FIGURES AND VASES OF STONE AND LEAD i8i 



to say, the figure — alone or grouped — is an expensive 

 matter, and it pertains to a high and rare form of art 

 which does not admit of anything second rate. 

 There are, however, certain figures which are toler- 

 able, even when not the work of an undisputed 

 master, — subjects which are perfectly adapted to the 

 garden and equally attractive when carved in stone 

 or cast in lead. Among these, the most charming are 

 figures of children, — whether impersonating Cupid 

 or exhibiting any other particular quality, good or 

 reprehensible, it is no matter. In a courtyard or 

 amid the flowers, on a gate pier, in a niche of yew 

 or brick, or emerging from the waters of a pool, the 

 naked child is always a fresh and vigorous figure. 

 Peasant children in their costume are not inappro- 

 priate, — they look at home in the garden, — but the 

 easiest selection will be made from the animal world, 

 from which every situation can be supplied with 

 something interesting and fitting. It is not, how- 

 ever, every artist who can best serve the requirements 

 of the garden in this matter of sculpture. The 

 modelling should be robust and full, for the outline 

 will have an exaggerated importance seen against 

 the sky or a background of green. Garden sculpture 



