DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1312#0081
OF THE WORLD'S INDUSTRY. 39
metal, and the execution; but in many cases it lacks due simplicity in form and arrange-
ment of some of the parts. The perfection which textile manufacture has attained of late
years, has had a corresponding effect on the interior fittings of carriages, which in linings,
&c„ are now beautifully appointed at a comparatively moderate cost. The consideration
of ' reasonable cheapness' has been duly observed ; but it is obviously very difficult to deter-
mine the exact intrinsic value of art article like a carriage, and to judge positively whether
the affixed price is excessive or not. The cost is often much increased by ornament, finish,
or contrivance, that might be advantageously dispensed with; and thus a carriage, otherwise
extravagant in price, be reduced to the standard of ' reasonable cheapness/ And this
useless addition of expense is a fault of common occurrence, to which we have previously
alluded. Extravagant prices may fairly diminish the claim for approval; but at the
same time we are convinced, that what may be deemed high prices, are not always
exorbitant prices ; but that with carriages, as with articles of household furniture, the most
similar perhaps to those under our notice, where the quality of the article is more or less
concealed, the lowest-priced may often prove to be the dearest purchase."
The juries proceed to sum up their observations on the subject of carriages and their
• builders, with the following guarded expressions of limited approbation :—"After a patient,
and we believe, thorough examination, we are unanimously of opinion, that there is
no contribution among the articles in our department which possesses such * pre-eminent
and indisputable merit/ as to be entitled to the ecouncil-medal/ and, therefore, we do
not recommend that this distinguished award be bestowed on any. But while we withhold
the highest mark of merit, from a sense of duty, we do not deny the prominent claims of
many contributors to distinction; and we have endeavoured to select those upon which we
think we can confer, with the greatest justice, the only mark of merit at our disposal."
They then subjoin a list of those contributors to whom they award a " prize-medal;" and
we observe with satisfaction, that our own countrymen bear away by far the largest
portion of the honourable distinction.
CHAPTER, VIII.
THE LADIES' DEPARTMENT, Etc
BRIEF SKETCH----LIMERICK LACE—ANTIQUE POINT—SIR WALTER RALEIGH'S COLLAR—SISTERS OP
" MERCY----ALTAR-CLOTH—MISS ELLIS—TATTING----NEEDLEWORK—MORAVIAN WORK — NETTLE-
FIBRE SHAWL—CROCHET—KNITTING—TABLE-COVERS—LACE DRESS, ETC., ETC.----FOLDING-
SCREEN—THE CHANT'S CAUSEWAY----MOSAIC NEEDLEWORK—CURIOUS COUNTERPANE—AUSTRIAN
NEEDLEWORK—ECCLESIASTICAL DRESSES----CONTRIBUTIONS PROM THE ZOLLVERELN.
Many a brave man has, we believe, paused on the threshold of a drawing-room full of gay
and fashionable belles, with feelings of trepidation, which he would have been indignant with
himself for being conscious of on the point of starting for the field of battle; and we must
plead guilty of some degree of nervousness in ourselves, as we prepare to enter upon the
mysteries of the " Ladies' Department," where, if awful beauty does not actually " put on
all her arms," she at any rate sees the materials from which they are to be fashioned, and
anticipates the conquests she may win from the judicious selection and happy appliances
of them. But now to enter the sanctuary. What clouds of " woven air" float around us !
What webs of fairy finger-work, fine as Arachne ever traced! What undulations of
vol. nr. L
';■ "■'■ : '■ ■■:": V'. ■:-.;:';-:
metal, and the execution; but in many cases it lacks due simplicity in form and arrange-
ment of some of the parts. The perfection which textile manufacture has attained of late
years, has had a corresponding effect on the interior fittings of carriages, which in linings,
&c„ are now beautifully appointed at a comparatively moderate cost. The consideration
of ' reasonable cheapness' has been duly observed ; but it is obviously very difficult to deter-
mine the exact intrinsic value of art article like a carriage, and to judge positively whether
the affixed price is excessive or not. The cost is often much increased by ornament, finish,
or contrivance, that might be advantageously dispensed with; and thus a carriage, otherwise
extravagant in price, be reduced to the standard of ' reasonable cheapness/ And this
useless addition of expense is a fault of common occurrence, to which we have previously
alluded. Extravagant prices may fairly diminish the claim for approval; but at the
same time we are convinced, that what may be deemed high prices, are not always
exorbitant prices ; but that with carriages, as with articles of household furniture, the most
similar perhaps to those under our notice, where the quality of the article is more or less
concealed, the lowest-priced may often prove to be the dearest purchase."
The juries proceed to sum up their observations on the subject of carriages and their
• builders, with the following guarded expressions of limited approbation :—"After a patient,
and we believe, thorough examination, we are unanimously of opinion, that there is
no contribution among the articles in our department which possesses such * pre-eminent
and indisputable merit/ as to be entitled to the ecouncil-medal/ and, therefore, we do
not recommend that this distinguished award be bestowed on any. But while we withhold
the highest mark of merit, from a sense of duty, we do not deny the prominent claims of
many contributors to distinction; and we have endeavoured to select those upon which we
think we can confer, with the greatest justice, the only mark of merit at our disposal."
They then subjoin a list of those contributors to whom they award a " prize-medal;" and
we observe with satisfaction, that our own countrymen bear away by far the largest
portion of the honourable distinction.
CHAPTER, VIII.
THE LADIES' DEPARTMENT, Etc
BRIEF SKETCH----LIMERICK LACE—ANTIQUE POINT—SIR WALTER RALEIGH'S COLLAR—SISTERS OP
" MERCY----ALTAR-CLOTH—MISS ELLIS—TATTING----NEEDLEWORK—MORAVIAN WORK — NETTLE-
FIBRE SHAWL—CROCHET—KNITTING—TABLE-COVERS—LACE DRESS, ETC., ETC.----FOLDING-
SCREEN—THE CHANT'S CAUSEWAY----MOSAIC NEEDLEWORK—CURIOUS COUNTERPANE—AUSTRIAN
NEEDLEWORK—ECCLESIASTICAL DRESSES----CONTRIBUTIONS PROM THE ZOLLVERELN.
Many a brave man has, we believe, paused on the threshold of a drawing-room full of gay
and fashionable belles, with feelings of trepidation, which he would have been indignant with
himself for being conscious of on the point of starting for the field of battle; and we must
plead guilty of some degree of nervousness in ourselves, as we prepare to enter upon the
mysteries of the " Ladies' Department," where, if awful beauty does not actually " put on
all her arms," she at any rate sees the materials from which they are to be fashioned, and
anticipates the conquests she may win from the judicious selection and happy appliances
of them. But now to enter the sanctuary. What clouds of " woven air" float around us !
What webs of fairy finger-work, fine as Arachne ever traced! What undulations of
vol. nr. L
';■ "■'■ : '■ ■■:": V'. ■:-.;:';-: