The Home Lot 



259 



comer, simple though it may be, yet we say, "It's a nice 

 place. 7 ' Ask us why, and the answer is a very uncertain 

 one.. Why? It's because we fail to recognize the essen- 

 tials of a good picture. A good picture should suggest 

 themes for pleasant, harmonious thought. "Believing, 

 as we do, that the beauty and force of every true man's 

 life or occupation depends largely on his pursuing it 

 frankly, honestly, openly, with all the individuality of 

 his character, we would have his house and home help 

 to give significance to, and dignify that daily life and 

 occupation by harmonizing with them." 



370. Studying Landscapes. Compare Fig. 165 with 

 Fig. 166. Manifestly, one is more pleasing to the eye 

 than the other, but why? Some shrubs have been added, 

 it is true, but it is not the shrubs in themselves that are 

 so noticeably pleasing. The shrubs cover up many of 

 the harsh geometrical lines and make the landscape look 



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Fig. 166. Where shrubs are added. Compare with Fig. 165. 



