It was meant to be audacious, and naturally created a storm.

The free criticisms of public favourites made an impression, not because they were put into strong language, for the tone of the press was stronger then than it is now, as a whole, but because they were backed up by illustration and argument.

It was evident that the author knew something of his subject, even if he were all wrong in his conclusions.

He could not be neglected, though he might be protested against, decried, controverted.

Artists especially, who do not usually see their works as others see them, and are not accustomed to think of themselves and their school as mere dots and spangles in a perspective of history, could not be entirely content to be classed as Turner's satellites.