New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-10

In view Of the romantic material which n
Jackson has found in abundance wherever a.,
explorations have carried him. il is not surn-5,
ing that his contributions 70 the purely arcbi
tectural side of his subject while always int.--
esting, are fragmentary and difficult 10 co-o-5;
nate In fact he does not attempt any formal
examination of the numerous buildings visited
but subordinates scholarly analysis 10 mora o.
less picturesque description in discursive notes
Even if the broad scheme Of his book had "a,
necessitated this method. he would be parIona5
some, at least, of his superfciaIty for the a-rbi
lecture Of the region traversed presents erava
difficulties to the historian The facts relating to
much of it are lost in the obscur!ty OF the wv
distant past; many of the buildings have s,f
fered sorely through the centuries. so that if i
frequently impossible to do more than speculate
as to the original intentions Of the architects
and everywhere among these hoary monuments
we witness a strange conflict Of styles Manv
church on the shores of the Adriatic represents
a struggle between the simplicity of the West
ern world and the luxuriant influences of the
Orient A majestic ground plan and certain
austerity in the making of the mere walls will
suggest builders concerned only with massive
stability. but then. with the Introduction OF d-c
oratiye elements. the sensuousness OF the East
makes itself felt The ruder bolder forms %
the ROmanesGue architects are Blended j.
carved doorways. windows and what not with
Byzantine refinements In the more soUrh-rIv
provinces the forid note is naturally rn0re often
TO be observed, enTiChing and it must be con-
fessed, yivifying the stately masses OF thu
earlier builders. As the traveller moves north
ward he comes more frequently into contact
with signs of the delicate taste of the Renais-
sance. Indeed, at Rimini, where the castle Of
Sigismondo recalls one OF the grimmest phases OF
Italian architecture. the Tempo Md-4testiana
survives 10 show Us the Renaissance in a uecuI-
iary beguiling mood at once classical and I..nci-
full Mr.. Jackson gives an admirable tescr;o-
ton Of this famous church. and he is effective
too. in the notes that follow on the ancien.
mosaic lined basiIicas OF Ravenna-
1t is in the portion OF the book which is de-
voted TO this part OF Italy that he gives US some
of his best work. His chapter on the Abbey Of
Pomposa. for example, has the merit Of making
his readers acquainted with a CuriousIy
neglected monument The fine old church r.
joices in one Of the roblest campanili in Italy
an early masterpiece, kindred in style 20 the
familiar towers Of Verona. We appreciate. too.
the authors account Of his reSearches AZ J-lfrs
and in its neishborhood. At Civi5ale he de-
scribes the very ancient church Of santa Mara
in Vale. the west end OF which bears some
extraordinarily Interesting decorations in stone
and stUcoo OF the architectural remains with
which he deals Mr.. Jackson gives numerous
illustrations in haIftones from photographs Or
in facsiniIes Of his own drawings in black and
white These pictures add greatly 10 the charm
OF his text, serving well 10 inspire the reader
with desire To follow in his footsteps There
Is room for another book BY Nj jackson lie
should make his future journeys little further
inland. touching towns and villages in which
beautiful buildings and historic legends would
supply him with material chat. if Not unknown
in the literature Of travel would 1T any rte
repay the exercise OF his pen