The New York Herald Newspaper, April 10, 1876, Page 5

AMERICAN ARTISTS IN LONDON, What They Have Done for Philadelphia. Baglish and American Fine Art Committees— Boughton, Hennessey, Whistler, Fisher, Helmineh, Loxpox, March 20, 1876. ‘There are very few American artists tiving in Lon- flon—not moro than half a dozen all told—but these Jow are, in their various styles, admirable, and among Yhem are names of high distinction. 1% will be a loss to American art if the works of theso artists are not Properly represented at tho International Exhibition Im Philadelphia, and shere is reason to apprehend that Dut few of their pictures will be scen there, If this hiatas occur in the Art Department it will be the fault of our Fine Art Committee, I should be loath to dcouse this committee of intentional neglect, but they bave certainly failed to acquaint themselves with ths responsibilities they assumed in accepting so im- Portant an appointment, What these responsibilities Bre will best be seen by noting what has been dono by | similar associations iu this country or in France, To the best known of our artists TUR XNGLISH YINE ART COMMITTEE thas extended the courtesy of an invitation to send their paintings to the Exhibition under the patronage of the British government. The official correspond- ance has been placed tn my hands. Showing, as it does, the respect which 18 felt in England for the yoca tion of art and the high position which artists in this country hold, showing what is thought here of the In- ternational Exhibition and what anxiety is felt to in- Sure a fair representation of British art on that im- portant occasion, it is of deep interest and I propose to { yond it in full for the benefit and instruction (of which \ seems that we are greatly in need) of our own peo- ple. To each artist trom whom the loan of a picture Is desired the following letter 1s sent, in tho handwrit- Ing of the distinguished secretary, and also a printed sircular stating tho terms on which this favor 18 re- quested. Still further, the substance of the informa- ton contained in these documents is advertised in a conspicuous position for months, so that artists and tho public may be made acquainted in the fullest man- ner with tho wishes and plans of the committee. Hero Js the document, sent in the namo of His Graco the Duke of Richmond,and Gordon, President of the Coun- cil:— : OFFICIAL INVITATION TO THE EXPOSITION, Sin—At the various meetings of the Fine Art Com- mittee, res by the Lord President of the Coun- cil, the subject of a thorough representation of British art at the Philadelphia Exhibition bas engaged {ts sori- ous attention, & selection has been submitted to His Grace of 1 ts whose works should, in the opinion of the committee, be represented at the Exhi- bition, As your name appeara in this special list, I am directed by fis Grace to inquire if it would be agreeable to you to name one of your works which you consider would most worthily represent you on this important occasion, specifying also the name and address of the possessor, to whom it is suggested you might, with advantage, make known your wish to see this particular work exhibited. His Grace requests me to add that Her Majesty has graciously consented to allow certain paintings to be sent from the royal col- Iection to the Fine Art Gallery of the Philadelphia Ex- Bibition, and the Council of the Royal Academy havo exprossed their intention of contributing a selection from their diploma pictures. In case the owner of the work named by you should object to lend the same, would you kindly name two others in order of pretor- buce, I havo the honor, &c. TUR ‘FINK ARTS’? CIRCULAR. The printed circular, under the heading “Fine Arts,’’ in the British section, at the International Ex- hibition of 1876, Philadelphia, ts as follows:— The loan of paintings by artists of ‘he British school 4s solicited for exhibition on the following terms:— 1. They will be required from the 20th of 1876, to the end of December following. 2 They will be placed im the special charge of ‘the be Executive mmissioners appointed by Her jajesty’s government, who will make most convenient arrangements for their safe collection, package it and return to the owner. : 8. And in all cases where the loan of pictures is solic- ited by the authority of the Lord President of the Priv: Council, the Executive Commissioners charged wink finances will bo empowered to defray all expenses in carrying out the above ar d further, when required, he will insure them tor such reasonably sums as may be aeterimined upon, 4.. The pictures will be received by order of the Lord Presidvnt, at South Ket ton Museum, between the ‘Ast and 10th of March’ or will be collected within that period at the residence of the owner. This is how they manage matters of this kind on this side of the water. Now let us see what OUR FINE ART COMMITTER has been doing for our artists, and what steps have been taken to secure the proper representation of their pictures, Some few weeks ago the following para- graph appeared in an obscure corner of the Times:— The United States frigate Franklin, bearing the flag of Kear Admiral Worden, arrived at southampton yosterday row Lishon. She will recetve at this part he art works of citizens of the United States in this country for the Philadelphia Exhibition, Very definite and satisfactory, truly, And yet this is the only communication, official or otherwise, that Amorican artists have received from committee or government; the only notification they have had that Sheir existence is recognized or the exhibition of their works desired. One cannot wonder that they should feel themselves neglected and not precisely in the mood for making strenuous exertions to obtain the pictures which they would prefer to send as specimens of their skill; this being, in point of fact, a more dif- cult matter than is imagined, since the owners of these precious works aro for the most part disinclined bo part with them, eo long a journey and absence being eontem plated. ‘THE ENGLISH FINE ART COMMITTER, lavish in the courtesy of which our own committee bas been so sparing, have extended to our artists, as ‘J have said, an invitation to avail themselves of all the advantages of the patronage of the British government, This invitation Mr. Bougbton has accepted, and a beau- tiful picture by tbis artist, “The Canterbury Pilgrims,” companioned with a number of splendid works by English artists, has been already embarked for America. Mr. Whistler and Mr, Hennessey, preferring to exhibit under the patronage of their own government, declined the invitation of the British Art Committee, but bave waited in vain (if 1 except the recent paragraph sent from the steamer Fraaklin) for Instraction or invitation from our own country. Moreover, these gentlemen have found it impossible to obtain from their owners the pictures they were desirous of sending, and as mat- ters now stand they seem ipctined to let the matter lrop without furtner effort Indeed, at this present writing, Mr. Boughton is the only American artist who has sent or is proposing to send to the Exhibition, and anless something is done to awaken the Art Committce bo the sense of their responsibilities, of