New York Times (Semi-Weekly NY Times)
New York Times, Wm Holland Edw Sanford, eds and proprietors, and John J Bedient, 40 Wall st, $10 p/yr
May 12, 1834, AAS’s first issue.--notice that it is designed to fill the place of the NY Standard, organ for Tammany, coming contest is betw a monied oligarchy who wants to subvert institutions of the people, control elections as it already does commerce, the Bank vs. Democracy. polite re WL Stone’s Tales and Sketches. Forrest their fave tragedian. Likes Alderman (Wm K?) Strong. Very critical of the Knickerbocker (who promises in the future to exclude political stuff). Approves Snowden’s Ladies Companion. May 28 critical of caricatures of President issued by their grand picture manufactory, beaut prints (v sarcastic), multitude laugh and pass by, won’t persuade intelligent thinking people.
June 1834
mocks Crockett. praises Durand Delaware Water Gap in NY Mirror. Likes Life of Napoleon, loves Lafayette. Likes the Woods. ruffled shirt gentry oppose trades’ union Cooper allied with the Dems? it seems so, perhaps because of his problems with Stone and the Comm Advert?
I skipped ahead--on Jul 21, 1834, Edgar W Davies is added to the masthead, 18 Wall st new address, but then is dropped in September.
Sept 1834
some poetry, mostly political. 10th, ingenious artist WJ Coffee doing alleg tablet to DeWitt Clinton, across from his tablet to Walter Scott, in Albany. 17th p. 2 the ruffled shirt and silk stocking gentry assumed the garb of mechanics and workingmen as part of campaign a few years ago, but disguise didn’t fool anyone, one gman, bred as a lawyer, flourished on that occasion as a painter and glazier, but they insisted he was none of them, others put on old clothes and figured as artizans, but bait would not take, working men knw and know who are their brethren. Sept 27 notices Dunlap’s history of arts of design, assistance of best writers enlisted (Cooper, Irving), impartial record
I skipped October.
Nov 1834
G Verplanck and Og Hoffman both turncoats from Dems; Chas King of Amer says no foreign born can vote. Noah and Webb leaders of Whigs, thanks to Bank influence. Likes Am Mo Mag. Park, Bowery/American Theater, Italian Opera all advertise, all get noticed. Nov 15 p. 1 excerpts fr London Ct J on Thom’s Statues, make viewers laugh. self-taught. miniature casts. is doing more. Nov 21. J of Commerce and Eve Post both free traders. Notice of Greenough sending home a work to Saml Cabot in style of Chaunting Cherubs, to be exhib for benefit of Seamen. Thinks Bulwer’s Last Days of P superior to his earlier stuff. likes NY Lit Gazette, sound and well conducted, thinks New England Mag is becoming parisan. Likes Thom Moore. Has a Geo D Strong poem fr NY Mirror
I skipped December. but noticed Aaron Levy does advertise his oil ptg auctions, welcomes Conrad Braker’s NY Staats-Zeitung, 35 Spruce st, pure democracy, $2.50 yr
1835
I skipped Jan and Feb.
March 1835
The New York Times, Holland, Sanford & Davies, proprietors, W Holland and E Sanford ed, 18 Wall st, $10/yr, March 20, 1835, praise Am Mo Mag editors, have view of city. Defend Commod Elliott. Humane Soc meets at James Bleecker and Sons, Anthony J Bleecker, Sec.
Likes Chas F Hoffman at Am Mo Mag. Notices Geo Jamison, a cameo artist, Broadway and Liberty st, likeness of Genl Jackson, uncommon skill. Praises John Inman in Knickerbocker, full of spirit, and Simms. excerpts Willis on Bulwer, fr Mirror. C&E failed to instigate a riot at Bowery last night (over Commodore Elliott?). likes Hannah More (not her poetry or plays, but educ and relig essays). Mar 19 has profile view of city, fr Murray’s Hill, with key to bldgs, related to water commissioners’ report, no mention of artist. Critical of Whig papers who attack Cooper now that they know he supports Jackson. Notices the Olympic now, and Martineau. Notices magazines the Apprentice’s Companion and Mechanics Mag. Gives long acct of Mirror, Weir’s pict of lake nr West Pt as illust of Waterfowl, by Bryant, Dunlap, Noah, Verplanck, Knowles, John Inman a hit at fashionable novelists after their manner and notice of fine historical ptg by his bro, the disting artist. no big fan of phrenol.
April 1835
Advocate national currency. Apr 6 big benefit to Knowles heavily promoted. A Visitor writes abt Belshazzar’s Feast Diorama at Niblo’s striking beaut grandeur effect, magnif, and editor agrees spectacle is sublime, but not as gd as Departure of Iasraelites. April 7 Henry Wyckoff active in Demo party.11 Likes Spirit of the Times, as does the Mirror. Ad for B. Otis’ 3 orig ptgs, Adam and Eve et al, Arcade Baths Chambers st. doesn’t care much for Maj Downing or Crockett. likes Miss Reed’s Passion Flower. Announces office moving to 10 Wall st. 23 St Nicholas Society festivities. 24 p. 2 Academy of Arts, long notice of gallery by ancient masters offered to Congress last winter and only not bought by two votes now at Acad in Barclay st, to be sold by auction, the Rembrandt the best ptg on this side of the Atlantic, mentions Reynolds Leo Caracci, Claude, truly fine works, but nevertheless some trash, Death of Holofernes by Guido Reni! Seems a regular daub and the Crowning of Venus little better. Cellini vase. Hope it will be bought for a public gallery for this city.
