The Express.
London, England, 1852-04-10 00:00:00

11. MOLLER IN8i1t1;CTION IN 0-U4AMENTAL

0. hairylnkai In oesamental art for the improvement of
manufactures may be considered to be the especial busi-
ness of the metropolitan and local branches of the School
of Design as rat present organised. The attendance of
the students affords the best evidence of the use which
the public make of the schools, and of the esti-
mation in which they are held in their respective localities.
The results of the attendance, as indicated by the amount
of the fees received, arc very different in different places.
Tkss, each student at York contributes annually an &ve-
rso of It. 40., whilst the government contributes 21. 64.;
atiftswoestle-upon-Tyne the student contributes 11. 35., and
the government 11. 131, Bd. In both places the govern-
ment grant is only 1501. per annum. At Paisley, where the
government grant is 4001. per annum, the avenge annual
payment of each of the 64 students is 19s. 11d., whilst
the government contributes 61. ta., and each student costs
the school upwards of 81. 3s. lid. The average period of
attendance would be shown by the average rate of contri-
bution, if there were no disturbing elements. At Dinning.
ham the students, costing 21. 6s. 11d. each, appear to con-
tribute only 48.9 d. each, because' a considerable number
attended by virtue of a free presentation; at Coventry
the students costs 21. 2s. 7d., and appear to have ..ontre
buted only 2.. 4d. each, because numbers attend from the
free schools without paying individually; at Spitalfields
the student costs nearly 21. 16s. 6d., and contributes
nearly fls. 2d.
It must be remarked that in 14 out of 17 provincial
schools, the local subscriptions do not equal the amount of
the government grant, although it was upon this condition
that the local schools have been founded. In nine schools,
even the local contributions and the fees together do Lot
equal the government grant. Taking all the provincial
schools, the government contributes 6,8601., exclusive of
cost of lectures, examples, and management; whilst the
localities subscribe only 3,4471., and even including the
feet, contribute only 6,4311. At Newcastle, Norwich, and
York, where the pecuniary aid from the government is on
the lowest scale, the contributions Irons these localities ore
proportionably the highest. The total cost of the art-
education per student varies from 21. 21. 7d. a year in
Coventry to 101. 111. 2d. in Leeds. Ths average cost in the
provincial schools is 41. 6e. 6d.; and in the metropolitan
school, 81. 125.; • cost considerably higher than such
student pays in most private establishments for instruction
in several kinds of drawing.
These results now, for the first time, we believe, brought
together, present features so various that a close examina-
tion into the state of each 'school at a future lime appears
to be necessary, nut only to reconcile them with any system
of management, but to deduce those facts which may be
useful in enabling other localities to establish schools upon
a satisfactory basis.
10. The present facts seem to lead, however, to the ge-
neral inference that the success of a school is more depend-
ent upon the ability of the management than on the
amount of the government grant or the total cost of the
school to the locality. The schools in the country, like
other provincial institutions, could probably be conducted
much butter by local authorities than by any central sys-
tem ; and the management of them for the future should be
placed as much as tenable under the control of the localities
themselves, which would soon find it their interest volun-
tarily to seek connection with the central authority, for
the appointment of masters, selection of examples, advice in
management, lectures, and for the higher instruction which
the peculiar circumstances of the metropolis enable it to
supp I
-y.
11, While, however, the present system exists, of chiefly
supporting the local branch schools by grants from the
general t,xation, it is obviously necessary that they should
be required to give proofs of their proves application of
such grants. Tho best evidence of this would be furnished
by the number of students, the character of their produc-
tions, and generally in the training evidenced by the pupils.
The managers of the local schools should be invited to exert
themselves in oxtendinv the influence of tho school, espe-
cially by connecting elementary schools with it, and so long
es they participated in the government grant it would be
necessary that they should send up annually to London not
only a certain number of works executed by the students in
ass school, but one or more of their most advanced students
to prosecute their studies further in the department of prae-
tied art, and thus give them the advantages of studying the
Natation, of manufactures in London, attending lectures,
Ike. In addition to this, it would be desirable to offer to the
committees of the local schools the privilege of naming •
limited number of exhibitioners from each school who should
attend the lectures and demonstrations rat the department

