New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-08

have We'd with each other IN delneatons OF ra"s'
and Marguerite Considering tho variations que u
nationality, time and school, to say nothing OF IN
dividual tendencies and temperament, IL might 90
assumed that the pictorial possibilities OF Tue SUI
iect had been exhausted. But reason for the e1
istcnce Of this book is furnished by Mr. Burdctt
Mason, who supplies an Introduction.
Although the greatest of living artists have
sunnlemcnted previous editions with their ilusrar
tions. MIR Mason believes 1t to be an absolute fact
that until now few efforts have been made TO intro
duce the powerful element Of color In porraying inc
scenes of Faust OF the forcc OF this )ustinca
ton of this edition may leave our readers 10
Judge but 1t is necessary to note two facts winch
this argument ignores. The artist IN this case has
been unable to find any fresh themes or 10 vary
manner of treatment which has become practically
conventional and all the themes which ne ucais
have been repea edly treated In oil coors py ar's''
with whom he would not claim to compete vi INC
extent to which chromo-lithography has been en-
poyed In the Illustration of Faust we cannot speak
definitely but 1t is difficult TO appreciate the pecuhar
advantage claimed for this edition With injudicious
enthusiasm the editor adds: The thoughtful color
ing inclines us to hazard the assertion that new
light may be thrown upon the reading OF this
famous work, Some of the lights thrown In these
illustrations are certainly new" but they are
more likely to create doubts than 10 dspei
Them II color is really such gain, It's al
Vantages Should nave Dccu eHo"h i""e
IN the paintings OF scenes from Faust" But per-
hans the editor believes that there Is peculiar
virtue in chromolithography. In spite OF the auuous
effort 10 Justify the publication, Mr. Gregorys designs
will be found TO be altogether respectable Ihere IS
really little more chance for variation from the ap-
proved types OF the blond-haired Marguerite ana
bearded Faust than for Mcphisopheles, but the
figures designed by Mr.. Gregory will be likely TO give
popular satisfaction. There ten large fJEpaSe
chrome Autographs after waer-coor paintings and
eighteen reproductions Of black and white drawings
1t need hardly be said that the artist has dealt with
hackneycd situations Illustration would lose It's true
character without Walpurgs night, cellar scene
and Margaret at the fountain but Mr.. Gregory
treatment Of the familiar figures and familiar situa
tons Is reasonably workmanlie and creditabe to his
industry although the personal quality of the drawings
is of the slightest and originality is quite out Of the
question. We observe that the book bears a Munich
imprint. There is excellent color printing but
II these plates are TO be taken the best examples
Of chrome photographic work, our own photographers
need not fear comparisons. The translation adopted
for this edition is that of Anster.
Mr. Kemble's illustrations Of the Thompson Street
Poker Club" are well suited TO the rough and ready
humor of the text very low comedy, whose main
incidents consist of clumsy card-Sharpng and
fourishing offers restricted field to the illustrator,
but Mr. Kemble's sketches despite their exaggcra-
TONS have considerable cxpressvencss; and If they
are accused Of sameness, the responsibility may be
placed upon the text.