New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-04-07

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FESTIVAL OF THE NArIosAL ACADEMY or De-
eIGs.--Tbe National Academy of Design gave on
Saturday evening the festival, with which by
happy usage it insugurates its annual exhibitions
There were present some two hundred and 6fsy
gentlemen, including the artists Of the city, the
representatives Of the press, and several promi
nent amateurs and literary notabilities. The
table was laid In the large saloon OF the Acade-
my, and at about nine o'clock the screens before
the doors leading into that apartment were
moved and the Company Summoned to an excel.
lent and abundant supper.
Previous to this the pictures in the other rooms
were inspected with much satisfaction by the
gentlemen present. The opinion was universally
expressed, that this exhibition surpasses its pre-.
decessors in excellence, and indicates crafty
ing degree of progress on the part Of the artists
generally.
The supper having been discussed, the Presi-
dent ASHER b. DURASD, Esq called the audience
to order and read brief and appropriate state
ment of the history. purposes and position of the
Institution. He then proceeded to offer the regu-
lar toasts. One upon the relation between art
and religion drew forth a speech from Rev. Mr.
Bellows, which was loudly applauded by the au-
dience. DIR. b. spoke of the tendency OF Ameri
can society 70 sensualism, to money making and
material enjoyment, to the neglect and controven
tion of the principles of the spiritual gospel
This tendency art had to struggle against; artists
were thus the missionaries Of better things.
great deal might be done by rendering art fashion
able, by making it necessary for the inhabitants
of the palaces on the Fifth Avenue and other mag.
niicent streets of the metropolis to order pictures
from our artists TO adorn their parlors instead OF
hanging them with mirrors. Mr.. Bellows con-
graduated the Academy on the good service it ia
performing, and ranked it as one of the most i'm
portant Of the public institutions Of the city.
Rev. DR.. Bethune was then called for. He
said it was an error to suppose that art was not
encouraged in this country On the contrary, he
would affirm that there was no country in the
world where pictures were bought so freely or at
prices so remunerative to the artists as here. OF
course he did not speak of the few great works
whose value was beyond American fortunes, but
Of the productions of existing artists. On this
subject DR.. Bethune enlarged with force and elo
quence. weaving in a stirring appeal to the pa.
triotism of his hearers and their devotion to the
Union. TO the refining and elevating influence Of
art upon the life and habits of the people, be also
paid tribute which was warmly applauded.-
In the course of his speech some persons at the
other end of the room being rather loud in con-
versation, he stopped and said, as two speakers
could not be heard at once, he would gladly yield
the floor to the gentleman. This restared silence
and in response to loud calls Of ego on !" he con-
sinued.
To the toast in honor OF the Art Union Abraham
NJ. Cozzens, Esq, its President, briefly responded
assuring the Academy of the jealous cooperation
of that Institution in every effort to promote the
interests of Art. The President of the Academy
of Fine Arts, Jonathan Sturges, Esq, also replied
TO a toast in which he was officially compliment
ed. Mr. Sturges controverted the notion that had
been put forth that Art had nothing to do in the
way of directly enforcing the lessons OF religion
and morality. To the toast to the Press Erastus
Brooks, Esq eloquently responded, assuring the
journals in their efforts to cultivate the taste and
ennoble the tendencies Of the community Lite
nature being toasted, DIR. Griswold, Parke God
win, ESQ. and Mr.. Lewis Gaylord Clark were sue,
cessively called for and made speeches. That o.
Mr.. Goodwin was admirable for wit and fehcities
of expression. Prosper NJ. Wetmore, ESQ. being
called for, in very neat and happy terms paid a
tribute TO the President Of the Academy, to which
Mr.. Durand replied in decidedly the best speech
of the evening With characteristic modesty he
narrated mis- experience not only as one OF the
founders and AZ an officer of the Academy, but as
an artist. The speech was one TO be heard, not
reported; its beautiful aroma would be lost In the
attempt to transfer il from the scene where it was
produced
Afer Mr.. Durand's, speeches and sentiments
followed each other in rapid succession till the
hour Of retiring. A toast to the Artists Assocls'
ton was responded to by Mr. Wacott. Nor were
she great artists Of Germany and France, nor our
own illustrious countrymen in Europe, Power,
Greenougb, Crawford Page and Leutze, forgot
sen The whole occasion was one of the most de-
lehtful at which it was ever our fortune to be
present.
Everything augurs success to this Exhibition Of
the Academy, a success which. We may here re-
peat, it well deserves. the character and value
Of the principal pictures very early opportunity
will be taken to render an account in these
columns.
SCHOOL MEETING.-The Trustees and In
spectort Of the Ward Schools Of this city
hold al important meeting this evening in
Ward School No. IL in Orange street near
Grand, Fourteenth Ward. The design 10 to