New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-14
Arts of Design.

To The Editor Of The Tribune:
published some days back, through the con.ans
of the daily papers of the city notice OF my in,en.
ton 10 establish School for Instruction in the Arts
of Design. Well aware of the wants of the com.
uuni,y in that department, and of the fitness OF the
present time for the founding OF such institutions
yet but little supposinG my project would meet with
the very favorable notice it has received. Under
high sense Of the honor conferred on me by my re-
cent appointment. and hattering opinion expressed
by The Press generally in behalf of myself and my
undertaking. feel tito be pleasure, l conceive
it duty. TO submit, to the public few remarks on
the subject, which, should they be the means of
awakening public sentiment, instrumental In In.
Producing taste important and serviceable as
that of Design, my utmost wishes will be graft.
fed. Satisfied that dissemination OF the principle
of the Art OF Design is as serviceable 10 the COM
muniry as advantageous in the promotion Of Art
Asa large portion OF The circulation Of your paper Is
among class OF citizens directly intended TO be
benefited, will with your permission avail myself
| of your columns.
The general importance OF knowledge of the
Arts OF Design is far TOO little understood appre-
cisted Draw ing is an universal language and should
form part OF general education, and 20 far the
conveying Of ideas alone is concerned 10 as well an.
derstood BY the savage the civilized clizen-its
Indispensable TO many professionals convenience
to all it disciplines the eye to correct observation.
and as a source of refinement and enjoyment IL Is
10 be surpassed by any other art or science OF
the pleasures be derived from the contem vstion
and even execu on. of works Of fashionable
requirement and enjoyment particularly within the
reach Of the more wealthy portion Of our citizens,
have little to say. IL is likely TO be understood and
appreciated But this is very limited view and
sphere OF action Of art which descends far more
infinitely into daily pleasures and wants-into
almost every branch of art, science and manufac-
ture TO the mnutest article Of use than is supposed
For 10 the Art of Design Is almost every article To-
debted for its style form and ornament. and every
workman would be improved as Z mechanic by q
knowledge of it's principles, and by its Practice
How necessary then there should be many schools
of Art established in our principal cities from which
this information could be drawn, their influences
disseminated 10 all DESTROYS of the Information.
Its practice would open divide field for employ.
ment of well educated and respectable females.
10 many branches of Art they are by nature and
delicacy of hand, peculiarly fitted. Wealth may be
swept away, knowledge never can and that which
has been acquired in days Of aftuence an accom-.
plishmcnt and enjoyment only, has frequently been
turned 10 advantageous account IN the day OF ad-
verslty.
Haydon, in that part OF his lectures in which he
touches on the advantages OF Design, gives 10 his
own peculiar and emphatic language the following
sentence I" But remember, nothing will, nothing
lished throughout the country" The evi.
dence before the committee of arts always said
would prove the greatest " lever" for art Of my
time aud 80 il has proved.
So great has been the desire abroad to advance
the cause of Art and TO extend the knowledge of
OF Design TO the community in general that the
British Government appointed commission for the
purpose of nquirng into the subject and the best
means of accomplishing the extension Of a know
ledge OF Art throughout the Kingdom; and the re-
Il. a. II r. C~lA IL, na
sign under Government protection in almost every
provincial town in the Nation
AS have the report OF the commission ut hand L
l will extract few remarks, applicable to my pres.
ent purpose. or the Female Department, the Report
thus speaks:
The establishment Of a School of Design for the In
sruc,ion of females has been In contemplation by the
Council. The fitness of such occupation for females:
the various branches of ornamental manufacture for
which their and Judgment adapted-the destrd
bkentss IF charging the field Of employment for cu ed
females and the successful precedent of similar
establishment the continent. appeared to the Coun-
Gil to furnish strong grounds for adopting this
Engraving wood Is introduced one Of the studies
and it is obviously In many respects suitable employ.
and it Is understood that art has been pracced
by females with advantage.
Patterns for lace and embroidery have been desgns-
ted and designed and the council are DESTROYS that
every application design practical purposes shoud
be introduced which Is suitable and likely DO beue
fetal females for whom this school Is established"
Application has been made TO the Council
for School of Design al Coventry and the member OF
the House Of Commons making the application remarks.
That depression OF trade at that place had been
great would have been much greater mad IL notbeen
for the introduction Of design In the manufacture
Of article which enabled them successfully to COM
pete with the French goods by which had met
with extensive sale and relieved ths manufacturing
interest of the district ,"
break off thus abruptly, finding that have ex-
tended my communication somewh bat longer than
anticipated. may, perhaps trouble you with far
Their remarks and selections from the work before
me ut future time.
am with much respect your obi servt.
THOS. 8. CUMMINGS.