The Merry Wives of Windsor. Presented in eight Pen Designs
by Walter Crane. (George Allen.)—Mr. Crane's drawings have been reproduced in " Dallas type." Mr. D. C. Dallas certifies that he has himself printed and engraved them in facsimile, and that the plates have been destroyed. We cannot help wondering that a democratic thinker of the type of Mr. Crane should con- sent to so anti-democratic a proceeding. Of course, the six hun- dred and fifty copies printed are enhanced in value. But is that an adequate reason ? Then there is the argument that worn plates would not produce adequate impressions. Still, the inade- quate impressions would be better than none. Some indelible note might be made which would mark the inferior copies, and so do justice to the engraver, who might complain if poor work were attributed to him. How ?nany thousands more would derive pleasure from •the work ! The more pleasing and artistic Mr. Crane's work, and it has these privileges in a high degree, the stronger the argument ! Has he, we wonder, authority in con- temporary costumes for a dress following the lines of the form so very closely as that of Anne Page in Plate VI. ?
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