SECOND RETORT OF COMMISSIONERS.

33

Art, under the superintendence of Mr. Cole and Mr. Redgrave, R. A., the formerof whom so materially aided the Commissioners in bringing the Exhibition to itssuccessful issue, by his zealous and indefatigable exertions as a member of theirExecutive Committee, while the latter prepared for them a valuable Report onDesign, to accompany the Jury Reports, at the time when he was a member ofthe “ Fine Arts" Jury.

In a letter recently addressed to the President of the Board of Trade by thosegentlemen, they have submitted an outline of the principles which they conceiveshould be adopted in order to promote its satisfactory development. Theyrecommend that with the view of carrying out the great object of SchoolsDesign, viz., ‘ ‘ the study of the various processes of Manufacture , and the practiceof Design for Individual branches of industry,” and “the practice of the variousbranches of Decorative Art," the student should have the means of consultingfine examples of what has already been accomplished in the special department inwhich he seeks to be proficient. They say, for instance, that

“ An educated designer for Ceramic Manufacture should at least have anadequate knowledge of what Japan, Meissen, Sevres , and even Chelsea, havealready done, and should aim to acquire a power of execution as high as tlnbwhich his predecessors have possessed. He should bo instructed also in theprinciples which guided them to excellence, and taught to avoid the faults wliiclmarred the perfection of their labours. In like manner, the properly-educateudesigner for Printed and Woven fabrics ought to be practically familiar with theearly Chintzes of India , as well as with the best specimens of work now producedat Paris, Mulhausen, Crayford, or Accrington.

“ Classes of students should be formed for the actual practice and study of thespecialties of manufacture, and for acquiring a knowledge of the general principlesby which the ornamental design for such manufactures must be regulated."

The letter in question also contains the following passages :—

“The purchases of Indian and other ornamental works from the late Exhibitionwill be of the greatest value in developing the higher kind of instruction thusindicated, both in London and the country.

“ In this (the more advanced) as in the elementary division of the department,it may be expected that the general public will derive considerable benefit.Whilst the student is acquiring skill by practice, both the producer and the con-sumer will have increased means of judging of the success of the student’s efforts;and after a time it may be expected that all classes will become as willing to receiveinstruction in Art as they are in History, Chemistry, or Geology."

It was also recommended that lectures and demonstrations of the principles ofdesign, exemplified by tbe articles comprised in the collection possessed by thedepartment, should be given as soon as arrangements could be made for thepurpose. As has been already mentioned, a limited amount of space has beentemporarily obtained at Marlborough House by the gracious favour of HerMajesty. The collection which is now displayed there forms a very valuablenucleus for a larger one, and supplies a want which had seriously impeded theprogress of tbe Schools of Design.

Their past history had proved that the teaching of principles without the means

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