Howard Pyle, a chronicle by Charles D. Abbott, with an introduction by N. C. Wyeth and many illustrations from Howard Pyle's works.

INTRODUCTION
There are many 'in this world who radiate the feeling of
love and earnestness of purpose, but who- have not the
faculty or power to impart the rudiments of accomplishment. There is nothing in this world that will inspire the
purpose of youth like the combined strength of spirituality
and practical assistance. It gives the young student a
definite clew, as it were, to the usefulness of being upright
and earnest. Howard Pyle abounded in this power and
lavished it upon all who were serious.
It seemed almost miraculous as we watched week by
week the rapid unfolding of a new member (to our unpracticed thought, however, hopelessly crude and unpromising). One could mark the distinct advances in his
efforts. Wretched, unstable drawing would quickly assume coherent shape and character;i raw and uncouth conceptions would develop and become softened and refined, untilin a marvelously short time the student would find himself,
and emerge upon that elevation of thinking and feeling
which would disclose before him a limitless horizon of
possibilities.
Howard Pyle's extraordinary ability as a teacher lay
primarily in his penetration. He could read beneath the
crude lines on paper the true purpose, detect therein our real
inclinations and impulses;. in short, unlock our personalities.
This power was in no wise a superficial method handed out
to those who would receive. We received in proportion to
that which was fundamentally within us.
I recall an instance. One member, an ungainly lad from
the back country of northern New England, found his way
into the Pyle classes. He had dreamed, in his remote
village, of becoming an artist; of picturing his visions of
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