The answer if honest is a sure revelation of temperament, for one would select of a certainty a picture satisfying one's prevailing moods rather than a picture of any sensational character.

In other words, the picture would have to be good to live with.

To choose from thousands of masterpieces one only is a very delicate test.
If the Dutch Government, stimulated to gratitude for the encomiastic character of the present book, were to offer me my choice of the Ryks Museum pictures I should not hesitate a moment.

I should take No.

2527--"Woman Reading a Letter" (damaged), by Vermeer of Delft.