New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-21
HARPER.

TIE variety and excellence of the illustra-
tions in the June number deserve more cordial
mention than usual while the leterpress includes con-
trbutiOns from several avOrte writers, and topics
Of general popular interest agreeable paper by
Mr. s. G. W. Benjamin describes the local scenery and
antiquarian curostes Of the South Shore" of Massa
chusetts Bay including the primeva town Of Plymouth
Duxbury, Marshheld, Scituate, bingham, and other
places Of renOwn in the annals of the Old Colony "The
American sculptor" by G. W. Sheldon gives several
pleasant anecdotes Of distinguished American artist
Mr. j. @. A. Ward. with discriminating estimate Of
bis works and genius In reply the question: where
lies the charm of Mr. Wards statues the writer remarks
at is scarcely enough to say that most of them
anatomicaly correct well posed have true proper
TONS exhibit their subjects in healthfu normal state Of
development are gracefully and fifty drGped-are, IN
word obeden to the general laws Of the sculptos art
Nor would it be all the truth to relate how full they
Of vitality how his marble especially have blood
in their veins and distinctly marked planes their
mbsas they should have If they really women and
not round-armed boys-and how when nude they never
look nude being yelled with artistic sentiment. The
highest in art is always the ineXpressbc the most ex
qusite and subtitle is the most eetng lat the touch Of
words or the sculptor himself however as lie ap-
pears in his works. it is easy 10 speak In the first place.
he is possessed by intellectual seriousness which
never allows him TO waste his strength upon common
place. paltry merely pretty subjects or TO make use
of tricks or articles, conventional or individuals in the
next place. his aesthetic instincts Keen and he does
not fail to please to attract TO reach furthermore be is
receptive of ideas from every intelligent source. am
always glad he says, to get help from anybody;
ceited fellow you know, shuts out the light, and can't
make progress in his art because nobody darcs say
thing TO him. Again, he has an imprisoned AID I'M
bounded love for the free-he prairie, the Indian the
free social cities the free republic OF letters and
citizens. Still further he is learned in bis art not often
at for the mechanical necessary to the in
depreciation OF human thought and emotion; and finally,
he has listened Herakeitos would say to the OF
the sibyl. who teaches what learning never
teach 'utterng things simple, and unperfumed and
adorned" The article on Music In New-York Thirty
Years Ago" by Matilda Despard, recOunts some inter
estng historical "reminiscences Of Jenny Lind and other
musical celebrities OF that day; Russian Literature"
by Charlotte Adams is instructive paper, discussing
the merits Of some Of the prominent national Russian
authors and Professor Simon Newcomb relates sngu-
lar instance of scientific fraud in the alleged discovery
OF comet by Chevalier d'AngOs about a
hundred years ago. The Easy Chair " has an admir-
able paper on Our New Minister to Germany" the
following paragraph from which explains the secret
of the honor and sympathy with which Bayard Taylor
was accompanied from shores to his entrance on
foreign official life Mr.. Taylor is very widely known
throughout the country as man Of perfect recttude
and simplicity of nature who has made his way by
his own Industry and character, and by the most
dgent cultivation of his literary talent, TO results
which have given instruction and delight and inspiration
70 thousands Of readers But his and reputation
have in the least deee spoiled him, and the man
has the fresh and generous and unsuspcious heart
the boy. Moreover his activity and his distinction have
not been such TO bring him into collision with persons
or interests parties His temperament is cheerful and
hopeful and his temper so sweet and winning that
hostile feeling is impossible. At time when party
passion is weak and the country prefers harmony 10
contention, the appointment OF man whom every body
likes and whose career has illustrated the qualities
that Americans feel TO be peculiarly characteristic
minister TO a country OF whose language and literature
he master, with which he has the tenderest ties and
In which his name is honorably known as friend,
strikes public feeling felictOus that 1t highly
Joys its pleasure and gladly cheers the representa-
tive Of what 1t admires. He adds another name the
long list OF the literary men Of our race who have
served in diplomatic positions, beginning with the
embassies Of Chaucer, aud sgnally illustrated in
own service at this time by Mr.. Iaylor's colleagues,
George p. Marsh in Italy and James Russell Lowell
In Spain"