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The American Art Union.
The progress of the Arts in this country is quite
remarkable, when we take into consideration the
f iut that only three quarters of a century have elap
d ince its independent existence wasachieved and
acknowledged— during the whole of which period it
lias been absorbed in those eminently utilitarian
pursuits which are unfavorable to the development
~f \rt. The formative condition of a nation is too
practical for the manifestations of Genius, either in
Poetry or Painting—and the wonder is not that
\meriea has produced comparatively few eminent
Poets- or Painters, hut that she has produced any.
Every exhibition of high Art hitherto made in our
land is proof of the irrepressible energy and vitality
of Genius ; for nothing short of such qualities could
t r iumph over the cui-bono spirit and practice of the
a *e. But, while we thus contend that the past and,
to a great extent, the present condition of our coun
try is unfavorable to the rapid growth of the Fine
Arts, we claim, nevertheless, that in spite of oppo
sing influences —chief of which is the accumulative
spirit that governs all classes—much, very much,
has been done, and our Poets, Painters and Sculp
tors, may already compete for the laurel of fame
with those of the old world !
We have placed at the head of this article the
name of a very important Association, whose object
is to foster the Arts among us, and whose influence
has already been felt to the remotest borders of our
territory —not only in the diffusion of a taste for the
productions of the Painter and the Sculptor, but in
the establishment of kindred institutions in various
parts of the land.
We presume that our readers are well aware of
Ihe character and objects of the “ American Art
Union,” and we shall not enter into details in this
notice. From a small beginning, only a few years
since, it has gradually risen into a magnitude and
importance, second only to those of the National
Academy of Design. Its influence on the people is
even greater than that of the latter, since its com
munion is open to every individual who will contrib
ute an insignificant annual fee—thus bringing thou
sands into direct contact with works of Art and their
authors —a contact which cannot fail of beneficial
results to the masses. During the last year, ten
thousand persons were gathered into the fellowship
of this ‘ Union,’ and, with a generous fund of Fifty
Thousand Dollars, the Directors gave employment
to numerous Artists—thus benefitting them in a
two-fold sense, and bestowing the fruits of their la
bor upon the supporters of the ‘ Union.’
A nobler or more practical scheme of patronage to
that class who, while they are proverbially careless
of money, cannot, more than others, live without it,
has never been devised; and we earnestly hope that
the present year will swell the number of its mem
bers to Twenty Thousand. As an inducement for
hundreds and thousands to contribute at once to its
funds, we will mention that one of the prizes for dis
tribution at the Anniversary, in December next, is a
splendid series of Allegorical Pictures, by the la
mented Cole. It is called the Voyage of Life, and
embraces four scenes. They were sold lor six thou
sand dollars, and the ‘Union,’ finding them attain
able for a sum within its means, wisely purchased
them, and they will become the property of soma
happy shareholder, to the amount of Five Dollars,
in the Association.
We need not inform our readers that this is but
one prize of hundreds which will be distributed by
the American Art Union. They are probably
aware, too, that every subscriber receives one or two
highly elaborated Engravings of a large size, fully
equivalent to the amount of his annual contribu
tion —thus securing to its support the aid of the sel
fish, as well as of the generous patrons of the Arts.
It is too late in the day, to assert the value of
Art as an element of the highest species of national
progress. The point is conceded by common con
sent. The narrower argument, deducible from the
beauty of Painting and Sculpture, and their power
to soothe and charm the mind of man, is not alto
gether unworthy of regard. To every one of pure
tastes and informed judgment, “Painting is wel
come and we may say, as the Poet in 1 imon did,
“It tutors nature; artificial strife
Lives in these touches, livelier than life.”
But we are digressing from our immediate pur
pose, which is to claim for the American Art Union 1
the cordial cooperation of the lovers of Art in the
South. We hope that the day is not distant when
the South, so fertile in themes for the pencil,
trill no longer be barren in its productions, hut will
have her Artists and her “ Art Union ” also. Not
that we would make Art or Literature, sectional —
but that we of the South may assert our right to be
represented in the realm —we ought rather to say
the Republic—of Genius, and secure to ourselves a
share in the pleasures and profits resulting from the
successful cultivation of the fine Arts.
The people of the South have both the means and
the leisure for indulgence in matters of Art, and it
has too long been a reproach to us that we not only
derive our Paintings and Statuary from the North
§®®Tfm BR El RHTBR &R ¥ Hi &&B IT ITB •
and from Europe, hut even form our conceptions of
excellence in these departments by the standard of
others.
