New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-31


ton of the painters function, anu ""''" "
same time. are so free from techilcai J"'eo'' "'
Hamerton is prominently usei"i "'I'ei VI ["''
he is certainly accurate and Compartments 'ue
fpllv Going over the ground which he oeebpes with
bis Thoughts about Art, we have been snTlrlsea
"a 5o,chted by the seriousness and conscientious
moss Of his exposions. lie spares 10 pains TO mase
his reader understand the present condition OF ATt
and he fairly states and answers some OF tie most
puzzlng questions that have agitated modern
PAINTERS and confused simple students He at all
times escapes cheap rhetoric and thai faclc
enthusiasm begotten in some by the very lame OF
Art. lie leaves al that TO the dticttant, and adj
dresses in a simple business-like style men who are
not less serious and earnest than himself. Yet Mr..
Hamcrton does not write a bald and meagre style,
nor is he inscnsiblc TO the poetic and imaginative
clements of his theme. He can quicken glow ana
arouse an emotion, when he writes OF the mighty
poetry of Turner's Temerare, or of the my'terious,
the melancholy charm OF portrait opposite the
great Verolese in the Louvre. Mr.. Hanertons
literary skill is considerable; but he does not
abound in verbal feic,ies, nor has he any aflucnee
of STYLE He is at all time clear, he is at al times
u
sense. patience and no ordinary talent for analysis
ale manifest in every chapter of his Thoughts about
Art Ii We were asked who're the most intelligent,
the most Trustworthy, the most practical, ana 'he
most interesting exposition of modern All ana cog
nate subjects is 10 be found, we should point 70
Iamertons writings. As critic he Is not seduced
by novelty, and he is free from the cxaggerations
of Ruskin but he does not attain the e'oquchce
and power of exposition Of John Ruskin. MI
Halncrton is an admirable critic but Ruslln IS a
great advocate. The former is man OF talent
the latter is man of genius. In demonstration
of Art Mr. Hamcrton is as fair, serious, ard exact
as is Matthew Arnold in his Essays in Criticism,
and, like him, faithfully represents the modern
spirit. He does not show the artistic Skill and
nicely which distinguish Mr. Arnold he is not
witty, like Edmond About; he is not concise and
mastery, like Eugene Fromentin; but he If honest,
and he covers bis ground. We repeat, therefore,
that Mr.. Hamertons writings on Art are useful
books. useful even to artists and sure to instruct
serious public. RuskinS writings aroused atton-
ton; they made people think. He stimulated
many to profitable study; but he also created prcju-
lices, and he has subjected quite as many minds as
|
We escape the great man and the great writer IN
IIamerton. We have in him an instructor, not q
dictator. John Ruskin CANE, and, like John the
Baptist cried, Ropentl rcpent'-but llamerion
comes TO us the apostle Of doctrine that needs
exposition more than enuncaton, AID he speaks
the words of truth and soberncss. Those who did
not follow Ruskin laughed and rallied at him, and
hterarv exccution,Ts fastened To lay violent
lands on him. Hamcrton's public was prepare d
BY powerful forerunncr, and he Is therefore neither
assailcd nor neglected. Mr.. lIamerton's reception
in England reflects the nature of his books. il'
enters the world of letters not as great and daring
rival not as an irresistible conocas, not as an al
fuen, and unhesitatDg gcnus-but a. r. hearty
y cultivated earnest gentleman who las something
worth communicating He comes TO increase
> knowledge; be comes to throw "a light the oh
= scuritv ana bring order into the chaos of Englsl
. Art. For tho splendid and misty Turner, the ex
u act and terrible photograph the great and incon
siscnt Ruskin, and the vagaries Of modern Enelsl
painters provoked questions and excited conflicts
in the world Of Art; they seldom rcconcled any
thing among painters, critics, and connoisscurs
too often incapable OF a generalization, and there
fore incapable of philosophy OF Art. Neihc
Ruskin nor lIamerton has created a philosophy o.
Art; they have bat contributed invaluable mater-
ais Ruskn, like Buckle, indicated plan foi
which no single lie is adequate"
Among the poetical contributions TO this number
is an ode delivered at the Harvard Commemoraiion
in July, from which We take the following impress
siye sketch Of the late beloved President,
such was he our Martyr Chief
Whom late fle Nation he bad led,
: With ashes on her head
Went with u. passion Of an angry Prlof
Forgive me, II from present thinos torn
/, TO speak what in 10y heart will beat aud burn
And hang LIZ wrcat. ON his world bonoIed urn.
| Nature, they say, doth dOie,
And cannot make IA man
Il Save on some worn ont plnn
Repeating us by rote;
. For him her Old -world mold aside she threw
/, And choosing sweet clay nom the breast
OF the unexhausicd West,
With stuff uutainted shaped hero new,
Wise steadfast in the strength Of God, and true.
How beautiful 10 see
Once more o shepherd Of mankind indeed,
!, who loved his charge, but never loved To lead;
One whose meek flock the people joyed to be,
Not lnred BY any cheat Of birth
But by his clear grained human worth,
And bra, old wisdom Of sincerity
They knew that outward grace il dust;
They could not choose but trust
In that sure footed minds unhlterns skill,
And supple tempered VIII
That bent ke perfect steel TO spring again ana thrust
| Nothing Of Europe here,
Or then o. Europe fronting mornward SIN,
i Ere my names Of Seri and Peer
/ Could Natures equal scheme dcface;
Here type OF the true elder race.
And one of Pluarcls talked with US face 10 face.
| praise him not: it were too late;
| And some nnatIve weakness there must DO
| H. him who c0ndesccnds to victory
SucL as the Present gives, aud cannot Walt,
Satp in