to rekindle the languishing enthusiasm of our artists, he will un- doubtediy maintain bis solitary pre-eminence. NXGLECT OF AMRKICAN ARTISTS. larch, This 1# by no means atrifling matter, but one of far | more importance than will at first glance appear. It 18 work among the hosts of American painters and seulp- tors who have made their home in Paris or in the Principal cities of Italy. But if this is 80, the inevi- table resalt will be that the representation of American talent in the Art Department will be lameutably unfair and inadequate, And yct this department is no less portant than any in the Exhibition; in one sense it 18 of more importance. The production of a distinctive and lolty literature and art is a nation’s crowning glory. While tuo undeveloped to obtain this supreme expression, no matter how great its wealth and re- | sources, it remains merely a body without a soul Thirty and forty years ago the poverty of Amer: | fan IMteraturo and art, onr low national standards and in: ificant achievements, placed our country always at the greatest disadvantage among sider vations, And this, although these deficiencies sould not with justice be attributed to the country as a national disgrace, since it was evident that the people were necessarily too much absorbed in essential inate- fial enterprises and conquests to admit of a true devo- tion to lofiier vocations Rat the Iaat ten and twonty years our artists hive made immense strides. OUR PRINCIPAL PAINTERS Gad sculptors have gamed world wide celebrity, and have gone lar towerd es‘ablishing schools that vie with the best of those of England and Franco, Jt is claimed by some, and is in all probability true, that they have poliectively, if 1 may éay 80, made more progress veeupy ah mt home or aproad. ble misfortune and a uational disgrace if om this grand 4 | credit for the public spirit which they have dispinyed or position than tas been acknowledged | in giving up works from their galleries. It will, therefore, be an irrepara- } | an the foreground, is a picturesque well; near by stand | pictures intended for the English Exhibition, but not unlikely that the same neglect of tho interests of | neither of them have remembered the Centennial, our arusts which kas been shown in Londén 1 at | NEW YORK. HERALD, MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1876.—TRIPLE SHEET, occasion of a world wide competition among artists, | at a great international exhibition, organized | by American industry, celebrated on American so; and in henor of a national festival, American art alove fails to obtain an adequate repro- sontation, Other nations are making strenuous efforts to enable their artists to win a signal triumph. Shall we alono do nothing to give American artists similar advantages, aud enablo them to compete on fair terms with their rivals? It is useless to argue that they should dispense with the courtesies and formalities which are their due, and which are {freely awarded to their peers in all other countries. To assume the ex- pense aud responsibility of tho removing of works of art for a public exhibition is distinctly the duty of tho government or of a responsible committee. The pic- ture of the artist represents to him not only his capital, it represents his mind, his genius, life. Shall he send it wildly plunging over the Atlantic, without any proper guarantee of its being safely tended and returned? To do #0 he should require to have more than the blind faith of the old theologians, anda maznanimity of pa- triotism worthy of the palmy days of Greece. “THE CANTERNURY PILGRIMS,"? sent by Mr. Boughton, was oxhibited in 1873, when it received the highest commendation from the art critics of this country. The town of Canterbury stands upon a Lill, glowing in asoft English sunset, To the right, the groups of pilgrims about starting on their journey. ‘A peasant girl bends gracefully over the well drawing water, and fills the pitcher of one of the monks. The figures aro well grouped and spirited, and the land- Scape has the soft teaderness and freshness of nature which this artist is so successful in reproducing, ono of the characteristic qualities of so many of his always pleasing and beautiful pictures. Mr. Boughton has now in his studio several very interesting paintings, on which he is at work, intendtog them for TUX APPROACHING EXMIBITION in the Academy. The principal of these is a beautiful landscape, a glimpse of Surrey scenery, studied from nature, and somewhat similar in character to the “Canterbury Pilgrims” A stately growth of English trees Oncly outlined upon the softly clouded sky fill in tho background; 1 the foreground is a babbling brook and a group of peasants, tho young men helping tne | girls over the brook. ‘The figures wear the costume of a hundred years ago, which gives the scene a sort of sylvan character, just touching the rude English peasant with a suggestion of the shepherd anda shep- herdess of Arcadia or recalling the romantic exploits and scenery of tho Forest of Arden. The portrait of a boy. dressod in an old Dutch costume, his round, chubby figure thrown out boldly from a rich crimson curtain, is an admirable likeness and # most quaint and effective painting. I will mention also an interesting picture of old New York. The Governor has issued a proclamation that the good people, on New Year's Day, shall greet each other with a kiss, the most fitting welcome of the new year, and the worthy clitt- zens, meeting outside his gate, in all sorts of grotesquo poses and with every variety of expression, are going through the ceremony with exemplary enthusiasm, MR. BOUGHTON’S REPUTATION ABROAD, Few American artists abroad have achieved a more solid and enduring fame than Mr. Boughton. Ho is very highly esteemed by English artists; so much so, that there is talk of making hima member of tho Royal Academy, a comp:tment which I believe hag never before been paid toan American artist. Mr. Boughton has just purchased a beautiful lot of land in acommanding position and is shortly proposing to build. He will no doubt add one more to the beautiful houses and magnificent gtudios—voritable works of art—with which the brilliant artists of this magnificent ers have adorned and beautified London. MR, HENNESSEY is also at work upon a painting intended for exhibition in the Academy, a scene in Normandy, similar in chat acter to the ‘Votive Offering,” which made such asen- sation last year, but even more beautiful. The painter shows us now a May Day festival. The central fea- ture of the background is an old church of that fine architectural culture so often seen in the north of France. On each side of the winding path leading to the church the trees and shrubs are sprayed over and fairly glittering with delicious apple blossoms, May blossoms and pink and white hawthorns; one can almost smell their sweetness in the breezy atmosphere, In the foreground, at the extreme left, a procession of happy villagers are seen passing through a picturesque vine embowered gateway, led by asailor lad, with his sister hanging upon ono arm and his betrothed upon the other—the village beauty, dressed in her daintiest costume, and tripping along with all the pride of a conscious queen. This