New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-15

Mr. Oliver Coleman. the author OF Successful
tIouses" Herbert S. Stone & Coz has some ex-
cellent qualifications for dealing with the planning
and decoration of beautiful dwellings, but we miss
one or two traits which II is good for one TO pos
sess when writing in this field 1t is well to have
q sense of humor. That would prevent the intro
duction of remarks like the following: Above the
hooks may be well-selected series OF the works
of those Pre- Raphaelites. SO called. VINO, painters
by name. were poets every one. Most literary or
pictures they conjure up delightful day dreams OF
the legends and myths they almost sing again. be-
getting thoughts. inspiring poetry" Mr.. Coleman
ought to know that pictures collected and hung out
of malice prepence and through some theory that
they are going to Sing again. begetting thoughts
inspiring poetry" will never go TO make mouse
successful In the decorative sense or az home
Pictures like books must be brought together OUT
Of a clear sympathy for them. and because an In
dividual wants to fit them into an environment ex-
press,ve of his own taste II his taste is good he
will know whether ne wants Pre-Raphaelites or
other painters on his walls. and II his taste IS BAD
as Mr. Colemans book would seem tacitly to AS
sume he would make frightful mudde In de-
hberately following printed recipe for the adorn-
ment of his dwelling. Furthermore. our author
like all of his predecessors. writes too constantly
for people who afford TO run up considerable
bills Making due allowance for the tasteless ex-
travagance of some individuals, IT may roughly be
stated that those who can afford TO build houses
work out their own scheme OF decoration TO an
artistic end The book that is needed Is book
calculated to assist people OF small means and
smaller experience. Having found fault with Mr.
Coleman sufficiently, we hasten to add that ne mas
made a most attractive volume. which, In some
quarters will certainly be suggestive. His Ideas
are safe and sometimes they show peculiarly re-
fined taste and besides he has filled his book with
fine PHOTOGRAPHIC illustrations OF scores OF the most
beautiful rooms Indeed take this production
less as a work OF advice than as an anthology or
exquisite designs. which will give great deal OF
Measure to lovers Of luxury and indirectly be Of
some slight service TO them.
Sir Walter Besants typographical papers recently
nrinted In THE Pail Mall Magazine have been
adhered into a volume under the title Of South
London Frederick A. Stokes Company. The book
IA crammed with minute details OF old London his
tory and IS at the same time written with GER
tain breadth that enables the reader TO grasp. az
whole the district traversed. IL is pity that the
author has not exercised in this work more Of the
Imagination which he In his novels. He would
not have distorted his facts by recreating so far
as possible the atmosphere Of the times with which
he deals But the breadth OF treatment to which
We have just referred means reasonable co-or
dination Of the historical elements Of development
that went to form South London; we find the facts
well arranged. II not clothed In the living garment