24 Report of Committees. 



serge and brogans; that sincere prayer is as acceptable when uttered 

 in a $100,000 temple as in a bare-walled barrack. 



Then followed the era of the gratification of art-love as measured 

 by the pecuniary ability of the individual fancier. Only the favored 

 few who bore heavy purses were regarded as the proper possessors 

 of household adornments. In their case artistic tiles flanked the 

 tire-place ; carpets concealed the board floor ; mouldings and cor- 

 nices topped the parlor and family portraits or costly engravings re- 

 lieved the broad surface of the walls. In the rural districts, (with, 

 perhaps, the exception of "the squire" or the minister,) people were 

 content if the "best room" of their humble dwellings could display 

 the gaudy-hued paper, with its figured impossibilities to "company" 

 on state occasions. As for the churches, the bare pulpit and uncush- 

 ioned seat were sufficient for devotional purposes; while a huge, 

 rough stove with its dreary length of pipe to modify the edge of the 

 cold, was the exception rather than the rule. 



What a change have later years seen throughout the land ! Art 

 with its schools and devotees has made strides in the time of pro- 

 gress relatively as important to the aesthetic, as are steam, and elec- 

 tricity to the commercial world. And neither its knowledge nor its 

 possession is longer a monopoly. Though of metropolitan origin, 

 its ramifications have reached the remote hills and valleys of New 

 England, at least, and are constantly extending. 



Of this, every succeeding exhibition at our Housatonic Fair affords 

 ample proof. The taste and aptitude are no longer latent among 

 us, and the artists are the sons and daughters of Berkshire. Your 

 committee found awaiting their inspection the productions of a few 

 artists already well advanced on the road to eminence, and those of 

 very promising aspirants in the same direction. We would suggest 

 a more general copying from nature, rather than from casts and 

 models. There was less free-hand drawing than we desire to see. 

 But some of the specimens from natural objects were admirable. 

 The sunlight on the golden rod, which took the first premium in oils 

 was less color than the real thing. Scarcely less excellent were the 

 entwinings of a decorated mirror; also several groups of pansies on 

 board and metal, framed and on placques ; and a painted fly on one 

 of the pieces was so natural as to induce several attempts of per- 

 sons to dislodge it only to acknowledge themselves "sold." Some 

 imitations of Kensington stitch in oils were nearly perfect. A con- 

 siderable range of articles outside of our marked line of duty 

 called for a free use of our discretionary funds. Notably in this 

 line were some beautifully ornamented candles, a large collection of 

 superior photographs ; a fine specimen of pen-work, and one char- 

 coal drawing admirably executed. So largely has charcoal become 

 a competitor of crayon and pencil, that your committee would sug- 

 gest distinct premiums for productions with this material. 



But more room and a better light is needed for the proper dis- 

 play of the department of these arts, and, as we think, ought to be 

 afforded, even if an "Annex" be furnished therefor. Could not a por- 