picture will be regarded as one of Mr. Honnessey’s happiest efforts, if not his best work. The figures and costumes are studies from life and are executed with the most deli- cate skill and conscientious fidelity. It is admirably composed and reaolent with the wild sweetness and rich beauty of uatureand spring. Last year an ongrav- ing of the ‘Votive Offering’ was published in the Graphic, This year the French Journal @ Art has already secured trom the artist the priv- ilege of publishing an engraving of this charming “May Festival.” MR. WHISTLER, ‘The most original and imaginative of our artists ts, beyond a question, Mr. Whistler. A true poet, his lovely and strange creations, the studies and arrange- ments, the nocturnes and symphonies, as, with atrue sense of the eternal fitness of things, he names his paintings, have called out an enthusiasm ot admi- ration and vehement opposition which is the usual tribute paid to true genius. But even those who ob- ject to his theories and are ajarmed by his innovations are compelled to admit this artist’s splendid qualities—- the marvellous beauty of his coloring and the masterly perfection of his drawing. The large picture, “SYMPHONY IX RED AXD WHITE," op which he is now at work, is happily seiccted to dis- play these brilliant qualitics, In the soft, glowing at- mosphere of a hothouse three girls in flowing white draperies are superbly posed—varied types of youth and beauty and grace. A charming figure in the cen- tre, with scarf thrown to the floor, crouching down on tiptoe, lifts with dainty hand ascarlet fowor. Her companion, eagerly observant, bends over ber ina pose of incomparable naive grace. On the other side the third igure stands in serene majesty, calmly con- templative. The beauty of this picture in color, design and composition 1s simply transcendent. The artist bas many other lovely works growing up under his hand out of a misty incompleteness to perfection— a superb Venus watking on tho seashore, flowers springing into bioom beneath hor feet; the portrait of a lovely boy with large, earnest eyes and waving hair; the full sized portrait of a charming young girl, with hat resting coquettishly on one side of her head; a dim nocturne, Cremorne Gardens, seew by starlight and the fitial gleam of fireworks; spirited etchings and glimpses of picturesque scenes on the busy Thames, He retains among his completed end famous works the portrait of his mother and the much talked of “Chinese Princess,’ also a masterpiece. Mi. MARK PISHRR AND MR. HOWARD HELMINCH, admirable jandscape painters, are at work upon now Indeed, the true country of the artist 1s his art. Uniess responsible persons will take the pains to send to this world of tho ideal for the treasures it contains we must be content to do without them. For forgotten the artist will forget, neglected he wiil neglect. CENTENNIAL ART NOTES. The Centennial Committee of Selection locked the doors of the picture gallery at No. 626 Broadway last Thursday, and on Friday evening finished their duties im New York, starting for Philadelphia immediately, They have not yet decided the question whether it is dest to give a public exhibition of the pictures before leaving New York, but a varnishing day will prob- ably be given to the artists, as the works will not be sont to Philadelphia before the 16th of April, as the Art buildings are not yet completed, In the new building are thirty rooms, forty feet square, which will afford ample space tor all works accepted, In the American department they will be divided into three classes—-those of living American artists, those of deceased Americans, and of works by foreign artists owned by Americans, Tue Committee ot Selection will not be disbanded unul the pictures leave the city, as they are expecting many from private galleries, which will not be sent until they are ready to depart for Phil- adelphia, Jobn Taylor Johnston, R. L. Stuart, Goverior Mor. gan, John Sherwood, Mr. Osgood and others, deserve Among the pietares which wul be sent from this ety arc Huatmgton’s “Titian and Charles V.,"" “Philoso- phy and Christian Art” and “Lako George,” Thomas Hicks? portrait of ‘General Delateld and General Meade,” W. Whittredge’s “Home by the Sea,” “In dians Fording a River,” several landscapes and ar in- terior, McEntce sends several autumn scenes. Theso comprise the works of the painters trom New York who are members of the commitice, The sculptors ‘Will send their works boxed directly to Philadelj where they will ve judged. Eastman Jobnson wiil send bis “Old Kentucky Home,” ‘What the Sheil Says,” “The Prisoner,” “Milton and His Daughters” two others, Santord R, Gifford “Constan- ” “Venwe at Sunset,” “Group of Venetian Boats,” “Church of San Georgio,” a land- 'Viow of the Wallkill Valley,” a lake scone and ow of War” and ‘Apple of Di rs Gray. Edward Moran’: pl Fishing scape, * others, resent Henry ho,” “New York Bay by Moonlight,” it pp! ing Storm Of the Battery,” “Lighthouse at Sunset”? and a landscape with a s! f water in the distance. J. Beaufair Irving’s “Doel” and “Cardinal Woolsey and His Friends ;”” “Love's Melancholy,” by Constant Mayer; by sd “Supplication,”” Cropsey’s ‘Old Mill” and “Old Beaucburch,” J. G. Brown's “Curhn; Central Park,” Jerome Thompson’s “Old Oaken Bucket,” Walter Satterice’s Marguerite,” A. Words- worth Thompson's “Desolation,” Sf. J. Heade’s “Seal Rocks Off California,” Vincent Colyer’s ‘indian lage” and a “Colorado Scene,” William E. Marshall's “Portrait of Lincoln;'? “General Anderson” and “Aphrodite,” by H. 'A. Loop; “Young Mother,’? “Students” and “Girl Playing with Shells,"” by George H. Story; “High Bridge,” “Returning to the Fold,” “Country Road” and others aro contributed by Charles H. Miller; G, W. Maynard’s “Spirit of '76” and “Vespers,”” Winslow Homer's “snap the Whip” and “A Quarrel,” A. F. Tait and James Hart's ‘‘Camp- ing Out,” one of James Hart’s early cattle Pictures, Charies Dubois’ “East Hampton Willows,’ Page's “Shakespeare,” “A New Engiand Wowan Weaving,” “Schoolboy’ and his best picture, “Benjamin Franklin as a boy at work in the printing office,” by E. Wood Perry; “Returning from Pasture” and ‘The Antiqua- Tian,” oy J, H. Doiphe; ‘St Paul’? and “Portrait ofa Boy and Dog,” by La Farge; “Old Man of the Moun- tain,’? “Brook Study’? and several small landscapes, by David Johnson; ‘Taking the Veil,” by Robert W, Weir; “Drifting Ashore in a Fog,” “Heaving To for a Pilot,” by M. F. H. De Haas; Prairie Fire,” by Bispham, series of three “xhe Contraband,’? “Tne Rocruit” and “The »”? also “The Villaxe Post Office,” by T.. W. Wood; “The Antiquarian,” “Sabbath of the Pilgrims’ and ‘Florentine Interior,” | by Edwin Whit “Arabian Scone,” by Colman; ‘Maybreak” aud “Twilight,” by Robert ©. Minor; Sieros Many a Slip,” &. ; “Out All Nigh” and “Di- ion of Spotis,” by Joseph H. Beard; ‘St. Mark’s Column,” by }. M. Armstrong; a landscape aod in- ter.or by A. Lamrie; several land: eape and gure pic- ‘ures by J. C, Thom; ‘Street Corner’’ and interior, by Frost Johnson; several Eastern scenes by R. Swain Gifford, which are by nd means his best work; portrait of Parke Godwin, by Le Clear; several landscapes by Du Group of Algerians,” by H. H. Moore; a landscape by Smillie; ove by Hubbara; a