Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-04-05

There has been recently formed III this city . So
cety under the above title which has for its object
the promotion of the fine arts among The prin-
ciples upon which it is established excellent, and
if carried out with judgment and mpartiality, will
most undoubtedly promote the object which it pro-
fesses to have in view But we fear too much haste
has been manifested in its organization, and little
discretion used in the selection and choice of its Off
GERS and managers 1t is true the society is intend
ed to be composed of patrons and not professors in
the arts but less that those patrons should
have a sufficient acquaintance with works of art to
bestow their patronage with judgment and dscrimi-
nation. Men ignorant of the principles of taste in
painting although every way qualified for other du
ties in life, certainly be competent to select
and purchase good pictures whereas the purchase
Of Indifferent pictures by inferior artists would tend
to discourage true genius and defeat the end the
ciety has view.
We understand that near thousand dollars have
already been expended in the purchase OF pictures,
and if the list Of those purchased which has bee
shown to is correct, we are constrained to say
that, with two exceptions, they have been Sc
lected without sufficient regard to their real intrn-
sic merit works of art.
Tha, we NAV not be thought i-natured unjust
in remarks, and disposed to venture them with
out having sufficiently weighed the matter we will
instance several Of the pictures that have been
lected that meet with our dsapproval
In the first place find Shipcreck, by Joshua
Shaw, Of Philadelphia, which we understand the
committee have paid high price for. This we con-
slider one of the poorest works that has proceeded
from Mr. Shaws pencil in some years. In coloring
it is partic ulary defective, being extremely nonoe
nous, and entirely destitute oftransParency Nor is
it entitled any praise for originality effect Of
light and shade. We find the same subject infinitely
better handled in Stanfeld's drawings, which year
after year have been presented to US through the En-
glish ANNALS. In touch it is extremely hammered
and has to perfection the tea tray style OF the Chr
nese school
Another picture selected is, we learn, the first
ship, by j. G. Chapman, which is also liable TO smi-
lar objections. 1t is one of the artists feeblest
works. and has been up for sale for or two years
past, without being able to find purchaser. Mr..
Chapmans great forte lies in small cabinet pictures
which he executes with minuteness and delcacy
Of touch which all admire, but which, when enlarged
to the size Of this picture, become exceedingly
tame and unartistike. With the exception Of a to-
lerably clear sky, see nothing in il to commend
The extravagant attitude of the figure is far from
pleasing or natural, and the cooring monotonous,
the foliage, the stump of the tree rock, and fore
ground, all painted from tint, and that tint
mere h|rnt sienna, or asphaltum and white.
Of the headess horseman painted with scarcely any
thing but blue and white, and in such sharp and
harsh spots to leave il looking more like embossed
silver than oil painting Here again we have
infinitely better works by this young artist.
In addition TO these, we find others by Richardson,
Ashton and Cook, neither Of whom possess talents of
that order which offers prospect Of their ever be-
ing celebrated in the annals Of painting.
Without entering into further detail, will close
our remarks with the expression OF the hope that
their funds they will allow their future choice be
made with much care, and not forget entirely the
fact that have young artists amongst us who pos
sess very superior talents, but who as yet have re-
ceived none Of the Committees consideration.
UNITED STATES AVID SARpISIA-TREArY OF
COMMERCE AND NAvIssrIoN-A very important
treaty Of commerce and navigation has been consu-
l~Il 49, of Ca l.r.c
which opens new outlet for productions and
fresh market for the merchants Of the United States
to operate in The treaty consists Of twenty articles
each Of which places this country in the most favo-
rable position with Sardinia. In the first place. the
inhabitants OF each nation are TO enjoy reciprocal
liberty Of commerce and navigation. Vessels aTriv
ing in the ports Of either country TO reap the
benefits; all kinds Of mcrchandizc and articles Of
commerce, either the produce Of the United States
Of any other country are to be imported into Sar
DINA in American vessels, without paying higher du
ties than IL Imported in Sandman vessels and rice
rersa II matters not whether the vessels clear di
rect or indirect. National vessels OF each country
are included in the reciprocity The productions Of
the United States will be received into the ports Of
Sardinia, by paying the same duties with the most
favored nations and the produce OF Sardinia 10 TO be
received here in the same manner. The coasting
trade of each country is exclusively reserved by
each party. No preference is to be given by either
party their agents in the purchase of the produce
lions Of one the other whether the produce be i'm
-
ing TO article 9th there must always be reciprocity
between the two nations The vessels Of either
ton, entering the ports Of Sardinia and the United
States in distress or wrecked on the shores shall be
treated the same and enjoy equal benefits with
sells belonging TO England, France and so In re-
ference to blockades, vessels Of either party shall not
be captured the first attempt TO enter the blockad
ed port, unless she had previously learned the fact
but a second attempt, the vessel will be subjected
to be detained and condemned
The above is highly important and interesting, but
the annexed 10 much more We have by this
treaty fresh and important market for our cotton,
which will be Of the utmost consequence TO
q nation. We find that all articles Of commerce, the
growth or manufacture OF the United States and the
produsts of the fisheries with the exception Of salt
gunpowder, AID tobacco manufactured for use, will
pass transitu from Genoa through the territories
Of his Sardaian Majesty TO any point of the inland
frontier, and all articles coming from any one point
ofhc Sandman inland frontier destined for the United
States, shall be permitted to pass to Genoa, without
paying any duty, other than such that will act
prccaution against smuggling which 10 also To be OBJ
served in the transit TO the frontier. The King Of
Sardinia however assumes the full right Of cstab
fishing a duty and should he conclude to do so,
our government is to receive six months notice Of
the levy. Each nation is to have census, vice
sus and commercial agents, in the principal place Of
each country, who To enjoy, reciprocally, the
Same advantages with consuls &c. of other
tons; and if these said consus, &c. shall exercise
commerce. they must be subjected To the laws that
private individua OF their nation are ssbIect TO.
Our consuls and mariners placed in the po-
stion with other nations. Dcsertcrs are to be cap