colours they surpass the artists of the rest of Europe. What can the cause be that the English, to whom sense of colour is so scantily allotted, are still the most remarkable draughtsmen and produce masterpieces of copper and steel engraving? That this last remark is shown by the portraits of Women and Maidens from the dramas of Shakespeare which are given with this work.[1] Their superior excellence requires no comment, but the question or subject here is not of comment at all. These pages are only intended as a fleeting introduction or greeting to the delightful work, as use and custom go. I am the porter who opens this gallery to you, and what you have so far heard is only the rattling of my keys. And while I lead you round I shall often intrude a brief word of gossip on your reflections, and often imitate the cicerone who never allows a man to become too deeply inspired amid his own reflections while looking at a picture, and is ever ready with a trivial word to wake you from your contemplative dream.
In any case, I trust with this publication to cause some pleasure to my friends at home. May the sight of these beautiful women's faces drive from their brows the shadows, which at present have only too much cause to be there! Ah that
- ↑ The original German edition was accompanied by forty-five steel engravings, illustrating the text.—Translator.
