New-York tribune., 1905-01-13

orously the requirements of law respecting safe"
guards for audiences. It is lampooned at Drury
Lane and at music halls for its fussiness and un-
certainty Of mind. and In some instances there
are valid grounds for criticism. since a recon-
struction which has satisfied one set OF experts
is condemned by another after the lapse OF Few
years. While there are some exceptional cases
OF hardship. In which managers have been COM
PEELED TO make heavy outlay for structural
changes It cannot be doubted that the councils
solicitude for the safety of playgoers deserves
recognition and gratitude. Only reckless lessee
objects TO safeguards for the prevention OF fire
and panic in playhouses and playgoers must be
thoughtless featherhesds If they laugh at music
hall satire at the expense OF the council. Since
the terrible calamity in Chicago the London reg
ulations have been revised. and inspections have
been constant and thorough. The iron curtains
are lowered and raised once or twice at every
performance: the exits are marked by illumi-
mated letters not dependent upon either electric
light the general gas supply; the managers
have been forced to broaden the stairways and
lobbies in many instances. and many other pre-
cautions have been taken for expeditng the
emptying of the auditorium in emergency.
The best London theatres now as safe as
they can be made by requirements Of law, and
the most sagacious managers have taken the ad-
ditional precaution Of having regular fire drills
and employing a special force OF trained men for
directing the movement of panicstricken
crowd and in preventing the blocking of pas
sages. The illuminated exit signs. with their
own sources of light. much more effective
than diagrams in programmes, and the trained
force of guardians against panic is a most valu-
able safeguard.
The Royal Academy has been subjected to the
Christening influences Of discipline in the man
cial proceedings are now watched with critical
attention. No fault can be found with the
Winter Exhibition which is devoted 10 char
acteristic exposition Of the genius Of a really
great Academician-George Frederick Watts
with a separate display of the works of the late
Frederick Sandys. These have not been per-
functory tributes paid thoughtlessly and with
out systematic effort to make the exhibitions OF
their paintings and drawings thoroughly repre-
sentative. The greatest pains have been taken
to illustrate the development and scope of their
careers as artists; and with Mr.. Watts this was
a most difficult task owing to the variety OF
his work and TO his untiring industry. The
number of his paintings and drawings might
have been nearly doubled. but the committee
has not wished to cucumber the walls with can
vases and unfinished or experimental work.
II has wisely preferred TO make a selection OF
his works which Will illustrate every stage and
phase OF his art; and this result has been ac-
complished most successfully. The next test or
the disciplined Academy Will come When the
elections take place at the end Of this month
Three vacancies have been caused by death-ap
Acadernician In place Of Mr.. Val Prinsep' and
Associates as substitutes for Mr.. Colin Hunter
and Mr. c. w. Furse. Mr.. George Clausen Is
the most probable candidate for Academician,
and his promotion will be justified by his
n.eFlv ARa
schools. which have been remarkably good. as
we'll as by his skill as a draughtsman There
ia seyeral promising men in the New English
Art Club. who are hoping for translation to the
more digntfed body across Ptccadilly. Inc
Academy astounded its critics and detractors
last year by electing an Associate MI FRANK
Branswyn, a painter, who had not couTteo
favor at Burlington House. but had maze I
good reputation on the Continent as a designer
with a marked talent for decoration II may
have a similar surprise in reserve this season
The French rooms are the weakest at ihe
National Gallery. and the modern art OF the
school is entirely neglected. For this reason
regular visitor is surprised to find portrait
group by Fantin-Latour so soon after his death
among the Claudes. Greuzes and Poussins. 1t Is
a nortrsit OF Mr. and Mrs. e Edwards. ad-
nirably painted and presented by the family to
the National Gallery. It is the first instance OF
sppreciation Of modern French art by those re-
sponsible for the enlargement OF this magnlncent
national collection. In this respect 1t is more
sieniacant II less important, than either the
purchase of Titian's portrait OF Ariosto or the
ACQUISITION of Durer's portrait of his father.
which now hangs in the German corridor near
the large Holbein. The only other important ad-
dition to the portraiture Of the gallery during
the wear has been the substitution OF Millais's
portrait Of Sir Henry Thompson for the "Yeo-
man of the Guard" opposite the famous por-
trait of Mr. Gladstone originally painted for the
late Duke OF Westminster. Provision was made
in Lord Northbrooks will for the purchase or
exchange of works IN his art collection for the
National Gallery, and It is 20 be earnestly hoped
that Van Dyck's Guitar Player" and several
ma sterpieces Of the Italian and early Flemish
schools will find their way to Trafalgar Square.
The late Lord Northbrook one OF the most
unselhsh of art owners, and never refused any
request for the public exhibition Of his pictures.
A show of old masters at Burlington House was
never complete unless there were examples from
his collection on the walls and at the Guildhail,
the New Gallery and at provincial loan exhibit
tions his Cuyps Claudes. Botticellis and early
Flemish works have constantly been seen. He
had a fine sense of responsibility for the posses
sion of great art and considered II a moral duty
as well as high privilege TO share his treasures
with the public whenever he asked to do
The owners of American Whistlers who have
refused to send them 10 London to the memorial
exhibition at the New Gallery next spring viii
do well TO reflect upon his generosity and public
spirit. l. n. F.
AMERICAN PAINTINGS ON VIEW.
A number Of American landscapes by the late