New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-19

treatment 1t is winters Day. with graz
full figure in rose pink set against snowy il''u'
scape. 1t is a dainty little pastel fun OF ci'ai Il"
and refinement Of feeling.
Mr.. Mark Fisher has fine series OF rura
scenes, with excellent drawing and etecis Oh
pure color: Mr.. Hennessy and Mr.. Sto't nave
interesting studies and sketches; Mr.. Mei'o"
Fisher makes effective use Of the new heuiu"
In "Tarantea" and "Amalia"; Mr. George
Clausen has eight sketches OF farm HE; MT
James Guthrie has several strong studies inc
best being THE Ropewalk,' with the sohO'e
gloom relieved by Pickering touches Of ISht'
Mr. Mcclure Hamilton has two vigorous por'
traits; Mr.. Rolshoven has Chelsea girl III an
eighteenth century costume full Of charm MI
Brabazon has a picturesque and rehned ~
VERA" and Mr.. Walter Crane brilliant STUDY
"Iridescencc." There are many soft and tender
portraits Of children by Mr.. Boughton and other
nainters Pastel lends Itself easily to child
portraiture. in which liehtness OF touch' ueli-
cacy Of tint and spontaneous effects are re-
quired The exhibition is one that can hardly
fail to popuarize pastels and to set the fashioh
for this fragile but lovely branch Of art The
society which has organized it has a membership
Of exceptional influence and strength. Public
announcement alone is needed to bring in
pasels with a rush.
London being series Of worlds where every
human interest g felt. there Is hardly a field Of
Investigation or activity which is not occupied by
specaIsts. experts and workers. This week a
new society has been formed for promoting the
collection and study Of folk-songs. The first
meeting was held at a Mayfair residence with
Sir Alexander Mackenzie in the chair. and an
40 bv
Parry. He described the study of folk-music as
y cure for the cvnicism of the times and the
unclean tendencies of town life. Its melodies
had been written from generation to generation
on the sensitive brain nbres Of mankind, and
the music thus handed down voiced all that was
genuine and noble in human nature. He called
upon the new society to save these folksonGs,
which were passing out Of remembrance and
giving place to the vulgar popular music OF
the day. English folk music. he remarked, had
been neglected because it's rhythm and charac-
teristics were not SO striking as those of other
nations; but its quiet reticence and cheerness
were expressive Of the race. Native English
composers would ultimately find, he predicted,
in these folk songs a basis for a true and
original style Of music suitable to the nation.
Several papers dealing with the origin and de-
Illustrated the subject in practical way by sing
ing dozen more fok-sOngs Of old-tme Eng
land Great interest was taken in the proceed
ings which were rounded out by this unique en-
tertanment. 1t was a fashionable drawing
room in the heart of Mayfair with Parliament
on the eve of assembling and the season looming
up in the near future with its marriage market
and revel Of gayety; but there was this large
company talking solemnly about the snatches
Of rural music heard in the fields and lanes cen
turtles before. explaining the model survvals in
these folk-sonGs and assuming that there would
never be a characteristic style Of English music
until these forgotten melodies were revived with
their quiet rcticencc and cheerness" expressive
of the genius Of the race. Outside the windows
the newsboys were crying the romance Of the
hand-org beSgar who claiming his her-
tage as the son Of peer but within doors the
artists were singing the folk-songs Of the child
hood Of Merrie England and helping to cure
"the cynicism Of these evil times" a wonder
| full place is old London town! N. +.
HEVJCO'C SIGN IiNGTtEE