The object of the following pages is to help toward forming a school of artist-engravers. With that end in view, it has seemed necessary to assert as absolutely as possible the true principles of Art (such of course as appear true to me), and to criticise unsparingly whatever I find antagonistic to these. In doing this I have cared rather to have my meaning clear than to leave any room for misunderstanding through fear of wounding the susceptibilities of those whose opinions might oppose my own. I believe that engravers will thank me for this plainness, seeing that all has been said in the interest of their art, and not without an earnest hope of benefiting them in the work before them.