The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-17

9Th nst though vehemeny urged 10 do by ardent
and eager lobby. He was somewhat dubious; but Col
- opnon shaa he s.ma hsa no reh 20
and upon the proposals than he had and that by
doing he would entangle himself dangerously.
Gen. Bowman ia said To be q just and honorable man.
and Is more than limited in high places that he will ex
tend the time for receiving proposals FOR paper so that ne
may have chance TO see that "fair play is jewel"
He has not yet reached the city.
The Washington Art Association.
WAsmsGros, Dec. 10, 1857.
The address before the Washington Art Association last
evening by Hon. j. r. Tyson, interesting prodnc
ton. Corcoran Hail. in which building the exhibition Of
art thrown open to the public at the conclusion of
the address.
Mr. Tyson commenced by alluding 70 the discouragng
circumstances under which the Washington Art Assoca
tion had entered upon their present enterprise for
tude deserving success, indeed the ardor which
mands IT, requisite The minds Of men are attune
appreciation Of the beautiful in art in the OF
repose which prosperity secures but the blossoms Of eo
quence chilled by the frost Of adversty The eior
TO impress the purposes of this association upon the attcn
tion Of the country at this period Of financial gloom
worthy the heroic spirit Of the masters Of the pencil and
the chsel, as well Of song, who have lived and died
for the glory Of their professions The speaker extoed
the patriotic purpose Of making repository Of art for tho
genius of the country in its national metropolis, amidst
the memorials Of our greatness whittier the home student
and The foreign tourist repair for gmpses Of the taste and
intellect Of tho nation Here all the pecnaritcs Of our
people exhibited here art s diversified by the variety
of elm and the varying conditions OF society and here
impartial and cultivated Judgment should express in
candid criticism its Christening and improving verdict
national capital should reveal the evidences OF high
civilization and would feel just pride in realizing that
the grace and beauty surrounding him the achieve
ments OF his own counrymen In all ages the arts mas
been cherished by his government, or by It's sove-
reign princes and nobes Without such aids the fine arts
have angushed But we have no imperial or patri
clan rank no law primogenure permanent class to
whom the artist may look for patronage The fostering
aid of Legislature and the appreciation Of schooled
and reading public his only resources and be must
turn to these in competition with the demands for the de-
veiopement OF vast and unexpocd physical resources
Practical knowledge the colossal machinery OF govern
and the ordinary industrial pursuits absorb SO much
the devotion challenged for the beauties OF art that
may wonder at the efforts OF taste we behold in dc
coraon architecture lands cape gardening statuary and
painting for il requires the ooperaon OF artificial con
and mental culture with wealth luxury and lei
excite the poetic sentiment essential TO the general
apprec Of artistic genius in s higher manifestations
These truths eloquenty sustained by parallels de-
rived from the history OF ancient GLeece and Rome and
the prosperity OF in modern Rom ghe deficiencies OF
practical England with respect 10 the ME arts we're dwelt
upon and beautiful tribute rendered 10 the brief
catalogue of who have adorned the annals of this
land Of high achievement and practical wisdom--whose
genius has iumned science and literature and from
whom have received better lessons and qualities than
Italy could have afforded In America the native taste
has been quickened by cultivation and private wealth has
been liberal But number OF
taste and leisure small few models Of excellence exist
standard Of taste prevails and the merits OF candl.
date often decided by caprice, whin partaity or Ill
This the artist sustains in his unaded struggles,
and with mind Ill fortified by discipline to endure IT,
mind dwelling upon beauty in its varied forms hence con
tracts disgust for every day existence and acquires
Fictitious elegance inconcevabe with the srug
gle for bread and prosperity rarely attained until the
Heightened shadows OF life announce it's decline The
speaker maintained that they who suppose that the
artist has but few subjects OF study in this coun-
try. Of superior specimens OF art we have enough
th. Tho af aIfnu
without repressing originality The eventual history
and the majestic scenery Of country should afford am
pie inspiration. With themes novel and suggestive
painting and sculpture may here form school free from
subsection to foreign ideas The independent spirit OF
Benjamin West an American artist led nm 70 tue practi
cal adoption OF n conception that nauguraied
Of England. After the recital or numerous historic
instances, and some of them Of ludlcrous charaoer
illustrative OF the unequal conflict Of merit and rank In
Europe Mr. Tyson said that is merit which here
mands the to distinction rank and fame Where
has done her part diligence and honor VIII do the
He also descaned upon the practice of visiting Italy
acquire tho arts and with them the yoltcs and vices
Of that artificial and-an experience which no did not
gard necessary for these whom nature had favored,
quoting the coupct;-
How much n fool who has been sent TO Rome
Exceeds fool who has been keptat hone.
mt diligence well as genius must combine with
bengnant nature to produce great artist 8 No day
without line, the maxim by which Appelles rose.
The imitation OF nature transferring not merely the Inca
ments but tho expressive life and soul no moan achieve
ment but tn epenc may combine objects in action and
dispose the parts 10 evolve the complications OF an
intricate narrative may create scenes beyond the
effect Of language Thus the sculptor or painter
tally poet and capable of ucring the most pungent
SATIRE the most delicate irony the severest bel or the
highest praise. ia also within his compass 70 depict the
grandtst conceptions Of the human mind IN correspond
inn proportions Of beauty and majesty, and 10 reveal
them IN fearful aspects OF terror and snbimy. The
speaker after pay ing mered tribute 20 Copcy and Ali
ston, entered upon yndicatou Of Boniamn West and
pointed the political influences which led 10 his dis
paragomont In England. Ho awet with emphasis upon
the merits Of this painter whose simple monument bad
In ~ Paule Cathedral In London, with ts mcagre
inscription. West had sat for many years the throne
OF British art; but while the marble which his
ashes has soothing word Of regret or comendaton,
the Of artists around him loud ia euogy.
But changes had taken place In the sentiment
Of England between the period when West was received
with honor before revolution and that OF his death,
after Independence. YetH stu more marvellous
that American writers and American opinion
Of prejudces however, have passed away In both couD
tries and both countries rejoice his Tame brief &C
count o the character and excellence OF some OF the paint
OF West gwen bat the speaker dwe cheuy upon
his composition of death the Pale Horse"
The difficulties over which this great artist riunphcd hrs
life of moral and religious purity his manners az 20.
shed gentleman bis cordially Of feeling and generosity,
eoquonty tprcFented for approval aud emulation
The AUDIENCE and especially the artists among them,
pontedly informed that he stranger TO professional
jealousy that he assisted the mcrtorious that the state
formation Of an academy of Ia Philadelphia engaged
his counenance and sympathy Mr. Tyson 10 concluslon
earnestly commended the example Of this distinguished
all thesc characteristics 70 the study and imitation
Of American artists and said that be hoped that
the Influences Of an institution like this might
the scattered rays Of the talents OF his countr and
that whether called upon IN the beaGtiiu province ol
statuary the lofty fields Of pictorial art It's judgments
might be mpartaly pronounced and s rewards fath-
fully distributed.
Corpners' Inquests.
FArAr Aocrnxvr BoaRp A srs,sBosr.--oorcner