30 APRIL 1910, Page 49

A History of Architectural Development. By F. M. Simpson. (Longmans

and Co. 21s. net.)—This is the second volume of

Mr. Simpson's work, and deals only with mediaeval chnroh archi- tecture. The author by means of diagrams shows in the most interesting manner how successive builders treated the same problems. We have traced for us the way in which the thrust of a vaulted roof upon the walls supporting it was dealt with, and are shown how the elaborate Gothic buttresses served exactly the same purpose as the thick walls they superseded.