The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-21

eighteen years age Inc eliminating
useful studies Of including the philosophy
nay the very RELIGION Of the fine arsthe character
the operations the uses and final OF those facu
ties and sensbiltes by which enabled to discern,
appreciate and enjoy the beautiful and sublime In
and art TO cultivate refined moral taste and to
ascend from the contemplation Of the transtory models
Of LONELINESS and grandeur which this world present
TO the frst Good and Fair wherein alone be realized
the dreams and aspirations of the human soul rise In
short, from this magnificent creation the Creator from
Nature up To Natures God Yet as am instructor he
had often felt the want OF Just such facilities it would
be In the power of the association to supply True taste
In art-whether in painting, sculpture, architecture or
any other departmentcsn only be acquired by observa
ton, experience comparison OF fine specimens, minute
attention to merits and defects added to the careful study
of the master critics. Washington has many advantages
Ia its noble public buildings aording abundant ilustra
ton OF the tasteful in architecture Nor is wanting In
admirable specimens of the productions of the chsel and
the pencil And he confidently looked forward to the
time when the exhibition of this association would
present such models In every department would leave
the teachers OF the theory of tho beautiful and sublime
nothing to desiderate TO example Illustration He
for one, would gladly avail himself of the privilege TO
extend to his fair pupils the advantages Of the coming
exhibition a school of instruction. well peasur
able resort, in hours Of recreation.
Professor Macleod then adverted to subject of which,
he said his heart full and in regard TO which he be-
eved all true lovers of art would be unanimous
y, the propriety and indeed the duty of the associa
ton the board of management and individual members
doing all in their power to concliae the attachment and
city and District Endowed with the gifts of imagna
ton and sensbility beyond those of ordinary morts
they had also that delicacy Of organization and temper
ment which made them sensitive to injury but at the
time, they possessed las aliwho lived much
with artists would admit of magnanmity ever forward
TO forget and forgive He rejoced at the evidences Of
harmony which had been manifested that evening. I'M
der such auspices he hoped all the artists and all
the lovers of art in the District united band Of broth
entering of triumph and felicity, of inn
provement in art and progress in social esteem.
Before he sat down he would just hint the Importance
Of giving of scdt aspect to these meetings of the
association Artists social set Their studies their
works. iii of any ACCOUNT require hours days, perhaps
years. Of solitary conception, reflection and industrious
manual labor in their studios workshops. The com
panonshp of congenia spirits therefore, is their great
est social joy. What relief after the tolls of the week
or the day to come to sach meeting as the present
where they would be to meet not only cordial sym
patty with the profession to which they have dedicated
their genius and their precious time but that personal
and individual appreciation which apt to be lost amidst
the claorous contests of chaatans for fame and profit
The Journalism of president and secretary and all the
oa OF regular meeting, might be set aside for the oc-
on In order to concentrate the attention and direct
the thoughts OF amateurs and connos, let the regular
artists DO not only invited but encouraged and urged to
bring forward whatever they have to show in concep
tion in design in execution These, however inn
mature uniformed, would be 80 many nuclei around
which might be made to cuserfor private edfication
only unless public notoriety should be desired-the
teachings and comments OF the ARTISTS themselves Those
teachings are what we want. What do anaieaHs know
compared with the information, at comprehensive
and minute which the enlightened artist possesses For
himself Professor Macleod declared that he wished here
after all the gatherings authorized by the association
find himself surrounded by all the artists of the District
Of Coumba--men at whose feet he would be happy to
sit. and receive the lessons which they were 30 able
to impaIt
He concluded with an earnest appeal to the associa
ton to leave nothing undone uninterrupted which
would rally around this institution the artists of the Dis
trict and of the Union.
" Blessings be on them and eternal praise,
" Who give noblcr thoughts and nober cares,
THE AnrIsrsr
Dr. ASrIsEIL remarked that one of the first duties of
the association ought to be to direct the attention of the
authorities to the Identifying of this CITY, The society
had passed being merely Artists Society
the condition of Art Association, whose members
could from their number and influence pS|duce great
Improvement in those waste places Of the city ut the in
tesccon of where fountains, statuary other
ornamental monuments might with advantage be erect
ed The society might with advantage press this inn
provenent Congress- which, has voted money for
embellishing the public grounds with trees, would no
doubt aid in ornanenting the highways of the CITY, Tho
association might with advantage aid in this enterprise
10y offering premiums for the best designs for such ora
ments the plans and drawings to be submitted at the
forthcoming exhibition In this way the ASSOCIATION
might do much good.
In response to remarks by Mr.. Hall, in reference to
the policy of managing the affairs of institutions, in
which auson was made to the difficulties experienced
in their establishment he the opinion that their
ought to be ntrusted to small number OF
efficient directors,
Mr. A. H. CUNNINGHAM expressed his agreement with
the speaker and in felicitous illustrated the
business of that opinion by conspicuous examples
one of which that OF the establishment OF the great
library in the city of Liverpool He said at several OF
the first meetings there bat member OF the in
sttuton present, and that Mr.. Roscoe and that
finally the meeting when the organization took place
there present Mr. Roscoe and one other gentleman
They went into an election of officers who appeared at
the next meeting and that the library now one of
/ the nobIest institutions Of the kind in England