New-York tribune., 1876-04-18
ANGLO-AMERICAN TOPICS.
MIR. MoycuRE D. CoNwAYs RETURN.


GREAT PRICES FOR PAINTINGs-MR. MILLAIs
ASSURED sEvENTY-FIvE THOUSAND DOLLARS
FOR ONE PICTURE.
PROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.I
LONDON, March 29-Nr Conway's return to Lon
don has been heartily greeted, and still more hear
ty when followed, as il was speedily by his de-
csion 10 decline the invitation of the Parker Society
of Boston, and remain here. l do not see how ne
could well do otherwise. Two societies here are de-
pendent on HIN; 80 far dependent that his leaV-
ing them would check their growth, and perhaps
end in their breaking up altogether. The younger
of them, that at Camden,Own has just taken lease
of and large place of worship, in anticipation
of his return. Neither of them would know where
to look for a successor to Mr.. Conway. They are,
80 far as know the two most important ce1ters in
England of free religious thOuGht-free In the sense
Of complete emancipation from all sectarian connec-
tion, either in worship or doctrine. My knowledge
OF them not great, bat they seem TO me very SIN
cere and genuine in their aims and methods, and
intolerant of nothing bat intolerance in others.
They keep together at, fancy greater sacriilce
than people are in the habit of making TO their con-
yicti0ns, and deserve respect for that, however
uuch one NAV differ from their notions. In Mr..
Conway they have found the man they needed. his
training his varied and peculiar experience, his
theological and general culture, hls sympathetic
nature, his perfect freedom from all sorts Ji con
ventional trammels his eloqneDre his associations
with students and thinkers in tYo countries, make
up such an assemblage of qualifications As unite in
no other man can think Of They would be equally
valuable to the Twenty-eglth Congregational Soci-
ety Of Boston. But that Society has proved that ii
knows how to hold together, even after such los
as that of The,ilro Parker. There is no reason to
doubt IL will continue 20. though II ful to
secure Mir. Conway, while Of these Two little COM
pancs IL London. there is, said, much reason to
doubt it, should tley be deserted now.
1t IL, 1 believe, from some such considerations as
those-at any rate from considerations Of duty and
not of inclination 0nlythat iir Conway resolution
20 rcmain in London has been taken His people
hayo manifested their ioY in meeting held on Mon
day evening TO welcome him. II waa q true London
night, wet, windy, muddy, and dismal but The
South Place Chapel which holjs,l should think, about
500 people, was filed with members II both consrc-
ratious. The chapel has no architectural attractions
there is noting in its plain white walls and SIM
pie service to peal as the R:uIlia 10 SO success
fuy To Jhe senses Ira mal goes to this chapci, he
must 20 for some Kind Of spiritual satisfaction he
YET, Their, aud net e sewucr,. On Monday night,
however the platform there is no pulpit only
desk-was graccl ia luwcrs and ladies, and most
of the people on IL were in evening dTcs' When
| came in, M dickson. leading man
among Mr.. Conway's people, was reading
an. address TO Mr. Conway. 1t sounded
mnch lac other addresses, only moIe hearty and
simple. and wherever allusion To his return
occurred there wa applause. When vi. conway
began ms reply, The applaus' became overwhelming
and coufiuucd lore. | believe IL IL the first speech
Ieye, heard Mr Conway make, aud was astOnishcd
at his oratorcai power Lecture and sefinoas are
different mattcr-tho.e hid hrapl and admired;
I oh nj rf.a frpe
turns brilliant pathetic, i.spirtng aud straight to
tbe po.n, from beginning to end. lie was not talk
ing for th, public; those gathered aboat him were
friend, aud comrades. lie had - talk good deal
about himself, and d.j Il with simplicity ANA good
taste. lie spoke OF Theodore Parker and his COM
fades ia words which fairly thrilled MS ail-worls
fnu of affect 'onate reverence for an apostle whose
courage was equal To his learning and his learn
iug 90 that of ANY thcologan ci his time.
lie spoke honorably AID gratefully OF The
Society whose urgent invitation 10 him he
had just regretfnlly determined to decline. ii'
spoke lovingly of his own State and country, which
me rrnuuishcs probably forever by this decision TO
devote himself to hard work among another people.
II was plan what struggle il has cost him to aban
don all that America has TO oicr-whdt & costs
Nirgnian to sraasfcr his loyalty elsewhither in
deed i, is not transferred nor di'nn he'd, but takes
deeper root by the side of Younger sentiments.
manly speech Throughout, which | was proud 10
hear an American make in England 10 was ;ol-
lowed b. an address from the ladies' Of CamdentoWn
{, Mrs. Conway, with a gift of Jcwelry, when she
acknowledged in few graceful words. Then the
formaties--if sgch a word may bc used-came to
an eid and people locked up to the platform to
shake hands with Mr. Conway and have Il word or
two with him personally.
Among American artists who are sending pictures
10 this years Exhibition OF tlc Royal Academy, III.
Ucnncsgy is the one who seems to have made the
greatest advance in his procession. His picture OF
last year. The NOtiye Offering marked turning
point in his career, and warmly praised Before
that. his undoubted talents were used in a way on
which the greater part of the English public looked
but doubtfully. There was perhaps, in his work.
something of the impa;ence which is sometimes
Thought to be Al American quality. lie was amb-
tions. he painted large pictures he was an ldealst
but tho technical merit Of his work not equal to
his intention. Within the last two years there has
been n change for the better, which now has ripened
into excellence of II high order. lie has followed
the vein which lac began TO work with such promise
Living all Summer ia Normandy, he has painted the
Norman life lac saw, instead of painting more or
less dim memories Of the American life, which he
sees no longer. His present picture, " En- fete,"
though on largo canvas. was, in fact, painted
mostly out ~ doors The scene is IN the village
where he lived. A troop Of young aud old people,
clad in their rural best and carrying llowers, are
passing through a gateway along road lined with
fruit trees in blossom and grassy banks, with pool
on one side and Il stile, toward church in The back
ground. The detail il something quite ndescaiba-
be 40 various is il in foliage, in figures, in costume
and so faithful in treatment throughout. Even Il
French critic would pronounce this solidlypainted