By “THETA” (WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY), with all the original woodcut
illustrations, a new portrait of CRUIKSHANK, etched by PAILTHORPE, and
a prefatory note on THACKERAY AS AN ART CRITIC, by W. E. CHURCH.
“Thackeray’s essay ‘On the Genius of George Cruikshank,’ reprinted
from the _Westminster Review_, is a piece of work well calculated to
drive a critic of these days to despair. How inimitable is its touch!
At once familiar and elegant, serious and humorous, enthusiastically
appreciative, and yet just and clear-sighted; but, above all, what
the French call _personnel_. It is not the impersonnel reviewer who
is going through his paces ... it is Thackeray talking to us as few
can talk--talking with apparent carelessness, even ramblingly, but
never losing the thread of his discourse or saying a word too much,
nor ever missing a point which may help to elucidate his subject
or enhance the charm of his essay.... Mr. W. E. Church’s prefatory
note on ‘Thackeray as an Art Critic’ is interesting and carefully
compiled.”--_Westminster Review._
“As the original copy of the _Westminster_ is now excessively
rare, this re-issue will, no doubt, be welcomed by
collectors.”--_Birmingham Daily Mail._
“The new portrait of Cruikshank by F. W. Pailthorpe is a clear, firm
etching.”--_The Artist._
_Printed on hand-made paper and bound in vellum, crown 8vo., price 6s._