The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-21
TEE TOPICS or LONDON.
Appearance Of sianor Ros.i-Tbc Academy
Pictures-A visit to Ramsgate.

Appearance Of sianor Rossi-Tbc Academy
Picfures-A visit to Rsmseate.
LONDON, May 6.-when l last wrote to
you, SiQnor Rossi's appearance was expected at
Drury Lane. Long before this reaches you you
will have read the judgment passed upon his
performances by the critics, and for once the
critics are In the main, think, right. signor
Rossi is clever actor, without genius,
and without very much taste. He, am
told, 10 greatly disappointed at his recep-
ton, and think he has good reason to be so.
Mr.. HoliinRshead, OF the Gaiety, who is q good
critic and keen man OF business, expected to
make big thing out OF Rossi's engagement, and
sIenor Rossi, knowing that bis own countrymen
are divided in opinion to the merits Of him
self and OF salvini, naturally thought that
an English public might extend to him at
greeted salvini. But Rossfs perform nces have
fallen decidedly nat. One good result has come
still cautious courage to say that Savini, after
al, without his voice, would not be such q very
great actor and 1 am inclined to think that
m fall quite as fat as Rossi's DEBUT. Last year
the admiration Of salvini became a religious
question the hatred entertained for inhdels by
those OF the Italian faith was to the fun as Bit
Ter a. that felt formerly by GOOD Catholics for
the Bueuenols; This year perhaps more tol-
Grant spirit Will prevail, and IL may he acknowl.
edged that English audiences may gain some I'M
derstandinR OF Othello's character without hear
ing sslvini initiate the; eurele Of cut wind
pipe, and seeing him roll ana Kick on the ground
In realistic death agony.
Tno Academy is OF course very much. dis
cussed, and generally unfsvorably. The com.
mlttee, IL seems. has been irritated by certain
attacks made lately upon it's system, and
has taken revenge 10y a ruthless career Of rejec-
tion. Mr.. Horsley, an old and Incompetent Aca-
denician, was heard 10 say that this was the
Acauemictans' year; the outsiders were no.
whore. This to most peoples thinking Is unfor-
tunate. Tue faults OF the Academy system
both In general and In detail are indeed garlug
enough this year. | met painter yesterday
whose pictures had been for long time among
the doubtful, and were finally rejected. This
IL common misfortune Tut II became particu-
lar to him by the fact that they were actually
hung and then taken down to make room for
the works of some artist who had more Interest,
or whose pictures fitted better into the space
left. This painter was naturally full Of wrath
against tue Academy; and he went on to envy
to the SdlOn In Paris. II he knew rs much Of
Paris ana its ways IA 4 DO he would be inclined
terest brought TO bear there than here;
some there must be wherever men are
gathered together. When you come To criticism
there II no comparison between the two coun-
tries Journ lists are hum n, and an English
critic Is very likely to give more attention o the
work of a man whom he knows than To stfan-
gers. But AN English critic would certainly re-
sent any overt attempt at Influencing him from
a man who wished TO extend to him an inter
ested benevolence. And II Ia not too mucn TO
say that with two OF three exceptions the PARIS
newspapers are as veDal as the Wallets OF french
OF many successes which appear to foreign read
ers Of French newspapers To- have been IN ade on
the Partisan stage, and which fade away into
nothing when they are attempted elsewhere:
Will not innict upon you criticism Of the Aca-
deny pictures IN addition to all those you must
have read. Will only warn you against believ-
Ing that Painters AIalanta IL ANYTHING short OF
first rate, OF that Armytage's Puryne, hideous
naked woman, STANDING against metallic olue
Sea, with yellow legs and chin. has any merit.
IL Phryne was the least like hat, her success in
her chosen career was miraculous. And II, as
Va %
Apeies's Venus Anadyomene, we need not
regret the loss OF that work. However, this
and far worse pictures delight the crowd VINO
As l came out today, passed two ladies who
had come up from the county. "Ah." said one
to the other, ITS worth coming to London only
TO see this beautiful Academy" Yes, dear
through that way" Figure to yourself such a
state of mind. 1t makes one comprehend the
delight which the martyrs took IN their appar-
Ont tortures at the stake. II Is u relief to turn
gallery In Bond street, where, by the by, the
work 81 an American artist, Mr.. Hsnnessey,
holds Its own very we'll among the foreign
school.
London is. as usual at the opcomine OF tho
disease OF the season, extremely dlsagreeable,
crowded. redolent of riches In the hands Of
Bond street from IL till Is like eilded pigsty
j escaped from the horrors OF town tue o her
day to kamsgate, which is the kind Of place one
always means to see and never sees. Having
seen II, don't think want to see II any more.
The Granville Hotel, Pugins Cdpo Ldporo, Is
certainly thing to see, and II YOU a million
are, place TO stay In. You can satisfy all ord-
nary human desires, from = good dinner to a
swim IN sea water or Turkish bath, within the
walls OF the hotel aud there Is none OF the utter
Indifference TO VISITORS comfort on the part OF
tne attendants that Is found At most English
hotels. In fact l approved Of all It's Arrang @
mente except the bill,