New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-13
THE UTILITY or BEAUTY.

In the vcor 1904 n few artists in Belgium or
panized n society which had for It's object the
Introduction Of artistic beauty in everyday life.
The society began It's work by providing n hui
morous spectacle. TO which artists contributed
DESIGNS for signs and trademarks The move
ment attracted widespread attention. Not only
did artists generally enter into the competition
for the prizes offered, but tradcsmcn showed
a disposition to make use OF the designs sub
mittcd Already the good results of tn" move
mont ore seen in the greater attention paid TO
what may be called industrial art. The society
now declares that its efforts have produced
their effect. There is a healthy stir on every
"hand no shop Is now built or furnished with
"out art work that impresScs upon it certain
"cachet" And II refers. in passing. TO the
'hideous American signs as at once object
lessons Of vulgarlty and horrible warnings.
To many people all this will seem matter
of trivial Importance But in reality II is not.
Ugliness ought to have 10 place In The common
life Of the people, and vulgarty Is offensive,
even II II is made 10 cnshrine the precious jewel
OF truth The relation Of art 10 morals is often
ignored and sometimes denied Yet II exists,
nevertheless Individual cases may occur OF
good men content TO live In an environment OF
crude ugliness and sodden vulgarliy. But such
men are thereby cut off from the understanding
and endowment of much that ennoblcs and beau
tlfes Nfe and they miss the stimulus and in
spiration that come from the subtle reincmcnts
OF civilization. Not all men. Of course, with
keen sense of artistic beauty are virtuous. The
history Of Greece Is evidence OF that. But. given
the moral impulse, n love OF the beautiful and
q hatred Of what Is vulgar and ugly are not
only desirable but even essential to n well
rounded manhood and womanhood.
Nor il Il beneath the function and dignity OF
art to concern itself with the common. everyday
life Of the people in their business and their
work. Intelligent people have found that out
In Europe many years ago. and we in this
country are beginning TO find II ont also. The
growth Of village improvement societies during
the last few years tesifes to the Innate love
OF the beautiful that can never be eradcatcd
from the human heart In spite Of much pop
ular Indifference, these societies have already
begun to educate and elevate the popular taste,
and in many cases have invested village life
with a new beauty and charm. These so
cletcs are destined TO Increase, and In many
ways TO enlarge their scope. People will come
10 realize that ugliness doesn't pay In the long
run, and that there Is no necessary connection
between dollars and dirt. On the contrary.
village that Is down at the heels, whose streets
are unkempt, whose houces and places Of bust
ness are unslghty and whose citizens are In
a condition OF chion slouchiDess cannot hope
to attract TO II those who would add to It's ma
terial or moral wealth This is especially true
OF the suburban fowls Of great cities. many OF
which, because Of their wholly unnecessary
ugliness and squalOr. are avoided by families
who desire 10 purchase country home. Peo-
pie may laugh at the BelgIans for paying atten-
ton TO sotrivlal thing as pretty and artistic
sign But II is such trivial things that make
up the sum OF life for all Of us. And due
attention to their importance In the aggregate
II one Of the most effective aids 10 civilization
and refinement.
Americans have been held up to scorn as
Nation Of sordld shOpkeepers. so Immersed I'm ma
terial pursuits as to be blind TO all the subtller
graces OF life. In measure. perhaps they
have deserved tbe reproach In the past The
first duty Of the infant Nation was to build
home for itself as best 1t could, to fell forests
and ford streams and till the virgin land. Its