The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-02 00:00:00

TASTE AND GENIUS FOR ART IN

AA CIENT TIMES.

Upwards of 2,000 years ago (says Mr. Smirke, in
his first lecture at the Royal Academy) a more re-
fined and delicate taste, and a more thorough mas-
tery of the power of representing beauty, existed
than the world has since been able to acquire ; nor
was that extraordinary msthetic development con-
fined to a few rarely-gifted artists, for there is not
wanting good ground to believe that it pervaded
the general mind of the Greek people. Again, 1,700
or 1,800 years ago, the grandeur of the Roman
empire was well typified by a corresponding gran-
deur of architecture, which has never since been
equalled. We are compelled to acknowledge that
500 or 600 years ago workmen wrought with a
freer spirit, a bolder genius, and a more genuine
artistic ardour than d;stinguishes the workmen
of the present day. We find, 1,200 years ago,
in the Gregorian chants, musical compositions
conceived of a grander character and deeper
feeling than the music of the modern school can lay
claim to. It seems to be in accordance with these
general views, which I have ventured to express in
the examination ot the supposed tardy advance at-
tributed to our architectural art, that a great musi-
cal composer of the present day has attempted to
account for the admitted want of originality in
modern musical composition, by expressing his opi-
nion, or at least his suspicion, that all the material
changes of which the notes of music are susceptible
may have been already rung out. I cannot indeed
adopt this theory, even in respect to music, and I
am still less disposed to damp the aspirations of
young architects by countenancing any such doc-
trine of exhausted originality. I believe, indeed,
that the fundamental principles of architecture
leave but little room for important future disco-
very ; but the combinations which the component
materials of art permit—their variation, composi-
tion, and decoration—are practically infinite and
inexhaustible.—. The Builder.

NORTHERN BENGAL RAILWAY
COMPANY.

A new undertaking in connection with our East In-
dian empire has been brought out. It is introduced
to public notice as the Northern Bengal Railway Com-
pany (limited). The capital is 2,000,0001., to be raised
in 100,000 shares of 201., or 200 rupees each, with
power to increase. The deposit is to be 3s. per share
on application, and it is determined that all issues of new
stock shall be offered rateably among existing shareholders.
We are aware that the East Indian Railway is open to
Ranegunge, on the route to Delhi, and will soon be
completed to Rajmahal. The object of the present un-
dertaking is to construct a northerly extension to Dinaj•
pore and Darjeeling, accommodating the districts of
Rungpore, Malda, and Purneah. The connection may
be made by one of several routes, the comparative ad-
vantages of which can only be determined by actual
survey. The total length of railway to be constructed
will be between 200 and 300 miles, to be undertaken in
sections, as the Court of Directors of the East India
Company may direct. A report has been published by
Dr. Campbell, who has nearly 20 years occupied an
official position in the districts through which the proposed
railway will traverse. The lower country produces and
sends largely to Calcutta, for:consumption and shipment,lze
sugar, tobacco, cotton, hemp, jute, rice, oil seeds,
and in the upper country the production of copp
er anal
and
tea is being extended, for all which these lines
cos;es will
the chief route. The hill regions also producefi
command the traffic to Assam and C
the
other mineral productions, and the
ernatirlawfaAysefa.
Besides this, Datjeeliog, which enjoys a climate equal
f
proposed
to that of England, is a sanitarium greato importancecomma .
to the community of Calcutta, and will command a first.
whiched
fwriolml hae
week
katloyf increasedlaboruios when
travelling
to a single day of convenient transit.
distanceclasstr traffic,
isc r' e which
The East India Company have felt it to be so great
an object to increase the means of commuuication be-
tween these places that they have it in contemplation to
expend 150,0001. on an improved high road to Darjeeling.
It is estimated at present that the cost of the proposed
railway will not exceed 0,0007. per mile. The director,-
are in communication with the East India Company
with a view to obtain a guarantee of a certain amount
of interest; and if this most desirable object be not ob-
tained, the deposit of 3s. per share will Li returned, less
the expenses incurred. Mr. T. R. Crampton has been
nominated as engineer to the company,