It is doubtful whether Mr. Shaw’s skill as an artist, fidelity as a copyist, or taste in the selection of his subjects, entitle him to the higher praise.  We leave to those who are familiar with his Dresses and Decorations of the Middle Ages, and other admirable productions, the settlement of this point.  He has just published the first number of a new work, The Decorative Arts of the Middle Ages, the object of which is to exhibit the peculiar features and general characteristics of decorative art, from the Byzantine or early Christian period to the decline of that termed the Renaissance.  This beautiful work—­for beautiful it is—­is extremely well timed, as it appears at a moment when our manufacturers who desire to display their skill at the great exhibition of 1851, must be most anxious to see “the principles by which our ancestors controlled their genius in producing articles of taste and beauty, from the precious metals, from enamels, from glass, from embroidery, and from the various other textures and materials on which they delighted to lavish their skill and ingenuity (both for the various services of the Church, and also as accessories to the luxuries of the wealthy of all classes).”  The present number contains:  1.  “An exquisite Cup, designed by Holbein for Queen Jane Seymour;” 2.  “Stained Glass of the 13th Century, from the Cathedral of Chartres;” 3.  “An exquisite Specimen of Embroidery (of the date of 1554), from a picture of Queen Mary belonging to the Society of Antiquaries;” and, 4.  “Iron-work from the Tomb of Eleanor of Castile.”  It will be seen, from this enumeration of them, how varied and well selected are the subjects of this new work of Mr. Shaw, and how well they are adapted to answer the end which he has in view.

Messrs. Leigh Sotheby & Co. will sell on Thursday next, and the two following days, “The valuable and select library of William Ashby Ashby, Esq., of Queenby Hall, Leicestershire,” consisting of standard works in English history, and the best editions of Latin, Italian, and French Classics, &c. all in the choicest old morroco, russia, and other handsome bindings.

We have received the following Catalogues:—­

“Number I., for 1850, of John Miller’s Catalogue of Books, Old and New, on Sale at 43.  Chandos Street, Trafalgar Square.”

“John Petheram’s Catalogue of Old and New Books on Sale, for Cash only, at 94.  High Holborn (Part cvii., No.  I. for 1850).”

“Catalogue d’une Collection extraordinaire d’un choix de beaux Livres Gothiques Romans de Chevalerie, Elzevirs, Novellieri, Manuscrits d’une superbe condition, recueillis pendant dix annees et tous relies par Bauzonnet, Niedree, Duru, Cape, en vente chez M. Gancia, 73.  King’s Road, Brighton.”

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BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES

WANTED TO PURCHASE

(In continuation of Lists in former Nos.)