The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-09

| tyruoln OF huS6' has out little merit; II mas
no tone, no depth, nor atmosphere of its own.
which the specta tor nhale, and become real
spectator in the dread scene which il attempts to
portray. l think that no one ever forget him
self, for moment, while looking at this picture,
and feel himself in the actual presence of Huss and
his prosecuting bigots. But who can gaze many
minutes at the dingy curtain that represents Paul
preaching at Athens, without imagining himself
standing among that group of wrapt listeners on
Mars Hill. Without any disposition to be pleased
with the works OF my own countrymen merely be-
| cause they are my countrymen, cannot but say
| that think we have artists who have manifested
higher order of genius than this "great picture" Of
the Dusseldorf school gives proofs Of.
This is the only picture Of Leasing that has been
| exhibited here, and do not think it will be likely
to create an extravaganza longing for other works
by the same hand. He is not tainted, like many Of
the German artists Of the ideal school, with an
afiectaton of pre-Raphael crudies but he is, like
the greater part Of the present race of European
painters, essentially decorative artist and not
great painter To justisfy such opinion this,
should have 10 write more than any subscriber of
the Republic would be likely to read; but to illus
trate the matter. would compare the "Martyrdom
of Huss" with the Martyrdom of ST. Lawrence,
good copy from Titan, the property Of Mr.. Nye,
in the National Academy To get rid Of the horrors
of his subject, Leasing has represented not the
Martyrdom Of Huss but the preparations for il; and
in escaping the disagreeables, he has also escaped
the subimities that belong to it. The name of the
painting Is msnomer; Huss is only priest in
black robe making prayer, with crowd of curl.
GUS people listening and looking Remove
the stake, and there is nothing that indicates an
auto da te. In the martyrdom Of st. Lawrence,
the whole canvas reeks with sublime horror.
The saint ia brong the gridron, and the
subordnates of the picture all help to increase the
sensation of indignant terror that the chief figure
inspires. Cut out the saint and the fire, and you
wonld still see that tragedy enacting. Titan
bad no fears ofcreating feeling of disgust by de-
picting the he intended to represent but the
German artist selected the sublimest martyrdom
in history for his subject, and then shrunk from it
lest he should give pain by the representation.
Such painting this of Lessing's has certain
moral value, however, which makes me regret that
it had not been kept in Germany, where there
still many Husses undergoing martyrdom in dun
geons for their bravery in declaring boldly for
truth and freedom, he did for what he believed
to be true in religion. Godfrey Kinkle, whom
Prussia has tried hard TO worry out of existence
is true martyr John Huss; and the people of
that King oppressed country require such pictured
representations of wicked tyranny to arouse them
to sense of their degraded condition. There
paintings in the Dusseldorf gallery, by the side of
the "Marty rdom," which were printed for mem
Der of the royal family OF Prussia, and refused, be-
cause they pictured scenes that reminded the spec
tator of the wrongs suffered by the people.
In the well known picture representing the prin-
cipal artists OF the Dusseldorf achoo a kind OF
pic mic, there is full length portrait of Leasing,
whose hysognomy docs not indicate man of ex-
traordinary gifts there is perfect correspondence
between the individual and his work.
Speaking Of physiognomy, reminds me of DIR.
Redfeld, who ia now lecturing here upon the eel
ence of facial interpretation. DR.. Redfeld has
tablished new theory of iacioogy, which he main
tains with great righteousness, enthusiasm and
knowledge. His book upon the subject is Illus
tratcd with a vast number Of examples. If his the
DRY is true, you easily learn 10 read
like open book by merely looking in his counte-
nance. 1t will be likely to do away altogether
with letters of recommendation and certificates of
character; and language will no longer be used to
Disguise the sentiments of a speaker. his face
will tell his whole story. One might say, in the
presence of faciologist-
If to my lot some human frailties fall,
Look in my face and you will zee them all.
The Dickinson ball, at Tripler Hall, on Wednes
day night was exceedingly slender affair, and
last night, was not exceedingly brilliant.
There is good deal Of talk about the great
tional Union meeting at Washington, ON the 22d
of February; and if such convention of the
friends Of the Union can be held in Washington
the birth day Of the Father Of his Country, it
would draw such conyocation Of enthusiasts as
never yet has been witnessed in the capital.
Sir Henry Bulwer, in bis speech at the St. An
drew's dinner, on Saturday evening, quoted a line
Of poetry, which he attributed TO "the national
poet Of Scotland" meaning, Of course Burns, for
the author Of the line could hardly be called the
national poet Of Scotland, even though he
called poet at ALL the line in the first stsnza
Of smollet's Ode to Freedom:
Thy spirit, independence, let me share,
Lord Of the lion heart and eagle eye,
And brave the tempest with my bosom bare,
Nor heed the storm that bowls along the sky"
s. X. s.
Arriual Of Sisamer,-Eeecf on Stock Market-sen.
aiors Foote aud Do,cns-Rsligious Excitement in
Engiand-The Opera Bettini.
NEW YoHK, DEC. !.
This morning, in the midst Of a cold, peltins
rain storm, the city suddenly enlivcncd by
the arrival Of the Cunard steamer Asia, from Liv-
erpool, and tho United State. mail steamship
Georgia from Chagres, via New Orleans and TIa-
vana. The news from both quarters lie favorable,
commercially speaking; while the large amount
Of gold brought by the Georgia, said TO be more
than a million, and the great quantity IN rdnsitu
between this port and San Francisco. has had a de-
cidedly buoyant effect upon the stock market. A.
the second board yesterday afternoon, there
dropping tendency in most descriptions Of fancy
stocks, but the market more than regaincd the
highest point reached during the week this morn
ing. The reports from Washington of 50
pesccable character, that nearly all traces Of sp
prohcnson on the score Of disunion have disap-
pcared from the public mind
Senators Footc and Downs came passengers in
the Georgia; and the Union Committee Of Safety
have called upon these distinguished southerners
and rendered to them the compliment Of public
reception in the Governor Of the City Hall,
in the Of Senator Cass and Mr. Cobb of Geor-
gia.
Alta public meeting held in London, Mr.. Golden
stated that he had asked AN American gentleman
of his acquaintance what the people Of New Eng
land would be likely to do Il the Pope should send
Cardinal over there; and the reply was, that they
would do nothing but laugh at hun Mr.. Golden
was Of opinion that would be tho better course Tor