The record-union., 1898-12-11

is due entirely to the neglect of prac-
ticing with the other. This is a dis
tinct loss of power, which, in some
cases, as, for example, in learning to
play the piano. has to be laboriously
recovered 1t is calculated that there
are no fewer than 240 crafts, trades
and occupations which are largely de-
pendent on ambidextrous skill; and yet
its cultivation is made more difficult
by the preference that children are
taught to give to one hand. The eX-
celjent system Of training the hand and
eye adopted in the kindergartens would
be even more efficient if it were ex-
tended to the use of both hands. In
close connection with this subject are
the interesting experiments which have
been made by Professor Hancock of
Clark University, Massachusetts, upon
number of children in the early years
OF their school life. These tend to
prove that the larger muscles come
first under control, and that the order
of development proceeds from a con-
troll of the whole body through the
shoulder, arm and forearm to that of
I the hand In the end the hand-power
surpaSSes that of the arm and the
latter is neglected. The technical skill
of the Japanese in drawing is largely
the result of their working from the
shoulder. Every child in learning to
write holds his brush poised in an up
right position, and traces the forms by
movement of the whole arm pivot
ing on the shoulder. With them learn
ing to write is learning to draw
y
A book by Sir Edward Temple, lately
Governor of Bombay, is coming out in
London. 1t is a description of India,
and it has been illustrated by himself.
Lord Ashbourne has finished a book
on Pitt which he proposes to publish
soon. He calls it ''Pitt-Some Chapters
of His Life and Times.''
There was sold in London the other
day manuscript in the autograph of
William Cowper, comprising the varia-
tions made from the first edition of his
translation of the Iliad
q
"Artistic circles says the Paris cor
respondent of the London Telegraph"
'.are in a state of mild ferment here re-
garding the spheres of influence to be
allotted to them at the Worlds Fair
1t appears that the extent of these pos
sessions, which are to constitute the do
main Of modern art at the great 1900
Exposition, will be restricted and who'll
ly inadequate. According to the plans
published, the buildings of the proposed
Palais des Beaux Arts will hardly suf-
flee to hold a representative series of
works by the well-known members of
the two official artistic bodies, the
Societe des Artistes F'rancais and the
Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts. The
lesser lights in the world of painters
WILL when lucky enough to be accepted,
have to be mercilessly skied. The pal
ace in question will provide a 'cimaise'
of some $500 meters. In other words
the walls of the building will only al
low of about $500 pictures being hung
on the line, the average space in
breadth occupied by each picture be-
ing taken at three feet Should each
member Of the jury, as proposed, be en-
titled to have ten pictures hung on the
line, an easy calculation will show that
artists of lesser note, to say nothing of
beginners who are still unknown, and
may be relying on the forthcoming ex-
hibition to make a name, will be rele-
gated to those portions of the walls
which are in near vicinity to the cell
ing. A motion has accordingly been
unanimously adopted by the Exhibition
Committee of the Societe deS Artistes
Franeais TO the effect that the sister
society shall be approached with view
to submitting a joint resolution to the
authorities requesting that the plans of
the proposed Palace of Fine Arts be
modified to allow of an increase in the
space allotted to exhibitors. This
proposition would chiefly, of course, be
made in the interests of French artists.
Foreign exhibitors, however, are also
concerned in the matter. Present ar
rangements provide that works of art
lists Of other than French nationality
shall occupy two-fifths of the total
available space. 1t may be pointed
out, in conclusion, that the proposed
Palais des Beaux Arts, which will stand
in the Champs Elysees, will cover con-
siderably more ground than the build
ings erected for the Fine Arts section
at the 1900 exhibition.
Permission to Sell.
In the matter of the estate of S. S.