New-York tribune., 1876-04-22

velvet gown OF tne lOtn century, bittlng III
shallow armchair, which supports bis elbows, and
holding open, with the most delicate and syinpa-
thetc fingers, goody little volume Of the period,
upon which his Intelligent brow is bent with n
slight, peasurable contraction, while his bearded
lips are vaguely pushed forward. Here is much in
little IL there ever was-lfe thought, history, dig
nity culture, all condensed into the expression OF
figure which you need a magnifying glass TO look AT
properly. There could not be more OF 1t II 1t were
six feet high and we could not believe more thor
oughly in his admirable red velvet gown lit Is hard
to think that something fine did not pass out OF
human character when gentlemen used to wear such
garments) if had been his rdlet de chdmbre, ana
helped him to put it The head is to some extent
portrait of the artist.
OF the various pictures which saw in combination
with these, have left myself no space to speak;
well-cbosen specimens as they each were they
formed a very honorable and brilliant summary
of the French school-exclusive of its landscapiss.
There were in particular some admirable examples
of the cattlepaiuter Brascassat, who s little known
in America, but who seems to Inc to handle his Dus
and oxen in much grander fashion than Rosa BOIL
heur. He has striking resemblance TO Paul Potter
Let me commemorate also couple oil pictures py
young man named Ballet, pupil of Breton, the
painter of fshwives and harvest women, hall
bovine, half statuesque. NJ. Ballet is almost as
good as his MASTER and the day he becomes quite as
good he will be better. One OF the subjects OF whlch
| speak--a group of peasant women washing cio~es
in some freshwater pools near the sea, in the early
twilight--is very noble performance and displays
a unim of imagination and self-control which speaks
well for the artists future. IL may be expected 10
make an impression in the forthcoming Salon. can
also not deny myself the satisfaction of turning
compliment to young Italian painter, Boldini by
name. for an admirable work to which. in my ex-
treme relish for it, lately paid more than one visit
CThe picture in question, mnst hasten to add, IL,
like Others TO which | have had the honor OF al
luding the property of Mr.. A. l. Stewart / feel' IN
this connection like the cat in the fairy tale, point
ing ont the possessions of the Marquis Of Caiabas
NV compliment to NJ. Boldini, to he in keeping
should be tlowery and cereonious. Ike the dictOh
OF the last century. He is the most skilful among
the little band Of Italian painters which has come
into being within few years past, with powder
and brocade, rocOcO fountains sedan-chairs, ana
poodles for their especial inspiration Ii Is sort OF
peo-Watteau movement, and its obvious reproach il
that of trvality Its equally obvious charm is that
it is irresstibly entertaining; 1t has naiveie,
good faith. light jocularity quite distinct from the
stale. skeptical cleverness which charactcrizes 80
much French art. NJ. Boldini's picture represents
corner of tile park at Versailles under Louis ANi.
A sedau-chair containing fine lady, escorted by
several fops and egdncs, has been deposited, whle
the carriers stand resting, beneath great wall vi
horse-chestnut trees. Near by is fountain ana
couple Of statues and where the horsechestnnts stop
broad cedar spreads itself into the brilliant summer
light The figures are very small-they belong 10
the class of what the French call little bonshoDimcs
bnt their animation, expressveness, and grace, the
simmer of their brocades and velyes, the gleam oil
their tense silk stockings the way they hollow thcr
backs and turn out their toes, are all extraordinary
and delightful The artist has a real diyination el
the costume of the time and the way 1t must have
been worn. His great triumph here however, has
been his landscape-his great mass of verdure, and
his dazzling almost binding Summer light. lhls
is SO intense that in spite Of its immense quantity of
green. the picture is almost too white. But as
representation of objects shining and glowing III the
open air, and almost childishly irrehecuve
piece of fantasy. the wor& Is singular success.
In saving that there were Just now no Partisan
"actuatiesn of the first importance, may seem to
have sighted the overflow of the Seine, which has
lately given Paris and its neighborhood plenty TO
talk about. The waters, moreover, are now fast
subsiding and the subject is painful one. owing
to the suffering and INJURY inflicted upon
the poor people who form almost exclusively the
population of the flooded quarters. Both up and
down the river outside of the center of Paris every
thing habitable has been knee-deep in the water.
took long walk the other night along the quays,
mast Notre Dame aud the Jardin des Plantes 10 see
the immersion of Bercy. Since 1918 the river llad
not been SO high, but its present condition, IKE
great many painful and cruel things, was extremely
picturesque In the city it has been for fortnight
as big as young Missssippi-dOub!ing It's apparent
breadth from quay to quay, hiding the arches OF the
brid.es np 10 the keystone lifting up it's barges ana
Aoating-baths and swimming-schools into unprcce-
dented intimacy with the Easements OF the houses
aud keeping half the bddaUds-thc Paris cockneys-
hanging all day over the parapcts to watch new
ceutimetre disappear on the painted scale fooT
Bercy, in the sparsclyilluinnated darkness looheh
like little prosaic Venice, with boats padding about
in the streets and Partisan ampposts rising out oil
muddy lagoons.
The only literary event of first-rate importance
that has occurred in Paris during the Winter has
been the publication of Taines Ancicn Regime, oil
which. at the time, made mention. In so sterile
season | suppose that the appearance Iii the last
number of the Rerue des Der Mondes of the first in
stallnent Of Ernest Remains Souvenirs dEnfance"
nav be spoken Of as a salient event The article
appears to have attracted much attention, but 10
have caused some disappointment 1t consists OF
two parts-a few pages of personal reninisccnce by
NJ Renan himself anda narrative taken d0wn-with
considerable embellishment-from the lips OF his
mother. The story il tame and Of slender signii-
canoe; but NJ Renan's own memoirs are enchanting
His touch is more exquisite, his style more magical,
surely, than any Others of the day. The death OF
Daniel Stern Mime. dAgoult and that of Nine
Louise Colet may also be spoken of as literary incl
dents. Mime. dAgoult serious writer aud Nine.
Colet light one, but both ladies had had beauty
aud adventures. OF these adventures the Abb6 List
the hero in case and Alfred dc Musset i'll the
other. ! quoted the other day from Nine
dAgOut a felictous sentence: :" An agreeable mind