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VI PREFACE sionally admitted as explanatory notes. The author will be satisfied if the perusal of his remarks on a topic which for some little time has afforded him food for thought and consideration, will give pleasure or profit to the practical artist and receive the approbation of those better qualified than himself to judge of the truth of his conclusions. He is fully conscious of the incompleteness of his treatment of a subject which even his limited opportunities for observation have shown to offer a far larger and more attractive study and to involve many more interesting points than might at first sight appear. Many readers no doubt will remember that Ruskin has devoted three chapters of the first volume of ‘“ Modern Painters” to the “ Truth of Water,” and has enriched them with a wealth of illustration from the works of famous artists, both ancient and modern. The present writers own pursuit of the subject, though followed along a somewhat different line, has yet only served to increase his admiration of the great teachers marvellous insight and power of observation. | The author's best thanks are due to Mr. H. W.O. Hagreen, of Wellington College, Professor Threlfall, Dr. Aitken and others for their kind and suggestive criticisms. He isindebted for some of the photographs reproduced in this volume to Captain F. A. Bligh and Messrs. G. R. Ballance, F. Newington, H. P. Robinson, A. Spuhler, F. M. Sutcliffe and C. E.
