Mr, Hamlin's investigations which resulted in the publication of his. book on Libraries doubtless influenced him in writing "Architecture Through the Ages." as his visits to fifteen famous European libraries must inevit. ably have opened his eyes to the need for a. publication on architecture written in such a manner as to make fu appeal not only to the professional student of architecture but also to the layman. That he has achieved this object is unquestionable, and in the' Far East, where even cities of the size of Shanghai to a large extent lack facilities for architectural education, treatise which so clearly expounds stich a readable manner the development of "Architecture Through the Ages" is certain of a warm wel-
The statement on the wrapper that the book is "profusely illustrated" is thoroughly borne out by the contents but, at the risk of seeming too critical of an extraordinarily " interesting, hishly readable and obviously reliable must be stated that many of the illustrations are teo small to be Jof much practical use to the student, and those which are reproductions of its are poorly reproduced, Fur-these fatter" iMustrations fre-this nature are combat Where se.les are given they are.
lerous cases, so poorly printed ta be illegible.
The North Point Another important omission from several of the plans is the north point which, from the view-point of the student, is essential if he ig 10 become conversant with the orientation fof the various buildings Mustrated. 'A minor point, but one which would facilitate reference between the text and the description under illustraions, is that these do not always agree or are given in a different order, Where both plans and sections of a building are given, the line on which the section is taken is frequently not shown on the plan, rendering their study more dificult the sections are not always taken di-reetly through the building.
In the opening chapter on "Primi tive Architecture" the illustrations are ess "numerous than in succeeding chapters, and although religious build-ngs and monuments are touched jupon in a general way, a notable omission from both the text and the ilisto thet world-renowned carly example of man's efforts construction, Stonehenge.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.