Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/122

84 necessary: but perhaps this is an error on the safe side, Rickman's opinions on such a subject ought not to be lightly set aside.

The chief feature of his new edition however is the mode of illustration, by engravings in the first style of art from drawings of remarkable accuracy, taken for the most part expressly for the work by Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. Jewitt, from the best ancient examples remaining, instead of the vile lithographs from Mr. Rickman's own designs, which disgraced the last edition. In place of the imaginary ground-plan, we have the real plan of Wells cathedral, which shews every part with equal clearness. Each of the successive styles, and each part of a building which forms a separate division or chapter of the work, is illustrated by good ancient examples, more or less numerous, according as they seemed to be required or as opportunity offered. Some idea of the richness and copiousness of the illustrations may be formed from their number; thirty steel plates engraved chiefly by Le Keux, and upwards of six hundred woodcuts in Jewitt's best style. A small portion of these have appeared in other works of limited circulation, chiefly the Northamptonshire Churches, but by far the larger part are original, well selected, and form a valuable contribution to the knowledge of the subject which is now to be obtained by stay-at-home travellers. We could have wished the whole were original, but must acknowledge the justice of the editor's plea, that this "would have greatly increased the price of the book without any equivalent advantage." We may observe also that it would have caused still greater delay in the appearance of the volume; we know by experience the length of time required to execute such elaborate engravings as these, and how few hands can be trusted with them.

The lists of churches in different counties are omitted, as was indeed necessary, from the bulk of the book, and are announced for publication in a separate work on the Ecclesiastical and Architectural Topography of England, to which we beg to draw the attention of our readers, especially those who are able to assist in such a truly valuable and national undertaking. It is intended to form one of the series of Manuals of Archæology to be published under the direction of the Central Committee of the Institute, and the Notes for Bedfordshire are ready for the press.