The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-06-12
National Academy OF Design.

Jccteu 10 the great number oil portraits exhibited,
and also TO the admission of pictures 80 positively
bad as to be altogether unworthy of notice. We
commended that the duty of the changing commit
lee" was to have made judicious selection from
the works submitted; and that, had it done 50, an
exhlbltlon-less in extent indeed, but far Gre
dltable to the state of art among us-would have
been the result
We are sorry to find SO excellent and infu.
entail periodical as the "Knickerbocker" advo.
eating the unwise course pursued by the Acad-
envy. A lamer piece of sophstry than that by
which the writer endeavors to sustain his position
we do not remember TO have met with He has
been assured he says, and by an artist, that those
who object to the character OF any of the pictures
exhibited, are Ignorant of the rules by which the
Academy is governed; and he proceeds to inform us
that the institution considers it expedent to receive
all and everything that is offered. Now, that such
may be the plan adopted, and the opinion entertain
ed by the administration, we will not dispute but
tor the life OF us we cannot divine how, from this
simple fact, the writer in the Knickerbocker could
argue that 1t is improper in the public to murmur"
We have right TO expect as good an exhibitlor as
we have the means among us TO produce; and yet, II
that expectation be untul6lled, we must not com
plain, because, torsooth, the Academy has 'made
rule" How any number of artists, men of taste,
or men OF sense, could have made such rule, is,
w,
appears inefably absurs; and 1t has been reserved
exclusively for the Solons who control the National
Academy of New York to discover its utility; for
certainly no similar institution, either here or
broad, Is thus governed. We would ask the
hnlckerbocker, 1t 1t approves of such a doctrine,
why It's columns are not thrown open To every serb.
| er who nay feel ambitious OF figuring there.
As leading periodical, II Is, toa great extent the
exponent OF our lite nature, In the Academy
OF Art, and each should be guided by the same prin
clpes; therefore, if Billy Marsh should send poem
10 the Knick periodical could not con-
sstenly refuse publish it. Nav if he should send
seven, (the number of pictures Mr. Roussea mas
inflicted upon The Academy place should be found
for them all But the absurdity of this idea is too
gross, even tor ridlcue--and repeat, we regret,
and are amazed to find the Knickerbocker counte
nancing It Seriously, and in all good feeling, we
assure the government of the Academy, that in
rylng out such doctrine it Is pursuing fatal
to the best interests OF the art which 1t Is It's duty to
protec:-a course OF injustice, may say of insult,
TO the public, Which II should both instruct and
please-and one In opposition to the received no
tons OF proprlety In accidental management all
over the world. We have endeavOred, in vain, to
discover a solitary feature of good in the scheme
Those whom superficial thinker might suppose to
be benefited by it, are really as much injured as
other parties 1t young man, induced by an over-
estimate OF his own capacity or the hatery OF par
tlal but lllludgng friends, offers miserable and
senseless daub for public exhibition, it most cru
to acceptlt, TO become the butt and laushng-sock
of all observers Let 1t be returned to its author
after the first twinges OF mortified vanity have sub
sided he will seek to discover why his work was re-
jected-he will be spurred to new exertlons-he will
be determined to convince his but just judges
that he can do something worthy TO be seen-and
In future years the successful artist, perhaps, will
date his first advrnce in art from his rejected picture
Ii, on the other hand, he should be utterly destitute
of capacity, it would be doing him kindness to in
duce him, by any imeans, however Notifying TO
abandon profession from which he could reap mel.
Their honor nor profit. What do the gentlemen d.
~coG1 al. Il
loudly and generally expressed among those who are
qualihed to know and Judge, that the exhibition OF
The Artists Fund Society" of Philadelphia is this
year, as whole, infinitely superior TO ours? We
are more good pictures than might be selected here.
but it has the beauty of uniformity and tasteful
rangement. With very much to delight, there ID
nothing TO offend or disgust The directors of that
comes to hand-they are old-fashioned enough not
to wish their walls to be dsgraced by pltiiul abor.
tons, even II thereby portion OF those walls should
remain unoccuped. Our New York exhibition Is
like garden, having much in it that is rare and
beautiful, but so choked up with rubbish that he
must be persevering boanist indeed who can sepa-
rate the flowers from the weeds. Well for all this
we have one satisfactory reason-lt IS 1.-THE rule OF
the Academy" We are duly impressed with the
dignity of the Academical body, and it would per-
haps be more becoming on our part to take what Is
given to US quietly, nor look the gift horse in the
mouth"-but we have stubborn quality Of taste,
which which will not be contented with nerority
when excellence is attainable--nor have we, albeit
somewhat conservative, so firm faith in the sanct
ty of exsting institutions, to believe they should
possess an unquestioned patent for folly and absurd-
ty. We shall continue our notices OF the pictures to-
morrow
LIBEL CAsE.-On the case OF Charles Alexander
VS.. Swain Simmons, publishers of the Ledger,
for libel the plaintiff. the Court sentenced each
Of the defendants to pay fine of ten dollars and
nd tfedf fbp oh ha
GREAT EXCITEMENT AMONG THE BARBERs.-Aher
the excitement among the Irish repealers, the next
great movement in this city is among the BARRIERS,
relative to the shaving and dressing Of Captain Ty
Ter. The leaders in this exciting business are Jem
Grant, Esquire, and several other BARRIERS about
tswn, who threaten TO eat up Grant without pepper
and salt, If he does not give up We advise them
TO eat Grant by all means-it they can digest HIM
afterwards, they may live hereafter on alligators.
The New ENGLANDERs We understand that
these gentlemen have chartered a steamboat TO
take then, to Providence. This is good arrange
ment, as it will keep the delegation together, and
make the price within the means of many patriotic
New England men, who would be otherwise de-
prved of this opportunity OF joining their fellow ci
Gems in this great scene OF national devotion.
meeting is called at the Aston this evening. Let all
the true hearted sons of New England be there,
wholly independent OF party considerations
NIBLo's GARDEN night of Auber's delight
fol opera, LIE Domino Noir," and last but two OF
Mile Calves engagement. Great preparations are
making for the reception Of the President. A grand
gala and splendid fireworks will be given.
From HAVANA the arrival of the packet sbp
Hellespont, Capt Ellis, at this port and the Howell
at Charleston, we have received our files up to the
LIST inst
The Island was never in better health. The
French Opera Company were to leave in the first
vessel direct for this port.
The instruction spoken of by former arrival,