The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-18
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART.

meeting of the Board of Trustees Of the Metro
politan Museum Of Art was held last evening at the
house of the president, Mr.. John Taylor Johnston.
Fifth avenue and Eighth street. There present
Mr.. Johnston General Iii Cesnola, Cornelius Wander
blt. Salem II. Wales. Roher. Gordon Richard Butler.
Henry G. NIarquand, Robert Hoe, Jr., and s. p.
Avery The transaction OF business unavoidably
delayed by the late arrival OF General d Cesnola,
Secretary OF the Board, who was ecturing elsewhere
on the subject OF "Cypriote Art and Antiquities,
wah difference to his own collection at the museum
The removal of these treasures the
question under consideration. The President OF
the Department OF Parks, so the General
said. had told him that lie might consider himself
lucky il the in which the collection is. to be
transferred to the Central Park building were ready
by next Christmas On Saturday and yesterday the
gold and silver goods packed, and it decided
last night to have them intrusted to the of a
safe deposit company. The following trustees were
appointed a. COMMITTEES to regulate The disposition
OF space i'll the new museum :-deneral di Cesnoia.
Messrs. Johnston. Hoe Marquand William q. Prime
and Loring Andrews, the first named being chair
man.
PARK
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERAID:-
Your notice of the approaching removal of the
Metropolitan Museum to Central Park and the ad-
vice you added toward improving its relations with
the public will be accepted. If you please. my
reasons for adding your crowded columns by this
communication
My own experience in connection with art ex-
hibitions aud educational establishments to which
the public are admitted has long satisfied me of the
fact that if you have not appreciative public you
must make one. The wisest of the Greeks. we are
told drew his philosophy from heaven. 'st in uyti
bas collocara. ct IN domos eam iatrodurit." museum
may be a dark. hteless untrequented cemetery.
less the public Intelligence is educated to it, MAIN
tain it as a Giving aud working institution" new
efforts should SeQulOusy and Ntfully
taken in band to faniliarize the residents OF New
York with the existing contents. As well as the aims
and objects of the Metropolitan Museum. Every
week, every month, ut soirces or conversation.
formal courses OF plan explanatory lectures.
the special classes OF the collections should BE- popu
larized described each by itself mapped together
parts the entire scheme OF art education which
they subservc. The Cesnoa Recommendations
peer in the whole world-if il so please the popular
vanity to be told this. should be necessarily made
the subject of inquiry discussion and exhibition in
familiar q fashion ~ possible.
All the trades and owners Of the stores, or en-
poriums OF trades, connected with glass, metal,
ceramic, furniture and stuffs &c. should be
again aud again urged to attend and assist at these
meetings. The working men. the mechanics and
operatives readily be got ct to take interest in
artists should be specially solicited to join in the
efforts. The Decorative Art Society could advance
it, own intentions by direct Intercourse as the man
ayers OF the museum could determine. The public
and private drawing schools and studios could
tribute their members to rcvitalize and to assist the
action OF the promoters of this new movement
There will DO fear but that the public press will
play its part in calling attention to and commenting
ON any public advance OF the general education.
The Legislature should be invariably reminded OF
its duties to this national institution. The robbers
OF 'voted supplies not shauefaced and defiant
they III the first days of the appearance Of
the Metropolitan Museum an "educational motor"
at Albany ten years ago. The Governor of the state
aud his deputy. the Mayor aud Aldermen OF the city
OF New YorS-all require 10 be educated TO the value
OF the Metropolitan Museum ~ an 'improvor of the
business opportunities OF New York State. and.
being educated. will help to maintain IL public
institution. But The governing body OF the museum
wants more life, movement, action and attractive
power. OF course il wants money. but the moncyed
men see that give what they may, the establishment
H. in its public relations. semi-aninatc apathctc or
wfuly eyasive of the responsibilities OF its charge.
Oh course you will have bushel OF explanations
"why the present condition OF things " ~ II is, but.
you to utter explanations Is usually the
safe employment of the idle and negiectful @.
NEW. loRk, Feb IL. IelY.