80 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



Domestic Manufactures. 



Among the many ways in "which genius manifests itself to 

 the world, the converting of cheap materials, or such as would 

 otherwise be thrown away as useless, into useful and orna- 

 mental articles, for household consumption, such as rugs, coun- 

 terpanes and mats, is not the least praiseworthy. To fabricate 

 a substantial and beautiful rug, calls into exercise not only the 

 hands, but some of the higher faculties of the mind also. On 

 such, we often see mapped out some of the distinguished traits 

 in the character of the fair manufacturer, disclosing her taste, 

 her appreciation and love of the beautiful, order and color ; her 

 patience, perseverance, and ideas of domestic economy. 



A Hearth Rug should be in keeping with the quiet, — '' the 

 ineffable coziness of one's own fireside." Fighting dogs and 

 ; cats, race horses at full speed, or other animals rampant, should 

 never be seen pictured there. But the innocent lamb and 

 other domestic animals, couched, or in attitudes expressive of 

 peace, harmony or love. There also, may be represented flowers, 

 buds, and the foliage of plants. But a correct taste should here, 

 we think follow Nature, and never exhibit the magnificent 

 pffiony attached to a pumpkin-vine, or the peaceful dahlia, grow- 

 ing on a cabbage-stump. As a general rule, we should recom- 

 mend the imitation of real flowers and leaves, instead of 

 inventing such as Nature never produced. Let those who 

 think they can improve on her models, try to change for the 

 better the shape of a leaf — a leaf of any plant or tree whatever, 

 by clipping it with scissors. The next most important study 

 for artists, (and successful manufacturers of rugs are worthy to 

 be ranked as such,) is the choice of a color for the back-ground, 

 and the management of light and shade. The color of the 

 back-ground should be such as will contrast well, and give 

 relief to all the colors in the figures. And it shoifld ever be 

 remembered, that the sun never shine? on the opposite sides of a 

 tree, plant or blossom, at the same time ; and no picture can 

 possess much merit, in the shading of which this fact has been 

 disregarded. 



Governed in some measure by these views, the Committee 