25 unsigned letter to the editors re article on ptgs at Academy that expresses an opinion on the Judith of Guido with whci I differ, purchased in Italy by gman of London, understood alw considered a choice work, the best judge of the Ital school was that Engl only had one of his superior to it, the St Sebastian of Dulwich, a judge in this country also expressed himself satisfied of its originality. Collection has no copy except the Holy Fam by Vandyck stated as such. (the Gallery advertises, of course)
May 1835 Ed Wm Holland, E Sanford; Edw Davies is proprietor
1 Anthony J Bleecker is one of the secretaries for the Demo Repub Young Men’s Genl Committee 2 office moves fr 18 to 10 Wall st. Fanny Kemble a spoiled boarding school miss. 5 critical of Star’s system of humbug, throws in democ to attract people, whig misinfo
May 7, 1835: p. 2 Exhib of 1835, Nat Acad of Design unus extensive, 233 pictures by 68 artists. suspect it excels former exhibs, port dept esp rich, and must be so until lscape and history are sufficiently well paid to attract artists fr only lucrative hire. Lscape is next in numbers and merit, few historical ptgs, tho grt power is shown in several, Inman’s noble pict fr Bridal of Lammermoor is the best, justifies his hi rep. only a few minis, but some exquis, 128 by Dodge, Cummings and Shumway compare with best Engl artists, has improved. ports that struck us most were 200 a Lady by Inman, 184 a gman by same, 34 a lady by Ingham, 6 and 33 by Sully, and lists numbers of others 163 214 227 33 41 134 27 6 10
Lscapes charming by Cole, 24 Sleepy Hollow, 37 Autumn Twilight, shd be sent to Euro to show gorgeous hued forests and skies, and 25, Southern Twilight, 2 or 3 v fine by Weir, Bourbon’s march esp, 232 and others by Chapman, 48 view on Hudson by Ingham v strange but sweet scene, 8 admirable pict of things not quite worthy of such elaboration.
2-3 pieces by young Mount that every visitor will rank among v finest, 141 bar room scene a perfect gem, nothing richer than figs, glowing fr real life, but backgrd and accessories, jug, hat, axe, furn of rm. wonderful force and truth in his details, when admiring fireplace and shovel, bottle and glass, fishing rod and broken chain, cracked tea cup and drowsy cat, frieze jacket and battered peculiar hat, easily imagine why called young Teniers.
I don’t see an ad for it, tho there’s one for the Acad of FA on Barclay st, showing the old masters offered to Congress last session, on sale, superb well known, for amateurs or public galleries [Weekly Times On May 5? it reproduces the article on NAD. ]
8 very much in favor of internal improvements, pano of Napoleon puffed. 9 missing fr LOC volume
11 Notices Sunday Morning News, SJ Smith. AM mo mag, bold and manly crit, racy, Slidell gd. 12 missing LOC volume. 14 praises Endicott’s satirical illustrations for Fanny Kemble’s book. 16 agrees that the Liverpool J comments on the Mirror are puffs, paid for or not, so not meaningful, editors here at least write their own. 18 wonders which are the Whig journals—Star and C& E are noisiest, but are they leaders, had so long abused whigs it seems anomaly that are now trusted. American used to be, Daily and Commercial Advertiser, but no one thinks much of them. Notices sale of old ptgs at Acad of Arts in Barclay st, among the finest
May 19 p. 2 The Old Pictures sale yesterday failure, only one sold, by anon, View of Hastings, $120, tho a Baltimore order for a superb flower piece Van Huysum accepted $1000 this morning. Fyt fine picts of dogs and game at priv sale after auction. too bad Remb not retained as models for students, invaluable if only for coloring, Look through the exhib of Acad Design, and see the style of coloring that prevails there, even in works commendable for composition and drwg.
20 p. 1 Earle’s Portrait: Napoleon, GW, Jackson, no portrait of them that is not recognisable, a powerful and peculiar char that makes them impossible to miss, even in plaister, litho or signborad. But v few really gd likenesses, only Stuart’s of GW, only Earle’s of Jackson. One now in the Exhibition by Durand most excellent but J in old age, so less interesting than earlier period when features unbroken and stamped with the visible char. The fine one by Earle taken years ago and tho inferior as a work of art to Durand’s, has advantage of presenting him at a time of life most characteristic, copy of one of them owned by a gman in Greenwich.
May 21 p. 2 notices a second series of illust of F Kemble’s bk, not much praise, indifferent, pretty gd, wanting comic effect, last one has spirit and drollery.
