THE COLLECTOR.
The "Cabriole Period" would seem almost as indefinite as " the silk stocking period," and Mr. Tipping, in conceding its vagueness, explains that the term "Cabriole " should be taken as applying to such furniture as exhibits a certain continuous connected suavity; being, as it is, a restrained manifestation of the style called " Baroque." In the reign of William III. the straight leg was still supreme and came again into fashion under George III., whilst in between the Cabriole leg was all the vogue with only occasional exceptions. We are given interesting extracts from old accounts where it is surprising to find that, whereas the frames for a pair of walnut elbow chairs made for Hampton Court in 1699 cost only £2 10s., the sum of £30 was spent on their upholstery, including velvet at 36s. 8d. a yard. Mr. Tipping has illustrated his text with photographs of peculiarly elegant specimens, and the whole book is charmingly produced.
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