The New York Herald Newspaper, May 2, 1877, Page 3

THE SALON OF. 7, Opening of the Great French Ex- hibition of Fine Arts. GEMS OF THE COLLECTION. A Long Roll of Beauties of the Brush and Chisel, CLASSIC AND MODERN SUBJECTS. The American Artists Who Have Painted Their Way Into Favor, ‘PRESIDENT MACMAHON’S _ VISIT. ‘A Lounging Resort for the Fashionable World of Paris. STHETICS FOR THE MILLION [BY CABLE TO THE HERALD. ] Pagis, May 1, 1877. ‘The opening of the Salon to-day was marked by ; the usual concomitants of eager curiosity on the Part of the public and of feverish anxiety on the Part of the artists and their friends. ‘There is no annual event except, perhaps, that of the Grand Prix, which creates such a flutter of excitement among the cultivated and fashionable residents, both native and foreign, of the French metropolis. Among gentlemen the Salon is regarded as one Of the most agreeable of lounging places; among ladies as one of the most favorable for the display of their spring toilets. It has killed Long- champs, because the fair haditués of that once fashionable resort find protection for their finery there against the vitissitudes of the weather, and because the men find it a place of convenient Tendezvous and prolific of amusement. Of the crowds that daily frequent it perhaps not more than a fourth of tho persons composing them are animated by any real taste for art. It ts amusing, after the Salon opens, to hear how it furnishes vopics of conversation to society peopie. Even young girls make themselves acquainted with the jargon of art in order to be enabled to impress their admirers with the extent of their ac- quirements, The Salon is therefore a godsend toa large class of fashionable idiers, as well as to the ‘modistes and couturicres, who look for its opening @s the inauguration of their summer harvest. To another and more select class it is an event Offering great intellectual enjoyment. Here men of high culture and kindred tastes meet to note the Progress that has taken place during the past year 4m one of the great refining influences of life and to ‘compare their mutual impressions. THIS YEAR 8 STANDING, I wish I could say that this year’s exhibition showed a8 marked an improvement in the quality of the pictures as in the quantity sentin. Such, unfortunately, is not the case. The average of merit is perhaps as great as ever, but of high class Productions the number 1s very small. The exhi- bition 1s decidedly inferior to that of last year, There are few works of genius. This is in a mea- Bure to be accounted for by the fact that artists of genius have become indifferent about exhibiting their works at the Salon, and some positively de- cline doing so, This repugnance is,I presume, to be accounted for by the fact that in this great centre of wealth and refinement artists of reputa- tion cannot keep pace with the demand for their ‘works and do not care to waste time in painting for the public gratification. THR WORK OF THE JURY. ‘The number of pictures sent in this year largely exceeded that of any previous exhibition. The jury passed judgment on no less than 7,923 oll paintings and drawings, of which a little more than a third were admitted, Out of this latter number only 49 were classedas No. 1, and 160 as No.2. To the pub- Ue is left the task of classifying the remainder. THE PICTURES. ‘The following is a briet review of the works which Constitute the chief features of the exhibition:-— Bavnkry, P, J. A., exhibits a portrait of General de Palikao, the hero of Pekin and the chief mourner and undertaker at the death of the Second Empire. The picture is vigorously treated and with all the importance befitting the ¢riste celebrity of its sub- ject. BaYArd, EMILE, one of the best decorative artists of France, has two beautiful panels, part of a series which he is painting for the ChAteau of‘Aulnay, in the environs of Paris, The subjects are naturally Buch as afford fall opportunity for the display of brilliant colors, but they are employed with much fadgment, The scenes are chiefly pastoral, and rival those of Watteau in their spirit and gracefulness. Itis a pity that this style of decoration 1s not em- Ployed more in the United States. Bertter, F, E., exhibits two fine portraits—one of Mrs. General Sickles, a very beautifui woman, and the other of Mme. Thurr, the Hungarian gen- eral’s wife. BERNE-BELLECOUR exhibits another of his spirited episodes of the Franco-German war, entitled “Com. bat dans une Tranchée.” Pictures by artists who, like M. Bellecour, have taken part in scenes of this description will always be- regarded with interest, BONNAT exhibits a portrait of that much abused, much lauded and much limned little Frenchman ‘whom Bismarck once designated us “the tallest and smallest of European statesmen,” M. Thiers. There is no public man, past or present, I believe, of whom there exists 80 many authentic portraits, for it is either one of the weaknesses, or one of the vanities, if you choose to so call it, of the ex-Presi- dent of the French Republic to grant sittings to almost any painter of note who chooses to solicit the honor of reproducing him on canvas. M. Bon- nat‘s portrait is, I need scarcely say, powerfully painted, but to my mind it fails to convey those traits of finesse which, to those acquainted with M. Thiers, must always constitute the strong points of resemblance in his features. 