22 Notes Geo W Dixon has turned Whig, mentions his Jim Crow singing past. Also notes that the Niagara Hose company has splendid new machine, boxes ptd by John Quidor 46 Canal st, great credit for the performance, hand of an accomplished artist, all the ornamenting cost about $1000. Mentions a dirty little paper acts as toad-eater to Evening Post. 23 puff of Belshazzar’s Feast, copied by Sebron fr Martin, perfect illusion, like sculpture. 25 haven’t picked a side in stonecutters’ dispute, journeymen and masters 26 missing fr LOC volume.
June 1835
Thom Bell ptg auction ad. 5 hostile to Daily Advertiser.
Jun 8 notes attack on W H Attree in Hoboken, reporter for C&E.
p. 2 For the Times, NAD: splendid exhib Amer talent, Clinton Halll. Notwithstanding occasional clumsy picts sprinkled on walls, number of others from their correctness of drwg and style of coloring command respectful attn An Evening Paper had a flimsy and dogmatic criticism of the ptgs, a foolish review, those most skilled in FA are most delicate in finding fault. Only critics serve no time in a trade.
struck with interesting lady and child 219 W Page, simplicity of design, truth of coloring in manner of Venetian schl, expression admirable conception carefully exec. Port of Col Webb ed C&E by Inman excellent likeness, orig a gd subj. 218 Lscape G Oakley, amateur, if his profession would have excelled, facility of penciling touched with grt skill and boldness, usual effect and remarkably well colored. Ingham Port of a Lady 182, rather delicate, but well proortioned, composition judiciously managed, anatomy well understood, of nature than fancy, for to be beaut it must be natural, peculiar excellence of Ingham. Port of lady 26 Ingham masterly style, need pen of a Barry to depict, design graceful pleasing attitude, expr extremely soft and lovely perfect model of beauty animated. hasn’t escaped crit even in the beauty so happily blended in mellow clearness and rich coloring.
226 Port lady by Inman, well marked and edeved in graceful attitude as in all his ports, tho color rather pale, takes fr its effect. a better picture, than but with a view of imitating nature he left fancy altogether. As long as Ingham Inman and Page put off historic studies, can never reach hi eminence, tho ea has peculiar rich style of coloring brilliant, bold and beaut worthy the historic painter.
Cole lscape,style of coloring extremely bold and forcible.
48 Ingham, liveliness of character naturally grand and imposing, gd knowl of natural objects in distant prospective, relieved scene by lighting up middle ground, tint of wild magnificence.
155 Port of Col Morris by Dunlap, v fine likeness, grave dignity and grandeur of expression, fine solid style of ptg, remarkably peculiar in those ports. Leave his historic picture to more competent writer to do justice.
The Star now the organ of the Bank and Boxing men. Jun 11. loves Geo Bancroft. Jun 11 p. 2 Hemans pop on decline, we are not warm admirers of her, tho we have been when she was all the rage. v clever but not great, too monotonous, alw singing to same tune, even first pieces rather cloying, sentimentalism rather than sentiment, wants terseness. words musical, not alw easy to discover ideas, no superior lady versifier tho.
Jun 12 likes Paulding, notices W Norris large litho of Kemble Carols, Nassau and Wall st, stupid and nonsensical doggrel verses, vilely conceived and executed. why is it a slam to show her family working?
puffs Hanington’s dioramas, better than Maetzel’s, painting and mechanism joined
Jun 18 p. 2 rec engr of GW by Steel fr copy by Dickinson of orig ptg by CW Peale, fr Mt Vernon in 1772, commander of provincial forces. Custis, owner of orig, says eng is facsimile of port, $1. Also recd well exec engr composed and designed by Isaac F Bragg engr Durand, miniature GW fr famous orig by Stewart, $1.50
22 Star attacks Irish, starts riots. Like C&E support American party. 25 Johnston a splendid artist, also doing Kembele caricatures. Jun 27 indecent litho prints hawked on streets, case of disgusting character recently occurred in city, acct in several newspapers, referred to by Star, prob basis for the publication
I finished June, and didn’t see any of the other NAD articles from the daily paper.
I skipped July and August 1835.
Sept 1 1835, reprints the moon hoax as a hoax as good as truth. Sept 9 p. 2, Architecture: signed Nimrod, addressed to editors. People buying land for a house usually leave design and materials up to the builders, who chooses at least two strongly contrasted colors, tosses a coin to pick his materials, whether marble first or brick, considered a happy arrangement to get the lightest looking material underneath and heavier as you go up towards the tob; it has a consolidating appearance. Key is variety, but usually red and white. Principal object in a modern front is the gutter or cornice, and pipe leading down from it, to give these a suitable prominence, the painter is called upon, chooses contrasting color. Large holes cut in gutter for attic windows shd show as much as possible, as they relieve the plain surface of the frieze, so sills and lintels impt, highlight with pure white marble which won’t blend with color of the front.
