The New York herald., 1871-02-11
The metropolitan puu.euos Of Art.

A"c NfctrOpoitHu UauScuc& " "i's
We are glad to perceive that the establish
ment Of q grand museum Of art has taken
tangible shape. and that many Of our most
prominent and wealthy citizens are taking part
in an enterprise which must rebound to the
honor of the city, as well as increase the
educational advantages of our whole popula-
ton. In many respects we are not behind the
great cities of the world in our public libraries
and public parks. But our great want is
public museum, where art in all its finest
forms, and science in all its most novel and
subtle discoveries, eau be placed at the dis
posal Of the whole people, Til ose who look
deeply and wisely under the upper stratum of
our metropolitan society must observe how
much ia needed to eliminate the grosser parts
from human nature, and elevate popular taste
and give higher tone to popular thought.
A good deal has been done, it is true, in this
direction by the Improvement of our public
parks; by the introduction of music of the
best order on stated days in these breathing
places Of the populace. All these are very
well in their way. They are not to be despised,
nor can their influence be justly underrated.
But this project of grand metropolitan art
museum reaches higher step in the progress
Of popular education. The company has
already obtained charter from the Legisla-
ture, which embraces among its incorporators
such names as Andrew H. Green, General Dix
and others known in all the walks of art and
literature and ong Its officers men like w.
Acninwal III Ckahhuc EIuy;r n
Morgan, A. T. Stewart and Marshall 0.
Roberts; and among it's trustees the Governor
Of the State, the Mayor Of the city, the Presi-
dent of the Department of Public Parks the
President of the National Academy of Design,
and nearly all the leading artists, whose
genius and labors have given us not alone
metropolitan, but national reputation.
Established upon this basis, then, the
Metropolitan Museum of Art soicts the CO.
operation of the public. 1t puts its claims
upon the necessity of the object proposed,
and upon this ground few will be found 10
dispute the claims. Subscriptions are being
received from our citizens generally, and VIC
believe that large amount has already been
place upon the list. We believe that it is the
intention of the company not to take
any active proceedings towards the COM
plction of the design until the sum of
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is
subscribed. Then the subscribers will be
called upon for their contributions and the
work will go on, the company being fortified
with good pecuniary basis to start upon.
The model Of the Metropolitan Museum of
Art WILL as we understand, be that of the
splendid museum in South Kensington Gar
dens, London, which is probably the most per-
feet thing Of the kind In the world. II we
can succeed In establishing anything like the
Kensington Museum in this city we shall be
doing great work in behalf of civilization and
education. There is certainly enterprise and
money enough in this community and appre-
citation enough Of the need to foster popular
taste and lead 1t into higher channels to sup
port an institution like the Metropolitan
Museum Of Art. The plan seems to be ex-
cellent, and we do not see how the enterprise
can fail with such men among our best citi-
zens at the head Of it as those, whose names
are pledged to its successful accomplishment.