268 Mr Wilson's Observations on some of the 



It seems to be about fifty feet high ; and I saw several young 

 sculptors perched on different parts of it, or slung with ropes, 

 chipping away at the plaster of which it is formed, and shap- 

 ing it with small pickaxes as substitutes for the usual model- 

 ling tools. 



Whilst the fine arts in Munich are flourishing, the decora- 

 tive arts which are connected more immediately with them 

 are in a very advanced state. The house-painters of Munich 

 are excellent artists, and paint cleverly in oil, fresco, encaus- 

 tic, fresco secco, a peculiar art imported from Italy, and in 

 common distemper. The reason of this ability and advance- 

 ment is evident. The arabesques and ornamental painting 

 in the palace are all designed and executed by eminent art- 

 ists, and so it was in the best ages of art. Thus, an example 

 of fine designs, correct and appropriate taste, and excellent 

 execution, is set to the mere decorative painter, many of 

 whom, indeed, are employed as assistants, and thus study their 

 art under the most advantageous circumstances. The reason 

 of our inferiority in this department is thus rendered evident, 

 and all efforts to place ourselves on the same level with these 

 artists will be vain, till we see the same system adopted. 



The execution of ornamental architectural details at Munich 

 is also excellent ; there is no art in which we are more deficient 

 than in this, as is sufficiently evinced in the hard, stiff, and 

 lifeless character of our architectural ornamental details of 

 every description. 



I was also much struck with what may be termed the deco- 

 rative carpentry, or rather joinery, at Munich. I am enabled 

 to shew you some examples of the beautiful flooring of the 

 palace ; the cost is, however, considerable, about 3s. 4d. for 

 every 18 inches square, which would make a cost of L.lOO for 

 a room 30 feet square, although machinery is used in the for- 

 mation of the pieces of which this mosaic work is formed. 

 The doors also of the palace are beautiful specimens of taste 

 and workmanship ; they are about 10 feet high, and formed 

 of various fine woods inlaid in beautiful patterns and highly 

 polished ; each door costs L.18. I have not seen any thing to 

 equal them in any other royal residence which 1 have visited. 



Metals, also, arc wrought with great taste and skill; and in 



