New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-13
Observation-Disclosures

NEWBOOhSANDNEWE EDITIONS
schreiber's Atlas of Classical Antiquities" Cdac-
milan & Company has been edited for English use
by Professor W. c. Anderson of Sheffield and APP
pears in handsome form with preface by Pro-
fessor Percy Gardner. II Is valuable book of ref
erence The student who has II by his side together
with Seyffert's wel-known dictionary. will pursue
his Investigations into classical history with far
more concrete assistance toward the creation of
classical atmosphere than he has hitherto enjoyed
We speak of course with reference to the young
scholar Yet even his elders in eTudon and mag
nation must profit by this thorough compilation
An appeal TO the eye always has weight 1conog-
raphy is one of the sturdiest STATS of the his
torcal student In the present instance the pic
toral elucidaon of ancient history has been so
deftly interviewer with a lucid and comprehensive
text and the collection of pictures includes so much
that is substantial in relation TO architectural and
plastic art cannot praise the book too cor
daily Take the cuts and descriptive passages re-
ferrng to ancient funeral customs, and those which
follow in illustration OF antique tombs. They throw
light on social life Of the past and bring 10 his
torica study just those little CLEANS Of vivid real
ism which do so much 10 save it from the dryness
Of formal archaeology.
The atlas has wide range. It touches the life OF
the circus and pictures episodes Of battle it gives
hunting scenes and bridal professions; traverses
the occupations OF the carly society with which II
deals and goes into such minute detail that you
may learn from cut. for example. given ON
Plate I.XVI. how wine transferred from a cart
TO amphoras In the Pompean times Of which the
fragment Is a survival. Each cut is accompanied
by descriptive text which, in turn Is fortified by
many references 10 those writers from whom
further and fuller information may be obtained The
Illustrations admirably made and the elaborate
index is presented only in English but In Latin
and Greek 1t is. in brief a most seryiceabe book
for schools and colleges, and It is published In a
form which is convenient as 1t is comely.
Mr. Abbey's mural decorations for the Pub
lie Library in Boston have been photographically
reproduced by r. II. Russell Son, and published
by that firm in a thin obong quarto under the title
OF 1.-THE Ques, OF the Holy Grail" There is enough
text to explain the pictures, in so far as they need
explanation These decorations have been fully
analyzed and criticised IN The Tribune that re-
newed comment upon them Is scarcely necessary
now But we must reterae the high estimate
which they have invoked. and assure the ADMIRERS
of Mr. Abbeys work that they have In this little
book convenient and charming record OF the Grail
designs.
The illustrations are process plates. and give
less adequate translation of the paintings. think.
than might have been obtained through the en-
graver's tool But in default of quite perfect set
Of reproductions these go far TO satisfy the demand
which must exist for just such book. We observed
time these paintings apprdreu tHdt iONtlS'Ol
the Arthurian legend would appreciate the presence
OF the designs on their bookshelves. The present
publication meets the situation and is TO be well
coined.
A special vote OF thanks is due to Mr. H. Heath
cote Statham for having written his Architect
ure for General Readers" Charles Scrbner's Sons.
a book which really jushes its aim and promises
10 be of far-reaching service 10 a much misunder
stood There is significance In that passage In
the preface which refers to the Inquiries OF null
ti;udinous readers for architectural wade mecum
which will consider their own deficiencies. The
general reader knows scarcely anything about
chitecture less even than he knows about pictures.
though he has possibly thousands Of buildings
In the OF hs life Amid them all he has
noticed this that as pleasing TO his taste.
but he can rarely tell you why he likes IT or why
he scorns It's neighbor Mr.. Statham instructs him.
illuminates him TO the why and the wherefore of
good architecture: that is. normal architecture. the
kind which take as a unit or criticism. This
last point is one to remember In discussing this
book
The author wisely refrains from mixing up his
analysis of architectural principles with exhaustive
talk about styles He knows as every wise student
OF the knows that, broadly speaking. If your
principles sound the style Will take care OF IT.
self So he points what the soul OF architecture
Is shows that a building is an organic whole. ex-
pressing in all It's details well in its general
eject the purpose for which it has been erected.
He emphasizes the central Importance Of the plan.
demonstrates its enormous value element Of
the beauty which the completed structure pos
sesses shows in fact. that fire architecture is
logical construction adorned by factors which grow
out OF itself the loveliness OF the grows
or It's fawless inner structure. 1t is the first time
In the literature OF architecture that specialist
writing In an elementary vein for the lay reader
has fulfilled his obligations nearly 10 the utmost.
Here and there. we regret to say. are slight
lapses Some OF Mr.. Stathams comparisons OF
architecture with music trne metaphysical
for the general reader aforesaid Blu; even this IA
met by the fact that architecture u.s. after ALL an
intensely metaphysical art In some OF It's phases
and moreover the lapses TO which we refer are but
small matters. only mentioned because wish the
book Ind been made quite perfect As II is. the
volume is an admirable production. and 1t is a
pleasure 10 say
The historical sketch which follows the treatise
Is compactly and clearly written. and the reader
who wishes TO be set al his before a question
OF architectural merits Will find here the assistance
that he requires The book is well made and has
very good iLustrat.ons--not merely pretty pictures
as Is 30 often toe with works Of the sort bur