§54. FURNITURE. TAPESTRY. 267 



style of furniture without considering those conditions. But 

 it may be said that its effect should be sought in judicious 

 contrast, as well as by a due attention to uniformity when 

 the objects are required to match; and that it should be 

 handsome and good in form as well as colour, with an entire 

 absence of that meretricious character derived from a pro- 

 fusion of unnecessary ornament. Large pieces of furniture, 

 like large patterns, should be excluded from small rooms ; 

 and those of very dark colour are objectionable, from their 

 absorbing too much light. In such as are of a higher order, 

 excellence should consist in the beauty of well-executed 

 figures, and fine carving, rather than in any profuseness of 

 detail : and beautiful woods, and inlaid work, are preferable 

 to an appearance of costliness. Every object should be of 

 good form ; and chairs, such as we often see, with distorted 

 legs, and tables rough with whimsical devices in or-molu, 

 serving only to tear ladies' dresses, should be proscribed as 

 being at variance with beauty and common sense. 



Inkstands, and other articles of general use, made in the 

 form of Gothic tombstones, with sharp projecting corners, 

 sometimes even with finials and buttresses, have not only the 

 fault of imitating an object made for a totally different pur- 

 pose, instead of being expressly designed for their own, but 

 are positively offensive, as they threaten to wound every hand 

 that approaches them ; and all furniture with unnecessarily 

 sharp corners is open to the same objection. 



54. With regard to tapestry, it is much on a par with old 

 armour — a curiosity rather than an ornament. It was 

 valuable when there was nothing better ; and from its warmth 

 it was often found a good covering for the bare walls of old 

 times. But with the many better modes of decorating our 

 modern rooms, it is no longer wanted ; its subjects are ge- 

 nerally odious in execution and design, sometimes glaring, 

 sometimes dingy in colour ; and really good compositions are 



