The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-26

The proverbial ill wind, which in the present
Ease has whistled thick with smoke and bullets
pver the heads of the devoted Frenchmen, like
pll others, brings good to some. While Bellona
is raging with her fire-breathing steeds in very
dangerous proximity to the French capital, we
Rre told that the terrified Muses. in the city,
ever inclined to more pacific scenes and
advertisements, are picking up what little
plotting may be left them-and Heaven knows
that in that respect they are easily satisfied
and contemplate flight to the proud metropolis
Of the Western Hemisphere. One can readily
Imagine that, being obliged to leave the gay
eentre of European culture and pleasure, they
would very naturally turn their eyes to this
great city, so well known as liberal patroness
sf the arts and sciences, and where already
such constellation of artistic luminaries shed
around their effulgence. It is surely some
bling to have risen to foremost rank among
the cities of the earth, but how much more to
have attained an absolute eminence as the
home Of talent and merit, and the refuge for
the dissatisfied or oppressed elsewhere.
New York has ever been foremost in her
uberalty and appreciation Of real merit, and
the distinguished artists who come here from
abroad may expect every attention and patron
age. There need be no jealousy either or fear
IN the part of our own artists. The great pulse
of the metropolis, throbbing with coined geld
and greenbacks at the rate Of millions minute,
shows that she has heart and money enough
tor the Muses. of all civilized misunderstanding
and dancing, sketching and painting together.
There are miles upon miles of naked walls
pm the avenue and Murray Hill positively
aching in their vacancy, and which their own
srs would probably most willingly cover with
greenbacks for the veriest sketch from the
bands of some distinguished artist--that is,
always supposing that they have the versa
tility not unknown to many of their profession.
And there is beside these q by no means in
considerable number of citizens, who, by
long familiarity with good works, either of our
own or foreign painters, have cultivated and
formed an excellent judgm ent. 1t is upon this
element we shall mainly depend for the coun-
teracting of an enthusiasm which is apt to run
away at times with our sober, reasonable COM
mon sense, one OF our good points, and of
(which we have just reason to be proud.
Despite the proverbial difficulty of artists
getting on well together, there really ought to
be wonderful harmony between French and
American painters, for both the two schools
Hnd classes of subjects are so totally different
That 1t would require no ordinary amount Of
Ingenuity to bring them in conflict In land
Scape we certainly stand unrivalled. In the
graceful and delicate ideality of the French we
might take many lessons with great profit.
There should thus be mutual advantage.
Nhe effect Of their tendency to esaggerate
shVuid only somewhat enlarge our rather too
practical method of treatment. Their excel
fence IN many respects should stimulate US.
where we are perhaps inferior. We can show
snem nature more grand and diversified and
Sften better interpreted than they generally
see.
\ 1t will not be the first time that foreign
artists have been generously received in the
metropolis; and, won by the frank kindness Of
brother artists and an appreciative public ex-
lending the right hand of fellowship. have
been induced to make their home among u.s.
and adopt as their own with pride the nation
which has done already SO much for the pro-
melton of education, science and the arts. i
CURIOUS PHASE IN VEGETABLE COMMERCE.
Inc Keeper of enc Of the principal restaurants
IN the lower part of the city purchases his
supphes OF cauliflowers and other fresh vege-
taoies In England, and after paying freight
en- argos, tariff duties and other expenses,