The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-22
ART MATTERS.

Departure OF General di CesnOla for
Cyprus.
General L. T. di CesnOa, the American Consu! to
Cyprus, and the discoverer of the remarkable an
tiQuities which, during the last few months have
been exhibited at the branch Of the Metropolitan
Art Museum No. 12S West Fourteenth street, sails
from this port tomorrow morning for Havre,
thence to proceed Immediately to Cyprus, where
he expects to remain for two years. 1t is not
quite seven months since General di Cesnola
arrived in this city, and during that time vast
amount of work has been done by him, to which
the present condition OF the branch of the Museum
in Fourteenth street will bear witness The
spacious Douglas mansion has been transformed
into a handsome and systematic depository; every
apartment has been appropriately identified
and furnished with shelves, cabinets and
cases; each article in the coection-and
there are nearly ten thousand in ail-has
been numbered, and catalogue giving
accurate information is now in the printers hands
and will shortly be ready for use. The conserva-
tory and coach house OF the former mansion have
been changed into art galleries, magnificent loan
collection has been added to that OF Cesnola, and
the wide hall In which the visitor finds himself on
entering the building has been lined with heads
and statues as to form strikingy appropriate in
70 s .ne opening on etner
has been designed and carried forward by General
di Cesnola, and now that he is about to leave
continue work that has already made him cele-
brated 1t seems peculiarly appropriate to refer to
his tireless industry, his unfalling Judgment and
his genius for invention and discovery.
on wednesday evening General al Cesnoa was
entertained at the Union League Club by Mr.. W. 7.
Blodgett and, in answer to o toast, made peril
nent speech, Of which the appended "Reminiscences
will be read with INTEREST,"
''The results OF my archaeological discoveries
when placed in easy reach of the scientific world
brought TO me my chief remuneration In the thor
ough appreciation OF the first men OF learning in
poverty OF my native country prevented it from
securing the Cesnoa collection, that the land OF
my adoption should possess it. But that dream
seemed to fade away when one morning tall,
elegant man, with sympathetic and intelligent
eyes, made his appearance at my house In London,
and, with his quick perception of the Importance
OF securing the collection for New York, changed
the fading dream soon afterward into reality.
We all recognize in him the brilliant host OF this
evening, Mr. w. T. B!odgett. Let 1t not be said,
gentlemen, that we have put our hands to the
plough and then looked back. The beginning OF
with mingled interest and ncredulity; smile OF de-
r1sOn at flrst met the announcement that private
American citizen had snatched rom Europe the
Cyprus collection In order to adorn his own native
land and for the benefit Of the American student.
They said, where Is the American student? What
do the Americans know about art Who are their
archgologists9 Is 1t possible that we will be
obliged hereafter to cross the Atlantic in order to
feed ourselves. with knowledge from American
will be IN store Tor the European student much
more seasickness ito use an expression from the
moment but for PHYS sake do not let the institu
ton fall, through Indifference, and with time and
custom. 1t would render US and our claim to i'm
portance in the scientific world a melancholy
failure. You are men who have all met with sue
cess in life. Your names, your regulations are
bound up In the triumph or this institution, and
have no lear on the subject"
Last evening General di Cesnola entertained at
DeimonicO's the following gentlemen:-Mr. John
Taylor Johnston, Mr.. w. I. Bloigett, Chevalier de
Luca Consul General OF Italy; Mr.. Theodore Roose
welt, Mr.. Augustus Johnson, United States Consul
General Professor Vincenzo Botta, MIR. Russell
Sturgis, MI, Robert Hoe, Jr.; Mr.. Clarence Cook,
dl Cesnola and Mr. Hiram Hitchcock General Nc
Clellan and Mr.. Cyrus W. Field were expected, but
sent their regrets at late hour. General di Cess
nola sails at SIX tomorrow morning for Havre in
the Pereire. He intends to resume his dggings
In Cyprus Immediately, and expects to disentomb
those in the possession OF the Art Museum. The
following is general tabular statement OF those
now on hand:-