The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1873-01-09

IHb ALDfSE FOR JANUARY,-eThia superb en-
terprise is being steadily and surely carried for
ward to an artistic development that even its
most sanguine friends would hardly have Antici-
pafed. The issue for January, coming as it does
upon the heels af the great Christmas number,
might poSsihly MISS some Of the attention which
the enhancs.l artistic value deserves. Asethc
initisi nurpl,er Of New Year, it is most impor-
tant as a sort Of Justification Of the expectation
excited by the promises Of the publishers in their
widely scattered prospectus. While IL would be
hardly possible t. note any marked charge IN the
uniform and unrivale,i xceleucs NJ the mechani-
cal execution, which has given The Atdi"e a
worldwide reputation. We think there is Al adj
vance in the art standard Of the desgns-at least,
it is very evident that the conductors are now
able to give their Subscribers designs which,
aside from their intrinsic merit, are interesting
and valuable as expositions Of the style Of our
foremost artists. The prospectus gives list of
contributors which includes Deariy all the pain
ters of high standing in the country, men who
have never before condescen,lsd to come before
the public through the medium Of the wood
engraser. In the January number We have no
less than three large designs frm Thoms Moran,
was purchased by Congress for $4,000. Proba-
bly, Mr. Moran is the strosgest man In his line in
America, and the exhibition of designs from his
pencil was the best card The Aldiaescould pos
sibly have played. Mr.. MOran's pictures illus
trate an article on "The Pictured Rocks Of Lake
SUPERIOR" and while they are all extremely good,
the storm scenr (fnll page) III take the palm Is
. powerful and successful drliheatioh of Nature
in its sternest mood. Peter Moran, younger
brother, (E. Moran, the great marine painter, is
an elder) gives us . sketch, which he entities
"The Critics." The dldise certainly has had no
special to iutrosluc this picture, and from
the great merit of his drawing, can hardly
think the artists experience at their hands
should suggest such q representation Of that
much abueed class. Still the picture is good
humored, and eminently worthy Of the position
it occupies. An artist, in the distance,
sketching, has left partly finished picture ON
his easel, by the margin Of a piece of woods-two
donkeys, q calf, and sheep come to inspect.
Thedrawing of the animals is simply perfect, and
wonld make q horse laugh, to say nothing Of
good -natured donkeys! John s. Davis, the ris-
ing man on the figure, gives very pleasing de-
sign, "After the Frolic," in which child Of ten
der years is caring for the benumbed limbs of a
still younger specimen. The kindly parental
care which q slight advantage of age always
gives q child, happily rendered by Mr.. Davis, and
his drawing manifests the care aud thought
which is characteristic of this artists work, and
which is sure to give him high position in Ame-
rcan art. The literature is varied and excellent.
Mrs. J. C. R. Dorr contributes pleasant sketch,
entitled, "Hal's Mistake" and Mr.. William Per-
cival, lady DE Sades Chaplet," romantic
legend, of which Petrarch's Laura is the heroine;
Miss Clara +. Guernsey objects, and very pro-
perly, to that brute in fiction, "The Lady's
Hero;" sour Noses" is one of the most enter
tanning papers We have read in years; the diff
ference between "Pnritans and Cavaliers is well
stated in a brief but scholarly article; and
" Eton College" and "The Pictured Rocks" are
clever descriptions Of these localities The poe
try is charming usual, Mr.. Stod,lam furnish
ing He is Later dainty little lyric; Mr.. Hem
ry Richards, witty "Chinese Song" and Mr..
Robert Kelley Weeks, little cluster of airy
Love Songs.' Literature and Music receive
due attention, does also Art the latter depart
ment being mainly devoted TO a memoir of Ro-
gers, the sculptor. The subscription price is
s6eO per annum, which insludss ths pair Of
oil chromos that are making snch stir. The
publishers are James Sutton & Co., So Maiden
Lane, New York.