Studio: international art (48.1910)

Reviews and Notices

scope nowadays than it did a generation ago. The notable personages and great events, and herein,

authors commence by describing the various tools as the author justly points out, the county can

used in the craft, and how to use them and keep claim its strongest individuality. Into these old

them in order; then, step by step, they take associations Mr. Jerrold has delved with good

the student through all the constructive processes) effect, and the result is a volume abounding in

from the making of all sorts of joints to the prepa- interest. Of the sketches which Mr. Thomson has

ration, setting out and completion of articles of contributed—one hundred and twenty odd in

furniture, including the application of geometrical number—we may say that they are among the

principles, veneering, inlaying and so forth. Crafts- best we have seen from his pencil; the point of

men of wider experience will also find in the book view is always selected with judgment, and

a great amount of serviceable information, and actuality is achieved without any superfluity of

though it is pre-eminently a manual for the actual detail.

worker, both the draughtsman and the designer The Children's Book oj Art. By Agnes Ethel

will profit by reference to those parts which treat Conway and Sir Martin Conway. (London :

of principles of construction, styles, &c. The A. & C. Black.) 6s. net.—It is somewhat difficult

exhaustive character of the work is shown by the to determine for exactly what public The Children's

fact that no less than 1,000 diagrams and measured Book of Art is intended. Much of the Preface

drawings are given of details and complete articles, from the pen of Sir Martin Conway is, it is true,

implements, &c, in addition to numerous photo- written in verses suitable for the nursery, yet it

graphs of historic and modern work; over 200 launches into topics, such as the drawbacks of

kinds of furniture woods are described and their photography, that are not likely to be understood

characteristics explained. The book is well printed by little people. On the other hand, the text of

and strongly bound in cloth, as becomes a work Miss Conway makes no attempt at simplification

intended for frequent reference. of language, and assumes throughout a knowledge

William Blake. By Basil de Selincourt, of the elements of the subject which young

(London: Duckworth.) 75. 6d. net. The com- readers cannot possibly have. If, however, the

plex and baffling personality of William Blake title of the book be ignored, it will be realised

appears to exercise an irresistible fascination over that, though its author is not gifted with the rare

the imagination, one critic after another endeavour- power of appealing to a juvenile audience, she has

ing with more or less success to define his pecu- no little insight into the qualities differentiating the

liarities. In Mr. de Selincourt the artist-poet has work of one painter from that of another,

found yet another sympathetic and appreciative English Furniture and Decoration, 1680—1800.

exponent who shows great leniency to his strange By G. M. Ellwood. (London: B. T. Batsford.)

vagaries, and sums up what he considers his most 255-. net.—Although the furniture of the period

essential characteristics as " childlike trust in good- covered by this quarto volume has been made

ness, spontaneous aspiration after beauty, and familiar to everyone by books out of number, it

impassioned reverence and awe before the mystery must at least be said for Mr. Ellwood's collection

of the spirit of life." Whether this opinion be of examples that the judgment he has shown in

endorsed or not, all will admit that its author selecting the very best ought to ensure for it the

has produced on a very hackneyed subject a book attention of collectors and connoisseurs. The

full of original suggestion that, with its numerous illustrations consist of nearly 400 remarkably fine

reproductions of typical drawings, forms a notable reproductions of beautiful pieces of furniture

contribution to the literature on Blake. belonging to private collectors, museums, and a

Highways and Byways in Middlesex. By few dealers, and represent some of the choicest

Walter Jerrold. With illustrations by Hugh productions of the William and Mary, Queen

Thomson. (London : Macmillan.) 6s.—Middle- Anne, and succeeding periods, those designed by

sex, the "homeliest of the home counties," as Chippendale, the B rothers Adam, Hepplewhite,

Mr. Jerrold aptly calls it, never could lay claim and Sheraton being of exceptional interest. The

to much natural beauty, and can do so still less brief introduction explains the characteristics of

now when such orchards, pastures and other rural these periods.

amenities as it possesses, are fast being invaded by A New History of Painting in Italy. By

the speculative builder and converted into suburbs. J. A. Crowe and G. B. Cavalcaselle. Edited

Still, for its shortcomings in this respect ample by Edward Hutton. (London: J. M. Dent.)

compensation is afforded by its associations with In three vols. ^3 the set. Vol. II. The second
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