Continues on Sept 11 p. 2, differs with everlasting advocates of the gothic style, has great beauties, admire its proper place, in Europe for decorating dungeons, prisons and churches where clergy are sustained by the strong arm of power and preach obedience to divine right of princes over cattle mankind, or to castles where titled bandits keep safe fr popular vengeance. This style of decoration is extremely appropriate for houses of worship and seminaries in this coutry, the images of midnight darkness, plunder, violence and murder do not make me delight in it, it smells of blood. Fine opportunity for it in the City’s new House of Detention, if they had any sympathy for their tenants, they’d build in Gothic, as vast majority possess taste for it in arts as well as moralities.
another style of bldg has no name, but demands that every bldg have a round room, the most clownish way of doing so is beginning with a square one, but every public structure, old or new, has dome or steeple piercing the roof and supported by a heavy circular wall running fr foundation thruwhole work. Even in Custom Hse, the Grecian orders are to be set off with a dome that would satisfy a Turk, straddling the roof like the night mare, lumbering bldg with supporting walls and pillars, all to have a round room. Looking up toward concave ceiling will doubtless elevate the ideas of the clerks, and the three small cornered rms betw the circle and 4 angles of the bldg can be let out profitably to shoe blacking, laundress or oyster establishments.
abominable mongrel masses have been extolled as the sublimest efforts of art, yet people are not anxious to have many of them. Remedy is let the old time bldgs alone, era of domes and their makers will pass off, getting a hard rub fr future connoisseur, when he writes chapter on false taste and imbecile magnificience
Loves Cobbett. Critical of Eve Post as destructive to the party bcause of its support for abolition. Supports int’l copyright. Likes Miss Sedgwick.
Sept 25 p. 2 notices James Thom, the sculptor, capital statues intro’d to us by Sheridan Knowles, rare genius, beaut litho print. Puffs Hanington splendid, genius, industry and enterprise.
I skipped Oct 1835.
Nov 1835: recounts split among Demos, betw Eve Post “agrarian” candidate Chas Ferris, and the regular ticket, Gideon Lee. Of the locofocos, leaders are Ming and Riell and Haskell party, the anti-monopolists, also supported by the Evening Post, pledged to oppose banks, repeal of small note law, advocate law of general partnerships. Whig candidate James Monroe wld allow no political right to adoped citizens. Star recommends John Morgan, the regular Tammany candidate, as preferable to Haskell, more respectable. Locofocos have anti-masonic candidates, shd be ashamed. Gideon Lee is the industrious mechanic. Associates the locofocos with the Bowery, as they’ve been excluded from Tammany Hall. Eve Post calls Times/regular Demos aristocrats.
NY Commercial (Advertiser?) attacked Sheridan Knowles’ moral character for bringing a female actress to a Fancy Ball without invitation. Defends Commodore Elliott fr NY American, hero of Lake Erie, federalist persecution of individuals, praises Transcript and Sun as showing industry and ability. Publishes mtg of friends of TX at Shakespeare Hotel, Knapp, Haggerty, Ming, P Hone, Stilwell P Wetmore, Mapes, Geo D Strong, Wyckoff, Chas Ferris, some Curtises. Supports Texas revolution agst Mexico. More on Elliott and the Commercial Advertiser, which is typical of Whigs in fighting with poison pen, disingenuous, dishonorable.
Letter from “More Anon (a doctor): to editors Nov 12 attacking anti-monopolists as believing all are equal in talent, a false democracy. Skips the 17th. Notices Audubon. Likes Latrobe’s Ramblings in US. Puffs American Museum, Thom’s celeb statues. Dearborn’s history of war of 1812 severe on Harrison. Covers a society ball.
Dec 1835. Regularly attacks Harrison. Skips the 16th. Account of fire. Skips 22, 23. Dec 31 p. 2 lists members of Demo Committee for 1836, includes Geo D Strong, Quackenboss, Patrick McCafferty, and on Young Men’s Committee, John Tait Jr, Isaac T Doughty, George B Inness, Thomas L Jewett, Anthony W Bleecker, Fernando Wood, Wm K Strong, Danl E Delavan, E B Messerve, Wm Varian, Jesse Cady, WCH Waddell
1836
W Holland, Edward Sanford, EW Davies, 10 Wall St, $10/yr—LOC volume too
Jan 1 p.2 notices C Mayr’s illustrations of Irving’s Sketch Bk, grt cleverness, spirit.
Jan 4 declares for Van Buren for pres; outrage of firemen on Purdy, notices Merc Lib election, relief mtg with Chas King and Wm Stone involved
13 More Anon is writing for them fr DC,
14, No Amer Review is able. 16 Amer Acad FA advertising. 17 Tammany Soc aka Columbian Soc. 21 Mech Inst advertises. 26 missing.
February
3 missing. 9 Maria Monk is detestable tissue of lies. 10 gives a Buchanan speech. 13 missing. 16 Geo H Stout engraver advertises with them too. Also like Hamblin and Fay. 26 favor NY and Erie rrd, strikers are bad. 27 praise Francis Hawks church hisory.
