Vol. I, No. tO 
NEW YORK AND SYRACUSE 
February 1900 
|EW realize the amount of money spent each 
year by students who leave their homes and 
go to the larger cities for instructions in 
overglaze decorations. It seems to us that 
students in Keramics spend more money 
than is necessary, that is, if different plans of 
instruction were carried out. 
Several well known teachers have been discussing a plan 
to teach by the month instead of by the lesson. For instance, 
a schedule might be made in this way. Those who are eager 
to get as much help as possible and wish a teacher's advice 
and assistance every day (Saturday should be exempt from a 
teacher's criticism) could have the working privileges of the 
studio every day and instructions from the teacher five days 
a week, either morning or afternoon, the time given at the 
option of the teacher. This for twenty-five dollars a month, to 
be paid regularly whether the pupil is in the studio every day 
or not. For those who wish oniy two criticisms a week, the 
working privileges of the studio could be given each day, but 
only assistance given on two days. This for fifteen dollars a 
month. Then again there may be others who would care for 
only one critcism a week, which could be given for ten dollars 
a month, with the privileges each day of the studio. In this 
way a pupil could be under the guidance of a teacher and yet 
she need not feel that every minute the teacher left her side 
it was so much money lost. It would give the pupil time to 
work out an original design, to do the zuork herself, to learn 
the practical side of every question that comes up. It would 
relieve that nervous strain which every pupil (and every 
teacher) feels, when paying for a lesson by the hour. We 
have seen students come to New York and completely break 
down under the strain of trying to get their money s worth, 
which seems to them to be only the number of pieces finished 
instead of the practical knowledge gained. 
It has seemed to many that the plan of receiving instruc- 
tion entirely by observation is all wrong. It is not the most 
beneficial way for the pupil and it certainly is most exhausting 
for the teacher. Those that teach by this method give the 
best that their talent and brain afford and when these teachers 
try to do something great for an occasion, they find their ideas 
worked out, their inspiration all sapped, their energy gone. In 
fact a complete prostration invariably follows this method of 
teaching. It is not right. This plan is of course encouraged 
by those pupils who desire to have a number of pieces to copy 
or to exhibit in their studios at home. This is all right, but 
it would be cheaper to buy these pieces at once and save the 
expense of traveling and board. The same amount of money 
could be used to better advantage both for teacher and pupil 
if this new plan could be adopted. We would like to hear 
from the teachers on this subject. The schedule of prices 
could be regulated by the general expenses, each teacher 
being guided by her own ideas on that subject, expenses, 
rents, etc., being different in different localities. 
Our plan would, perhaps, call for more studio room, but 
in the end both teacher and pupil would feel repaid. 
4= 
Our decorators will find a very interesting letter from 
Miss Dibble about the exhibition of the Atlan Club, and the 
case to be sent to Paris. This little hand of wnrki-rs have 
been quietly preparing for their exhibit during all the past 
year, and should rouse to action, even at this the eleventh 
hour, older and larger clubs to which the League naturally has 
looked for strong support and the fulfillment of promises 
made in the first outburst of enthusiasm. The officers of the 
National League have been working for over a year to secure 
a creditable representative American exhibit in Paris. 
Space has been secured in a most advantageous position, 
along with notable ceramic art productions of our country. 
Everything is in good shape. 
Space paid for, designs for cases and shelves made, esti- 
mates for covering the wall space, etc., etc. 
Strenuous efforts have been made to obtain accurate 
information of the entire cost of making this exhibit and to 
justly apportion among the exhibitors the allotted space. 
Careful consideration by the Board of Managers of all details 
shows that the fixed charge of five dollars a square foot and 
three dollars for every additional square foot is a safe and 
just basis of apportionment of the expense. One club writes: 
"This is most exorbitant. Why we exhibited at our State Fair 
for nothing! " True, and we exhibited at our own beautiful 
World's Fair; but there were cases, attendants, and all the 
small expenses involved in the transportation and placing of 
the exhibit. 
The French charge for every detail, and while the 
National League is in good financial condition, it cannot in- 
stall an exhibit in a foreign country free of cost. 
The exhibitor will have the advantage of an individual 
exhibit. He or she will be so catalogued and passed upon 
by the jury. Were an individual to exhibit alone, the cost 
would be two hundred dollars at least. 
There should be uniformity as to cases, frames and cards. 
Let each exhibitor's work stand an equal chance, and let it be 
entirely upon its own merit. Let it be a dignified artistic 
exhibition. Fortunately those who have so generously re- 
sponded are of the best workers and realize what it is to make 
a good representative exhibit, but a few can. scarcely under- 
take the financial responsibility of the whole thing. Every- 
thing is being done to reduce the expense of it, and the 
managers are anxiously awaiting a sufficient guarantee of 
funds to preclude the possibility of failure. 
4> 
The United States Navy is supplied with china from the 
Royal Copenhagen factories, which at one time received the 
order from Washington for thirty thousand dollars worth of 
china. It is claimed that the severe tests have proved the 
ware to be very durable. 
