24 



determined by the greater number of meritorious articles in the elected entry, over 

 the fewer or single exhibits that matched them . No provision was made on the 

 premium list, for drawings in charcoal or india ink, but superior work in those 

 materials, compelled notice by classifying with crayons, or by recourse to the dis- 

 cretionary fund. One head of Christ, wrought in sepia, was one of the finest 

 things on exhibition, and provoked a breach of the eight commandment. No 

 specimen of repousee work was presented, though it is within the knowledge of 

 your committee that it is exquisitely done in our county. There were two beauti- 

 ful samples of Kensington painting, deserving high premiums; but which your 

 committee could not appropriately honor, because belonging in the department of 

 Needlework. Two cases — one of insects and one oi birds — claimed admiring re- 

 mark for excellence of setting up, but, as no entry papers were attached, it was in- 

 ferred that they were intended only for exhibition. Three samples oi wood-carv- 

 ing fully endorsed the propriety of the Society's making this a speciality, of which 

 we hope to see more hereafter. It is an art whose liner features female fingers 

 may deftly express, opening another field for woman's work in Berkshire. This 

 held is a.ready efficiently occupied by an art school in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is 

 urgently called for by the increasing demands of ornamental architecture. 



Your committee would beg permission to offer a few recommendations suggested 

 by their late experince. And, 1st, that provision be made for drawings in sepia 

 and charcoal, eithei by including them with crayons and pencils, or under new 

 specifications. 



2d. That separate spaces be allotted on the walls to each specification requir- 

 ing hanging, and that all the articles of the same entry be hung together. This 

 will relieve search by the committee over the whole assigned territory to find the 

 registered specimens, and secure a better judgment thereof by taking the whole 

 group in one view. 



3d. That visitors be excluded from the premises during ,\a initiation. It is not in 

 human nature that friends of the exhibitors should noi ie interested in awards to 

 their favorites, or withold remarks tending to prejudice accessible committees in 

 their behalf. 



In summary. Old Berkshire may be well gratified with the display of works of 

 art wrought by her sons and daughters at the late fair. Several were of superior 

 excellence; many very good, some — of course, among so many — inferior, and yet 

 betokening latent ability and talent to be developed by farther practice. During 

 their investigations your committee read in these evidences of skill and beauty the 

 passports of a growing aesthetic taste and love of the beautiful into the happy 1 

 nestle. 1 among the hills and valleys of our beloved Berkshire. 



After some discussion and, in instances, hesitation, but with final unanimity, 

 your committee adju Ige as follows: — 



Water color — Mrs. II. M. Archer, North Adams. $5; Mrs. Oatman, 3: Mrs. 

 Geo \. Holland, 2; Miss A. L. Pixley, Great Barrington, 1. 



Oil painting Mis. II. M. Archer. North Adams, ^5 ; Kate C. Brown, 4.; Mis 



' , ,. \. Holland, ■; : Mattie B. Norris, 2. Disci [nez \V. Kellogg, $2; 



Anna B Foote, I ee, 2 ; Mrs. E, A. Gamwell, 2: \V. T. Cooney, 1 ; Kittie W. 



irrington, 1 ; Sadie Gorham, (beat Barrington, 2; Mrs. II. W. 



Noble, 1. 



raj mi drawings Vnna B. Foote, Lee, 85 ; Mrs. II. M. Archer, North 

 Adams, 3: Minnie- E. Ken all. fch.irci.il). 2; Mattie B. Norris, 1. Discretion- 

 ary Mai) E. Strong (etchings in Sepia), 2. 



Pencil drawings Anna 1'.. Foote, J . $3; Miss A. L. Pixley, (beat Barring- 

 ton, 2: Fannie A. Smith, 1. Discretionary C. C. Robinson, Jr., Hinsdale, 50c. 

 kel work fosie Fox. Lee, $3; Louis Schaefer, 2 ; M. II. Hogan, 1. 



Wax work 1.1111,1 Schaefer, $5.2; Miss A. 1.. Pixley, Gt. Barrington, 1. 



Wood carving E. \. Simmons, $2; Kate C. Brown, 1. Discretionary — 

 Kate C. Brown. 3: /. A. Ward. 3: E. A. Simmons, 2: Kate C. Brown, 1. 



I'n Watkins >\ Simmons, $>6. 



