River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-02-03
Art In the School Room.

child in its early life assumes largely
the duties of the parent and of the
incidents Of home life and hence il
follows logically, that in performing
its work it should replace to the child
as far as possible those minor in
fluences as well as the more important
ones that silently educate and train
the Youthful mind.
Among these lesser influences
always teaching, but not speaking to
the ear yet potent perhaps beyond our
appreciation is the one that appeals
to the eye, that teaches form and
comeliness that gratifies the sense OF
beauty both in form and color.
There is a beautiful story, that a
physician, finding ia city park, in
the arms Of poor mother, child
whose eyes had never looked upon the
world, who could not recognize a
mothers smile because it had been
denied the power Of sight, took the
little one to a hospital and there with
gentle and loving kindness removed
the obstruction that obscured the
pupils and 1T in the light
When the bandage which had been
placed over the little ones eyes was re-
moved, the mother was there looking
with intense eagerness to see the
first effect upon her child. and how
grateful her feeling, how deep her joy
when, the covering taken away, the
hands of the little one moved towards
a bright ribbon near at hand.
That the child recognized the
difference hetwoe objects and seemed
70 take pleasure in bright color told
the mother that it could see.
Every mother knows, that one Of
the earliest sensations Of the child is
the sense Of perception of color; what
is this but coming love Of artistic
form and harmonyin the combination
of rays that make up the brilliant
light Of the sun.
This love of beauty is found in
every ration, though it is true that
it differs greatly. The African belle
adurns herself with curious stones,
polished bones or carved pieces Of
wood, while her more civilized sisters
of Europe or America, wear bright
Jewels or artistically wrought orna-
ments Of gold and silver.
rJ9i., Il; 4F.,rl.,., 4,,.tn "a
result Of education rightly directed.
The earlier attof Rome was crude,
rude to degree we can hardly to-day
yet strong and masterfut,
Her buildings were mighty and
strongly built. Every effort seemed
to be made to impress with their
strength rather than proportion ur
beauty,
But when the less powerful but
more delicate forms of Greek art
began to make their influence felt in
Rome. this city began the develop
ment Of forms and models which have
become the admiration Of the civilized
world. and to-day from this com bining
Of batDaric art with artistic excel
lence the wo Id is fast developing
new architecture more daring in its
conceptions than those OF the Roman
and if less harmonious in its proper
lions than those Of Greece better
adapted to the actual wants of man.
And yet it may be truly said tn
the natural instincts Of man seem to
be directed by nature in the right
paths. Environment may destroy or
develop that true instinct. 1t is a
curious fact and one not to be ignored
that the art that seems to come by
instinct often contains in itself some
idea which the artist may seize upon
and develop to excellence.
Such the Doric forms Of Greece,
strong, natural, instinct with the
sense of fitness, which developed in
later times into the more elaborate
Ionic and the graceful Corinthian
styles of architecture.
The arch in the hands Of the
Roman Indicated strength. 1t has
become to-day the prime factor Of
the beauty Of many modern editire
and this was especially true in that
wonderful renaissance of the middle
ages when the world awoke from its
long sleep which seemed so akin to
death.
To awaken then and develop the
instinct Of children for that which is
right ia form and color is not I'M
important part Of the duty Of the
modern school. The child Of Switzer-
land learns the art of carving and the
creation Of beautiful forms by the
iifeside Of bis mountain home, but the
enid Of America seems compelled to
learn all that he may know Of art in
the hustle Of the school room.
Nor is this an unimpnrtant part Of
the education Of the child.
1t may it is true be second to the
teachit IS Of practical knowledge. 1t
doubtless il more t" the practical
benefit of the boy to be able to add
correctly, than to draw accurately 81
to distinguish the proper proportion
Of the house he plans for his home
nesting in after lire, but it does not
| follow that il is unimportant.
And every mother appreciates no"
mucG If her time in the education Of
her daughter is consumed in the
! lessons If proper dress and harmonious
arrangement of the coiored ribbons
that adorn the costume.
In fact much Of the comfort Of lite
is made up Of enjoyment of things q
artistic form, color and proportion
Millions Of dollars were expended al
| Chicago at the Great Fair t. simply
give to the people the pleasure o
seeing that which expressed simple
beauty
1t is not out Of place to saw further
that a decent regard for the senses @
humanity dictate, that the artistic
taste Of every one should to larg,
degree correspond With that of TIN
| ~. 49,, 10 ,.,,s, ~, t,r{sv in " al y