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REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 



FAJNTOY AJ^TICLES. 



The display of fancy articles was unusually large and ricli, accord- 

 ing to the prevailing ideas, and the lady exhibitors deserve much 

 praise for their industry and public spirit. Among the novelties 

 were thread-lace made in Amherst, worsted work by a bhnd girl, 

 and a splendid piece of Chinese embroidery loaned by the President 

 of the Society. The Fine Arts did not lack good specimens of wax 

 flowers and oil painting. 



Your committee, however, have long been seriously exercised in 

 mind concerning the style of fancy work and domestic manufacture, 

 that gives tone to Agricultural Fairs. In the first place, the Evean 

 mind runs almost exclusively^ to worsted work, (especially lamp- 

 mats) crochet, patch quilts aiid rag carpets. In the second place, 

 there seems to be little besides a mere mechanical imitation of 

 copies and patterns, — few or no attempts at originality. Thirdly, 

 as a consequence, there is much idle industry, which almost deserves 

 the name of sin. Fourthly, as another consequence, there is a 

 monotonous repetition that makes each successive Fair hke its 

 predecessors, and thus lessens the interest of such exhibitions. 

 Finally and chiefly, the Evean mind is not developed and improved, 

 as it should be in this age of art, education and progress. 



Your committee are aware that a great superfluity of lamp-mats 

 may be" accounted for simply on the score that they are passports to 

 the Fair. In respect to rag-work, we could be reconciled, if we 

 could be persuaded that it does not cost more in material and time 

 than it is worth. A quilt, also, that does not aspire to an infinitj 



