The article is a continuation of a study of the outlook and method of Victorian art critic and writer Walter Pater (1839-1894) through the detailed analysis of his early essay ''Diaphaneite''. It is done by addressing few major themes: Pater's relationship to German intellectual tradition, Pater and contemporary religious discussions, Pater's relationship to Pre-Raphaelitism, Pater and revolution. The complexity of essay's genre identification is explained specifying possible philosophical, historical and literary sources, which played an important role in shaping Pater's creative concept. Refs 14.