Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1879-10-04
DRAWING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

here and elsewhere on account OF the taste
displayed in their productions, and this taste
is generally attributed to the cultivation OF
art, and instruction in drawing from the classic
models 30 common on the continent, and to
some extent in England; but to suppose that
this taste is produced by their schools,
is altogether false and to draw Inference
that because these European manufacturers
produce in their workshops, articles of beautl-
full fern AMI in correct taste, therefore we
should teach art in our public schools, ID a
false deduction for reasons already intlmated
in former article, That taste is neither
planted nor cultivated in their schools, but is
q part of their apprentice system and the
curriculum of their their workshops. A man
ufacturer Of articles of bjOuterie, employs
men whose sole business is to produce new
Styles and employ apprentices who are regu
larly instructed in drawing from models, and
encouraged lin the origination of designs, and
most of the workmen IN these shops are capa-
bic of producing new styles and furnishing
working drawings while they are at the
same time mere Ouorisrs-jonrneymen
How many of the youth of America are ready
to go into the shop of the jeweler, or the
uachnist, and apply the rudiments they
have acquired in school to these branches of
Of tradel Carpet and oil cloth patterns,
unique forms of furniture, and the thousands
OF beautiful forms of s. mali wares constantly
imported, all have their origin in these work
shops, furnished with beautiful models, and
experienced workmen, and not taught i'll
schools and academies. OF late years many
schools of art, for the instruction in designs,
of both male and female, have been es-
tabished in this country, and they have pro-
duced some talent of superior order; and 1t
may be proper to say that some of the best
have sprung from taste formed originally
in the documentary instruction of the public
school, but the large proportion from ambi-
ton to engage in something above mere me
chanical pursuits, and all with view to at
tain position in art We may be wrong,
but it is our conviction, that the strongest ar
gument in favor of teaching drawing is its
adaptibility TO, and necessity in manufactures,
in order to bring our own up to the European
standard; for it is possible OF demonstration
that in most cases where we have car
ried off prizes, the work has been done by
foreign skilled labor, and not by native work
men; and until We have an apprentice system,
such as We had fifty years ago, when it paid
a master mechanic to have his apprentice
thoroughly taught-indeed was obligatory
oil ba in nd
modelling which schools can furnish, will only
draw us farther away from the end sought,
and send out every year class of young men
crudely taught, and with ideas of education
altogether false. 1t was, we believe, an old
jewish law, that every man must acquire
trade, and thus Paul was "tent- maker"
and we must gravitate back to some such
system before we can avail ourselves of the
means of instruction we certainly possess, so
as to make that instruction practical, and |
enable us to show to the world that where
nature furnishes so many bright ntellects |
and pure models, We can utilize both |
and become as independent of foreign aid |
as we are of foreign material. We would not |
rob our children of one chance, take from
them one source of delight, however small,
and we by NJ means are opposed to
teaching drawing as matter of diversion
from dry studies, and allowing that mental
and physical rest so necessary to health and
spirits; but We have no idea that these orna-
mental branches taught in public schools will
ever accomplish more than this, and it is
probable that the introduction Of music for
short space during every school session,
would accomplish all that is aimed at, and
DO of a more lasting nature than crude
LESSONS in drawing, or any other branch re-
curing proficient teachers, costly appliances,
and much time. Any one who is familiar
with the crude attempt at copying from
patterns usually exhibited at school COM
nencement to the delight of fond parents, and
he spelling of children, must feel convinced,
hat drawing in any school save school of q
'rt, is sham, and does little to either ad- I
'ance mechanics or art. Assume any stand I
soint you please, gentlemen; theoretically Z
'ou can maintain point, pro or con, but or
lain drawing and music and anything else you .
lease, and you will find that the charlatan in
ither will become your public instructor, W.T.
'ting tastes and spelling talent, because our p
'rustees elected by the people are incapable \
testing merit; or exclude them altogether
LII ~; L.