This type appears far more elegant than that of the work-tables which have oval, or circular, or even kidney-shaped tops, and are based either upon a single column and tripod feet, or else upon horse-legs, that is, two parallel trestles. A kidney-topped table in the drawing-book rests on two lyre supports and horse-legs joined by a shaped tray as cross-piece. There is too large a use of draperies hanging from the table-top for a legitimately designed piece of furniture. In course of time these draperies have disappeared, and the tables look the better for the loss of them. One or two of those belonging to the Earl of Ancaster at Normanton Park have, I fancy, been treated in this manner (Plates cxxxiil, CXXXIV., CXXXV.).

In 'Horse' fire-screens, which appellation may, by the way, seemingly be applied even to those upon one standard with a tripod, Sheraton was both successful and unsuccessful. One is decorated with a large lyre in wood-work laid on the rectangular flat of the screen. Large mop-head finials grace the two ends of the top, and are answered by short broad tassels below. From the horns of the lyre hang heavy swags of flowers. A pleasant contrast to this is a much lighter-looking screen upon the regulation trestle legs, with a shield shape within the rectangle formed between the uprights. His pole-screens are apt to be so skimpy that they can have been but of very little practical use. They are shield-shaped, or almond-shaped, with scalloped edges, or otherwise fancifully formed, and the pole is based on slender tripod legs with one or two cross-trays or stretchers to make rigid their concave curves. Shearer's screen writing-table finds its echo in a 'Horse Dressing-Glass and Writing-Table.' The writing part is contained in a fall-down front, which then discloses an oval glass. There are candlebrackets on each side, and the whole is on lyre supports with trestle feet. A much more charming design is that for a lady's writing-table on the usual four tapering legs.

This has the rising screen of a work-table, as before described, behind it. There is a bulwark round three sides of the table top. On the left and right are boxed-in supports for candle-brackets, and in pivoted swing-drawers, fitting into these covered places, are found the ink and pens. This is a very usual arrangement in tables of this kind, and leaves extra room in the drawers below. Beautiful instances of ladies' writing-cabinets are given in Plates cxlvii. and cliv.

It is needless to say that Sheraton more than held his own in such smaller objects as tea-caddies and knife-boxes. These last of his, with their more varied fronts than those of Heppelwhite, are perhaps the most desirable of any.

It is necessary briefly to notice those later designs (Plate clviii.) of Sheraton made after 1800, and published, after his death, in 1812, all together, the existence of which for the most part it is impossible not to regret. The worst are so infinitely removed in manner from the graceful inventions of his earlier style that it is difficult to believe them to be the outcome of his own untrammelled genius. Pitiable though it is to admit that he followed the fashion, that belief is preferable to imagining that Sheraton invented these later objects in perfectly good faith. Moreover, they are so obviously based upon the Empire style, that we may be excused for attributing their enormities not so much to our English designer as to the bad taste of that society which had sprung up in France after the destruction of the old and cultivated nobility. However this may be, it is undeniable that whereas in his best period Snera-ton was able to avoid - for lack of brass-chasers - some of the clinquant of French furniture, in many of his later Empire designs he has produced almost the worst of which that manner is capable.

Plate CLVIII

I - Arm-Chair, Rosewood 180o Circa

2 - Hall Chair, Mahogany „ ,,

3 And 4 - Late Sheraton Chairs, Mahogany, Painted With Brass

CLVIII. (1) Armchair, rosewood, 1800 circa. Rev. H. V. le Bas.

(2) Hall chair, mahogany, 1800 circa. C. H. Talbot, Esq. Lacock Abbey.

(3 and 4) Chairs, late Sheraton, mahogany inlaid with brass. These may be by the firm of Gillow. Mr. W. H. Bliss.