KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



367 



stems of a convolvulus,would be monstrously 

 absurd. And yet faults as glaring are fre- 

 quently committed by ignorant draftsmen, 

 when they attempt the composition of floral 

 patterns. 



Of course, I am not now speaking of the 

 combinations of " fancy flowers" — blossoms 

 that exist wholly in the brain of the calico- 

 printer or the paper-stainer — these may be 

 as fantastic as you please. But I speak of 

 the unnatural distortion of real flowers, re- 

 sulting from the ignorance of the proper 

 proportion and number of their parts. Why 

 is it that floral patterns on wall papers are 

 out of fashion, or are driven up to the bed- 

 rooms on the third landing, or to the back- 

 parlor of the country inn ? It is not, surely, 

 that flowers are out of fashion ; or that the 

 taste for them is less general than it was 

 formerly. But it is, that the taste of the 

 public is not properly ministered to : it has 

 outrun that of the manufacturer. 



In a rude state of education, bright colors 

 and gracefully-bended branches on the walls 

 will please the eye that does not stop to 

 question their propriety. But as refinement 

 increases, truth in form will be preferred to 

 brilliancy in color ; and the twining of branches 

 that is not natural, will be no longer thought 

 graceful. It will be no longer regarded as a 

 twining but a twisting — perverting nature for 

 a false effect. This is the true reason why 

 floral patterns in wall papers are now so 

 much out of favor ; and why, when selecting 

 the paper for a room, one is forced (I speak 

 from experience), after turning over books of 

 patterns till you are weary, to take refuge 

 in some arabesque design — some combination 

 of graceful curves of no meaning — as an 

 escape from the frightful compositions that 

 are called flower-patterns. 



It is surely high time that our manufac- 

 turers should seek to correct this evil. These 

 are not days in which any one can afford to 

 be left a step behind the rest of the world. 

 He that once loses his place in the foremost 

 rank, is pushed aside and lost ; in the crowd 

 that is eagerly pressing forward, and almost 

 treading on his heels. Already French wall 

 papers are in extensive use. They have 

 brought down the prices of the home manu- 

 facture considerably, and they will undoubt- 

 edly drive home-made papers out of the 

 market altogether, if the manufacturers do 

 not exert themselves to produce more artistic 

 patterns than they commonly originate at 

 present. The French have been before us 

 in the establishment of Schools of Design. 

 At their schools artistic botany, or correct 

 flower drawing, is regularly taught ; hence 

 the great superiority of their flower-patterns, 

 whether on china, on silk, on muslins, or on 

 wall papers. It is not that French taste is 

 superior to Irish or English taste ; but it is 

 that, in France, the principles of correct taste 



are more diffused among the class engaged 

 in executing ornamental designs. 



Our workmen have as much inventive 

 talent, but it requires to be educated. At 

 present, it wastes itself for want of proper 

 direction and instruction. 



SENSIBILITY. 



Sensibility is that susceptibility of feeling 

 which lies at the foundation of all rational enjoy- 

 ment. It however requires to be kept under pro- 

 per regulation. Sensibility is the most exquisite 

 feeling of which the human soul is susceptible. 

 When it prevades us we feel happy ; and, could it 

 last unmixed, we might form some conjecture of 

 the bliss of those Paradisaical days when the obe- 

 dient passions were under the dominion of reason, 

 and the impulses of the heart did not need cor- 

 rection. It is this quickness, this delicacy of feel- 

 ing.which enables us to relish the sublime touches 

 of the poet and the painter. It is this which ex- 

 pands the soul,and gives an enthusiastic greatness, 

 mixed with tenderness, when we view the magni- 

 ficent objects of nature, or hear of a good action. 



The same effect we experience in the Spring, 

 when we hail the returning sun, and the con- 

 sequent renovation of nature — when the flowers 

 unfold themselves, and exhale their sweets, and 

 the voice of music is heard in the land. Softened 

 by tenderness, the soul is disposed to be virtuous. 

 Is any sensual gratification to be compared to 

 that of feeling the eyes moistened, after having 

 comforted tbe unfortunate ? Sensibility is, indeed, 

 the very foundation of all our earthly happiness. 

 But these raptures are unknown to the depraved 

 sensualist, who is only moved by what strikes his 

 gross thoughts and harmonises with his vicious 

 propensities. As the embellishments of nature 

 escape his neglected notice, so likewise do all the 

 gentle and interesting affections. Sensibility can 

 only be felt ; it escapes discussion. 



THE ELOQUENCE OF FLOWERS. 



Amongst all the pleasant things of life — and 

 the all-bountiful hand of Providence has scattered 

 the path of our days with innumerable pleasant 

 things, if man would but enjoy them — amongst 

 all the pleasant things of life, there are few more 

 pleasant than a walk in the flower-garden before 

 breakfast on a sun-shiny morning. 



To see those mute and still, though not motion- 

 less creatures — we mean the blossoms, opening 

 their painted bosoms to the beneficent rays 

 which give them their color and their loveliness, 

 welcoming the calm blessing of the light, as if 

 with gratitude, and seeking, in their tranquil state 

 of being, for nothing but the good gifts of God — 

 might well afford a monitory lesson. Every- 

 thing in nature has its homily, to the eager 

 hunters after fictitious enjoyment. How calm do 

 the blossoms stand in their loveliness ; how placid 

 in their limited fruition of the elements that 

 nourish them ! How, in their splendid raiment, 

 do they sparkle in the sun ; how do they drink up 

 the cup of dew, and gratefully give back honey 

 and perfume in return ! Avoid tbat man, or that 

 woman, who can see nothing beautiful in buds, 

 blossoms, flowers, and children. 



