DOI Heft:
No. 7 (October, 1893)
DOI Artikel:New publications
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17189#0044
New Publications
arrangement of curtains shown in the last plates, and superfluous draperies, the needless silk hand-
each admirable in its way. The ' Hampton Court' kerchiefs tied round flower-pots, and seen on fans in
chairs, comparatively cheap, yet with an air of too many a friend's room, which come to memory,
discreet comfort, might be placed in the same force one to inquire whether Mr. Knight is
room as the most costly items here figured, and hasty in his assertion, or whether the owners of
stlil no jarring note would result. Throughout the those rooms are not ladies. It is a painful
volume prices are given, which, considering the dilemma, and the only way is to pass on. The-
quality of the work, cannot be deemed unreason- numerous illustrations obey the laws of good taste
able. Curtain Road in its most elaborate moments as it is understood to-day.
might ask as much; but the real value, the The Works of Henry Fielding, Esq. Edited by
intrinsic worth, of good ornament is not easily George Saintsbury. In twelve volumes. (J. M.
priced. Designers would do well to study this Dent & Co.)—It is not necessary that a book,
book, not alone for its art, but because it shows ^ ^
a practical recognition of the buyer's demands,
without the sacrifice of any essentials to meet his
taste. The stained glass, for example, might
offend severe purists, but it is obviously the
work of designers who know their material and
who realise that the archaic severity rightly prized
by a few who fully appreciate it must be tem-
pered to the mass; and that it can be so with
no loss of dignity, let the admirable
No. 61 (by an artist who lately wrote
on this subject in our columns) bear
witness. Some of the designs are not
the least to the taste of the writer of
this notice, notably Nos. 22, 27, and
41; but yet, being indifferent honest,
he is forced to own that it is merely
individual taste that condemns them,
and not any serious infraction of the
laws of ornament. To conclude, let
the author himself speak: " We don't
want mere novelty ; what we want is
that the designs shall be good, how-
ever old and however frequently used ;
and 1 good' under these circum-
stances means that they shall have
been designed by men of taste and
experience on a thoroughly traditional
basis."
Taste and Economy in Furnishing.
By E. Knight, is. (London: B. T. from "taste and economy in furnishing"
Batsford.) — This manual opens with
the question: "What is good taste?" which it should be illustrated to be a work of art—indeed,
goes on to define as the power of balancing, the chances are almost the other way; and these
adjusting, and arranging the various articles in a very delightful tomes, of which the two volumes of
house, so as to produce general harmony of Joseph Andrews and four of Tom Jo?ies are ready,
the whole, with due regard to the fitness of appeal to the true book-lover on their own merits,
each object to its purpose and surroundings, without regard to the illustrations by Herbert
The author decides the matter by quoting John Railton and E. J. Wheeler which adorn them.
Ruskin : " Good taste is the only morality ; The binding is excellent ; the super libros of gold
tell me what you like, and I will tell you what on an olive-green ribbed fabric is entirely pleasing;
you are." Without discussing the book page the type of "the book is clear, the pages well pro-
by page, we may say briefly that its precepts portioned; indeed, except the use of old English
are admirable, and that if here and there some of for chapter titles—which, in spite of long prece-
the examples are not quite to the taste of the dent, always seems out of harmony, next to Roman
reviewer, it merely proves that tastes differ, and to lettering—the edition is an ideal one, well repaying
argue which is " good" were a waste of words, the lavish care that has evidently been bestowed
With all deference to chivalry and the author's upon every item in its preparation. Of the text,
knowledge of his subject, one can hardly endorse his what need to speak ? Fielding is immortal, and
bold declaration " that good taste is more often in Mr. Saintsbury's sympathetic hands is sure of
displayed in the furnishing of the drawing-room adequate respect. Messrs. Dent deserve well of all
than the dining-room, .... because ladies excel lovers of good book-making, to bring a half-crown
in natural good taste." The array of antimacassars reprint into the charmed limits of fine editions.
