New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-31
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
T,rNE,s ART IN THE NETHERLANDS.

100 Leypoldt hoit
The aesthetic theory of NJ Tame regards the de-
x,loment of Art in different countries as an organic
,,owth conditioned by the national character,
ub;cb in Its turn, is the product of two factors,
natural descent and physical circumstances His
speouatons are always interesting for their vvaeity
of conception their subtle analoges, the ingenuity
md often the bodness of their illustrations, and
their grace and freshness Of expression; although
their general conclusions are too peremptorily as
serted, without the restrictions and limitations
which wise experience applies to the deductions OF
The intellect in field shadowy and delicate as the
whole domain of Art
In tracing the history of painting in the Neither
lands NJ Taine retains the division of modern civil
xation into two principal races, the Latin, including
the Italians, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, and
the Germanic, comprising the Germans, Belgians,
Dutch. Scandinavian English, and Americans. In
respect to Art the Dutch and Flemish are unques-
tionably at the head of the Gernanic group rs the
Italians are of the Latin The physical characters-
tics which distinguish the Germanic from the
Latin are thus set forth by NJ Taine
We have whittier and softer skin, generally speaking,
snrSSeS the poT.. and soetmes CLASSY In Holland
hair Of faYy blonde and with children, almost wne
infants in GERMANY had the OF old men. The com
plexion is OF charming rose, infinitely delicate among
yaung eirls and lively and tinged with verniiiOn among
yourg men, and sometimes even among the agSu oi H
Manly howeyeI anOg me van fmrrhned ana in Toi-
land cheese-colOred, and moldy cheese at thal dnS
body Is generally large hut thick set or Dnry hesy anu h
inelcrant In similar the features are apt 70 De
Irregular. especially IN Holland, where they are aog
They lack short sculptura nobeness ana delcacy no
will rarely find the features regular Ike Ihe numerous
and handsome heads which abound IN the TC5 ann en- W
argerated features ncohcrent combinations OF form and
tonos, curious neshy protubefances, so many s t
careatures Taking them for works Of art living forms
testify 10 a clumsy fantastic hand through their
observe now this body in action and you viii find its
animal faculties and necessities OF erosSer ko tna
among the Latins matter and mass seem to Iredom
nate over motion and SPIRIT " ~ VoraclouE anu Unon
carrverOus. Compare the appetite or an EnShshInah
Tton those among Won who have visited the country
call 10 mind the public dinner tables ana the qnaht
several times day BY citizen of London, Rotterdam
or Antwerp In English novels people always lunch
ing-the sentimental heroine at the end Of the third
volume, having consumed an Infinite number or puered
1nufins cups Of tea bits Of chicken and sandwiches
The climate contributes this in the ogs of the north
pcOpe could sustain themselves like peasant OF the
Latin race bowl of soup piece of bread favored
with garlic or on plate of macaroni For the same
the German is fond OF potent beverages Iactns
Mad already remarked it, and Ludovico Guceardni an
eyewitness IN the sixteenth century. whom shall re-
Reatsd quote y IN speakag 81 e re
which vice. with them, is passion They MI themselves
with liquor every evening, and even AT day-Dreak AZ
the present time, in America and in Europe in most OF
the German countries ntemperance is the national bane;
hall of the suicides and mental maadies flow from It,
Even among the reflective and those in good crcuui-
sanCee the fOndBess for liquor - very great: IN Ger
fnr weleducated man to rise from the table partially
Intoxicated now then he becomes completely drunk
ssce and in spain during the last century the of
drunkard insult which duel could not wholly
wipe out provoking, it often did, the dagger There
ia nothing OF this sort in German countries; hence the
numerahe shops for retailing of ardent spirits and
different kinds Of beer all bearing witness TO the public
taste Enter, in Amsterdam one OF these little Shops
enhed polished casks, where glass after glas. is
swallowed OF White yellow ge Gan a0d PaCs Vonrsefs
poelO the evening IN Brussels brewery near DARK
rolls and hard boiled eggs circulate observe people
quietly seated there, each one Intent on himself some
and drinking bunbers beer which they and then
up with glass of spirits; you can understand
FymDahccay the strong sensation OF heat ana animal
pentude which they feel IN their speeches. solitude
prOpOtion supeIabundant solid and liquid nOuIlsh-
inent in them the living substance, and as the
whole body partakes in the qualification u the satisfied
stomach.
Doubtless there are touches of truth in the proceed
'nQ description, but whole, it must be put down
gross carIclture. The traveller in Belgium, Hol-
land OF Germany, at the present day Will look III
vain for the signs of excessive devotion to the pleas
ures Of the table which is unceremonOusly recorded
by NJ. Tame characteristic of the people On
the contrary he viii be struck with the general tone
of quiet and moderation Especially in the rural gar
dens in the vicinity of most of the German cities,
where large numbers of all classes of the population
assemble every evening for an hours amusement, he
will find no trace of disorder excess. The com
pany chiefly consists of family parties, often known
70 each other, and after the exchange of friendly
greetings the enjoyment of light repast,
cup of coffee, a glass of the country
wine OF beer, and listening to a few pieces
Of favorite music, they quietly go home
with as little noise excitement as if they were re-
turning from church. The sounds of riOtOus or un-
seemly frolic are heard, is the indulgence
of cheerful recreation ever tainted by the orgies
of intemperance Everything is as decOrous,
~ IL, Dor, 9th
French city. before the war while during the move
ment of the troops either side in the month of
July there was a marked difference in this respect
In favor Of the Germans, a drunken soldier being
rarely seen on the east side of the Rhine while in
temperance was the rule rather than the exception,
IN the French camp The practical. efficient char
acter of the German intellect is treated with
discrimination and in the following analysis. Mr..
Tame dscloses the secret of the German in
arms as well as Art:
Imagine on the slow and substantial body OF the Ger
weorganized brain, sound mind, and trace the
enecs Hi' les ity d d & Iln t%S ia f
sohctous of agreeable emotions, he can, without wear
ness do dsagreoabe things His senses being bunter he
prefers depth TO FORM and truth within TO show without
As he j. less mpulsye he IS less subject TO npauence
0nence aud persist in enterprises the issue OF which
S. OF long achievements Finally. with him the under
standing the better master. because outward tempta
lions weaker and inward explosions rareri reason
governs better where there is less inward rebellion and
ueope Of the present day and throughout history They
primary the great laorers OF the world matters
of intellect none equal them in eruditiOn Ia philosophy
IN the most grabbed linguistic studies IN VOluminOus
editions Dictionaries and other compilations, in re-
searches Of the laboratory in all science IN short what
ever stern and hard but necessary and preparatory Work
thcre fo De done that is their province patiently
ana with most comendablc clfsacrtce, they hew out
every that into the edcc Of modern times
In material matters the English, Americans and Dutch
perform tic service. should ike TO show You an
English spinner clOthdTesser ~ work. be Is perfect
autCmatOn occupied day iu aud day out without mo
ueuf's relaxation and TIE tCuh hour az well a. the nfs
l,fg o., w