1 like Healy's portrait of him better, because it gives, as it were, more of the spirit of the original. BoveverKat, W. A., is represented by two beauti- fal pictures, “La Jeunesse et Amour” and “La Vierge Consolatrice.” This artist is reproached by | Geulous rivals jor want of breadth and too much NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1877—TRIPLE SHEET. elaborateness Of finish, but it must be remembered that the same objections were made to the works of Raphael. Of all living artists Bouguereau, perhaps, approaches nearest the qualities of the immortal Sarzio, These two pictures are the more to be noted from their having been painted under the in- fluence of domestic aMictious. Burton, JULES, exhibits a “Faneuse” painted as a pendant to his “Fileuse” of last year. The artist's strength lies unquestionably in this class of sub- jects. CABANEL, ALEXANDRE, Is represented by two pic- tures, one a p@rtrait of Madame Pereire and the other @ scene taken from Roman history. The first is, a8 usual with all this artist's pictures of this class, elaborated with infinite attention to details. In the treatment of the face there isthe same ten- dency to idealization which, however popular it may render him with sitters, detracts more or less from the strength of the likeness. This fault, however, makes hum an espectal tavorite of the ladies. His subject picture this year is “Lucretia and Sextus Tarquin.” It is highly artistic, but coldly classical, CaRAUD has two charming subject pictures, “L' Abbé Complaisant” and “Le Printemps,” which, if I don’t mistake, are orders for New York. If so I congratulate the fortunate owner. CERNAK, J., 18 represented by a noble work enti- tled “Herzegovinans Returning to Their Plundered Villages.” It ts full of strong feeling and is broadly treated. CHAPLIN, CHARLES, exhibits an eifective portrait of the figuerehead of the Senate, Duc d’Audiffret- Pasquier, painted with great spirit and force. CuELMOUSKY, J., exhibits one of those strongly handled subjects which are rendering him famous, It is called a “Country Inn, Poland.” Comrz, P. C., 1s represented by a beautiful in- terior, a lady seated on a@ sofa with a pack of cards spread out before her, The picture is remarkable for its fine effects of light and shade and careful painting of detalls. Compre-CaLix, F. ©., exhibits “Une Noce Bre- sanne,” painted in his liveliest and happiest style. This artist exce)sin what the French call tableaux des mour's. Davuieny, 0. F., has a splendid landscape in his best style. He entitles it “The Rising of the Moon.” Det, C., has @ beautiful picture, most poeti- cally treated, entitled “The Golden Wedding.” DETAILLE, EvouARD, is represented by several works, oil and water color, the principal of which is the fine war picture sold to Mr. Hawk, of New York, entitled “A French General and his Stam Saluting Prussian Prisoners,” and which has been brought back from America for the exhibition. In his large studio a trooper may frequently be found, in full equipment, posing for one of his battle pieces. The walls of the apart- ment are covered with a collection of military cos- tumes and arms not to be found elsewhere. Many of these have been gleaned on the battle flelds of France. M. Detaillé was un actor in most of the battle scenes which he has depicted. Dore, GUSTAVE, 18 represented bya fine scrip- tural subject, ‘Jesus Condamné,” and algo by a poor landscape entitled “L'Aube.”” DuburFe, EDOUARD, contributes two striking por- traits, one of Emile Augier, the dramatist and academician, and the other of Harpignies, the artist. The head of the first is splendidly modelled, and, as regards fidelity of portraiture, leaves nothing to be desired. The pose is, however, stir and too magisterial for the genial original. Dubus (Gls) exhibits for the first time this year. Re has two pictureagull of promise—one a classical subject and the other a study, both, as far as mani- pulation goes, skilfally handled. DURAN, CAROLUs sends portraits as usyual—one of a lady reclining on a sofa (said to be an American), and the other of achild. They are rich in skiltully painted accessories. Ficus, E. F., has this year a capital picture—a scene at the once famous Cabaret de Ramponneau on the Chaussée Clignancourt. This auberge was in former times the great rendezvous of the swells and fast women of Paris. Its period of greatest popularity was under the Regency. The picture comprises a large number of figures in the varied and picturesque costumes of the day. The grouping 1s admirable, and the bustle and animation of the scene are rendered with amusing fidelity. GutLemeEt, J. B. A., sends a coast scene, “Une Falaise A Marée Basse,” which is carefully painted and “of the sea, breezy.” It 1s refreshing in more ‘Ways than one to come across a picture of this kind. Hanrionies, H., is represented by a study of oaks wonderfully true to nature. Henner, J. J., exhibits two admirable pictures—a “St. John, the Baptist,” and “Le Soir.” No one can paint the human epidermis like him, “ C'est la chair vivante!” I heard a gentleman once ex- claim after examining a picture of Henner's through @ magnifying glass. Jacquet, J, G., is Only represented by a female portrait, but it is a good specimen of his style, and is, as usual, painted with great force and trathful- ness. It will be remembered that this artist made @ sensation at the Salon three years ago by a simple portrait of the same character, He disdains in his pictures the coquetry of accessories of which other fashionable portrait painters make such lavish use, but he compensates for their absence by beauty and depth of coior. He is evidently a closy student of the Venetian