§ 51-53. 



DECORATION OP HOUSES. 



265 



already noticed (p. 17), which in a town delights in scenes 

 derived from the country. It is also the cause of that dis- 

 agreeable confusion of natural and conventional forms so 

 common at the present day. {See § 27, p. 215.) 



52. There are many conditions which, though apparently 

 of little consequence, often aid in making objects agreeable 

 or disagreeable to the eye, even though it may not be able to 

 perceive the reason ; and the arrangement of lines in what 

 may be considered most unimportant cases may interfere 

 with the harmony of the surrounding objects. Thus, in a 

 room, where pictures are suspended from one nail by a cord, 



(47.) 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 2. 



the triangular arrangement of the lines has a discordant 

 effect, which is not produced by two cords attached vertically 

 to two nails. 



53. The arrangement of the interiors of houses is a sub- 

 ject that demands more attention than is generally bestowed 

 upon it in this country. It is not sufficient to confide the 

 matter to those who have accidentally made it a trade ; nor 

 is it a great public building alone that requires artistic skill 

 for its decoration. The benefit of good taste should be ex- 

 tended to every private dwelling, and the means of judging 

 of it should be general among all classes. The talent it 

 requires is rarely met with among house-decorators, who are 

 generally little qualified by suitable education for their office ; 

 but unless a greater degree of taste is possessed by them, 



