The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-28
WHAT SAM JOHNSON LOST.
HE MEYER S4W THE ART MUSEUM
FIESTA CRANT.
with John BaptIst's Head on Ono wall and
an ESIctIon Scene Behind the Cashiers
Desk. Ht Is n Feature OF n show which
Presents Amuaements or Varied Borts-

with John Baptists Head on Ono Wall and
an ESIctIon Scene BehInd the Cashier's
Desk, Ht Is n Feature OF n show which
Presents Amusements or Varied Borts.
Most persons do not go to the art museum for
the sake of being amused. Yet one might
go further and fare worse. There is a sort OF
continuous vaudeville performance going on up
there, and it Is astonishing how many funny
things one can sec in the course OF one day.
To judge from the crowd, 1t is with mild ell
derby ladies that art and archaeology are absorb
ing passions. There are crowds of them always
black.gowned, gray.haircd. anxious-eyed. They
are SO n earnest about the matter. Not a picture
or cast has cause to feel sighted. From the first
mummy to the last japanese porcelain. every.
thing has its share OF attention. They don't like
everything. these serious women. but they have
great confidence in the directors. Occasionally
there is an aggressive spirit among the flock.
One OF these independent souls the other day
Joined a group OF gentler sisters who were study
ing the Macmonnies Bacchante in u deprecatOry
way. as though they were glad the directors had
that responsibility on their shoulders. Tho
newcomer adjusted her eyeglasses, looked the
bronze over carefully. then squared off and gave
her verdict.
"Well. that's a disappointment. 1 supposed.
from all the fuss about it, 1t was frightfully in
decent; and it's just plain ugly"
There are other women who don't wear black
gowns; but they are in n minority and they
don't work so hard. Perhaps, only AS ones hair
turns gray. one grasps the idea that there Is q
great deal 10 oe learned. and, in a cropping way.
sets ab ut learning il. Still there are a great
many chiIdre at the museum. starting in at
the age OF five or six years, to improve their adj
vantages: a dreary process which prevents life
from being gay for many persons In this day and
generation. The positive old lady who was dis
appointed In the Bacchante had two little
grandchildren with her. but she left them out
among the architectural casts, while she went
TO look at the bronze.
Wee tots. in dainty cloaks and big bonnets. go
,rotting from room to room, wanting TO know a
host OF things that their nurses can't tell them.
Sometimes they are with a governess who tries
to do her duty by them and satisfy their Gu
rlosity. The meeting OF two such groups in
front OF Mcissonier's " FriedlanG' gave rise to
another battle royal. a serious, pale little girl
in blue. a chubby. lively little sister in red, and
a trim. correct French governess stopped be-
fore the picture. SO did another French gov
crness with two tiny blonde dolls in ow.
"Oh zee nice pitzer wiz zee horsies!" said the
chubby baby.
Tell me about that. mademoiselle," said the
| serious one.
VOLTA Napolcon!' cried the governess.
who was Napoleon. mademoisellef
I'm monstre, mon enfant. A monster who
| devoured France; a bad. wicked man."
Govcrncss number two gave n little squeal
and faced about, her cheeks burning.
M us non; IL ecs not 80. EGt is shame to
teach zcm so. Do not believe ect. mes enfants.
Napoleon he was noble. great, a hero, zee
grandcst man OF France"
The battle was on. The three older children
looked startled and puzzled. but the chubby one
seemed TO enjoy the row and was ready to he a
violent partisan il tho thing should come 10
| ticulatcd; but instead of falling to ana rending
each other. MS seemed probable, they finally
| called their charges and went away, still argu.
ing. As they passed through the door the
chubby baby turned back to point u scornful
finger at he little corporal and say emphaticaI.
IL, +" Moustrel'
Later n the morning two little folks OF a
different type attracted considerable attention.
poor at TIN museum. The sages who. in their
| minute wisdom. 20 'Rted the museum in q place
most i'm, ccssiolc 10 the upper ten Thousand,
separate IL by tremendous distance from the
ever. working people and Their children do
drift In and wander about with puzzled
eyes. Il is only The ItaliNns who feel
nj hone among the pictures and, casts.
ali. bur they were brought. up among such
things. and the names OF great masters
are like the names OF nclghbUrs TO
Them. II Was a black-eyod, bArehoaded
who Interested the crowd this particular morn.
inR. They had been wandering about listlrssly
until They reached the section OF Renaissance
! casts. The glrliS eyes fell upon the DonatsllO