Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-19

arts exhibit, but to put all It's emphasis
upon so-caued historic art" branch
which In America is hopelessly weak. II IL
well to look backward, but It is still bet.
ter to look ahead A we'll selected exhibf-
ton OF current work could not have failed
to prove beneficent. whereas the setting
forth as works of art of inferior examples
must result in serious injury.
The second ? nual meeting OF the National
Society OF K Fine Arts. which was held
Thursda' evening in Hubbard Memorial
Hall spite OF inclement weather proved
one If the most interesting In its history.
Being the second annual as well as the
tenth regular meeting the first part of the
evening was occupied by a business ses.
sion, which, however. was robbed of tradi.
uonal Guinness by the import of matters in
hahu Inc treasurer, Mr.. Bernad X.
Green, read most encouraging report.
showing wise expenditures and an excellent
balance to the credit of the society. and
the secretary, Mr.. T. Wayland Vaughan
gave a brief but detailed account of the
organizations growth and work. There are
now. II seems, 341 members on its roll,
winch Is Il net increase Of eighty during the
past year. Each OF the several committees
was heard from. and for that on civic art
the chairman, Mr.. Hornblower. spoke in
person. telling of the effectual efforts made
TO prevent the tunneling OF Rock creek
and the preservation of the picturesque val-
ley No definite promise has yet been
made, but the District Commissioners have
consented to consider the proposed scheme
and to ask an additional appropriation fot
It's investigation. Mr.. Olmstead of the park
commission, when in the city last week,
visited the place in question. Mr.. Horn
blower said and declared that IL could be
as successfully treated now ten years
earlier, though in that time, IL is claimed
that it has been ruined.
After the annual election, which has
previously been reported. Mrs. Henrietta
Hitchcock was introduced by the president.
Mr.. Charles NJ. Foulke, and made "A strong
and stirring appeal for the art of America,
With much enthusiasm. but without preju.
dice or bigotry, the lecturer set forth In q
new and convincing way the merit OF
American painting and the lack OF home
appreciation Speaking conservatively
though sympa theticaly, she engendered,
among her hearers, enthusiasm and built
up faith. There was no fault finding no
complaint, but sane analysis Of a strange
and little pondered situation In "a few
words she told of the dura bility of art and
Its national significance and then related
the history of our American art progress.
Describing the attitude of those abroad. she
drew comparisons, but while deploring the
present lethargy she looked hopefully to-
ward the future. on the coming exhibition
at the Corcoran gallery she spoke inter-
estedly' and of the beautifying Of WASH
ington with assurance and pride. Ger
tainly,' she said, there will be other gem
erous, public-spirited men of wealth who
VIII come TO the rescue and, following the
iS@'u VI wi. FIceI, ueIiSHt not only IN nom
ornS our native artists but in making
Washington the great art center OF brave
and cultured country Illustrating her
lecture Mrs. Hitchcock showed by stereop.
ticon a number of reproductions of the
most notable American paintings, placing
first on the list Sargent, Shannon and
Melchers, but emitting few of the really
great artists. Her pictures she exhibited
in groups, few at a time, in novel bur
most attractive manner. referring TO each,
but not speaking exclusively of any. Mrs.
Hitchcock is both graceful and forcible
speaker and her appeal must in time bring
a favorable response.
LEILA MECILIS.