Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-11-16

VI
man" represents to the very life the sentiment
in the following from Tristan Shandy. Widow
Wadman has mote, or sand, or sonsthine,
In her eye, and asks Uncle Toby to look at it.
II thou lookest, Uncle Toby, in search of
this mote one moment longer, thou art un-
done" .-s-----
The cast Of the statue of Silenus, with the
infant Bacchus, is among the collection. This
statue was found among the ruins of the gar
dens Of Sallust, and Is remarkably we'll pre-
served. 1t il one Of the most celebrated pro-
ductions Of ancient art. The whole appear
ance of the Nork, the ivy leaves and berries.
the panther skin, the goats ears, the bald
head Of Silenus and the beautiful hair of Bac-
chus, all indicate that this is production of
the most elevated period Of art.
Of the modern works of art we can hardly
mention any Of them-the bust Of Judge Story,
by his son, W. w. Story; Hebe and Gany-
mede, by Crawford; the group Of The Graces,
by Mrs. Mountford; Daniel Webster, by Pow
ers; and bust of . vestai, BY Powers; are all
worthy Of long study. Is
What an advantage to youth to have such a
perpetual lesson before them as this gallery of
statuary presents. The Roman, Grecian, or
modern head, each has its peculiar mark, and
child could not mistake them
Among the paintings in this collection are
many Of note.- The most remark able per-
haps, is Belshazzar's Feast. This work is not
finished The last touches that Allston ever
gave are on this canvas, aud we're made few
hours before his death. The original plan of
the picture was changed by the artist, and
hence has an inharmonious appearance, but
had 1t been carried out doubtless the work
would be acknowledged as the first of modern
works of art. Allston s death has immortalized
1t. But We cannot be particular In our de-
scriPtions. 1t is not passing view that can
criticise or even properly notice works of art,
that need to be studied for days fully to appre-
ciate or even get good idea Of the artists
intention and object in the work Our ideas
and feelings were somewhat similar to Mrs E.
B. Browning's, when she said
ga yearning to the beautiful denied you
Shall strain your powers;
Ideal sweetness shall overylide you
Resumed from ours,
In all your music our pathetic mind
Your ears shall cross
And an Safr sights shall mind You Of division
With sense Of loss. -
Plato's philosophy was akin to this feeling.
He regarded the human soul as an exile from
Its radiant home, followed by infinite inspira-
tlons, and haunting recollections of the beautf-
fiji IN sight and sound
Art has yet scarcely q home in the New
World. But few impulses are felt in the great
American mind. Our great historic, scenic,
and ideal works are yet to be produced.
Age must mature the conceptions of Ameri-
can artists, and it is as idle to look for great
works from the american school az to find
head OF Apollo among the early Romans or
Greeks.
Musical FESTIVAL.
During our stay in the city, the rehearsal of
the exercises for the Musical Festival, by the
children Of the public schools. took place In
the Music Hall. We had the privilege of being
among the few invited guests of the occasion.
On entering the Hall, we found aocommoda-
tions for seating about 400 singers, in circu.
lar ranges from the platform, rising one above
smother, as high as 80 feet, making sort of
inverted hollow half cone. In the centre, on
the platform and in front of the organ, was q
full band, which, with the organ, formed the
Instrumental part.
The first piece sung was the Lords PRAYER
IN chant; and notwithstanding it was sung by
400 children, the enunciation was most DER
fect-much palmer than many persons rpsad cad
who call themselves good rel Ders
This was followed by q large number of
pieces, both sacred and secular, which were
executed in a style that might have given
credit to older persons. A professor of music
who sat near me, remarked that this was the
hrst time be had witnessed anything like it in
America. He said it compared very favorably
with the celebrated Berlin festivals, whore as
many as thousand singers form q single
choir. II was repetition of this same music
which was performed in honor and presence of
the Prince Of Wales during his recent visit.
As our visit to the city drew near its close.
the desire to prolong it and to know more of
Boston in its intellectual and moral character
became so strong that nothing but imperative
previous arrangements prevented our stay.
We were obliged to leave without visiting
many OF Its noted institutions. vi