472 



SCIENCE. 



[Vol. VIII., No. 199 



by only a few persons) encloses a land area of 

 774,000 square miles, and adding only half as 

 much more for the ocean and gidf makes the dis- 

 turbed area very nearly as large as that given by 

 Reclus for the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755. 

 Indeed, the state department has reported one 

 reliable observation showing that it reached Ber- 

 muda. The irregularities of the isoseismals are, of 

 course, due to the varying geologic and topo- 

 graphic structure of the country, and will well 

 repay a more careful study than we have space 

 for here. The rapid loss of energy in the sands 

 and alluvial deposits of the north-east coast and 

 lower Mississippi valley is especially noticeable. 

 The isolated areas of different intensities, too, are 

 typical of cases which would be very numerous 

 were it possible to plot intensities in great detail, 

 instead of only indicating the general features of 

 their distribution. 



The coseismals were determined by many very 

 reliable and consistent but non-instrumental ob- 

 servations, the most accurate being from points in 

 that part of the disturbed area north of a line 

 from Jacksonville, Fla., to St. Louis. For the 

 most part, high velocities of wave-transmission 

 are indicated. Where the lines are somewhat 

 crowded, it must be owing, at least in part, to 

 the earlier tremors having failed to reach so far ; 

 so that a later phase of the wave was successively 

 felt and recorded. The general use of standard 

 time has added greatly to the reliability of these 

 observations ; and, on the whole, we may perhaps 

 be justified in feeling a certain sense of self-satis- 

 faction, in view of Mallet's remark, that " the ac- 

 curate measurement of time is one of the surest 

 indications of advancing civilization." 



At the present age of this young and interesting- 

 science, probably the most valuable results wUl be 

 obtained from observations made at numerous 

 points in a selected district, with some simple 

 instruments which will accurately record the 

 time, number, and duration of every shock that 

 occurs. 



TECHNICAL AND MANUAL TRAINING 

 CLASSES OF THE SOCIETY OF DECORA- 

 TIVE ART. 



In the autumn of 1885 the Society of decorative 

 art of New York, desiring to extend its educa- 

 tional advantages, opened an art-school, where 

 men and women, boys and girls, might be trained 

 in the principles of art, and in the rudimentary 

 steps of various art-industries. The first season 

 was one of much usefulness and encouragement, 

 and the second opens with promise. The school 

 is centrally located in West 22d Street, Nos. 37 

 and 39. An important feature of the school, in 



addition to classes in drawing, painting, modelling 

 from life, from still-life, and from the antique, is 

 a special department in manual training, as applied 

 to practical designing, modelling in clay, wood- 

 carving, and metal- working. 



In considering the plan of instruction of this 

 new school, the fact must be borne in mind that 

 the work of the Society of decorative art has, 

 from its inception, been distinctively educational. 

 The object of the society was to develop art-in- 

 dustry in America ; to extend among women the 

 knowledge of art-needlework, and its adaptation 

 to household decoration ; to provide instruction ; 

 to lend books ; to give helpful criticism for the 

 guidance of those at a distance ; and, in addition, 

 to furnish a salesroom where artistic work might 

 be brought to the notice of purchasers. 



In the brief period of its life^ — less than ten 

 years, — the society has faithfully striven to ac- 

 complish these purposes. A standard of color- 

 design, workmanship, and adaptation, has been 

 created through its influence, — an influence which 

 is felt in every home throughout the country, and 

 may be recognized in the wares of the humblest 

 shop where decorative materials are sold. Needle- 

 work was almost a lost art, so entirely had the 

 sewing-machine triumphed : it has already taken 

 a place among art-industries. Hundreds of women 

 have been trained by the society, and have gone 

 forth to earn a living and provide homes for them- 

 selves and those dependent upon them. 



The demand of the age is for workers — men or 

 women — who can ' do.' The artisan who has 

 command of head and hand alike is the one who 

 is sure of success. Human machines can have no 

 chance in competition with those who are intelli- 

 gent in their work. Head-craft and hand-craft 

 combined give to the worker a solid stone on which 

 to stand. The society's department for technical 

 and manual training provides just this education. 

 Classes have been formed where boys and girls are 

 taught to think and do ; to use brain, eye, and 

 hand together, that they may become intelligent 

 and disciplined workers. 



The school is fortunate in having secured the 

 services of Mr. J. Liberty Tadd as director, who 

 brings to his work an enthusiasm and confidence 

 born of success. The keynote of his teaching is, 

 that everybody has capacity in some direction. 

 Training will develop the peculiar aptitude. The 

 earlier in life this work of training begins, the 

 better for the pupil. The child, restless and im- 

 patient, is eager to try its hand, and welcomes a 

 suggestion to 'make something.' This desire is 

 gratified and directed, interest is held, ambition 

 stirred, and thought developed. The result is 

 calm, quiet growth, an appreciation of labor, a 



