Bristow tries to convey the manner in which knowledge of historic interior decoration practice has been lost, describes available methods of investigation of paint surfaces (microscopic examination of cross-sections or scrapes ) and indicates approaches to take for the redecoration of 18th century rooms. He recommends the meticulous checking of each detail and suggests that, since investigations are time consuming and expensive, they be restricted to rooms where vestiges of original color schemes survive, rooms associated with historical figures, or rooms whose original color schemes are of architectural importance. -- AATA