The record-union., 1897-08-08


those moral crises which from the be-
ginning have had such a fascination
for the great Russian writer and phil
anthropist According to an English
correspondent, the scene of the new
novel opens in a Russian law court,
where a young woman is tried for theft
and found guilty. During the trial one
of the jury recognizes her as one whom
he had known some years before, and
whom he had betrayed and then desert
ed. AS the Judge pronounces a SEN
tence of Imprisonment on the unfortu-
nate woman, the juryman feels that he
is really the guilty person, and deter
mines to make what amends he can.
He visits the prisoners cell and tells
her of his intention, but she repulses
him. saying her love has turned to hat
red Notwithstanding this, he accom-
panies her into exile in Siberia, shar-
ing her hardships and thus doing PEN
ance for his own sin.
A London dealer in black and white
has recently attempted to make spec
ialty of selling the original drawings
made for Illustrations, which are sup
piled by well-knOwn artists. There is
no doubt that in q number of cases
these drawings are of remarkable in
terest, and represent attainments very
uncommon. Black and white art, as
Hal Dane remarks in the London st.
Paul's," is now of an order which is
called epoch-making. Says this writer:
There are prints in 'Harper's Maga-
zine and scattered about in illustrated
papers which are beyond price, and
which are far above most of the steel
engravings and other prints of bygOne
times that fetch high collectors prices
now. There is much that is poor done
even by good men-there is much illus
tration that is quite uninteresting ex-
cept in its proper surroundings Of print
and story; but there are drawings done
by the leaders in black and white
which are self-contained and require no
other aid to understanding.
The personal interest that attaches to
original drawings, in contrast to en-
cravings or even autographs, often
counts for much in the sale of these
works. Probably the best instance of
the commercial value of such drawings
may be found in the Trilby illustra-
tions of George du Maurier which were
sold here and in London recently They
brought high prices. On the other hand,
several auction sales of original draw
ings held IN New York last season
proved conspicuous failures, notwith-
standing the high artistic value of the
work. This it would seem, must be
somewhat discouraging to local illus
traitors. One of the most creditable
exhibitions of original drawings for il
lustrations lately seen here was that
shown at the Klackner gallery early
last spring, embracing a score of How
ard Pyle's suggestive and satisfying
views of the colonial life of a century
ago.
The annual report of the trustees of
the Chicago Art Institute announces
that the receipts during the year ending
June 1stin the museum department have
fallen SS,1 "a behind its operating ex-
penses. This is in some degree made up
by the earnings of the school, The trus-
tees have steadily aimed at making the
institute self-supporting if possible.
The building debt, though not very
great CS54,000, is serious burden.
The number of visitors at the Art In
stitute New York; this year has been
500,S1T, a number exceeded only by the
Metropolitan Museum, which has five
free days a week; the Art Institute has
but three. The Boston Museum had
194,9 visitors, according to its last re-
port, while Philadelphia, st. Louis and
Cincinnati had far fewer.
For the laity the Growth harp and
pipe We're favorite musical instruments.
The tabor was used at Anglo-Saxon en-
tertainments, but it was not so popular
as these three Drums We're occasion
ally used to highten the effect, but they,
also, do not seem to have been in high
favor. While the pipe was a favorite
instrument among the lower classes.
such as bear dancers and exhibitors
of dancing dogs, the harp on the other
hand was the instrument of the no
bility: all noble children were taught
to play on the harp. Thus the King
of Westnesse commands the harp for
the education Of his son: Teach him
of the harp and of song; teach him
to tug o. the harp with his nails sharp.
Most famous knights of King Arthur
We're taught -harping." And we know
that Alfred the Great put his knowI-
edge of the harp to other than musical
purposes It is also worth noting that
ST. Aldehelm and st. Dunstan were re-
nowned as harpers. In fact, a gentle
man of Anglo-Saxon days was sup
posed to be able to play the harp as a
matter of course, just as an American
or English girl is supposed TO play
the piano
A few specimens of very early An
gIo-Saxon music remain; as, for exam
Die, the music to the Praise of Vir-
ginity' and to other poems by st
AIdhem; but we cannot interpret theii
peculiar notation-it is decidedly i'm
perfect and misleading. F was repre-
sented by a red line and by a yellow
line. and singing marks or names were
written between these lines, but tbs
time is quite indefinite. As TO harmony
considerable progress must have beer
made. since the nation used the harp
and organ. and this implied some
knowledge of coneordant sounds.
1t is claimed that Anglo-Saxon secu-
lar music was plaintive. Doubtless
this was the case, for melancholy
played a considerable part in theiI
moods The philosophy of Schopen-
hauer has a natural basis in the Teu-
tonic nature: and among othe rich de-
posits they possess a strong vein oi
pessimism. 1t must have found ex-
preston in Saxon music. as it assured
ly found expression in Saxon poetry
Westminster Review.
Neander, the great professor and his
torian of the Christian Church, of the