Female Seminary.
No more judicious or needful movement has been
made in our town than that announced in our ad
vertising columns this week —and we congratulate
the community that at length measures have been
adopted to establish a Seminary for Young Ladies
with accommodations corresponding to its character.
The want of a respectable edifice, in a pleasant po
sition, has been an insurmountable obstacle to past
efforts to sustain a female school of high order. We
have wondered at the apathy of our citizens on this
subject—and the more so that sueli an institution
is more needed here than at almost any other point
in the South.
Os Mr. Magill’s qualifications to preside ove ■
such a Seminary, we are so entirely satisfied as to
commend, without hesitation, the enterprise to the
regard and support of all who have daughters to he
educated. We emphasize the word, because we
mean more by it than what is generally understood;
we mean trained both in mind and body for the prop
er discharge of “ woman’s mission,” so important
and alas! so little understood even in this age of in
telligence.
arfje Hitciarw ®EJorHr
Literary Announcements. —The Harpers will
publish immediately Macauley’s History of Eng
land. from advance sheets, obtained at the cost of
Five Hundred Dollars each.
E. H. Butler & Cos. have issued in superb style
“ The Female Poets of America,” with ten Por
traits. No fewer than three elegant volumes of the
American Female Poets are announced this Fall—a
gratifying token surely, that the ladies of our coun
try are not only beautiful but highly gifted. Thank
God for them and their works, say w'e most heartily!
Necrology. —The Literary World of the 14th
has a brief notice of the late Dr. J . L. Martin, our
Charge d’ Affaires at Home, where he died in the
discharge of his diploma ic duties. Dr. Martin was
a North Carolinian, and his career, though some
what brief, has been marked with distinction, both
as a statesman and a scholar. Until 1844, he was
connected with the “ Globe” newspaper, and sub
sequently was Secretary of Legation at Paris, until
he went as Charge to Rome. The “ Literary
World” pays a high but merited compliment to his
taste and ability.
©ur ©osstj) ©olumn.
Os what more fitting theme can we chat together,
dear reader, than the season ! We cannot hope, it
is true, to say anything new on the subject, for it
has long since been exhausted by poets and prose
writers, so that it may with great propriety be re
garded as “ done brown !” Yet will we venture to
gossip awhile of the days which Bryant calls the
“ saddest of the year.” And truly do
And meadows brown and sere,”
speak to the heart of man in tones of sadness, as
they convey to him the irresistible intimations of
the speedy approach of that season in his life when
its summer fruits, however scanty they are, must be
garnered against the Winter of Death. It is from
associations like this that Autumn is called the sea
son of sadness—for who among us has so improved
the golden hours of Life’s bright Summer, as not to
tremble when we think of its harvest. Let us not,
however, pursue the theme in its saddening tenden
cies, but rather contemplate it in its aspects of joy
ousness. Autumn is the season of plenty. Its sym
bols are golden sheafs of grain, gleaming clusters of
the purple grape, vermillion-tinted apples, and all
the treasures of Ceres and Pomona, which make
glad the heart of man. In this view, it is the sea
son of thanksgiving; and we honor the custom,
which obtains in some of our sister States, of pub
licly acknowledging the bounty and beneficence of
that Being who appoints the seasons in their round.
There is a peculiar fitness in such public acknow
ledgments of the source of all good, and we should
rejoice in the observanceof a great National Thanks
giving at this time of the ingathering of the fruits
of the earth. We know that some call in question
the benefit of such public acts, on the ground that
they are a matter of form, only, with thousands. Be
it so ; we believe that the more formal recognition
of our great Benefactor is not without its happy re
sults ; for, so long as a nation, by its acts, confesses
the Providence of God, it is insomuch removed from
that terrible scourge of nations, as of individuals—
Infidelity. “ Let all the people praise thee, oh
God! let all the people praise thee !” said the royal
singer; and at this, of all seasons the most fraught
with His bounty, we echo tho grateful sentiment of
the Psalmist, “ Let all the people praise thee!” . .
