26 MARCH 1881, Page 21

Pencil and Palette. By Robert Kempt. (Chatto and Windus.)— This

a book of anecdotes about painters and art-sales ; about high prices given for pictures and low prices, for it must be remembered that there are as many pictures that fall in value as there are that rise. M. Thiers, for instance, gave 8,000 francs for a picture that was supposed to be a Ruyadael. It was worth nothing, but then, as was said, it saved its owner plenty of money, for when ho " felt tempted to buy a :work of art, he looked at it, and overcame the temptation." Yet, perhaps, a man is happier if he goes on collecting daubs all his life, and dies in the firm conviction that be has a gallery of masterpieces. This is a very entertaining volume, and not without its use.