The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-28

Many persons, doubtless, are able to recall the time when 'craZy" patch work for the fabrication of quilts and cushions enlisted the undivided atten- tion of artistic and esthetic needle women, who were wont to pronounce the word decorative with very mark ed accent upon the second syllable. Just why special prominence should have been given to this antepenulti- mate at that period, would be as diff- cult to determine as why many other syllables of many other words have achieved a temporary importance, but it will be easily remembered that there was at the same time a decided renaiS- sance of the ways and means for the decoration of dwelling houses, Host esses and housekeepers Vied With each other in the ornamentauon or tables. bedrooms, parlors and drawing rooms and not unfrequently the unusual and the bizarre won favor where the use full and the harmonious were relegated to the obscurest retirement. In short. the much vaunted decorative of that period. was most likely to be the odd and the grotesQue.
 It is evident that a short article can hardly cope with so large a subject as house decoration In its entirety, but valuable hints may be accepted as the ounce of prevention, which is worth many a pound of remedy, and, first, 1t is well to understand that there is as much artistic consideration shown in avoidance as in execution and this avoidance can be insured only where there is a recognition of past error. In the effort too, to correct the mistakes of the past 1t Is wise to remember that bad taste, though sometimes lntuitive is mostly perverted taste-in other words, a taste depraved by long habit uation to incorrect or evil models, and
 
 enemy with which a real love of the beautiful has to contend, for reason of its reliance upon traditions and Convic- tions which it believes to be right. case, admirably in point. exists in the man who told the painter, Turner. that he never could see in nature the colors which the great artist displayed in his pictures. ''Ah retorted Turner, don't you wish YOU could2"
 Now there Is no doubt that much good decorative household work mig ht be accomplished by ladies who are really gifted with accuracy of percep- tion at sight and refined judgment a s to graceful effects, if these talents were not wasted upon the production of weak, because too ambitious projects The love of novelty is the mirage which leads so many in most unproftabIe and most unwholesome directions, and the latest thing. even if it is an old fashion revived is almost sure to capture the imagina tion of the woman who starts out with honest intention to make her home attractive and beautiful
 But is it not a far better course to select and create the beauties which are to be our own daily companions, out of our individual taste. knowledge and need, than from sheer ignorance to subscribe to a caprice of fashion, and it cannot be too strongly insisted that the most trivial details of decoration in the surroundings of our daily life are important. since trifes in a well gar nished house, may be made to afford pleasure to the eye and to soothe and satisfy the mind It is not saying too much to affirm that rhe contemplation and enjoyment of such harmonious de- tails, are a perpetual and a liberal ed ucation One of the most beautiful and significant collects in the Anglican prayerbook is that one which prays to serve with a quiet mind. and that wo- man who makes her home the abode of | peace, Tn perfect harmony of furnish | ing and decoration is slowly. but sure- | ly. accomplishing an excellent mission | ary work Do we not know how hard l it is to do effectual work of any kind, in an apartment whose uncomfortable ~pd upset conditions. distract and Hp-