1 ®r “' *."?v" v’ ■ T / ' ■ COBBEBPOSDEMCE. LEITEB FROM BOMB- lOorroßSondccce otttioFkUndolnMaEvcn'nJf Bulletin.! Academics of Art* :\ ,-v Komf, Itaiy, Sept. 2d, mahy years I have ielt deeply interested in the sub ject of Academies of A.rt. Free Academic* should be encouraged,—hot for slmple.llalls of Exhibition, neither for the purpose of making rank and position for established artists, nor as almshouses for broken-down ones. When Lord Brougham was appointed Chancellor, in a most characteristic manner he wrote to the poet Southey for bis Opinion dir the porjj of pa tronage which might hegiven usefully.and safely hy the Government to Literature. Seuthey replied in a cutting hut courteous manner to the evci-eager and would-be Grand Patron. One remark in the reply : was often quoted hv Sydney Smith as a fine specimen of caustic wit. It was in allusion to a new order which had been given at the time to some dis- tincvushed man of scicnc ‘‘Should tlie Gtielphic order,” wrote Southey, “be made use of as an encourage- 1 meut to men ol letters, I, for my part, should choose to remain a Ghibelline.” No, it is not for any,of- these purposes Aca. demies should he established and supported,- hut lor the benefit of the student artists, to show them what and how to study’; to save timefor them, and also give them.a change for a few years to' perfect tberiiseives at Rome, with minds free from anxiety for daily bread. When I remember the "sad , fate Of young Bartholomew, or When' I visit the -studio of a ciever young artist like your townsman llarnisch, see his beautiful -clay group ot the. Matron clipping Love’s wings, look at his pale face and beayy-tired eyes, know 1 that, during the summer months, when he should be rest ing, breathing fresh air, gaining newer and richer thoughts from nature, lie is forcedby the : necessity of earning his'daily bread to stand in a hot city studio and chip'and di-ill and file in dustriously at the marble of a portrait statue, I wish to be the possessor of a few millions to use for this class of men, who, if properly aided and directed, could do so much for our coun try’s true glory. - Then when I drive out on the Via Nomen tarra and look at the buildings and grounds of the Villa AStoain, think of its excellent, useful collection, mid the probability of its going to adorn tbe New York Central Park, where, for a generation or two it will be understood by only a fewfl again wish for these millions, to buy the Villa as it now stands, and establish there an American Academy which should generously rival the Academy of France in the Villa Thedici oh the Pincian Hill. . - 11 This American Academy at Rome should be the succursale or branch establishment of nu merous Academies at home, from whose classes should come Pensionaries to Rome, .to study tranquilly for as many years as their merits entitled them, with liberty to choose their own masters... At the head of this American, Roman Academy might he a presiding officer, elected for a short period of time, by the votes of all American artists from among the members of - their profession. This gentlenian could make a sort of home for the young men, and in the saloons of the Academy there might be col lected at stated periods during the winter sea son, as at the Academy of France, the best so cietv visiting Rome, so that the. Pensionaiies could have a chance of with' the social world, as well as of studying art in the galleries and studios of the Villa and Rome. Since I came to Rome 1 have used every means to inform myself on the management of various Italian Academies, and I have col lected a great deal of information. As a Euc cursale, or branch establishment, the Aca demy of Franco seems to he an excellent model. ' I have a full account of it 3 history and present very fine management, which at a future time I Will give you. The most difficult problem to solve just now in Italy—setting aside the Roman question—is the Academy proper in which the pupils are to be taught before they become Pensionaries. Italian artists are divided into three strong ' parties ; one for Academies directed on the old for no academies what ever, and a'third, wiser party, who wish to unite -all parties in a reform. In the approach ing Art Congress; which will be held this Sep- iPiuher, at Parma, this subject will be fully dis cu6sed. An Italian artist, who is very well informed on this subject, lent me, a few weeks ago, the Schema, which has been sent to the leading artists of Italy, by the President Slag lieno,” of the Committee of Admin istration of the Academy Ligustica, or Genoese Academy. In this Schema is proposed a new arrangement, which it is hoped may conciliate all parties. These Schemas’pre pub lished with broad margins. Each artist to whom they were sent was expected to place . , Iris approval, disapproval and suggestions on \ these margins, and return the Schema to the President. These opinions will be collected and debated upon at the meetings of the Parma Art Congress, and the result of their delibera tions published after the adjournment of the Congress.' When it is given out, I will return to this’suhjecl, which is especially interesting to cultivated Americans. The Koninn Elepbnut. And now a little talk on the “ actual situa tion of the Roman question,” as the Florentine journals say daily in their leaders. For years Italy has been sighing and panting for Rome. Here Romo stands, ready to take possession of, but she is like the elephant which the un lucky countryman won in a dollar raffle. The Government of Florence has not one solitary excuse. No Mazzini or Garibaldi insurgents, no Roman popular revolution. The city of Rome is as tranquil as a country village in the pines and cedars of South Jersey, far from railrffads and Vineland speculators. ’Worhlnu lor Eternity. . - ..Notwithstanding the. terrible war which is the-ct»n*fi:aud-atartling the wfhole world by its -unparalleled barbarity, the Council of the Vaticau pursues its labors tranquilly. 1 often recall tbe fine reply of the Jesuit father to me, when 1 see the two hun dred fathers coming into the Council Hall at - St. Peter’s: “We are working for eternity“ Most of the Council fathers seem to be Span iards. There is only one Piedmontese Bishop lie re—Mgr. Ferre de Casal. Cardinal Anto jnelli still superintends State affairs, aud is - likely to, notwithstanding the report circulated that he was to resign. He not only possesses the respect and affection of tlie Pope, but he has also an experience in the diplomatic affairs PHILADELPHIA EVENING BULLETIN, rWEDjN ESP AY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1870. of all Europe, which is of incalculable value to the Roman Court at this present critical moment. Viv. .’.I The Papal Army . ; j W The Minister of &fms, general.jKanzler, hfeen very active. The little FftjgM excellent co»