We must be content with a brief mention of two
books, both of which show, in their different lines, a great amount of special knowledge. These are, Greek Dress, by Marion Millington Evans (Macmillan), and Ancient Ships, by Cecil Torr (Cambridge University Press). Lady Evans has, as she says, two sources of information to draw from,—literature and art, the art, i.e., of the vases. As to literature, we know more of men's dress than of women's,—a fact which will probably repeat itself with the his- torians a thousand years hence. The available material is used to the best advantage and helped out with illustrations. Any one who reads Greek Dress may have to leave something unsettled, but he will have learnt a good deal about his subject. Mr. Torr's subject is both larger and more difficult. Written descrip- tions of mechanism are always hard to understand, and drawing is probably a less trustworthy guide in this matter than it is in dress. The hard effect produced by a clothed figure probably gives us a better idea of the reality than does the picture of a trireme. It is obvious, for instance, how important would be what we do not get,—perspective. Mr. Torr goes into his subject and
its branches with great care. He discusses the "banks of oars" for galleys, for instance, and his suggestions will doubtless be found helpful, if not conclusive. The size and, tonnage of ships, sails, cables and ropes, rams, masts, sails, &c., are treated in detail. The volume fills a vacant place in classical archwology.
Previous page
