The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-07

and imposing galleries OF paintings and sculpture, ]
are alike superficial and OF doubtful utility to their
possessor to the world around him. II is a !
totally mistaken idea to suppose that works OF art
and the ability to enjoy them with the most keenly
apprecatve spirit the prerogatives OF the rich
alone, that artistic knowledge ot be acquired
byany but those who have special natural predis-
position for it. The furnishing of room, when
any thought whatever is given to the subject of ap
pearances, is an exercise of artistic taste, and il
the result is not satisfactory it is because that
taste has not been guided by simple scientific
rules that can be learned easily as reading,
writing, and arithmetic can by anybody who has
suiIcent capacity for the requirement of these
complishments II the question Of beauty In home
decoration one of money merely, the majority
of people might well consider themselves alb
solved from the necessity of considering It, but for
tunately money has very little to do with 1t, while
the mental faculties that every responsible human
being is possessed Of have great deal. 1t is i'm
portant truth that needs to be strongly impressed
upon the American people, that net only is artistic
beauty of practical value in ITSELF but that it is
actually cheaper than hideousness. woman who
knows how to furnish room according to the
rules OF good taste that with mathematical
certainty will produce certain results alike
pleasing to the mind aud the eye, and
at the same time answering all the wants
Of practical everyday life, can do so with less
money than she would In all probability eXpend in
obtaining a congomeration of discordant objects
came under their influence, A woman
living in house where the coors of carpets, wall
paper, and furniture are all dscordant, and where
such ornamentation is introduced is vulgar or
commonplace, will derive no real or permanent ad-
vantage from the inspection OF the fine works In a
picture statue gallery, unless they inspire de-
sire for an aesthetic reformation AT home and be-
cause the influence thus Jar eXerted in this coun-
try by the multitude OF superior artistic produc-
tions that our people have had opportunities for
studying has been small we have very little eN-
pectation from the culture to be obtained in this
manner, and believe in beginning at the bottom in
stead of the top, by making art an element of
common school education.
At present the School Of Design for Women in
this city and its branches ia several portions Of the
State are the only institutions in the country that
profess to teach art according to scientific prnci
pies, and the great value OF the School of Design
consists not only in this but in the fact that its ener
gies particularly devoted to the education OF
industrial designers. The theory OF Professor Z. W.
Bradwood, the principal OF the school, is substan-
TALLY that which we have stated atove, and the
great idea that Is urged upon the attention of his
pupils in all the operations of the school is that
true art culture is based upon knowledge, and not
upon mere uneduCated natural instincts and that if
it is to have any real stamina it must commence at
home, in the beautifyng OF the
rooms in which civilized aud enlightened
people to live aud in the appropriate ornamental
tion of the various articles OF domestic life that they
have in daily This school was established prI-
marily for the purpose or giving young women a
profession by which they could their living in a
respectable manner, but any results which it has
achieved and will achieve in this direction important
they undoubtedly are OF less consequence than
the influence that such an institution cannot fa to
exert in indirectly educating the taste OF the public
| at large. The value of the method pursued at the
School OF Design has recently been demonstrated in
manner most gratifying to its friends, by the fact
has
abandoned its previous system or rather system
! OF instruction and has adopted that OF the
Philadelphia institution sending here for books, dia
! grams, drawings, aud models for the purpose of
! making a fresh start. Such an acknowledgment as
this OF the merits OF our school of Design ought
than to for it the hearty support OF the
citizens OF Philadelphia and its facilities could be so
increased that it would be able to educate young
men and boys, more beneficial results could be OBJ
tanned than by any OF the schemes that have
been proposed for the promotion of art education,
| or than by the establishment OF art museums or
academies of the nc arts to be conducted upon the
plan of the institution waiting for something to
turn up In its favor before it asserts itself again with
its old prestige Of being the centre OF artistic
| lightenment In these regions.
1t is scarcely necessary for to state that the
School OF Design for Women is Of necessity depend
ent almost entirely upon the good will OF the public
/ for the means OF subsistence. A large number OF
| its pupils receive their education Free while the
! tulIOu ICES vi lHoSe WHO pay DedT no pTOpOrtlOn
whatever to the expenses OF the institution. It's
conductors have the desire but not the abil ity to
make it absolutely free school, and they could do
30 if the people Of this city properly appreciated
the Importance OF the work it Is performing, and
gave to its necessities with liberay proportionate
to its deserts. BY wise disposition OF funds appro
prated by the Legislature at various times the in
| stitution is now supplied in an admirable manner
! with the appliances OF education, and its great
want at present is means for the employment of a
full corps OF accomplished professors. Efforts have
been made In this direction, and a valuable addi-
ton has recently been made to the faculty by the
engagement of Mr. A. c. HeatOn, young artist OF
ability, who will devote his time and talents
hereafter mainly to promoting the interests OF the
school. There is very much, however, that yet re-
mains to be done and point has now been reached
where libel al assistance frOm those who can ap-
pTeciate the Importance OF the peculiar kind OF
artistic culture Obtainabe at the School OF Design
will be of the highest value in advancing its future
/ interests and in extending its influence. Thus far
the school has been Largely indebted TO the earnest
and liberal eXertiOns in its behalf of Messrs. w. j.
Horstmann, James II. Orne, p. Pendleton Morris,
James L. ClaghOrn, and few others who have
interested themselves warmly in its welfare but now
that the institution is no longer experiment, but
practical as well artistic success, it is but
proper that these gentlemen should have the best
recognition of their services that their ellow-citizens
can give, in an effort to place the School OF Design
upon such substantial pecuniary footing that its
f,t,.