11 MARCH 1955, Page 34

The Dantelis—Artists and Travellers. By Thomas Sutton. (The Rodley Head,

£4 4s.) THREE members of the Daniell family were artists: an uncle, Thomas (1749-1840). and his two nephews, William (1769-1837) and Samuel (1775-1811). They are hest known for their aquatint and other engravings, but a few oils and drawings were also done. The first two travelled together to India and were there from 1788 till 1793; the third visited South Africa and Ceylon at a rather later date. All of them did a great deal of work both abroad and in this country, and they all travelled extensively in Britain, None ot their work is great art, but much of it has charm, and it is all interest- ing. Much of it constitutes an admirable illustration to the social history of the time, and this book, which is full of carefully col- lected detail, is really more a chapter of social history than a book on art. It should prove of great service, both to those who are interested in the later eighteenth and earlier nineteenth centuries in Britain and India. and it contains a wealth of information regarding the condi- tions of life and travel, the character of the countryside and towns, and the nature of the flora and fauna. The seven not very good colour plates, however, hardly justify as high a price as four guineas.

DAVID TALBOT RICE