Art as Education. 41 



for maps, in the common schools of the state." A manual of his 

 system has been published, which consists of graded exercises in 

 ornamental and symmetrical forms. These forms are to a great 

 extent idealized forms of natural objects, or as he calls them, con- 

 ventionalized forms. He has taught many of the teachers, and is 

 still directing their teaching. Some of his pupils are now engaged 

 in introducing his system in the larger cities of the Union, when 

 they can find favor in the eyes of boards of education, as lately in 

 the city of Chicago. 



This teaching, as a beginning, I regard as of inestimable value 

 in disciplining the hand and eye, and awakening the mind to the 

 perception of beauty in line and form. Yet in this system, the 

 " picture element " is almost entirely excluded. Light and shadow 

 color, composition, expression and most of the essentials of picto- 

 rial art are not at all studied. All this must follow, and this 

 leads me to consider lastly the best means of bringing this wealth 

 of knowledge and feeling home to the minds and hearts of the 

 people ; and in this connection, the universality of the faculty to 

 receive it. 



Time was, when all science was mystery, and secret guilds mo- 

 nopolized the arts. The philosopher was in league with the 

 evil one. The church said, "thus far shalt thou go, and no far- 

 ther." • All research was unpractical,, "What nature hides with- 

 in," O thou philistine ! No finite mind can know. 



" Now that for sixty years I've heard repeated, 

 And oft' as heard, with silent curses greeted, 

 I whisper o'er and o'er this truth eternal: — 



Nature doth freely all things tell; 



Nature hath neither shell nor kernel. 

 Whole everywhere, at each point thou canst learn all ; 



Only examine thine own heart. 



Whether thou sheJl or kernel art." 



Where is the kernel of nature? say, but in man's heart. 

 This element of sincerity with one's self is the first requisite 

 for progress, either in science or art. 



Not long since, no one could sing without some special gift. 



