The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-29
TEA TABLE GOSSIP.
usual VARIETY OF TOPICS TALKED
OF AT AN EVENING PARTY.
l Chapter On the Fascinating Art Of
Paiuting-The Play-The Cooking
Club-Levee and Bridge Building
Business and Pastime, All In a Bunch.
tongues in trees,

tongues in trees,
A Books In the running brooks, sermons In stones
n Andgood in everything"
q do you paint ?" asked an aesthetic and |
daintily attired guest at our tea last even
ing Of a sister guest on the opposite side;
and when the reply came rather slowly |
from the sister that she did little in that
way, the questioner added: ''Do you
paint in oil or water colors and do you |
paint portraits?"
As the questioned lady replied between
a couple OF blows to cool her tea, "Why, |
no. have painted my hearthstone at
home few times, and on several occasions
] have tried my hand at whitewashing,
the questioner looked almost as much |
amazed as did the gallant Perseus Of ira
dition when Medusa's visage met his ken.
After her surprise wore off somewhat she
added, for the information ofthe set: more
than 200 of our citizens, chiefly ladies, are
now taking lessons in the art OF painting
in this city, or are making preparations to
do so. And this is fair increase over last
year. We have now teacher in that
fascinating line Of art, Miss Fanny May,
S1xhose studio on Madison street has num-
Der OF attendants, and who studied and
practiced among the most popular masters
for several years in Paris, Berlin and
Dresden. Also Miss Maggie Ashe,
who was abroad last summer, after
having been q pupil OF Mr.. Nell
son, now deceased, and whom she
has succeeded. Then there is Mrs.
Preugh, a progressive teacher, who does
honest and hard work in the cause; also
Miss Il. V. Oakley, whose recent display
in her studio at the Cotton exchange
building attracted 40 much attention, and
Miss NJ. q. Stephenson, former pupil OF
Miss May, who studied ut the Art League,
in New York City, and Miss Carrie Dob
bin, who leads the art class at Miss llig-
bees seminary. In Miss Mays classes
last year there were as many rs eighty pu-
pills, and she expects an increase this
season there, including those she teaches
at her studio and at Miss Conway's sem
mary. The others have now, or will
have in the near future, from twenty TO
fifty pupils each to guide and look after.
This speaks well for the taste OF our peo-
Pile and the growing desire OF many TO i'm.
prove themselves in the high arts and nc
complshments. There are others who
teach, and several amateur and profess
sional gentlemen who paint portraits and
landscapes. Nearly all OF the pupils now
in practice are ladies, and several have
come here from the adjoining States OF
Kentucky, Arkansas and Mississippi,
while the majority, Of course, hail from our
own State OF Tennessee.
1--WE are just beginning to realize what
art II, through the art schools OF the east
ern cities OF this country" said Miss May
90 one OF our gossipy inclined guests who
had visited the studio Of that accomplished
lady within the past few days, and
> -shc artislically inclined lady continued the
repetition OF Miss Mays speech on art by
adding: "Art is nothing but the highest 81
gacity and eXcriion OF human nature. In
The time OF Richelieu il was the fashion Of
princes and mobiles in France 10 patronize
an and literature. Artists ut that period
were Just beginning TO have places IN the
civilized world. Rome was full Of paint
inps toward the end Of the republic, and
many Roman paintings have been found
among the ruins Of Pompcii and llcrcula-
neum, nearly all the houses OF which were
decorated with froscoes, while in the baths
OF Titus were found the only paintings that
has given us any idea Of the customs Of
the ancionts. The great antiquity oi Egyp-
tan art affords a theme Ol deep interest and
the earliest stage Of the art OF design is H.
lustraicd in Egyptian paintings executed
1900 wears before Christ The earliest
origin OF art In Greece was introducing
outlines in profile OF the shadow Of the
human head on the walls, and aiterward
filling out the same 10 as TO form kind Of
silhouette. The art Of drawing was in the
height Of perfection In the first century
but Il began 20 decline two centuries later
and for several hundred years il was al
most obliterated. Traces OF exquisite
fancy ncalncss and elegance Of handiwork
In the painting art are 10 bc seen n far
back as the history u France extends, and
since the time OF Charlcmagne, when the
walls Of churches were covered with
paintings 10 instruct the people. France
has been at the head In art produc.
ton. Now the mighty galleries Of sumptu.
Gus paintings OF the Louvre, the Ru.
bcnscs, Ncroncscs, lyconarlos, Tiiians,
Cloucts and hundreds Of others re-
nowned in art, afford quantity las
chatting and stimulating experience 10 the
cultivated tourist or student, and one
who ndmics art can lingcr for days among
these splendid collections. Art is making
S-ssOd progress here at home. A few years
ago We did but little beyond copying, hut
since our teachers have been going abroad
We aspire 10 something better and higher.
Now my pupils sketch from nature aud
also work from living models twice each
week, aud some OF their work would not
discfcdit that 10 be found Ia the galleries
Of London or Paris. IL Is not simply the
making Of pictures that makes the artist,
but the brush must bc used IN convey
thought. and the true artist who labors
conscicntiously 30 excel ia this. will find
place in the world the same as other pco-
pie. I have pupil Of promise, Miss Mary
X. Wigs, who Is Just now working at
vase oi chryanthcmums, and she Is max
ing nm admirable imitation OF thcs,
beautiful autumn blossoms Another
prominent pupil, Mn. Camp, il
busy on faithful portrait OF
little Linden street beauty, and, by the
way, have orders ior nearly dozen por-
traits Of leading citizens. In my list Of
ardent workers will be seen Rosa Ram
baut, Ida Bruce. Edith lirooSs, Mona
Boidic. MB Fondick, Mary Mason,
Annie Hayden. Eunicc Drake; also Miss
Martin, and Mary Moore, Of liyhaia; Eula
Smith, Of Texas, aud others too numerous
o. mention. Last summer, you know,
dozen or ~ Of pupils went up into the
blue grass region OF Kentucky b. sketch
the beauties OF nature, aud they drew
large fund Of picturesque inspira ,on while