FINE ARTS.
THE first fruits of the Parliamentary inquiry into the state of the Arts in connexion with Manufactures are already beginning to appear. The manufacturers of Paisley appointed a committee of their own to consider the proper means for improving the taste and skill of their pattern-drawers ; and this body, like its Parliamentary prototype, has published a Report. It recommends the formation of a School of Arts on the plan of those established on the Continent, with a museum of specimens of the most beautiful productions of nature and art attached to it ; the instruction to be furnished at the lowest p_ossible rate, and the museum to be opened to the public gratuitously. The committee is maturing a specific plan for accomplishing the objects proposed. The example will no doubt be followed by other manufacturing towns. A beginnieg only was wanted, and the Pais- ley manufacturers seem to be making a good one. We are curious to see the details of the plan.
Can any of our readers inform us what is doing with the Govern- ment School of Design ? The provinces will get the start of the Me- tropolis, we suspect. Mr. HAYDON has resumed his course of Lectures at the Mechanics institution in Southampton Buildings. The subject of the lecture ein Friday se•nnight was u review of the Societies for promoting Fine Art in this country,—ramely, the Dilettante Society, the Royal Aca- demy, and the British Institution ; and their effect on artists and the public. We were prevented from attending; but we are told that the lecturer showed very strikingly the inefficiency of this kind of encou- ragement of art, and strenuously contended for the necessity of state patronage for high art. The auditory was numerous, and seemed to take strong interest in the subject ; which the amusing and per.inent anecdotes, and the animated style of the lecturer, rendered attractive. Mr. HAYDON was enthusiastically welcomed.
Previous page
