58 
ART APPLIED TO INDUSTRY. 
By W, H. HEY, Art Master. October 22nd, 1889. 
Mr. Hey’s useful and interesting paper opened with a review 
of art as applied to various industries, in India, Persia, China 
and Japan, where industrial arts have flourished for centuries ; 
he highly eulogised the artistic methods adopted by these nations 
more especially in connection with textile fabrics such as Cotton, 
Woollen, Silk and mixed fabrics, Lace, Brocades, Embroidery, 
Carpets, &c. He then traced the history of the various Institu- 
tions of our own country for the fostering and encouragement 
of Art work, making special reference to the Scottish Society of 
1727, the Dublin Society of 1749, and the London Society of 
1754, down to the now flourishing ‘“‘ Science and Art Department,” 
founded in 1858. He dwelt at considerable length on the 
principles of design, concluding with the following valuable 
suggestions :—‘ After having glanced at the structural part of 
design, I may now point out some of the principles which when 
duly observed, have been productive of a higher class of designs, 
which depend not upon their novelty, or the fashion of the day, 
but on their true artistic merits, and will probably live to be 
admired by succeeding generations. The most important prin- 
ciple is that of Fitness or Adaptation. Before commencing any 
design we ought to know for what purpose the material is 
intended, also whether it is to be used in a vertical or horizontal 
position, such as a wall hanging or a table cover. It is for want 
of consideration that we sometimes see table covers, carpets, &e., 
with patterns all growing in one direction. The proper treat- 
ment for these things is one in which all the patterns radiate, so 
that from whichever side it is viewed we shall feel that it is right. 
The size of the pattern also depends upon the use of the material, 
for if we make a design suitable for a child’s dress, we cannot 
introduce the same size of flowers or scrolls that we might do in 
a hanging. Another principle is that of Even Distribution ; by 
this we do not mean that it should be necessarily like the meshes 
in a net, all the parts the same size and shape, but the design 
when viewed at a distance should not give you the impression 
that there are some spaces in it that would look better if a little 
more was filled in, neither should there be any indication of 
overcrowding. The best designs will always steer clear of both 
these extremes. A design which possesses a certain amount of 
variety both in form and colour will always give more pleasure than 
one which is composed of patterns equal in size. A knowledge of 
