Studio: international art (14.1898)

Bimanuai Training

FIG. I.—CHARACTERISTIC LEAF^FORMS

relief at once original and admirable. Metal is
freely employed, but only where it adds richness,
without glitter. The texture of the surface of these
charming panels is peculiarly satisfactory: they
have as much gloss as appears on a piece of fine
morocco leather, and no more. With this the
quality of colour is luminous and yet not shining,
and never garish, but a really fine surface, reflect-
ing light, and adding richness to a room without
being too strongly assertive. The subjects are
clearly depicted in the accompanying illustrations,
and it would therefore be waste of space to
describe them ; but a word of appreciation for the
ingenious interpretation of the poet’s fancy
must be added. With scarce an exception
they are felicitous in idea and admirable in
execution—the sort of decoration which one
cannot help regretting should be lost to the
general public in a private house, much as we
may congratulate their owner and his architect
on the good taste displayed in commissioning
such a series from the artists. The room in
which they are placed will be more fully
described later, when others of the series are
illustrated.

IMANUAL TRAINING.

BY H. BLOOMFIELD
BARE, F.R.I.B.A.

All classes of society have culti-
vated and fostered one-handedness, though
ambi-dexterity would be a positive advantage
in countless instances, and at least would

lend more grace and readiness to many of our
actions.

In training hand and eye the Kindergarten
and Manual Training Schools have made a good
commencement, yet the equal training of both
hands seems scarcely to have received any atten-
tion from progressive educators in this country.
My plea, therefore, is for the symmetrical cultiva-
tion of the human powers. From infancy the
child is almost invariably directed to use the
right hand in preference to the left, notwith-
standing any natural tendency shown to use
right and left hands alike; in fact, the majority
of parents would discourage any such tendency.
Is there any sound reason for maintaining this
customary check ?

Numerous cases occur in the handicrafts
where ability to use the tools in either hand is a
convenience and advantage to the workman in
his work. The musical instrumentalist—the
surgical operator, the typist—and how many others ?
—not fewer than 240 crafts, trades, and occupa-
tions are largely dependent upon ambi-dexterous
skill.

Therefore a general cultivation of this facility in
early years throughout our schools should neither
be overlooked nor underrated.

A method of Bimanual Training had its
origination in Philadelphia about fourteen years
ago, and its systematic teaching, devised by Prof.
Liberty Tadd, has long since been adopted in the
elementary schools under the Public Board of
Education in Philadelphia. The exercises largely

IvIG. 2.—CURVE EXERCISES

ipi