Evening star., 1901-06-08
A r T N O T E S.

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The Grant memorial or statue commits
sion did commendable work in their pro-
gram for the competition. except what
must be regarded as a mistake in the Sc
lection Of the ground. This is a very i'm
portant matter, and will. If carried to COM
pletlon, have the bad results which un-
fortunately have happened in other SINH
lar cases. For example. the inexcusable
placing of the two monuments. Hahne-
mann and Webster, in contiguity to the
Scott Circle.
The commission offers in its program for
the Grant memorial two sites. viz, the plot
located on the south axis Of the State. War
and Navy building and section of the
oval or circle in front of the south side of
the White House The first site mentioned.
although not bad one. has the fault that
the front of the monument will principally
be seen on a down grade, which is always
detriment to monument, no matter
what shape or height it may have, since
something is thus taken from the impos-
ing impression that such structures are ex-
pected to produce. Then, in order to be
Symmetricaly placed with the Sherman
monument, as is called for by the general
plan of the ground, the Grant monument
Will have the same fault as the Sherman,
viz, that instead of being placed In the
Center of the plot it will occupy a corner
of ii, mistake that ought never to be
made in erecting monument of such i'm
portance. Furthermore. without detract-
ing anything from the honors due to Sher-
man, it is nevertheless historic truth that
Grant occupies a higher place in the his
tory of the country. These reasons. to-
gether with the larger amount of money
appropriated for it, makes it natural that
the Grant monument should have a more
central and distinct location. This object
can be spendidly obtained IL the commits
sion will definitely select the center of the
oval in front of the south side of the
White House instead of allotting only
section of 1t. Thus the whole ground
can be laid out in such way as to make
the place one of the greatest attractions of
the city. Besides, there would then be no
restriction on the imagination of the
lists in composing their projects, whereas
in getting only section of the oval as
shown on the diagram of the program, an
awkward shape Is given to the ground, so
that it will be very difficult to plan any,
thing appropriate for the approaches to
the monument, and in addition the whole
ground will be ruined for coordinate fu-
ture improvements. Doubtless the COM
mission reached their conclusion. as indi-
Gated, on the theory that d street might
some time be extended through the circle
oval But if that event be probable.
which it is to be hoped 1t is not, 1t Is still
not a sufficient reason for the proposed
arrangement, for, in that event, the street
monument, as in the case of the Washing
ton, Scott and Thomas statues Then IL
desired another walk could be cut cross
way to the oval and thus dividing it into
four grand sections for future improve
mentS, and the Grant monument would
thereby be really placed In a position be-
fitting the greatness of the man to be hon.
Ored.
Some interesting illustrated work done
by the first-year class of the Phoebe Hearst
kindergarten Training School, was exhibit
ed at the school last week at the time the
closing exercises were held. This class has
been studying under the direction of Mrs
E. F. Andrews since last fall. and its MEM
bers have made many very excellent and
attractive drawings. The system is alto
gether original. and very practical, its aim
being to enable the kindergartners to Illus
trate on the blackboard by means of a
few simple. adroit lines whatever may be
desired. No pretense Of developing art
lists Is made, and their modest works of art
are intended merely for such critics as are
of the tender age of three to five years
though many an older one could have found
pleasure and profit in them. The drawings
were mostly done in outline on large sheets
of manila paper. and illustrated, in a sim
pie and direct manner, the familiar verses
of the children'S songs. One showed the
carpenter working at his bench in his
shop; another, some children blowing bub-
bleS. and third the little ones coaSting.
Two pictured the toymanS wondrous shop,
one of them showing Santa Claus as the
proprietor. A whole series told the story
of how
"A little boy went walking
On lovely summer day
And saw little rabbit
That quickly ran away
as well as a sparrow's nest the little fish
in the brook, the bridge and the mill and
many other marvellous sights. Still another
series illustrated the Dollie's Week. and
another the BRIDES Song" All were done
much In the poster style. with no attempt
at shading or elaboration, yet each was
well composed and cIeverly drawn, and
needed neither apology nor explanation.
Besides these some unique cutting work
these students discarded the pencil and
substituted the scissors with which they
produced number of striking pictures,
evolving the simple silhouette with a three
toned composition Such work goes back
to be sure, to the primitive purpose of art
but when devoted to storytelling alone
must be most helpful and servicable and
by the successful termination Of the course
Mrs. Andrews has demonstrated that IL is
possible for one to attain to sufficient pro-
hciency with the pencil for everyday needs
without either unusual talent or the long
apprenticeship that is generally deemed
necessary.
Mr.. Bladen T. Snyder is stin at the Ar
kansas Warm Springs, where he went
shortly after his return from Paris, but
quite a number Of his paintings may be
seen in his studio at his old home in
Georgetown. The majority Of these are
French landscapes, sketchy and some
what impressionistic. yet very atmospheric
and with a certain note of hidden power
Two are views at Etaples, one in the
quaint little town itself and the other
showing it in the distance across sun
ny meadows. Both are painted with
feeling and truth. Some charming breezy
marines grace the walls. and resting
against them may be seen a half-inished
sketch of Dutch windmill and another OF
few sheep and a shepherd In the intense
light of the midsummer sun On one easel
is the painting Of sheep. which, ii will be
remembered. attracted considerable atten-
ton when it was exhibited in the loan COL
lection at the Corcoran Gallery, and on
another a water color from Arkansas.
called "On the Divide" In it a mass OF
black. suiien-looking clouds are seen,