AMERICAN PREFACE. 
XXXI 
sliow tliat in France agriculture is exceedingly prosperous; and 
this great manufacturing and agricultural prosperity is due to what ? 
To various tliings, of course; but probably to no one thing more 
than to the art-industrial education of the people. Such is the 
view of the Austrian report liere printed, and such is the view of 
numerous other authorities. 1 Looking at the experience of France, 
one may safely affirm tliat the farmer who contributes to the Sup 
port of populär art-education, is most eftectually promoting, though 
indirectly, the advancement of his own fortune. 
GOOD FOR THE WHOLE, GOOD FOR THE PARTS. 
Whatever promotes the prosperity of a nation as a whole, must, 
of course, promote the prosperity of its parts. Sldll and taste do 
the former ; they must, therefore, promote the prosperity of a city, 
town, or village. ■ Then how to secure this skill and taste, is the 
question. To repeat what has already been said, there is but one 
positively certain way, and that is to edueate. Skill and taste are 
the peculiar products of no land, nor can they ever be had for the 
mere wishing. In protective tariffs there is too much premium on 
i A recent numher of “The New York Tribüne” contained a highly 
eulogistic letter from Hugh McOulloch on “ The Finances of France.” Mr. 
McCulloch was formerly Secretary of the United States Treasury; he is now a 
banker in London. It is thus he speaks of the French artisans to wiiose skill 
and taste he attributes a large part of French prosperity: “They are emi- 
nently skilful and tasteful. The raw materials, which are the basis of articles 
of taste and elegance, acquire in the hands of French artisans greater value 
than in the hands of the artisans of any other nation. The manufactures of 
France are varied and extensive, and, being uninterrupted by ‘strikes,’ her 
capacity to produce seems to be almost unlhnited. French goods are found 
among all nations, and there is a constantly inereasing deniand for thein at 
remunerative prices. In every thing appertaining to personal adornment, 
France leads the world, The palm may be yielded reluctantly, but all nations 
do admit the superiority of French taste and of French manufactures in all 
inatters of dress. ‘ I should like to see,’ says ‘ H. H.’ in her eharniing 1 Bits of 
Travel,’ 1 1 should like to see the woman who could go through Paris without 
buyiug a new gown.’ It would be difficult to lind a tasteful womaft any where 
who does not approve of the latest style from Paris. The tribute which other 
nations pay to the ingenuity of French artisans and artists in the manufacture 
of dress goods, and the making up of dresses, is exceedingly large. Even in 
England, so different in the character of her people, not only has French cook- 
ery superseded the English, but French taste in every thing appertaining to 
wearing apparel is the Standard of fashion.”