of practical art without any payment at all, or at very re-
duced fees. The enjoyment of this privilege might be
offered as a prise among the students.
12. It is not proposed to reduce the parliamentary grants
to any of the local schools in the 'wet year; but, on the
contrary, to include in the estimate grants to four addi-
tional branch schools already sanctioned, so that the whole
estimate in respect of the local schools will be increased.
13. But we submit for your consideration that the num-
ber of schools of design or branch school, for ornamental
art, supported by the system upon which the government
grants have hitherto been made, has reached its extreme
limits. When additional schools for instruction in orna-
mental art are required, we think they should be the
result of local efforts, and of a local sense of their value,
and depend mall less than heretofore on the
general taxation for pecuniary assistance. We think
it desirable that, before any attempt is made to
found a higher ornamental school its any locality, it
should first prove that it has been able to establish success-
fully an elementary school. This depattment, when re-
quested, should !evilly undertake to recommend masters
and lecturers; to lend examples of ornamental art and
manufactures; and it should encourage all local institu-
tios .to participate in every advantage which the depict-
meat may pumas, and promote in every way a mutual
friendly feeling and confidence.
14. In order to assist both the establishment of addi-
tional schools on a principle of eelf.reliance, and to in-
crease the interest of the localities in the existing schools,
' we think it right to notice a suggestion frequently made,
that the legislature should giver power of levying a mo- '
dente load rate for the support of schools of ornamental
art until they became cell-supporting. we arc of opinion
that a dependence on local, rather then general taxation,
is calculated to awaken the greatest amount of local nate-

3

met and attention to the subject; and we think that •
higher and more practical development would be given to
such schools by enabling them to connect themselves with
the museums of art, which, by the existing law, may be
supported by local rates.
15. We are the mine induced to call attention to this
point, because evidence was given before the last select
committee of the Meuse of Commons on school+ of design
by Sir Stafford Northcote, blr. Soils', chairman of the Shef-
field school, and others, te the effect that nut only a power
to levy rates was expedient, but that some town councils
already desired to pewee it.
16. At different times it has been objected that students
of a higher class in society than artisans arid designers have
attended these schools, and that the attention of masters is
given to private chases ; but this olecetion appears tee be
dying away. Private classes, or classes consisting ei stu-
dents probably nut artisans nor designers, are noticed by
Mr. Poynter, the late inspector of the school, of design, in
his tut reports, as existing at Leeds ; at Manchester, where
the admission of artists is stated to ho calculated to extend
the influence of the school, and to identify it with the arts
iu general in the public estimateon ; at Neweuttle ; at
Norwich, " the gr. irechoul dais ;" at Nottinglasin ;at
Sheffield, private classes beneficial to I he school by increasing
the number of its supporters ; at Glasgow, " a life class
principally attended by urtist.," Which "tends to robe the
importance of the schools ;" at Dublin, " where there is a
goisiderableatteudance of female students qualifying them-
' selves as gcvernesses, with the purpose of going to Ame-
rica ;" at Belfast, and at Cork, where the-re is a small pri-
vate male claim, three students being from Queen's College.
These facts prove a de-ire on the part of the community
generally to participate in the advantages of the schools,
and we think this desire ought to tea encouraged, althiugh
their scope may thereby become extended beyotnl the
original intention. It twist be most difficult in pructim
to draw a line ai to the station of the students, amp to ex-
clude any who desire to attend ; aid we submit that it
would be better to einisider all clines as intestril parts of
the school, and under the direction of the local committe to,
rather than some or then as the mere private arrangements
of the masters. Difkrint scales of fees might be fixed, and
the public left free to make its own elmice of the hour. of
attendance. The fees should he carried to the general ac-
count of the school, and the master be permitted to share
proportionably in them. toe it must not be forgotten that
the se:tools ire supported Icy the general taxation; and on
public grounds it is desirable that every one, whether a
n.anufaeturer, tradesman, or artisan, should be made as
with the principles of ornamental art. 'this know-
ledge it is the declared purpose of the schools to give ; and
so lung as the teaching of ornamental art applied to moue-
factures and decoration is shadily borne in mind and tho-
roughly carried into practice, no ether distinction as to
classes to be taught appears to he necessary than to OM\
every possible encouragement to the workman to per::
himself in the art applicable to hie labours, and to place the
cost of the instruction with n his means.
tn. PRACTICAL IMPRoVI:XENT MANUFACTIMPS.
17. It is to the devilopment of the third or highest
of the new department that the most careful attention
will have to be turned. This consists of the practical ap-
, placation of the artistic powers which the pupil already has
acquired to the exigencies of manufacture ; to use the words
of a reportof the School of Design in 1542, often repeated
afterwards, in " the study of the various processes of manu-
facture and the practice of design for individual branches
lof industry," and in " the practice of the various branches
ofileeorative art." We submit that the first step to be
taken to accomplish this is to place before the student fine
examples of what has already been accomplished in the
specialty in which he seeks to be proficient. An educated
designer for ceramic manufacture should at least have an
adequate knowledge of what Japan, Meissen, SZvies, end
even Chelsea, have already done, and he should aim
to acquire a power of execution as high as that
which his predecessors have possessed. He should he in-
strected also in the principles which guided them to excel-
lence, and taught to avoid the faults which marred the per-
fection of their labours. In like manner tl.e properly-edu-
cated designer for printed and wuven fabric+ ought to be
practically familiar with the early cilium:li of India, as well
as with the best MR:CtOICIRI of work sow produeed at Paris,
Mulbausen, Craylind, or Accrington.

