New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-14

lector" he shows that he has had considerable
exnerience in the field Of book collecting and
photographed labor generally. But we do not
think that Mr. Hazlitt has made a good DOCK
out Of his adventures. IT Is only toeraoLy
amusing TO learn OF the sales he attended. OF
the bargains he secured or failed to secure or
the acquaintance he has made during long
period among book buyers and sellers. TO be
discursive is no crime for a writer OF books but
Mr. Hazlitt carries It to excess. and. what is
more he brings too little matter of consequence
10 the weaving Of his many-colored web. I'M
portant names appear in his chapter headings,
but the chapters themselves are not half rich
enough in anecdote concerning the owners OF
those names. In fact. there is very little anec-
dote in this book and that little is not particu-
larry good. The sketches of conspicuous biblio-
philes are Iamentably thin We are afraid. too.
that Mr.. Hazlitt lacks that nobility Of spirit
which is one Of the prime essentials Of a col
lector Of books who desires that the public shall
take an interes. in the record OF his adventures.
Our author is too much concerned with pounds,
shilngs and pence Yet we will confess that
he sometimes tells a good story turning upon a
purely financial transaction.
Mr. Finchams handsome book on the Artists
and Engravers OF British and American Book
Plates" is a compilation for reference purposes
purely and as such does not appeal to very
wide audience. On the other hand, for those
who have been bitten with the mania for book
plates it would be hard to find a more usefu,
production A clew is given IN column
whereby the searcher identify any plate in
question; that is to say the signature or device
OF the artist. a further column gives the style
Of the plate. and after this comes the date.
fata oil 90 Cd 0r1n nv e
etchngs and books are collected. and as the
first desire OF the new collector is to get NY
system of class ihcation for his treasures. this
compilation is Just what has been desired. II
will clear up many an obscure point for the
amateur, giving him all data available about
plates concerning which he would he unasssted,
considerably in the dark. Mr.. Fincham's book
is printed we'll and is illustrated richly with re-
productions Of many plates.
The three French hooks published by the so
ci6te Francaise d'Edtions dart" and sent to
us by the American publisher. J. w Bouton.
appeal to book-iovers largely through their IL
Illustrations and typographical appearance. The
large volume. for example. describing the route
from Paris to the sea. is fairly readable in its
text and contains. in fact some useful informa-
ton. but the chief value Of the work lies in its
sketches which give a vivid panorama Of Paris
its architecture its streets, parks and human
types. The views and sketches are reproduce
tons from excellent black-and whites. and leave
lively. veracious impression. In taking
his point of departure the Gen6ralife that pict-
uresque pile which the tourist visits with hardly
less emotion than that inspired by the Alham-
bra itself VI. Zacharie Astruc has chosen one of
the most felicitous themes in Spain. But he has
wandered far afeld and his book is a hodge
podge of ardent exclamations on everything con-
ceivable in Spanish history He passes from
personalities to landscape. from artists 10 kings
from history 10 legend from romance TO trag-
edy and the resulting book has something Of
the character Of a kaleidoscope. With notable
skill however, he makes that Kaleidoscope truly
brilliant. and his pages. If somewhat tenuous
and ecstatc. are certainly readable. His i'm
pressions are vivid. and he has put them into
persuasive pages. The illustrations by Checa
are spirited, and, though sometimes unneces-
sarily hashy, reflect in the main the romantic
plcturesqueness OF the Peninsula. The author
OF Ma Petite Vile has pleasing sense Of the
picturesque and a fairly agreeable style. but
his taste is not impeccabe, and the three stories
which so 10 make up his little volume OF not
very impressive character. The best thing about
the book is the color work which has been put
into some Of the illustrations.