The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-08-01

49,"
Detroit. Though at the beginning OF thl,
century scarcely known or heard OF out.
side OF Germany, II has now a worldwide
renown, and Is one Of the fayorite resorts
OF European and American tourists. The
great change that has thus taken place 10
the fame and fortunes OF this ancient city,
Is entirely due 70 the accumulation there
OF treasures Of art, and especially to the
building up OF galleries Of sculpture aud
painting. Now Munich cannot for a
moment be compared with De-
troit IN beauty OF situation and
OF natural surroundings; much
less IN wealth and trade and com
merce; yet Munich is visited by constant
stream OF travellers, many OF whom
remain for months or years; and at some
periods its numerous and ample hotels
can scarcely accommodate the influx OF
guests.
Art galleries have done all this for Mu-
mich, and much more. They have led TO
the establishment Of schools for the cult
walton Of art, not only In It's higher sense,
but art in It's application TO manufacturing
industries. And so the people OF Munich,
and % some extent the kingdom OF Bavaria
have derived from this art enterprise so
recent, no little increase OF business pros
perity, while the city itself has be-
come well known throughout the world as
one OF the great centers Of art culture.
Many other European cities, as every
one knows, are resorted 10 by travellers
chiefly or wholly as shrines OF art; and
without this attraction they would scarcely
possess so much interest as American
cities OF the same size. What would
Dresden be without its picture gallery, or
even Florence or Paris without their mus
Gums OF art and history Pleasant
and attractive, indeed, to look at for a
moment, like many Of our American
cities, but speedily losing their interest,
because destitute OF that which IL crayed
by the mind as well as the eye.
Such city as Detroit, II is needless 70
say, with its magnificent location, its
handsome streets and avenues and many
fine buildings, both public and private,
lacks only that wealth OF art which old
world places possess, 20 more than
rival them In interest OF every kind.
Let Detroit build up complete art col
lection, let II become famed as the pos
SCISSOR OF choice masterpieces OF painting
and sculpture OF the present
day, and, at least, copies OF
all the older works illustrating the whole
history Of art, and strangers will not
merely ''stop on TO take drive through
her streets, make brief excursion on the
river, and then hasten away to "do" some
other town in the same fashion. They
will find here that which Is the painful
lack in nearly every other place this side
of the ocean, food for thought and ioiagina-
ton, in the asscmblage Of those works OF
art which are themselves the creations OF
thought and Imagination
But this is not all. IL lisa good thing;
II suits well the honorable pride OF the
"townsman,n the sentiment Of local patri-
otism, 10 make ones native or adopted
city by every means attractive TO strang-
ers, and fayorably known 20 the country
and the world. But apart from this motive,
however honorable, even a due regard for
the happiness Of our peal population,
and OF It's mora aud intellectual culture,
viii Justify all She effort and the expense
necessary TO the establishment and main
tenance OF public galleries OF art And not
only on this ground can rich and liberal citi-
zons be expected TO do such work for the
common good but should they fail 10 do
IL, reasonable arguments are not wanting
70 prove that IL would be right and wise
10 provide for such an object even by pub |
lie taxation. For we scarcely hesitate 10 |
tax ourselves 70 the amount OF hundreds
OF thousands for the opening and main |
tensnce OF public parks and pleasure
grounds for the benefit OF the people. |
Whatever expense is thus incurred, all |
men feel il Is wisely incurred:
II secures to the citizens OF all \
classes places OF recreation and |
rest where the beautiful IN nature
Is enhanced by beautiful art. Yet what
provision Is made for the recreation and |
restful entertainment OF the same popula-
ton during the seven or eight months OF
the year when public parks are not attrac-
tive or ayalableg One would think that
proper regard TO our climate and 70 the
average character OF our seasons would de
mand resorts and means OF recreation for
the people, in addition TO those which can
be enjoyed only about one-thlrd OF the
year. And II this Is so, we cannot con
ceiye OF anything so practicable, and
30 well suited in every respect TO meet
TINS want as ample museums OF art, with
The addition, II you please, OF antiqui-
yes and OF objects Of natural history.
such collections, beside affording re-
source IRON the cares and tolls OF routine
Iiie, exercise also an educating and re-
lining influence upon the citizens, none the
ess real because Il is gradual and not at
once visible. II, therefore, 1t pays well
% DC taxed for the ministering Of health
iui entertainment to the people one-third
d the year amidst the beauties OF nature.
why not be tared for the purpose OF Sc.
curing tothc same people entertainment OF
sun higher character the other two
birds OF the year amid the beauties OF
'ru Therefore It Is Just ms reasonable, TO
'ay the least, that public museums should
30 created andnaintained for the benefit
u the people the expense Of the people,
: pupnc park and pleasure grounds.
ma TINS princip long ago recognized
ana carried ~ by European govern
Menus and "a = <f,.Aaial.s. I~tr M hone
VII some 4 ebe accepted here Z,
ZONE. Hear y, n II Il atm
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