New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-08
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

CATHEpRAIs AND ABBEYs IN GRE Mi,b ssxt by
AND IRELAND. Illustrated. VIZ leA d., oS
Richard Wheatey. d. d. PIP, 2Te. Harper O. niU '
BY Thomas Mast Harper d Bros
The collection Of plates which is Accompanies ny
mr. wbeatley's text might be described as an eiaoo
rate guide book providing ready means oil general
information upon subject OF immediate in'oios' ,"
consenrence We infer that this publication Is ouo !"
the discussion caused by TIC proposed EplSoopai
Cathedral In this city. but It's usefulness no'
limited 10 any one time place. 1t oilers iilusua
,,ors and descriptions of fortythrce cathedras and
.hh.vs IN England and Ireland In most cases the
Illustrations are doubepage plates of unusual size,
limited in what is commonly termed arusuc inter-
est, hut extremely useful plain and literal prcsenta-
lions Of arc hiectura types. 1t Is perfectly apparent
narrower that in this pictorial quality is OF
Iss consequence than accurate comprchenslveness
In some of the smaller plates from drawings this
ouality Is realized IN degree without any sacr
fces The publication Of these plates Is certainly
opportune.
In his text Dr. wheatey has aimed to furnish facts
rather than opinions or eulogies. The m'roououoi
explains what cathedral is, the nature OF the coro
organization connected with a cathedral, the corio
spondences between changes of religious thought ana
organization and the forms OF cathedral architecture
and the form OF the cathedral best suited 10 te ho
OF Engishspeaking people. The last DIVISION U. .l'
introduction promises much OF interest III i'S u".'
but we find that DR.. Wheatley is disposed no" "
shelter himself behind Canon Venabess ESSAYS vi
Cathedrals- and again to take refuge IN sehcrdio
Dr Wbeatley himself says: The ideal Is, as !e'
on,v an IDEAL 1t may be the mission OF inc rro'osv
ant Eniscopal Church in the city OF New-1 orh' VIII"
its rich endowments, proverbial loerah,s anu e..
ops spiritual life, TO give 1t realty. Nono y, 10
meetinc.place Of the continent nations can uouoV 10
necessity The Church of Christ puiios Ior 'no 49,
~ the Great Republic. 1t also builds for e'erfii'S
he building
~ mind heart energy and goods at It's coIimalu'
Its edifces should be the expression OF hauoha Po
life history and religious faith and the indexes 70 us
material resources Clear perception OF 'hs iid''"
6tness of things will powerfully AID conception Vi
N. IDEAL cathedral and its appurtenances' We fuly
arree with Dr. Wheatley as to the desiraolh'S VI i
6llng these ideal conditions, but 1t Is 10 DO loaioa
a., ". must content ourselves with cathedral which
g hardly a full expression Of the national poh'Y'
life and history" nor are we quite sahguihe ei''us
,o exnect that the "giving TO the catheurat VIII
,nfnse such vitality and creativeness into art as mas
M, heen felt since the days Of the thirteenth century,
yct DR. wheatIey is undoubtedly within BOUNDS III
ar,nc of our proposed cathedral Hurry will be
stranger TO it, This introduction, we should and'
&c followed by text historical and descriptive ac-
companying each plate The author has obtained MS
facts chiefly from Bonney, Walcott. Freeman ana
King The paper and typography are OF adniraoio
quality.
the first collection OF the artists works when AaS
boon unfinished These drawings have appeared in
the periodicals of Harper Brothers in the course OF
The last thirty years. Some of them go PACK 10 uo
DAYS when Christmas Day was kept in southern camps
and the children who first saw these plates can e1o'
them like so many pages Of ancient history "
Younger generation. Perhaps Santa Claus himself mas
hecome ancient history TO the sophisticated children OF
tho nresent day Few Illusions left to them ana
We fear that faith In Santa Claus disappeared WIN
the old open freplaces and generous chmneys' inc
child of to-day shares the scepfcSm of his ehers anu
ne should hesitate to submit Mr. Nasfs simple inusUa
lions of Christmas 10 childish criticism. IL is PITY
that uncuestloning faith is not more common, put as
IL is we are afraid that the average New-A Ork chu
would be prompted to irreveIent quesuoningS Dy 'o
sight of reindeer and sleigh and the chimney per
Torrance which make up the greater part OF MI
Nast's material modern Santa Claus emerging
from register might be more comprehensive Never
tbeless il would be rash 10 insist upon any generaza-
fop and we need only say that Mr. Nasts
designs represent the simple, homey, oo-iasnionou
way Of presenting Christmas to children a way 700
good be put away in the lumber-room OF 1orgoueh
myths. There Is no question OF imagination hoio n'1
of novelty but the artists hearness and naive SYM
natbv with his theme are qualities of lasting value
So far as execution goes, these drawings might be
taken as an illustration of the Improvement In Amer
lean black and white drawing 1t will Do recogmzeu
now that these designs are very crudely executed
very imperfect in drawing, and, comparatively spooN
ing Of the slightest texture, If we regard them as
expositions of art and compare them with the more
SOPHISTICATED and expressive Of line by many artists
Of to-day. There Is no occasion for comment upon
the individual drawings, but we noted curious
lapse from accuracy in the picture of negro boy in
the South cutting nistletoe." The boy is cutting
branch from huge tree, cheerully Indifferent TO tho
fact that the PhOradendron faveScens, or American
nistletoe IS parasitcal growth The best quality of
Mr. Nast's work is derived from personal heartiness
and humor which, unfortunately fiId unefned
and hating expression. This volume is made up en-
trely of plates with a brief introduction.