New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-05

faulty might be pointed out The authors are
unusually lacking in q sense Of historical per-
spective to say nothing Of realization OK the
facts Of history, and they have carried concen-
tration beyond all limits. They are so bref as
to he almost useless. Yet in taking leave OF their
book, we must commend 1t cordially for Its plan
II the sketchy outlines which II presents couid
be filled out. the text expanded until two OF
three volumes were filed. and the whole edited
by a competent scholar. students would welcome
II as a valuable addition to their shelves. AS IL
is, the beautiful illustrations seem wasted, ana
the book will only be Of service to those VINO
are competent to make corrections as they turn
the pages.
There are few II any corrections to be mace
In a perusal OF the study OF European Archi-
lecture" which Mr.. Russell Sturgis has lately
published. Here and there some question OF
taste may provoke difference OF opinion but
the broad value Of the work remains und'mh-
ished. In its helpfulness this book Is especially
strong. 1t is systematic In its plan, and trav-
crses the field in a lucid. consecutive manner
but what is particularly welcome in the author
is his easy narrative style. He has accepted
the fact that history Of architecture. when II
is brief. must always forego omnscience and his
chapters have the quality OF talk. they take the
informally
him in possession OF the broad elements OF the
subject. In treating Grecian architecture Tor
instance, Mr. Sturgis devotes n page to poly
chromy pointing out tersely but comprenensNe-
ly the part which color played in the designs OF
an antique builder. His description at this point
ia exactly what 1t should be- there Is no citation
of formal illustrations. he simply indicates the
general idea: and throughout his volume he deals
with his materia, ir the same tactful method.
It IS a method particularly acceptable to the lay
reader II does not confuse him with dates nor
does it obscure his mind by multiplicity Oh ue-
tails 1t popularizss architecture without ue
grading IT, is accurate to the point OF proiess'o"
alism without a constant reliance upon pi'ies
sonal terms. 1t Is instructive and II Is reaoaoe'
Mr. Sturzis writes as an architectu:a! s'uue"'
who Is also a man Of the world. as one 10 whom
the art brings an element OF culture anu HIS
work will stand less as textbook than as d sus-
Restiye essay. He Is a source OF genera iue"S
rather than Of classified Information. Inc pun
fishers have provided him Win apuh"""' '
trations we'll reproduced
NJ, Iam,in's little octave is confessedly a
textbook. and 1t has the merits of such COM
nuation. The general arrangement of schools
and individuals is clear. and. while the limits
Of the book have necesstated severe compress
sion. he has told enough to make MS oriei
survey Of value IN the schooroom, where a coh-
| else scheme is all that is needed by the general
student photographed notes at the head OF
| each chapter will indicate to the reader those
| works which will complete his knowledge Inc
| outs in the book are small. but we'll printed
and have been chosen judiciousy that they
| IRE q distinct help The volume brought out d!
| Mr. Mathews under the title of The story OF
| Architecture" is similar in scope to Mr.. HAM
! Inns book 1t processes TO give no more IMAM
an outline Of the styles. but 1t accompilshes
| this much with clearness. and with praise
| worthy rapidity. This work also will be use
| full In schoolrooms.
Mr.. Evanss analysis Of Animal Symbolism
| In Ecclesiastical Architecture" would be more
interesting If 1t were not so LONG in coming TO the
| point In fact, the point IS never reached
strictly speaking for instead OF giving q
| STRAIGHTFORWARD account OF the architectural
| decorations which are his theme this author
| goes to the bestaries and other literary me-
| MORALS Of animal symbolism. and talks dis
| cursvely about the peculiar significance OF one
! beast or another. In the long run he wins Tor
| giveness. There IS great deal Of curious IN
| formation packed within the covers or his vol
| ume and. though he offers nothing that inc
| architect might incorporate into his work, ne
| is sure to amuse the general reader with his
| bits Of outlandsh lore