March
Critical of Henry Wise. Harrison has unified the Whigs. March 4 Jacob Shumway is inspector of beef for city and county. Trashes Saml Smith’s Rosamund Culbertson as worse than Maria Monk. 5 UVA has not one of its 244 students fr a non slaveholding state. 8 letter fr Justice defending navy brutality 9 missing.15 missing. 18 have been calling Harrison the Available. 23 like the Jeffersonian, worry that the locofocos will help the Whigs elect Harrison. Hate the Commercial Advertiser. 30 harshly critical of Wise
April 1836
1 publishes a letter to editor fr “Washington” re the Wash monument association, only a brief comment on it in the Sun, writer says funds less than $1000 is in treasurers’ hands and no meeting of director in nearly a year, panic of 1833 stopped them. Inefficient hands, ought to resign, too many of them, many have never been to a meeting. Mirror recently proposes another statue of Alexander Hamilton, suggests the recent losses have not affected them so much. Isn’t GW more impt than Hamilton? No objection to Ball Hughes as artist, but call attn to one not his inferior, Thom has concpetion and execution of first order, hope mechanics will patronize him, his price would be much lower.
[Weekly Times: Apr 5 p. 1 Letter fr ‘Washington’ re monument association, notes that funds raised are in Tradesmen’s Bank and treasurers, abt $1000, directors are not meeting or acting, inefficient, need to resign and be replaced by more energetic ones. recent Mirror proposes new statue of Alexander Hamilton, if a few merchants can raise 6-7 thous for that, can’t whole city do better for GW, whose memory is dearer? don’t obj to ball Hughes as artist, but wish to call attn to committee procuring monuments that there’s an equally gd sculptor, Thom, conception and execution of first order, mechanics shd patronize, as he’s a plain, practical working man, price lower than Hughes or any other sculptor. citizens elsewhere contemplating equestrian statue of marble 36 ft hi by Thom, we shouldn’t be outdone.]
2 Defends Gaines, notices Aaron Levy sale of valuable ptgs. Ming a good choice for the locofocos, will spare Lawrence their votes.
5 Lit gossip and table talk mention Chapman, Inman, Ball Hughes, and Cooper, Bryant, Leggett, Willis, Simms, Paulding, Irving. 8 Star likes Ming? 9 “the poor Indians” used to be fashionable, lachrymose philanthropists on their suffering s and injuries, but Florida war s curing that cant. 13 West our countryman’s great ptg Death on a Pale Horse on exhib at Acad FA. 16 notices it again lots of praise, sublime, wild, king of terrors, immortality etc. Doesn’t really cover police/court. [Weekly Times: Apr 16 p. 2 notices Robinson has pub likeness of late Ellen Jewett, as discovered lying in bed,etc., 48 Courtlandt st. article elsewhere a bit disparaging of Jewett. Puffs West’s Picture of Death on the pale Horse, celeb composition, terrific o sublime to tender and pathetic, variety of attitudes and expression, many tones of color, centre grp is magnet, touching, consummate judgment by artist in Death, grim and potent like other tyrants, delighting in exercise of power to destroy.]
22 missing.
May 1836
4 Whigs rebuke them hypocritically for their comments on “poor Indians” as being really just an anti-Jackson position. 9 Harrison—a Whig hero humbug.
May 12 letter fr Salvator appears [weekly Times: May 13, p. 2-3, Corresp fr “Salvator” re NAD, hard to read as binding covers up words, but approximately, says he’s read the Star crit on the pictures, and is tempted to say something, partly to set the Star right on a subj on which he seems to be but a tyro, and also to prevent his unqualified praise fr exalting artists too much beyond the seventh heaven ? will take his catalogue as my guide and shall be obliged even to cull from that
No 3 Lscape, W M. Oddie This may be v tempting for the Star, but is rather too green. 13, This is a pretty sketch for an album. 14 J Pringle. Mr. Star says “nature itself,” the kind of nature that would suit a sea serpent. 17 A Ludlow, Speaks for itself. This is an amateur artist with a master’s touch
54 E Purcell, Hector dragged by Achilles, Too much plagiarism, and badly handled
68, Portrait, W Page, gd, but not equal to some others of his here 83 Inman, Chef d’ouevre. 87, Ingham, His finishing is too high for effect. 65 JE Freeman, Too much like a Sailor Boy in one of old Souvenirs, to be an original. 71, Durand, Too much finish, and too little expression, and what expression there is, is caricatured. 85 Cut out of pasteboard! 93 and 100, Rather bad for Chapman. The woman in the armies of Pocahontas looks as if she had a gown of glass blown on purpose for her. by the glassblower of the museum.
98 Splendid Coloring. Page approaches nearer the ancients, than any one in England or this country. 105 A beautiful composition by Weir. Do leave Landscapes for others, and you will excel in this department. 104 By an Italian Artist. Well may they say that “the Art has declined in Italy.” 112, Wall, Too much stage effect. 118 Morse. The President must study chasteness. 132 Marchant, A gd port, but the columns is too broad and vulgar. 139 Anelli, Too little coloring here for nature, but otherwise fine.
