20 APRIL 1889, Page 23

Decorative Composition. By Henri Mayeux. (J. S. Virtue and Co.)

—M. Mayeux divides his treatise on Decoration into " Theory " and "Practice." The first part is devoted to the principles of art, the methods of natural decoration, symmetry, division of surfaces, size and proportion, and relief ; the second, to the materials used, and the products of countries which have approached nearest perfection. Some three hundred engravings illustrate both the theory and practice, and complete the value of the treatise. The translation has been done by J. Gonino. M. Mayeux, we may add, has a high opinion of English hammered iron-work.