New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
LONDON NOTES.
BURNEJONESS DRAWINGS THE Prno,
MUNICIPAL TRAM SYSTEM IN
TIE METROPOLIS.

LONDON January
The splendid exhibition Of Sir Edward Run.
Jones's works, Of which I gave an accom-, d,
previous letter Is attracting crowds 81 s,.,,
secrg every morning and Afternoon P1,.
visitor is astonished by the cumulative ss.,
Of opulcnce Of color ard manifold man,,os,.
lions Of poetic Imagination and creative !,
ventiveness. Complete az is the reprcsonta,o
Of his chief works at every stage Of mis- ar,,,,.
eer-only the "Briar Rose" series IS mls,
ing-'t Is doubtful II this exhibition even WI,
its wide range Of subject and treatment o.,
veys a distinct impression OF the painters ma,
yellous industry. He vas most laborious AM
painstakng in the details 81 composition ana
prepared himself for working out MS design,
for his chief pictures by preliminary sketche.
studies and notes. This phase Of his industr
is admirably illustrated By a small but deem,
interesting collection Of drawings al the Bur-
lington Fine Arts Club. The visitor al the Nes
Gallery needs to see these drawings IN order 4,
obtain an adequate idea OF the painters mas
terry Of the art Of composition.
These drawings are in chalk, pencil and Den
and-ink, and, while merely rough notes for sub
sequent elaboration or rejection, they are mlnu,
in detail bold and free n treatment and beau
tiful In expression. So careful Is the techniqo.
that some OF them have the effect Of FINISHED
pictures and nearly all reveal that wonderful
talent for composition ard balancing Of values
which was his characteristic gift. His nyenta
genius seems in these rapid sketches 10 be 10
hampered by the medium employed for eIpra
sion. Pencil or chalk enabled him 10 keep pss
with his imagination, whereas pigments undo
the limitations OF color scheme, invariably
kept under restraint tho motives llumlned al.
inspired by his romantic fancy. The draught
manshp, moreover was snguarly true on.
faultless, and that was his chief defect durri
his earlier period when he was most strongly
under Rossettis influence. The drawings ar
among the most interesting OF Sir Edwan
Burne-Jones's works. and are filled With thai
poetic inspiration which was the secret motive
Of his incompatible genius
Poor, belated metropolitan London has cone
into the possession this week Of its first muncf
pal tram enterprise. The London TramWay'
system was acquired by purchase last year, AM
is now under municipal operation The srus'
gle over this undertaking has been long and
bitter. but the Progressiyes IN the County Coah
the principles successfully carried out BY Glas-
cow and other town corporations. All the tram
ways south OF the Thames, including twenty and
one-half miles Of horse traction and four and
one-Quarter miles Of cable traction, with Q
working force Of nineteen hundred men, are nov
under the control OF the London County Counca
The price paid for this plant and property, u
round numbers, is $3.50 600 1t Is not con-
sidered excessive, and as the passenger tram
is immense the purchase ought TO prove
profitable metropolitan Investment
The conditions are less favorable FOR munlc
pal enterprise than they are at Manches1
and Stafford, where, IN the spring Of 1901. In
entire tramway service OF the cities and ner
suburbs are TO be municipalzed without pup
chase and electric traction substituted for hors
power The London County Council has oee'
compelled 10 buy at an equitable market Vsi1'
ton the franchises Of the ramway compHhc
instead of taking possession Of the lines a. I"
expiration Of the leases. Moreover, II c2nnO
effect any marked reduction Of passenger iH'
as has been done in Glasgow and other 'o"h
where manipulation Of tramVays mas Vo
introduced The company had already adope
penny and half penny fares and cheapen7
transit so far as was practicable. WINE
London County Council viii have 10 make CIV
cessions in hours and wages 10 the WoEA~
force It will be unable 10 cheaper Local uAS
for the benefit OF the public II Will oe tore''
moreover to extend the service by nunie",
branch lines and also TO provide new me'H''
of traction, which will involve large nnAno'
outlay Municipal reformers have undou0V',
acquired fine property. which Will ulunla'''
prove a remunerative investment but tne' ~,
have difficulty at least FOR FIVE or ten year"
producing balance-sheets which vii justly -
economic argument for neutrality-suspicious.
tramways.