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2Tf)e preservation of gtattqutttce,* 



By Dr. Friedrich Rathgen. 

 Translated from the German, with additions, by George A. 

 Auden, M.A., M.D., and Harold A. Auden, M.Sc, D.Sc. 



A REVIEW. 

 LTHOUGH termed a handbook for curators, there 

 are few books more useful and necessary to all who 

 are either the possessors or the custodians of objects 

 of antiquity in any form. Specially will it appeal 

 to those who have the responsibility of the care of our ancient 

 churches, for it is often sad to see the deterioration which time 

 works upon the wood and metal relics of our forefathers' 

 industry. The translators now present to us in a simple and 

 readable form the best processes and recipes yet known to 

 science for the preservation of every kind of material. More- 

 over, by a series of photographic illustrations upon the "before 

 and after " principle, they demonstrate the success of their 

 experiments in a practical manner. The character of the 

 book throughout is its usefulness, and whatever the objects be 

 that require attention — whether they are worm-eaten pulpits 

 or chests, painted doors, faded paintings on canvas, glass or 

 wall, rusted iron work, crumbling book-bindings, or discoloured 

 and painted stone-work, the remedy is there. 



The writer of this review has tested the recipes for the 

 preservation of church oak with complete success. Hence he 

 has thought it worth while to bring this subject to the notice of 

 Derbyshire readers, in the hope that thereby something at least 

 may be saved which would otherwise perish ; for it is easier to 

 preserve than to create. 

 * Cambridge University Press, 50, Wellington Street, Strand. 4/6 net. 



