They wore only what was comfortable, and therefore beautiful. As I looked at them I could not help thinking with regret of the time when these picturesque miners would have made their fortunes and would go East to assume again all tile abominations of modern fashionable attire. Indeed, so concerned was I that 1 made some of them promise that when they again appeared in the more crowded scenes of Eastern civilisation they would still continue to wear their lovely costume. But I do not believe they will. Now, what America wants to-day is a school of rational art.
Bad art is a great deal worse than no art at all.
You must show your workmen specimens of good work so that they come to know what is simple and true and beautiful. Such a place is the South Kensington Museum in London, whereon we build greater hopes for the future than on any other one thing. And it is here that the man of refinement and culture comes face to face with the workman who ministers to his joy. He comes to know more of the nobility of the workman, and the workman, feeling the appreciation, comes to know more of the nobility of his work. You have too many white walls.