WAR MEMORIALS.* Tun Committee of the Wayside Cross Society has
prepared a small illustrated pamphleta dealing with the subject of wayside crosses, which seem likely to be used in England as war memorials, on account of the impression produced by them on many of our soldiers in France. The plan adopted by this little pamphlet is excellent. It gives descriptions of various types of crosses, illustrating these by drawings of existing examples. Also we find hints as to materials and positions ; and if a village Committee thinks those hints are somewhat despotic, it may rest assured that the writers have excellent reasons for their conclusions based upon study, knowledge, arid taste. For instance, what could be better advice than the following as to material ? If there is no local stone suitable, let that which is hnported be the same as that of the villoge church, if it is a stone one. Also, emphatically, white marble and polished granite are to be avoided. "The Committee is of opinion that the Lonely unexpected cross makes a stronger appeal to the emotions than one which is a familiar daily object, competing, perhaps, for notice with advertisements of motor-spirit and cattle food." This is among the sensible advice given as to sites. Another excellent idea, with regard to hilltops, is that one should be chosen to the west of-the village so that. the cross should be seen against the sunset Mtg. The pamphlet concludes with some helpful remarks about cost, and the repair of old crosses. Any one wishing to erect a cross would be unwise not to seek the help of this Society, which is working in close relatiooship with the Civic Arts Association.
It is a delight to read so clear, so wise, and so helpful a pamphlet on medals as the one written by Mr. Hill,2the Keeper of the Medals at the British Museum. Why did not the Government consult him before perpetrating that vulgar enormity given to discharged • (1) Wayside Crosses. Chiswick Press. {6,3I—L(2) On Medals.- By G.•2'. 1111I. liONtAt ie Vivie arta also. cation. real • soldiers for "services rendered," reducing heroic deeds to the lane guage of an overdue bill ? Particularly good is Mr. Hilra:condem. nation of complicated and realistic pictorial medals, and also of those whose only merit is that they are tours de force. Under this last head might be included all those dreary Louis Quatorze metallic periwigs upon which so much mistaken skill was lavished. In truth, the finest of all medals were the first experiments in the art— those marvels of design, expressed by simplified form, made in the fifteenth century by Pisanello. A splendid example of his work is given in this pamphlet. Here in a small circle scarcely four inches across is a design of monumental grandeur. A knight in armour has dismounted from his horse and kneels in adoration before a crucifix. The directness and simplicity of this noble work make it a pattern for the present time. Mr. Hill has some advice to give to those who design modals, and in brief it is this. If your medal is to be struck, make at least one die yourself, and so learn the limitations of the art. If it is to be cut, model it the exact size. Work reduced mechanically never looks right.
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