Pater has his faults. For one thing he lacks originality. In his impressionism he is anticipated by Coleridge, Lamb and the other romantic critics. Similarly, there is nothing new in his “pleasure- giving” view of literature. His views on style can be traced back to Longinus. In his view that in a poet, like Wordsworth, there is much that is characteristic, and much that is not characteristic, he is anticipated by Arnold who pleaded that Wordsworth should be presented through a suitable selection. Secondly, it is also true that he did not formulate any rules and principles. Thirdly, his criticism lacks a sense of purpose and direction. His criticism is often inconclusive, and sometimes even capricious.