The New York herald., 1877-12-17
abandoning the usual course OF servIs

occasionally abandoning the usual course OF serve
liberalism.
the Japanese display, essentially linked with that
OF the Chinese affords proiusion OF bronzes, vases
screens silk and paper paintings lacquer WORK, Grape
pictures, FANS parasols and curious wooden ueuss
These things are excessively admired-justly so-on
account OF their ingenuity but certainly not on ac
count Of their heauty or grace
The Japanese never arrive at q high architectural
feeling as may be seen in their vessels and imple-
mems. Thus their cabinet work, which is~ wonder
fully executed technical respects their toilet cases
work tables etagares and drawers possess the strange
peculiarty oi never being symmetrical The arrange
OF the sliding drawers never correct aud the
inlaid ornaments obstinately avoid all regularity OF
design. Thor bronze vessels, also perfume cases.
glasses. candlesticks, exhibit ugly forms OF every
kind covered with fantastic devices Many of these
vessels assume the iorms OF distorted monsters or
gobiiDks creatures, the japanese imagination, like
the Chinese constantly verging the grotesque. II
Is only whore naive naturasm asserts itself the
works that Keen observation OF nature and lively
conception arc apparent In those bronze lights
which have shown here for Eve years past,
formed Of a slender, heron-like water bird standing
on the back Of tortoise and holding water plant in
It's beak, tho opened blossom holds the candle.
Truly the japanese have special gilt for drawing
and painting; but here too, the driest realism pre-
walls, producing excellent things in the imitation
given 10 nature. but evdcncing s4 attempt at
the expression OF an idea Professor Ldbke, In bis
"History Of japanese Art" goes 80 far accuse
the Japanese OF "nsvor having breath OF true
artistic feeling" ard he Is undoubtedly right.
He says the lack Of this feeling sis felt
In all their Independent, paintings, as, for
example, in the skuy executed bright pictures with
which tho red or black vanished trays and similar
are atcd n
proporonaie division space. from the fact that, in
order display great surface possible OF un-
surpassably tine varnish, the representations are
placed without any architectural counter
balance"
In writing and drawing books, compendiums and
other works OF instruction the Japanese rep
resent landscapes animals and fishes with
accurate observation and most exact character
ization. Other books, containing splendid colored
prints depict the elegant ifo Of the fashionable
world Of Japan. still Others together with the
crapc pictures which have boen imported this year. dis
play IN illuminated woodcuts the dongs OF the peo
ple-the motley confusion In the streets OF popuious
Cities OF conjurers and athletes merrymakings
open air aud similar scenes. In these the vg-
orous precision of the drawing, alter falling into Carl
cature and delighting show Its power in bold fore
shortcomings, claims admiration no less than the dis
nctncss Of expression and the full meaning given 10
the gestures and movements Of the human body.
Beauty Is alien this mode Of art. and II imagination
be evinced It maniiests itself only in distortions
crazy productions OF minds reveing in the hideous.
Thus "revolves necessarily between imagina
tive na,uralism and monstrous fantastic denoation."
TX
What we receive from Arabia Ia not nearly abun-
dant as It rare. The arts Of Islam have found
yet no regular market In the United States though
occasionally some strange product Of Arabian genius
and skill Is brought hero and quietly disposed Of The
most interesting specimens Of ancient Arabian art are
guarded In the native mosques and tombs. II is not
easy for rob the mausocums OF the caphs.
spain indeed where, until the fall OF Grenada in
1892, tho Moors had remained for seven successive
centuries under the independent Kingdom Of Abderr
haman lately contributed TO tho Centennial Exhib-
ton some beautiful relics OF noble, high ndcd
and charming civilization which eliminated wi tn The
OF the Alnambra fortress In 1850 A D. and OF
the Ahambra Palace the latter half OF the following
century. The few that not withdrawn back to
museums OF Madrid nearly all passed. directly into
the hands OF wealthy collectors. Only here and there
undoubted gom OF that graceful epoch OF science
poetry art awaits q fortunate American purchaser.