Studio: international art (34.1905)

Reviews

Illustrated by Byam Shaw. (London : T. C. &
E. C. Jack.) xos. 6d. net.—The many admirers
of Mr. Byam Shaw's exquisite compositions in
black and white, in which he has shown such fine
feeling for line, and so genuine a sympathy with a
great diversity of literary genius, will almost regret
that in his interpretations of the " Pilgrim's
Progress " he has abandoned chiaroscuro for colour.
The effect of the reproductions is greatly spoiled
by the shiny white paper on which they are
printed, and by the hard black lines in which they
are framed. But, in spite of these drawbacks, the
new edition of the popular religious classic is a
notable one that will, no doubt, find many
appreciators.

British Mezzotinters: Thomas Watson, fames
Watson and Elizabeth Judkins. By Gordon
Goodwin. (London: A. H. Bullen.) 2 is. net.—One
of the valuable series of art monographs now being
issued under the able editorship of Mr. Whitman,
author of the well-known " Print Collector's Hand-
book," this new volume represents a vast amount
of peculiarly arduous toil, containing, as it does,
exhaustive descriptive catalogues of the work or
three comparatively little-known mezzotinters. The
Watsons here criticised, were not, as was long
supposed, brothers; and several other errors relating
to them and to their contemporary Elizabeth Jud-
kins, are here dispelled. The six plates given are
thoroughly representative, and the book will be
of great service to collectors and connoisseurs.
The Mrs. Abington of Miss Judkins, after Sir
Joshua Reynolds, is a peculiarly happy translation
into black and white of that beautiful portrait.

Oxford and its Story. By Cecil Headlam,
M.A. With illustrations by Herbert Railton.
(London : J. M. Dent.) 2\s. net.—The very name
of the time-honoured and much-loved Alma Mater,
who in the course of centuries has sent forth so
many "perfect gentle knights" to do battle with
the evil of the world, will ever exercise a peculiar
fascination, not only on those who are fortunate
enough to have personal associations with her, but
on all who are interested in the history of England,
in which she has played so important a part. No
matter how many trustworthy books are already
in the field, there would always appear to be room
for yet another on the inexhaustible theme, and a
hearty welcome will, no doubt, be accorded to the
work of Mr. Headlam, who, in spite of his own
depreciation of any originality in its treatment, has
succeeded in producing a deeply interesting narra-
tive. The illustrations of Mr. Railton are, of course,
charming, and the tinting adds to their beauty,

though it seems strange that it should be so partial,
the colouring of sections only making the remainder
look unfinished. It is also to be regretted that the
accomplished draughtsman should deal so ineffec-
tually with the foliage on the college buildings that
is so distinctive a decoration of Oxford.

Life's Lesser Moods. By C. Lewis Hind.
(London : A. & C. Black.) $s. 6d. net.—Reprinted
from the " Daily Chronicle," " London Magazine,"
and " Academy," these brief essays are written in
the bright, chatty style, peculiar to their author, but
they are scarcely all worthy of the dignity of repro-
duction in book form, though they were thoroughly
in place in their original environment. Among the
best are " Stars and a Ship *' and " Fear and Joy,"
in which a whole series of emotions are vividly
reflected.

Homes for the Country. By R. A. Briggs.
(London: Batsford.) \2s. 6d. net.—In his new
work the author of " Bungalows and Country
Residences" gives a considerable diversity of
designs and plans of houses suitable for rural
districts, amongst which one of the most pleasing
and interesting is that skilfully combining an old
windmill and a modern family residence at Alde-
burgh. The general effect is charming, and the
new details are admirably worked out, seeming to
form an integral part of the ancient structure. The
timbered roof of the parlour is an especially good
feature.

English Metal-work Drawings. By William
Twopenny. With a Preface by Laurence Binyon.
(London: Constable.) 15^. net.—It would be
difficult to over estimate the value of this fine
series of drawings, selected from the work of William
Twopenny, presented to the British Museum by
his brother and executor in 1874. They consist of
details of metal-work of a great variety—much of it
now lost—and the exquisitely delicate draughts-
manship is that of a man who was able to appreciate
their aesthetic as well as their antiquarian value.
William Twopenny was indeed imbued with some-
thing of the same spirit as Ruskin ; he longed, as
did his greater contemporary, to preserve all that
was best in the past and to revive a true feeling for
bsauty in the present, sharing also the famous
critic's power of accurately and artistically repro-
ducing what he admired. It would, indeed, be
well if this volume could be put in the hands of
every young architect, for it is full of models for
their guidance that fulfil the true principles of good
design and workmanship.

Spanish Painting. By C. Gascoigne Hartley.
(London: Walter Scott.) is. 6d. net.—In her

83