Samplers and Tapestry Embroidiries. By Marcus B. Haigh, LL.B. (Longmans
and Co. .22 2.e.)—This book is founded on an exhibition "held in the spring of 1900, at the Fine Art Society's Gallery in London, at which samplers covering every decade for the last two hundred and fifty years were shown." People who care about needlework will find a great deal to interest them in this book in spite of its rather pedantic style. The great feature of the
volume is the beautiful coloured plates, which the author says are produced by "a process of colour-printing which certainly out- distances any hitherto offered to book illustrators." The colour- ing of these samplers is for the most part harmonious, and modern workers might profitably consult this book when think- ing out a colour scheme. The patterns, too, have much quaint charm. This branch of needlework has apparently quite died out, which is a pity, as these little pieces of canvas with their queer verses and queerer figures have perhaps a more peculiarly human interest than gorgeous chasubles or counterpanes. Mrs. Head's notes on the stitches and materials used in samplers are clearly written, and are illustrated by examples enlarged from the originals.
Previous page
