Publishers’ Circular (1880-1890), 2nd August 1886, Edition 1 of 1, Page 844

; ¦ . ' ¦!¦ ' ¦¦ ) ' 1 1 ¦ . ! ¦ . . ¦ . 1 . 1 1 .,- - ¦ ., .. . t ... From the EDINBUEGH REVIEW , July 1886 . Lady Marian Alford < m Art Needlework * To sorae , whose conception of the attainable with such tions material of our s was grandmothers fixed by the , cross and - who stitch have and tent ignored -stitch the abomina earnest - and not unsuccessful studies of the last score of years , it may , indeed , even still be a new idea that needlework is , or may be , a branch of art . But we venture to assert that these doubts will cease after a perusal , however cursory , of the beautiful volume It is which one which has suggested Lady Mari our an present Alford theme has made . peculiarly her own by prolonged and painstaking research . She was one of the promoters of the Loan Exhibition of Embroidery at the South Kensington Museum in 1873 ; she is one of the _ patronesses of the Royal School of Art , Needlework . The bulky tome before us developed out of a projected sequel to the < Handbook ' edited by her in 1880 for the latter institution . Its scope is a wide one . The history and archeology of a branch of art already highly cultivated in the time of Moses are embraced by it ; it includes the consideration of . changes of style attendant upon countless vicissitudes of empire , religion , and culture ; while the inculcation of sound principles of taste is an object wisely yet unobtrusively pursued throughout its pages . Neither pains nor expense has been spared in order to secure the adequate execution of a difficult task ; and the result is a contribution of no slight value to the literature of decorative art . The illustrations are numerous and excellent ; the letterpress is full of varied interest . Information , diligently gathered from multitudinous sources , is conveyed in a straightforward and unpretending style ; the best authorities have everywhere been I consulted , and the best examples personally inspected ; while I obligations ( sometimes considerable ) are acknowledged with I an honesty not amongst the least pleasing features of this I very creditable performance . Each of its chapters might I separately furnish the subject of a critical dissertation ; we I can , however , permit ourselves to touch only on a few salient I points in the history of art needlework , referring our readers I to the book itself for ampler details . . I ? NBEDLEWOBK AS ART . By Lady Marian Alford . 1 vol . royal 8 vo . I gravures bound in , whit & c , © being linen facsimile , gilt edges reproductions , with nearl of y Ancient 100 full Needlework -page and smaller . 42 s . Woodcuts An Edition , 16 de Photo Luxe - , I I printed Dedicated on , by the permission best paper , to ( the 100 Queen copies . only ) . Royal 4 to . vellum extra , gilt edges , £ 4 , 4 s . I I London : SAMPSON LOW , MARSTON , SEAKLE , & RIVINGTON , I Crown Buildings , 188 Fleet Street , E . C . 11

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