presumably competent critics are found in agreement as to the merits or defects of a given work, it is safe to conclude that there is some ground for the verdict; and when the agreement extends to a number of buildings (in the verdict about to be discussed we are dealing with buildings) it is reasonable to draw definite inferences as to the grounds of the agreement, both in relation to the works so judged and in relation to the view-point and taste of those who have pronounced the opinion. [Illustration: NATIONAL CAPITOL WASHINGTON] Of course in such a vote as that by THE BROCHURE readers on the "Ten Most Beautiful Buildings in the United States," the result can only be a composite,--a consensus reached by the fusing together and averaging of a great number of widely diverse estimates. The very terms of the vote will be variously interpreted according as the expression "the most beautiful building" is made to apply to the exterior alone, or to the plan, the decorative detail, the scale, or other elements of architectural design, or to include all; and according to the varying values assigned to dignity, simplicity, richness, grandeur, refinement, and other qualities, by the several voters. But, having made all these allowances, there is much instruction and suggestion in the vote, both as to the tendencies of taste among the constituency of THE BROCHURE SERIES, and as to the progress and tendencies of American architecture, especially in the light of the vote of 1885 in _The American Architect_. [Illustration: PLATE III TRINITY CHURCH, BOSTON] As a preface to the comments about to be made on these tendencies, it is in order to present a few statistics with regard to the vote and the buildings voted on. In these I shall call the BROCHURE'S list of the ten buildings receiving the highest number of votes the "First" list; the supplementary list of the ten coming next in popularity, the "Second" list, and that published in _The American Architect_ in 1885, the "1885" list. (The "Second" and the "1885" lists are printed on page 17.) [Illustration: BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, ENTRANCE BOSTON] A comparison of the styles represented in these three lists is interesting, after making all allowances for doubtful classifications of some of the examples.