The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-09
Correspondence Of the Republic.
New YoRx, July Ga p. m.

New YoRx, July Ga pm
THE FINE ARTS IN NEW YORK.
Nothing affords better evidence of the progress
OF civilization and refinement in this metropolis
than the attention which is paid to the cultivation
Of the fine arts, particularly music and painting.
II is Of the latter that desre at present TO speak
As you pass down Broadway, on the s'two shil-
ling side" you may notice, near Broom street,
wide and inviting doorway, over which there is in
scribed, in large gilt letters, "AAERIcAN AIT
UnIoS." You enter, and having walked along the
hall, you ind yourself in spacious and elegant
saloon, the walls of which are covered with paint
ings This is the exhibition gallery; and very
fashionable and favorite ounging place it has be-
come. 1t il pretty well crowded for il is Just
the hour when the ladies are returning from their
mornings shopping at Stewards or Beck's; and
this is very nice resting pace-cool and pleasant,
and very convenient when we want TO meet friend
and make appointments for the evening or next
day. A great many of the ladies are very hand
some, and your attention is very apt to be diverted
from the works of art on the walls to the living,
moving, and breathing works around you on the
floor.
do not think that the exhibition of this year is
equal TO that of the last Yet there several fine
and valuable paintings. The landscape paintings,
thus far, bear the palm. One or two compositions
struck me as being highly original and effective
There can be no doubt that this institution is ex-
eeoing most salutary influence in fostering native
talent and disseminating throughout the whole
land an intelligent love Of art.
The Dusseldorf gallery is another exhibition of
pictures, which attracts just now great deal Of at
tention. II is in the large room over DR.. Bellows
church in Broadway. This appears to be rather
an aristocraeic lounge in the evening. The other
night ! saw great many Of the Exclusives" as
they are called endeavoring to get rid of an hour
at this gallery. do not think, however, that the
beauty congregated at this place on the occasion
was equal to the display of feminine charms to be
seen at the "Art Union" rooms. Somehow or
other the weather. classes of New York do not
possess an absolute monopoly Of female grace and
loneliness. But n'importe!
Scenes of rural life are the principal subjects of
the pictures at the Dusseldorf gallery. should
have stated that this is an exhibition of foreign
works Of art; the chief contributors being young
artists in Germany. Saltzburg in the Tyrol is the
subject OF most charming picture. A large paint
ing, the Return from the Harvest, " y worth going
many miles to see, and study, and admire. Alto
gether this is a very delightful exhibition.
While adverting TO the progress of the fine arts
here, should not omit noticing the fact that the
sale of the finest and costliest London engravings
has now become almost as great in this metropolis,
according to its population, as in London itself.
Ten years ago this business of importing engrav-
ings-l mean engravings of an expensive kind
was hardly known here; now, it is a large and
profitable branch Of trade. There several houses
engaged in it, and stranger who has some taste
could not better amuse or crafty himself for an
hour or two in the forenoon, than by looking over
the portfolios at these splendid establishments.
EVENINGS AT CASTLE GARDEN.
Most of your readers have heard of Castle Gar
den. 1t was originally circular battery, but long
since was converted to the peaceful purposes of an
ice-cream garden. A few years ago, the whole
I'd ~ 1,,,I Gee
vast amphiiheatre. 1t is of the largest enclosed
places Of public resort in the world. When filed
with people, as it has been on several public occa-
sions the spectacle is extremely grand and impress
sive All around the building there is spacious
elevated promenade, from which you have view
of the bay, the Narrows, the islands, and Hobo
ken. This grand panoramic prospect, when lighted
up by the bright beams of the full moon is really
enchanting. The strains of the orchestra, sofened
by the distance, steal along the corridors, and fall
soothingly upon the ear; gentle voices whisper
around the refreshing sea-breeze fans the cheek,
and
"Sends into the heart summer feeling y
eye, and ear and every sense are delighted; and you
leave the scene with pleasing regret.
This season promenade concerts have been the
staple entertainments of this delightful resort and
very well managed these concerts have been. Af-
ter the musical performances are over a sort of i'm
is soon occupied by hundreds who dance away an
hour or TIVE in the waltz, polka, or cohllon.
THE FREE ACADEMY.
A good deal of controversy has arisen with re-
spect to the routine of the study of languages at the
Free Academy. Il seems that fifteen hundred dol
lars year are appropriated for teaching Greek and
Latin, and only five hundred dollars for teaching
French One party decries the study Of the ancient
classics; the other insists that 1t is pre-eminenty
useful and important. think that there has not
been sufficient attention paid to the importance of
the study of modern languages in the organization
OF this most excellent institution. Unquestionably,
no system of education can be regarded as complete
that does not embrace full course Of the ancient
classics; but, in this age of the world, thorough
knowledge Of the French, German, and Spanish
languages should be regarded as indispensable, and
means be taken to confer it upon all the pupils Of
the Free Academy.
ORDER OF CINCINNATI
The annual meeting Of the New York branch of
this order was held on the Fourth at the Mayors
Office. DR.. Lamb occupied the chair Generals
Wool and Belknap were elected honorary members
in place of Generals Worth and Kearney, deceased
General Taylor havng been elected an honorary
member at the last meeting sent the following letter
to Governor Fish, who in behalf of the order ten
dered to him the badge end diploma:
Baron RouGE, La, Dec. 10, ls48.
MY DEAR SIR: | have received through Colonel
Van Allen the badge or order of the New York
State Society Of the Cincinnati, together with di-
poma Of membership, which you were charged
with transmitting TO me.
In receiving these badges Of membership Of a So
ciety time-honored and renowned, beg leave to
express my unfcigned qualification at the honor
which has been conferred upon mean honor
greatly enhanced in the fact Of It's being transmitted
TO me through the agency Of citizen so distin-
guished and well known yourself both in the
councils of the Empire State and Of the nation.
With sentiments Of the highest respect and re-
gard, am, dear sir your obedent servant,
H. TAYLOR,
Maj. Ge~. " S. Army
Hon. HAMILros FISH, Men York City
A resolution was then passed, directing the stand
ing committee to welcome the Preside Mt, should he