Sketches seven typical Florentine women, some of whom of reputed beauty
were immortalized by Botticelli and da Vinci.
* * * * *
“Index and bibliography give evidence of care in the book’s making,
although a list of fifty-five ‘errata’ is also proof of carelessness in
some quarter.”
+ − =Dial.= 47: 450. D. 1, ’09. 220w.
“At no point can one trust Mr. Staley. Since its handsome form and
attractive illustrations might impose it upon the unwary we have given
undeserved space to a grotesquely bad book.”
− =Nation.= 89: 631. D. 23, ’09. 180w.
“He is quite qualified by reading to produce such a book as this.
Unfortunately he has chosen to adopt a style of writing which would be
offensive to the least fastidious.”
− + =Sat. R.= 108: 114. Jl. 24, ’09. 220w.
“The book altogether is an attractive dream of the sunny side of the
Renaissance.”
+ =Spec.= 103: 206. Ag. 7, ’09. 480w.
=Staley, Edgcumbe.= Tragedies of the Medici. *$3.50. Scribner.
8–34797.
“A most useful compendium of universal villainy. This book was compiled,
the author tells us, as companion to Dumas’ ‘The crimes of the Borgias.’
and its style is shaped accordingly. Each chapter begins with a bit of
dramatic dialogue which is calculated to captivate and render rigid with
anticipation the most wandering attention.”—N. Y. Times.
* * * * *
“There is in these stories just enough historical allusion to frighten
readers who are in search of thrills; while on the other hand, there is
not a page which the searcher for historic facts would dare to accept as
trustworthy.”
− =Nation.= 88: 195. F. 25, ’09. 270w.
Reviewed by W: A. Bradley.
=N. Y. Times.= 14: 93. F. 20, ’09. 700w.
“Mr. Staley’s ‘decorative features’ simply spoil his book.”
− =Outlook.= 91: 816. Ap. 10, ’09. 300w.
“The beautiful illustrations, beautifully reproduced and exquisitely
toned, are worthy of the noblest book on the Medici, but here are like
so many jewels in a rubbish heap.”
− + =Sat. R.= 107: 372. Mr. 20, ’09. 1300w.
=Stalker, Rev. James.=^{[6]} Atonement. *$1. West. Meth. bk.