7 JANUARY 1905, Page 31

comes only just within the limits of the parcel post

! It reminds one of the drawing-room-table books of half-a-century ago. As an ornament it is highly commendable both within and without. It is not, indeed, an artistic volume; and one cannot but have a liking for an occasional interpretation by art of the beautiful, whether in landscape or in architecture. The photographs, how- ever, the taking of which has been manifestly helped by Brittany sunshine, are plentiful and good. And there is a highly interest- ing portion of them consisting of Breton portraitures. The rough-hewn, weather-beaten fates make a striking collection. And there is a little gallery of coiffes among them. National and provincial head-gears and costumes generally are going out of fashion in most parts of the world—in England they are almost absolutely extinct—but in Brittany a good many seem to be still extant. The illustrations are, we see, the work of M. Paul Gruyer. Why, we may ask, has he been so economical in ex- hibiting Breton beauty ? We refuse to believe that he could not have given us more if he had pleased. The letterpress from the pen of M. Geffroy is always entertaining.