number by Van Elton, who has been appointed one of the Ba- varian'Commissioners ai that department, and works by Sontagg, H. W. Robbins, Edward Gay, Samuel Col- man, Shattuck. H. D, Martin, Macknight, Schade, 8. M, Brooks, Miss Granberry; a portrait of Commodore Vandorbilt, by Flagg; “Preparing Moses for the Fair,” by Ritchie; ‘“#lowers,”? by Miss Degolia, and many other pictures, including a large number of water colors, Among the works of decoased artists aro those of Kensett, Eaton and Oregon Willson, which have been selected by the Examining Commit- tee, and there are arriving at No. 625 Broadway many others, so that each departmont 1s likely to be well Fopresenied. MECHANICS AT THE CENTENNIAL, HOW THE PARIS DELEGATION IS TO BE RECEIVED BY THE AMERICAN TRADE UNIONISTS—OB- JECT OF THEIR VISIT AND THE RESULTS WHICH ABE EXPECTED FROM IT. The rumored presence of a number of French me- chanics at the Centennial Exhibition bas created con- siderable excitement among some of our workingmen, but still more so among the Parisian mechanics them- selves, who are already getting to be timorous of the step to which they have pledged themse!ves. Thoso ‘ho are familiar with expositions know what a promi- ence 1s shared by operatives in the different depart ments of mechanism in which they are located, and how eagerly visitors watch the movements of those men whose skill and handiwork fashion out of rough material delicate and clegant articles of usefulncss and ornament. The attention which these French work- ingmen would recetve, it has been conjectured, might reasonably be expected to lead to still further investi- gation as to how they lived at home and tho wages they received, and it was, therefore, feared Wy somo thatemployers in thia country, ignoring the radical differences between the two republics, might arrive at conclusions which would eventually lead to unpleasant consequences to our own mechanics. Opinions like theso were expressed by a few persons interested in workingmnen’s movements, and even some of =| Frenen societies in this city becathe alarmed lest the presence here of so many PICKED WORKINGMEN from Paris might cause a compurison to be drawn be- tween wages in Franco and in the United States, and thus operate unfavorably upon the interests of Ameri- can workingmen, It was for this reason one of the French societies communicated with the Central Com- mittee of Workingmen at Paris in relation to this as- sumed difigulty, and the despatch by cable recently pub- lished was the prompt response fromthe French work- ingmen as to their position. Though the subject of the French arrivals has not been much discussed by our workingmen, nor been in any way a matior of anxiety to them, still there t# no doubt that unpleasant incidents might easily ariso if at the beginning a good understanding were not arrived at. The exact position which the French workingmen buld is not quite fully understood, nor is the motive which has prompted their coming been appreciated, so far as can be ascer- tained. THE INTENTION OF THE FRENCHMEN is not to take any steps that couldin any way inter- fore with the interosts of labor in America, but to gain from their visit here something which they hope to use in ameliorating the condition of their fellow-crafts- men tn the old country, The question of their comiug at all has been long under considoration in Paria and has been fully discussed, and public sympathy enlisted in the undertaking. Every trade organization has had ample time to consider the matter, and the central or- ganization exercised all due deliberation before sanc- tioning or promoting the project. Tho men who will come here will be the delegates from the several trate organizations, utider the direction of the central body, and, of course, may be considered asthe picked men of their respective organizations, as it is certain that Paris » ‘!| not send to the Exhibition apy other than those who aro the most skilled and accomplis!.ed in their respective branches of the trade to which they belong. Already the public has been appealed to for yosps, and $6,000 have been subscribed to help defray tho expenses of the 100 artisans who areto form tho delegation, and M. Duportal, a radical member of the Versaillos Assembly, has moved for a national appro- priation of $20,000 for the same purpose, It will, therefore, be scon that no little importance js attached iu Paris to the manner in which the French artisans shall be represented at the Philadelphia Exposition, Funds for the delegation are being collected also in some other of the Jarger French cities. The Frenchmen in this city who are in correspondence with their brother work1nj Paris affirm that the greatest 1 rtauce is ati by the latter to their visit to this Reputiic, and at the present time hopes are entertained that the most bencicial resatts shall fotiow to the mechanics in France irom the reprpzentations which will ve made in tho report of the delegates on their return. It is stited that tho Jeading object of the delegation is to effect this purpose and to show from the ition of workiugmen in the United States how great the need is in Fi for a long stride in — impr ot mechanics both in remun labor and im their social vantages, greatest care has been ested = =by contral boay in Paris in getting at the facts as to tho condition of Amonecan artisans, and a schedule of questions has been supplied by the commitiec to each member of the delegation, with a view to securing the opinions of the deicgation upon a namber of points copeeraiug which 14 18 considered that information would prove to be useful. WHAT THE PRENCNMEN WANT TO KXOW, These quvetions may be briefly summed up trom the printed circular, and they will serve to show the ob- joct sought to be gained by the Paris Central Com- mittee, They are divided into three classes :— First—As vo tho price of the different materials as sent by cach nationality; the difference between tho Price in France and elsewhere; the influence of the taxes and tarifis upon the price of raw material; the material that might be advan! jasly imported France; tho selling price of industrial products; tho cost of making afticies, ana the difference between that | and the price oi the same in Paria, with a view to se- curing a fair competition; ts the quality of tho products superior or interior to those in Paris’ sag- gestions as to the introduction of French products to the United States; the estimation Americans placed ou French workmanship; the imtroduction of com- mercial agencies by whieh ‘intermediaries’ might be done away With, that the quality of French work would be apprveiated; as to the direct exchange pe- tween producers and consumers; the influence ob the American tariff Spee weaee: te France, Second—Aa to how workingmen live in the States and the other countries represented at the Exposition; the price of lodgings and workshops; a¢ to the amount of work done ip the aifferent trades, whether by day or by piece; bours of working and the best seasons; hours per day; sanitary condition of the workshops and tho care of the sick and the aged. Third~ Comprrivon of work done iff Americn and France; influence of labor morally and physicaily; im- teliectual