147 Mount. Expression and attitude v fine, Columns wants depth, Trees bad; altogether better than 155.
149 Coles. Some beaut spots in this picture, reminds me of some of Ruysdall’s Trees are bad; too green, and not enough diversified for American scenery.
171 Page Gd again, A little fault in the drwg of the girl’s arm. 181 Wright, a copy of Weir’s--rather severe for an exhib. 193 J Morton, Too much like a snuff box painting, but composition very good. 207 Flagg Match Girl. This is a promising artist.
Concludes that there are others bad and gd, want time and space, just mention a Lady and child by Page, and the return of Knickerbacker I believe by Chapman, two of the best of their kind in this exhib.
May 13 missing from daily volume.
[Weekly Times May 17 p. 1, second letter fr Salvator. omitted some picts which shouldn’t be passed over in silence:
43 TS Cummings, beaut miniature production, has improved v much in this style of ptg. 45 This is rather a pretty sketch. 58 Ship on a lee shore, production is rather too much for the credulity of a landsman to realize. If it is the ship with all sails set and a Hurricane blowing.
74 S Watson, a gd Sketch of a old Pointer. 75 D Huntingdon, This has some spirit but the Toper is rather too young to have such a Bar-dolph nose. 81, What could have been the reason fo Mr Morse putting this Sketch in the exhibition. 82 A pretty Sketch, but not suitable as a specimen for exhib.
84 Weir, A View of West Point, pretty, but his fort lies in figs, as I before mentioned. 99 Ruins of NY Exchange, Chapman, chaste and beaut production of its kind. 101 Inman, port of a child, composition is chaste and beaut, wants more coloring for a picture, this idea may have struck me more forcible fr its proximity to Page’s three children
132 Inman Lscape, proof that Inman has a diversity of talent, still I prefer his portraits. 142 A daub fr Italy. 159 Another of the same kind. 199 Flagg, shows some degree of talent, but not as gd as his Match Girl. 202 AB Durand, Pedlar, This is a highly finished production with great merit, the children are excellent, as is the old man.
214 S Watson, Meeting of Marmion, picture is certainly one of the finest of the kind. The horse the Herald rides is truly inimitable, whole grouping is excellent, any fault it’s that the backgrd is too dark. 216 & 17, Smith, gd fruit pieces. 225 A spirited sketch of Sammy the Tailor.
must also make some remarks re the room of the Academy, the exhib too high up stairs, so many flights, not well ventilated, and needs railing to prevent persons fr approaching too near the picts and preventing others fr seeing. May not happen during the day, but at night is certainly so.
May 20 critical of Scott (Eve Post defending him) and Gaines both. 25 is covering Jewett trial, complete testimony, dominates the paper. 28 condemns C&E for Woods theater riots
June 1836
6 Davies is their court reporter. 10 testifies to originality of West’s Death on Pale Horse being shown now. Get a fair amount of official advert. 22 notices Aaron Levy auction
Symp with demo aldermen staying out of city council to stop Whig majority fr distrib the spoils.
semi-weekly, starting June 3. skips to Jun 7. Skips Jun 13, and the 16th--resumes on 21st, then jumps to 24th, then to 28th. Approves of Theo Fay as ambassador to England with Stevenson.
July 1836
2 black borders for Madison. 13 attacks Herald tho not by name. 19 praises Wm Colman’s new location. 22 likes Willis. I skipped fr July 8-August.
September 1836
7 hostile to penny papers. 9 originals to be sold by Aaron Levy Arcade baths. 10 critical of penny papers for making their money fr ads. Notice Placide likeness fr Gimber. 15 attn to death of Burr. 16 McDonald Clarke unhinged. 23 puffs Signers of Dec of Indep at Acad of Arts on Barclay st, resemblance to living men, every lover of freedom shld see 26 Hamblin’s postfire card.
October
Am Inst advertises Fair. 17 A Scene of the Deluge, Anelli, young Ital in country short time but whose peculiar style of port ptg attracted much attn, opened gallery in rms over Athenaeum in Chamber st, with some of best ports groups and single figs, and just completed hist pic of great merit, scene is in first days of Deluge, family endeavoring to escape, raising dispairing wife, ghastly drowned, Ark in dim distance, lightning bursts. Scene awful and thrilling, strong hand. Not free fr fault, drwg in some parts quite defective, old man’s hand (grandfather trying to lift baby) and upper part of child, left shoulder of brother where shoulder blade shld be prominent, length of the woman’s lower limbs, etc, rain too is green as are the clouds and the light. But those are unimpt defects overbalanced by genl merits, actions and feelings of the group admirably told, coloring with exception above is vivid, true and severely chaste, and most diff subj has been treated in a way of which v hi talents only are capable. Advertises, as does a statue of Cleopatra.
