The record-union., 1898-04-10

signing taste in England, Germany and
ether countries.
The worst of it is that the competl-
tors got their ideas originally from
France, and in many cases their pat
terms and suggestion of forms and
types In all cases the foreign article
competes successfully, not more be-
cause OF skill in manufacture than
because of originality and artistic de-
signing Thus it develops that Ro-
baix, with all her old fame and repu-
tation, is now anxiously bidding for de-
signers. What she wants is art-braln
supply-not genius-more than trained
capacity. Who shall doubt that pos
sibly America may yet send to France
designers-bright people. with. original
powers highly cultivated-to enable
her skilled workmen to battle for their
old place in artistic production?
Mr.. Morris calls attention to the fact
that at Calais the manufacture of ma
chine lace is rapidly and steadily declln-
ing. Whereas in 1880 Calais produced
81. 100000 worth of the article. in
1891 the production fell off to $S,000,-
000 It rallied toward 1894 consider
ably, but since then the decadence has
been accentuated, and the struggle
against German and Swiss competition
is now painful.
Even of the decorative art school of
the city there is complaint. The pupils
grow fewer, those who remain do not
give adequate service, and German
patterns are coming in under the nose
of the school and displacing the
French.
These facts, Consul Morris CLEANS,
with others of like character, from M.
Vachon's book, and to them he adds
the testimony of his own observation
and inquiry He is led to say:
Design exercises a preponderating
influence in every art industry. There
was a time when the efforts OF
the manufacturer were limited to re-
producing, more or less skllifuliy,
ancient patterns. Competition has,
however, become so intense that sucf
custom may now be considered as
antiquated. Everywhere originality
and good taste in design are re-
| quired Products uniting these quail
| tiles have the chance of being sold,
| and that rapidly. French manufactur-
ers who are not apt enough to comply
with these modern exigencies of pur-
| chasers see their articles pushed aside
| and their production decline in start
| ling proportions.
This lesson will be serYiceable to
American producers. If they wish to
! succeed they must not neglect the ar
| tistic side of their respective indus
tries. Scarcely any branch of manu-
! facture exists in which good taste and
| fine designs do not render its products
more attractive, and consequently more
| easily sold The basis of success, how
ever. must not be forgotten-technical
| education. The younger generations
must be taught to improve on the work
of their fathers, and thus be able to
| increase our hold on the markets of the
world.
All of which has much meaning for
US In the intensely practical spirit OF
the time the American people may be
neglecting the artistic side. Are our
schools of design and art patronized as
awake to the truth that the practical
gains its value oft from its artistic form
also. While it tbs true that utility is
| the keynote. the world is requiring OF
/ l, oil IA
est man is demanding for his modest
home however cheap and homely the
| goods therein, something of grace anc
refined taste in their design. The better
conditioned insist upon complete aool
ishment of the wholly plain and homely
The commonest table service mus
now show something of artistic decora
| ton. In furniture, textiles, papers, II
| everything, in fact, our taste for th'
graceful. original and artistic is out
| running our ability to respond to ou
| own demand We are not producing
designers, art-trained workers in TIL
number we should.
Designing, once looked upon only a
an accomplishment, has become an I'M
perative necessity. If we do not devel
op designers at home we must sent
abroad for them, and that is what w
are doing too freely. Assuredly we cal
promote schools for artistic designin:
that will give US what we need. Quick
ened by the American spirit inspired
by the atmosphere Of freedom, tn
greatness of their nation and the won
derful object lessons of it's scenery am
flora: moved by even the spirit of gain
pushed on by the demand and spurre
by the fact that we can equal the Ger
man and the Swiss and English if w
will, why shall not Americans develo
the originality, the art skill and pro
mote the art training, that will max
us if not leaders at least competitor
with those others who have worke'
such sore injury to France?
THE AMERICAN NAVY.
If, unhappily, the nation is involve