The New York herald., 1877-11-15
A LECTURE ON ART.

W. W. sToRY's ADDRESS TO A LARGE AUDIENCE
AT CHICKERING HALL LAST NIGHT.
Mr.. W. W. Story, painter, sculptor, poet and mu-
sican, appeared last evening before large audience
at Chickeriug Hall, and lccturcd on "Artn The au-
dience was composed OF some of the best known
artists and literary men, and one or two young ladies'
schools occupied several OF seats At half-past
eight, the hour announced Mr. Story appeared the
platform. He Is tall ana straight, with gray hair.
gray mustacbes and imperial and q fine norid com
piexion, and wears glasses. In manner ho easy,
and his style Is conversational Tho appearance OF
the lecturer on the platform was the signal for wei
coming applause. He advanced to the little desk, on
which he leaned and read his lecture he might to
fcw friends in paror. He al Grst took back look
at art In Greece and Italy, and spoke of Titan,
Raphael, Michael Angelo and Tintorctto as
stars in the armament OF Italy that would
never set Now wo are ransacking tho
world Tor any facts relating to tho history OF these
men, who were passed. over IN their own time. Then
he came TO the general subject OF art Look at the
influence art has over those who make and who
what Is the use, answer, OF tho flowers, OF tho sun
set God might have made commonplace world,
without poetry, but He did Art Is
jealous mistrcss she requires tho scverest appica-
ton OF mans talents; for her we must strain our
powers 10 the utmost Tho pleasure OF success is a
great stimulant, and when he succeeds nothing can
bo greater than tho pleasure ~ an artist 1 do not
mean pecuniary success. but n success in his art
Que Hover oil praise 10 the living genius IL worth
more than ga;ands OF mmortciles hung his tomb.
II is not the victory much as the battle that de-
lights. There is certain sorrow at the completion
OF work ike that iclt Tor a friend that Is lost.
Speaking of artists life, he The artist lives
In an ideal world. When once thcdoor is closed he
dons tho garb OF prose dons that OF poctry the
ancient gods themselves do not hesitate visit him
all the real and unreal heroes oi the past with
forms and coors that hidden from others. There
are two kinds OF art the low aud the
US IRON this Aud there Is another that
has the ycc OF angel and is the sister oil religion
The one Is the drug Of tho temple; the other Is IT'S
priest lApplauscj The higher artist asccnds the
further he feels tho summit TO DO from him no
peak after peak OF inaccessible despair II doubtful
whether too great facility at first is boom There
is danger that It's possossor VIII content with
small achievements There is nothing so da Gus
tempting facility its end usually med ocrIty
Four.niths OF the successes aitributed TO genius
is the result OF Indomitabe will The charactcrscs
OF art in every country said the speaker, formed
by national character and government Art has
never nourishcd under dcspotsm As manners and
morals become corrupted the arts decline. Art has
always nourshed under republics In France during
the Empire there was much talent wasted inde-
cent subjects lApplause.) In America tho mind
I'm no. 70 percavo ,Ss .enaenev Of aSe Aor
lean toward hardness iterancss ana uck OF Josign.
Litcrslness Is the bane OF all art Speaking
OF criticism, tho lecturer rciorred " Ruskin, whom
he PRONOUNCED unreliable, saying that IL is possible
20 tell what his real principles are his statements are
40 varied. Some modern writers he CON pared
to wandering lights that lead TO shpwreck. Art Is
not u mere representation OF nature. but brcathcs
forth IN inmost sentiments OF tho artist Nature Is
but tho grammar OF art; u must bc mastered, but II
Is nothing unless used by tho artist TO say something
Tho lecturer here quoted wordsworth's we'll known
lnos upon the sight Of Dcautifui picture painted by
Sir q. H. Beaumont, begnning:-
Praised bo the art whose subtle powe,
Could stay
Yon cloud and ax 1, in thai glorious shape
What Is omitted In WORK OF art ~ necessary as
what Is expressed. Every great work contains o
than It's statement. lie then compared modern with
wanting IN that character, dignity style which In
the Greeks commands our admiration.
In conclusion the lecturer advocated culture Tor
arlists, who snoula be saturated with high thoughts