A Plea for Art in the House. By W. J.
Loftie, F.S.A. (Mao. milieu -and •Co.)—We wonder what- new series for the benefit of the British masses will next be commenced. Here we have the initial volume of the" Art at Home" series, to be followed by farther volumes on house decoration, drawing and painting, dress, family music, and domestic architecture. The design is admirable, and if the following numbers are executed with the knowledge, good-taste, and thorough earnestness which characterise this, these unpretentious little books will effect some real good in the world. We would prefer to see a person collecting works of art from a love of art, than from an idea of the prudence of such a collection in a pecuniary point of view; yet there was wisdom perhaps in appealing to the acquisitiveness of man, as a step to taking an art-interest in any particular collection. The hints Mr. Loftie gives on buying furniture, pictures, books, and china will be very valuable to those who have resolved to start collecting, and not the least interesting, and probably the most instructive part of the.work, is the chapter entitled, "Art and Morals.," We think the "marble and granite columns, the carved-oak stalls, shining glass and silver, coloured lights and mirrors" of our modern grog-shops a true indication of the rising •taste of the working-class, for the publican would not invest in such capital unless there was a demand to be satisfied, and this is some refutation of the gloomy view Mr. Mark Pattison takes of our Art-con- dition. We hope the book will be widely read.
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