236 AWAKENING OF ENGLAND. 



should have far-reaching results in country 

 districts, for we should have the collateral 

 advantage of getting men of taste on Rural 

 District Councils, responsible for the passing 

 of designs. The ordinary builder whose work 

 has acted like a nightmare on all those who 

 have sought peace and beauty in the country 

 will then receive a check. We might begin 

 to get councillors with choice ideas. 



Much, too, might be done in the country 

 individually, by the influence of artists, who are 

 beginning to take up their abode in remote 

 country districts. I have in mind one young 

 artist in particular who feels that pictures are 

 no longer wanted, and occupies his time in 

 designing and making book - plates. His 

 presence in the village has had a magical effect 

 upon the work done by the village blacksmith 

 and the local house - builder, painter and 

 decorator. On the inside of the smithy door 

 may be seen chalk designs for coal-scuttles, 

 bellows, fenders, gates, etc., suggested by him 

 to the blacksmith out of his love of creating 

 beautiful designs for simple, useful things. 

 The colour schemes of the local house-decorator 

 too have improved under the tutelage of this 

 artistic friend of mankind. 



