12 



jet firm, and so carefully made as to compare favorably, so far as they go, 

 with the productions of the expert Swiss lace workers. Lace making should 

 be encouraged, for these soft, graceful articles add so much to the dainty 

 femininity of a woman's attire. 



The drawn work showed the largest number of entries, and many pieces 

 ■seemed the perfection of their kind, so perfect that they might have been the 

 work of machmes instead of being wrought by fingers. 



The darning on clothing was so nicely done that it became so much a part 

 of the cloth as to require a mark around the darned place for an index. 



Excellence is measured by quality, not quantity. By this standard the 

 exhibit in this department was of superior excellence. The ladies did their 

 work in a commendable manner and we would accord to them their full meed 

 of commendation. We congratulate the Society upon having such skilled 

 supporters and think it should more generously encourage their etforts and 

 promote a larger competition. The scarcity of the fancy articles in the hall, 

 the emptiness of the cases set aside for this department of the fair, was a sub- 

 ject of general remark among the attendance this year. The cause of this 

 somewhat meagre display is attributable, we believe, to the limited number of 

 premiums offered and, possibly, in part to the small space given for exhibitions. 

 It would seem that the interests of the Society demand a more liberal premium 

 list in the various divisions of fancy work. It is a department that is attract- 

 ive to a large porportion of the patrons of the fair. These wish to examine 

 closely and carry home new ideas, hoping to add to the cheerfulness 

 and adornment of their homes, or to the tastef ulness of their apparel. All these 

 things have a tendency to culture and refinement, touching many lives, hence a 

 wise expenditure of the Society's funds. The premiums are high enough and 

 the list a good one as it now stands. The need is for added* classes. At 

 present, articles have to be entered where they do not belong, strictly speaking. 

 For instance, in our division, because of the classification, we were obliged to 

 compare very handsome specimens of darned net lace with the more useful but 

 more homely darned clothing, under the entry head '•Darning." Between 

 these there is no comparison and the question of doing justice to those con- 

 cerned, was as serious as though the matter under consideration had been of 

 great value. We awarded as we deemed nearest just. 



\Ve would suggest adding first and second premiums of $2 and $1 for best 

 fancy darning; also like premiums for darning of clothing by girls under 

 fifteen years of age. We would be very loyal to the old Society in all her 

 interests, and in offering these suggestions we do not take a position of 

 criticism, but are looking to the advancement of her interests, increasing her 

 attractions and multiplying her benefits. 



Lace, Drawn Work and Darning. 



Whole number entries 86. Hand Made Lace, 7; Drawn Work 21 

 Darning, 8. 



Best Hand Made Lace. :Miss :M. E. Van Deusen, Sheffield, 



2d do., Mrs. Kalph Ilurlhurt. Sheffield, 



3d do., Mrs. V. W. Siiych'r. Sheffield, 

 Best specimen Drawn Work. Mrs. C. W. Snyder, Sheffield, 



2d do.. Miss M. Blanche Baldwin. Egremont, 



3d do.. Miss J. M. Dewey, Sheffield, 

 Best specimen Darning. Mrs. H. B. Rounds, Great Barrington, 



2d do., Mrs. Frank D. Rowe, Egremont. 



DI8CKETIONARY. 



Hand-Made Lace, Mrs. J. M. Ilowk, Lee, 



do.. Mrs. W. Abbott, slieffield, 

 Drawn Work. Mrs. F. Smith, slieffield, 



do., Mrs. W. Abbott. Sheffield. 



do.. Miss L. Tobev. (ireat Harrington. 



do., Miss Althea Hurt. Pittstield. 



do., Miss Lulv Dnnvn, West Stockbridge, 

 Darning. Mrs. W. Abbott, Sheffield, 



do.. Miss Lena Cook. Sheffield, 



do., Mrs. E. A. Kenyon, Otis, 

 Committee. — F. A. Palmer, Mrs. J. E. Rogers, Miss Cora A. Potts. 



