The New York herald., 1866-04-29

here, and few first class residences are un-
adorned by paintings. American artists are
well patronized. Foreign artists find here
ready market for good pictures. The love of
art is spreading through almost all classes of
our population. The galleries are well
atterled and artistic receptions are among
cur most fashionable reunions. Of course
where there are so many buyers some Of them
buy iujudiciorsly and are badly swindled.
They learn TIE names of the great artists and
wheI picture by such an artist is advertised
and IN impudent fellow offers to give written
guarantee OF its genuineness, they are very
likely to purchase 1t. Some Of the picture
dealers take advantage Of this disposition and
impose upon the uninitiated by selling mere
copies and daubs for original works. 1t is to
project, to advise and to warn the public
against bad pictures and bogus pictures, and
to inform the public about the style and the
prices Of good pictures that we publish crit-
cism, upon the fine arts We care nothing
about the picture dealers and tho auctioneers
anc their advertisements, 80 far as our ortiz
cisms are concerned. If q person advertises
in The HERALD he does so to attract public
attention to what he has to sell or to what he
wishes to purchase, and he gets the full
woth of his money in the publicity afforded
by >ur unequalled circulation. What we may
choose to say of bis pictures, his theatre or
his artists is quite another matter Our
opinions cannot be purchased nor suppressed.
We write for the good of the public and
must therefore write impartially and independ-
entity. In this spirit our criticisms are pub
iisbed, and if anybody is injured by having the
truth told, 30 much the worse for the injured
parties. Other papers adopt different prin-
ciple. Pay their price and they will endorse
all that their advertisers may say Of bogus
Murillos and Vandykes. Mr.. Smith is evidently
as'onished to find that his advertisement has
not secured our praises for his pictures. He
comes from Philadelphia, where DAILY bought
up the dramatic critics with an oyster supper.
Perhaps tie Philadelphia art critics arc for sale
also. If SO, why did not Mr.. Smith dispose of
his collection at Philadelphia? Advertise
mems or no advertisements, we assure the
ters ara ever sold cheap at auction, and we
urge thcm 10 buy the genuine works Of living
artists in preference to poor copies OF famous
paintings. We also urge our artists to be more
careful in their labors, to give us fewer and
better pc.ures and not to disgrace themselves
and their country by inferior productions
which only tend TO make people prefer those
bad paintings that aro gildcd by great names.
Charity snd CAaritnNie Installations.
The Quean Of England has just performed
ON acL he parallel of which is no. to be found
in the history of .he British Grown. She has
publicly complmentei an American citizen
npon an act of munificence we'll deserving
royal commenlasion. The poor of London
will long cherish The memory Of gentleman
Of such princeiy iibern.ity us Mr.. George Pea
body, aud trc nobility and tho a0llcnt will be
inspired Ly his Example 20 fresh and more
extended dceds OF cAa.ity.
Charity ~ s,nong the briyhtcst virtues OF
any ago ur nation. T. not only covers mul-
tituae Of sins, nnt it is most acceptable olrci-
ing al the throne Of Heaven. The conscious
nass Of having performed IN act pure charity,
in relieving tlc d Stressed o., angc,-ikc. cast
inc the mantle Of oblivion upon the inisiortunes
and MINOR tfangrcssions of mankind. is among
ihc most enjoyable sensations IN human M
sura. "Casi Your bread upon the waters and
Il wl rctnm 10 you M many days" So af er
III performance vi oharitabie acis will the
consolation come to lho sogest and even sufll
heart iu moments of diaster and dcspondcacy,
tha- heavenly duty Aas been performed.
Charity should be sn universal iusAMt.oa.
L Is seiy we'll TO- religions secls and different
natonal:ties % lave their charitable aooioi,es.
Ne doubt great good IS accomplished by tho q
exc..iaut associations "The poor " have
always among you aud 10 mitigate their sui
fe,.ags IN sny manner is doing great good.
But the spirit II tenderness aud love which "a
charitable disposition engenieis shon,i not be
confined 10 any particular sect or nationality.
To remo-e trounl, .lom The grici-worn is
among tue nobleJi ambitions aad should n ot
be absolutely restricted within certain lines.
The charitable societies in lbs city ere mos iy
of this description. There are Cashclic. Pro
testant Masonic, Odd Fellows aud nulaeron
other institutions established on the basis OF
charity that confnc Their de ads of goodness 10
their own members. Why cannot char abb
Institutions be created In a great city like tn 5
that shall know no sect, no nationality, no
favoritism, no partisanship, but b. at once a
home for the distressed and dccrepit in ali
ranks and classes Of society and an hoo
or to the metropolis Here Is splen-
did opportunity for our rich men-Stewar.,
Vanderbilt and othcrs-to emulate the example
of the American millionaire in London, and
found an institution Of charity that will stand
without rival in the worll. Let the noble
hearted ladies of the city take an interest in
this subject Let those who are both wealthy