New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-26
SOME NEW BOOKS.

French language AS the title indicates, lts purpose
Is TO teach at and together the spoken ano tne
written language, and therefore a novel system OF
sound vocabularies" has been devised to famerize
the student with the pronunciation of every word as
soon as his eye is acquainted with its form. There IS
also full scheme for linking consonants the rules are
simply and clearly stated: the dlomatc exercises are
ample; and the explanatory notes arc copous without
being cumbersome In Typography the book is modei
of beauty IL may confidently be commended to any
one who wishes TO learn the French language easily
and thoroughly, either with or without master
Mr.. J. L. Pctit's Architectural Studies in France
of which scribner & Wexford have Just published
edition, Is book which makes some prctenslohs
10 authority on he subject of the sources OF french
Gothic. Yet IL is unlikely TO prove OF any materiai
service TO future and more exhaustive wntefe' 'r'
Petits tours in France were frequent enough but tey
wore too hastily and too carelessy planned III Is 'e
some to meet again and again the expression OF MS
regret that for want of time he could obtain no more
than glimpse Of this that edlhee The fact that
he seldom failed TO meet with sufficient churches to
ocupy his time and attention" is small comfort Tor MS
having missed a considerable number what Oh the
readers time and attention. And what Is to be SAID
Of writer early Gothic who passes over In silence
the eleventh century Abbey Church Of st. Dens-in
which critics must agree that the Gothic principle was
first employed-and who makes no mention of either
6cnlis or Noyonl 1t might appear unfair 20 tax
Mr.. Petit severely for his sins Of omission, the I'm
portance OF st. Denis Of the Abbey Church of
Morienval which he likewise ignores, not having been
recognized in his time. forty years ago: but new
edition of work Of this sort is expected to be
revision and correction Of the old one. Mr.. Edward
Bell, who revised and edited CHS edop, states
frankly that it is substantially the original work.
Another blemish, nexcusablc in recent edition
this is the calm retention Of the old theory most
Hattering 10 British pride, that the Gothic principle
was native to England, that 1t would have thrvcn
tha % ,,r,tc he
Gothic principle, Mr. Petit holds WIS more COM
pletely developed at early period in England than
anywhere else and he dismsses in parcnthcss the
comparison between Amiens and Salisbury which has
convinced most students of the priority of France
The explanation q this must be that Mr. Petit has
imperfect conception Of the Gothic idea He endeavors
to show living connection between Norman and
Gothic. lie apparently sees the transition as the
pointed arch comes into USE failing to note that the
pointed arch could exist a decorative feature
buildings fundamentally OF Norman construction. and
that in essentials the two styles were never really
merged. The system of delicate articulation. OF OPP
posed thrusts called Gothic. could never have been
developed out Of the Norman system Of masses. The
change was radical and sudden, Il the substitution
of life for inertia, leap from the ground into the air.
1t was possibly his failure to observe the distinct
separation of the Gothic from the Norman principle
which dggcd of Mr. Pett's worst pitfalls for him.
the theory that mixed STYLE than which there could
our modern buildings.
The University Extension Manuals which Charles
scrbners Sons are publishing recommend themselves
to the public by their healthy method OF dealing mainly
with the idea Its sake and only illustratvelv
with the idea as expressed in the productions OF man.
Thus the volume on "The Fine Arts" by q. Baldwin
Brown which is one OF the latest issues in the series
touches upon the historical and technical sides OF the
subject more than is necessary TO brnS out In
palmer relief points in the authors theory OF the origin
and development OF art. That theory offers 10 new
proposition for discussion hut the presentation of it is
SO comprehensive, orderly and readable that art
students will welcome it, Mr.. Brown is especially
ingenious and clear In the chapter the beginnings Of
art. lie adopts the notion held by Herbert Spencer,
and by Schiller before him. Of surplus of vigor" in
men and originals furnishing the material of art
This vigor is the Of Scher's "spietrieb,'
payImpulsc. which manifests Itself first in the aim
less bodily movements and vocal utefances OF animals,
then in the rough euesscs at rhythm of some birds
and finally IN the mind governed acts OF man. such as
dancing singing decoration and construction. 1t is
pleasure to follow Mr. Brown in his ANALYSIS OF the
progression OF the artistic motive.
Mrs Louise Joplngs Hints to Amateurs in the
pamphlet published under that title by Harper 81
Brothers, are the current aphorisms OF the studios
compiled with fine disregard Of the literary graces"
Mrs. Joping Is anxious encourage those who. :" v
ing far away in the country, have of obtain
ing even the feeblest art education" Those persons
may thank her for her encouragement: although the
movement OF her prose is errac. her meaning is in
clligble and in the provinces the hints' NAV have
the charm of novelty. To the amateur of the town
they are stale.
A. C. McClurg q Co. have published 1.-THE Pena-
teuch of Printing" which presents a summary of
the learned antiquarian william Blades's researches
and opinions upon the vexed questions in the history
of printing OF special interest is what he says Of
Caxton-whose life and works he the first In
modern times to put In clear and correct perspective
and OF the genuineneSs of John Ncholsons claim
TO be the inventor of the cylinder printing machine
Brief the discussion of the latter subject is, 1t
leaves little to be said for the German inventor
Koenig The only fault the reader is likely to find
with the book is It's brevity. IL is illustrated with
reproductions In facsimile of pages from ancient
block, quaint titles, specimens Of manuscript and of
early printed books, portraits and pictures Of ancient
and modern presses The frontlspiece is n reproduc
ton Of what is supposed to be the earliest dated
woodcut, the subject of which the familiar legend
of ST. Christopher bearing the infant Christ across
the river Mr.. Talbot Baines Reed. the editor of
the work, has added something here and there, and
In other expanded the notes left by Mr.. Blades
at his death. But these changes though not pointed
out, are said to be Of slight importance Substan
tally the book in both text and illustrations Is the
memoir OF Mr.. Blades is prefXed and also u list of
his works including all the fugitive articles that
could be traced.
Mr.. J. Marshall Mather has added to the third cd
ton Of Ids booa John Ruskin His Life and Teach
ing chapter in which lie discusses Ruskins future
rank writer and teacher. lie maintains that the
great writer's style will KEEP his memory alive whlo
his ideas of social reform will have be studied for
d long time to come, not so much because they are
right practicable because he has laid bare the
diseases of society thoroughly and has proposed
such drastic remedies His suggestions are so far
reaching that IL must be long before they can all be
cast aside as out OF date. In general way Mr..
Mather's estimate seems moderate But IL must be
remembered that Mr.. Ruskn has written much. and