Schools of Art.—A knowledge of drawing is required in so many of the employments open to women that I think it advisable to give some information as to how it can best be acquired.

In connection with the National Art Training School at South Kensington, Metropolitan District Schools of Art are established at the following places:—

    1. The Female School of Art, 43, Queen Square, Bloomsbury.
    2. Blackheath, Lee, and Lewisham (Bennett Park).
    3. Blackheath Hill, 13, Lansdowne Place.
    4. Chelsea, Onslow College.
    6. Chiswick, Bath Road, Bedford Park.
    6. Holloway (Camden School).
    7. Hornsey.
    8. Islington, Barnsbury Hall.
    9. Lambeth, Miller's Lane, Upper Kennington Lane.
    10. North London, Sandringham Road, Kingsland.
    11. St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Castle Street, Long Acre.
    12. St. Thomas Charterhouse, Goswell Road.
    13. Stoke Newington.
    14. Stratford, Maryland Point.
    15. West London, 155, Great Titchfield Street.
    16. Westminster, Royal Architectural Museum.

I give the rules of the South Kensington School; the others differ slightly, but further particulars can always be obtained by application to the head masters; as a rule the expense of studying at the local schools is less than at South Kensington, but the same system48 of instruction is pursued. The second grade certificate, so often mentioned in these pages, is by no means difficult to obtain. As will be seen by the rules, it is necessary to pass the examination for it before joining the art classes.

There is a large number of free studentships; for particulars of these application must be made to the Secretary, Science and Art Department, S.W.

The South Kensington rules are as follows:—

I. The courses of instruction pursued in the school have for their object the systematic training of teachers, male and female, in the practice of Art, and in the knowledge of its scientific principles, with a view to qualifying them as teachers of Schools of Art competent to develop the application of art to the common uses of life, and to the requirements of trade and manufactures. The instruction comprehends the following subjects:—Freehand, architectural, and mechanical drawing; practical geometry and perspective; painting in oil, tempera, and water colours; modelling, moulding, and casting. The classes for drawing, painting, and modelling, include architectural and other ornament, flowers, objects of still life, &c., the figure from the antique and the life, and the study of anatomy as applicable to art.

II. These courses of instruction are open to the public on payment of fees. These are as follows:—

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Fees for Classes studying five whole days, including evenings:—

￡5 for five months, and an entrance fee of 10s.

Evening Classes.

Male School,    ￡2 per term.
Female School, ￡1 per term, three evenings a week.

The classes for male and female students meet separately.

Governesses in private schools or families may attend the day classes for not more than three months, on payment of ￡1 per month, without payment of the entrance fee.

III. No students can be admitted to these classes until they have passed an examination in freehand drawing of the second grade. Examinations of candidates for admission will be held weekly at the commencement of each term, and at frequent intervals throughout the year. These examinations are held at the school on Tuesdays at 10.30 A.M. and 6.45 P.M. Candidates should bring their own lead pencils and indiarubber. Unsuccessful candidates cannot be re-examined until after a month's interval. The examination fee is 2s. 6d. for day students, and 6d. for evening students, to be paid at the time of examination.

IV. The annual session consists of two terms, each lasting five months, and commencing on the 1st of March and the 1st of October, and ending on the50 last day of July and the last day of February respectively. One week at Christmas and one week at Easter or Whitsuntide are also vacations. The school is open every week-day except Saturday. Hours of study are—day, 9 to 3.30; evening, 7 to 9. Evening classes for females on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Classes for modelling have been lately formed at the Lambeth Technical School of Art, 122, Kennington Park Road. Practice in modelling from drapery, the antique, and the human figure nude and draped. On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, from 7 to 9.30. Fee, 5s. per month.

Modelling from casts of ornaments:—The practice will be adapted to the technical wants of the individual students. This class meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6.30 to 9. Fee, 2s. 6d. per month.

There is an annual examination for prizes in all schools of art, and a national competition.

Royal Academy.—Free instruction is given for a period of seven years at the Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, to any one who shows sufficient talent. Applicants for admission must have attained a certain proficiency, and must deliver specimens of their work, with a printed form duly filled in, at the Academy51 on or before the 28th of June, or the 28th of December, to be submitted to the Council. This form can be obtained from the Registrar through the written request of a member, or some artist or person of known respectability.

The hours of work are from 10 to 3. Students are required to provide their own materials.

Designers.—There is a great demand for skilful and original designers, but only for really clever ones, as so much of the ordinary work is done by pupils. Mr. Sparkes, the head master of the South Kensington School of Art, tells me any one with natural taste and invention can be trained thoroughly in designing, including a knowledge of the human figure, in two years, if willing to work hard; after that time it would be necessary to give some months to become acquainted with the possibilities of the material to be designed for, such as glass, table-linen, cretonnes, dress materials, wall papers, &c. After a few months' study, I should advise pupils to ask their head master's candid opinion as to their chances of success, as he would be better able to tell them than any one else.

Many of the large manufacturers employ designers permanently, at salaries not lower than ￡100 a year, and in many cases the work can be done at home. The authorities at South Kensington have frequent52 applications for designers, and recommend the most deserving amongst the students. Before offering designs to manufacturers it is advisable to ascertain what style they require, as sometimes a prejudice is created by unsuitable work being offered, which is never overcome. Many of the large upholsterers employ girls to design furniture. It requires a good knowledge of drawing, including perspective, but not so much talent as other kinds of designing. The salaries vary from 25s. to 30s. a week.

