The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-29

New Illustrated Periodicals.
Let us have pictures. Once upon time, not very
long ago. our ancestors used to Affect suPeroillous
indifference 10 the art Of the designer unless he
were Duer or Cellini-the proper aim OF wood
cut. in their belief was to amuse children Picture
books and story books went together TO the nursery
tho adult mind would have deemed Itself depraved
by the study of either. We are grown wiser since
then AS in literature, we Of the present time es-
chew great, heavy foos. and demand that the
toughest dishes of metaphysics or political economy
be served up to US Ia sauce piqiante. 80 that the
wrinkles Of thought may not unffequently. in the
perisal. yield to the kindly influence Of mrth SO In
art we have laid aside the false pride OF our fore
fathers, and condescend to admit that wood cut,
however rude, throws no uncomfortable light on
narrative and that mere words and sentences, how
ever skfully handled, can never convey 30 truthful
or so lasting an impression OF scene or face as
the scantest portraiture by the designers pencil.
Illustrations are becoming necessary ACCOMPANY
ments to histories, novels, poems, and magazines
they only be dispensed with in works Of pure alb
stract science. Most Of the standard editions OF the
great writers of the day llustnted-a few years
hence, We shall refuse to admit any work to our
library in which the engravcr has not had share.
Meanwhile, periodicals are turning to good &C
count the popular taste for engrayings and wood
cuts. We have now on our table several OF the
latest issues Of illustrated papers and magazines
The January number Of the London Art Journal,
now in its sixteenth year. fully sustains its past
high character. Mr.. Ward is introduced to large
circle Of acquaintance by excellent engraving of
his South Sea Bubble" which reminds us not a
little of Hogarth. We hastily turn over the leaves
to Mr.. Leslies Uncle Toby and the Widows
charming plate-in which all the fe-hke expression
Of the original is happily preserved. One hardly
knows which to admire mOst-the puzzled phiz OF
honest Toby, or the coquettsh n,inois Of Mr.. Wad-
mans relict. Nor should an exquisite plate OF Mr.
Bells "Children in the Wood" pass without q
word of eulogium on the softness Of its outline and
the perfect art with which the light is managed.
In wood cuts this number Of the Art Journal cannot
compete with other publications which we shall
mention presently, though the portrait OF Nicholas
Possn is by means the worst Of the series Of the
great masters Of art.
The first rank in illustrated periodicals is I'M
doubtedly occupied by the Illustrated Magazine Of
Dirt, Of which the first number appeared few days
ago. 1t is published, understand, simultaneously
at New York and London, by the parties who got up
the Exhibitor Of the Exhibition of I'LL Nations, in
1851 We have seldom seen more perfect wood cuts
than Gilbert's Royal Family" or DIR. johnson
Reading the Manuscript Of the Vicar Of Wakefield
to Goldsmith by the same artist. The figure
of the Duke" in the former is triumph of art.
Greater fidelity to nature could not be attained
by the painter in oil. Nor is the scene at Gold
smiths lodgings in Green Arbor Court, less
Inc, mi vysf1
meaning the satisfied look of the bluff doctor
no complacent critic at any time! How lifelike the
sulky aspect Of Goldsmith's face, admirably depict
ing the fretful uneasiness Of the author listening to
the perusal of his own manuscript Godfrey Chau-
Ger CLOVIS before us in the copy of an old portrait
which accompanies his life. Nor are the likenesses
of Goldsmith (by Gilber) or Wellington, less praise
worthy performances. The human face divine has
never received more perfect rendering than in the
pages Of this magazine All the power, all the effect
Of chiaroscro which skiful artists can throw into
wood engraving, is here exemplifed The text is
from experienced and popular pens, and embraces
large variety Of subjects combining all the excellen-
cies of the old Peany DIagas inc with the newborn
qualities of the " monthly" and the "rcview"
The article on an English daily paper will be found
interesting by all The only fault have to find is
the absence Of local matter. No magazine Of this
nature can succeed in this country unless it contains
both articles and illustrations of local interest to
Americans.
The publisher Of the " Illustrated Magazine of
Art has sent us the first number of the History
Of the Painters of all Nations, containing sketch
of the life and works of Albert Durer, with wood en-
cravings of few OF his principal performances. We
J,.,;ra
time in which he lived we are ready to
concede that he possessed remarkable share
Of talent; but judging him independently ofeztenuat
ing circumstances of time and place, we cannot
sympathise with those who extol his merits in high
flown language. Hence, we could have wished that
NJ. Blanc had chosena master of more unquestion
able popularity to commence his work; but, this
consideration apart, must admit that he has full
filed his task with conscientious fidelity, and no small
skill. His narrative is full and interesting. The
pates--copies wood from steel etchings-are
faithful and exhibit to orr mind both the qualities
and the faults of Durer To the libraries of lovers Of
art the series, OF which this is the initial number
will be necessary complement.
Besides these, each number OF Harper's Magazine
contains several excellent cuts illustrations of Of
tie worst attempts at biography ever published
Ahbott's Life of Napoleon Sartan also presents
his readers with good plates; the one now before Us
"A plate of Claudit's likeness of the Duke-shows
that the progress of art in America is commensurate
with our progress in more practical pursuits.
The London Illustrated Nous has large sale in
New York; well deserved indeed, as all who admire
Giberts Death-bed Of the Duke, will testify. Glea
sons Pictorial is no unworthy rival of the London
frustrated and the Paris Illustration. The improve
ments which an increasing patronage has enabled
the proprietor to make in the style Of his cuts render
the Pictorial in every way worthy Of the place it
occupies in our drawing rooms. We can only wish
it, and all the other periodicals have mentioned
. measure Of success commensurate with their des-
seIte.
GES. PIERCE AZ UNITED STATES ATTORNEY 1T il
well known that after declining to accept the Office