SUNDIALS AND STATUARY 71 



special skill in construction. Some of the cheaper makes 

 of sundials are by no means accurate, and before pur- 

 chasing a second-hand specimen, it is well to obtain advice 

 as to its reliability. In the designing of the base and 

 pedestal there is much scope for artistic skill, and there 

 are several firms who turn out really excellent work. 

 Simplicity and graceful outline are the chief points to be 

 considered — in the former case, because the whole idea of 

 the sundial is opposed to showy, florid workmanship ; and, 

 for the latter reason, that, except on close examination, 

 little is seen but the general shape. In gardens of large 

 size, and where the furniture must to a certain extent be 

 proportionate, there may be some excuse for pretentious 

 figures bearing aloft the dial-plate. In such cases the idea 

 of a sundial is generally lost, and the central object is 

 dwarfed by its supporters ; still, as a piece of sculpture, 

 the group may be of value, though not in the sense in 

 which it was intended. For the small garden, nothing 

 can exceed the good effect obtained by the use of a simple 

 pedestal placed on a slab of stone. The lines of the 

 design should be bold and flowing, and there should be 

 no fancy scroll-work or attempts at the surface scratching, 

 which so many artists are fond of exploiting. With a 

 choice of some hundreds of patterns, the modern gardener 

 should not be at a loss to decide on one to his liking, and 

 in addition there are several good artists who will design 

 specially, or adapt the owner's suggestions into artistic 

 form. 



The motto is an important point, and seems particularly 

 appropriate to an object which is ever seeking to read us 

 a silent lesson. Many will be able to suggest suitable 

 inscriptions culled from their store of authors, and for 

 those who prefer to procure their sundial, motto included, 

 the makers generally have a considerable choice. Some 

 are too cynical to be pleasant, others too obviously 

 moralising to be acceptable, whilst inscriptions in Greek 



