New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-22
GENERAL DI CESNOLA.

The who is long in the service of pub
Tic institution, such an art museum. is COM
monty credited with an uneVentful career.
General Louis Palma di Cesnola, who was
identified with the Metropolitan Museum of Art
for nearly thirty years. was doubtless known
TO thousands of Americans only in his official
capacity. To them he was simply an archaOlo-
gist, and by virtue of that fact. an essentially
studious type. The truth is that General di Ces-
nola was one of those men whose persona Iities
express Astounding energy and whose careers
are anything but uneventfu He began life as
a soldier serving in the war with Austria and
winning promotion for bravery on the field Of
Novara. When he came to this country in 1860
he soon abandoned the quiet paths of the
teacher Of languages, and fought on the North
ern side in the war for the Union. Lincoln
appointed him United States Consul at Cyprus,
and in his twelve years tenure of that office
he made excellent record. 1t was a this
time that he began 10 attract attention as an
archaeologist and on his return to America he
readily demonstrated his ability to play an
important part in the development of the mu-
scum. He was appointed director general in
1879. He brought scholarship to the execution
Of his tasks, and he brought also the useful
qualities Of the man Of action great powers of
labor and administrative skill.
The period of his association with the mu-
scum was one Of many notable incidents and
Of extra ordinary progress. The successive pres
idents during his regime, John Taylor Johns
ton, Henry G. Aarquand and Frederick w.
Rhnelander. were discerning men whose infu-
ence was always thrown on the side Of lib
eral policy. Many other connoisseurs like the
late Samuel ?. Avery, vera constant in fur.
I thering the interests Of the institution. Cen
eral di CeSnola worked with them Zealously.
and the collections grew until the museIiG be
came what it is to-day, a stOrehouse Of archseo-
logical and artistic riches rivalling in some re
spects and surprising in others many of the
museums Of Europe. The Etruscan chariot
for example, which is among the more recent
acquisitions, is a gem such as any museum
abroad might envy. General di Cesnola's reIa-
ton TO that particular exhibit was cnaracteris-
tic. Leaning over the beautiful bronze with q
sympathetic listener, he wouli discourse with
enthusiasm and erudition on its artistic and his
tOric value. He cared more for such objects
than he cared for paintings, but as director he
was proud Of both, and gave devoted attention
to the management of the galleries under his
charge.
A military by temperament. and-lke
Sir Anthony Panzzi, that other Italian who
figures Conspicuously in the history Of the
British Museum-impetuous of speech and ac-
ton, he was, nevertheless, at bottom con-
servative official. No director Of an art mu-
scum has ever been known to escape criti-
cism, and he was no exception to this rule
The confidence. however which was placed in
him by the trustees continued unbroken It
rested upon q knowledge of the fidelity and
judgment with which he guarded the best in
terests of the museum. He was hOnored by
learned societies here and abroad. He will be
approximately remembered by them and by
| laymen interested in the Metropolitan.