476 



SCIENCE. 



[Vol. VIII., No. 199 



artisan meet in the modelling-room, for in this 

 reproduction the truth of art is found. In the 

 dividing, handling, and manipulation of material 

 their use is learned, and with this knowledge 

 comes power. Fidelity, experience, and skill ac- 

 quired in the use of clay give double value to the 

 later work in wood, iron, brass, copper, stone, or 

 marble. 



When the student repeats his conception in the 

 clay with his own hand, when, instead of a flat 

 surface, his work takes form, he learns its minute 

 details, and sees what lack of fitness there may be 

 in the design. He is trained also to a system of 



h 

 MODELLING FKOM LIFE. 



' values,' — the value of material and of labor. 

 He learns that it is the skill of the artisan which 

 gives value to material. The modelling-room 

 makes flexible and develops every muscle of his 

 hand and wrist. 



The school attempts no graded course at present. 

 The pupil, however, who undertakes wood-carving 

 or metal-work without some knowledge of design, 

 can never be an independent worker. The first 

 need when he takes up his panel or his sheet of 

 copper or brass, before a tool is handled, is ability 

 to draw thereon a pattern. 



Many specimens of wood-carving and metal- 

 work done by students can be seen at the schools, 

 as well as the actual processes themselves. The 

 woman who takes fifty cents' worth of oak, or 

 eighty cents' worth of mahogany, and can add to 

 it as it passes through her hand such beauty of 

 carving that its value is increased a hundred-fold, 

 has a power that is worth something. The range 



of wood-work is unlimited. Panels, mirror- 

 frames, a substantial wood-box, a massive hall 

 settee with antique scroll-work, are made, all with 

 ornamental carving. In the metals, among the 

 many articles made, are brass finger-plates for 

 doors, silver napkin-rings beautifully chased, 

 copper plaques. Arabesque corners and hinges for 

 boxes, tables, and so on. 



It is a painful truth that not all the men and 

 women who set before themselves an artist's 

 career can or do succeed. But talent and industry 

 may raise a man or woman from the rank and file 

 into distinguished standing, both in the minor or 

 industrial arts and in the higher fields of sculpture 

 and painting. The two departments stand in a 

 helpful relation to each other, and should be so 

 considered. 



This is the stand-point from which the art- 

 school of the Society of decorative art is working. 

 The classes of the industrial and technical depart- 

 ment are free three evenings in the week. One of 

 these evenings is to be given particularly to the 

 instruction of those who wish to become teachers. 

 The day classes, held morning and afternoon, have 

 a moderate charge. The studios are open, and free 

 to students for practice, every day. 



A small but carefully chosen library has been 

 opened this season, where, in a bright room, the 



SOME OF THE RESULTS. 



pupils may have access to books and current art- 

 literature, foreign and American, with oppor- 

 tunity for quiet thought and study. 



The motive of the whole system is true educa- 

 tion, and intelligent work on the simplest, most 

 practical principles. No attempt is made in the 

 technical and manual training classes to specialize. 

 A boy or girl is simply prepared for life, ready for 

 any trade to which they may be called, in com- 

 mand of self, with a knowledge of what can be 

 done, and a power to do it accurately, intelligently, 

 and skilfully. But leaving out all question of 

 artist or artisan, there is a discipline, a culture, 

 and a training of the powers of observation, that 

 are of inestimable value in after-life. 



From time to time during the winter, lectures 

 are given at the school upon subjects connected 



