The principles of Perspective are few and simple, but their
explanation makes them appear difficult ; and the detailed application of them to a complex variety of forms renders such a multiplicity of lines necessary, that the learner is puzzled, and gives up the pursuit in despair. Perspec- tive, in fact, cannot be taught properly by book only ; but as books are a necessary means, the shortest is the best, if it be clear and comprehen- sive. The merit of brevity, minute accuracy, and completeness as far as it goes, belongs to Perspective Simplified, by Z. LAURENCE; who has explained the lending and elementary principles of the art as laid down by BROOK TAYLOR, with geometrical precision. The effect of condensation, however, is to render the process slow and painful, though intelligible, and ultimately satisfactory ; and a too strictly mathemati- cal style makes the explanation read dry and crabbed. The ingenious diagram of planes, by which Mr. LAWRENCE illustrates his definitions, is on too small a scale ; and the definitions themselves are superfluously numerous : in endeavouring to be at once concise and comprehensive, he has hardly avoided perplexing the student. These few pages and problems once thoroughly mastered, however, the whole mystery of perspective is developed, and its application to the most complicated subjects will be easy.
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