George Howell-Baker

“ The good book cover is a poster of the work on the hook in bevis. A thing that is good to look upon can never be ugly, however we may focus our sight, for true art cannot produce else than its likeness of itself, which is the best of a poetical and sensitive eye—it cannot bring forth another nature than itself—it can never offend those better senses that are awakened when looking at a thing that is to become a joy forever. ”

“ Is to shine in thy direction;
And when night comes on the moon doth shine
To guide the foot and still show what's thine
That grow along the wayside way,
For partly they make the month of May.
Accept this poor and shallow rhyme fair spring,
Tis all, tis all that I can bring. ”

“ In Sunset's Hour.
When failing light bespeak the night
⁠And her early sway,
When silver moon amid the gloom
⁠Blends with each golden ray;
'Tis when the softest amber clouds
⁠Shun a silver gleam,
'Tis when they wear a ruddier robe
⁠Caught from a passing beam. ”

“ We can learn from others, our cousins across the sea, France, Germany, Holland, etc., but never let it be said that they taught us an art. As sure as our flag waves supreme everywhere and makes every right-hearted Briton feel better for the thought, so let us transcend in and and furnish the world with a subject for their praise, and a worthy joy for all. ”

“ Put that, and that only, which is absolutely imperative to induce the busy man of to-day to see it at a glance, and then he is sure to ask himself what is inside; don't overdo it, as his eye will soon wander and his mind will go with it—the chance of selling your book has likewise gone. ”

“ There is design in colour as well as balance of colour, and some drawings l have seen are apparently on the principle that to go against all the canons of accepted and acknowledged artistic sense is to produce a striking thing. ”