school, JACQUEMART, Mile. NELIE, has a fine portrait of General d’Aurelle de Paladin, commander of the Army of the Loire during the Franco-German war. Judging from this picture the General must have been upward of seventy when he assumed that position, and consequently at too advanced an age for vigorous effort. Lusinais, E. V., 18 represented by two pictures which, though both excellent, are imerior tn n- portance to his contributions of last year. One is entitled Le Prisonnier Gaulols.” It is painted in the low key so much affected by this artist and which is 80 very effective, The subject ts simply a prisoner swinging himself down the side of a preci- pice to escape from his captors; but the story is told with much force, and true color is given to the landscape. His second picture represents three young girls ina swing, and is charmingly painted, MalGnay, A., exhibits an important historical pic- ture entitled * L’Attentat d'Anagn.” The moment of action is that when Sciarra Coionna enjoins Boniface VIII. to abdicate, and when the Pope re- phes with calin dignity, “1 will die on the chair in which God has placed me.” The work shows evi- dence of careful study and is boidly and effectively handled, M. Maignan has made marked progress. Meissosten, |. L. E., exhibits @ portrait, but that one of great interest—Damas fils, The dramatist is represented seated at a table covered with books, and poses in the correct conventional style of authorship. The likeness is of course good, but it docs not give the face in its best and brigntest | young artist has been making rapid progress, expression. I confess Lam disappointed by the picture. Mun«aksy, M., exhibits another of his vigorously painted interiors—“Scene dans une Brasserie.” The Pictures of this artist are losing a good deal of their popularity, People are getting tired of those start- iing contrasts of white and black, without any gra- dations of tone or intermixture of other colors. NRUVILLE, A, M. pg, exhibits another of his inter- esting episodes of the Franco-German war, “The Battle of Forbach—Struggle at the Railway Sta- tion.” Itis painted with great spirit. Pictures of this class are becoming very popular in France. For @considerable time after the war no purchasers could be found for them. PERRAULT, LEON, exhibits @ dead Christ. The body, nearly nude, is extended on a white sheet, The head 1s powerfully painted, and the gioom of the subject is retieved by some fine effects of light and shade. Perrault is @ pupil of Bouguereau, Prorats, P. A., has a fine picture, entitled “Effet de Nuit Apres la Bataille.” It is treated in masterly style, and conveys forcibly to the mind all the hor- Tor and desolation of such scenes. SAINTIN, EMILE, has two charming pictures—“The Young Soidier’s First Engagement” and “Content de Soi-Méme.” The first, a commission Poms America, Tepsesents a young West Pointer extorting from a beautiful girl a favorable answer to his proposals. The subject is coquettishly treated and is the first ofa series taken from our country which the artist proposes to paint. His second picture exhibits a beautiful girl admiring herself in a small band mir- ror. The glass reflects the features in the prettiest way imaginable, and the effect produced by it at first is that of surprise, as it appears like a second face peeping out of an oval aperture in the panel of the wali. It is pleasant to hear M. Saintin recount his souvenirs of America. He, atleast, has brought away with him agreeable impressions of our coun- try and its people. Tovpovzk, E., is represented by a beautiful picture, “La Femme de Loth.” It is painted in the artist’s best style and is one of the happiest efforts of his pencil. Worm3, L, has two Spanish subjects; one, ‘La Fontaine du Taureau & Granade,” an order from Miss Wolfe, of New York, and the other “La Fleur Preferrée.”” They are painted in the artist’s most careful style, and are gems in their way. AMERICAN ARTISTS. Our compatriots, 1 am happy to say, have been more than usually successful this year, both in the quality of their pictures and in the number ad- mitted. ALcorTr, Miss, has a supject from still life, which will please her admirers. Bacon, Henry, exhibits a clever composition taken from life on shipboard. Skittles and ship billiards usually enlist a curious variety of players and spectators, and itis one of these scenes that the artist has selected for his subject. Beckwith, G., has a portrait ofa gentleman, BiasHrieLp, E. H., has painted an interesting picture, illustrating the religious customs of pagan Rome. It is well composed and drawn, and affords promise of excellence in the treatment of this class of subjects. Booms, J., has two landscapes, both worthy of attention. Bripemay, F. A., has @ fine picture, entitled “A Funeral Procession on the Nile.” It is one of the most curious and attractive in the exhibition, and is the fruit of careful study. Being a reproduction of the mortuary ceremonies observed in ancient Egypt, the details had to be gleaned from the old Monuments and put together in a manner that would satisfy the requirements of modern art. ‘This Mr. Bridgman has done, and he is being re- warded for the labor bestowed on it by the atten- tion which his work is exciting. Coe, J., exhibits a clever cattle piece. Dvsots, CHARLES, is represented by two excellent landscapes. One of them is “A View on the Hud- son River, the other a fine “Sunset on Long Island.” Gaxpyer, Miss E. “Ruth and Noémi.” It is painted with a good deal of sentiment, and is clearly and firmly handied. Of