Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-09-19

VIM NJ. HUNTS DEArH-AN 1RBEPARADLE LOSS
TO THE WORLD OF ARr-THE MASSACHUSETTS,
HORTICULTURAL socIETYs Exhibition
SOME NEW BOOKS
BosToN, Sept. -, 1879
The sudden and mysterious death of Will
liam Hunt has cast a deep shadow over the
artistic portion of the community which will
not easily be dispeed The news came with
fearful suddcnness to his friends here, and
was a great shock OF surprise to those who
were near him. The first onjecture, on find
ing his dead body floating in the reservoir at
Appledore, was that he had committed sui
eide, and circumstances seemed to favor the
conjecture. 1t was well known that he was
subject TO periods of mental dependency and
and melancholy, and naturally enough the
first thought was that he had made way with
himself in one Of these mental attacks. So the
conjecture took the form of certainty, and
was flashed over the wires in the form of an
absolute statement of fact. But there was
nothing to substantiate the theory of suicide
and later facts seem TO point to accidental
drowning. He had been i'll all summer from
ov1rwork, and, in fact was suffering from
one of the most painful forms of nervous ca
haustion. He had been several times sud
denly Frustrated, seeming to lose all bodily
strength and mental power for few mo-
monts and it is believed by his physicians,
and those who have been most intimately
connected with him during the last months
OF his life, that in one of these attacks he fell
into the water and was powerless to help
himself. He had been in good spirits that
morning had left Mrs. Thaxters cottage on
ly little while before, and there was moth
ing then in his manner to indicate that he
mcditated such a step.
Whatever the mode Of his death, whether
accidental or otherwise, the loss to the world
of art is irrepanble. Mr.. Hunt was the
founder Of that broad style, which is known
in this country us the Hunt school," and
which has many firm adhelonts, and equally
many opponents. Probably there is 10
American artist of the present time who has
been more thoroughly discussed both among
artists and counoisseurs than has William
Hunt. He leaves no marked representative
Of the school who il yet worthy to fill his
| plare, lut some one may arise yet, for no
mnstcr ever succeeded in inspiring his pupils
with enthusiasm more thoroughly than Hunt.
and l have no doubt that his d, ath will be an
incentive to some of his followers to ondeny-
or to worthily represent, and if possible to
| porpetuate, the school Of national art which
he founded, and which bear his name
The Massachusetts, Horticultural Society
has been celebrating its ffticth birthday thi-
week, and las had one Of the most brilliant
| exhibitions ever given under its auspices.
| Horticultural Hall has been the centre Of at
traction all the week, and what with rare
fruit. grown to absolute perfection, gay au-
| tumn flowers, into whose petals were gather
| cd all the passion Of late summer wonderful
palms, ferns and gigantic tropical plants, and
| groups Of pretty, elegantly dressed women
coming and going all through the day, the
scene Las been bright and beautiful. | must
confess / never knew the capabilities Of veg
etables until now, and l humbly beg pardon
Of the entire population Of the kitchen gardrn
for the low estimation in which ! have held
them, regarding them strictly from utilta-
rian standpoint, with no appreciation of their
beauty | only wish the average provision
dealer would visit the exhibition, and take IL
few lessons in grouping, he could make his
windows so attractive. If | kept provision
store should do it on high art" principles
The book publishers have already prom
Used us some good things for winter reading
Roberts Bros. and Houghton u Osgood are
already out with catalogues of forthcoming
publications. The former announces "A new
novel, Sarah De Besenger' by Jean Inge-
low, "Jimmys Cruise in the Pinafore" by
Louisa Alcott, stories by Susan Coolidge and
II. H., a volume of essays by Thomas g.
Appleton, and very practical little book on
studying Art Abroad. and How TO do it
Cheaply," by May Alcott Nieriker. Hough-
ton Il Osgood will publish, among other
things, another Of those delightful Bodley
books, and story 10y Mrs A. ID. T. Whit
ney, which everybody will be glad to read,
for it is some time since this charming writer
gave her last book to the public.
The Dudley Street Opera House opened
last evening. The audience was large and
brilliant, the theatre pretty and coy, and the
Juvenile Pnafore Company more charming
than ever. Mr. Stimson has every reason to
anticipate success.
saw Mr.. Ladd, the principal of Chauncey
Hall school, one day this week, and he told
me that more girls had entered this year than
ever before All hail Chaunccy Hall, one of
the first to open its doors TO girls, after fifty
years of educating boys exclusively.
SALLIE JOY WHITE.