Once in a while, we run across a person whose moral perception is so dulled by commercial contact that he so far forgets himself as to try to apologize for such vicious construction. Once in a longer period, we find a person who ought to know better doing the same. The writer not long ago picked up a textbook written by a teacher for the instruction of high school pupils in woodwork, in which all of the drawings speci fied keyed tenons to be stuck on. His argument was that this method was stronger, there being no chance for the keys to split out the ends of the tenon. There may seem to be an element of truth in this assertion; but where tenons are made long enough to give proper purchase, the objection is invalid. Granting that his argu ment was true, that the keyed tenon would not give the strength needed, the teaching of honesty at this susceptible age demands that the tenons be left off entirely, rather than that they be stuck on in such a false manner. We do not, however, grant his assertion; and his own furni ture proves the insincerity of his argument, for, on the plate-racks in which this false construc tion is specified, there is comparatively no "pull" on the tenons at all. Such a use cannot be justified from the standpoint of decorative effect alone.
We would not be understood in this discus sion as seeming to oppose machine-made furni ture. Such a course would be unwise. Ma chine-made things have come to stay, and will, from the very nature of things, continue to monopolize the majority of the market. Let them be made honest and as well as they can be. In some instances we admit that they are superior.
Aside from the commercial aspect of this subject, there is a more important element en tering into the activities of the home crafts man—namely, the pleasure of doing things.
Every man should have some kind of interest other than that of his business, if he would main tain proper balance in life. To many, an hour or two each day in the home workshop making some piece of desired furniture is the best kind of recreation. The body as well as the mind is quickened, and the monotony of the daily routine is forgotten. If the interest is what it should be, when one is in the spirit, the pleasure of doing is capped at the close of the hour's work with a satisfaction that would make it seem worth while, even if there were a monetary ex penditure instead of the actual gain that there is in dollars and cents.