ON DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES. 49 



construed into an intimation that the like course would be pursued 

 at subsequent exhibitions. 



Perhaps itnriay be observed with justice that a large proportion 

 of the articles were rather of the ornamental than in the strictest 

 sense of the word of the useful — such as are more calculated to 

 please than projit. Your committee are not enemies to taste 

 and ornament; nor do they suppose because a thing is good for 

 nothing but just to look at, that it is therefore worthless. Our 

 benevolent and wise Creator has made, and does from year to 

 year continue to make, many things of which we know no use 

 except that they are 'pleasant to the sight ; and we feel willing, 

 more than this, desirous, that the noblest portion of his creatures 

 should in their appropriate sphere endeavor to imitate him. But 

 with the beautiful he has given a still larger portion of what in 

 civil economy is called the useful, or perhaps it may be more 

 accurately expressed, he has rendered the useful attractive by 

 finishing it in a tasteful and ornamental manner. We do not 

 wish any of the specimens had been withheld, nor the attention 

 to things of taste diminished, but we wish with these an increase 

 of those of a more substantial character, and particularly of those 

 where the useful are rendered interesting and attracting by an 

 ornamental and tasteful finish. We are persuaded we shall ex- 

 press the feelings of the Society and of the community generally 

 when we observe that the great and good design of this annual 

 exhibition will be more fully answered, if in subsequent years 

 our young female friends, and indeed those of greater age, together 

 with their highly finished specimens of bead and lace and va- 

 rious fancy work, will also bring well wrought specimens of plain 

 sewing and knitting, garments of common wear, and other neces- 

 sary and substantial articles of domestic life ; things which meet 

 the wants and subserve the interest of every day, and by which 

 even in the busy forenoon a family would appear attracting, as 

 well as when at eventide they are ready to see friends and enjoy 

 the sweets of social life. 



The county abounds with specimens of the sorts referred to. 

 In very few portions of our country are the principles of taste 

 and economy more happily combined than in our own county. 



