, 1874-02-14
LITERATURE.

done in the whole Of his voluminous histories
Taino has seized on the spirit of the people, and
by his magic talent, made it VISIBLE 10 has
rendered it's distinctive phases and tendencies
intellisibe, and, in order to do this, has dis
covered the sources Of its Origin. the causes
which raye it birth, the influences which nodded,
imbued, and directed it. Above al, he has
studied the soil aud the sky, which stamp AL
indelible impress On national character. and he
has gone back over the entire COURSE Of Tuetonic
history, that he might know how instincts were
implanted which have been gradually trans-
formed into habits, and have governed the
motive, the accomplishment, and the destiny Of
the Netherlands.
Somewhat after the same manner, but With
much Less brilliant effect, the present writer
has studied the Art Of Bcandinaria and
Russia. He lacks the grasp, the acumen,
the splondor, Of Taine's genius; but ho has,
nevertheless, excellent qualifications for his
task. He has practical knowledge Of art, an
intelligent acquaintance with the various gal
leries and schools Of Europe, freedom from
prejudice, and an honest desire to get at the
truth. From m elevated point Of view, which
embraces the circumstances and Influences that
control and modify the artistic temperament,
expression, and facilities, be has regarded the
past and present condition and the future pros
pect Of painting, sculpture, and architecture,
among the Northern European nations. He has
not the seer's insight, which pierces to tho
centre as we'll as the circumference, and reveals
reasons and principles. and resolves them into
philosophy Yet he is . wise and candid guido
in paths out OF the beaten COURSE Of travel, aud
points out great deal that is norel and illus
trative in the character, scenery, climate, civil
ization. and Agriculture Of countries seldom
penetrated. Let us skip lightly along the way
be slowly Travelled, and jot down few Of the
points he carefully delineated.
Denmark lies first on the route, and the col
lections OF Art and Science in its beautiful
capital are subjected to q thorough inspection.
These are more systematically arranged than in
All, ot1sr Continental city, aud are expressly
educational in character. Tie Museum OF An
tiqmty contains total Of 10000 specimens, OF
exceeding interest and value, presenting full
and continuous history Of tho country for many
centuries. Tho Royal Library comprises up
wards OF 100000 volumes aud 15,0oo manu-
scripts. These, with minor museums Of I'm
lred nature, furnish abundant support for the
intellectual life OF the people. The Hoyal Gal-
lerv OF Art numbers 701 works OF 4 fair average.
The national development III Art and Litera'-
t1re has not been vigorous or luxur1ant. inoro
is Astounding talent, but not Of tho highest char
acter. The Kingdom is dimnutlve, its popula-
ton being less than that Of London, and lts pc
cupiary RESOURCES are mcugrc. Its museums and
galleries are not enlarSinE, and art nno literary
products find n scanty market. sculpture. WHICH
iad grand exponent in ThorWaldsen, is III ad-
vance Of painting and architecture. Indeed, this
last has never existed as fine art in Denmark.
Landscape Lns succeeded better than figure
paintine for the reason that it needs less severe
study. As natural consequence OF thelr man,
time situation, Danish artists have handled
marine subjects with superior skill and, IN inter-
national competitions, have taken first rank
England alone being able to rival them soren.
son. Melby, and Ncumann, slnce bthnheld and
Turner, stand first smong the painters OF tho
ocean,
Passing into Norway, VIC find Art in its infancy,
though showing elements uf strength and vltali-
ty. Architecture aud sculpture are almost equal
II unknown, and painters are compa1atlvely few.
Only three or four have extended their reputa~
ton beyond their country's frontiers.
They excel in landscape,-surrassa!n ing IN
Denmark. and Russia. But little can be expect
ed in the va; Of Art from 3 nation whose land
is sterile, only QUE -hundredth part being under
culture whose Inhabitants scarcely exceed
million, aud the maj jority of whom are compelled
to an endless struggle with churllsa Nature for
the bare means OF Subsistence.
a considerable number ~of eminent scholars
and artists have given Sweden repute 1-nong
other nations. !1nnH1s, the NATURALIST Der
cehns, the chemist o"edenoofg, the Hystlc
Frederika Bremen, the novelist Jenny Llnd
and Christine NILSSON, tho Socahsts,-not 70
mention respectable Ass OF rcolptofn and
painters, have poured lussre upon ner h1a1ory;
a good deal OF mental aEt1Vlty naa prevanea
among the people, especially in the present
generation. She has accomplished moth
ing in architecture, but IN sculpture
has displayed singular talent; strenuous anu
not unsuccessful efforts have been made to ea,
tablish native School Of Art; and D National
Museum and Gallery vas completed IN stock-
holm in 1863, and furnished with large put com
monplace collections. Swedish artists nave
taken up the study OF Nature IN eaIhost,La
most hopeful indication, Drawn from the WORK
ing classes themselves, it would seem to be their
province to depict pcasant-ife, which presents
novel aud picturesque subjects Tor painting.
Sweden, like tile rest OF scanc1naVla, anotoa me
tkctchiug~ It's scenery is wild, rugged,
and sombre; but it's sunsets are OF peculiar
splendoE, It's fields are rlch With bloom IN sum-
1ner, md shifting atmospheric phenomena glve an
infinite variety Of light and shade Under skitltul
treatment, the grandeur of Nature may be soft
ened BY beauty, it's coldness warmed By color,
and many new md charming enects Reproduced
upon canvas. In surveying the condition OF ATT
throughout Scandinavia, 1t must be acRnowl-