But the Grandson was wrong—his Christmas bills were unchangeable. And ever will be!
"ART COMPETITIONS."
"Since these competitions were started, the public had been educated in artistic matters, and their judgment was almost equal to that of the members of the Royal Academy."—Mr. Poland's Speech in the "Missing Word" case.
Mr. Poland said, at Bow Street,
Choosing pictures thus imparts
Judgment good as that of those treat-
Ed as foremost in the arts.
Hitherto each paid his shilling
At the House of Burlington,
Gazed at pictures, feeble, thrilling,
Bad or good, and wandered on—
Stared with awe-struck admiration
At "the Picture of the Year,"
Gained artistic education
In a stuffy atmosphere.
Then all changed; he paid his shilling
And he sent his coupon in
To a weekly paper, willing
To discriminate the tin;
And be wisely praised or blamed, yet
He knew nothing of design,
The Bridge of Bow Street claimed yet
One more shilling as a fine.
Oh, rejoice, Academicians!
Learned Bridge knew what to do;
Artisans or mechanicians
Might have grown as wise as you.