There is a cynical French proverb, which says, “When we cannot have what we love, we must love what we have.” But surely this cynical proverb cannot be applied to “stone colour” paint on wood. The Japanese, however, some years since, determined not to follow this advice, for when the English Government, at Admiral Sterling’s suggestion, sent to the Tycoon a very fine steam vessel, the Japanese (who abhor paint about their ships) immediately commenced to scrub off the paint. According to Sir Rutherford Alcock, they have been steadily engaged in scrubbing it off ever since the boat has come into their possession, and by dint of labour and perseverance have nearly succeeded. All the fine imitation satin-wood and the gilt work have been reduced to a very forlorn state. The Japanese not only decline to follow advice, but they are a very difficult race of people from whom to obtain correct information. When Mr. Veitch was at Yeddo, on a visit to the Legation, in quest of botanical specimens, he saw a pine-tree from which he desired a few seeds. “Oh,” said the inevitable yaconins, “those trees _have no seed_!”--“But there they are,” replied the unreasonable botanist, pointing to some. “Ah, yes, true; but they _will not grow_,” was the reply. If we must take our fashions from royalty and the aristocracy, and if we must go abroad for them, surely the above examples will suffice; but if we must have paint, then the preservative solution, now being extensively used in the restoration and renovation of St. Paul’s Cathedral, under the superintendence of Mr. F. C. Penrose, the architect to the Dean and Chapter, appears to possess several good qualities. The preservative solution, which is manufactured by the Indestructible Paint Company, is said to be as follows: 1st, that it is colourless and invisible; 2nd, in no way does it alter the appearance of the surface; 3rd, it prevents the growth of vegetation; and 4th, that it resists the action of the atmosphere and changes of weather, not only preventing but also arresting decay.