New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-20
,s proyided with much discretion and oven clever

rhsre has been a positive need for such a
,oot "a Frederick wedmore has produced in
| h,s "Etching In England" The splendid work
, ~ uamerton In the same field Is not TO be for
| cotton His Etching and Etchers' will remain
| n classic and a high source of authority. But
even the latest editions of the book stop
long distance behind those men who have re-
! Gently used the needle with ability In England
and besides, Hamerton never pretended 10 go
into tn, matter with such minute EXPLOITATION
Of the English school as Mr.. Wedmore now
reveals I'm his careful pages. The later writer
takes a good point OF view. He wants TO sho"
not merely what English etchers have DONE
but TO group together all those men VINO nave
been associated with the artistic movement IN
London Thus he includes Legros WHISTLER
Joseph Pencil and Paul Heeu, all or them
aliens but all Of them etchers whom IL were
idle to detach altogether from the history OF
art in England They are part of that his
tory NJ Helleu may be very recent acquisi-
ton. but still he has identified himself to some
extent with English things. and Mr.. Wedmores
volume hangs together well. Heindicates concise
~ the DEVELOPMENT of etching in his country
showing thorough appreciation Of earlier men
like Geddes Turner, Wke. Cotman and Samuel
Palmer He gives an adequate account or the
great figures in his province-Sir Francis Ha-
den Whistler and Legros-and shows himself
TO be abreast of the very latest men OF promise
or achievement. writing pleasantly and sur
fcientIy on etchers like Frank Short, c. j.
Watson Colonel Golf and d. Y. Cameron The
ultimate impression received by the reader is
that England has never possessed a strong,
homogeneous school OF etchers peculiar 20
itself, easy to be differentiated from all other
schools But on the other hand, Mr.. Wedmore
marshals in an imposing line a score or more
OF etchers who have done beautiful work. some
OF them work that can never lose It's fame' Ihls
makes II apparent that etching in England has
been a major element in the development OF
etching all over the world and. since his book
is finely illustrated. Mr. Wedmore must prove
a plausible and enjoyable author to a con-
siderable public.
The public addressed by Mr.. Hiatt in his pct
ure Posters" is still comparatively small one,
but II is increasing in size every day. and already
warrants the preparation for its delight Of books
which show the thoroughness and the luxury
of illustration noticeable in the present m
stance Mr.. Hiatt has written really valu-
able little volume. He sketches neatly the
position OF the poster In earlier times, follows
it's development in France from the first dec
AIDES of this century to the present day, and then
sets forth succinctly the fortunes Of this step
daughter of art in England, America, Germany,
Italy and all other countries where 1t has ar
rived at any distinction. concluding chapter
gives some interesting items in regard to the
price Of the artistic poster and the expert
ences Of a collector The volume is packed
with illustrations. perfectly made. and show
ing the most skilfu taste in the matter or
selection. The best posters known to the col
lector are nearly all reproduced. France, II
course makes the most splendid showing. The
poster has fourished longest there. has been
taken seriously by greater numbers or able
artists than anywhere else. But England has
fine body OF work to put to her credit and
America, too, can hold UP her head with poster
pride Since the collecting of posters became
a fad we have seen book on the subject 50
we'll done as this or so well calculated to please
and help those who are interested in the sub
ject.
Another attractive and serviceable little book
for collectors is that entitled "A Book About
Fans" which bears two names on its title page,
NJ A. Flory and NJ c. Jones The text is rather
loosely written and the history In the volume Is
thinly spread but there Is enough Of 1t for the
purposes OF most amateurs and with its pretty
Illustrations the book ought to prove stimulus
to the lovers Of the dantiest Of all the arts
A new edition has just been printed OF Mr.. Clar-
ence Cooks volume, The House Beautiful The
publishers have done well to bring it out again
Mr. Cook wrote the work at time when good
taste in household furnishing and decoration was
rarer than II Is now and when some strong talk
on the subject was urgent. indeed. But there Is
still a vast field for the kind Of evangelzation
this book attempts. and we do not think that the
latter will ever lose its usefulness. Mr. Cook has
enthusiasm as we'll good judgment magma
ton as well as knowledge and In every one OF
his genial chapters he wins the reader to earn
est appreciation of his suggestive and practical
observations Louis II. Gibson. the author Of
Beautiful Houses" has less of literary felicity
than Mr.. Cook. and less. too, of feeling for the
noetrv of home building but he has good taste
and is also practical in an unusual degree What
he has TO say about the planning Of houses Is
sbrevd and ought to be helpful. 1t is based on a
study of foreign work. which he uses deity In the
writing OF HIS text. and his reflections are fur
Their founded on practical experience amid Amer
lean conditions The book will throw light on
many a problem with which the private house
builder is wrestling. and while 1t shows him new
WAYS TO comfort it shows him also old and new
ways to the identifying OF his home.
Two small books Of sem-a rchitectural and semi
anecdotic writing may close our survey of lately
published works having an artistic character
The first is unpretentious but readable ac-
count by Miss Helen Ridgely of THE Old Brick
Churches of Maryland; the second is Mr.. Bla-
ney's 'Old Boston," collection Of pictures etched
and then published in Photographic reproduc-
tons with a trihing quantity of text by the
etcher Both volumes have the flavor OF simple
ity and quaintness which belong TO the Colonial
era and both must be- of interest to every lover
Of our earlier architecture and our sturdy,
straightforward ancestors