When The Seven Lamps of Architecture was published in 1849, in a society where new books on Gothic architecture sold like novels, it created an immediate sensation. The book was to found John Ruskin’s reputation as Britain’s foremost architectural critic. But there was some perplexity about what he had meant by what he had written—as well as rumors of hidden meanings. Some critics likened his writing style to the effects of incense or even narcotics, warning the weak-minded to beware lest they were swept away by his passages of "purple prose." These 45 major English-language reviews, gathered for the first time into one volume by Robert Brownell, document the initial critical reaction to The Seven Lamps. They give a fascinating insight into contemporary thought, not only with regard to architecture, but also to religion, politics and social issues. This collection of reviews is an essential research tool for anyone interested in Victorian society and culture as well as architecture and Ruskin himself.