development; schools; number of women employed, thetr wages and the hours of lavor; protec: tion of working girls; societies; labor and co-o; ra. | tion; education; apprentices; regulation of differdaces between employés and employers, and councils tor that purpose. Sourthe-Beguls of conversations and observations of work, Each delegate 1s supposed to tg, bo the question: his answers to have reference to his own particular trade, and from these united opinions general conclu- sions are to be drawn and something practical by way of amelioration secured, As much depends upon THE RECEPTION THE FRENCH MECHANICS will receive from their brother craftsmen in this coun- try im the carrying out of their programme it is im- portant to ascertain beforehand what are the views of Members of the trado unions here. The writer con- versed with several mechanics of standing, to ascertain if any objection was made to the project in preparation at Paris, It seemed, from the conver- sations, that the subject had not been ‘much discussed among our workingmen; but those who were seen were without tho slightest bias against tneir French brothers, and were rather more inclined to wel- come them heartily. At the game time no concerted action has been taken, either v4 the trade unions or by any prominent members of the societies in regard to the matter, MR, HUGH DALTON'S OPINION, The reporter callea upon Mr. Hugh Dalton, President of Typographical Union No. 6, for an expression of his opinion, He said that the union to which he belonged had not either formally or informally discussed the | subject. For his own individual part be would be glad to see the French printers at the Exposition dur- ing the week he proposed to spend this summer in Philadelphia. No doubt the Frenchmen might be | able to show us something that wo did not know, and | very likely they would learn something which they had never heard of, at all events, were not familar with. In the printing business a man might go on learning something as long as he lived, and a good mechanic was always wilhng to learn as much as he could. herofore he would very qiadly see tho | Fronch-artsiaus at tho Philadelphia Exposition, As | to a public reception of tho Frenchmen, he was not quite so cloar. Workingmen bere’ had the idea that their French brothers were: rather ad- dicted to Communism and Communistic idous, and im the Printers’ Union thero were not more than twenty-five members who shared in sentiments in harmony with Communism. He feared that possibly Areception to the French visitors might be easily misconstrued into asympathy With the well known sentiments of Paris mechanica, and this might do harm. Anyhow, at the present time, there was noth- ing definitely resolved upon in regard to the matter, and it was doubtiul, he believed, if the delegation would not land at Fhiladelpbia, He felt certain, how- ever, there could bo no ill-will or grudge against the delegates from Paris, and they would be accorded a friendly tine, MR, MICHAEL MURPHY’S VINWS, Mr. Michael Murphy, Chairman of the Executive Com- Mittee of tho Crispins, was cailed upon and his opinion asccrtulued. No action, he said, had been taken 0: the Crispins on the proposed visit, He did not thin that there could be the sligntest il fechug entertained by workingmen about the matter, An exhibition of the skill of mechanics was always creditable, and the result Of 1 could on! { advantage to craftsmen of every branch of industry, He did not believe that the visit of the French mechanies could militate agaist the prices now paid to our workingmen, no matter how compared; tor, firstly, our ‘bosses’ kuow full well just now the price of labor in Europe, and, secondly, Wages in this country could not go down lower than at Present if the men were to be treated with any degree of furness. He believed the Frenchmen anticipated no inconvenience from us, and that what they had tn view was to try to advance themselves by a comparison with workingmen whom they believe to be better off. For his part, he would hke to see his Brother mechanics here afford the strangers every help they could, As to a formal reception, Mr. Murphy remarked that, as he understood it, the French, party was to land at Philadelphia; but even if the delegates were to land here, the present condition of our trade societies was not such as to allow the New York mechanics to do anything but offer an informal iriendly reception, However, he was tn hopes that be- fore the Centennial Exposition closed New York would again bave all her trade organizations in good working order, und that the Workingmen's Union, which had disappeared trom the labor movement’ altogether, should be again the central body of all the trade inver- ests of the auly. Efforts were now being made to put new life into the old trade societies, which had gradu- ally died out from various causes, this centennial year Deing a good time to have them return to work and to power. He felt sure, anyhow, that the French me- chenies would have nothing to regret in the manner of their reception by the workingmen of this country, MR. G, W. GIBBONS’ OPINION, Mr. George W. Gibbons, President of the Working- men’s Central Union, a politico-trades organi%ation, was visited aud asked for his views. Hoe said he did not dee politic at this time, with two important strikes on in this city, to aflord any encouragement whatever to foregn labor. He saw, hi d, very plainly, that a result of the exhibition of skill by these Freuch mechanics would do no good to our working- men, and it would only put a weapon, though a blunt one, in the hands of the enemy to make any fuss over them, Mechanics in Paris were paid very low wages. Tbe men about to come here were the picked meu tor skillin their organizations; they had nothing to teach or to learn here, and, except to have a good time of 1t, he could not see what they wanted. There was, he knew, ® generous impulse on the part of our workingmen to give a frienaly Teception to craftsmen of every degree trom foreign countries, and this may be very well, but there area great many reasons why our mechanics should not be put to work side by side with the picked ‘men of Paris, We do not want an immigration of arti- sans into this country when we have enough to do to keep ourown men going, and no doubt our French visitors Would on their return report the United States to be an El Dorado, to which mechanics trom ail over Europe should flock. He did not suppose that it would be proper to take any steps whatever toward trying to Peihe de the French mechanics from coming to the 'hiladelphia Exposition, or to show them the slightest untriendiiness on or alter thelr arrival; but he thought it would be very imprudent to signalize their arrival by any unnecessary sigus of welcome or marks of jubila- tion, EDITOR LEON MENUKER’S VIEWS. ir, Leon Menaeer, editor of the Courrier des Etats- Unis, was visited by the reporter, and 1% was ascer- tained from him that the French societies in this city were already apprised, through tho columps, of his Journal, of everything that had been done in France in regard to the Visit of the Paris workingmen. The movement had created quite a stir, he said, in many parts of France, and some sminent