. . We hope to resume, about the first of next
month, the publication of *• All About, with Pen
and Pencil.” We will say to our readers in the
Caroliuas, that the next series will be devoted to
their beautiful and romantic scenery. We have al
ready three tine Engravings on hand —one of Jocas
see Valley, and another of Tablo Rock, while the
third is a characteristic swamp scene; all of which
are in South Carolina. We hope that our friends in
that State will do all in their power to extend our
circulation, and wo confidently anticipate large ac
cessions to our list, by the time this series is com
menced We intended to have directed the
attention of our readers, three weeks ago, to the ad
vertisement, on our last page, of the “American
Art Union,” by its Honorary Secretary, 11. \V.
Fargo, Esq., of Augusta; to whom all subscribers,
and those wishing to avail themselves of the benefits
of the * Union,’ should pay their fees as soon as pos
sible ; for we are advised that subscriptions will not
be received, as heretofore, up to the time of the dis
tribution. A few weeks bonce, it will be too late to
secure a share in the Engravings of the currentyear,
and a chance for the “Voyage of Life,” and other
splendid pictures The pretty little story
on the previous page is from a charming volume en
titled, “Household Tales and Traditions” We
arc indebted to the publishers of IVhele, ’s Monthly
Journal for tho use of tho wood-cut which illustrates
it A friend of our’s once told us an amu
sing anecdote, which we may call—A new way to
spell Potatoes. A wag asked an acquaintance of
his if he could spell Potatoes. On being answered
by an orthography entirely orthodox, the question
er rejoined, “That may do very well; but I can
shew you how to spell potatoes with only one letter!”
Upon being challenged to the proof, the wag hand
ed his friend a slate and told him to write an o.—
This was done, and by direction a second o was writ
ten. Then a third, and a fourth, a fifth, and asixth.
Having added still another, making seven, the wri
ter demurred, exclaiming, “ I have already put
down seven o’s, and defy you to prove your point.”
“Softly,” said the wag, “softly! You say you
have put seven o’s on your slate; now put eight o’s
will you!” “ Potatoes !by St. Patrick!” exclaim
ed the victim, as he added the final o!
Notices to Correspondents.
Bayard. —Your letters Nos. 11l and IV are on
file for insertion. The former was intended for this
issue, but the Printer could not make it “availa
ble.” We wish you “ much joy” by the way, and
regret that we were not .
Alton —Will pardon us, we arc sure, for delaying
his last favor under the pressure of circumstances.
It shall soon appear.
J. A. S. —We feel assured that the fair lady to
whom your rather pretty verses are inscribed, would
be pleased with them: but that they possess suffi
cient general interest to claim a place in the “ Ga
zette,” we doubt. Bear in mind, we pray you, that
we reluctantly reject quires of tolerable verse, be
cause we dare not open the door for its admission,
lest we should be overwhelmed by a flood of rhyme,
and so come to an untimely death.
James. — We did not include an extra copy of the
“Gazette” in either of the Premiums offered for
clubs, but we will make the addition now to the two
last propositions.
Ella. —We know it is ungallant to say “ no” to
a lady in Leap Year, but what can we do else !
A Constant Reader. —We respect “ a constant
reader,” especially if he is a paying one, but we
cannot help saying in reply to his objection, that we
“don’t tell enough funny stories,” that we would
gladly publish more if a proper regard to the variety
of our subjects would authorize it. We think our
pages are generally pretty well seasoned with humor.
Query.—ln reply, we beg leave to say, that while
we have required only the first of the prize articles
to be Southern in its character, the preference will
be given—other things being equal —to Southern
subjects, in adjudging all the prizes. We are ear
nestly desirous of developing the intellectual powers
and resources of the South.
Samivel. —The other poem shall have place in
due time.
©ut 3300 k Gallic,
THE ANNUALS FOR 1849.
The Gem of the Season. Quarto, New York:
Leavitt, Trow & Cos.
Our vocabulary of praise will certainly be well
nigh exhausted this week —for some of the most
beautiful gift-books that will grace the season, are
through the courtesy of the publishers, lying on our
table. Os these, we must rank first the superb vol
ume fitly named—“ The Gem of the Season.” Its
exterior of green and gold is splendid, and gives
promise of riches of Art and Literature within. —
Nor is the promise a vain one —for twenty large and
highly finished engravings on steel, and thirty-three
articles in prose and verse constitute its treasures.
All of the plates are beautiful specimens of Art —
and some of them of the most exquisite character.
Among these we may mention —Chapman’s picture
of Washington’s Birth-place—engraved by Smittie.
“ Sugaring off” —a life-scene of much variety and
merit. Huntington’s “ Washington crossing the
Delaware”—and the “Glee Maiden,” painted by
Lander. Uiere are also three fine inezzo-tint pic
tures of the Mexican wnr.