18 Am Inst—opened yesterday, first objects that present themselves in the saloon are ports, large as life, of Wm H Harrison, Managers say there is nothig polit about it, Wm J Mullin and Gen Jackson. One of the heavy litho ports of Van Buren which have been for sale in the print shops for the last two years is hung up among the works of art (but there is nothing polit about it.” Notices various specimens, Hoskin miniatures. 20 Eve Post only a pretended ally to Demos.
29 Theodore Dwight, senior ed of Daily Advertiser, has retired and that paper will amalgamate with the Express; his connection with the Advertiser ceased some months ago. Both terrible papers.
Nov 2 Leggett leaving Eve Post. 15 Support Hamblin. 26 EW Davies rebuts fears the Times is failing; after the Standard broke down in spring of 1834, this paper started, got loans fr friends (Bedient? He’s still v active in the political party), Davies bought one third. No other favors.
December
1 Webb insolent to public re Woods performing. 6 likes Leggett’s Plaindealer.7 notices Anelli going to sell his Deluge. 28 long puff of Hanington
Switching to Semi-Weekly New York Times.
I began with April 3, 1835. On May 5 it reproduces the article on NAD. May 21 p. 2 notices a second series of illust of F Kemble’s bk, not much praise, indifferent, pretty gd, wanting comic effect, last one has spirit and drollery. Jun 11 p. 2 Hemans pop on decline, we are not warm admirers of her, tho we have been when she was all the rage. v clever but not great, too monotonous, alw singing to same tune, even first pieces rather cloying, sentimentalism rather than sentiment, wants terseness. words musical, not alw easy to discover ideas, no superior lady versifier tho. I finished June, and didn’t see any of the other NAD articles from the daily paper.
Semiweekly Times for 1835, begins with June 2, 1835--but I didn’t read (duplicates daily?)
Semiweekly Times for 1836
I began with March 1, 1836. March 4 Jacob Shumway is inspector of beef for city and county. Trashes Saml Smith’s Rosamund Culbertson as worse than Maria Monk.
Apr 5 p. 1 Letter fr ‘Washington’ re monument association, notes that funds raised are in Tradesmen’s Bank and treasurers, abt $1000, directors are not meeting or acting, inefficient, need to resign and be replaced by more energetic ones. recent Mirror proposes new statue of Alexander Hamilton, if a few merchants can raise 6-7 thous for that, can’t whole city do better for GW, whose memory is dearer? don’t obj to ball Hughes as artist, but wish to call attn to committee procuring monuments that there’s an equally gd sculptor, Thom, conception and execution of first order, mechanics shd patronize, as he’s a plain, practical working man, price lower than Hughes or any other sculptor. citizens elsewhere contemplating equestrian statue of marble 36 ft hi by Thom, we shouldn’t be outdone.
No sympathy for Indians. Likes Edgeworth. Fine re Astor Hse.
Apr 16 p. 2 notices Robinson has pub likeness of late Ellen Jewett, as discovered lying in bed,etc., 48 Courtlandt st. article elsewhere a bit disparaging of Jewett. Puffs West’s Picture of Death on the pale Horse, celeb composition, terrific o sublime to tender and pathetic, variety of attitudes and expression, many tones of color, centre grp is magnet, touching, consummate judgment by artist in Death, grim and potent like other tyrants, delighting in exercise of power to destroy.
May 13, p. 2-3, Corresp fr “Salvator” re NAD, hard to read as binding covers up words, but approximately, says he’s read the Star crit on the pictures, and is tempted to say something, partly to set the Star right on a subj on which he seems to be but a tyro, and also to prevent his unqualified praise fr exalting? artists too much beyond the seventh heaven ? will take his catalogue as my guide and shall ? even to cull from that
No 3 Lscape, W M. O? This may be v tempting for the Star, but is rather too green. 13, This is a pretty sketch for? an album. 14 J Pringle. The Star says? this is “nature itself,” the kind of nature that would suit the serpent. 17 A Ludlow, Speaks for itself? This is an amateur artist with a master’s ?
54 E Purcell, Hector d? by Achilles, Too much Plagiarism, and badly ?
68, Portrait, W Page, gd, but not equal to some others of his ho? 83 Inman, Chef d’ouevre. 87, Ingham, His finish ? too? high for effect. 65 JE Freeman, Too? like Sailor Boy in one of old Souvenirs, to ? original. 71, Durand, Too my mind? too little expression, and what expression? there is, is caricatured. 85 Cut out of pasteboard. 93 and 100, Rather bad. ? woman. The woman in the armies of Pocahontas looks as if she had a gown of glass blown on pu? for her. by the glassblower of the museum.
98 Splendid Coloring. ? approaches nearer the ancients, than any one ? in England or this country. 105 A beautiful composition ? by Weir. Do leave Landscapes for others, and you will excel in this department. 104 By an Italian Artist. Well may they say that “the Art has declined in Italy.” 112, Wall, Too much stage? effect. 118 Morse. The President must study chasteness. 132 Marchant, A gd port, but the columns is too broad and vulgar. 139 Anelli, Too little coloring here for nature, but otherwise fine.
