Page:An Elementary History of Art.djvu/20

 XIV INTRODUCTION. omit much which in a larger volume ought to find a place, the 'Elementary History' contains sufficient in- formation to be of real service to the art-student or the traveller. The history of architecture is so intimately allied to the theory and the artistic motives of the archi- tect, that it is hopeless to attempt to appreciate any important building or group of buildings without some knowledge of their place in the development or decadence of the art. What is true of architecture in this respect is also true of the sister arts ; and the information which this volume contains will suffice, if thoroughly understood and borne in mind, to act as a key to much which without it must remain closed, even to persons naturally possessing artistic instincts and gifted with artistic skill.' T. Roger Smith.