1899.] ESSAYS. H5 



cooking school of good standing. Such a person can detect the 

 slijjhtest overfernientation of bread or the smallest variation of 

 texture in cake. I have In mind one such judge whose rapid 

 but systematic decisions, according to a scale of points, were 

 above question. 



In no department is a qualified judge more needed than in 

 that of painting, drawing and decorative design. Without an 

 expert, false standards are made for those out of reach of the 

 influence and advantaofes of art exhibitions and schools. 



A problem for the management of fairs is the compaiative 

 value and claims of the professional and the amateur exhibitor. 

 A list offers first and second premiums for ten to twenty differ- 

 ent articles. The judge finds a large and beautiful exhibit of 

 needlework, covering all branches specified in the list and a 

 great attraction to visitors. She starts upon the task of judg- 

 ing, has a scale of points for shading of colors, setting of 

 btitches, beauty of design and so on. If strictly im})artial she 

 must award every first premium to the exhibitor who is well 

 known as a teacher or dealer. In her heart she believes that 

 the award should go occasionally to the woman who has sent her 

 one masterpiece made at home in spare moments and which falls 

 but a shade lower than the work of the successful professional. 



But the judge must not let sentiment influence the award. 

 The professional's work is doubtless a great attraction to visitors 

 and is an object lesson to those who do that particular kind of 

 work ; it is too valuable to be dispensed with because it tends 

 to raise the standard of the exhibit both in quality and by the 

 introduction of new ideas. On the other hand less skilled 

 workers are apt gradually to withdraw their efforts because of 

 the certainty of being outdone, for it takes courage to submit 

 one's handiwork to the chances that await it under these condi- 

 tions. A remedy lies in the larger societies oflfering separate 

 premiums for professional and amateur work, and in the smaller 

 ones either barring out the professional or giving a gratuity on 

 such collections or exhibits. This leaves the money encourage- 

 ment and the grading of prizes where it belongs. 



This reference to the product of the needle may apply as 

 well to the brush. In the art department a few societies already 



