The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-17

The Fine Arts In New York. CITY.
There are many encouraging indications
that our metropolitan community is acquiring
greater and more intelligent interest in the
fine arts than 1t has ever before manifested.
The numerous fine new ediGces, whether
temples Of religion, palaces OF trade, hotels or
private mansions, which are rapidly trans
forming New York into one OF the most
splendid modern cities attest both growing
demand for improved architecture and a
growing capacity to supply the demand.
Every successful builder in New York must
henceforth be an architect The marvellous
transformation Of rocky wastes into O park
which yields universal delight to our citizens
and their children, shows to what degree the
love and the faculty Of landscape gardening
have advanced. The Park is to be rendered
still more attractive by monuments and
statues. Those already adjoining it and those
now being made for it will further develop
the taste and talent specially evinced by
Americans for sculpture It Is needless to
claim decided appreciation of music and of
the drama for a population which welcomes
with such hearty enthusiasm Nilsson, a
Scebach and Janauschek 4tt
Our public contributed literally towards
the building fund Of the National Academy Of
Design. They eagerly visit its galleries when
ever at too long intervals the Rip Van VIM
kles Of the Academy awake and condescend
to admit and exhibit truly admirable pictures.
The crowds that daily throng the galleries of
Knoedler and Schaus, and other prominent pic
ture dealers, are sometimes SO great, particu-
larry on Saturdays as almost to suspend their
regular business. If they were to charge a
small admission fee the aggregate sum col
lected would soon amount to what would be
handsome contribution for the relief of the
German and French wounded in the dreadful
war now raging in Europe. 1t is rot impro-
bable that one result of this Yer. will be
to enrich largely the valuable pr collec-
tons Of which New York may boast. Should
the rumor prove true that GGrome, Rosa Bon
heur, Meissonicr AMI other distinguished
French artists are about to visit this city
their arrival would give a fresh inn
pulse to the increasing interest of New
Workers in art. That this interest is really
increasing is shown by the efforts Of The pro-
gressive party in the Academy TO carry out
faithfully the original design OF its founders by
means OF lectures and Of practice in life
schools. 1t is also shown by the anxiety Of
the multiplying number Of pupils at the art
schools connected with the Cooper Institute to
secure the best instructors and to enlarge, in
stead of restricting, their course of studies
But perhaps the most active agency in promot-
ing what may be called revival Of art inte-
rest in our midst is new association of artists
and lovers of art This association, under the
appropriate name of The Palette, numbers two
hundred members, although it was organized
only one year ago. Its arrangements for
life school, to he opened this week, and for
regular art exhibitions and musical concerts
are now complete Most of the members of
The Palette are Germans by birth Oh ny origin,
but 1t Is cosmopolitan in character, and not q
few Of orr most diligent and ambitious young
American artists belong to it, Thorough
study and hard work are the avowed objects
of this association, and If dnly kept in view
New York s ,ss-.s eSlsf te,t. .s
SUNDAY EVENING CosoERTs AT THE GRAND
OPERA HOUSE. Sunday evening concerts have
become permanent institution in New York,
and the public, which has full swing during
the day for its various religious observances,
can hardly complain II a certain latitude
somewhat greater than that authorized by the
blue laws Of Connecticut should be allowed in
the evening to those who enjoy good music.
Even in Connecticut the blue laws did not pro-
hibit the lads from kicking football on the viii
lage green or escorting the lasses home from
singing school, A Sunday evening concert at
the Grand Opera House is no worse than one
At Steinway Han. But there is no necessity
Of placarding these entertainments as sacred
concerts" The Sunday lager beer concerts
assume no su oh thin disguise. Why steal the
livery Of heaven to serve the devil?