Cotmania. Vol. IX. 1933-4

{Times Literary Supplement article}

The TWENTIETH VOLUME OF THE WALPOLE SOCIETY, 1931-1932. Vertue Note Books. Volume II.
THE TWENTY-FIRST VOLUME OF THE WALPOLE SOCIETY, 1932-1933. Issued only to Subscribers. (Oxford. Printed for the Walpole Society by John Johnson at the University Press.)

Received together, these two volumes are devoted respectively to a second instalment of the manuscript notebooks of George Vertue— the first appeared as Volume XVIII. of the society in 1930—and to miscellaneous subjects, English Church Monuments, 1536- 1625, taking the lead. In their introduction to Volume XX. the editors explain that it had been hoped to reproduce some of the more important works of art still surviving to which Vertue refers in addition to the line blocks of drawings in the original text; but a number of reasons difficulty of selection, and limited funds, particularly in view of the provision of an index, among them made it seem wiser to confine illustration to a frontispiece and to the pages of original manuscript which demanded reproduction. The frontispiece is the portrait of Vertue, by Thomas Gibson in 1723, belonging to the Society of Antiquaries, and, besides illustrations in the text, there are seven plates of pages from the note-books. An index to the first volume of Vertue manuscripts has been compiled and is receiving a final revision, and it is intended to publish a provisional index to the first two volumes.
The present volume gives the text of two note-books, labelled by Vertue A.g. and A.c. ; the first containing the earliest systematic account of his tours and visits, including the tour to the north with Lord Oxford in 1727, which marked his recognition as an antiquary : while the second is a composite volume, largely devoted to biographies of artists working in England, and containing a draft scheme for an academy and drawing school. There is no need here to enlarge upon the importance of Vertue as the earliest source of , accurate information about art in England, nor on the advantage of having his note-books carefully edited by competent hands and presented in a form convenient for reference. Naturally this volume is not for consecutive reading, but, apart from its practical value, it affords excellent " dipping." On page 18. for instance, one comes upon an account of the invention of "Metzotint," by Prince Rupert, to which, with commendable caution, Vertue adds "Quere whether Blootling had not at some time or other practised this." Nowadays the credit for the invention is given to Von Siegen. On pages 83-84 is given the story of the Duchess of Milan. When the match with Henry VIII. was proposed. " Cromwell answered that he would first see her picture and then Speak to the King; which being granted one Hans Holbein, being the Kings Servant, was sent over and in 3 houres space (as John Hutton our Agent there [hath] it) shewed what a Master he was in his [science]." The draft scheme for drawing schools proposes three ; one in London at [or] near) St. Pauls, Merchant Taylors, or Westminster Schools." and the others at (or ) any college at Oxford and Cambridge, [with] the suggestion that afterwards it may be [thought] convenient to have the same rules served at other great schools " as Winchester, Eaton " - a suggestion which time has filled to good advantage.

Volume XXI. has forty-eight plates of illustrations and two illustrations in the text. The article of most general interest is undoubtedly that, by Mr. J. G. Mann, on English Church Monuments. With an appreciative reference to Mrs. K. A. Esdaile's " English Monumental Sculpture since the Renaissance." published in 1927, Mr. Mann explains that his notes are an attempt to classify the different types of monuments of these years according to style and material. Part of their interest is due to the fact that they cover the period of transition from Gothic to Renaissance. The monuments are grouped in the three categories of styles, poses and design, with subdivisions, and eight varieties of material are named. Bronze, we learn, does not occur between Torrigiani's work at the beginning of the period, and Ambrose Dudley's tomb (c. 1600) and Le Sueur's work at the end. The notes are full of information, and the photographs—due to the generosity of many friends—will be greatly appreciated. The other articles are on John Wootton, by Mr. George E. Kendall; English Embroideries belonging to Sir John Carew Pole, by Mr. A. J. B. Wace; and a collection of portrait drawings formed by Dawson Turner, by Mr. Sydney D. Kitson. Mrs. Esdaile contributes additional notes to her article in Volume XV. on John Bushnell, Sculptor, and Sir William Foster to his "British Artists in India, 1760-1820," which appeared in Volume XIX. With these two volumes are presented the balance-sheets of the society for the years ending April 30, 1932, and April 30, 1933, the assets on the last date being £648 0s. 9½ d.—including the value of the stock of unsold volumes. What has been said about the contents of the volumes will suggest the importance of supporting, by joining it. the invaluable work of the society.

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{Kitson annotation}

The Times Literary: sup*plement May 11 1934

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{Daily Telegraph article}

Mr. Charles F. Tetley, Fox Hill, West- wood. Leeds, chairman of Joshua Tetley and Son Ltd., brewers, Leeds, Lord Mayor of Leeds in 1897, and a generous donor to charities left £564,582 (n.p. £532,979), on which £ 193, 370 on account of estate duty has been paid. His bequests included:

£ 1,000 to Richard Henry Hart, clerk, if still in his service.

£2000 to his executors for employees of J. Tetley and Son.

His real estate at Collingham was left to his eldest son and the residue of the property upon trust for his children, Charles Harold, Francis Eric, Michael Hubert, Margaret Winifred Kitson and Gladys Tetley, the share of a son to be 25 per cent. more than the share of a daughter.

Testator stated that he had on Aug. l0, 1931, transferred a sum of £35,000 to his sons, to be held by them under a trust for charitable objects.

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{Kitson annotation}

Daily Telegraph. May 14. 1934