Book excerpt: The chief aim of this series of handbooks of practical art is to bring to the notice of students and anatcuss of art, as well as all Iovers of the highest excellence in workmanship, numerous examples, both ancient and modern, of the application of beautiful design to articles of every-day use and to the various objects which are frequently employed for purposes of decoration. The Handbook will contain an historical record of the progress of the art of which it treats, from the earliest times tu the present, showing the distinctive characteristics of the respective periods and will be illustrated with about forty to sixty engravings, which will include representations of many of the most remarkable specinlens of industrial art that have been preserved to us, and which now adorn the national museums of Europe. In making thc selection, much care has been taken to include only those works that are noteworthy either for the elegance of their form or the beauty of their ornamentation although a few objects have been chosen for their historical interest, and for the purpose of showing the style of art prevalent at the time in which they were made.