Report of Committee. 15 



Silk Quilts, Mrs. C. M Brown, Great Barrington, $1 



Mrs. L. Couch. Becket, 1 



Mary J. Kenyon, Otis, (withheld) 1 



Mrs. L. T. Osborne, Alford, 1 



Patch Work, Mrs. E. P. Hendrick, Great Barrington, 1 



Miss Alice Ray, Great Barrington, 1 



Mrs. Eliza Royce, New Marlboro, 1 



Minnie Brown, New Marlboro, - 1 



Harry C. Smith, Otis, 1 



Woolen Hose, Annie Putnam, Becket, 1 



Mrs. William L. Abbott, Sheffield, . 1 



Mrs. A. P. Bassett, Lee, 1 



Mrs. Orrin Curtiss, Sheffield, 1 



Woolen Mittens, Mrs. Joseph Kenyon, Otis, 1 



Silk Quilt, Miss Kate Decker, Egremont, 1 



Respectfully submitted. 



J. M. HOWK, ) 



Mrs. E. E. BARNES, [ Committee. 



Mrs. HENRY BURGETT, ) 



PAINTING, DBAWING, &C. 



Whole number of entries, 18. (Number of pieces 40.) Oil Paintings, 3 ; Water 

 Colors, 4 ; Crayon Drawings, 1 ; Pencil Drawings, 4 ; Miscellaneous, 6. 



In performing their official duties, the ideal contrast to your Com- 

 mittee of the present exhibitions of our Society with its appearance 

 forty years ago inspired curious emotions. Then, not even a place to 

 hang a work of art ; probably not a brush or a pencil capable of pro- 

 ducing one ; certainly not a meager premium to suggest one. The 

 homely essentials of household life alone were considered worthy of 

 attention ; while the tasteful, setting-off touches of decoration were 

 regarded very much as in our day, the sunflower upon the coat front 

 of Oscar Wilde. But the tide of years, while bringing in much whose 

 tendency is doubtful, if not deleterious, has also turned public atten- 

 tion to other things, whose cultivation is to improve and refine. To 

 the substantial comforts of former time is now added another element 

 to render our homes attractive, and in many cases introducing to their 

 occupants a new and remunerative industry. Decorative work, such 

 as forty years since, could only be commanded by the wealthy citizen, 

 now brightens the dwellings of the Berkshire farmer — aye, and is 

 wrought by members of his own household. In these aesthetics the 

 brush, the crayon, and the needle compete, and their products sur- 

 pass those of mediaeval fame. 



The exhibit in the line of oil, water-color, crayon and pencil draw- 

 ings this year was less notable for the number, than for the excellence 

 of by far the greater portion of the articles presented. Several of 

 them were very gems. Of the oils there were three entries, with sev- 

 eral separate articles under each. Chief among these was a cluster 

 of golden-rod, whose accuracy of coloring and detail betokened the 

 eye of the true artist. Nor were her competitors far in the rear, as 

 testified by a picture of rural scenery, and a large painting of Hamlet 

 and Ophelia. 



Of water-colors there were four entries, each covering several 

 specimens on paper, placque, silk and panel — all meritorious, many 



