It is almost impossible to give an adequate idea—on paper—of tle charm of the collection of the work of French artists now on view at the Grafton Galleries; not for many years certainly has such an artistic treat been afforded us, The exhibition only contains samples of the work of nine artists, but each has a style distinct from his fellows and al] are equally well represented. Bondin, who is chiefly notable for his seascapes, is at his best in the portrayal of fishing smacks and low tide effects, Monet, a painter of portraits whose best work is " The Beggar," appears to have tried everything from haystacks to cathedrals, and paints atmosphere as I have never seen it painted before. Rissarro, a landscape painter, who evidently loves odd corners in world-forgotten villages. Renoir, who is equally at home with flowers, fruit, children, and landscape, and whose canvas—Barges on the Seine "—is only equalled by his "Child Drawing." Degas, who has evidently studied the Ballet Girl in every imaginable pose. Sisley, the ten-detest of painters imaginable, and Madame Morisot, the most vivacious of artists who evidently revels in art, spelt with a very big A—and works in a perfectly impartial spirit at anything and everything, be it a goose pond, child, a study of butterflies, or a young woman. I was immensely struck at once by the versatility and the individuality of the work, With the exception perhaps of Degas. who shows little except his Ballet Girls, no one artist could be accused of working ina particular groove, but each one adopts a distinct method which he has made his own, but to which he is by no means a. slave. The exhibition should be of great educational value to English art students, and to Royal Academicians as well if they would only study a little.
"Much ado about Nothing."
The" Daily Mail" headed its criticism of Mr. Tree's newest production "Variety Entertainment at HisMajesty's,"and although perhaps a little severe, the description is unfortunately in most respects accurate. An undercurrent of Shakespeare there truly is, but it is altogether overweighted with Beerbohm Tree, who cannot be described as an ideal " Benedick," nor did I consider Miss Winifred Emery by any means a perfect " Beatrice she was altogether too tricky and self-conscious. As ' Hero," Miss Miriam Clements was absolutely perfect, but most curiously she only took the part at the last moment, owing to the illness of Miss Viola Tree who was to have undertaken the part. The scenery, of course, is magnificent and Mr. Tree, who always does a little advance criticism on his own account in his programmes, opines that the whole production is exactly what Shakespeare had in his mind's eye when he wrote the play. doubt it, but that of course is s matter of opinion. I had an amusing little experience with regard to Mr. Tree's last production, "The Tempest." Chancing to meet an old friend one day he asked me lid I been to see it, remarking at the same time that he had been on the evening previously and thought it the most gorgeous pantomime he had ever seen. He went on to remark that he was glad to have been, as he bad never seen the play before and had no idea that Shakespeare could be so fanny. This amused me immensely, for as a matter of fact he had actually been one of the party when I went to see Mr. Leigh's production of the piece at the Court some two years since. 1 reminded him of the fact and he quite remembered the occasion, but would not be convinced that the play was thesame. I am still wondering which ws the Shakespearean production! cee te eeuenetnnei ceria a
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.