The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-17


Chapins Living Words.
TIE Dutch Dominie or the Catskils.
Fast Day Sermons, lSo0-6l.
Whatever Is Right.
Plants Of the Holy Lind
The American Question
The Romance OF al Irish Girl.
Herciotus narpers Greek and Latin Texts.
Bsie venner, by 0. W. Holmes.
Autobiography OF DR.. Carlyle.
Personal History OF Lord Bacon.
Bentons Abrdgnent OF the Debates Of Congress Vcs
Nv and XVI
Southern Wealth and Northern ProAts
Washngton's Farewell Address. Illustrated
Arr STUDIES. The OLD MASTERS OF ITALy.
With copper plate illustrations. BY James Jack
son Jaryes. Derby d Jackson.
Rather more than FIVE years ago. in reviewing an IN
pretending little volume, entitled "Art Hints" by Ar.
Jarvcs took occasion TO remark that IL was destined
70 take rank with those mastery criticisms which have
given the Of Ruskn such worldwide reputation;
opinion evidently shared by the London A1:EGgm,
which, while saying that Mr Jaryes' language displays
strong structure that indicates strong think
err adds that "smerica has at last produced writer
who may help to educate her in art, guide her infant
steps and point out the pitfalls that surround the Pill
| grim Of art
We have now before US the matured fruits O. I've
years subsequent lahors by the same author in ART
Studes-s quarto volume OF great artistic elegance,
printed in the pest style Of the well known Riverside
press and Illustrated By forty copper Plate
ngs, executed IN italy by pupil OF Raphael Mo-ghen
These illustrations all taken from the gallery Of od
Masters, collected by Mr Jarves, 70 illustrate the h,so-
ry and progress OF Italian painting which IS nov at
tracing 80 much attention at the Derby Institute
in Broadway. When the gallery first opened we gave
detailed account OF its contents and general scope The
volume before preparedwe gather from the
ntroductionnot simply biographical record OF the
principal Iaicn painters and chronological account Of
the origin and progress of the several schools " painting
in Italy, but with tho higher aim % press.ng ppon the
public the importance in national culture Of esthet!c
studies and taste, ami OF Analysing those subtle pne
pies which anderle al art, aad make 10 necessity Of
civilization IN the restrained limits Of newspaper cr
cism it impossible for give than general
notice Of the plan and motives Of work OF 20 compre
hensive character, including il does theoog al In
qures and discussions historical researches into dh3
rites not easily found IN this country, and ecaatons
upon the American future Of art civilization AM religion
Each OF these topics, BY ITSELF requires the space Of
quarterly to be discussed to any advantage either or
the author by the public We recommend the careful
perusa Of the entire volume to not only those who espe
ciay love art, but to those who read FOR
There portions OF relating to the lives Of the
artists that read Ike the pages Of romance, carrying
back TO world Of fact ana fancy, plcturesquely
interviewer with the more solid matter of the work
Whatever opinions may be formed of the theories Of the
author, II is evident that he has devoted his time with
and Conscientious zeal and perseverance, to tee
study Of art. And the result Is volume which forms
an epoch literature beautiful .ts exterior in
every respect and full of that Of information which
all who love art desire 10 acquire, and which could other
wise be obtained only by residence Of years in Europe
and reference TO many costly and works n many
I,Jaa that
exists work Italian painting Of a comprsher
sive and exhaustive character cmboiyg tic results Ct
| the most recent researches Of the best European
critics verified By tho personal studies IN I'aiy q xr
Jarvcs himself.
This book especially commends Itself to Americans be-
Of its democratic earnestEess Of tone. II estao
fishes the fact, little known and understood thzt the
best OF Europe srang from and sustained by the
people, democratic communities with republican
tendencies and forms Of government. In the preface Mr.
Jarvcs ooserves-The nobility and beauty Of that art
which herein delnea.ed the fruits OF the demo.
cratic energies and faith Of medavaltay akin in spirit TO
those which we owe To our own blood, ard which are
preparing country for equally glorious
art while Italy itself as uni.ed whole s uprising 70
BIRTH TO keep company II the drama Ct progress.
Whatever therefore, each American Italian Ind
to do 10 hasten the national advance in arr science
ifgon hs should do il with his whole soul.
The introduction Is divided into three parts discussing
ar. rs an element Of civilization aud the means Of "a
dns!on and progress with the different forms assumes
in Europe nri America the rules Of criticism, laws Of
taste and particular inquiry into the authenticity Of
works Of art with much interesting and amusing expe-
rence the author himself in the formation Of bis own
collection Each OF these topics distinct treatise,
having bearing upon more properly preparing the
way for the main topic which begins with the Psychic
logical Origin Of Art tracing its progress through the
dnerat forms Of Pasan.sm into Christianity illustrating
the different ideas and character OF each causes
Of tho rnal triumph Of Christian art In this connection
Mr.. Jaryes writes
The Ihunocrcr, Jupiter, was rerlrcea by God, the
Father His oanguetings am his amorous escapades 70
earth, With the dubious dongs of his kindred crew,
whether fables, the personGcations of natural phe
nomena, in the actuates which tire pagan heart trusted
for idea Of Heaven SUPERSEDED by the mystical
Trinity with lie doctrines OF Gtonemert ard purfcatlon
by the Holy spirit sent drcS to each craving sinners
soul sensuai,y was swept clean away BY the new the
olosy sackcoth and ashes, the asonies and solemn
Of the crucsson The aariu dsclosurcs Of eterns tor
ct5 the artyrdons bufetngs and ultimate riunphs
Of the new religion, With its aesement Of sense 70
spirit, gradually drove tho more seductive sceIcs OF
pagan celestalities from human memories The query
was, not how life shall be enjoyed but what SHAH
be done TO save souls The present was absorbed u The
his twelve Iabors gave way to the acts Of the Twelve
ties the entire prolific, pcetcal lore and beaetfa
| legends Of heathenism were transformed into the
superior fenclee OF Christian minds.
. Then arose the idea Of a purer, nob'er
| life, with illim.tabe capacity based upon the
| importation CT human with divine mind. Hence its
heaven hence its wonderful hierarchy, It's powers aud
dcmnons thrones and princ.paltes saints aud gioraef
martyrs tho Just perfected, end above all that Divine in
carnation Of virgin loveness and maternal goodness The
highest type Of female beauty and virtue the Queen
Glory, far superior 70 Diana and Venus the sprtG-
atty Of the Christians Heaven Is the gcnsrousress
Of the Hahomed8n Paradise. Instead Of crowns, gobets
end nectar the tokens Of sensual appctcs vanity pride
and envy; the iibe, trick nudity and debauchery,
hlN ha he eEfvhA If
earthly trials and purfcations. Cross svot, knife
grid.ron, by whichever cnalty of suffering hu
man nature its celestial crown, here gnd Hs
preventative the distinguishing glory OF each conGuerng
spirit And not the tests alono but the rewards also;
vreatbs OF heavenly the music of divine herpe gar
respendeni with gold and precious s.one thrones
flaming with celestial light whatever raw shed the eye
harmonious 10 the ear ohaste 70 the sight, cc-
waiting TO the soul symbolizei by those objects which
most precious, deiectabie glorious to the sauct
fed heart, aboundcd in the New Heavens.
Having established the motive o. Christian art, the