New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-03
FINE ARTS-DRAMA.
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF All.
OPENING OF THE ENTIRE COLLECTION.
H. Mo1.onnl;tou Muunup, nf RI after no,


complete Encouragement Of some Of is departments ana
OF the putt all the collections in order Wedne
day reopened to tho public in s new quarters NO 1913
West Fourteenths between the Sixth and SeycnthaVes
To this place been removed all the pictures mar
bles bronzes and near objects that were In the build
ing Fthave.. and the present house has been
leased for term OF years may be hoped that there
will be further change until the collections are lodged
IL their permanen! home in the cOmmodous structure
to DO built for them In Cue Central Park. u the build
ing In FOurteenthst VIII now be fOund therefore tho
hi CesnOla collection Of Cyprioe antiquities; the paint
ing chiefly by Of tho Dutch and Flemish schools
which in the original gallery OF the Museum on
tho Fifth.aye.; o collection OF pictures by mod
artists and a smaller collection by earlier masters
chiefly Italians and of the sixteenth century; small
but very choice and valuable collection OF early printed
books Illuminated MSS. and specimens Of bookbnding
by famous hands ancient and modern collection OF
japanese Objects porcelain. earthenware, carved
worries hackers. brOnzes, swords, such for quality
cannot be exceled anywhere very charming, varied
and precious roomfu OF porcelain, with specimens OF
nearly all the celebrated manufactures both European
and Oriental small of Greek and Roman coins
well lighted and in such good condition as to give
very satisfactory notion Of what is meant by the art OF
colnng-an art OF which coins prove us Americans
ptiably ignorant collection Of Renaissance "olJets
dc yrtu," small but object precious among them
most precious OF ALL bell by Benyenuo Celini, rare
and exquisite production OF his rare and exquisite
invention and skill To this catalogue of items we may
add the oonfessonals from church in Client excellent
specimens OF Renaissance wOodcarvng, which st last
after long exile in tho cellars OF Cooper Institute
put they be and enjoyed the statue
Of Napoleon ia st. Helena by Vela, specimens OF tapes
try Italian furnitureohest cabinets chairs and tables
the old catalogues used TO wind up" other OBJ
jects too numerous to mention"
We have no intention of attempting. today descrp
accomplish. within short time such an account as
shall DO OF real service to those who visit the Museum
and who wish solid profit from their visits
To-day desire to have friendly word with the us-
Of the Museum to present our side that Is the
public side OF tho question Of admission. to try II II be
not possible to bring about an arrangement by which
the Museum be made to play more important part
the education OF the people than seems possible under
tho present terms OF admission.
We very well aware that the trustees themselves,
besides being in great part tho OF the objects In
the Museum, leaving out the collection OF Dutch and
Flemish pictures which were bought with the con
triDued funds OF the Museumare also keeping up the
exhibition Of these objects, TO considerable extent out
OF their own private means and that II had not been
for their berality and generosity could not have had
some OF these collections at all. No can be more
grateful than we are personally for the prompt action
spontaneous and unsesh that secured for country
invaluable CypriOte collection by ID Ccsnola Tile
same sagaclty bought the Slaye-Shp OF Turner, and
instead of shutting 1t up in private gallery
has put 1t the Museum, though so generous is the
in admitting the public to his rich private coec-
ton that the famous picture is scarcely moro accessible
here than there We Will particularize further Suffice
It that we kaOw recognize TO the full the extent OF our
obligation TO the gentlemen who show In many ways
how well they know to serve the best Interests OF
the public. But Mt the same tme We are anxious 10 see
the Museum supported not by private persons nut by the
public; by forced contributions, by generous
gifts from individuals, but by the State that Is by the
whole body Of citizens rich and poor alike. We take IL
granted that the trustees anxious to have this
brought about are, and we dare say they believe
as we do that there is in talking aud writing
about art long there IL art TO look at; little use
in criticism where there arc standards 10 which to
refer people But the state things that all desire
can only DO brought about by making 1t so easy for
people to see whatever beautiful things there are that
they viii get into the habit OF looking at them
VIII come TO look at them in an unconscious
sort Of way and finally get TO feel toward
them We feel toward the grand common objects OF
nature, the sky the trees the stars, the Then
these creations OF art become part OF the substance OF
the mind, and begin their work OF Inspiration, and
impulse all the more powerful because OF ts silent
working. moves people to create new art for them
1t Is simple common sense To believe that this
is the only way which artwhether the finer art that
that expresses itself in ornamentaon and in manu-
factures-can be planted among people be de-
voloped We plead therefore, with the Trustees of the
Metropolitan Museum for the abolition OF all charges Of
admission on all the days OF the week, and We very
much regret that the Exhibition cannot be opened
Sundays. The Trustees all OF them rich men, aud
the State beside gives them considerable every
year toward the payment Of current expenses. Now,
them try the free admission for year. and good
humOredy consent bear the burden for the sake
establishing an institution which will be great blessing
TO the community and out Of which they themselves
practical owners, will get little pleasure. profit
and social honor Our word for it, at the end OF the year
tho public would to II that they were pro-
ylded with all the money they need. This is q
community rich in John Andersons and John Taylor
Johnstons and GaOupes albeit for lack of opportunity
some Of them have rested and nglorious. But let
1t be that have here in New York the beginnings
of rsrato Museum of Art that the people usingit
and protng by it, and that the only thing needed is
money, and who doubts that money would Immediately
"put in an appearance - We don't doubt IT, for The
only restriction free admission that consent agree
to- is that ON day the Museum shall be open only
students and Strangers This Is useful arrangement,
and for some reasons, a necessary But 1t Is
open any OF the objections that lie against making
charge for admission. 1t is link in the scheme for |
making the Museum an educational institution. That |
is first OF all every such Museum should aim 10 be,
and so long as restrictive tariff OF IS cents head with
no hafprice for children, and seasonckes ten dollars
yearis the rule the Museum VIII not Dc the resort OF
the people, IL will he merely the delightful lOuuging-
place OF the rich and tho well-to-dO.
THE DRAMA.
sALvINI's HAMLET
Many actors have been wrecked on the reef !
OF shakespearos Hamlet salvini stranded it last