32
arrangement of curtains shown in the last plates, and superfluous draperies, the needless silk hand-
each admirable in its way. The ' Hampton Court' kerchiefs tied round flower-pots, and seen on fans in
chairs, comparatively cheap, yet with an air of too many a friend's room, which come to memory,
discreet comfort, might be placed in the same force one to inquire whether Mr. Knight is
room as the most costly items here figured, and hasty in his assertion, or whether the owners of
stlil no jarring note would result. Throughout the those rooms are not ladies. It is a painful
volume prices are given, which, considering the dilemma, and the only way is to pass on. The-
quality of the work, cannot be deemed unreason- numerous illustrations obey the laws of good taste
able. Curtain Road in its most elaborate moments as it is understood to-day.
might ask as much; but the real value, the The Works of Henry Fielding, Esq. Edited by
intrinsic worth, of good ornament is not easily George Saintsbury. In twelve volumes. (J. M.
priced. Designers would do well to study this Dent & Co.)—It is not necessary that a book,
book, not alone for its art, but because it shows ^ ^
a practical recognition of the buyer's demands,
without the sacrifice of any essentials to meet his
taste. The stained glass, for example, might
offend severe purists, but it is obviously the
work of designers who know their material and
who realise that the archaic severity rightly prized
by a few who fully appreciate it must be tem-
pered to the mass; and that it can be so with
no loss of dignity, let the admirable
No. 61 (by an artist who lately wrote
on this subject in our columns) bear
witness. Some of the designs are not
the least to the taste of the writer of
this notice, notably Nos. 22, 27, and
41; but yet, being indifferent honest,
he is forced to own that it is merely
individual taste that condemns them,
and not any serious infraction of the
laws of ornament. To conclude, let
the author himself speak: " We don't
want mere novelty ; what we want is
that the designs shall be good, how-
ever old and however frequently used ;
and 1 good' under these circum-
stances means that they shall have
been designed by men of taste and
experience on a thoroughly traditional
basis."
Taste and Economy in Furnishing.
By E. Knight, is. (London: B. T. from "taste and economy in furnishing"
Batsford.) — This manual opens with
the question: "What is good taste?" which it should be illustrated to be a work of art—indeed,
goes on to define as the power of balancing, the chances are almost the other way; and these
adjusting, and arranging the various articles in a very delightful tomes, of which the two volumes of
house, so as to produce general harmony of Joseph Andrews and four of Tom Jo?ies are ready,
the whole, with due regard to the fitness of appeal to the true book-lover on their own merits,
each object to its purpose and surroundings, without regard to the illustrations by Herbert
The author decides the matter by quoting John Railton and E. J. Wheeler which adorn them.
Ruskin : " Good taste is the only morality ; The binding is excellent ; the super libros of gold
tell me what you like, and I will tell you what on an olive-green ribbed fabric is entirely pleasing;
you are." Without discussing the book page the type of "the book is clear, the pages well pro-
by page, we may say briefly that its precepts portioned; indeed, except the use of old English
are admirable, and that if here and there some of for chapter titles—which, in spite of long prece-
the examples are not quite to the taste of the dent, always seems out of harmony, next to Roman
reviewer, it merely proves that tastes differ, and to lettering—the edition is an ideal one, well repaying
argue which is " good" were a waste of words, the lavish care that has evidently been bestowed
With all deference to chivalry and the author's upon every item in its preparation. Of the text,
knowledge of his subject, one can hardly endorse his what need to speak ? Fielding is immortal, and
bold declaration " that good taste is more often in Mr. Saintsbury's sympathetic hands is sure of
displayed in the furnishing of the drawing-room adequate respect. Messrs. Dent deserve well of all
than the dining-room, .... because ladies excel lovers of good book-making, to bring a half-crown
in natural good taste." The array of antimacassars reprint into the charmed limits of fine editions.
32