FINE ARTS.
THE 1.HT-IINIO N Aisi) THU SOCIETY OP Ain&
Amid the various means in operation or contemplation for the encou- ragement of art, our attention is just now engaged by two,—an evidence of what has been dose, and a promise of what is to be undertaken.
The Art-Union comes forward with its annual show and print ; the for- mer being extended by the introduction of various works selected in pre- ceding years. Among these are the "Irighland Chieftain's Funeral," and the "Dawn. of Morning," by Denby; Linton's "Venice," of last year; Redgrave's " Griselda"; one or two of Creswiek's Landscapes, and of blurl- stone's study-pictures; the "Carnaldolese Monk showing Relics," by Sim- son, exhibited in 1838; Ward's "Arrest of Charles L, by Joyce"; and a
brown-toned little composition by Kennedy, under the name of " Omnium Gatherum.' The selections of this year include few works of mark, but possibly they are less chequered than of yore with productions absolutely base. The meet tasteful choice is perhaps that of Drum- mond's "Bull's Close, Edinburgh, the day after the Battle of Preston- pans," by a 401. prizeholder. Year her year the question of selection by a committee or at the option. of each prizeholder more imperatively calls for solution ; the poeition of art meanwhile, as affected by the Art-Union, being not unlike that of poetry in the last generation. Rubbish then found a readier market than is now open to genius : but the public taste was not thereby the healthier, nor the age more poetic. The print to be distributed to the subscribers for l852 is an engraving by Mr. loll after Frith's "English Merry-making in the Olden Time." As a commercial money's-worth, it is clearly one of the most presentable produced hitherto.
The earnest of future progress comes from the Society of Arts ; which steps forward with a proposal for instituting Elementary Drawing and Modelling Schools throughout the country, as a means of instruction preparatory to the Government Schools of Design. The usetulneter of such establishments stands in no need of laboured demonstration ; while some estimate of their probable success may be formed from the ex- perience of the North London School at Camden Town, founded by pri- vate exertion ; the admission to which is thronged by the artisan class.
The Council of the Society of Arts advocates an application to Parlia- ment for the levying of a small rate, as of a pemre in the pound, among the inhabitants of any place where such a school may be desirable. We fear—unless, indeed, its President, Prince Albert, should prove irre. sistilie—tliat it will wait long before carrying its point in this respect ; especially seeing how very recently similar powers, with a somewhat analogous object, have been obtained-under Mr. -EiVart's - But the Society is prepared to do what it can- at once ; Lind in thelevettE of the undeterred formation of such schools, for which purpose voluntary sub- scriptions and the exaction of penny fees are recommended, makes tender of its aid on condition of guarantee for the adequate maintenance of the institutions, and generally of their adherence to the rules framed by the Society for the government of its affiliated schools.
As a preliminary measure of encouragement, the Council offers prizes for colour-boxes and drawing-instruments suitable for artisans in price and quality.
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