Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-12-05

tne FORMER. LApplause. 30 Tar form
weakening a nation, it Strengthens a
nation, and it strengthens it In the
most charming method, by giving
pleasure, and solely pleasure, in the
course OF its instruction. There is
nothing in the lessons Of art that is
painfnl;. there. ID everything that is
pleasurable, and ii is ono of those
| pleasures that never can decay, and the
proofs OF which can never die. For,
although you may bury the statue,
| although time may corrode the paint
ing, the effect upon the human mind
and upon the human heart is continued
from generation TO generation. Ap.
plause. l have been lately struck with
the
EFFEcT UPON THE INDUSTRIES
of a people, of the practical effect of
art as exhibited by one mans charac-
ter. Last summer it was my good for
tune to spend few days at Copen-
hagan-a beautiful city; and quite the
dominating spirit of Copenhagan--th
which exhibits itself in architecture,
that which exhibits itself in galleries
OF sculpture-was the genius Of the one
man, Thorwaldsen. Applause. The
body Of Thorwaldsen has long since
turned to dust, but the spirit of Thor
waldsen and the spirit of art survives
in his native city. 1t is there to bless
and beantify the homes and the lives
Of the, people, not simply of those who
lind their residence there, but everyone
who may come in contact with the
spirit of the place, which has supplied
some of the most delightful branches
OF industry to the people of his coun-
~ "a fha tn
of their handiwork brought them ex-
client return. 1t has been most fruit
full industry in occupation to the peo-
Pile, and in affecting their natural
character and habits Grossness, sensu-
ality, self indulgence are all rebuked
by the true consideration of art--[ap-
plause and there is nothing in tho
example of Thorwadsen that had not
been blessing and an advantage to
his people. So in these islands | be-
lieye that it would be merely just to
say that the genius and the indi-
vidual skill of Josiah Wedgwood origi-
mated among the British neople a
strong sense of the beautiful-the beau
tiful in pottery and art that lay in
those beautiful conceptions, to aid in
which he called upon an ancient and
long buried world to yield it's best
secrets for the establishment and
charm of his own time. Applause. All
art is kindred. The poem is
PICTURE IN WORDS.
The picture is poem on canvas.
[Applause. The statue is vertically a
sermon IN the stone. [Applause. And
these are the charms that cannot be
locked up for the enjoyment Of few
They cannot be selfishly enjoyed. Art
is catholic, art is not narrow, art is
unselfish. | remember very well in my
own country man whose artistic sense
had induced him to make very fine,
though not large, selection of pic
lures, and lady who visited him con-
graduated him upon their possession.
He smiled, and replied" Madam, /
suppose that do own them actually,
but 1 sometimes realize that they be-
long to those who come here and most
enjoy Them" Applause. This is the
nobility and the generosity of art. The
possession of statue or picture in
man is simply as its custodian. The
enjoyment of the picture lies in the eye
of the beholder, and the lesson he
gathers from it, Art can no more be
circumscribed, it's advantages can no
more be shut out from the human
heart and the human mind than you
can shut out the sunshine or the pure
air that blows across your Highland
heather. Applause. Therefore it is
that in coming into the presence of art,
and coming into the house of art, and
among its collections and exhibitions,
one feels the fine strong spirit of hui
mainly coming in from every side, ami
mating us all, destroying all small ieal-
ousies, conquering native vulgarities,
subduing and rebuking personal pride,
and bringing us all into one common
brotherhood, of the appreciation of the
higher qualities of which our nature is
capable. Applause. Therefore, ladies'
and gentlemen, apologizipg for this very
fragramentary way of touching the hem
OF great subject. and not venturing
to make any elaborate preparation at
all worthy of such an occasion as this
have ventured to say these few words
indicative of the respect with which |
have approached this informal duty. |
thank yon. thank the gentlemen under
whose control this building and this
exhibition have been organized. /
thank you for your great favor in per-
hitting my voice to be Joined with
yours, and saying this much. / an
[Loud applause.
On motion of Lord Provost, a vote of
thanks and three hearty cheers were
given for his eXcellency, and the gath
ering then separated.
After the opening ceremony Mr..
Bayard and the assembled company adj
iourped to the galleries The Ameri-
can Ambassador and the Lord Provost
visited the various rooms. and his ex
celloncy manifested great interest in
the paintings, frequently consulting
his catalogue AT half-past one Mrs.
Bayard and he drove TO the Queens
Hotel along with Lord Camperdown
and Lady Abercromby. Here small
party were entertained at lunch.
NOTES AND IMPRESSIONS.
From our lady correspondent.
Mr.. Bayard's speech was one to send
us away rather longing than loathing,
to adapt the north country proverb. II
had the two rare virtues of breyity and
simplicity, for though it dealt with
the best principles of art criticism, 1t
was couched in the least technical
language. Ii was characteristic
though, | dare say, quite unpremedi-
interchangeable beginning that he
should address ''ladies and gentle
men," with no mention of my lord, +"
like the other speakers; and though he
began late he left off so early that the
wait made wonderfully little inroad on |
our patience. Mr.. Bayard has typical
American face-ruddy, shrewd, kindly, |
the head, but countenance of more |
H., 49, C