18. Classes of students should he formed for the actual
practice and study of the specialties of manufacture, and
for acquiring a knowledge of the general principles by
which the ornamental dean for such manufactures must
be regulated. Every student under a eertein age should
be required, before he enters any one of these classes, to
produce specimens of hi. proficiency in ornamental driw-
ing and colouring, or in modelling, when Uta manufac-
ture calls for that speciAlty. But this rule might be modi-
fied in the case of designers beyond a certain eiv, who can-
not be expected to pass through the same course of ile-
meutary study as youths, but who would still derive great
benefit from the study of tine examples, and from nearing
expositions of those principles which have contributed to
their excellence.

19. In organising these classes, deference should he paid
to the practical experience of manufacturers, and pains
taken to induce theta to contribute their indispensable prac-
tical knowledge to aid the development of this branch of the
institution. A hearty endeavour to seek the co-operation of
manufacturers would he as successful in the !urination and
working of these elas=es as it was in the are,ngethent of
' the late Exhibition. Sonic difficulties must bet xpected,
at least in the outset, in finding competent artists,
who will be willing, at the present time, to acquir,: such
practical and special knowledge as was possessed by
Albert I)urcr and Celliui in metal-work, by Itaphael in
tapestries and decoration, and by llolbein in jeweller's
work, &c. But as the most eminent artists of the world,
at one period, are known to have possessed extensive
knowledge of the specialties involved in producing orna-
mental art, it may be expected that others will acquire this
power, if it be found that the age really requires them to
do so.
20. It appears to us iudispentablo that practical demon-
strations with lectures should be given in these classes;
and by adopting the system of insuring to the professors a
moderate payment, coapled with a participation in the fees
paid by. the students—a system which has proved so suc-
cessful in the Scotch universities, in the Queen, colleges
in Ireland, and very recently in the Museum of Practical
Geology—not only an adequate remuneration wi'al be pro-
vided for the professors, but the classes will become in some
measure self-supporting. If this system should be found
to succeed, it may be extended to the other diiisions of the
department, and thus give the masters a share in the in-
creased prosperity of the schools.
21. The students should he examined, and receive Certi-
ficates of competency after they bad passed through these
classes, and afforded proofs of their ability.
2.1. As soon as props- accommodation can be found, a
beginning should be male in the metropolis; but there will
be no reason why the system should be I:mited to the me-
tropolis, but, on the contrary, it may he extended to the
larger branch schools, particularly in referent, to the special
manufactures of their localities. In the first instance, how-
ever, during the experiment in London, the provincial
schools should be encouraged to avad themselves of it, by
rending some of their best students to study in London,
sad thus gain experience which may be useful in their own
localities.

