The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-26
LITHRATURE.
VIEW OF VIEW BO0KS

rest, not only to artists, but to all who have
any love for art. cordial welcome will,
therefore, undoubtedly be extended to the
new and revised edition of Thoughts about
Art, by Philip Gilbert Hamerton, which has
Just been issued by Roberts Brothers. This
work was originally published in connection
with the authors painters Camp in the
Highlands" one of the most delightful books
of its kind ever written, but as the Thoughts
about Art" have a distinct and positive value
of their own, genuine service has been done
the art public by their careful revision and
separate publication. Mr.. Hamerton has
very decided opinions, the value of
which depends upon the i'm
portant fact that they are based upon
close and scientific study, but his catholic
sympathies prevent him from being dog
matte, and his suggestions about practical
art-work are such as cannot fail to COM
msnd the respectful attention of artists, even
if they refuse to avail themselves of them.
He advocates a system of study which is at
once analytic and synthetic, and which, if
conscientiously followed, must give the eye and
the hand of the artist the highest possible
training. The chapters on painting from
Nature, "Painting from Memoranda, "The
Relation between Photography and Paint
ing," "Analysis and Synthesis in Painting"
and the ''Reaction from Pre-Raphaelitism"
we especially commend to the attention of
art-workers, for the close and accurate sys-
tenn of study advocated by Mr.. Hamerton is
very far removed from the general
practices of our American painters, who
especially need to have it's importance
impressed upon them. Several of the
other chapters deal with the philosophical
aspects of art, and in these MIR. Hamerton
proves that his habits of close observation
have not in any way interfered with his ability
to accurately survey the whole field of art,
and they are as interesting in style as they
are instructive in substance. The chapters
on ''Picture Buying" and ''The Housing of
National Art Treasures" will prove particu-
larly edifying to would-be connoisseurs and
art patrons, and the latter especially we COM
mend to the thoughtful consideration of
those who are interested in the establishment
of an art institution in this city.
1t is full of the most valuable practical
suggestions, which we refrain from quoting,
however, as an art critic has expressed an in
tention to make use of them as texts for
scum in the Park and the proposed new Aca-
deny of Fine Arts. While this work is of espe-
cial interest to professional artists, it should
nevertheless receive the attention of non-pro-
fessional readers who wish to be informed
upon arts bjects, the avoidance as far as
possible of technicalities rendering it parti-
cularly suitable for popular art handbook.
For sale by Claxton, Remsen g. Haffe finger.
ga Visit to My Disconnected Cousin"
which has been issued by Roberts Bro
theirs as the eighth number of their
"Handy Volume" series, is series of
dissertations and light gossip about nearly
every subject under the sun, with a number
of brief but well-told stories interspersed, and
the whole bound together by the thread of a
story which gives it certain completeness.
It is genial and pleasant book, not very
profound, but likely to afford good entertain
ment for an hour or two to cultivated reader
whose literary appetite does not demand
strong food. For sale by Claxton, Remsen &
Haffelfnger.
DAISY Chain," two volumes, published
by D. Appleton & Co., is the third of the uni
form series of the novels of Miss Yonge, now
being issued 1t is an attractive domestic
story that has enjoyed much popularity for
several years, and that will repay more than
one perusal. For sale by Porter & Coates.
Musings over the Christian Year and
Lyra Innocentium,' by Charlotte Mary
Yonge, published by D. Appleton & Co., are
series of meditative essays inspired by the
poems which the High Church proclivities of
Keble have not prevented from being apppreci-
ated by persons of all shades of religious belief.
These Musings will be enjoyed by the ad-
mirers of Keble, and many of them are espe-
cially interesting on account of giving the
circumstances under which Particular poems
were composed, as well as reflections upon
the poems themselves. The Musings are
prefaced by "Gleanings from Thirty Years
Intercourse with the late Rev. John Keble, -
''Recollections of Hunley Parsonage" by
Frances M. Wilbraham, and other reminis-
cences of the author of ''The Christian Year. u
For sale by Porter q Coates.
-"Poems," by Lleweliyn G. Thomas, pub
Iished by G. W. Carleton & Co., prove the
writer to be reader of poetry rather than O
poet. None of the verses in the volume have
any particular value, but some of them are
barefaced limitations that are barely not pla-
giarisms because of their worthlessness For
getful that there are readers of poetry who
cannot forget Shelleys Invocation to Night,
MIR. Thomas perpetrates an Invocation to
Night" which is an echo, but a very far-ofi