The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-10

have interpreted "arts and sciences" %
mean painting and the plastic arts-there
was no other art, of course. The one
pre-eminent art, the art which during the
past century has. as we have seen, over
taken and outstripped all its sisters, and
which now surpasses all others in the
power with which it holds sway over the
hearts and affections of mankind, and
in the increasing influence which II eA-
erts towards the advance of refinement
and civilization, was as completely ISnor-
ed as if it never existed
And moreover, this neglected art is the
only one, perhaps, which can claim the
added dignity of being also a science, pro
vided this consideration can add any dlS-
nifty 10 it, which l will not insist upon.
On no account would l wish to be IN
derstood as disparaging or as criticlsing
unfaVorably the work of those who had
this duty to perform. They performed
their duty as they understood 1t, and
they performed it well They have hne
and commodious mansion, which they nave
filed with beautiful and costly pictures
and statues. They have raised a monu-
ment of which we ought to be proud ana
of which We are proud. 1t is pointed out
to visitors as one of our chief attractions
and is cited as the finest in the south.
We ourselves go there perhaps once
year.
Neither would I be understood as in
tending 10 underrate the greatness or
merits Of any of the fine arts, especially
of painting and sculpture-the advance of
all or any means the advance of the peo-
ple in culture and refinement, and, as
Cicero says all the arts have a common
bond and are connected together as by
a mutual affinity between them. Only we
must regret that the practical public APP
probation shown is so incommensurate
with the noble effort, so successfully
planned and accomplished
Suppose we had approached the eXeeu'
tors of the trust, and asked them to devote
to music a hell in their fine house, hall
where a musical society could meet and
have it's home, where there would be lnu-
steal instruments corresponding to impor-
lance of the surroundings, and Where
could be kept a musical library for the
students reference. The answer would
probably have been "Impossible!' Moth
ing so frivolous could be thought of. Sup
pose we were more modest, and ventured
to say to those in charge: For q sum
equal to only a small portion of what you
pay for a single picture, you can secure
library consisting of all the great mas
terpieces of music appropriately DoundNZ
all the operas, oratorios, symphonies ana
other great works recognized as modes
of musical art, for, after all, music is one
of the arts; and such a collection would
be of inestimable value to students OF mu-
sic of whom there are already a Soou
number here. and constantly increasing
The answer would probably have been the
same as before.
Well. now, let us draw an imaginary
comparison When we visit the art gal
lery we occasionally meet a chance call
er. but more frequently, no one at an
Suppose that bequest had been devoted 70
music. Suppose the building consisted OF
with instruments, and the literature OF
! music, suitable for the practiclng ana
| studying of music, and for concerts ana
suppose there should be music there q a
| class and execution corresponding 10 tndI
| of the pictures and statues, would those
rooms remain as empty as they uniortuo
| nately are under present conditlohs
| ZVhv the house could not accommodate
| all who would flock there; and young ana
| ambitious students from all directions III
| the surrounding country would come 10
| Savannah. where they could learn music
| under such favorable auspices
| Take our own little club as on ilustra-
ton. We have had no bequest or snare
in any. We pay our own way, and nave
| many disadvantages to struggle against
! Yet l venture TO say, there is more IN
terest and more being accomplished mere
| than there is yonder.
! And this brings US to what l referred
TO above as the personal application-What
the Academy for Arts and Sciences IS en-
deavoring to accomplish for painting ana
the plastic arts, unhappily without Ade-
auate apparent results, we, this clup' as
representing the musical talent and IN
terests of Savannah. must do for music;
| and if we do not lose faith and enthusi-
esm. our success viii be UNNECESSARILY
| greater.
Let us not be disheartened by the fail
ure to appreciate and understand our mo-
| tives and purposes by those who do not
know anything of music. We at least
know that good music, properly rendered,
affords the highest known degree of the
purest and most delightful aesthetic en-
! ioyment both emotional and intellectual.
Harder to Withstand. perhaps, is the
rfdicuIe more often implied than open, OF
| those who know too much about music.
1 But our object is two-fold; and such peo'
! pie cannot or will not recognize that there
| are those who can find an additional pleas
ure in doing something and exerting such
| talents as they may possess TO elevate
| the standard of music, and i'm the honest
sincere effort to contribute something &c
| the pleasure and improvement of others.