The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-21
LECTURE On Nlne.aoaeehny.

Lecture on MnemOtechny. sr.s..-s--.
Mr.. BRANCH gave lecture purporing to be on
this science, last evening, in the Lecture Room OF
the Society Library. The subject is astruse one,
and so much the more requiring a calm, lu-
cid, and orderly investigation but instead Of
this, the speakers manner, enunciation, arrange
ment and delivery were so hurried and confined,
so loose and dsorderly, that we question whether
one individual OF his audience went away one
whit the wiser for his exposition of the science Of
Mnemotechny. But, moreover, the lecturer gave
himself far more trouble to convict Professor
Gouraud of plagiarism, literary piracy, NC. NC,
than convince his audience Of the importance or
truth of his subject The lecture, in fact, was APP
parently got up fol-, the purpose of retallatlns
on Professor Gouraud for certain alleged attacks
on himself. The whole proceedings were in no re-
spect calculated to instruct enghten his hearers
| and however able or Jealous he may be as an ex'
FOUNDER of Mnemotechny, the utility or success
OF his lectures will be very questionable-veD
much like Rodngo's two grams OF wheat IN
three bushels of chaff, hard to find and not
worth the search after also long as he pursues the
same method of ecturng as that adopted last
evening. As to the merits OF the controversy be-
tween him and Professor Gouraud, II is foreign TO
the matter. 1t may be entertaining to few who
have been more intimately connected with both
parties than the generality OF an intelligent public,
and who may have given more attention TO the
science than perhaps 1t deserves; but Mr. Branch VIII
discover very soon that he will not be able to per-
suade the people of this city that because Mr.
Couraud may be wrong, that he must be right; and
that such shln-paster logic recrimination, VIII
hardly "pass current for an accusation" against
an absent person, whether right or wrong, or be
considered successful vindicaton to n science,
(bless the mark) which is still very problematical.
FINE ARTs-SALE OF PICTURES AT CLINTON HALL.
In abiding the forthcoming sale of this superb col
lection of works Of art we yesterday inadvertently
stated that that event to take place on the 27th
instead of Wednesday next the 22d inst. Knowing
the surprising interest that is taken by all capable
of Judging of the merits of this collection know
ing the anxiety to be present at its disposal-con-
WINGED that connoisseurs and artists are on the
look -ou and will make strong efforts to secure as
large portion of these pictures possible, we think
it necessary to apprize all such, that Wednesday
will BIZ the day on which the Clinton Hall Picture
Gallery will be brought to the hammer.
There are subjects far too lofty for craftsmanship
ects which, Intimately connected with the sublime
and beautful--tangble only to thought and deep
feeling-subjects, OF which "that spark of the dl-
vnty that dwes within us''-that nexpressible, but
no less certainly real sympathy with the beautiful
and the grand, can alone take cognzanoe. Of that
the incompatible poet Young, showed his convic-
peak of time and sense, he dwelt in the revelry of
extatc contemplation on the glOrles OF another, a
FUTURE a more excellent world-when lost in the
radiance which bedimmed his mental vision, he ex-
claimed
"Come, then, expressive silence, sing His praise"
If it is ever judicous to bear this in mind, il is,
when stirred by the appealshe irresistible appeals
to our feelings of admiration, they lnsincveiy seek
vent in language of eulogy. What discretion is
shown in efforts to express the excellence of the
Cartoons of Raphael, for instance hardly more
said Of the Falls of Niagara, that "'pon his honor,
il was dem-d foin." Yes, the wonders of nature
and the triumphs of art beyond the grasp OF ex-
preston; like the Hastings OF electricity, they
may be felt, but they cannot be followed or
arrested for the mind becomes passive, incapable
of the Transformation or reproduction in l. nguage
OF these fervid Impressions
For this reason, and in review of those truths,
we abstain from entering into detailed statement
of the excellencies which strike the observer OF
taste on his entering the Clinton Hall gallery
which arrest the more his attention the longer he
continues. No wonder it should be so. Pietro
Tesla is there's Titan is there COrreggio IS there;
Domnchno is there; the mighty masters of the
pencil gaze down upon him from the all but living
canvass. The chivaric deeds-the romances OF
lfe-the classic associations OF ages OF which poets
but talked, are there seen and felt; and the spec
tator--more wise, and perhaps, for the time, more
great than Alexander, who wept for new worlds TO
conquer-confesses himself vanquished without dis
grace. and fairly overcome by the triumph of art
On Wednesday, then, these Chef d'GWvres, com
posing the gallery of paintings at Clinton Hall, will
be offered to the discerning public, who may never
see the like again. on this side OF Italy itself: One
gaze at the collection will make more faithful
impression than any collocation of words, even the
most happily arranged. Let those who value
merit go there; let all who prize excellence go
there; but let none desecrate the precincts where
the great masters OF antiquity live IN their works;
let none, saw, go there who would dare to deter
mine their merits by money standard, or express
their worth by pocket full OF dollars.
IMPORTANT FROM HAYrI.-The Daty Chase, Capt.
Baker, has arrived from Aux Cages with advices
to 7h inst. II is Of an important character.
1t appears that the Daty Chase was not permit
ted to enter Aux Cages, and has, therefore, re-
turnedto this port with her outward cargo. When
off that port she boarded by a Haytien
schooner of war and orderedto sea. She remained
near the port for seven days, and during that time
Captain Baker heard constant firing on shore. He
learned that the government had 1900 troops near
Aux Cages, and daily expected 10000 more.
That government had also obtained five briggs and
five schooners of war, which were cruising off the
port to cut of supplies.
Is tpossible that we can have stronger evidence,
than we daily receive from Hayt, of the utter in
capacity of the black race to govern themselves?
INTERESTING FROM MExIco.-The packet Ana
huac, Capt Wilson, arrived yesterday from Vera
Cruz, with dates to the Both ut.
1t appears by the papers that about the day the
President signed the Texas treaty, the government
organ of Mexico published the following remarks
"Wha the Hesperia end the Correo Frances of to-day
In regard to the 8nnexaton Of Texas to the United
States be true, and for believing
it not Our Government has received its official cor.
respondence from Washington the contents of which
just the contrary of wha these papers say But be it
it may our Government is determined not to lose the
usurped territory, and to that end she will use her best
efforts to it, that the honor and dignity and good
name Of the nation shall not suffer"
This exhibits no spirit of concession on the part
of Mexico.
- L ILL