The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-28
Ex-ED1roR HURLBERr.
A Man Who Worked in Frock and Hood,
and Had Seven Hundred Canes.

and Had Seven Hundred Canes.
New York Letter.
Within short time, as l understand there
will be one of the most interesting art sales
ever held in this city. Following the exam
pie OF the Partisan actress, when she leaves
her profession, Mr.. William III. Hurlbert re-
Gently editor OF the World, has, it is stated,
determined to sell his pictures. His apart
ments are in the New York University, a
great monastery of building fronting on
Washington square. The rooms are unique
in their arrangement, and one of them a
large octagonal apartment, has been admired
by every artist who has seen it as one of the
most perfectly adapted for a small picture
gallery in the city. Light comes from three
windows on one side through heavy silken
curtains, and lights up on the opposite the
original of the grandest Turner in the world,
The Vision of Venice" Mr.. Hurlbert re-
Gently confessed that it took ten years of the
most diplomatic negotiation before he could
induce its former owner to sell. Even then
he had to conduct vigorous guerrilla war
fare on over hundred other would-be pur-
chasers. This noble canvas alone is worth
$50. 900, and there will be, undoubtedly, a
great scramble among the millionaire anna
teurs to secure it.
The walls of the same room are covered
with numerous other paintings, including
five Turner'S of less renown than the ''Vison,"
and several valuable old masters. A Battle
field, d" by David Teniers will also be eagerly
| sought after On the walls also is picture
by Church OF the very room ITSELF well exc
cuted, and giving the soft, religious atmos-
phere that always hangs around the apart
ment, and which the occupant deepened and
made more real by always wearing, when
working in it, long, coarse gray frock and
hood of Capuchin friar. The hood hung
down on his back and the gown, reaching to
his feet, was girdled about his waist, and
only needed a rosary to make the illusion
complete Two immense japanese vases
stood on guard at the door, close by on an
easel was Dutch picture of the grand canal
at Venice, the top of the easel graced by the
red hat of a cardinai-of no less a cardinal,
indeed, than the holy saint Borromeo-which
Mr.. Huribert Obtained during one of his
visits to Rome. He was friend of the late
Pope Plus TX, and had a picture of that
prelate hanging over his desk before the fire
in the old World building Here and there
throughout the room in the university build
ing are curious cabinets in rich woods and
antique forms, surmeunted some of them
by Sevres china of the most delicate pattern
and others by painted Mexican statuettes.
Chinese gods and mandarins squatted on
some, silks and scarfs from Damascus lay
lovingly on others. The floor was one mass
of the finest rugs from the East. and glist-
ening tiger skin, with outstretched paws
was extended under the desk.
Here he worked and lived, for the editor
was man not only of the finest taste and
sense OF the beautiful. but he wished always
to be surrounded by the objects of his love-
He shut them up in no gallery, nor guarded
them under glass; they were q part of his
existence. The room is well represented in
Church's picture, and the man is not inaccu-
| rately sketched as a minor character in Ed
nund Yates's "a Bad Lot"
With these pictures will also be sold, I'M
derstand, Mr.. Hurlbert's collection of canes
and walking sticks. He has some six or
seven hundred of them gathered in all ma
TONS and his friends laughingly assert that
his passion has grown into a kleptomania.
One collection he will not sell--hls books.
The library is not large one, BUTT has been
most carefully selected. Pictures, brie-a-
brac, tapestry, lace everything may go, but
not the books. His Literary being could not
survive such q divorce. The retention of
these companions is like the French officers
| reply: Sire, give you everything but my
honor"
1t is pity that the room should be dis
turbed Those who have seen it will feel a
pang in their artistic souls at the thought of
such vandalism. "A young millionaire
bachelor / have been informed, offered $780,
900 for them just as they stand 1t will cost
something more than that, l imagine, to sur
round one S self in a moment with such q
LIES collection of art and beauty,