Pater, Walter Horatio

Walter Horatio (1839-1894), an English essayist. He was born in London and received his education at Canterbury and at Oxford. He had intended to take orders in the Church of England, but, as his religious views changed, he began to regard himself as a Unitarian and thought to become a Unitarian minister. This, too, was given up by the time he was twenty-five years old. From this time his viewpoint as regards religious subjects was rather that of the philosopher. Among his works may be mentioned: The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry, Marius the Epicurean: His Sensations and Ideas, Imaginary Portraits, The Child in the House, Esmerald Uthwart, and Miscellaneous Studies. Pater's prose is rhythmical but his language is frequently obscure, owing possibly to the subtlety of his thought. His style is refined, delicate, and charming, without possessing those qualities of vigor and force which stimulate and inspire the reader.