The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-22 00:00:00

SOCIETY OF ARTS.

On Wednesday a very crowded assembly attended
in the hall of the society, J h treet,
lectureA
the
fe
ml hr.i
DLi g b
yd
Monteagle in the chair, toheartothes
0 D- p , or
define
0 principles
arts.
~
Wyatt, on "An attempt
which should determine form in the decorative
The lecture, we need hardly remind ur readers,
is one of a series undertaken by themembers oft
the society to illustrate the objects displayed
the Great .Exhibition. The lecture delivered on thisa
occasion by Mr. Wyatt was a very elaborate disqui-
sition on the principles exhibited by nature in all the
departments of the physical creation, which must ever
guide the artist in his formative processes, and a dili-
gent study of which, therefore, was indispensable to
success in the decorative arts. The leading prin-
ciples of nature which a diligent observer
would meet with everywhere, and which should
therefore determine form, were thus described
bye the lecturer. The first quality with which
tb observer must be struck is the infinite
varietymost complex
Aetbotpoef form which pervades creation. When the
. _complex flower is submitted to the test of a
scientific botanical btoetanical examination, no particles are
tender bud to
adventitious—all are concerned in ful-
fillingeappointed functions of vegetable physiology.
flower to
BO in every functions vary with the growth of the plant,
does it form_ changing from
r blooming flower, and from bloom-
ingepor9ductive seed-pod, as each suc-
cessive change
govern all forum"
variety and of purpose progresses. Infinite
fitness thus appear to
complexity, the ladtel
these properties nature. While the former of
all in beautiful simplicity. In
her infinite power of
pueirtestrains the former, and binds
appears the offspring 0" fs Yrl:ecelenaite;eruiyoncea,seanodrnwahmereen.t ,

ViItrRSDAY

ever structural necessity permits, the simplest lines in 1
every case consistent with the variety of uses of the
object are adapted. Thus, the principal forest trees,
which spring erect and hardy from the ground, in
their normal state, uninfluenced by special condi-
tions of light and heat, shoot straight aloft, with
boughs equally balanced on all sides, growing so sym-
metrically, that a regular cone or oviform would, in
most instances, precisely define their outline ; and thus
the climbing plants, from their first appearance,
creep along the ground in weak and wayward lines,
until they reach something stronger and more
erect than themselves; to this they cling, and
from it they hang either vertically or in the
atilF, complexity,
most graceful festoons ; to each its character of
form as of purpose—to each the simplest line con-
sistent with its appointed functions and propriety of
expression. While a consideration of the quality of
fitness binds us to simplicity, that of variety, as if in
counterbalance, conducts us to a just recognition of
the value of contrast throughout the works of crea-
tion. Simplicity becomes appreciable only when op-
posed towhile complexity itself will, on
an
be foundto consist only of the combination
of pane, individually, of extreme simplicity.
Nature, in working out her harmonies of contrast,
abounds with optical corrections. The infinitely
gentle convexity cf her water sky line is precisely
correctedinto perfect apparent horizontality by con-
trast with any line at right angles to a tangent to its
curve. It is by attention to the optical effects pro-
duced by the impact of lines upon one another in na-
ture, that the artist can alone store his mind with the
most graceful varieties of delicate contrast. Thus it
is alone that be can appreciate the extreme beauty
of her constant, minute,
and generally inappreciable
divergence from the precise mathematical figures, in
approximation to which simplicity demands, as we
have already shown, that her leading forms should be
modelled. We have now arrived at a recognition of
elements which invariably concur
in producing those
the four principal
emotions of delight, which may
be regarded as infallible tests of our contact with real
beauty in the productions of nature—variety—fitness,
simplicity, and contrast.
The rest of the lecture, which occupied altogether
about two hours in the delivery, consisted for the
most part of an
application of these principles to the
works of art that adorned the Great Exhibition, and
were illustrated by various beautiful specimens in
works of metal, glass, and textile fabrics, which had
been lent for the purpose.
At the close of the lecture a vote of thanks, moved
M.P., was unanimously accorded to Mr. Wyatt, for
by Mr. Redgas,,, and seconded by Mr. T. H. Hope,
his lecture ; and thanks were also voted to the manu-
facturers who had sent their manufactures to the
society.

The late -- -- -----
NEWFOUNDLAND.
by their notice of an electric telegraph actually at
Papers from this island surprise us much
work in one direction, and of another being under
contemplation in another quarter, and of cattle having
actually arrived in St. John's from a distance 110
miles in the
interior, having travelled that distance
by a road.

_
"ELECTRIC TELEGRAPIL—Thi3 wonderful end
powertul
agent in the transmission of thought, with
lightning speed, cenamenced operations between this
place and Harbor Grace on this day week; since then,
its practical utility and great convenience, in business
transactions, have been fully tested by several of our
citizens, who have already experienced its many
advantages in the speedy and certain transmission
of their communications to their friends in the
Bay; who, in reply, have in several instances recipro•y
cated, we might say, with the rapidity of thought. Cer-
tainly this is a great improvement in our seciel
economy. The results to the trade and general busi-
ness of the co intry from this step in the right direc-
tion, cannot but prove of great and lasting advan-
tage.
As one step leads to another, so we confidently
expect before long to see this colony in the possession
of an instantaneous and continuous electric communi-
cation with the chief cities and towns in the United
States and the British provinces on the continent of
America. Then, indeed, St. John's will undoubtedly
become the citing port for the greater portion of the
shipping which traverses the western shores of the At-
lantic. Incalculable advantages must ultimately result
to this colony from the completion of such an enterprize,
and therefore every encouragement should be given to
it. Its enterprising and indefatigable projector, Mr.
Giaborne, is entitled to the best thanks of the colony for
his persevering exertions in its behalf.
" CATTLE FRo3I rLACENTIA.—Last week nine head
of cattle arrived in our market from the Cape Shore of
Placentia Bay, after a journey of 110 miles; several
head more are on their way from that quarter. So
much for the great advantages already afforded by the
opening of a direct line of land communicatien between
the capital and that valuable agricultural district."
The inhabitants of this colony were expressing
their deep anxiety for the establishment of the pro-
posed " Ocean Penny Post."
COMMON SCHOOL-EDUCATION. IN NEW-