The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-22
tOOsrNUED FROM FRIDAYS EVENING rzLEenArn.l
CHAPTER XII.


The School Of Art at KensingtOn-The Female
School of Art in Queen square-Wood Engrav-
ing ,-Modelling-Mary and Janet Settled to a
Trade-Their Homes-Richard's Temptations
-Alice's First Trial
We arrived at the Museum, and obtained an
introduction to the proper authorities OF the
School OF Art. We were rather dlsmayed at
finding that teaching wood engraving had been
transferred elsewhere, but were cOurteOusly
invited TO inspect tue school Tor drawing and
painting. Here in various rooms we're pupils OF
all ages; some learning TO draw from the flat
or studies sketched on paper-and Others, more
advanced, from plaster figures Some very
young girls were drawing from plaster casts for
enrichment OF ceilings, walls, aud cornices;
others painting from real sprays of leaves-the
holly branch being the Iavorite-or from
flowers, fruit, shells, and many other objects
that would form pretty pictures.
Again, there was drawing from the life,
though so still, so motionless was the sitter, the
very resemblance of an Arab Chief that until
the black eyes slowly rolled to take side-long
glance at us, we were totally unaware bat that
the object was a lay figure.
Another room was devoUed in part TO model
Linz. A young girl, entirely lett to ner own
talents and skill to make her living in the
world, was already working her path cheerily,
by giving lessons IN drawing and painting and
because some OF her pupils wished to learn
modelling, she was receiving lessons which she
could impart again as she herself was daily
learning, inch by inch, from the foundation
lump OF clay spread on the slanting board, to
the fine touches which finished aud stamped 1t
as perfect copy of some classical head.
In the corridor adjoining the various rooms
which we're separated from. each other by
porttere Of cloth hanging over each doorway,
were various specimens OF painting, drawing,
and lithography, all executes by former pupils
who were now perhaps reaping the reward of
the industrial talent Nature had planted, out
which here had been fostered and carefully
tended till it had bloomed into useful per-
feCtion.
We observed one fine specimen of lithography,
which certainly seemed unsurpassable The
lady who had produced il, we were told, was
now in France pursuing her avoeation. ! was
| rather curious to know why it was that both
| wood engraving and lithographv were no longer
taught at this school, but did not learn ANYTHING
| except that pupils had ceased to present them
| selves Tor instruction, and that lady who had
| learned the art OF wood engraving in the school
| when lessons we're given was now superintea-
| dent and teacher of that accomplishment in the
| Female School OF Art in Queen Square, HolboTn.
| Having obtained her address, and seeing that
the hour for closing hal arrived, we took leave
| of the courteous gentleman who had given as
| all the information, and returned to our hotel.
| AT the first opportunity we went to Queen
| Square, but found we had chosen the wrong
day, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays being
| the days devoted to wood engraving; so we made
| an appointment by note with the lady teacher
| Miss NJ. A. Williams), and paid a visit to the
Brltlsh Museum, which was within short dis
| tance from the square.
Punctually to the hour mentioned we were
| next day at the school, which we learned was
! under the patronage of the Queen. Miss Viii.
Hams very pleasantly gave us every informa-
| ton respecting the course of general instruc-
| tlons given IN the school, wherein geometrcal
| drawing and perspective fgure-dra wing, with
| its attendant studies, painting in wa:ercolOrs
iresco and oil painting, designing for decora-
| tons and for manufactures, wood engraYing
and modelling In clay and wax, were taught.
| For instruction in each of these arts different
| fees are demanded. That Tor learning wood
| engraving was four guineas the term OF five
| months. Three days in each week, from ten till
| thlee o'clock, are the hours for study Instruc-
| ton IN practical geometry and perspective
| could be obtained by all students without fee.
| marI's eyes spatkled as a wood block, par :
| uclly cut, was rendered for her inspection by a
| 20 .ng alrl employed upon it. I said to Miss
| lilams, Docs it take long time to become q
proficient in this art 2"
| sit depends much upon the taste OF the pupil
| upon her time for study, and her future destiny
| in lite. The art itself is purely mechanical and
! may be learned without any other faculty than
| be ne faithful cutter, aided by persistent in
| dustry. But if she have skill and genius TO
| design her subject, as we'll as eneraVe it, tn en-
she holds the power of success in her own
| hands.r
"And what chance of pecuniary re ward is
| there%
A peculiar smile fitted over the face OF the
| lady as she answered.
| Wood engravers are very chary of giving
| their work into womens hands. Not because Of
| their unskilfulness" she added quickly "but /
| suppose they do not choose that work which mas
hitherto been exclusively their own shall pass
| out of their control. 1t was the case in America
| some years since, but not nov For more than
| twenty-five years this jealousy has passed awav
| and am informed that young girls are steadily
pursuing an industrious career IN wood on.
craving though at Grst all effort was made 10
| hinder their progress. But the interests of the
| publishers and the great demand for illustrated
| works paved the way for their dnal success.n
But how did they procure work ii engrayers
would not give ii themW
II am told that those girls who had been
taught wood engraving at a public institute
tl t OF all went two and two, and fruitiessly so
licited publishers for work. Finding they had
| come to the wrong quarter one went by herself
| 20 manufacturer of gas-htings She showed
| specimens of her skill as draughtsWoman ana
enerayer, and got so large an order for the en-
| CRAVING Of articles as not only TO keep hersef
| IN iull work, but to employ her companions
| also But then, must remark, that she was
| sbiliul in designing as well as wo I'd engraving
| and this gave her two. trades III one hand.n
Il believe IL Is correct that designer can
| draw IN one day as much as q wood engrayer
| can cut in week. 1 remarked. O.q
Yes; that is quite true. Wood engraving IS
| as | SAID before, a mechanical ar, and some
| have asserted that no knowledge OF drawing IS
necessary; but | think there should be an
artists eye to guide the hand, otherwise the cut
Will be stiff and wooden Notwithstanding IL
has been placed on the block by the most skilful
| draughtsman. Here is a cut, reduced from a
| large window. 1t is not more than few inches
IN size, yet every characteristic is preserved of
4 the original from whence 1t is copied. Yon VIII
| observe that the aTmorial bearings are distinct
the difference between the white and red roses
is seen and Henry VIII stands out as the bluff
| King Hal, whom there is no mista6ing. It a
| specimen which Is TO be sent IN for a prize
| studentshp.n r . ..-.
! looked nj tho candidate. s,,a ,,,,s =, 80 a. a. .