that these old masters of painting who lived in the
thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries had messages to give
their fellow-men. Their great endeavor was to interpret God's word to
them,--you know that in those days and in this land there was no Bible
open to the common people,--and what we must chiefly look for in their
pictures is to see whether or not they told the message as well as the
limitation of their art-language permitted.

"At first, no laws of perspective were known. None knew how to draw
anything correctly. No color-harmonies had been thought of. These men
must needs stammer when they tried to express themselves; but as much
greater as thought is than the mere expression of it so much greater are
many of their works, in the true sense, than the mass of pictures that
make up our exhibitions of the present day.

"Then, also, it is a source of the deepest interest to one who loves
this art to watch its growth in means of expression--its steady
development--until, finally, we find the noblest thoughts expressed in
perfect forms and coloring. This we can do here in Florence as nowhere
else, for the Florentine school of painting was the first of importance
in Italy.

"So," he concluded, "do not look for beauty in these pictures which we
are first to study; instead of it, you will find much ugliness. But
strive to put yourselves into the place of the old artists, to feel as
they felt. See what impelled them to paint. Recognize the feebleness of
their means of expression. Watch for indications in history of the
effect of their pictures upon the people. Strive to find originality in
them, if it be there, for this quality gives a man's work a certain
positive greatness wherever we find it; and so learn to become worthy
judges of that which you study. Soon, like me, you will look with pity
on those who can see nothing worthy of a second glance in these
treasures of the past.

"There! I have preached you a sermon, I am afraid. Are you tired?" and
his bright glance searched the faces about him.

Their expression would have been satisfactory without the eager
protestations that answered his question.

When, a little later, Barbara and Bettina, each seated before her dainty
toilet-table, were brushing their hair, they, as usual, chatted about
the events of the day. Never had there been so much to talk over and so
little time to do it in as during these crowded weeks, when pleasure and
study were hand in