hoped for? It may, and probably will, be our fortune through this aid finally to attain to an appreciation of the beautiful, such as even Phidias never enjoyed. Hence, anything that tends to keep her attractions more prominently before us will assist, however little, in this effect, and is to be encouraged by every means. the labors of the artists at Sèvres have given a patent proof that they deserve well of mankind.

And hence it is that

I was particularly impressed with a large vase in the new style which has just been done. It is unique in shape, material, and decoration, and the adaptation of each of these to the other shows great independence of judgment, as well as exquisite tact. This harmony is well set off by the rich translucent enamel which covers it, and whose liquid depth lends an additional charm to the tint of pale sea-green that overspreads its exterior. It is about four feet high, and stands upon a pedestal of gilded bronze, elaborate in its design. The texture of the material is most delicate, and the tone of its color extremely clear and even. It is impossible to avoid admiring the symmetry of figure, which seems to blend with its ornaments, so that the whole bears the stamp of the same ruling mind. From its lower edge spring leaves of the sagittaria, or arrowhead, and the broad foliage of the coarser aquatic plant, all being done in white. These grow more and more slender and less numerous, with the narrowing lines of the vases, until at last only a

few tall reeds shoot up to near the top.

The stalks of these are delicate, and finally tipped with feathery flowers, and all appear to wave to and fro, as if a gentle breeze was passing over them. In the centre of the parted group stands a heron, that has just seized a fish from the water at its feet. This figure shows wonderful vitality and truth to nature, and as he holds the struggling prey high in air, one almost expects to see it disappear in his unscrupulous maw. Of course, description of a work like this must be tame, and to a certain extent unmeaning. I have given this only as a slight intimation. It is only one with numerous others in the Sèvres court, all of which show great vigor of design and execution, together with rare promise for the future. The old style of meretricious coloring and exact copies of chefs d'œuvre, presenting the skeletons of the great labors of genius without the soul, they can well afford to abandon. Though these have, to a certain extent, a powerful effect upon the education of the people, yet they can be done sufficiently well by other manufactories. Its managers, in striking out into new and bolder paths, have, either by fortune or talent, fallen upon one that has not merely the merit of novelty, but of beauty and healthy usefulness. For this they deserve infinite credit. Yet with the resources at their command they can do more than they have already attempted. It will be well for France if they shall inaugurate some further researches, tending to combine econ

omy of production with simple and elegant decoration. In this way they will contribute more directly to the comfort of the poorer classes, and not only that, but to their mental profit.

While closing this chapter, I desire, as a matter of justice and gratitude, to say that the officials in charge of the Sèvres collection are extremely well informed as to all matters concerning its style of fabrication, and not only that, but, like many others of their class in France, very affable and ready to impart any aid in their power to those desiring it. I have been indebted to them for many civilities, and their uniform courtesy is deserving of every commendation. It is the more creditable from the fact that they are in a position which is somewhat trying. They are responsible for the safety of every article in this large and costly display, and these demand incessant care. Some are small, and easily abstracted by rapacious visitors. Others are fragile, and need great care to prevent fracture. They are pestered with all sorts of questions by ignorant and foolish people, and altogether it is a matter of wonder how they can retain any degree whatever of equanimity or cheerfulness, not to mention polite

ness.

22

CHAPTER XXIV.

FEATHERS.

THE vast outer gallery that surrounds the Great Exhibition building, is devoted, as I presume many of my readers know, to machinery. The specimens of this form of human ingenuity are enormous in number, of every possible style, and for every possible purpose. There are not, to be sure, many that are novel, or that promise to introduce a new era in their department, but one can easily discover hundreds that are of extreme interest, and which appear of almost human capacity. When they are all in motion the effect is indescribable. It is one grand manifestation of the power of intellect over inert and rude matter, whose impression upon the observer is really for the moment overpowering. This collection is the representative type of the age, and to a reflecting mind is to the full as characteristic and magnificent as the Great Pyramid, or the Parthenon. The broad belt that contains it is the Coliseum of industry, and, like that at Rome, it surrounds the wide arena in which men from every nation contend, though in our day, fortunately, in peaceful rivalry, and only for the mastery of mind.

The movements of all these intricate automatons have a strange fascination for the people, who daily gather in crowds about them, and watch with unending interest every repetition. The envelopemachine, for example, goes through its endless and wonderful work by the hour together. It stretches. out delicate fingers of polished steel, seizes upon the paper, shapes, gums, and folds it with a superhuman neatness and dexterity, and still the crowd look on with eyes never satisfied. They stay and cling around it, or leave the spot and return again, only to stare, as if they could penetrate some inner mystery, or perchance were expecting to hear it speak, and utter some strange oracle from its interior. And still the monotonous artificer goes on, and makes no sign but the faint click which announces that it is doing its work faithfully and well.

Combined with several machines besides this latter, are other manufactures in active operation, some of which are quite complicated and interesting. Here artificial flowers are made, and from heaps of gay pieces of silk and satin, bright bouquets come forth in all that exquisite rivalry of Nature, which French workmen of that class know so well how to attempt with success. Here felt hats are made, and one can watch the downy spoils of the rabbit, from its first estate of apparent inefficiency, through all the operations necessary to produce a comfortable and elegant" tile," durable enough to shelter one's head over an Alpine pass