Os the Literary portion of tho volume we may
safely say, that it is worthy of its accompaniments.
Among the authors aro Miss Sedgwick, Mrs. Childs,
Mrs. Sigourney, Fanney Forester, Mrs. Butler,
John Inman, and many others —not forgetting the
gallant Maj. General Butler.
Fortunate indeed will that fair maiden be, to
whom this superb volume may come as a Christmas
gift; for if there is anything handsomer in the shape
of an American annual for 1849, wc Lave yet to sec
it.
The Snow-Flake —Philadelphia: E. IJ. Butler
k Cos.
The title of this volume is indicative of purity and
freshness —and an examination of it warrants us in
saying that it is no misnomer. It belongs to a less
expensive class of annuaries than the “Gem of the
Season, ‘’ and is far more modest in its pretensions ;
but as the purses of many people are not so large as
their hearts, they will be obliged to choose from the
less costly gifts. To such, then, we recommend
“ The Snow Flake.” Keep its beautiful name in
your recollection, reader, and let it be your accept
able offering to a loved sister, or pretty cousin, or a
lovely maiden dearer still! It contains nine beauti
ful mezzotints, and a presentation page gorgeous
with crimson and gold.
Tho articles are quite numerous and of great va
riety, illustrating scenes in every quarter of the
globe; and the book will possess a value long after
the date upon its title page has grown old. It is
tastefully bound in embossed morocco, and the letter
press is very handsome.
The Christian Keepsake and Missionary Jour
nal. Philadelphia: E. H. Butler & Cos.
This is a beautiful religious offering, as its name
I imports—containing several fine mezzotint engra
vings, and a variety of choice articles from well
known pens. There are three beautiful companion
pictures and articles, entitled Faith, Hope and
Charity— an exquisite Scene on the Delaware, and
a graphic picture called “ The Last Penny.” As
presents are most prized that have an inherent value
independently of the attractions of morocco and gold,
this souvenir has a high claim on the popular re
gard. It inculcates beautiful truths in a guise not
less beautiful. Elegant without and excellent with
in, “ The Christian Keepsake” is a token that it
would be an honor either to give or to receive.
Christmas Blossoms and New Year’s Wreath.
Philadelphia : E. H. Butler k Cos.
The gift books designed for the young are too
generally made up of inferior material —destitute of
any merit. Not so, however, with the charming
little volume under notice. It is so veiy beautiful,
that were we twenty years younger than we are, our
mouth would water for it of a certainty. It is a
dainty book, of faultless typography and beautiful
paper, containing six of the prettiest, most child
like and winning pictures we have ever seen, the
names of which are so well chosen, that we present
them in their order. They are, 1. Going to School ;
2. The Pet Kitten ;3. The Youngest; 4. The Wood
en Pail; 5. Fidelle; and 6. Ellen—a darling of four
or five summers, kneeling in a chair, and looking
the very picture of innocence and loveliness
Our little readers must beg papa or mamma, un
cle or aunt, brother or sister, to give them “ Christ
mas Blossoms,” instead of those frail toys, or still
more perishable bonbons, which vanish with the
season.
Life of Roger Williams— Founder of the State
of Rhode Island. By William Gammei.l A. M.
One vol. 12ino pp. —Boston: Gould, Kendall k
Lincoln.
Roger Williams has been justly styled “The A
postle of Religious Liberty,” and his life is au illus
trious example of devotion to this truth, and of in
flexible adherence to Christian principle. His his
tory is an eventful one, not only individually consid
ered, but more particularly in connection with the
gradual but irresistible development of the great
principle, freedom of conscience. Prof. Gammell
has given the world a delightful memoir of a truly
great and good man. He has not eulogized the sub
ject of his biography, for his failings as well as bis
excellencies are candidly exhibited—yet the reader
is compelled to acknowledge that such characters
are as exalted as they are rare. The memory of
Roger Williams will be coeval with the existence of
that religious tolerance to establish which be endur
ed so much.
The Seven Capital Sins. Envy, or Frederick
Bastien. By Eugene Sue. .New \ork: Bur
gess & Stringer.
The admirers of the great French Novelist will
eagerly devour this second of the series entitled a
above. We cannot conscientiously eotnniend it to
the perusal of our readers, detesting as we do the
immoral tone which pervades its author’s works.
191