27 MAY 1899, Page 23

Western Flanders. By Laurence Binyon and William Strang. (The Unicorn

Press. 42 2s.)—Mr. Binyon writes in a charming and discursive way of the old Flemish towns, and Mr. Strang has etched them in that peculiar style of his which has in it a touch of genius. As one looks at his picture of the ramparts of Ypres one finds one- self in a curious old world of quaint beauty, but with a feeling of passion below the sleepiness. It is not mere decay, but a world of old romance too. Mr. Strang's etchings are so good because he so well understands the essentials of his medium. The etching line is the most effective line that is at the disposal of the artist. For this reason it must be used with reserve. The large topographical plates, produced to satisfy an ignorant public, which look like photographs well scratched all over, have nothing in common with artistic work like that of Mr. Strang.