THE ARTS.
THE Society of Arts has opened its third annual exhibition of decorative works; and the show is more varied and brilliant than ever. New classes of specimens are displayed; such as furniture chintzes, paper- hangings, silks, carpets, and other fabrics. The aspect of the rooms is gay and agreeable in the extreme; and on closer examination, the collection displays some sterling merits. We have only space, however, to notice the novelties. Among the splendid samples of glass, are pleasing combinations of frosted and clear glass; of cut glass with the Bohemian patterns; and a greatly-improved style of enamel in glass, substituting a water-colour style, broad and clear, for the opaque stipple of the old manner. Among iron wares, are some excellently-cast statuettes, and a stove enamelled to resemble marble. The bronzes show continued progress in the attempt to improve the colour. In Derbyshire marble slabs, we see a new plan of making a pattern by discharging the colour, without eating away the sur- face. In Parian, Messrs. Wedgwood have come forth with a new variety of material,—very fine, solid, and soft; delicate, yet without that glaze which "cuts up" the effect. In marqueterie and papier mache, there are fine specimens; in the former, with a new process. The fabrics show a pro- gressive advance. Among the paper-hangings, we were particularly struck with a kind, of very good design, which may be washed, without injury to the surface. In wood-carving—specially suggested by Prince Albert as domestic work for labourers whose time is not filled up—are clever attempts by a milkman and a railway labourer; the milkman being the son of the gate- keeper at Hyde Park Corner,—who is reputed, however, lobe a man in easy circumstances. In the rooms is a pianoforte, with a sort of couplers to the keys, which enable the performer, but without compelling him, to acoom
pony a particular note with the octave above or below it; bringing under the hands a wider range of keys.
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