Gothic Architecture in Spain. By G. E. Street, F.S.A. (Murray.)—
In this very handsome volume we have a genuine specimen of conscien- tious work. The author has devoted his leisure hours for the last two piers or more to the study of Spanish architecture, and he now gives to the world the highly-satisfactory results. He has visited the greater pal} of Spain, purposely avoiding Andalusia, on account of the Moorish influences, and in his descriptions he retains the form of a tour. Thus, though of course he is chiefly occupied with architectural details, he is enabled to throw in interesting observations on scenery, manners, inns, ana other incidental matters, which, as coming from a man of quick eye and sound sense, the reader would gladly have seen more numerous. But his object was to study and describe "patiently and lovingly the works of his great predecessors," the cathedrals and churches of the country, and this he has done with a care and completeness that could not be surpassed. Towards the end of the volume ho gives a general resume of the history of Spanish architecture, in which he discovers an early Spanish style, an imported French style, and finally, as elsewhere, a struggle between the "Renaissance " and what he calls the "old and hallowed form of art;" he was surprised to find the Moorish influence com- paratively rare and unimportant. He concludes with a chapter on the architects and builders, in which he decides against the claims both of the clergy and the freemasons, and adds the following characteristic observa- tion:—"I am glad that it is so, for in these days of doubt and perplexity as to what is true in art, it is at least a comfort to find that one may go on
heartily with one's work with the honest conviction that the position one occupies may be, if one chooses to make it so, as nearly as possible the same
as that occupied by the artiste of the Middle Ages." That nothing may
be wanting to the completeness of the volume, we have in the appendix a list of the buildings, with their dates ; also of the architects and sculp- tors, and an excellent index. Mr. Street is too busy a man to pay much attention to the graces of style, but he has well-defined theories and strong convictions, and so writes clearly and forcibly. He has no hesitation in calling things by their right names, and denounces sham restoration, seamped work, and unmeaning designs in a way that adds considerably to the enjoyment of the reader. In conclusion, we must not omit to notice the beauty of the illustrations. There are fifty of these, occupying separate pages, in addition to the ground-plans and smaller engravings.
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