The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-17

small case OF glazed and decorated china at the
Paris Exposition. IL was pleasant in our rounds
to sec the familiar shapes and patterns of our
graudmothers' delft and china-tho pink cups
aud Siucers from Lausanne, and the blue from
Holland.
II is the ambition OF every visitor to gain ad-
mission 10 the workshops, parts Of which are
shown TO applicants with passes from the Pre-
feet OF the Seine. As our little party of artists
and correspondents had neglected this impor-
tant item OF French inspecting tours. we found
ourselves shut of from the little company
making their way from the Museum TO the
workshops conducted by guard in a red coat
and three cooked hat. II was then that Ma
TIOSAL TRIBUNE card, with an explanation to
the Superintendent that we were Americans.
proved our open Sesame" and we passed
through with The rest. The guard seemed alto
getheT too high and mighty 10 allow us to offer
him the inevitable fee. but before IL was all over
we each of Us invested in guide. book. which
was more decided specimen of ancient his
tory than any we found in the Museum.
We first were shown specimens of work,
through the many successive stages, from a
sample Of white, unmoistencd earth 10 the
completed vases, whose decorations raise them
10 fabulous prices. a single vase often costs ms
much $4,000; decorations by foremost art
lists OF France. After that we fingered long
time in the modelingrOom, aud it was truly
wonderful TO sec with what rapidity that
clingine. plastic composition was converted
into evey shape and form by sudden manipu-
latou Of the delft hands Of the workmen.
Ordinary working ia clay gives one no idea
Of how strong the Bible Smiles stand forth
when watching an expert OF Sevres. rs he
changes shapeless white lump OF earth, in
the wink OF an eye, into a graceful. long
stemmed vase, shapely bowl, or a perfect
carafe. J0krin aud the men of Chazeba. Joash
in Moab and Saraph ~ JashIbilshem, WIN had
knowledge Of placis aud minerals. aud who
dweit with the King for his work, held the
attention OF Isaiah aud jeremiah aud Paul,
just as the workwen of Soyrcs held ours
When the Lord had an important message 10
give through his Prophet 10 the house Of Israel,
be told him 10 20 down 10 tho poiter's house
aud he would communicate with him there.
so jeremiah went down aud watched the pot.
ter. who wrought his clay on q wheel, iiii-
cult piece OF work, often spoiled in the making.
The potter marred his work, and then pro-
ceeded to form another vessel, as il seemed
good 20 him. Then the word Of tho Lord came
10 Jeremiah and he began 10 prophesy:
% house OF Israel, can't | do with you as
this potter. saith the Lord. Behold as clay in
the potter's hand SO are ye in mine, o house OF
Israel"
The decoration Of Sevres china is a slow and
iabOri0ns process. as there can be no departure
from TIE HiEH biAhfstIl Oh AFtlaLiE EACtlfsncs,
particularly in pOrtraitnre. The fact that tho
Government owns aud controls the works re.
moves The temptation 10 gain at the sacrifice oil
merit. Ab0lt 20J men are employed
Though Sevres Is Que Of the most ancient
| plarcs in the euvirons Of Paris, there is little
in the surroundings Of general interest to the
/ visitor The ruined chateau Of Madame dt
/ POmpadouT, AZ the railway station recalls ittl,
/ worth remembering Of the woman except that
! while sine lived sire was Premier Of France. and
/ when she died she bcqueaicd the rolled back
c0tfure 70 fashionable women.
IL is ia the quaint characters In and about
+ the town Of Sevres that are Of chiefest note 3,
/ the visitor fron afar. At one place. 10 front
I garden wall, two women. with q little ma
/ chine on wheels were grinding scissors ant
/ knives. Beggar women in short SIX Fts, will
/ white kerchiefs pinned over their heads, Sc
/ up piping complaints aud took picturesque
attitudes against the piers as We went down Il
! the landing; aud company OF child musicians
! girls aud boys. played tunes on mellow nc
cordeons, smiling aud happy to win a centime
/ AS we looked into their fresh. winsome face
and noted their picturesque costumes we ver
l not long ia discovering where the artists O
| Seyres found their peasant models Of pink AM
| white beauty aud graceful attitudes.
KATE BRowNLEE SHERWOOD.