147 Mount. Expression and attitude v fine, Columns wants depth, Trees bad; altogether better than 155.
149 Coles. Some beaut spots in this picture, reminds me of some of Ruysdall’s Trees are bad; too green, and not enough diversified for American scenery.
171 Page Gd again,, A little fault in the drwg of the girl’s arm. 181 Wright, a copy of Weir’s--rather severe for an exhib. 193 J Morton, Too much like a snuff box painting, but composition very good. 207 Flagg Match Girl. This is a promising artist.
Concludes that there are others bad and gd, want time and space, just mention a Lady and child by Page, and the return of Knickerbacker I believe by Chapman, two of the best of their kind in this exhib.
May 17 p. 1, second letter fr Salvator. omitted some picts which shouldn’t be passed over in silence:
43 TS Cummings, beaut miniature production, has improved v much in this style of ptg. 45 This is rather a pretty sketch. 58 Ship on a lee shore, production is rather too much for the credulity of a landsman to realize. If it is the ship with all sails set and a Hurricane blowing.
74 S Watson, a gd Sketch of a old Pointer. 75 D Huntingdon, This has some spirit but the Toper is rather too young to have such a Bar-dolph nose. 81, What could have been the reason fo Mr Morse putting this Sketch in the exhibition. 82 A pretty Sketch, but not suitable as a specimen for exhib.
84 Weir, A View of West Point, pretty, but his fort lies in figs, as I before mentioned. 99 Ruins of NY Exchange, Chapman, chaste and beaut production of its kind. 101 Inman, port of a child, composition is chaste and beaut, wants more coloring for a picture, this idea may have struck me more forcible fr its proximity to Page’s three children
132 Inman Lscape, proof that Inman has a diversity of talent, still I prefer his portraits. 142 A daub fr Italy. 159 Another of the same kind. 199 Flagg, shows some degree of talent, but not as gd as his Match Girl. 202 AB Durand, Pedlar, This is a highly finished production with great merit, the children are excellent, as is the old man.
214 S Watson, Meeting of Marmion, picture is certainly one of the finest of the kind. The horse the Herald rides is truly inimitable, whole grouping is excellent, any fault it’s that the backgrd is too dark. 216 & 17, Smith, gd fruit pieces. 225 A spirited sketch of Sammy the Tailor.
must also make some remarks re the room of the Academy, the exhib too high up stairs, so many flights, not well ventilated, and needs railing to prevent persons fr approaching too near the picts and preventing others fr seeing. May not happen during the day, but at night is certainly so.
Critical of Genl Gaines in Florida, movements counter to Scott’s orders, but is also critical of Scott. No fiction or poetry. Covers trial of Ellen Jewett, but not other details. hates abolition. V critical of Webb of C& E for causing the riot at the Park agst the Woods.
1836, but back to the Daily paper? no, still semi-weekly, starting June 3. skips to Jun 7. Skips Jun 13, and the 16th--resumes on 21st, then jumps to 24th, then to 28th
Approves of Theo Fay as ambassador to England with Stevenson.
I skipped from July 1836 to March 3, 1837, Mayoral candidate and Whig Aaron Clark ran a lottery establishment, which Times considers a form of gambling,
March 23, 1837, 10 Wall street, April 4, 1837, May 12, 1837.
Apr 1837. Notes new editors of NY Gazette, Robt U Lang and CF Daniels, one of whom was formerly at C&E. (earlier seems to prefer Simpson and the Park to the Bowery, but gives all gd reviews) optimistic that the markets will improve in a few months, money become plentiful
May 2 1837, p. 2 ‘Standard of Taste’ The Express yesterday (the 28th of April) had twaddling communication abt NAD, after gd deal of common place eloquence abt criticism and genius, and those who are above nature, and below nature, it winds up with suggestion that a committee of criticism shall be apptd by the acad, whose reviews of exhibitions, shall be considered as law, and their opinions of the merits of artists, as binding authority. This is the last thing the Acad shd undertake. might have effect of creating dissensions among members and nursing coteries and cliques, eyeing ea other with jealousy and distrust. As to its laws of criticism and standards of taste, they wld be estimated by their intrinsic worth, and the “by authority” stamp put upon them by the academy, would not add a particle to their value, or their currency. Let us have free trade in criticism. must of necessity be a gd deal of exquisite nonsense in the way of criticism, and artists like all men who live on public opinion, must expect to occasionally suffer fr the ignorance of critics, is highly probable. But that a critical committee fr the academy will set matters right, we have our doubts.
The able and ambitious artists, striving for money and fame, appeal to judgment of the public, the endorsement of a comm. of acad will not elevate the character of a bad ptr nor will a gd artist suffer fr its censures. People will think from themselves on this, as on all other matters. Gd artists are now well appreciated and well pd, notwithstanding the want of a tribunal like that suggested by the Express,
the figurehead of Jackson severed fr the Constitution supposedly served on a platter to N Biddle?!
June 1837 semiweekly
puffs African glen, strange, outré, ferocious. likes Marryatt. evidence counters idea that foreign paupers being dumped here. cites Martineau’s critique of Everett’s oratory.