92 CHRISTMAS 



their models and the execution of their work. 

 Perhaps it is through transmission of the careful 

 detail shown by Diirer and his pupils that Ger- 

 mans are so skilled in making lifelike toys. It is 

 an industry to be encouraged, because well-made 

 playthings that truly represent objects must 

 educate the young to observe, and this is a help 

 in after-life for all professions. Hitherto, we have 

 relied entirely upon Germany for those childish 

 decorations that adorn our Christmas trees, but 

 the moment has come for us in England to start 

 many such industries ourselves. With thought 

 and observation we could surpass the toys that 

 have been made and should thus gain, perhaps, 

 somewhat of that independence and self-reliance, 

 which, it must be confessed, as a nation, we lack. 

 At the present moment, it would seem desirable 

 to interest small children in subjects that do not 

 bear directly upon the war. They see and hear 

 each day so much that relates to hand-grenade 

 fighting, bomb-dropping, Zeppelin raids, all of 

 which is unrestful, exciting, and unconsciously 

 conducive to cruelty and hardness. Would it not 

 be possible to appeal, by means of artistically exe- 

 cuted, lifelike toys, to the love of natural objects 

 and beautiful things, which exists most assuredly 

 in each one of us but which is apt to be blotted 

 out by too much attention being paid to horrors ? 

 Surely it is necessary to counteract with vigour 

 the sensational talk about unpleasing current 

 events which even the best-trained nurserymaid 

 cannot resist indulging in before children. Will 

 miniature farm-houses, thatched barns, hurdled 