23. The purchases of Indian and other orivimentul works
from the late Ethibitiun will be of the greatest %aioe in de-
: veloping the higher kind of instruction thus ind:cati.,l,lvoth
in London and the country. After these t :am; !es shall
base been exhibited in London, and their excellence and
usefulness pointed out, it may be desirable that they should
be sent round to the principal country schools, and similar
meuures taken to demonstrate their educational value, if
such& course should be found to be practicable.
21. In this, as iu the elementary division of the depart-
ment, it may be earn cted that the general public will
derive considerable benefit. Whilst the student is acquir-
ing skill by practice, both the producer and the consumer
will have increased means of ju,lging of the succees of the
student's effiirte ; nod after a time it may he expected that
allielasses will become as willing to remise instruction in art
as they arc in history, chemistry, or geology.
2a. We do not hesitate to say that the successful ilevelep-
meat of the new department must necessarily be slow, :mil
that it will be some time before its full action csu be fairly
judged. We cannot Alpe to escape irom mistakes; but we
trust that vigilance, firmness, prudence, and e-nciliation
will reduce the number of them, and insure s fair trial in
this new attempt to afford pravtical-art instruction.
We have, Ce.c.,
(Signed) IIItNRY Cote,
ltteitAith 1:1:1)(lhAVt.

A DIeGLISED NUM.-SINGULAR OCCURRENCE.
—The following was related by the Rev. Thomas Tathey,
at a meeting held in the Collegiate Institution, Liverpool,
on Wednesday week A new months hack the reverend
gentleman said he was wall.ing up Market-street, Man-
chester, and turning very sharply round the corner ut an
adjoining street, he came so forcibly upon a Roman ca-
tholic priest as nearly to knock clown the latter. This
circumstance gave rise to sundry apologies, and
short conversation ensued, during which suttltient time
elapsed to scan narrowly the features of the priest.
In the evening of the same day Dlr. Tatfrey proceeded
to the Free Trade Hall, with the intention of attend-
ing a meeting held there, but being unable to
obtain admittance, from tho crowded state of the
room, as ho was turning away hie attention was arrested
by a crowd of four or five huodre I per,ous
p-
ing to an animated discuscon upon time of the dectrines of
the church of Rome. lie forced his way into the crowd,
and, having listened for a short time, his mind was quite
matte up trom the subtle and logical nature of the pro
Romish argument, that the disputant was not what his
appearance would denote—a working man. His voice ap-
peared familiar to him, but he could not for a lion recollect
when or where he hod before heard it. At length he was
ehoamndhebehinagd
cog uni
it; ci novuicnheetdortchittl e
contact in tit w the
hp
ern. sint
ottihn
determined to satiety hi. mind upon the point. he waited
until be should have an opportunity of seeing his face.
After a little time the police, came up and dispersed tho
crowd, and, having followed the speaker to a neighbouring
light, what was his astonishment to th-t 1 that it was none
other than the priest, though the clerical garb of the morn-
ing had been laid saide, and in its place was substituted a
fustian suit, bin striped shirt, and a felt hat—Liverpool
Paper.
MELANCHOLY RESULTS OF PASSION. —On Mon-
day morning last, Mr. U. Collard, of Riverton farm, mar
this town, had been engaged in a somewhat angry alterca-
tion with one of his tenants on the grounds near his resi-
dence, and the pieties had separated only a few roc_',
when Mr. C. fill, and almost instantly expired. The de•
ceased appears to have been previously in his usual health,
and attended Canterbury rnarkit on Saturday last. De-
ceased has left a wife and family of sixteen elubren, RM.;
wail their left—Doter Tskyraph.
•
>4

-. •
P:n
c.r, ,411