The New York herald., 1844-11-19

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FNS AsFs-.A project 10 a present In process
Of execution, connected with the fine arts, which
we cannot doubt will afford real pleasure to every
person of cultivated taste and particularly the nu-
merous class who have seen and felt the want in
this city Of a similar institution to the one now
about TO be supplied. We now allude to the per-
manent establishment OF Picture Gallery, on an
extended and comprehensive scale, by few gen.
tlemen, whose acquaintance with works OF art and
gems of the pencil leave them an uniuestlonable
title to undertake this enterprise. II Is proposed
BY the projectors that the gallery will contain such
number of the excellent works of the ancient
masters that the virtuoso artist can make It his
studio, and without the trouble and time and ex-
pense of foreign travel, acquire perfect acquaint-
ance with those ches doeuvres whose study are abb
solutely essential to develope the innate but una
wakened powers Of genius. In every country Of
Europe are their chief cities adorned with institu-
tions of this nature the populace of continental
towns have to these objects of taste and it
quite as rue that the relish for their beauties and
the esteem Of artificial skill which prevails among
the people, are quite commensurate with the means
Of cutvating their taste, presented in their picture
galleries.
On previous occasions, several attempts have
been made by associations Of individuals in this
city to carry into execution a PROJECT like the
present; but failure attended these laudable
efforts, because they were iDjudiciousIy made,
or at least not dscreetly conducted. In
the present instance, the prospect is more bright
and more certain. The gentlemen who have joint
ly resolved TO carry out their enterprise, are con
noissears themselves. possessed of an acquaintance
and veneraton for the great works OF other days,
and desire to see them more appreciated In this.
To this end they have appointed, at heavy expense,
In various parts of Italy, particularly at Florence,
agents, whom they have charged with the care Of
collecting and amassing such productions as will
do credit to Picture Gallery on scale of mag.
nifcence. But whilst all necessary pains have
been taken on their parts, still, whilst any uncer-
tainty remained, they preferred abstaining to give
publicity to their enterprise until now, when they
are fully warranted to do SO for at this momen,
there are daily expected a superb collection Of
Paintings, selected in Italy by Professors of the
Academy Of Florence.
AS immediate arrangements are requisite Tor or
ganizng this notable establishment, we understand
that the gentlemen engaged therein are desirous Of
procuring the services of a person fully qualified
and willing to put into execution the arrangements
incidental to the commencement Of such an esta.
blishment. They are accordingly desirous that all
persons who feel disposed to join them in their en-.
terprze, either associates or directors, or all
such as would be willing 10 contract to furnish a
Hall suitable for their purpose, should address by
letters, post paid, No. 1862 Park Post Office.
STEAM NAvIeArIoN.-We understand from good
authority that the President elect is in favor of es
tablishng, under the patronage of the government,
and in connexion with the commercial interests OF
New York, a line OF steam navigation between this
city and Liverpool, including London and Havre,
in order to compete with the English government.
II this be SO, shall hail the accession of g Young
Hickory" with great deal of ardor We have
always believed that the application Of some Of the
money annually thrown away on the navy in other
forms, some of them at best Of doubtful utility,
might be proftaby employed in the support Of such
line Of steam navigation on the Atlantic.
Mr.. Van Buren, when he was President, with that
ndrrowness Of mind and GOODNESS of nature, which
too frequently characterized him. refused to listen
to such project; and Mr.. Tyler has been too busy
tor the last three years in organizing his depen-
dents into cliques to effect his re election, to be
able to attend to such matter. We do trust and
believe that the President elect will not in this re.
spect follow In the footsteps of his two predeces-
sors. There ought to be splendid lines Of steamers
between this metropolis of the United States and
every great port in Western Europe, and we trust
that before two years have passed away, we shall
have them.
LlTERATuRE-SHAKsPEARK ILLUsTRArED-With
the exquisite edition Of the works of William Shak-
speare, edited and published in numbers, by
Gulian G. Verpanck, the public have already be-
come tolerably conversant through the fattering
and well deserved notices taken Of it by the press
generally. From the first moment this illustrated
edition Of the Bard Of Avon made its appearance,
it naturally became an especial favorite, and ap-
propriated an extent Of patronage seldom equalled
by works Of any description. 1t could not we'll be
otherwise. Verplanck's illustrated Shakespeare was
undertaken with design to put the text in form
worthy Of its vitality-its fame-its universally,
and there can be no hesitation in saying il has sue.
ceeded. This subject issuggested anew to by
ing the first volume of this work. comprizing por-
tion ofthe numbers already published in a detached
form, and which will be followed by the other vo-
lumes Immediately. Beautiful as were the mum
bers it may be said that the superb binding and ge-
still an improvement-if that be possible-and one
that leaves the work in shape which equals, if
not eclipses, the most sparkling of our Annuals.
AS to the merit of the illustrations, they are
gems both in design and finish Every one
of them conveys with fidelity the moral Of
the associated narrative. This is well. 1t is
beftting that the resources of art should be ri-
butary to the teachings of nature, whose apos-
tie Shakespeare was; if it be true that 'sthe stream
Of time which is gradually melting away the solu.
BILE fabrics of other poets, passes harmlessy by the
immortal adamant Of Shakspeare"-then auda-
BILE is the attempt to elevate to worthy posiiionthe
impersnable monument. Verplanck' 8 enterprise has
done this, and it remains for those who esteem the
authors writings to possess themselves Of them in
this the most beautiful, and the most worthy form
in which they have yet been given to the Ameri-
can world.