IT is more than probable that furniture attributed to Chippendale should in many cases be laid to the credit of lesser men, such as Ince and Mayhew or Robert Manwaring. The latter's books, as well as that of Ince and Mayhew, enjoyed a vogue which called for more than one edition. It is only reasonable, therefore, to consider that some at least of these men's designs, when executed, resulted in tolerably good furniture, though we must admit that Manwaring was one of those men who do not seem to be aware when they have perpetrated a monstrosity. To some of these I shall refer in a short account of his books.

Plate CXXXII. I - Shield-Back Arm-Chair, Walnut Hepplewhite

CXXXII. (1) Shield-back Armchair, walnut. Heppel-white. V. & A. M. (2) Shield-back Chair, walnut. Heppel-white. V. & A. M.

That for which Manwaring is entirely responsible is a thin octavo called The Cabinet and Chair Maker's Real Friend and Companion, or the Whole System of Chair-making made plain and easy, etc. A long paragraph follows, ending with the words, ' the whole invented and drawn by Robert Manwaring, Cabinet Maker, and beautifully and correctly engraved on 40 copper plates by Robert Prankes, London. Printed for Henry Webley in Holborn, near Chancery Lane, 1765. Price Ten Shillings sewed; Eleven Shillings and Six Pence bound.' The aforesaid long paragraph gives a foretaste of some of Manwaring's vagaries. ' Very rich and elegant rural chairs for Summer Houses, finely ornamented with Carvings, Fountains, and beautiful Landscapes, with the Shepherd and his Flock, Reaper and Binders of Corn, Rock work, etc. Also some very beautiful Designs supposed to be executed with the limbs of Yew, Apple or Pear Trees, ornamented with Leaves and Blossoms which if properly painted will appear like Nature. These are the only Designs of the kind that ever were published. . . .'