all the American artists here I do not know one who has profited so largely by the opportunities afforded by the French school, HEALY, G, P. IL, the doyen of our artistic colony, is represented by a fine picture of Gambetta. It gives a better idea of the mental and physical characteristics of this remarkable man than any previous likeness of him that I have seen. Mr. Healy also exhibits a beautiful portrait of a child— his own granddaughter. The work was evidently @ labor of love. which forms a worthy pendant to his well known “Les Laveuses.”” LELAND, H., contributes the portrait of a young Italian girl—a small but clever lite picture and full of promise. Loomis, C., extubits @ character study entitled | Un Fumeur.” It is broadly and dashing!y treated and displays considerable strength of handling, Low, R., exhibits a portrait of the American prima donna, Mile. Albani, which fs very successlul. May, Epwarp, has but one picture this year, and that a portrait, It is to be regretted that Mr. May 19 not represented by a more important work. He is an artist of great talent and his pictures are highly appreciated by French connoisseurs, Moss, PRANK, exhibits a study of @ female head | which has some exccilent points, 1618 not as good | in color as in drawing. Peance, C. 5., exhibits a picture of remarkabie strength-—“The Death ot the First Born.” It is an Egyptian secne, and ts painted from the artist's | souvenirs and studies 1 the land of the Pharaohs, | Both asa composition and as a painting it is a work | | of high merit. RUSSELL, of Montreal, has a portrait of Mr. Bunce, of Hartford, SARGENT exhibits a portrait of a lady, TOMPKINS, Miss CLEMENTINA, exhibits a power- fully painted picture entitled “Unwinding the Reel.” | Wanp, M., exhibits an excellent portrait, This | Several others of our compatriots sent ta pictures, but they were not all fortunate enongh to be re- ceived. When it is remembered that more than doubie the number of paintings that could find place on the walls had to be selected from by the committee, the tact of rejection does not carry with it the sense of humiliation and disappointment which it would otherwise inflict, SCULPTUS I have left myself only space enough to mention a few of the principal works 1m this line which figure in this year’s exhibition, A bust of Corneille, by Falgultre; a bust of Berryer, by Chopin; a Phabe, by Denecheau ; an historical bas reliel, by Mercier, intended for the front of the Louvre; a bustof Mgr. Guibert, Arch- bishop of Paris, by Oliva ; the busts of two children, by Dubols ; a bust of the late Francis Corbyn, by; Frederick Beer ; statue of Music, by Deluplane @ Magdalen, by Noel, and a group by Gustave Doré. ‘The painters are all turning sculptors and the sculp- | tors painters. A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT. President MacMahon visited the Salon on Satur- day Jast, accompanied by M. Waddington, Minister of Instruction and Fine Arta The arrangement of the pictures had only just been completed wheu the Presidential party arrived. Only the authorities connected with the Exhibition were present. A NATIONAL PRIZE. The Minister of Fine Arts purchased yesterday Bouguerean’s “Vierge Consolatrice” for the galiery L, exhibits a Scriptural subject, | | Kstont, D. R., exhibits a beautiful landscape, | | | TIE RUSSIAN. POPOREKAS, Circular Monitors That May As- tonish the Turks, THE ADMIRAL POPOFF AND NOVGOROD. Peculiar Construction of These Naval Monsters. THEIR ARMOR AND GUNS How the Gun Carriages Are Constructed and Worked in the Turrets. THE PROPELLING POWER. Owing to tho preponderance of the Turkish fleet of fron-clads iu the Black Sea much interest attaches to the Russian navy, and all information regarding its real strength is vagerly sought by those desirous of a complete knowledge of the conditions of the present | war, Where the war ships of Westorn Europe, in- | cluding the Knglish-built Turkish iron-clads, present a general siinilarity of design and construction, some of those belonging to Russia are unique in both respects and deserve special attention now that their merits will be put to the severest teats, The cyelad or circu- | lar ship hes beon under discussion tn naval circles for some yeurs, but Kussia alone bas put the idea into practical shape, and the, world will doubtless huve many opportunities of judging whether the now | system is Wortky of the praise or abuse that ia show- | erod on 1% by it# advocates and opponents. Of | courge tho nations that have not accepted the circular sbip aro contident that it will fail, just as they wero with regard to the American monitor, which now forms the basis of construction for modern iron-clads in Europe. Tho following description of the Russian circular ships 1s both accurate and interesting, and is fully tMustrated by the accompanying cuts:— THR POPOFFKAS, The circular tron-clads recently introduced in tho Russian Imperial Navy have received the name of | Popofikas, in honor of the imventor, Vico Admiral Popofl, of the imperial navy, Thero gre now two of these vessels in the Russian navy, the Novgorod, launched four years ago and now in commission in the Biack Sea, und the Vico Admiral Popoif, launched in 1875, These vossels have behaved well in heavy weather and the speed obtained has been good. Six years ago Vice Admiral Popoff submitted his de- | sign for circular tron-clads to the Minister of tho Russian navy. The object was to obtain an armor- clad vossel, having « small draught—namely, 13 feet— of dimensions, which should allow