The lromen of the Old Testament. (Soeley.)—This modest volunio pleases
us as much as anything that we have seen among the books of the season. Its chief attraction, of course, is in the twelve photographs from the works of groat masters with which it is illustrated. These are
without exception admirably executed. Possibly the very best of all serves as the frontispiece, a roproduction of Paul Delaroche's "Finding of Moses," which has exquisite softness and delicacy. The relief which it affords to eyes dazzled by the brilliant print- ing in oils which meets one on every side is inexpressible. Nor are the others unworthy of this specimen. "Jephthah's Daughter on the Alountain " and "Jacob's Two Wives" are especially good. As to the designs, the only really weak one, we are sorry to say, is the only English work among thorn, Northcote's " Jael and Sisera." The letter-press consists of between thirty and forty passages of poetry and prose, both explanatory and didactic, which have been selected with generally sound judgment.
The same publishers give us another book furnished with photo- graphic illustrations, Painting in France after the Decline of Classicism, by Philip Gilbert Hamerton. Again we are captivated by an exquisite frontispiece, Aubert's "Flower." Perhaps tho other illustrations, though good, are hardly as equal in point of quality as in the book pre- viously noticed. We speak of the exocution of the photographs, not of the merits of the designs, which, of course, do not challenge the com- parison. They are intended to servo as specimens of modern French art ; as such, and often, indeed, for their own sake, they are exceedingly interesting. Mr. Hamerton is thoroughly at home in his subject, and his criticism is acute, and certainly not enfeebled by any foolish parti- ality for his own countrymen. He must excuse us if we have not now the opportunity to do justice to the very considerable literary merit of what he writes.
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