writers, among them Victor Hago especially, were aiding the ‘Central Cowmittee in Paris to raise tho funds necessary for tho expenses of the delegation, it was not proposed by the Paris workingmen to do anything that was not usual at other creat exhibitions, their actions being entirel; under the control of the Commission International Expositions, and their’ entire expenses were suro to bo paid by their own countrymen, He was not aware that tho French societies in this city were making any prepara. Hons lor a formal reception as yet; i tact, he thought the delegation would land at Philadelphia, though this ‘was not yet certain. Should they land at New York their countrymen here would be reudy, ro doubt, to extend to them the band of welcome with some for- mality. r WHAT MR, LABADIE SAYS. Mr. Alphonse Labadie, a printer in the Courrier des Etats-Unis ollice, was called upon. He was not aware of apy action being taken by the French compositors in this city inthe way of preparing to receive the French delegation. Ho thought that every mechanic in New York would be glad to welcome tho working- men trom Paria, and that there was not the slightest fecling of discontent among any class on account of the Frenchmen’s coming, nor could ho soe any reason why there should he. CENTRAL PARK AND BALL PLAYING, To tne Enitor or tHe Hexaip:— Knowing that you take a great interest in all manly sports I take tho liberty of asking you the question, Why do our Commissioners of Parks refuse to allow the playing of such in the Central Park? No base ball or cricket club can be allowed to play there. 1 know of a club which has made application for the privilege and bas been refused; while, by mak- ing the same to the Commissioners of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, have had a portion of the ground Jaid apart | for them and every attention paid toward keeping 1c 1 order, As the Central Park is paid for by the people of New York I cannot understand why it should not be used for such purposes, as 1 am sure 1 would gratify a Jarge Dumber Of our citizens to witness matches of that @ many of our young men an opportunity g mm A healthy ‘recreation. It is certainly mortifying to think that a New York club should have to throw themscives on the charity of Brooklyn to ploy their matches, which might prove an additional attraction to our beautiful Park, loping you will give this matter the attention it deserves, | remain, yours respectfully, HEALTHY EXERCISE New Yorx, April 8, 1875, FENIANISM AND AMNESTY. O'DONOVAN ROSSA WISHES TO HAVE A LOOK AT TUE KOI, OF THE GREEN IsLr. O'Donovan Rossa writes to the Dublin Jrishman, from New York, thus:—“I see that Mr. Brooks has asked Mr, Disracli if the Queen of England will amuesty the political prisoners when she is made Empress, and the Minsster has replied he will tell him when she gets the title, Her Majesty is, it is said, a good little woman, and, if left to herself, would do things sho eannot'do When Jett m the hands of others. If t would fot lice the mon in prison I would have a wish, when Her Majesty amnesties them, that the amnesty may be general, so that J may have the privi- lege of taking a look at the old land and old faces with- out the Smollens and the Dawsons having the privileco of laying their ugly hands on me."’ AN ENFORCED VACATION. New York, April 7, 1876, To tne Eorron ov tux Heravo:— I would cali your attention to the proposed closing of public school corner of Forty-reventh street and Seventh avenue, thereby compelling the children at- | tending to an enforced vacation of five months, This, Mr. jor, 18 & grows Injusticeto the children of the humbler classes of this vicinity, nambers of whom were unable to attend school during the cold weather; and now as the season opens the Hoard of Education are about to deprive these children of the benefit of education for five months. he new school m Fifty-fourth strest will not be open until December, Why not retain the olf Wil the | new One 18 completed? PAREN’ LITERATURE. Important Treatise on the Diseases of the Nervous System. VAST PROGRESS OF MEDICAL SCIENCE. Mr. Gladstone's Latest Work—The Royal Copyright Commission. A Treatiss ox THx Diseases or THe Nervous Sys- tsa. By William A, Hammond, M. D. Apple- ton & Co. 1876. No part of the literaturo of the profession exhibits 60 strikingly the vast progress that medical science has made within a comparatively recent period as treatises that relate to tho study of diseases of the nervous system. In the volume before us scienco treads with an assured step and definite knowledge 1n felds where Jess than a genoration since all was chaos and uncer- tainty at best, and deals familiarly with facts before wliich she once stood in awe, as mysteries that might Dot even be contemplated with speculative eyes, For ages medicine was practised without a knowledge of the circulation of the blood, and the arteries derived their name from the opinion that they were conduits for air, though how the ancient doctors ever cut any- body without discovering their error in that respect is one of those things that no modern fellow can understand. But if the world was ignorant of the circulation of the blood until the time when Servetus was judicially murdered at Geneva, because it was against the law of that Canton for anybody tu know more than Calvin, how arid a waste was tts knowledge of the brain and spine. In this volume Dr. Hammond treats forty titles; and though all of these are not dis- tinctly recognized diseases, and though they differ widely one from another as to the extent of our knowl. etlge of them, yet every one constitutes a well defined ‘group of symptoms or morbid conditions, and the knowledge of the profession as to all 18 so far positive that none of them any longer affords ground for super- stitious considerations as to special inflictions of divine wrath, But there are not five of these diseases that were distinctly recognized in the ‘good old times’? as visitations that called for the doctor, while for all the Test, in so far.as they were looked upon at all as de- partures from nature, they were contemplated a8 occa- sions for the priest and his apparatus for the exorcism of evil spirits, In this connection, thereforo, it may be distinetly secon that it is one of the least doubtiul cousequences of tho increase of knowledge and the progress of science, that it leads men to dispense with tne services of the theologians in favor of persons having exact and prac- tical acquaintance with physical conditions. Seven- eighths of this range of diseases of the nervous system was once exclusively the sphere of the priest, No other earthly power it was thought could assist humanity there, Now it is the doctor who is always called in these occasions, and supernatural explanations of ner- vous phenomena are only thought of in those circles of somi-imbecile drivellers known as Spiritualists, Is it any consideration of this fact that auimates the hostil- ity of churchmen generally to the progress of science? ‘All the progress in the study of diseases of the brain starts from the conception that that orzan had, like every other organ of the haman system, some function in tho animal economy; but as that which is now