The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-18

expected that when first opened to the public, IL
win contain the following collections
/. A collection Of medigval armor, carved furni-
ture and majoiica made bI the late T. Bigelow
Lawrence, Bsq., and bequeathed TO the Boston Athe
n@um. Mrs Lawrence generously proposes to deco
rate at her own expense the portion OF the building
to- devoted to this collection
q The precious collection OF engravings by the
most eminent Italian, Dutch, aud German masters,
made by the late Francis G. Gray, ESQ, and devised
by him to the University at Cambridge. This collec-
ton Is one which any European city would be proud
to possess.
g. The pictures and casts belonging to the Boston
Athen8Hm.
4. Such part OF the collection OF engravings made
by Cardinal Tosti, and given by T. g. Appleton,
ESQ., to the Boston Public Library, as Mr.. Appleton
and the Trustees OF that institution may deem 1t ad-
visable to deposit in the museum.
s. Such works OF art as individuals may feel dis
posed to give to the museum or to deposit there for
longer or shorter period
o. commencement, at least OF what is intended
ultimately to become O comprehensive gallery OF
reproductions through plaster casts OF the many
treasures OF antique and medieval art and OF photo
graphs Of original drawings by the most renowned
artists OF all periods, now accessible at small cost
Philadelphia has a better nucleus for great art
Institution than any city In the United States and 1t
is not to the credit of those who profess to repre-
sent the culture and artistic taste OF this city that
some energetic steps are not taken TO excite pub
lie interest in this subject and to secure the esta
plishment OF an art school and museum that we can
be proud Of.
Speaking Of the Academy OF Fine Arts reminds us
that It. Buchanan Reads picture of "Sheridans
visited by crowds Of people every day, and the col
lection of the Academy through the instrumentality
OF this work has been seen by greater number OF
persons than at any single period since the founda
tion Of the institution AS an additional attraction
Mr.. Pugh has engaged the distinguished tragedian
j. b. Roberts, Esq., to read the poem which the pic
ture illustrates twice each day during the present
week. The abilities OF Mr.. Roberts as an eocution-
ist are so well known that they need no commenda-
tOn and 1t will add greatly to the interest of the
picture to hear him read the spirited lines of the
artist-poet.
Among those who visited the Academy for the
purpose OF inspecting this picture was General Sheri
dan himself, when he was in the city a few days
ago. The General was anxious to see whether JUS
tce had been done him, so he bought his ticket
walked in and although the galleries were quite
full OF ladies' and gentlemen at the time, and the
General passed full fifteen minutes gazing at his
counterfeit presentment, he was not recognized by
soul in the place UNTIL in passing out, he in
vited to purchase chrome, when he astonished the
vendor OF those wonderful works OF art by saying
that he was the owner OF the horse, he would not
invest at present. Then before the astonished
youth could recover his presence OF mind Sheridan
had vanished, and was seen in those
regions no more. The laugh in this
is supposed to be against the artist; bat Mana
ger Pugh, who is Justly indignant, has taken his
venge by dischargng the ticket seller and the
chrome agent He was himself absent at the time
and he earnestly protests that had he been present
such mishap could not have occurred, but that he
would have played Off Litte Phil" the great card
of the season by engaging him at an enormous
salary to deliver descriptive lecture and read the
poem twice day for the next three months-an en-
ployment which Mr.. Pugh rightly thinks would be
much more enjoyable during the warm weather than
hunting the Indians out on the plains. When man
has good many irons in the fire, however, some
of them are apt to get hot in the handle, and such
accidents that related above will happen to the
best regulated managers sometimes.
Among the young Philadelphia artists who have
yet to achieve fame and fortune, but who give pro-
mise that ere many years they win do something that
will compel the admiration and applause OF the pub
lie, may be mentioned the sculptor Howard Roberts.
This gentleman returned about nine months ago
from Paris, where he had been studying for several
years, bringing with him several specimens of his
work that astonshed his best friends One of these
especially, bust in marble of an Italian peasant
GIRL was a charming performance, both as regards
conception and execution. During the past winter
Mr.. Roberts has been industriously at work.
In addition to or two portraits, he has produced
several ideal busts that distinguished by many
fine qualities OF STYLE One OF these very beautiful
female head, is now being put in marble, and it is
hoped that 1t will ere long be ready for exhibition.
There is something particularly attractive in
the thoughtful expression, and in the finely
modelled but slightly irregular features OF the face
III tnlS WOrk. III mas CHARACTER qualty LnaC many
modern performances in this line entirely LACK and
it is at once an agreeable departure from the
severity OF the antique and the eXtravagances in
which many modern sculptors indulge in works Of
this class. The arrangement of the hair and the
lace that is thrown loosely the shoulders and
bosom are tasteful and artistic and when consi-
dered as OF the first efforts Of young
artist the bust is not only excellent
m itself. but it is entitled to warm praise Tor the
promise 1t holds forth for better things in the
| future. Another work OF merit Is female head
crowned with ivy, and the sculptor is now engaged
in modelling fullength figure OF Venus standing
shell. This is not sufficiently far advanced to
warrant criticism but the outlines are graceful, and
| it looks as though 1t would be success. The chief
characteristic OF Mr. Roberts style is refinement,
those who have taste but perhaps little knowledge of
art He is enthusiastic and industrious, aud he has
received his training in the best schools From
such an artist much Is to be expected.
! Mr.. P. F. Rothermel is working with energy on
his great picture OF the 'Battle OF Gettys-
burg" and he hopes to complete it within few
months. This picture will DC magnificent piece Of
color and it is to be hoped that 1t will be eXten-
svely exhibited in this and other cities before 1t is
finally placed in the State Capitol. AS the work is
yet under the artists hand, the present is not the
time to discuss its merits and we must therefore
wait patiently until the proper moment arrives for
| noticing it as 1t deserves.
Mr.. D. r. Knight, like many other of our artists,
has sent all his finished pictures to the New York
exhibition, where we hope that they viii receive
proper notice at the hands OF the public and critics
Since the completion of his hne portrait OF General
Meade, Mr.. Knight has been principally engaged
upon Shakespearian subject, which he Is elabo-
rating with his best skill.