IiErORT OE MR. IIINTOX.
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The writer’s words, addressed specially to his own .countrymen, have certainly a meaning for us, if we ponder them over well, now that real, earnest efforts are being put forth to found a genuine American system of Education in Art-Industry. But it must be remembered, that if we want quick and valuable results, our outlay and exertions must be in proportion to our desires. To give a lukewarm support to the movement, and then, ten years hence, grumble because we have not effected as great changes as other countries in a like period of time have done, would be but a sorry way to bring about a beneficial result, though it is what is likely to happen unless a very strong interest is aroused in the public mind in behalf of the idea.
In England, it is the fashion to grumble and growl at the amount of work performed by the South Kensington Museum and Schools, and their method of doing it, even for those who are ignorant of what is really accomplished. The work has been something marvellous in extent and rapidity of execution, as is fully shown by the opinions of the critics and observers who are not English.
That Austria believes in following the example set by the English is plain from her actions, as is also the case with most of the German States,*who, if they have not already established Museums and Schools on the South Kensington plan, propose to do so in the near future, to supplement their already existing systems of technical and artistic instruction. Even Italy moves into line, notwithstanding that her name is almost synonymous with the Beaux Arts. France e arly acknowledged the value of the movement, and her recorded statements are curious but clear proofs of how soon it is Possible to inaugurate a new reign of taste, and create the skill to meet it. Bearing in mind the fact that the International Exhibition of 1851 showed the unrivalled supremacy of France m nearly all matters of Art-Industry, the reports of the French Commissioners and Jurors of the Exhibition of 1862 will show that swift work had been performed in the decade between these dates, and will establish the fact that this Art-cducation as applied to industry is no natural demand, but one entirely artificial in character, shaped by the demands of our complex 8 ystem of civilization, yet capable of an early and rapid