New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-20
THE GALAXY.

The most striking article in the present
number though with the fewest elements Of popular
interest is paper the Fellowship OF Music'' by
Dr. T. NJ. Coan, treating Of the arts OF architecture
music painting, poetry and sculpture, IN relation 10
certain fundamental ideas which form the basis OF ther
unity In music and in architecture the artist compar-
atively seldom executes his conception. In their
common dependence,upon Interpretation occurs one OF
many subtle anaogies between music and architecture
The statue is living birth from the sculpt0rs Draln
the poet imagines and uters the perfect poem; the
beauty Of painting too is complete when the artist has
finished his work. But music, by means Of instrument
or voice and architecture through the labor of builders
demand an interpretation realization that is quite
different thing from the act OF creative genius Arch-
lecture more constantly than any other art requires
this Interpretation. Poetry may be imagined and ex-
pressed at once by the iaprOeiSGi0re so also may
music; and the former art IS also interpretable by
translation; while sculpture and painting are the
almost unaded expressions Of the artists thought
The painter, rs such, receives no aid from in
terpretation for this he looks to the critic"
Architecture is the art which ayas itself most fully of
external aid, whether creative, as of mathematical
formulas and builders plans, executive, as that OF
mechanicalab Architecture sculpture, and painting
the concrete arts poetry is the abstract art wme
music at once nsubstantia and sensuous, an aesthetic
paradox, holds intermediate or pivotal position In
the SCALE But the musician in respect of the creative
process is withdrawn into yet sterner privacy of in
dependence than that of the poet. Not even Shelley
dreaming among the Euganean hills, and Wordsworth
grooming yet unwritten rhymes in the gades of Winder
mere, without certain outward aid They recited
their while they composed them, causing the ear
TO supplement the thoughts aud perceived through the
external aid of sense the utmost deficiency or charm OF
their song The poet has thus the advantage OF COM
pete and critical hearing. He may be audience 10
| himself But the orchestral composer must be quite
alone with his genius. 1t is ineiable voice that he
hears he has actual listeners until his creation Is
complete One can understand the Tapt expression of
Beehovens portraits it is that Of the divine uncon
seriousness of genius. Mozart said: 4 cannot ex-
plain my way of composing. When am completely
myself entirely alone and Of good cheer, as when
travelling in carriage walking after good meal or
during the night when cannot Sleep il is then that my
ideas flow best and most abundanty. Whence and how
they come, 1 know not; can / force them
The composer the only artist who cannot divide his
labor with others. An immense toll Of transcription falls
to the poet alsO-a wholly nartstic task; this however
he can mainly escape by calling in the aid Of dicaOn
But the composer employ photographer but him
self busy painter may his pupils TO finish his
sketches. The sculptor himself does not execute his
work in the marble, but by what laborious mechanical
processes were the flames Of Titan and Phidas achieved
The entire drudcery of expression however, falls upon
the composer alone. MendelssOhn, Schumann, Rossin
blotted miles Of with their hands. No others
could build for them their conceptions as cathedral
is buided after the plans of the architect" The views
expressed by Dr. COan certainly marked by bodness
and ingenuity, if not by originality, though it must be
admitted II requires profound study the part Of the
reader TO take in their complete significance. We be-
leve, however, they viii repay the labor that is
required for their comprehension and open fresh
view Of thought 10 many readers The article
closes with cheerful prospect Of the music OF the fu
ture. Musical progress viii develop upon the one hand
more and the intellectual element in the art and
upon the other realize the fullest its poetic possib
ties. II will follow the law Of all development, the
double law of growth; it will become at once more
complex and individual art While its province
will be more sharply Disseminated from others, il viii
vet disclose intimate with them; and while
it will always remain the most completely art Of
sense IL will learn how appeal powerfully than
ever before 10 the intellect twill be found indeed that
as the Old schools moderated, the progressive
schools in music exaggerate this capacity in musical art
Yet little doubt exist TO which OF the two parties
has the larger share of the truth in the matter With
sufficient Illustration by musical genius, the developing
art will establish claim 10 be called the music OF the
future 1t may plausibly argued that poetry archi
lecture, and the plastic arts have passed their prime.
But music sti comparatively young; II is fast grow
ing and full Of promise The musician of the future, II
he is already among may appear at any moment
The next article Foreign Modes OF Living" Is Of
more immediate interest and at this time especially
when the terrible question" OF housekeeping in New
planets will be found TO bear the dinner and dollar"
question with considerable effect "SOmethng must ne
done America 10 reduce the cost and increase the
comforts Of living II is longer question Of comfort,
but of health and morals Marriage is becoming less
frequent since the late war; and the increased expense
of living which has grown out Of It, With the social
necessity Of having Il whole house with rents at the
price they are, with taxes at a figure before
equaled, how can American young man undertake
matrmOny There are thirty thousand bachelors IN
the City Of NewYork alone There also thousands
of women who supported by profigacy. Is 1t not
then question of morasl Buckle, in his History Of
CIVILIZATION speaking Of marriage. says: This
immense social and religious institution is
not only swayed, but Is completely controlled
by the price of food and the rate Of wages
From every quarter there general protest against
the growing impertinence, dishonesty, and incompe
tence servants The remedy is obvious. Live in such
a manner 10 employ as few possible. The health
Of American is breaking down under the effort
before made in any country TO discharge the
multfarOus duties OF mistress of house, OF supern-
tendent OF amateur laundries and bakeries together
with the duties of wife, mother and OF society
Ii is Of mere question OF time with rents
and land ut the present prices in large cities cannot
always continue 10 live do. 1t would well IL
some Americans who have better modes OF living
would take the initiative Why do some Of our archi.
ects go TO Paris, aid learn construct houses
similar 70 those for example on the Boulevard Hanss
mann In Europe other means resorted to in order
TO reduce the cost Of Housekeeping especially in Lon
DON where there union shops 10y which anumber Of
families residing IN the district unite TO buy the
necessaries OF life at wholesale pnces. Some
highly respectable families in London combine in this
way TO purchase all their groceries well wood and
coal and even house linens and wOolens; and similar
associations exist TO some extent in Germany"
APPLETON
The Monthly Part of AppIetons' journal for
September presents the choice variety OF reading mat