xlvi 
AMERICAN PREFACE. 
master; in the second, he ignores all the formative processes of 
nature. 
Mention lias now been made of a few essential elements of art 
knowledge, — elements which can be scientifically treated, and 
therefore taught with that precision demanded by sound educa- 
tional principles. It will be observed that industrial art and fine 
art have, in the main, the same elementary basis; hence that 
whatever promotes the former must promote the latter directly or 
indirectly, — directly by educating the artist, indirectly by edu- 
cating the public taste and judgment. But, while industrial art 
leads to fine art, the latter exerts a reflex influence upon the former, 
because it elevates the public taste, and because the instruction 
specially required by fine art often proves of Service as a discipline 
to the artisan. Thus the drawing of the human figure is an excel- 
lent discipline for the artisan because of the subtle training whieh 
it affords the eye and hand. But to make the human figure the 
foundation of all art, to expect, for example, by persistently 
drawing it fully to develop the power of seeing, or to produce a 
good industrial designer or decorative artist of any kind, is the 
height of educational absurdity. 
how CAN INSTRUCTION IN ART BE BEST GIVEN? 
Finally, how can instruction in the teachable elements of art be 
best given ? The answer shall be brief, — so brief that it will 
perhaps appear dogmatic. As the whole people should be reached, 
the means must be adequate to the end desired. There must be 
books, drawing-copies, models, casts, and, for some of the ad- 
vanced work, special school accommodations. The forms given 
to be drawn, whether flat copies or solid, should be scrupulously 
exact, should have pronounced character, and, if tliey are to aflect 
the taste, should be as beautiful as it is possible to make them. 
They should, of course, be graded according to sound educational 
principles. Then the forms to be drawn, especially in the earlier 
stages of each department, should be accompanied by a printed 
text, on whose preparation the utmost care should be bestowed, to 
the end that not only the requisite Information may be given, but 
that all inaccurate and slovenly use of language may be avoided 
as in the preparation of a grammar, rhetoric, or other school-book.