MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 613 



which twenty thousand other persons may possess as good a copy.* The 

 almost undeviating similarity of the embellishment of the annuals, and other 

 like works on steel, combined with their extraordinary number, has in a great 

 measure satiated the curiosity which was formerly felt on such matters. 

 Steel plates are almost as like each other, as soldiers of the same regiment, 

 and they are now so common, that, like a red coat in a garrison town, their 

 appearance produces no excitement whatever. The only mode of securing a 

 sale, is to publish them at so very moderate a price, that people will buy them 

 as much for their cheapness as for their excellence, 



Of all the numerous monthly publications which come under the class of 

 which we have been speaking, the best and cheapest is that whose title ap- 

 pears at the head of this article. Five spirited engravings, and which too are 

 not amenable in a high degree, if at all, to the general reproach cast on such 

 works, that they have all a strong family likeness, are offered for half-a- crown 

 sixpence apiece. It is almost incredible. But Charles Tilt is the publisher, 

 and we suppose the proprietor, and he seems to have a patent for producing 

 a better article at a lower price than his neighbours, and yet to make it pay 

 well in the end. 



The views are two of Dunstan borough Castle, one of the Castle on Holy 

 Island, one of Blythe, and one of Berwick, from drawings by Mr. G. Balmer, 

 and they bear the names of William and Edward Finden, that is to say, they 

 are got up under their inspection, and they are responsible for the satisfactory 

 performance of their deputies, a duty which they have, in the present instance, 

 well and faithfully discharged. We consider this work entitled to success, 

 and we have no doubt that it will meet with its deserts. 



Shakspeare's Gallery, Part 4. Charles Tilt, London. 



THIS number contains three female heads, purporting to be Desdemona, 

 Jessica, and Lavinia. Of course they would do as well or nearly as well for 

 any three others in the whole range of Shakspeare's female characters. The 

 object however of the publication is answered. That is to say, three very 

 pretty faces are represented in what is called the dot or chalk style of engrav- 

 ing, and sold for a very moderate price. The execution of the plates is very 

 neat, and the designs very elegant. This is one of the prettiest and most 

 eligible drawing-room table ornaments of the many that are now periodically, 

 we might almost say daily, supplied to the never-failing appetite for novelty of 

 metropolitan cognoscenti. 



Winkle's Cathedrals. English and Continental. No. 25, & 11. 

 Charles Tilt. Fleet Street, and Effingham Wilson, Royal Exchange. 

 No. 25 of the home department contains one exterior, and two interior views 

 of Chichester Cathedral. No. 1 1, of the foreign part, the west front of Rouen 

 Cathedral, and the interior of its Lady Chapel, besides ground plans of the 

 Cathedrals of Notre Dame at Paris, and of Beauvais. The work is very care- 

 fully gotten up, and the objects very faithfully represented. The exterior of 

 Rouen Cathedral is a very elaborate work, and is creditable to the artist. 

 Considerable expense must have been incurred in procuring the drawings for 

 the foreign numbers, and altogether the price is so moderate as compared with 

 the outlay which must necessarily have been made, that without a very ex- 

 tensive sale, not only will there be no adequate remuneration, but no remunera- 

 tion at all, for the capital embarked in this speculation. We trust that the 

 proprietors will be duly rewarded as they deserve for their enterprise. 



* Another cause for the contempt in which steel plates are held by amateurs and 

 judges is the inherent intractability of the metal, which prevents the production of an 

 equally good engraving. Whatever talent and labonr may be expended on it. We 

 need only refer our readers to the works of the same man on the different metals for a 

 confirmation of the truth of our assertion. 



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