26 Dr. Seton- Watson on 



showed a series of slides to illustrate the external and internal 

 decoration designed and carried out on their houses by the 

 peasants themselves. The women were responsible for most of 

 the decoration in the cottages, using colour in a fashion strange 

 to our eyes, but often with very happy effect. The home indus- 

 tries were mainly carried out by the men, who were adepts at 

 carving, pokerwork, and pottery. They were extraordinarily fond 

 of decorating their costumes, of which some delightful specimens 

 were exhibited, including elaborate lace embroidery and 

 needlework. 



Mr. J. R. Fisher, in proposing a vote of thanks to the 

 lecturer, said they were deeply indebted to Dr. Seton-Watson for 

 the glimpse he had given them of one of the most beautiful 

 corners of Europe. The Slavs, who were the largest race in 

 Europe, numbering at the present time about 130 millions, 

 complained that they were shut off from the rest of the Continent 

 by a German screen, that we knew nothing of their language or 

 of their minds. Yet they were making remarkable progress in 

 industry, and they were possessed of fine artistic instincts, as was 

 shown by what they had done in applied art, painting, and also in 

 music. . They were a kindly and sympathetic people, and it was 

 shameful that the Hungarians, whose own struggle for liberty had 

 aroused so much sympathy, should have shown so little regard 

 for the Slavonic peoples under their rule. For all these reasons 

 Dr. Seton-Watson's self-appointed task of interpreting these races 

 to English-speaking peoples was one that deserved the highest 

 praise. 



Mr. Garrett Naglk, R.M., in seconding, said Dr. Seton- 

 Watson's lecture had aroused intense interest, both from its 

 exquisite slides and the glimpse into the lives of the Slovaks 

 which he had given them. He had opened their eyes to a new 

 land, and some of them when holiday-time came round should 

 turn their thoughts to that "terra-incognito" of which they had 

 heard that evening. 



