erpetually repeated. There is no reason why a house of twelve rooms
should not represent on its walls twelve different countries, or
twelve histories of striking events, etc. Possibly this may take
place later on. With respect to hanging pictures everywhere on the
walls, it may be objected that it would be too expensive--so it
would if they were costly pictures--but really good pictures are
produced by the million now so cheaply, that the objection of expense
vanishes. The walls can be covered now almost as cheaply with
intellectual pictures as with unintellectual wall paper. SIR JOSHUA
REYNOLDS says:--"A room hung with pictures, is a room hung with
thoughts." JOHN GILBERT says:--"A room with pictures in it, and a
room without pictures, differ by nearly as much as a room with
windows and a room without windows; for pictures are loopholes of
escape to the soul, leading it to other scenes and to other spheres,
as it were, through the frame of an exquisite picture, where the
fancy for a moment may revel, refreshed and delighted."

I was convinced many years ago of the almost criminal waste of wall
space, and issued the following doggerel lines, partly from trade and
partly from sentimental motives:--

Every cottage,
Two-roomed cottage,
Should contain full
Twenty PICTURES.

Every cottage,
Four-roomed cottage,
Should contain full
Forty PICTURES.

Every cottage,
Six-roomed cottage,
Should contain full
Sixty PICTURES.

Every villa,
Eight-roomed villa,
Should contain full
Eighty PICTURES.

Every mansion,
Ten-roomed mansion,
Should contain a
Hundred PICTURES.

Every large school
For instruction
Should contain a
THOUSAND PICTURES.

Walls are made to
Keep out weather
And also to
Display PICTURES.

Count your PICTURES
All your walls on.
See if you have
Quite the number,
You will want more
You will wish more,
You will get more
Shouldn't wonder.

PICTURES they are
Made to please you--
First to please you
When you buy them;
Next to please your
Own dear children,
Pictures please and
Teach them too.
Next to please your
Friends and neighbours
When they kindly
Call on you.

They'll admire them,
Then they'll praise them.
Then that pleases
You again.
PICTURES please and
Teach for ever,
All the Children,
Women, Men.

Even in the poorest houses pictures must always be a blessing. Man