recognized as the great distinctive function of the brain was thon believed to bo the manifestation of a vague entity called mind, the irregular per- formanve of the function did not lead to inquiry as to the condition of the brain, because no connection between the two was recognized, even if guessed at by the fow. Association between respiration and the lungs, circulation and the heart, digestion and the stomach—all these were recognized, and certain con- stantly recurring derangements of these great functions were found to be related with changed conditions of the respective organs equally constant; and thus with regard to the diseases of the genoral system the knowiedgo of men was improving for thousands of years; but !t required all those years and even the French Revolution before men could bo so far freed from the ancient conceptions that a doctor could venture to compare the brain to the stomach and say that it “digested thought.” But when this was once said, tho whole range of later discovery at once became possibie; and, indeed, all later labors of physiologists were simply the accumulations of the evidence which proves that the brain fs the essential organ of thought, of all intellectual operations, of every manifestation of con- scions vilality, as indubitably as the eye is the organ of vision, To the professional man or practitioner every article in this volume is of interest and permanent value; but the chapters that deal with the various phases of this problem of our intellectual life will bo also very attractive to non-professional seekers of truth on topics that justly occupy a great part of the attention of the thinking world. As an indication of the style wo quote Dr. Hammond’s distribution of the functions of the brain, under the head of four clemen- tary divisione—an admirable summary that includes in itself the whole outline of the science of mind:—*-Tho mind differs from forces in general tn being compound; that is in boing made up of several othor forces, Theso are perception, the intellect, the emotions and the will, Allthe mental manifestations of which the brain is capable arc embraced in on ,oF moro ot these parts. Either one of them may be ex. ercised independently of the other, though they aro very intimately connected, and In all continuous men- tal processes are brought, more or less, into relative and consecutive action. As constituting the basis of my classification of the several forms of insanity it is ex- pealent to describe these four sub-forces of tho miud:— “L Percerriox,—By perception is to be undorstood that part of the mind whuse office it isto place the in- dividual in relation with external objects, For the evolution of this force tho brain is in intimate rolation with certain special organs which serve tho purpose of receiving impressions of objects. Thus, an image is formed upon the retina and the optic nerve transmits the excitation to its ganglion or part of the brain. ‘This at once functionates, the force called perception 1s evolved and the image is perceived. If the retina be sufficiently diseased the image 1s not formed; if the optic nerve 18 in an abnormal condition the excitation ja not transmitted; if tho ganglion be disor. dered the perceptive force is not evolved. Per. ception may be exorcised without any superior intel- lectual act, without any ideation whatever, Thus, if the cerebrum of a pigeon be removed, the animal is still ~capable ‘of scoing and of bearing, | but it obtains no idea trom these sohses, The mind, with the exception of perception, is lost. Perception is, however, tho starting point of all ideation, It is not seated exclusively in,the brain, but is, undef cer- tain circumstances, especially in abnormal states of the system, evolved from tho spinal cord, “2, Tue Ivtatixor,—In the normal condition of the brain the excitation of a sense and the consequent per- coption, do not stop at the special ganglion of that sense, but are transmitted to a more complex part of the brain, .whore the perception is resolved into an idea. Thus the image impressed upon the retina, the perception of which has been formed by a sensory ganglion, ultimately causes the evolution of another force by which all its attributes capable of beiig rep- resented upon the retina are more or less perfectly ap- Preciated according to the stractural qualities of the ideational contre. To the formation of the idea sev- eral important faculties and modes of expression of the intellect contribute. Thus, it we suppose the retina to have received the image of a ball, a higher ganglion converts this iuto a perception, and a still higher one into an idea; and this idea relates to the | size, the form, the color, the material, &c., primarily, and the origin, uses, ownership, &c., secondarily. In gaining this conception of the thing impressed upon the retina the memory, Judgment and other faculties of the intellect are brought into action, and the process of reasoning is carried on, “3, Tita Emotioxs.—An idea in its turn exoites an other part of the brain to action and an emotion is producod; or this last named force may be evolved der certain circamatances without the imtermedia tion of the idea, but sololy from the transmission of @ perception to the emotional ganglion, Au jon is that pleasurable or painiul feeling which arises in in consequence of sensorial impressiona or intel!ectual action, According to Bain, the word emotion is used to comprehend all that ia understood by feelings, states: Of feciing, pleasure, palm, passion, sentiment, afecton, | 5 &c, Within the limits of health, the emotions act pow- erfully on certain organs of the body, and thus express their own activity, Thus, grief is exhibited by the flow ot tears from rexcitation of the lachrymal gland. Extreme joy may also cause weeping. ThejaW falls, and the angles of the mouth curve downward in mortification or sorrow, while in pleasure the face expands laterally, The oyes, the nose and the mouth are the three facial centres from which continual ex- pression is mainly produced. Other organs of the body, as the salivary glands, the heart, the liver, the kidnoys, and, im jact, nearly every viscus of the body, may exhibit the effects of emotion by the transmission of excitations through the sympathetic nerve. Most of tho resulting effets are due to the fact that the tym- pathetic nerve especially presides over the vaso-motor system, and this regulates the calibre of the blood vessels, ‘4, Toe Witt.