New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-11
ART AND DRAM A.
ENGLISH COMMENT ON AMERICAN TAX
ALTON OF ART-MR. PINERO'S
NEW PLAY.

prominent member Of the Royal Academy OF
Arts EXPRESSED something like cynical contempt
when asked him for critical opinion Of the
proposed restoration Of the American tarin on
works Of art. The argument that such WORKS
were objects OF luxury, for which the rich must
be taxed for revenue purposes. he considered spe-
cious and misleading. He referred to the coih-
mercial value OF artistic knowledge and cuitlVa-
tion to q great nation that wishes 10 keep in
touch with the manufactures in which art is an
element OF paramount necessity. In his esu-
nation. duties art were taxes on knowieoBe'
education, taste and refinement. and were wholly
fndefensible.
England" remarked this eloquent Acad-
emician. warmly. '1ong ego found out the vaiue
of art education and the nation SPENDS milnohs
on Its schools and public galleries. America lets
the Hayseed,' wayback' and Cowboy states
men enact laws to keep the art values OK 'he
country on a swamplike level Of their own ma
larial influence If II were not for indiVioua'
effort over there the culture OF the country
would be worthy OF the Cave-dwellers
1 quote this vigorous expression OF opinion Tor
the purpose of illustrating the contempt winch
IS excited among educated Europeans when they
are told that works Of art are to be restored 10
the dutiable list in America They accept IL NJ
once as proof that tariff legislation In America
great country IN Europe opens its schools 10
foreigners, and welcomes the acquisition Oh
works of art as national treasures. ana they
marvel that a nation as rich and prosperous az
the United States should send its architects'
painters and sculptors abroad Tor thelr euuca'
ton In art and then degrade them by converting
every form of national art into an in1anl lhous'
try to be protected by high tariff. Nothins
which American tariff makers can do will tend
TO prejudice Europeans. and especially Enghsh-
men, moro deeply against the protective poncy
than the reirnposition OF duties on art This is
because the proposed duties cannot be anything
else than taxes artists knowledge.
American painters who reside in England are
especiallv sensitive on this point. because they
are received here with exceptional hospitality
and the highest posts of honor and professional
rewards brought freely within their reach MI
Sargent the new Academician, is an American
AS a portrait painter he has competed without
restriction or prejudice with the masters OF the
English school of portraiture. and his pre-eni'-
nonce in the most trustworthy and lucrative
branch OF art is generally and frankly recos-
nlzed Mr. Abbey had the most striking picture
at Burlington House last year. so that the eNhi-
b.tlon with the help of Mr.. Sargents portraits
was popularity known as an American sho".
The recent Academy elections have favored
tNN~~NA'C
the Hanging Committee. which is now employed
q. burlington House In selecting 800 out Of LOU
works and in disposing Of them on the walls so
as IN satisf,- the few and TO enrage the many
IL Mr. Boughton who. in spite OF his Engnsh
birth must be regarded essentially an Amer
ican Men Ike these. who have shown 'helr ca
pacty for competing successfully with the mas
tars Of Fnglieh ART on their own ground and
have been admitted without prejudice to the
highest distinctions OF their profession, naturally
resent the reproach which is brought upon
American artists by tariff legislation OF pro-
tectve character.
BY a codicil Of Lady Wallace's WILL tho text
Of which was published yesterday. the gift OF
her art treasures 10 the nation was left subject
70 the condition that the British Treasury should
remit within q year the death or probate duties
upon the collection at Hartford House. What
ever the valuation Of the collection may De-
there IS no reason 70 believe that any nlndrahce
will be placed in the way Of the remission OF
+hesa duties so as 10 enable the nation TO accept
this magnificent gift; nor can 1t be doubted tha'
the remaining condition Of the bequest, nancy
that q special museum shall be built Tor the re-
ception Of the pictures. porcelain, oronZes. arts
tic furniture. armor miniatures and other works
Of art. will be speedily complied with IT IS
mainly a collection of French art but 1t will not
ercte Dreiudice on that account. 1t will be &C
conted free Of probate duty and valued Alright
for educational purposes as one OF the most I'M
portant art collections in England. These are
the liberal principles upon which european ma
lions act whenever there is an opportunity TOT
securing splendid works Of art. The American
method Of taxing art for revenue purposes Is al
variance with the more enlightened Judgment
and practice OF Europe.
The new fashion at the London theatres seems
20 favor niddle-age idylls. Rosemary" may
have sc. the style by its phenomenal prosperity
IN England and America Mr.. henry arthur
Ioras has followed 1t in The Physician" at the
Cr,terion Theatre. and now Mr.. Pinero. the mos'
ingenious and versatile of English playwrights'
has produced a comedy based upon the romance
NJ middle life. 1t has been produced this week
Mt the St James's Theatre, and promises 10 10
one Of his most popular plays, although II n =
cor,edv without plot and is esSentidiIy cPt-
sodicai in character. 1.-THE Princess ana the bu,-
terty" like THE School for scandal ueaa'
eetir,callv with current manners, but 1t is main
" concerned vita the iron1es or mlodle age 4.
e. a vivid study OF contewporaneous society
based on the central theme tHee ioev "a
young pensive bachelor OF forty,fve ana a
rich widow of forty languidIy talk about a saie
marriage without sentiment. ana then take d
month for reflection before arranging the mater,
and when the period Of grace expires each Is
bent mon renewing youth by choosing partner
Of half the age IL is true 10 life yet Is iotan1ea
and unconventional, like Sir Edward Bufne-
Jones's pictures The cue is supplied AT the
close in the cynical comment ITO me you sp,
pear like dream people fantastic Grea.uieS @,a
The answer from the middle aged lover 49, Love
"a ever young and ever blind
Mr. Pinero is almost the last piaywrsn. wio
would ne suspected of writing q play without q
Mot Two acts pass and the stage Is nlled win
men and women OF the London world OF iashioh;
but no progress is made IN the dlrccton OF d
.tor, and there IS little save polished dialogue.
Princess Pannonia sad and weary WIDOW
whose heart has never been touched Is eXhib-
tied with the women of her set. and Sir George
Iarnorant the seasoned pleasure seeker or forty
1--WE is repealed by the foilies OF thoughtiess
youth One feels that there can be no cohpen-
s.sttons FOR the loss Of youth and the other is
about 10 leave London forever 10 get ria or the