Walter Pater by Benson, Arthur Christopher - 1st edition

Macmillan, London, 1st edition. Hardcover. Fine. "It is the life of one who... gradually discerned a principle in things; learned to see, with an impassioned zest, the truth that, in art and life alike, the victory is with those who attain to a certain patient and appreciative attitude of soul; who learn through careful toil, through much sorting of accumulated thought and expression, specious, and what is deep, permanent, sincere... to be able to detect with unfailing certainty the true quality of things. He of whom we speak achieved this art of subtle discrimination... can not only by a trained instinct recognize what is perfect, but who can express [his] methods and powers so that canons and standards can be formed. Then to one or two in a generation is given... the poetical power to express in language of high and haunting beauty the deepest mysteries of art; who can not only praise in noble and inspiring terms the beautiful thing, the exquisite work, the flashing thought, but can disentangle the very essence of the secret, establish remote and subtle connections, and open, if only for one glorious instant, a door into the inner shrine…" [Benson, p. 219] Not ex libris. English Men Of Letters series. 1ST EDITION, 2ND PRINTING