The record-union., 1898-07-31

read before the University OF Cam
bridge the other day, was, perhaps,
more ingenious as a demonstration of
the right Of the drama to be reckoned
among the arts-a proposition which
few persons would be disposed to dis
pute-than convincing as an argument
in favor of the establishment of ma
tional playhouse supported by a State
subsidy This was because he laid more
stress upon the esthetic and emotional
possibilities of the theater than the
practical and educational benefits
which, in its highest development, it is
undoubtedly capable Of comforting upon
the community. He maintained, for in
stance, that the aim and purpose of the
drama, apparently meaning the chief
aim and purpose, is ITO cultivate the
imagination, and through this means
to bring home to heart and mind the
lessons which tend to advance the
race" and he then proceeded, with no
little felicity of expression, to dilare
upon the stimulating, soothing and
purifying effects Of imagination upon
anxious, jaded and melancholy minds.
All this is true to a certain extent, but
it is not upon its power Of giving tenn
porary relief or qualification that the
theater can afford to rest it's claim for
governmental support or aid, While, so
far as the stirring Of imagination is
concerned, that object is more likely
to be attained by reading a dramatic
masterpiece in the solitude of a library
than by witnessing its representation
in the false glare of the footlights. Sir
Henry was on firmer ground when he
spoke of the resources of theatrical art,
in which he is the greatest living ex-
pert, and, by implication, of the high
and varied qualifications of which the
director of the ideal theater must be
possessed. This is the aspect in which
the yast-it might almost be said the
inco1nparable-educ possibilities
Of the stage suggest themselves
The Municipal Art Society of New
York has invited a competition for a
bronze base for standard similar to
those in the Piazza of st. Marks at
Venice. The society has in mind that
the completed pedestal should be erect
ed in the plaza before or on the steps
of the City Hall in New York. It is
estimated that such a standard, to be
not more than fifteen feet in hight,
could be cast in bronze and set up in
position for about $4,000. 1t is not ex-
pected that this sum should cover the
cost Of making the original model The
design must not be so elaborated as to
demand an increased expenditure.
The society says in instituting this
competition that it does not undertake
the erection of the standard, nor pledge
itself in any way to otherwise .ecom-
pense the successful competitors than
by the payment Of the cash prizes to
competitors. At the same time it de-
clares that in view of the fact that
the present city flagstaff projects in
AN unsightly and undignified manner
from the cupola of the City Hall, it is
not unreasonable to hope that, should
a worthy design be obtained, the nee
essary funds for the erection Of a
proper and suitable standard may be
forthcoming either from the city treas
ury or private munificence.
The competition will be governed by
the rules embodied in the constitution
and bylaws of the society. The COM
petition will be open to all, and the
conditions and prizes are as follows:
Each competitor shall submit a
plastic design and a drawing to the
scale Of two inches 10 the foot
The design shall be in one color oniy.
The cost of casting and setting up
the design shall not exceed the sum Cf
$1,000, exclusive of the cost of the
original model
Each competitor shall submit type
written specification with his design,
describing such portions thereof as are
not fully shown by it.
The design shall bear no marks what
ever to reveal the identity of the de-
signer, but must be accompanied by a
name.
The designs and models must be sent
to T. Hamilton Bell Secretary, Munic-
ipal Art Society, New York, on or be-
fore October 10, 1898.
Upon rendering a decision the follow
ing prizes will be awarded and paid:
First prize $40O. second $500. third
S1OO.
George Eliot, the great novelist. lived
for some Of her later years in that
populous land of artists which lies be-
tween Whitley and Haslemere, in Sur
rey. Her residence was on the
flights" overlooking that vast wood
land scene which Birket Foster has re-
produced in 50 many charming illustra-
tions. With the rural Surrey folk the
novelist was greatly pleased, and their
dialect seemed to her as rich and racy
as that Of the Midlandshire rustics of
her early years. She would repeat with
glee one quaint Surrey villagers re-
mark; "Oh, ma'am, what l have gone
through with my husband! He is so
uneddicated; he never had a tail-coat
in his lifei'-Household Words.
OF the artists residing at The Hague
who have made their reputation, who
have already arrived" as the French
express it, no one is better known to us
than Josef Israels. He is by preference
the painter of poverty, and of that
kind of poverty which sets its seal of
deformity upon body and soul. which
cramps the brain, coarsens the face,
and frenzies the eye, or leaves it in
lusterless despair. He is a tragedian
who never goes beyond nature. but
shows us her glooms and sterner phases
with a realism touched with pathos-
the Tolstoi of the painters art. MY
pictures are too black and sad?" he
asked. half apologetically. Il must
change my style and be more cheerful
No; / am afraid / am too old for that:
and have the happiness to have some
friends who like them, though there
are others, like myself, who are not
satisfied" So modestly and simply
Spoke the most celebrated of living
Dutch painters, as we stood in his
studio before one of his interiors, an
unfinished painting showing q boy