WORK COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VII, 17 February 1900, Page 333

WORK COLUMN.

“HOME.” People of certain temperaments have no particular pleasure in pure laziness. To lie on the ground and gaze up at the peeps of blue sky between the arching boughs of trees, such as first inspired the architect with his idea of fantracery in Gothic architecture, has no special charm for them; they like to feel that they are accomplishing something. Woods, trees, flowers, and gardens are all very well, but they cannot enjoy these surroundings unless they have something in the shape of a practical excuse for lingering amongst their beauties. On the seashore they grope for shells for collections, and even the object of pressing sea-weeds between blotting-paper has been known to enable energetic persons of this type to prolong their stay in sea air that was absolutely necessary for their health. It is not easy by any means to And employment for such restless, nimble fingers, for it must be of the kind that absolutely takes them out of doors in its pursuit. It is no use suggesting pyrography or indexing stamps as an employment to a. person in need of fresh air. The anaemic girl is one of the greatest

sinners in this respect; she likes to stay in doors and devote her languid attention to the yellow-back, when she ought to be out and doing, getting health and vitality by her activity. Here is an idea which may help someone out of their difficulties in this respect. The making of this screen was one of the most fascinating employments I think I have ever experienced. First of all there was the collection of wood boughs, which gave us considerable journeyings, and then the whole of its manufacture was conducted out-of-doors so as not to “litter up” the rooms of our kindly landlady.

The wood had first to be softened in w’ater, and then the staves and twigs joined as shown in IA and ID. At the points of juncture we fastened on fircombs with strong gum, and further ornamented these clusters with acorns. These the landlady suggested should Ire gilded, but we of quieter taste preferred simply to add a little varnish.

which gave them a fresher appearance without detracting from their natural tints. The panels were made of lovely russet-coloured sail canvas, which we were lucky enough to purchase from a boatmaker, and round which we fixed strong eyelet holes so as to lash them to the panels with green twine. These panels were further ornamented by one of the party who had the most artistic proclivities. In the centre panel she painted roughly the outlines of the cliffs and shores where we had made such a pleasant sojourn, and on the side panels groups of bullrushes and iris.