New-York tribune., 1908-12-19

, basis OF one of their most prohtaole manu-
factures How this revival came about WIN
/ the discovery of the process known as ohei
field Plating Is thus recounted by MI Neitch'
1t happened in 17i2 that. in garret Of what vas vas
then called TUDOR House Gus he is etvled in Hunters
! 'FfaIlamshire'), repairing a bady crtSHe; c.S;
Pieee n Mr. straord Of sheied states thai he
used penny to cramp up the heoma 9or operfea ted
When ys1,s he FOUND that the silver and copper had
sdo5 ccSpred to- Bosover that this accident might
be turned to good purpose ana al'eI sU tiop Of
silver by beating out thin layer OF si,sg sstn he
/ placing il copper foundato tIieH Iu9ihs 49,
/ two metals by the action or neat.
BoIsover himself is however. hardly more
conspicuous in the history of Sheffield plate than
is his apprentice. Joseph Hancock who took the
process in hand with greater energy and seems
N have contributed tremendous impetus TO the
whole industry The popularity OF Shefnelu
plate was not at once fostered by uhiNeIsdi1J
sound craftsmanship. The pfaters had 10 tah7
time in which to master all the diHcui'ieS ="
their path. But Mr.. Veitch easily demonstrate
that good standards alike of Workmanship anu
design were soon established. and not only his
appreciative text but his numerous well maze
illustrations indicate how much there lies IN TINS
field 10 stimulate the ardor Of the collector. II
is largely for that individual that this book mas
heen written In successive chapters the tech
niuue Of Sheffeld plating is traversed, It's hslor!
is interestingly told. and thenceforth IN ms oe
scriptive notes the specimens Illustrated anu
in his pages on makers marks and in MS lists Oh
makers the author puts US in possession on All
that it is necessary to know in order 10 star I
intelligently upon quest. This useful oooA
is handsomely made. and, we may add. it mas
been put together with just the right touch M
Veitch is a sympathetic guide.
Mr Martin Hardie's John Petite" is one or
those biogra phes now rapidly increasing IN the
minor literature Of art which owe their exist
ence more to the availability Of color processes
than to anything else. They are entertaining
picture books in which the text may or may not
be of serious value. In this volume it is only OF
mild interest John Petite was Scotchman Of
loyalol traits but not a man whose personality
or career would yield very much to the biog-
rapher Mr. Hardie has barely any traits or in
cidents TO put before US which excite any speclal
concern and it seems quite natural that most OF
his space should be taken up with notes on the
works of his hero. These, as here reproduced
should undoubtedly make the book popular
Petite was typical member of the Royal Acao-
emy an adept the production OF the romantic
subject picture" He painted scenes from
Walter Scott He would make a picture Of fig
,1res in the costume of the past consulting over
a table and calling it Treason ne would give
YOU hint of slumbering drama. The soldier
and the courtier of another day his favor
ite models. With them he told picturesque and
often charming stories. Mr.. Hardie speaks of
'the splendid impetuosity of his style, that ar
rests the attention and thrills the blood with It's
martial note, like the tramp Of armed men, the
beating of drums, or the trumpet CALL To talk
like this is greatly to overstate the case but il
is true that there is something exhilarating
about Petties pictures. His color was his best
resource. He made 1t vivid without making 1t
tawdry. and it would sometimes take on be-
quilting quality. He had gallant, sprightly
way with him, and this collection of his works,
admirably reproduced is worth having.