Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-31

Some Topics a General Intsrest Diseussss
by - 0oehamSAsa,

Some Topics a General Intsrest Discussed
| by - 0okhaRtAsa,
ART AND LITkRATuBx-IHR GREAT sxxxY COL
LECTION OF PAISrrSos-wML Az AMKRIcAN
SALON BE RsTABLIsHED-NKw YORK DUDES
AND THEIR TAILoss' BILLS.
Special correspondsnce Of The Evening ssar.
New YoRK, Jan. -.
lnN WEDNESDAY EVENING THE sENEY
OooIlection Of paintings was opened to the
inspection Of the public. Admission was by
ticket, and the cards were eagerly sought, as
the extraordinary value and artistic merit Of
the collection were well understood. An i'm
mense crowd thronged the galleries Of the as-
ISOLATION, making inspection Of the pictures
and even locomotion difficult. However, the
occasion was . very brilliant one, and httingly
ushered in an episode that will close in fort
night with the most important art sale of the
year. The general history Of the Seney collec-
ton is familiar to all collectors and lovers Of
art. ALI such will remember that this is the
second collection which the wealthy banker has
made, the first being disposed Of in 1885, whom
Mr. Seney was embarrassed financially. Hav-
ing regained his feet, however, the old passion
Of the art amateur came back with redoubled
force, and he at once set about making q sec
ond collection which, unlike the second tables
and the second temple, would be more precious
than the first. In this ambition he has suc-
ceeded. at least so far as money value goes.
The first criticism that might be made on the
gallery is that il is rather deficient In works of
compelling merit There is q dazzling sue
cession OF splendid canvases, and yet after all
there is lack of single paintings that rivet the
eyes and the mind and fill the memory with
distinct images to the blotting out of ordinary
impressions. Perhaps the canvas TINT comes
nearest to such quality is the celebrated Mil
let entitled Waiting" or "Blind Tobias" This
truly marvellous picture, which asserted its
claim to special interest even in the recent
Millet loan exhibition. was constantly sur
rounded by an admiring throng, and made
perhaps the deepest impression of anything in
the galleries. Another picture that received
the tribute of mobbing was q superb Troyon
entitled Hounds" Then Of course there was
great interest shown in the fine examples of
Diaz, Corot, Meissonier, Daubigny and the
other famous artists represented, mostly of the
French school.
No doubt the auction next month will bring
to New York the art amateurs and the repre-
sentatives of art galleries all over the country,
and among the number, no doubt. will be those
who are on the lookout for choice morsels for
the Corcoran Art Gallery. The wealth of ma
terial appears when say that the collection in
cludes nineteen Troyons, twelve Corots, nine
paintings by Kraus, eight by Israels, ten by
Daubigny, not to speak Of other masters, and
that the catalogue mounts up to a total Of 307
canvases. MI. Seney's first collection con-
sisted of 285 pictures and they were sold for
S406, $40. The present collection will undoubt-
eddy realize $500, 900 at least.
THAT AMERICAN SALON.
While upon art, should add two more inn
portant topics that have occupied the attention
of this part of the world during the week. The
first is the ambitious scheme to form an Amer
lean salon. the first exhibition of which is to be
in the famous year of 1892 This project finds
| itself launched in stormy waters On the one
hand it meets with formidable opposition from
both the old societies-the Academy of Design
and the Associated Artists--who see in it their
doom. The projectors explain that such lie not
the intent, but in this case 'soft words but
ter no parsnips" nor turn away wrath. The
logic of events, in case the new movement sue
ceeded, would soon sweep out Of existence the
older organizations or bring about a consolida-
ton in which their distinctive character would
be merged and obliterated. Hence they don't
like this new step on the stairs and this new face
| at the door. Even the idea Of a union ia not
tolerated. To quote the language Of Gilbert,
'Matrimony does not suit their notion, burial
1t brings" In consequence, probably there
will be war, waged with all that herceness which
marks celestial souls.
more complaisant reception, is that by Mr..
John H. Chanler, who is celebrating project
for establishing prize of Paris based on the
| model of the prize of Rome at Paris. His plan
| is to provide fund, the income Of which will
yield enough to send every year a student to
Paris and support him there for five years. in
| return for which he is to teach classes in New
York gratuitously for two years. He has al
ready collected over A75, 900 and expects to
| raise at least $l00, 600 with which TO found his
institute.
THE HURDLES OF THE Law.
AZ e. l. i. =
such black eye as it got Wednesday in the
ining and imprisonment of the proprietors of
the Clifton race track one Of the five tracks in
the state of New Jersey. These people were
given a very unpalatable taste Of that astrin-
gent article known as Jersey Justice" They
were indicted under the laws of the state for
keeping disorderly house, which is the dosig-
nation under the law for any place where
habitual gambling or other violation of the
law is permitted, and were convicted, much to
the astonishment Of all concerned, including @
large number OF reputable citizens. The de-
PENDANTS in the case after short trial, in which
their guilt plainly appeared, were given most
and q years imprisonment in state prison.
The convicted men Immediately APP
pealed to the Supreme Court and
gave bail; but the effect Of the decision un-
doubtedly will be to stop horse racing, at any
rate for the time being, throughout the state.
Partially and that these particular parties are
the victims of oppression, but there is no good
grounds for making any such statement. Horse
racing everywhere will feel the effect of this
blow, and the decision is naturally the one
topic OF discussion among the betting fratern-
ity and incidentally all those who occasionally
like to visit the tracks.
BREAKERS AHEAD FOR DUDES.
The town is promised Almost extraordinary
and thrilling episode. The Merchant Tailors'
Exchange, which comprises most Of the fash
ionable tailors in the city, have decided to hold
an auction at which they will sell unpaid tailors'
bills. The merchants have satisfied themselves
that this proceeding will be legal, and 1t re-
quires no argument or explanation to prove
that it will be highly entertaining. number
OF the leading anctioneers of the city have
dropped to the picturesque aspect of the move
ment and have volunteered their services. The
auction il is said will be held at the real estate
exchange, and it is put down for the end of
next month. Now is the time for the impe-
cunious dudes to leave town or settle those
| awkward little bills which have been such a
jest In the past, but now assume an ominous So
| robustness. There ia terror under many o dress
suit.
THE QUESTION OF GETTING ABOUT.
We are getting quite Interested in proceed
ings at Albany. Now that Gov. Hill has de-
| cided to go to Washington in Senator Evarts'
place the legislature has turned to more local
affairs The event of the week has been the
brilliant success OF rapid transit. Old Father
Knickerbocker is rubbing his eyes and really
believes that OF last he will be able to 20 about
nxa stt Ifo wit II ~