of an armamene of a tew guns of heaviest cast ana capable of steaming at &® speed sufiicient for all purposes of coast defence, VICK-ADMIKAL POPOFP, Sue View, Hia designs were made on tho principle that in com- parison with ordinary ships vessels of a circular form having the same weight of hull bave a greater dis- placement, and consequently greater possibility of pro- toting. the water line with a formidable belt of armor plating, the decks with a thick armor, und the heavy guns with a strong and heavily armored breastwork, thus insuring, in accordance with the principles of modern naval construction, the maximum of safety for both ship and w. The advantage of the circular form is that a vessel can thus be built which, drawing a small depth of water, bas the greatest displacement | 1 comparison with the weight it is possible to give her, From this it is therefore evident that a circular vessel is a representative of the highest development | of the principle which is carried oat by Mr. Reed in tho English navy, of shortening naval vessels in order to obtain handiness of management, and a reduction of weight and broadening them to increase the displace- ment The Vice Admiral Popoff has an extreme diameter of 120 feet, Sho draws, having all weight on board, 12 feet 7 inebes, To this must bo added the longitudi- nally plueed false keels, Her total displacement is 550 tons. The form of the midship or in fact of any radical section Is as follows:—The bottom of the vessol | is circular and flat, and parallel to the load water line, | It has a diameter of 95 fect. From the bilge turn arodnd tho bottom the sections are curved, ascending in the form of quadrants of cir- cles whose semi-diameters are the depth of the vessel. The ball is framed with a network of radial frames and | circular atringors which are plated both outside aad in. Section, | by asteam engine by m The ship’s interior is divided into six watertight compartm: by bulkheads, The outside plating of | the vessel 1s worked in two thicknesses each of X | inch, next to which is a bucking of hollow | girders 7 inches in depth, tho spaces within and | between them being fillet with touk, The armor | plating extends 1 foot 6 inches above and, 4 tect 9 inches below the load water line, 111s applied ia two | lnyors having a teak planking between 6 inches in thickaess, The inner plates are 7 inches in thick- ness throughout the armored belt, the outer ones being 9 inches in thickness mn the upper streak and 7 Inches | in the lower, The ship's bottom is sheathed with wood | and copper piates, | The beams of the upper deck run radially and are connected and braced by circular pieces. The plating for the protection of the deck is 2% inches in thick- ness, The breastwork, bebind which are the guns, is in the centre of the ship, feet in diamoter and 7 teet | ia height, Tho composition of the walls of the breast- | werk is similar to the armored beit along the water live of the vessel, having samo skin and jiollow girders, Plan Showing Watertight Divisions, tho armor plating being 16 inches {n thicknoss, Tho breastwork 18 open at the top, allowing the guns to bo fired over it, en Larbette, thus aliowing accurate train- ing and giving an all around fire, both exceodingly im- portant points, The l2-inch 41 ton guns, firing shells weighing 714 Russian pounds, and using a chargo of 150 Russian pounds, are mounted on separate pint- | forme, which can be cithor moved independently or together, when it is desired to point both guns at the sumo time on a common object. A hollow eytindor in the centre, which allows the passage of the hydraulic Pipes, formes the axis around whieb each of tue piat- forms carrying gun and carriage rotate. The men who work the guns are completely under the cover of the oi tue Luxembourg, breastwork, The powder, suot aud shell are passed from below into the breastwork enclosure through the | boliow cylinder around which the platforms rotate, THR GUN CARRIAGES AND GUNS, The gun carriages are especially interesting, and aro the invention of Lieutenant Raskazoll, of tho imperial Rassian navy. The base of cach carriage consists of two parailel armor plates six inches In thickni which correspond to the sides of ordinary gun rages, These plates are conuected by trout, rear and votiom plates, Atthe rear ouds and to the exterior sides of she purailel plates are bolted two hydraulic cylinders. ‘Through the front ends passes « massive horizontal shaft, supported by the plates, through which it passes,’ On the outer ends of the shaft aro keyed hey rocking levers, the opposite ends of which receive the trunuions of the beavy guns, The shatts revolve in bearings, and the trannions of the guns, therefore, which ure carried on the ower ends of the jevers, describe ures of circles ina vertical plane, and carry the gun with them from the loading im the turret to Ms tiring position over it, The pair of levers on each gun are connected with the plungera of the two bydrauhe cylinders above spoken of by ineaps of two heavy connecting rods, the upper ends ol which work on heavy craukpins, keyed ito the bodies of the levers 10 such 8 position that the erank- pin describes an arc equal to its length to the stroke of the plunger when the gun 1s raised from the loud: the fring position. ‘The lower ends of the rods abut against the botiwms ol the pluy; ure hollow, lorming a ball and socket jotat, | ders are tixed in an inciined position coinciding with the wean position of the copnecting rods, the lower ends of which, bemg guided by