Notwithstanding  its  natural  advantages,  Art  could  critical  d„.n,c.
only  be  negative  in  its  character  and  indecisive  in  its  t"<-ofM-t.
influence,  during  the  critical  period  of  the  last  five  centuries.  If  it
took  for  its  subject  the  ancient  faith  and  manner  which  alone  had
comprehended  universal  ideas  and  sympathies, ^he  Catliolic  faith
was  dying  out,  and  the  feudal  manners  were  disappearing  before
pacific  pursuits.  Art  could  not  grow  up  and  expand  on  elements
which  were  dissolving  day  by  day.  And  the  elements  which  were
growing  up  had  not  yet  so  taken  possession  of  the  general  mind  as
to  afford  material  for  Art.  Such  strength  as  it  had,  passed  into
natural  alliance  .with  the  temporal  power,  and  took  form  in  different
countries  according  as  that  power  was  monarchical  or  aristocratic.
