The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-08-05

should attempt the simplest style Of orna-
mental carving at first, and be very deci-
sive in the cuts he makes with the gouges
for false cuts often spoil the effect Of ths
ornament he is working. Lady amateur:
often excel gentlemen in the art. In fact,
we have seen some very fine specimens OI
carving in wood executed by ladies', for
whom The art is admirably suited, as il
affords an interesting indoor occupation,
as well as great relief from other aud mon.
otonous employments. 1t would be well
for the amatuer carver not to use glass
paper, for it very often spoils the appear
ance of the work; and we should also ad
wise the learner moi, under any consideration,
to polish bis work, but simply to use a soft
brush an office nailbrush, for instance,
answers admirably, rubbing a little bees
wax we'll over the hairs Of the brush, and
then to gently rub the carving with il, and
it will be found to produce the glossy ap-
pearauce. Those who desire Of making q
pastime Of wood-carving would do weil to
take lesson from professional carver. as
it would give them a great insight into the
manipulation. There are many who would
give lesson for a small remuneration !;
but for those who would be self-taught we
subjoin the following rules, which will be
found useful
In the first place, after procuring piece
Of sycamore, plane it all over if it be in
tended for panel or watch stand. Those
who have small work-boxes can make little
pieces Of carving for them in the shape Of
a round or square panel Of oak-leaves and
scorns, and screw the carving on the top
from beneath.
In conclusion, we shall offer few re
marks on the progress of wood-carving
during the past ten years. Now that the
art is 50 extensively practiced in this coun-
try, we have amongst us at present wood
carvers who can rival our Continental neigh
bors. Some of the East and West end
firms of the metropolis have workmen in
their employ who are second to none.
Some fourteen or fifteen years ago, Scotch
man, of the name Of Duncan Keith, a
wood-carver of no mean ability, came to
London, and it is to him that the progress
of wood-carving at the East end Of Lon
don is indebted for its present advanced
state and also to the indetatigable zeal Of
MIR. Turner, Of 1slngton, a manufacturer
of chairs and couches. The question has
been asked. Who gets credit for the ad-
vancement Of the art ? Is it the carver who
executes the work, or the manufacturer
who employs him ?" Neither; but the large
commercial houses, which get all the honor
and credit due to the workingman. For
let it be understood that the manufacturers
do not reap the benefits they ought while
the manufacturer gets about twenty per
cent. on the work, the large commercial
houses get cent. per cent. Good carving,
like painting, requires time and patience.
Those who are acquainted with the art Of
painting must know that it cannot be we'll
executed if hurried SO it is with the art Of
wood-cArving. And SO it often happens,
unfortunately. that many piece Of beauti
ful carving, .uat might well be considered
work Of art, is positively spoiled through
want of proper time to execute it. And
why sol Because. as is well known, those
large establishments require such an enor-
nous profit that manufacturers cannot sup
ply the article as perfect as 1t ought to be-
ln France, wood d-carvers are allowed their
own time over their work, for the reasons
explained above, and hence it is that the
carving coming from Paris is very Lften
superior to ours-IHe London Working
man.