96 WEST OXFORD SOCIETY. 



himself, as he sets foot thereon, of the gaudy boquets that bloom on 

 "sister's new rug," and the soil he has brought all the way from 

 the farm yard is received into its intricate folds, making a literal 

 saviyig of dirt which had else been tracked to the remotest corner 

 of the house. 



Even these specimens of virtue which appeal to the senses alone, 

 if they are wholly useless, why have the best and wisest of all ages 

 been their greatest patrons 7 



When we find it not beneath the dignity of the Creator of the 

 universe, to paint the fragrant lily, rose, and the gorgeous tulip, 

 shall we consider it an insignificant performance of art. to reproduce 

 such exact imitations as to deceive the eye of the practiced connois- 

 seur? Or from the curious seed-receptacles of the coniferous forest 

 evergreen, to fashion furniture outvieing the cunning carvers' art? 



When he daguerreotypes upon the lakelet's silvery surface, the 

 blue and gold of heaven's type, and wooded landscapes all along its 

 margin, shall we despise the art which links to crystal the images 

 of those we love ? 



When nature paints the forest, and the mountain's brow in rain- 

 bow hues, may not art transfer to crayon-board and canvas, land- 

 scapes that we admire or love, to grace our walls and cheer our 

 indoor life ? 



Let us not shrink from competition, but strive for the persever- 

 ance to do our best, the courage to compare our work with others, 

 and the generosity to rejoice at seeing ourselves outdone. Then, 

 and not till then, will the chief obstacles be removed from the path 

 of improvement, and our journey to perfection be really commenced. 



E. E. Fly, Chainnaji. 