the truck plungers, renuer guides Unnecessary, thus greatly siinpiftying the carriages, When the by means of the conu levers, aud so bring the gun Into the tiring positon, Iv lowering the yuu to the joading position its weight acting on the lever and counecting rods, drives the plunger back ito the cylinder, I'e breech of the gun 18 supported by pair of radius bars, which Steady the gun apd determine its path in moving trom the loading to the firmy position and vico versa. The elevation und depression of the gun are ulso given by these two bars, Lhe upper ends of which are jointed to trunnions fixed to the rear end of the gun and tueir lower ends to studs or two sets of clovating gear, which are Uxed syminetricaily to the outer faces of the sides of the carriage, Each set of elevating gear con- gists Of a screw and nut, the latter working 1a guides and having a stud on it to which the lower end of thu radius bar is adjusted, so that when the screw is tur! the nut travels up or down, moving the end of the ‘Nhe pair ot screws for elevating each gun are worked | by worm Wheeis and tangent screws, the latter keyed ito a shalt, common to both elevating gear, so toat they are worked by one handle, The elevating screws aro'so placed on the carriage #ides that when the gun i# in the firing position the motion of the lower ends of the elevating burs, joiuted to tho nuts, gives heariy the same amount Of motion to the upper ends of the olovating rods, jointed to the breech, and th varies the elevation of the gua. But when the gun is in the loading position the motion of the lower ends Of the elevating rod does uot cause any serious motion to the rear end of the gun, Which resis mouonless on the builer, ‘The alterations in elevation, nevertholess, can be made just us well When the gun’ is in the load: img as when it 18 in tho firing position. These radius bars bave another important use—namely, piuugers are forced vut, they, rods, turn the rocking thats of controlling the motion of the gun on its push out, to cause its muzzle to descrivo & curve, which will permit it to clear the upper edge of the turret when the gun 13 raised into (he firing position, The two hydraulic cylinders not only raise and jowor the gun, Lut serve aixo to absorb its recull are connected together by a large and strong pipe, and act simultaneously. ‘The guns aro worked by Water, under a pressure of about lorty atmospheres, supplied by a small Anderson's patent pump, und stored im a small accumulator adapted tor the purpose. In raising the gun water flows from an accamulator to the cylinders through a pressure pipe, which passes up through the centre ot the turret, and, being ted under the carriage, joints the pipe connecting the cylinders, Un this pipe a valve 1s introduced, by means of which the water can be admitted ut pleasure to the cyiindors. The area ot the plunger is such that the Water, under the ubove pressure, willdrive them out, and thereiure Jift the gun from its loading to its firmg position, In tho Bring position the levers currying the gun do not come within five or six dezreos oi the vertical po- sition, #0 that the gun by its weight has a tendency to return tv the loading position; therefore im lowering the gun without firiug it 1s only necessary to move the vaivo on the pressure pipo so that it will clese communication with the accumulator and at the samo time open a free escape for the water from the cylin- ders, which will permit the return of the plungers and aliow the gun to desvend to its loading position. But when the recoil of the guo has to be takon up the water from the cylinders escapes by the middie of the large pipe eonnecting tho presses Shroggt largo cock, the water way of whieh is diminish atl. caily and gradually as the gun descends under the in- fluence of the recoil and gravity, Besides the cock the escape is turther contracted by a loaded valve, so arranged that during the litting of the gun to the firing position no water can escape, ‘The water, driven out of tho cylinders by recoil, flows into # tank or overboard, the recoil not being stored up for lifting the gun again, The accumulator of this gun carriage serves only to store a minute's | work of the pump 80 ag to be able to raise the gun quick'y tor firing. Yhe motion of the gun from the loading to the firing position 1s limited by ouftere; the buffer which deter- mines the loading position 18 placed under the centro of gravity of the yun, while the lunit of the tiring posi- tiun is determined by two buffers which are bolted to tho front ends of each carriage and receive shoulders made in the rocking levers. ‘The four parallel armor plates or sides of the two carriages which wre the foundation of the system are conuected to form ono whole by front, rear and bot- tom plates, which frame in all the sides and form this : strong and situple base or fraime of great strength, ported by’ twelve wheols, In the contre a twussivo Ting t# bolted to the bottom plate and connected to the sides, ai rVos to receive pivot fixed in the centre of tho turret. central pivot is hollow, in order to permit the passage of tho presgure pipe from putups to the cylinds The turntable revolves round tho pivot and is turned us of pimiou and pinwheel fixed to the tabie. ‘tho starting handle of this engine, by wuieh the guns are traiued, ns well us tue bundle of the vaive for raising aud lowering the gun, are ar. ranged ou the platiorm so as to be within convenlout reach of the captain of the guos, who can thus easily give all the movements