The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-08 00:00:00

course of instruction which would otherwise be en-
tirely above his means. Since their first establish-
ment, in 1837, the Schools of Design have been
enlarged, improved, and extended in various ways,
until they now adapt themselves to the means,
capacities, and convenience of a very wide range
of pupils. The result of this is to be seen in

the rapid development of the national taste,
and the progress conspicuously made in English
handicrafts and manufactures—a progress so great
as to have already startled our continental neigh-
bours into the conviction that the despised islanders
will henceforth prove dangerous rivals. There is
no reason why it should not be so. There is nothing
in the English character to hinder the possession of
artistic taste and skill, and assuredly there is nothing
in the fresh and verdant loveliness of their own
fields and woodlands to prevent them from forming
just ideas of beauty. The pla❑ now adopted tends
especially to raise the whole tone of taste among
the people, by cultivating the artistic faculty in

those classes who will influence the thousand manu-
factured articles in daily use. The constant sight
of beautiful objects is as gratifying to the eye and
refiining to the mind as the ugly or dingy associa-
tions are depressing and deteriorating. There is no
reason why the designs and colours in our house-
hold goods should not exhibit as much taste and

harmony as more costly articles, although neces-
sarily with more simplicity. A common pitcher
may have as much symmetry of form as an Etruscan-
vase; a cotto❑ or chintz may be as graceful and har-
monious in its colours as the most expensive fabric;
but until we have cultivated the eye of the masses,
so as to induce them to select the good and tasteful
instead of the really ugly and faulty article, we have
still much to do. There is no reason why the gene-
ral public should not be as well informed, and show
as cultivated a taste upon questions of colour and
form ac upon matters of time and tune ; yet almost

every one thinks himself qualified to give an opi-
nion, or to have a strong liking or disliking for a
new ballad or popular air, while if consulted on
a point of taste in the sister art, he will at
once say —" As I know nothing of drawing,
I am not qualified to give an opinion."
The object of the National Schools is in a
great measure to correct this evil by diffusing sound
principles of taste throughout the community at
large, and by teaching the teachers the zeal nature of
their art. The courses of instruction are,it is said, in-
tended to give a systematic training to teachere,
male and female, in the practice of art, and in the
acquirement of its scientific principles, for the pur-
pose of qualifying them to impart the knowledge so
attained to others, to develop its application to the
common uses of life, and to employ its advantages
in the requirements of trade and manufactures.

Special courses of instruction are arranged to qualify

masters of parochial and other schools for the teach-
ing of drawing, concurrently with writing, as a
part of education. A class is also to be formed
adapted for the use of artisans, at the low charge
of 10s. per session. Lectures on botany, as con-
nected with art, and other subjects will be given
during the session which has just commenced, and
every facility is offered to meet the taste and con-
venience of the public. A very important addi-
tion has recently been made to the schools, in
which all these plans will be carried out to the
full extent. The newly constructed schools, in
connection with the National Science and Art
Departments, at Kensington, have just been opened
under the inspection of the Committee of Council
on Education. They are the first permanent build-
ings provided for the National Art Training Schools,
and every accommodation, in the way of light, ven-
tilation, heating, &c., is provided. One very notice-
able feature in these schools is the encouragement
which they-give to female talent, and the opportunity
they afford for its cultivation and development. In
the last generation the proposal to establish Female
Schools of Art would have been deemed prepos-
terous, yet the attempt has been most suc-
cessful, and the result most flattering
to the abilities and taste of our fair
countrymen. The little gallery of the works of
female artists showed no unworthy specimens,

and we are glad to find every encouragement is
being afforded to those who wish to study this
beautiful and elevating art. Females are espe-
cially in need:of some such sphere of instruction,
since the teaching they receive privately is likely
to be of the most superficial kind. Our gracious
SOVEREIGN in this, as in so many other respects,
has set an excellent example to her subjects, her
taste and skill as an artist being well known. We
are very glad to learn that the Committee of Coun-
cil on Education are about to offer a premium to
feminine ability and industry, by the establish-
ment of two scholarships to be held by the most
eminent students of the Schools of Art throughout
the country. The means by which the endowment
of these scholarships is provided are especially in-
teresting. They have been supplied by the fees
taken for inspecting the wedding presents of the
Prince and Princess of WALES, at the South Ken-
sington Museum, in May last. The money obtained
on that interesting occasion could not have been
put to a more worthy purpose, and the Committee
deserve the highest credit for having originated
the idea. Such a recognition of their claims and
capacities will give a powerful stimulus to the
students of the female classes, and will prove, we
trust, the forerunner of similar guerdons of merit
throughout the country. The strongest opponent
of" woman's rights" can hardly dispute her claim
to use her fingers, and there are numerous

branches of useful employment open to female
artists, which may help a little to solve tho diffi-
culty at present existing as to the occupation of
women. In this department of art there is little
left to be desired by the most critical in the way of
opportunity and instruction, and it only remains
for students of both sexes to take advantage of the
facilities now offered to them.

DRITRY-LANE THEATRE.
In consequence of the extensive preparations that
are made for the revival of Lord B' " Manfred
morrow. "
yrons on Saturday next, this house will be closed to-