—By volition acts are performed. Some acts are automatic, but all done in consequence of inteliection are the result of willing, and are for some’specitic purpose connected with an tdea Voli. tion in the series of mental Jmapifestations may pre- cede emotion, but it always follows ideation.” To sum up the outlives:—A person walking in the Street secs a man on the opposite side of the way— Perception; he recognizes him as @ friend whom he has not met for many years—iptelleet; he determines to cross and speak to him—will; ne does so and 18 joy- ful at the reunion—emouocn,” Altogether this {8 a thoroughly practical and exbans- tive handling of a most important class of cases and an addition to medical hiterature of the highest value. ENGLISH LITERATURE, Loxpox, March 11, 1876, “Hlomeric Synchronism” seems to have been the “diploma work” which bas secured to tts autbor the high compliment of admission to the exclusive ranks ot the Royal Academicians. This week the Right Run. W. E. Gladstone, M. P., M, A. and D. ©. L., was elected to the professional chair of Ancient History in the Royal Academy, His immediate predecessor was the dis- tinguished historian of Greece, Bishop Thirlwall, There is'no emolument attached to the office, and, I believe, no work. By right of his position Mr. Glad- stone now, of course, becomes a still greater authority onart, His immediate honorary associates are Arch- bishop Thompson, of York, who is chaplain; Dean Stanley, who is Professor of Ancient Literaturo, and Sir Stirling-Maxwell, Baronet, who is Secretary tor Foreign Correspondence, The vacancy caused by the death of Lord Stanhope, who was Autiquary to the Association, has not yet been filled up. It may be in- teresting to mention that the distinguished foreigners who are members of the Royal Academy are Gallast, Gérome, Viollet-le-Duc, Dupont, Meissonier and (uil- Jaume—and these are all. THE ACADEMICIANS are avery select, and, be it said, quarrolaome body of gentlemen, possessing an income of fair proportions which they do not make the very best use of, and chiefly powertul from the fact that they aro the in- viters to the Royal Academy dinner which takos place once every year, the last week in April, and to secure an invitation to which is as good as if the Queen her- self were to ask the invited to a ¢ele-a-téle dinner at Windsor Castle. So wonderfully exclusive are the guests at this dinner of the Academicians that the London Times, in reporting the names of thor present, finds it necessary to wind up the list with the important notification that ‘the Times reporter” was jneluded among the nun! at the banquet, THB ROYAL COPYRIGHT COMMISSIOX, ‘4 It may interest the “Author's Copyright Association” of the United States to learn that the vacancy created by the death of Lord Stanhope, the appointed chairman of the Royal Copyright Commission, has been filled up, ‘The appointment will bo officially gazetted next week, and then the meetings are to take place. The non-repre- sentative character of the commission has given rise to earnest remonstrance from leading Hterary men over here, and it isnot 1m the least unlikely but that we shall have certain changes made in the original constitution of the commission which will be satisfying to every body. _ A NEW NOVEL BY OvIDA, Mile. De la Ramé, surnamed Ouida,” has about completed her annual novel, The scene of the story ig Jaid in fair Florence, on the outskirts of which the lady herself dwells in an atmosphere of the most refined luxury. : No information has yet been made public as to the completion of JOHN YORSTER’S “LIVE OF SWIFT.” Itas stated, however, that the author's manuscript was so far in order that the second and third volumes may yet be issued under competent editorship. Mr, Forster bad many original and interostiug facts in coa- nection with the Dean's life to reveal to the world, and it is very much to be hoped that these arein such a condition that they may be taken in hand for early publication by his literary executor. Mr. Forster had 10 his possession at bis death the large paper copy of “GULLIVER'S TRAVELS," which had been in the possession of the friend who carried the autbor’s manuscript with due secrecy to the publisher, It contains not only all the erasures and other changes introduced in the later editions, but, also, “several interesting passages, mostly in the voy- age to Laputa, which have never yot been given to the world. "? THE CHILDREN OF AMERICA will thank mo for letting them know that that most modest of men and gifted of story writers, Mr. Charies Dodgson, of Christ Church College, Oxford, is correct- ing for the press “The Hunting of the Shark.” When Ladd to this piece of information the fact that Mr Dodgson wroie that wonderful tale, “Alice in Wonder. land,” I feol that I have revealed in this letter an item of news which will be devoured with as much relish by girls and boys in America as it has been by their cousins, the little folks of England, THE SUCCKSS OF THE MONTIt in literature has been the “Memoir of Norman Mac. leod, D. D.,% by his brother, the present oditor of “Good Words.’’ 1 am told that the Queen was so gratified with the work—Norman Macleod having been an especial favorite of hers—that she ordered tor pre- sentation purposes from the publisher 150 copica, These have found their way to the drawing rooms of the mighty, who, of course, feel it their duty to recommend the work to the perusal of every one. The volumes have ran to afifth edition already, and there it no cessation in the demand for them. Maclood’s Memoir supports the strange tradition that is associated with the Hastings family over here, During the minister's five years’ residence at Loudoun he was on terms o the most friendly intercourse with the Countess Lou- doun, mother of the Ladies Sophia and Adelaide Hastings, the former of whom subsequentiy became Marchioness of Bute and mother of the boy with whom we are now familiar as tho bero of “Lotbair.” When the Countess lay dying her daughter wrote to Norman Macleod making a request whieh brought to light THE STRANGE STORY with which most peoplo aro now familiar. It reads like a piece of romance from the chaptors of the his torical novels of one’s boyhood. “When my father died,” wrote the daughter to Dr. Macleod, “he desired his right hand shoald be amp2- tated and carried from Malta, to bo buried with my mother, as they could not lio in the same grave, as he had once promised her. His band is tn the vault at Loudoun Kirk, Lam told, in a small box with the key hanging to it. My mother intrusted you with the key of the vault and you would give it t noone, May | request you 0 Loudoun Kirk and take out the vox and bring it hero to me yourself aud deliver iy into my hands yourself should my brother not have arrived, And I believe there must be no delay. A lew honre, Tam told, will end her suffering and begin our desolation.’ Macleod fulfilied bis mission, and the right HAND OF THE DEAD HUSBAND was duly placed bemde the body of the Countess in the coilin which unhappily awaited the minister's arrival, Ltinay bo romombeted that last year a lady of the same many es and left 1 instructions to her exceutors that hor right ‘to be cat of and buried at a certain spot om one of the estates at the fuinily seat, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, The re. quest was properly complica with, But one wi bo gratified to ieurn the true secret concerning this Mysterious amputating of right hands from the of deceased mombera of tho Hastings family. 1 inention, by way of explanation, thas “Hastings” is the family name of the Lairds of Loudoun. THE LABOR MOVEMENT. A mass meeting of varnishers and polishers was hold at No, 8 avenue A yesterday, when steps wore taken to reorganize their trades union, for the protection of the interests of their trade and to keep up the price of Iabor, list of bership was and a com. do bakan TTB ag to be ton won bene cabinotmakers in tbele Vion was taken to sustain the the eight-bour