634 BOOK REVIEWS. 



After giving the merits of each prominent artist of France an imj^artial 

 discussion, he evidently inclines to award the premium in their respective 

 classes to Corot for landscapes, Bonheur for animal painting, and Millet for 

 spirituel portraits of humanity, while Breton as an acknowledged leader of 

 the sympathetic school excels all living French artists. French architecture 

 and ceramic art receive at his hands a well merited commendation. 



Of German arts and artists probably neither equals those of the 16th 

 centuiy, when Holbein, Aldegrever and Dlirer were in the zenith of their 

 success and fame. G-ermany has the advantage of a long continued prestige 

 in this line, having for centuries maintained a reputation unequaled by any 

 nation except Italj^, and it would be most remarkable should France and 

 England which have but recently, so to speak, acquired a reputation for art, 

 come to the front as competitors with her for public favor. They, however, 

 under the inspiration of government patronage and with the advantage of 

 having their talent concentrated at London and Paris insteTid of being scat- 

 tered over the whole kingdom as in Germany, have made rapid strides and 

 in their respective schools are rivalling hel\ Still the grand art centers of 

 Germany at Munich, Diisseldorf and Berlin are sending forth works by such 

 artists as Lenbach, Gabriel Max, Defregger and linaus, which 'can scarcely 

 be excelled by any contemporary artists of Europe. The result of his study 

 of German art is that it rivals French art in technical qualities and sur- 

 passes it in imagination and moral grandeur. 



He concludes his consideration of European contemporary art with the 

 suggestion that "while there is much to adihire in its present condition, 

 when the relation it bears to the future of American art is examined, the 

 characteristic which more than all others merits the thoughtful and impar- 

 tial consideration of our artists is the sturdiness with which each European 

 school of art preserves its own national identity. The best modern art, the 

 truest art of all ages and climes has been that which has been most faithful 

 to the instincts of the period and race which gave it birth. If, therefore, we 

 desire to see a worthy natural school of art spring up in our land, let us first 

 of all be true to ourselves. By all means let the study of foreign contempo- 

 rary and ancient art be pursued, but the notion that our native methods 

 and native ideas and culture can never equal those of the Old World should 

 be frowned upon as not only unpatriotic but unreasonable until proved by 

 larger experience." 



As before remarked, the book itself is a fine specimen of art, and the 

 author has handled the subject in a most interesting, skillful and compre- 

 hensive manner. 



The Telephone, By Prof. A. E. Dolbear, Tufts College, author of "The Art 

 of Projecting," etc. Boston : Lee & Shepard ; New York : Chas. T. Dil- 

 lingham, pp. 128. Price, $1.00. For sale by H. H. Shepard, Kansas 

 City. 

 This is a very appropriate work for our community just at this time, 



