New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-09
4 HISTORICAL REBUKE.
Dir. T. ID. MiUet's Picture Of an
EUent an Old Ne7c Jersey.

In the art gallery of the Century Club there is
on exhibition just very interesting decor
alton. painted by Mr.. F. D. Millet, for the Essex
County Court House at Newark. The subject
is drawn from the history of New Jersey. and 1t
possesses a human and dramatic character
which by itself makes strong appeal Mr. MIL
let has we'll brought out this side of his theme.
His work is executed with sympathy and energy
He describes in a leahet the way In which II
came about that the scene he portrays was en-
acted in 1874.
In that year the last Provincial Chief Justice
of New Jersey. Frederick Srnyth, had occasion
in charging the grand jury to touch upon the
troubled state of the times, and he observed that
there was less TO be feared from 'the imaginary
tyranny. three thousand miles distant" than
from the 'redL tyranny at own doors" The
members OF the Grand Jury resented these OBJ
servations and their foreman replied to them IN
a speech interesting that we must reproduce
it from Mr.. Millet's lea1et:
Respecting the tyranny at the distance Of three
represent as imaginary we have the unhappiness
widely to differ from you III opinion. The effect
Sir. of that tyranny, is too severely felt TO have
| Sir, that taxes imposed upon by our fellow
subjects, in a legislature IN which not rep
resented, Is an imaginary, but that II IS Il real
and actual tyranny, and of which no nation what
soever can furnish single instance We cannot
think. Sir that deprving OF the inestimable
right OF trial by jury Selling persons and car
rying US for trial TO Great Britain. IS a tyranny
merely imaginary. Nor think with your
Honor that destroying charters and changing our
forms Of Government is a tyranny altogether
ideal; that an act passed 10 protect. indemnify
and screen from punishment, such may he
guilty Of murder, is bare idea; that the
establishment Of French laws and Popish religion
in Canada the better facilitate the schemes Of
instruments in the hands or power 10 reduce us 70
slavery has other than mental existence. In
a word, Sir. cannot persuade ourselves that
the fleet blocking Up the port OF Boston. con-
solid iron, and armed with cannon OF pouderous
metal: the army lodged In the town Boston,
and the Notifications thrown about II. substantial
ana fornhdaoie realities. are all creatures Of the
| Imagination. These. Sir. bat a few OF the
numerous grievances under which America now
ErOans. These are some of the effects Of that de-
lberate plan Of tyranny, concerted three thou
! sand miles distance and which. 10 your Honor.
appears only like the 'baseless fabric Of vision. -
To procure redress Of these grievances. which. TO
others the form Of Odous and horrld reali-
| ties the continent as We learn has very. natr-
| rally been thrown into great connections: and as
| far as this County In particular has taken part
| in the alarm have the happiness TO represent
to your Honor that in the prosecution Of measures
| for preserving American liberties and obtaining
the removal Of oppressicns the people have acted
/ in all their popular assemblies (Which it IS tho
right or Engnshmen to convene whenever they
please) with the spirit. temper, and prudence. be-
coming freemen and loyal subjects
| The accompanying illustration shows with
| what appropriate simplicity Mr.. MiIlet has
| dramatized this patriotic demonstration. His
| figures are grouped necessarily with a certain
| orderliness. and at the same time with a nat
uralness of attitude and gesture heightening the
tension Of the effect. In his treatment Of the
faces he has been especially successful, praCti-
cally every one Of the actors in the scene hav-
ing individuality. The central figure Is sup
ported not by colorless supenumeraries but by
men of like Importance with himself in crit
jcal phase of political development. The
color scheme is admirably restrained Against
the background provided by the tawny walns-
cot and grey wall, the costumes discreetly as
sert themselves in sober tones of brown green
russell, red, slate ana yellow. ihe design haE
,-itoutv and in execution it is the broadest and
most elastic piece of work Mr.. Milet has pro-
duced.