258 
more correct—high, with com- 
paratively narrow waist, raised 
paneling, arched face to provide 
space for the second-hand dial 
above the regular hour and 
minute hands, and the carved hood 
—or of the horn-topped kind, in 
which the upper part terminates 
S, ce >)b) 9 
in two carved “horns,” curving 
inward. 
The ‘‘Sheraton’’ cases are re- 
markable for their ornate style 
and wonderful inlaid work. This 
style is more recent, dating back 
only to 1803-08, while the former 
was described by Thomas Chip- 
pendale, a noted upholsterer and 
cabinetmaker in St. Martin’s Lane, 
London, in a splendid folio vol- 
ume of designs, of which three 
editions appeared between 1755 
and 1763. While, however, there 
is an exquisite nicety of touch ap- 
parent in the Chippendale cases, 
a chaste refinement of beauty in 
their severely simple lines, that ap- 
peals strongly to many persons, 
the popularity of the ‘Sheraton”’ 
cases has never waned. 
To eulogize old-fashioned clocks is not by any means to 
disparage the product of our more modern science. A visitor 
from the seventeenth century would surely marvel at the 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
A Splendid Old Clock in a Good Setting 
April, 1906 
bewildering display in some of our 
jewelry shops. But the conspicu- 
ous fact about all the older clocks, 
as indeed about the much-prized 
antique furniture, and that to 
which their value and excellent 
condition are due in spite of age 
and often of rough handling in 
past generations, is that they are 
built of the very best materials, 
put together in the best possible 
manner. 
The modern clock, while not to 
be despised, is not beyond taking 
lessons of its older forerunner. 
The charm of an antique clock is 
indisputable, and hence the mod- 
ern reproductions which try to fol- 
low the style and pattern of the 
old clocks. But the old clock is 
supreme, especially when it has re- 
mained in the possession of the 
same family for many years. No 
clocks have greater fascination 
than these, and none, rightly 
enough, are more heartily prized. 
The personal association of clocks 
in no way affects their inherent in- 
terest, and the collector may, 
therefore, take a genuine pleasure in such old rarities as he 
may gather from time to time—a pleasure sometimes en- 
hanced by such associations. | 
Public Art in the Country 
HERE is so much to do in public art in the 
cities that the country seems apt to be for- 
gotten in the great wave of interest in civic 
embellishment that is sweeping over every 
part of America. Yet the country is part 
of us, the greater part in fact, and there can 
ben no one ak improvement, no real betterment, unless it 1s 
really general, and includes both the town and the country. 
A very singular conception of the country exists in the 
town. ‘To the townsman the country is the place of green 
fields, of fertile.farms, of pleasant woods, of pure air, of 
ample space. He may realize that his own place of abode— 
the city—stands in need of embellishment, but why the 
country, with all its natural beauty and charm? 
The countryman, on his part, will look towards the city 
as the seat of every possible human interest. There occur 
the great events of the time; there is plenty of excitement; 
there is ample amusement; he looks with wonder upon the 
emigration of the city folk to the country, and puzzles over 
their delight in what, to him, appear commonplaces that he 
has been familiar with from earliest youth. 
Both parties are right, of course, but neither understands 
the other’s point of view. The country does not need em- 
bellishment as the city does, but it does need intelligent treat- 
ment and development. A border of weeds, for example, 
would be highly obnoxious in the city; in the country, if it 
does not interfere with the farm, it is a source of unending 
delight and of constant change and variety. Both city and 
country are, however, alike in requiring good roads. ‘The 
farmer has not always been favorable to these manifest forms 
of improvement, because the cost generally fell on him. A 
decided change in this respect has taken place and now the 
good roads movement has no warmer friend than the far- 
mer, because he has found they saved him money. 
Here, then, is one very notable instance in which the coun- 
try stands in need of betterment and the country folk are 
ready and eager to help. The example is the more inter- 
esting since the farmer’s present point of view is the direct 
result of agitation and example, and is a fine illustration of 
what may be accomplished by persistent efforts. 
The farmer needs to be trained to appreciate the value of 
pleasant house surroundings. His house grounds should be 
well kept; his barns should be devoid of advertisements; and 
he should manfully resist the persuasions of the advertising 
man who would paint signs on his rocks or stand them up 
on the meadows facing the railroads. “These things are com- 
monplace enough in themselves, and yet if no more was done 
than improve these matters, the country would be a pleasanter 
place to visit and to travel through. The country does not 
need monuments, it does not require costly works of art, 
it does not call for the things the city demands as a matter 
of course; its needs are its own, but they are quite as urgent 
as any of the matters which appear so essential in the cities; 
its claims to artistic consideration are important. 
