31 JANUARY 1914, Page 14

OLD ENGLISH PATTERN BOOKS OF THE METAL TRADES.

Old English Pattern Books of the Metal Trades. (His Majesty's Stationery Office. 6d.)—This is one of the cata- logues of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Sir Cecil Smith says in a note that it has been compiled by Mr. W. A. Young, and that Mr. E. F. Strange, of the Department of Engraving, Illustration, and Design, has contributed a short preface "on the historical side of the question." This pamphlet will be found interesting and suggestive by the lover and collector of old things, and more particularly so if he carries his researches so far as to consult the original catalogues, which " can be seen by visitors in the Students' Room of the Department (Room 71) at any time when the Museum is open, except Sundays." Half the pamphlet consists of excellent descriptive notes, the rest being illustrations, which we commend to the attention of modern designers of domestic articles, who would do well to study the graceful lines of much of the old work.