required, ‘The turotavie ts (urvished with sights, which, being a litte bigher than the turret, permit of the guus being loaded under cover, so that they need ouly be momentarily exposed while tiring. THE RNGINE: ‘The engines for propelling ship, eight in num- each of 80 nominal horse er, and working in “apgregate up to 4,439 indicated lorse power, give motion to six independent screws, having parallel Shafts placed in a lougitudival Wirectiwa, Four the screws are four-bladed and 10° feet while the two thor oves— on each side—are three-biaded and ed lower down, so that in'deop water the: through the water mueh below the bot- tom of the vessel, wile 1m shallow water they will ve kept at rest ma position above tue keels, ‘The engine roumns occupy the ultor hull of tho ship, In the middle are the powder magazines and the shot and shell rou, GENERAL PLAN OF ACCOMMODATION, In the fore part, below the lower deck, are chain lockers and holds tor provisions, water aud officers’ stores, Two separate bower rooms, with six boilers in cack, are placed symmetrically of cach side of the dia of thy vossel Coal bunkers are fitted ulong- side the boiler rooms, close to the wing passage which | runs around the side of the ship, The wardroom, cap- tuin’s and officers’ cabins are placed inside of the light superstructure which 18 built over the — ar. mered deck and around = the __breastwork, | Tne fore part of this superstructure, as of | the lower deck, 1 occupred by the crew. AL the bow | the Martens anchors arc stowed. The cablos aro cur- ried over the side of the Kuperstracture, and thence ty the lower deck, where tuey are worked by steatn wind- lasses, In the alter part of the ship are two radial | hurricane bridges, placed seven foct above tho deck of tho superstructure and the top of the breastwork, Ail the opentags im the deck are providea with armored covers of the sume thickness as the deck, and when | these are closed the ventilation ts maintained vy means of the extractive channels made in tae breast- work and the openmys inside the latter, Three steam Inunches and three other boats are #towed on clevated supports on the deck. The Vopolf | carries a crew of 120 vilicers and men, and w coal sup- ply of 260 tons, THR NOVGOROD. This el is the sister stip of the Admiral Popott, And presents some sight dillerences in construction, Her diameter ia | as also is ber draught of water, Sue curries two estacks and much lighter armor, but 9 1a every seuse 4 tormidable aud serviceable ves. sel, Side View, Stern View, She carries in all 760 tous of armor and 66 tons of frame, forming o turutable for two guus, Is sup. | ins on a di! of 2,500 tons. Her guns, ike Brose of tb ope are phos and serious objec u 1 is made to this plan by such a competent au- thority as 4 Engineer King, of the United States Navy. The design of the Novgorod is bolder than that of the Popotf, and the dispositions better taken. She bas two Thonen ‘28-1 cone oarciing shell 650 pounds weight and « charge of about 90 pounas. Unlike the Yopofl, she has six four-biaded screws fixed ip bearings and in the same plane. Two of those of the Vopott are ruised and jowered when necessary and are chicily used in deep water to increage the »peod, Plan of Upper Deck Breastwork, The gun platforms of the Novgorod aro very simi Jar to those of the Popotf, but the guns do not dis- appear for loading as in the jatter ship, The crew numbers 110 ali told, and the coal supply 18 200 tons, ‘the Popol! 18 im design much boider than the Nov- gored, the dispositions are vetter taken and she is ia many respects an improvement on hor sister ship, notably in the largo three-bladed screws and im the disappearing system adopted for the yung. The following tabie of comparative dimensions, armor thickness, armament and horse power, shows the difference im these particniara between the Ad- miral Popoff and the Novgorod :— - a: o . Yin Bete Extreme diameter, 101 00 121 09 Diaw of Hat bot 76 00 96 00 Depth in hold at ceni uuder side of beam the trames of the de 13 9 14 00 13 2 12 00 Drangnt of water aft 13 2 14 00 Draught of water, tnexn, 13 2 13 00 Height of barbette towe: load water line 12 00 3 38 Diameter of barb: side 30 00 34 00 pper de ‘ luad water line amidships 16 16 Displacement, in tons, wy 3,550 Area of midaliip section in square MCC ececereseves 170 1,416 Engines, nominal horse power.. "480 ‘G40 Coal supply, in tons... 200 250 + Propellers, sorow, in number... 6 6 Complement of villcersand mon, 110 120 Armament, breech-load’y yuns— Two in number, each wetgh- ing, In tons, Rites’ 20 40 Smalier gus io unarmored breastwork, ... ans cee « Height of armor on side above line amidships piles 6 ry Thickness of ormor on sides (in- cluding equivalent thickness for the hollow tron girders be- hind armor\....e6..+s e n 1 Thickness of urmor on lower trea! - seceeeceees 9 1 ‘Thickness of armor on barvotie Thickness of deck plating. 