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has qualities of a very remark-
able kind, and abounds with
admirable examples of masterly
accomplishment. It is agreeably
free from uniformity as
each contributor has been
allowed to exercise his discretion
in the treatment of the subjects
assigned to him, and to work
in whatever medium suited
him best. Some have drawn
in pen-and-ink or chalk, some
in wash, others have painted
in oil monochrome, and a few
have expressed themselves in
colour. There is ample variety,
too, in the technical character
of the illustrations, for some
are minute in handling and
elaborate in statement of
detail, and others are express-
ive sketches, slight in manner
but full of masterly suggestion
and thought.

How great this
variety is can be well appreciated
by a comparison of such
works as M. J. L. Gérome's
"Rizpah" or Mr. F. Dicksee's
"Judgement of Solomon",
with their careful finish,
and Mr. E. A. Abbey's "Deborah",
M. Benjamin-Constant's "Christ
raiseth Lazarus", and Puvis
de Chavannes' "Jesus Scourged"
with their wonderful freedom
of method and breadth of
touch. Again, the earnestness
and severity of Segantini's
Miriam contrasts effectively
with the daintiness and
decorative charm of Signor
Morelli's "Jesus in Galilee", or
with the dramatic force of
Signor Michetti's "Saul on the
Way to Damascus". There are
contrasts even more striking