356 ON TASTE IN ORNAMENTAL DESIGN. Part IT. 



on objects of taste, he soon feels himself obliged to renounce 

 their manufacture. They are the mere luxuries of the few 

 who happen to appreciate them ; and when good taste is a 

 luxury, and not a general requirement, it cannot be said that 

 great advances have been made in its cultivation. This is not 

 very flattering to our pride, but we must hope for the coming 

 improvement in this particular. Indeed, we may be satisfied 

 if it will only continue to advance as it has begun ; and for the 

 present it is of most importance that we should combine the 

 beautiful with the useful in objects of every-day requirement. 

 This is the best means of making taste general ; and when it 

 has become common in the household furniture of those who 

 cannot afford to purchase costly things, it may deter wealthier 

 persons from preferring the bad merely because they are 

 sanctioned by fashion. 



It cannot be said that the Eriglish are naturally deficient 

 in a love of ornament, though this has sometimes been laid 

 to their charge. There is not a peasant who does not display 

 it in the humblest cottage. It goes pari passu with their 

 fondness for flowers. All that is wanted for the poor man, as 

 for others, is that good objects may be within his reach; and 

 when accustomed to them he will renounce green parrots, 

 vulgar drinking figures, and such commonplace objects, which 

 are a disgrace to the maker and the purchaser. 



Nor is it owing to an inability to learn, that our artisans 

 are prevented from obtaining the instructions necessary for 

 the execution of ornamental designs ; it is the taste and en- 

 couragement on the part of the community which are wanting. 

 They are capable of improvement if rightly taught ; and they 

 would soon produce objects of good taste, if these, and not 

 the bad, were selected by the public. Proper instruction is 

 what they require to ensure that improvement; and a re- 

 markable proof has lately been given of the facility with 

 which the English learn under proper tuition. Unimpeded 