2%. FERRYBOAT COLLISION. THE FULTON FERRYLOAT AMERICA COLLIDES WITH TH FARRAGUT IN THE NEW YoRK SLIP—ONE PERSON INJURED, Considerable oxcitemont was created on the New York side of Fulton ferry yesterday morning by the collision of two of the ferryboats—the America and the Farragut, Fortunately only one person was in- Jured to any appreciable extent, although for a while It was feared that lives had been los, Much alarm was caused by the collision, und the stampede which ensued Teeulted tn bruises to several persons, ‘The time of the accident was half-past ten o'clock, The ferryboat Farragut, one of the largest of the ling, was lying in the southern slip om tho New York side, proparing to start for Brooklyn, A large numbor of passengers were on board, the ladies’ cabin boing especially well filled, The signal for starting wis the arrival of the America, which was ploughing its way shrougd the boisterous water to the adjoining ship. ‘rhe pilot of the America was Mr, Borden Sanford, spoken of by his employors as experienced and trustworthy and of long service in the company. As his boat neared ite, destination he siackened speed, customary, and bore down on the northera sip, The sea was run ning bigh, and tho boat kept drifting to the perceptibly that it goon tecame apparent that sion Was inevitable. The pilot quickly blew the dan- ger whistle, and the deck hands bastened forward and began urging the passengers to the stern, The ladies screamed as they ran backward, and many men vee came equally trighteued, For a lew mowonts there was A rush for the lie proservers, causing qu.te @ punte, On buara the Farragut the passengers standing for- ward saw with aiurm the America beuring direct upon them, and became panic stricken, A rush for the stern ensued, aud several persous wero knocked down, THK COLLISION. In the midat of the excitoment the collision occart the bow of tue America crashing beneath the guards ol the Farragut, and shaking both boats with great vio- lence, Une man Was thrown headiong trom the deck of the America to that of the Farragut, but beyond a | lew bruises ov the head ani arms he got up unimjured, Miss M. L. Barnes, of No, 658 Charlton avenue, Brook. lyn, was knocked down and had one of her fect pain. fully crushed. Several other persuns were struck with flying splinters, but not much burt Several Minutes cusued belore tho passengers became calm. In tho mouutine the boats were separated and the passengers of the America landed, alter which she was steamed over to the ferry company’s repair docks in Brouklyn. Miss Barnes, tho injured lady, was conveyed to her home 12 4 carriage, and Dr, John G, Johnson was seut by the ferry officials to reader surgical assistance, Ho found her doivg weil, aud reported that her wounds wil have healed within a few days. ‘The only dumage recvived by tho Farragut was the logs of her rudder chau, but the America fared badly, tho forward railing of tho ladies cabin being tora away and a portion of the “hood” demolished. WHAT THK FEKRY OFFICERS SAY. A Hera.y reporicr called on Ferry Superintendent | Do Grau yesterday alicrnoon to obtnin his version of the accident, That vilicul stated that the company had not as yet made any official investigation, but ex- pected to make ove to-day. From all he bad beard, bowever, ho was of the belief thatthe collision was | “oue of those accideuta which are vound to occur despite every precaution.” Had the boats been of equal siza the ouly result he thought would have be a@ slight “shake up,” bat bow | of the Ame being lower im the water It went be- neath the Farragut’s guazds and caused the damage | wad panic. The water, Mr. De Grau stated, was very vat the time, aud carried the boat veyond the | ulutious of tue pilot, He spoke of the latter as thoroughly capable tuan, He had heard of no persot fujuved, beyoud sligut bruimes, except Miss nes, The damage to the Atmerica will not exceed $2,000, NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, The Board of Directors ot the National Rifle Assoch ation met yesterday afternoon at No, 23 Park row, the Presiuent, Mr. N. P, Stanton, im the chair. The follow. ing members were present:—Generals Shaler, Wylie, Woodward, MeMahan, Ward; Colonels Scott, Gilder. sleeve, Wingate, Ward; Lieutenant Colonel Sanford, Majors Fuiton and Holland, Captains Stony and Casey, and Messrs, Schemerbern and Judd. Colonel Ward, on behalf of the prize committee, reported an un willingness on the part of several gootiemen who bad formerly given prizes to be shot for at the spring meeting to como forward with donations this your, Lieutenant Colonel Sanford, on behalf of the committee appointed to make arrangements for the long range military mateh, stated that the large bore rifles wow tt awe by the Natiouat Guard would pot be eflective at the extreme distances at which 16 was Con» templated to shoot the second stage of this compett- tion, and, theretore, it would be necessary to employ ial military rifle of smaller calibre aod greater Tesolution pussed whereby the Ex- Committees were empowered to take the ry steps for procuring from Congress | annual national miiitary prize of the value of about $500, vo ve shot fo: ‘reedinoor every year by mem- vers of th throughout the 'y uctiony to pro- 'y of other match for the middle of cach week. The ‘vexatious rule which permits members to shoot in matches undor assumed names was discussed at considerable Jength by several of t toember®. Finally the whole matter was referred to Judge Gildersieeve, Colonel Wingate and Lioatenane Colonel saniord, The Board adjourned ual toe ret Tuesday of next month. ENLIVENING MATTERS, Two or three aays ago Francis H. Wood was arrested in Seventy-lourth street for disorderly conduct, He taken to tho Fifty-seventh Strovt Court on Monday ané Stated he did vot live with his folks becauso they would not recognize him, as he was slightly insane, His fathor was woalthy, but not living with his fa He was given & room ip Soventy-fourth street and bie board paid, He had become dissatistied with ite in a garrst and had opened an entertainment, in the course of which he was arrested. He goes to the Come missioners Of Uharitios und Correction