The sun., 1873-11-04

Tho autumn opening Of the Museum has
carried out the promise of the summer ex-
hihition. The most striking feature, aud
that which leads us TO rank the exhibition
H. Of the ighe-t importance as an eduoa-
tor of the public AT large, is the illustration
Of art IN so many different departments.
1t i not II picture gallery to which the poo-
pie are invited, though here is an exhibit
tion Of picture, from the hands of many of
the greatest artists. II j. notn gallery of
,tatuary, though ahounding IN specimens
Of ancient and modern sculpture. But the
trustees show us that they propose To edu-
cate the people IN all the arts, both histori-
cally and H,thetically. There Is beauty in
every department Of mechanics. II "A man
wants n bench to sit on when weary there
j. no reason why he shOuld he compelled
to sit on plain boards. There Is both COM
fort md pleasure in "A wcll-shapcd, Pracc-
fu piece of furniture. one may eat his
dinner from PLAIN cror,orv, but surely
there is cnjoymcn' in thc decoration of the
table with beautiful porcelain. We have
hopes that IN time the Museum Will illu--
tIatc for every artisan the history Of his
art, and show him examples Of beauty ia
it from which lac may copy, or derive new
ideas of his own.
The dist general idea to be entertained
Of the collection now exhibited in Four
tctnth street therefore Is the number Of
arts iilust.atcd, both ancient and modern.
Painting and stltuary, book Iualiing and
bmd nE carved wood ana ornamental fur
nlturc, coins aud gems OF engraved stone,
enlnels aul lacquers, arm and IcpDus,6
work in metals. These ana various other
departments of ornamental art are quite
extensively shown.
The CT SOFA collection of Cypriote an
tiquitics occupies the largest space, and is
of the highest interest. This collection is
not yet the property of the Metropolitan
Museum, but belongs to n private gentle
man who made the purchase in the most
generous manner III order to secure the
collection for America. The money is yet
10 be- raised for its purchase 10y the Mu-
SCUM; ana although the present times are
di,ooura ing ii should not be matter of
much doubt that ii will be forthcoming.
We have never Ind in America such IN
opportunity for the education OF both
young and old in the great truth that all
nations are Of one blood. The visitor may
sometimes be puzzled 70 know what was
the object of some little article IN the
| Cyprus collection. As general rule the
worst puzzle win be nj once explained if
! he will ask himself, What would ! do
with il if IL were n uton,il in my house,"
An old bronze vase, for example, ~ in
| tcresting because it is n vase ana because
It is brou1c, but there i good deal
more of practical interest in il when one
| secs that IL was actually II frying pan. II
! bring, one very close TO the old Cypriotc,
! to soc on this implement the smoke Of the
| fire which cooked the last dinner for its
ancient owner. The bronze lock of an
| antique chest or door reminds one that IN
| ldalium and IN pnphos there was need 10
/ guard treasures against original sin or
educated thlcvrry. The jewels which the
ladies Of Golpos wore two thousand years
ago ure marvCllously like those sold in
New York shops and worn by New York
women Above all, however, we are
struck by the resemblance of the heads of
ancient PhTnicians and Greeks IN Cyprus To
! the people of our own day. In no collection
Of statuaTy which we have seen are there
so Ilany portrait heads, and these in nl-
mcrous Instances seem to be likenesses of
persons We all snow. Ii staTtles one and
makes him feel suddenly but strangely
thmlliar with the people of old times t.
see mat il'c'e were just such looking pco