22 JUNE 1951, Page 28

The Year is 1851. By Patrick Howarth.

(Collins. 18s.) Palace of Industry, 1851. By C. R. Fay. (Cambridge University Press. t Ss.) THE authors of these books were a little unfortunate in that they appeared rather late on the centenary scene, but they are books of merit that deserve not to be over- looked. Mr. Howarth has written a useful historical and social survey of the period, culminating in a short account of the Great Exhibition itself. Dr. Fay has confined himself to a straightforward description of the exhibition, which he has . considered especially in its economic aspect. In tone, Mr. Howarth's is the more popular book, Dr. Fay's the more scholarly. Both are lavishly illustrated, and the volume from Cambridge, as might be expected, is an out- standing piece of production.