Lecture on “Design.”— The fifth series of free popular lectures was
continued at the Museum last night, when Mr. G. Pitt Morison delivered an
interesting and instructive address on “Design.” Mr. H. C. Prinsep
presided, and despite the adverse weather there was a fair attendance. Mr.
Morison, whose remarks were illustrated by numerous lantern slides, stated
at the outset of his address that design generally was such a vast subject
that he intended to deal principally with decorative design. He traced the
history of the periods which gave birth to the various styles—such as
Egyptian, Grecian, Romanesque and Gothic—down to the present day. After
pointing out that construction or architecture was the root and basis of
all design, and dealing with the simpler types of architectural form, the
lecturer showed how style was dominated by the influence—noble or the
reverse—which had prevailed at any given period. Having impressed on his
audience the important part played on design by environment as provided by
Nature, Mr. Morison referred at length to the work of the late William
Morris, and concluded by giving examples of local design work, referring
particularly to that of Messrs. Vanzetti and F. M. Williams.