The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-20
"a NEGLECTED FINE ART
Woodcarving Is HandicESft Suitable
for Women and Girls.

for Women ald Girls.
One Of the subjects Of great iEserest
to the public now IS that of occupa'
tons for women, and the question,
what shall our girls learn to do THAI
will make them self-supporIing and
comfortably independent" is asked
on all sides. Among the callings sug.
gested that have been tried or follow
ed by women, little attention so far
has been paid to the industry Of wood
carving, which must be classed under
the head Of art
In considering this general topic aid
the advantage offered by the various
classes Of artistic effort commonly pur-
sued by our students, surprise has
often been expressed that there has
not been established in this country
years ago and properly equipped school
or master teaching TOOdcarVln2 OF
wood sculpture as q fine art.
in Europe" said one Of the workers
In this art, "this delicate handiWork
has for centuries been one OF the
favored forms Of artistic pashme
among the women Of the nobility, and
to lay it counts as it's devotees many
Of he most exclusive and most highly
cultured women On that continent
Lessons are as generally taken there
in this fascinating art by the young
women Of the upper classes as are
music and painting by the daughters
OF families Of like social rank ii this
country.
1T ig indeed strange that this craft
adaptable in its application 70 so wide
range CT use and ornament, mas
never heretofore been properly pre-
sented to the cultured classes here.
The work is far more cleanly than
painting, either in water colors or ID
oil, and the implements require less
attention and care. The simple and
most exact principles upon which true
art is based are from their very na-
ture susceptible Of more ready COM
prehension and mastery than those ul-
derlying many other branches COM
monty taken up.
1.-The skilful handling of the few
tools required is quickly attained, and
in few lessons the average scholar is
able to execute eXQ~site work at once
a surprise and a delight.
''In addition to the rare pleasure re-
sulting from known ability to create
beautiful things, there are greater
benefits accruing to the sculptor, not
to mention others. There is tie fact
that he has learned the better to ap-
preciate and value proportion, form
and delicacy Of outline, and this
knowledge, aside from the personal
satisfaction it brings, enables him to
judge with true accuracy the artistic
merits Of all things, natural or manu-
factured, having form as their basis.
This essential sense can be secured in
40 other way so readily. Indeed, the
artistic faculty, the aesthetic taste it.
self, can be perfected only by fair
knowledge Of the truths which
course in wood sculpture supplies.
This fact is being recognized in this
country now, as it has long been
recognized and observed in the centres
of high art in Europe, and even in the
Far Fast. Wise masters of the chisel
now bring their dainty craft to the art
lovers Of our Nation, and tie void that
has been felt in the art education OF
this young country will not long con-
tnue. Art IL every form is but the
expression Of refined sense. Indeed,
nothing more surely marks the spirit
of true refinement than the degree in
which an intelligent love Of the beau
tful Is manifest. Hence it is THAI
cultured persons are not only constant
patrons Of art, but seek themselves to
become proficient in some one or more
of its branches.
Music, sculpture, painting, ceramics
and various other familiar forms OF
like endeavor have furnished eEpres-
sion to mems increased and increasing
culture, and given broad opportunity
for the development Of Individual
faculties and tasoss. Great as haTs
been the benefits TO mankind from the
achievements Of masters In the several
lines mentioned, It may be well assert
ed that the chiefest good has come
from the attention given thereto By
cultivated men and women, who
sought only further self-improyement,
and not the mere making OF fortune or
q name.
"This chaste love for the refined has
become markedly dominant in recent
times with the better classes, as Is
evidenced by a large number Of such
persons who, in every department Ct
aesthetics, seek such scholarships IN
der the great masters who have un-
seldshly relinQuished the broadening
advantages of public service FOR the
restriction Of studio or Instruction
room. Under the guidance and in the
companionship Of such tutors our IA
vored youth have grown in technical
knowledge and proficiency along Sc
lected lines, until now it IS by no
means rare to End among our women
and men those who work with brush,
pencil or pen. or whose ability as
vocal or instrumental musicians vies
with the best professionals in the re-
spective directions. And yet in every
such case, the only end sought was,
as before stated, the high culture Of
SELF and the increased means thus sa
cured Of contributing to the pleasure
Of others. The perpetuity and the pep
fecting of our civilization rest, and
safely so, upon such ciuEenship."-
New York Tribune.