Decorative Arts in Germany and France, 263 



by our intercourse with society, in which even a moderate 

 knowledge of art will be found to be confined to a very small 

 minority. Then, if we turn to our press for proofs of know- 

 ledge, whilst with one or two exceptions in London the lucu- 

 brations in our papers are too frequently beneath contempt, 

 our more important journals almost entirely neglect the sub- 

 ject ; and this neglect is a sufficient proof how little it is in 

 reality valued, or even thought about. 



But I hope that we may now look forward to better times ; 

 every where there are indications of improvement. There 

 seems to be an increasing desire on the part of the public to 

 see art encouraged. Institutions have been established, and 

 societies formed, with this avowed object, and so far it is plea- 

 sant to contemplate this ; but these very effi)rts, although 

 made in an admirable spirit, are misleading us. We congra- 

 tulate ourselves on our exertions, and believe that we are 

 exhibiting an earnestness in the promotion of the fine arts 

 worthy of our place amongst civilized nations ; but I greatly 

 fear that, from the very nature of the means which we are 

 adopting, and from the want of just ideas on the subject, 

 whilst some good is effected, we are also ministering to all 

 the evils which afflict our school, — we are fostering and per- 

 petuating a system which would be thought the invention of 

 insanity, if followed out by any student for any other profes- 

 sion, but which is apparently thought the most suitable pre-: 

 paration for becoming an artist. 



Have we made a single effort of importance to establish 

 a proper school for the due education of artists ? The fact 

 that we have not, is a sufficient proof that we have not 

 thought it worth while. It is true that in this town a mag- 

 nificent establishment exists, but it was founded with differ- 

 ent views ; and, besides, it will hardly be maintained by any 

 reasonable being, that a few hours' teaching in the week, and 

 permission for students to draw during the day, without any 

 guidance whatever, is sufficient ; would such a system mako 

 either lawyers or physicians 1 The artist alone is left to grope 

 his way almost unaided. I am, indeed, no friend to any mere 

 academic system for the education of artists, but such would- 

 be much better than none at all ; and as we can hardly hope 