At the Lambeth Technical School of Art, 124, Kennington Park Road, classes for the study of design meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. The course is adapted for the use of all students engaged in the practice of ornamental art, and is specially designed for the use of those occupied in pottery painting and surface decoration. The fee is 2s. 6d. per month, except to those students who have already joined the Art School, who will pay 6d. additional fee.

Wood Carving.—A school of art for wood carving has recently been established at the Albert Hall, South Kensington, where ladies can receive the thorough training which is essential to their success in this branch of art labour. Three years is the least time in which a fair knowledge of the art can be acquired by capable and industrious students,53 but at the end of the first year those who are clever may earn as much as ten or twelve shillings a week; when proficient, their earnings would probably be from ￡2 to ￡3 weekly, though in cases of exceptional talent, no doubt, considerably more might be occasionally earned.

There are very few highly skilled wood carvers in England, so there would be no difficulty in disposing of really good artistic work. The best plan for those unable to obtain permanent employment is to make small articles, such as blotting-books, photograph frames, glove-boxes, paper-knives, &c., take them to the large fancy shops, and offer them for sale. Upholsterers and picture-frame makers give regular employment to many; and when that can be obtained it is doubtless more satisfactory than anything else.

The rules of the school at the Albert Hall are as follows:—

Both day and evening classes are held in the school. The day classes are held from 10 to 1 and 2 to 5 on five days a week, and from 10 to 1 on Saturdays. The evening classes are held from 7 to 9 on four evenings a week, viz., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The fees for day students are ￡2 a month, or ￡5 a quarter. The fees for evening students are 15s. a month, or ￡2 a quarter.

There are at present twelve free studentships,54 viz., six in the day and six in the evening classes. Candidates must have passed the second grade art examination of the Science and Art Department in freehand drawing at least. Those who have some knowledge of wood carving, or have passed in the other subjects of the second grade art certificate, or in drawing from the antique and the figure, architectural drawing, or designing and modelling, will be preferred. Applications for these studentships should be addressed to the Secretary, at the school.

All students are required to provide their own tools, and work done in the schools by free students cannot be taken away. Students paying their own fees may take away work executed by themselves on their own materials, but all work on materials provided by the school remains the property of the school. Students who have been in the school not less than twelve months may, on the recommendation of the instructor, receive such payment for their work as the Committee may determine.

The tools students are required to provide themselves with, during the whole time they attend the school, cost about ￡2, but for 15s. they can procure enough to carry them over the first few months. The free studentships are for periods of six months, and are renewed to promising students. A taste for55 designing, and a considerable knowledge of drawing, are so desirable that I cannot conscientiously recommend any one without them to adopt wood carving as her profession, for although a certain degree of mechanical excellence might be obtained, it would not be sufficient to ensure a livelihood.

Mr. Donaldson, a member of the firm of Messrs. Gillow and Co., Oxford Street, takes a very great interest in the school, and kindly allows me to say that he intends to do all in his power to give employment to ladies competent to undertake it; but, of course, as the work required by his firm is of a superior kind, those anxious to obtain it must study until they can produce excellent work.

Wood Engraving.—To learn the art of wood-engraving thoroughly a long apprenticeship is absolutely necessary. All authorities agree in saying that students must not expect to earn anything at all for the first three years; after that time they may probably earn ￡1 a week, but should still continue their course of study for two years at least. There is not the slightest reason why women should not rival men in this branch of art, if they will give the necessary time to acquire it.

The work can very frequently be done at home, which is usually considered an advantage; but in56 that case ladies must make up their minds to work as steadily and for as many hours a day as they would under the eyes of a master; for certainly only those who could be depended upon for punctuality would be likely to obtain remunerative work.

At the expiration of the five years, when the pupil may be expected to have become a skilled engraver, her earnings would be from ￡1 10s. to ￡4 or more a week, according to her industry and ability.

The City and Guilds of London Institute has established a technical class of wood engraving at 122 and 124, Kennington Park Road, under the care of Mr. C. Roberts.

The hours of practice are from 10 to 4, and from 6 to 8 in the evening, daily, except Saturday; and all students are expected to attend regularly and punctually.

On Tuesday and Friday evenings the work of the class will be examined. At all other times students will be responsible to an assistant teacher, or senior student, who will be always present.

All members of the class must have taken the second grade certificate of the Science and Art Department, or must be prepared to do so.

Four scholarships, each consisting of a free studentship for one year, will be awarded annually after the first year's practice. These may be renewed in the57 following year on proof of industry and progress, and on the recommendation of the master. The fee will be ￡3 3s. a year, payable by half-yearly sums of ￡1 11s. 6d. in advance. No student can be admitted for a shorter period than one year.

The vacations are six weeks in the summer two weeks at Christmas, and two at Easter or at Whitsuntide.

The cost of the tools each student is required to provide herself with is 22s.

For those students who at the expiration of two or three years are sufficiently advanced in their practice to be able to execute work for publication, Mr. Roberts has, with the co-operation of the Society for the Employment of Women, established a work-room in connection with his own offices at Lon............