New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-03

~. English dramatic critic. who VIII describe the
tendencies OF the American stage for British
readers
r,,on Mount Tara" with strong contrasts Of
-,.s color. and with the details OF drawing neg
,.,.ed There are three other Turner's, two Of
hem small drawings Of his later period. with
Matches OF color and the crude substitute for
,aa which was adopted by him during his closing
years.
The early masters Of English water-colors are
well represented in this collection. There are
eight OF Copley Fielding's drawings. "Scarbor-
oush" and Vale OF Meath being prominent
among them. but all having the Incompatible
charm Of elastic atmosphere and breadth Of dis
,apce. There is fine series Of Prouts studies
~ architecture The best one is st. Vincent
popen 4" soft in color and dreamy in effect
with the details not unnecessarily elaborated
There are from the same hand Norman church
interior. a church in Picardy the south porch
n. Chartres Cathedral and the tomb Of Petrarch
each OF which IS finer in detail and color than
the best work Of Mr.. Fulleyove. the leading
nainter Of architectural bits and corners in the
English school Of the day. Among David Cox's
dozen drawings the best one is The Old Mil
Near Kenllworth" There is one Constable.
"De5bar Church" a little drawing with n
quaint English church. a fringe Of trees, placid
brook and a deep-toned blue sky There are
fine examples Of De Whit and Bennington. with
scores o. good drawings by the best water-color
painters OF the day.
This collection has been made with little ef-
for; and will he sold in large part while the ex-
Mb!tlon IS in progress The same examples Of
the early masters Of the English school. whose
work has rot been successfully rivalled by their
SUCCESSORS. would be most interesting TO Ameri-
cans II exhibited IN New-York The same re-
mark applies 10 recent shows like that Of the
Fragonards, which have already described for
Tribune readers. The Fragonards have not
been sold. and are now lying in storage. They
cannot be exhibited In America because the
tariff on art excludes them and for q similar
reason II IS impractcable 10 send over fine ex-
amples OF the early English masters in water
oolors Whatever argument there may be in
favor OF taxing imported art as a luxury there
can be no reasonable objection 70 the temporary
admission Of works intended strictly for public
exhibition and not for sale; and when adequate
guarantees are furnished against the sale Of
such works the customs regulations ought 10
be applied with sufficient elasticity to allow
their free entry.
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN THEATRES.
Mr. William Archer has been commissioned
by The Pail Mall Magazine" TO write a series Of
articles on the American stage. He Will sail for
New-York at the end Of this month. These ar
ticles can hardly fail TO have high critical
value on both sides Of the Atlantic. for he is a
broad minded writer, capable Of giving an hon
CP fba~ rfc
During his long connection with The World"
one Of the best edited Of the London society
burnals. he has always been just and sympa-
thetic in his attitude toward American plays
and actors. and has been free from the reproach
Of narrowness and prejudice. Mr.. Archer Is
scotchman. and was educated at Edinburgh Uni
versity. lie studied law. and was called to the
bar from the Middle Temple, but after travel
ling In Italy and Australia became dramatic
critic. journalist and an arduous literary worker.
He has written a life Of Macready. Study
IN the Psychology Of Acting" and other works.
and has translate Ibsen's prose dramas. Mr..
Archer is an intimate friend Of Ibsen. but he Is
not & blind partisan whose judgment has been
unbalanced by too close a study Of any single
class Of dramatic work.
This is the first time that an English dramatic
critic has been sent 10 America for the special
purpose Of studying the theatre and Of report
Ing to the English public upon the progress or
dramatic art in that quarter. The fact that
writer conspicuous for Independent judgment
and honesty Of purpose should receive a com
mission Of this nature from an English pedlodl-
cal IS not without significance. u may be saiely
taken as a sign Of increased English interest
he A dor Lec
american plays and actors on their merits and
"'hout prejudice. and in no other branch Of art
"a'e the TWO countries been acting and reacung
upon each other with equal energy. American
T.'O,s are apt TO oycract their parts whereas
-",' actors in refining their methods have
-. 'n'o The habit Of undertaking theirs.
- P'ay-wrlters are stronger and more
- al The construction OF their dramas
"'a~e' ana more careless in dialogue and
s,-.' @1--'s man Their English rivals. These are
a''oNs which have been forced upon
nave compared current methods Of act
,rs anu authorship in the two countries Tn
, 1-ss'.oNa0-y the English and the American
s,a a'e powerfully influencing each other,
-. - VIII ne a great advantage 10 playgoers Of
-" countries 10 have an honest and capable
~, 49,. .'Ae Air' Archer give them the benefit Of
us impressions W
'''''''AD WITH STEALING An INDICATOR.