" 71%g
best. He sees in the brawny figure of the labourer
the finest possibifities for strong decorative arrange-
ments. The group of workmen in cool shadow
against the glow of a summer sun, pouring itseff
down fike gold upon the piles of excavated earth,
the rhythm of movement in the ever-changing poses
of the workers, a striking of strong notes of colour
here and there throughout the composition, have all
produced a result as overwhelming, as enchanting,
as if one were listening to the clanging rhythmic
notes of the Anvil Chorus.
The group of the smiths is perhaps the finest
of the four panels. Here the scheme of lighting
is reversed, and the two foreground figures stand
out in the warm, golden light from the forge, while
the two on the opposite side of the anvil sink into
a greyish-blue shadow. A strong note of blue is
seen in the glimpse of the afternoon summer sky
which one gets through the opening beyond. But
these panels are but respondent notes to the room
itself. The pleasure he has given us is far greater.
He has filled the room with a vibration of co'our
harmonies, as the skilled musician at the organ
floods the room with harmonious volumes of sound.
AH these things he has done in a quiet, reserved
manner, never for one moment forgetting that
his mission was an entirely subordinate one, that
the first function of the room is to show to
the very best advantage the works of his fellow-
artists. A S. COVEY.
HE DEN, CROPTHORNE, WOR-
CESTERSHIRE.
THE old country house, of which we
herewith give illustrations, although not large, is
typical of a class of buildings which, perhaps by
very reason of their humble origin, have come
down to us from almost mediaeval times, not only
in considerable numbers, but in many cases with
most of their original features and characteristics
intact. ,
In the county of Worcester are many of these
half-timbered houses, the one we illustrate being
situated in the picturesque village of Cropthorne,
on an eminence above the River Avon, down to
the banks of which its garden slopes ; the stream
itself flowing, though scarcely seen in the picture,
2Q2
" THE DEN," CROPTHORNE, FROM THE ROAD
best. He sees in the brawny figure of the labourer
the finest possibifities for strong decorative arrange-
ments. The group of workmen in cool shadow
against the glow of a summer sun, pouring itseff
down fike gold upon the piles of excavated earth,
the rhythm of movement in the ever-changing poses
of the workers, a striking of strong notes of colour
here and there throughout the composition, have all
produced a result as overwhelming, as enchanting,
as if one were listening to the clanging rhythmic
notes of the Anvil Chorus.
The group of the smiths is perhaps the finest
of the four panels. Here the scheme of lighting
is reversed, and the two foreground figures stand
out in the warm, golden light from the forge, while
the two on the opposite side of the anvil sink into
a greyish-blue shadow. A strong note of blue is
seen in the glimpse of the afternoon summer sky
which one gets through the opening beyond. But
these panels are but respondent notes to the room
itself. The pleasure he has given us is far greater.
He has filled the room with a vibration of co'our
harmonies, as the skilled musician at the organ
floods the room with harmonious volumes of sound.
AH these things he has done in a quiet, reserved
manner, never for one moment forgetting that
his mission was an entirely subordinate one, that
the first function of the room is to show to
the very best advantage the works of his fellow-
artists. A S. COVEY.
HE DEN, CROPTHORNE, WOR-
CESTERSHIRE.
THE old country house, of which we
herewith give illustrations, although not large, is
typical of a class of buildings which, perhaps by
very reason of their humble origin, have come
down to us from almost mediaeval times, not only
in considerable numbers, but in many cases with
most of their original features and characteristics
intact. ,
In the county of Worcester are many of these
half-timbered houses, the one we illustrate being
situated in the picturesque village of Cropthorne,
on an eminence above the River Avon, down to
the banks of which its garden slopes ; the stream
itself flowing, though scarcely seen in the picture,
2Q2
" THE DEN," CROPTHORNE, FROM THE ROAD