1901.] on Enamels. 521 



The present work is deplorable. Can anything be more hideous 

 than the designs which are contained in the Christmas advertisements 

 of Bond Street shops ? 



The setting of diamonds, also, has no other aim than to display the 

 value of the stones. 



Jewellery work in the sixteenth century had higher aims. The 

 objects were made interesting. This will be abundantly clear to 

 any one who will pay a visit to the collection of jewellery at the 

 British Museum recently bequeathed by Baron Bothschild. 



Jewellery should be executed in fine gold only, or, if strength is 

 required, then in pure gold backed by stronger metals. The simplest 

 way to execute it is to make a model in wax or clay, and then mould 

 the gold upon a form of fusible metal made from the model. To 

 prevent the lead from adhering to the gold, it should be well covered 

 with black-lead, or better still, an electrotype mould can be prepared. 

 A little tiny furnace is all that is needful, and the necessary tools 

 can all stand upon a tea-tray. 



I observe, with regret, that every year the amusements of our 

 country seem more and more to be tending in a non-constructive, if 

 not in actually a destructive direction. The base mechanic is 

 tolerated with a slight touch of pity, if not of disdain. From the 

 Universities down to the Board Schools, knowledge appears to be 

 valued in proportion as it is divorced from practical utility. Let us 

 try to counteract this unhappy tendency by promoting, to the utmost 

 of our power, a knowledge and practice of useful arts, such as enamel- 

 ling and jewellery, which may be practised by our own firesides. 



[H. H. C] 



