The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-04-20
Literary Notes.

As even Richmond feels the effect of the new
Art Renaissance that has sprung up all over the
country-(witness her Art Exhibitions and her
Art Associations)- lit is well for the young peo-
pie who are willing to go back to old Vasari or
Condivi or even Winckelmann for their knowl
edge, to have it prepared to their hand by the
most modern writers. If Lubke is too volum-
inous and too learned. here are manuals with
out number to give them quite as much of the
history and biography OF Art as they are pre-
pared to receive. For those who want some
thing different from Mrs. Jamesons various
works, we would recommend a new book Just
issued by Messrs. Lee DC Shepard of Boston, en-
titled
GleaningS in the Fields of .Art. BIZ Elnal
ID. Geney-(S2.5o.) 1t is large delightfully."-
printed volume of $50 pages-clear, open, we'll
loaded typography--with paper of that soft tint
so refreshing to eyes that read great DEAL
We mention these characteristics of the book
because nowadays there is grave fault Just in
this direction. Some of the most popular pub
fishers indulge in Brewer" which is trying to
the eyes This house of Messrs Lee & Shepard
. are peculiarly careful about their type and pa
per, and one rarely ever sees book with their
imprint which does not present more open
page than is usual. We are glad to give them
the commentator SO well deserved in this di-
recton.
These Gleanings cover a wide field The
opening Essay on Art in general, is thoroughly
sensible, and well prepares the reader for the
chapters that follow on Greek Art-Early Chris
tian-Byzantjne- Restoration In Italy
Spanish Art Fench-German- Anaerican-
English,-and finally Cotemporaneous Art-
Particularly pleasant is the long chapter devoted
to Albrecht Durer, the artist of the Reforma-
ton" he is so often called, whom Melanc-
thon mourned so sincerely. We are glad to see
that the author gives her voice in favor of Frau
Agnes, whom it has been the custom so long TO
abuse. The only criticism we have. to make
about this chapter is that it is out of proportion
with the plan of the book. inasmuch as more
space is devoted to the old German than is given
to all the old Masters put together The chap
ter on american art is excellent and does am
pie justice to the pioneer painter of the western
world-West; whom it has become the fashion
to decry also to that most ideal of all the Artists
which America has produced, the Southern.
born Allston, to whom beautiful tribute is
which will be fresh, at least to most people who
have not made the history of Art much of a stu
dy. 1t deserves wide circulation, and we
hope will get it,
Another of the issues of the Lee & Shepard
house, is a small Handbook of Synonyms and
Propositions. By L. j. CampbeH practical
teacher, we believe. Every common school
ought to have this Handbook in daily use. 1t
is SO compact-so tersely arranged, that it is
worth much more for ordinary use than any
book Of Synonyms we have seen-not excepting
Roget's very complete Thesauus But it is not
intended to take the place of any exhaustive
work: it is merely for the every day use of those
learning how always to put the right word
into the right place." and therefore as a school
book, most valuable from its small size, and yet
clearly printed pages.
If our young people ,oiU read noves-and we
suppose they will till the millenium-Le Lennon
Dare. By Virginia r. Townsend, "a well known
and highly praised writer) may be recommend
ed without any demur. 1t also is from the same
press (Lee & %epard-$15o) There is vein
of very sweet and tender humanity running like
golden thread all through its pages One can
not read 1t without being moved with a desire
to help the down trodden and over tried victims
Of our modern civilization-to lend some sootb.
ing assistance-to endeavor 10 equalize the bur.
dens Of sorrow and suffering: and any book that
teaches such lessons must be good. The heroine
is fine creation, and one does not often see in
real life such model Of high hearted manliness
as the Benz of the story. While there is
enough of real romance in the book, it is TO
nance Of the most perfectly healthy type-sc
different from that Of book which is having a
remarkable run just now-By The TJer-whicb
Is unwholesome from beginning to end. One
rises from reading the pretty, natural story OIL
Lennon Dare with a kindlier feeling to all hu.
manity One lays down By The TIber, with a
sense Of pain, to think how full society is. &C.
cording to these representations, of intrigue. nv.
Pocrisy, and villainy.
We wish the women of our Southern Presby-
terrain Church knew more aboutthe somi-annual
publication called Woman's Work IN China