"Why, that was splendid, wasn't it?" cried Matie.
"Indeed it was a triumph not only for them, but for art itself, and it shows what a good influence art has on even the humblest people," said Uncle Jack. "Now can you see why I did not value my little vase most for its beauty?"
"Oh yes, sir! for when you see it, you think of the potters who became artists," said Will.
"Yes, and I never see any work of art or of patient industry without trying to understand the meaning its maker meant it to carry, and to remember the toils that were perhaps endured in its production," replied his uncle. Then, turning to Matie, he said: "I brought this little 'English pug-dog' for you, Matie. He doesn't bite, and you'll not need to give him any food," and he put upon the table a comical little porcelain dog with a wry nose.
ENGLISH PUG IN PORCELAIN.
"Oh! isn't it funny? What an ugly black nose it has!" cried Matie. "Will the black come off?"
"Oh, no!"
"Why not?" asked Al.
"Because it's fired; that is, after having been painted, the dog was placed in a furnace and heated so as to melt the coloring matter, which had been mixed with other ingredients, so that it flowed on the surface, and cooled hard like glass."