The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-05

fully prone not to notice things seen every
day. and most of these pictures are not
striking in any way.
There are two ways In which school
room could be decorated SO % to make il
educational to children fron an esthetic
point of view If the room could be frcs-
coed or hung with pictures so that it
would look less like a sehoolroom than
like an apartment in some rich persons
house, it would train the child's eye TO
appreciate harmonious and beautiful dec
orations. But that would cost considera-
bly, more money than the average school
board has to spend, and it might better be
spent in some other way which would give
larger and more direct results. With
children. direct influence for good is
worth forty subtle, roundabout ways OF
shaping their minds.
The best way TO decorate the average
schoolroom would be to make it Look
just what IL is-a room devoted 10 useful
knowledge. The furniture and coloring
should be, as far as possible, tasteful and
harmonious. but plain; the simpler the
better. There is too much fligree-what
work-about most American architecture
and furniture. Then. if there are to be
pictures, let them be such as will take
instant hold on the ehild's attention. Let
them be portraits OF famous men-good Ike
nesses-or copies of some famous painting
containing figures or faces. About the most
unpromising subject for a schoolroom pic
ture is landscape. A photograph Of Nj
agara gives very little more idea Of the
real aspect Of the place than picture in
a geography. But a fine photograph of
the Sistine Madonna or Renoufs "Helpi g
Hand will give an impression which no
! schoclbock is likely to effect. In the first
case theehild will learn TO recognize the ap-
! pearance, and feel the solemn beauty of
| one Of the great pictures Of the world. In
the second il viii be shown a charming
portrait by a painter whose name they
ought TO know. In the third case an idea
viii be given OF the costume of the French
peasant. and the poetic thought CT the pic
ture will reach the chiIds mind. Such pic
lures as these cannot fail to attract the
attention of even se youngest They are
beautiful in themselves, and they are in
structiye and inspiring. And this should
not be forgotten; the money spent should
be put into the pictures. not into the
frame. and into few fine pictures rather
than many poor ones.
The American public needs education in
| art; there is no doubt about that Tie
| crude attempts at creating beautiful things
| and some OF the results are hide0Us
| enough-still show that there is a feeling
for beauty in the minds OF the people.
| They need training Of the eye and hand.
and education by observation Of fine pic
| lures and architecture One OF the things
| which has been most neglected is the
/ small amount OF art in this country which
can be called indigenous. The colonial
| furniture. the hCmespun coverlids, some Of
the quilts and rugs. and rag-carpets and
| embroidery, which used TO be malufa,-
! tured in THIS country, were really beauti-
full. but these models are disappearing.
They ought TO be preserved. The art o.
making Indian blankets and pottery should
net be lost. The countrywOmen Of New
England and the Middle West could easily
be taught TO make exquisite lace and en-
! broidery, and thereby earn their pin
| money, instead Of leaving home to go into
the shops. It would be worth the while of
some philanthropist to give this matter
attention.