AMERICA. 
t 
One of our most prominent art-scientists gave it as Ms opinion, 
at the elose of the first World’s Fair held in London in 1851, tliat 
the Organization of art-instruction on tlie plan then proposed by 
England would be easiest of achievement, and would work to 
best advantage, in a country in which no old art-traditions are to 
be overcome, and which is in possession of the freist institutions, 
or, in other words, in the North-American Free States. 1 This 
sentence certainly contains a profound truth. But it may still be 
questioned, whether, under existing circumstances, an undertak- 
ing looking to such a result could meet with success for the pres 
ent. As long as America is in her development, as long as the 
material aims of life are the only concern of her people, and as 
long as all the energies of the country are devoted to these aims, 
there can be no thought of ideal aspirations. And, whenever any 
tliing of the kind is proposed, the attempt is limited to the continua- 
tion of traditions brought over from Europe. But these traditions 
are more likely to wither, than to flourish, in so stränge an atmos- 
phere. The productions of America in art, and especially in 
sculpture, are of European origin. Industry is bent upon useful- 
ness, rather than upon artistic bcauty; and individuality of taste is 
as yet out of the question. The leading cities of Europe will 
have to satisfy the wants of luxury in America for some time to 
come. 
Architecture might perhaps be expected to develop an independ 
ent character before any of the other arts; but even in this de- 
partment only European motives are to be seen; and, as there is no 
lack of means, these motives are frequently used as a pompous 
decoration of the most daring constructions. The photographs 
1 Tlie passaae liere alluded t<> will be found in Semper’s “Propositions.” 
(See note, p. 35.)— Transl, 
157