Stimulate originality. Briefly, nothing has been neglected that could cherish this beautiful art in the present, and perpetuate it in the future, until today it assmes a place of almost national importance.
The would-be china-painter of fifteen or twenty years ago had many difficulties to contend with ; a very imperfect knowledge of the nature of the materials and how to use them was the rule, not the exception. Consequently the incipient attempts were exceedingly inmature, and not as a general thing successful, considered as works of art. Techinical details and mechanical features had yet to be learned. Mineral colors were but very imperfectly comprehended ; the nature of the wares, glazes, and firing still less ; while the application of gold, enames, ets., were not at all understood. These have all been learned through dissappointing and repeated failures, and at the sacrifice of time, money, and labor,---the severest discipline by which any knowledge is acquired. The trite adage, "Experience is the best teacher," was never more apropos than when applied to china-painting.
In addition to these discouraging obstacles, there existed a very vague idea of the requirements of decorative art ; and the designs----usually restricted to floral devices -- were frequently incorrect in
