1x46] 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. 



43 



actual employment on one trial, or even withoat passing through the pre- 

 scribed ordeal at all. Several who have appeared honourably and with 

 general approbation at all the exhibitions, have been utterly neglected or 

 discarded by the royal commission, although tlie leading object of its ap- 

 pointment was the encouragement of native talent in the higher walks of 

 art, and the commissioners had pronounced the works of many of those 

 artists " highly creditable to the country." 



The wheile of the evidence on competitions, tends to prove that in respect 

 of matters of art, a competent tribunal and equal justice have scarcely ever 

 been obtained. In questions of taste, there is indeed so much room for 

 doubt, that prevarication and partiality are less obvious and disgraceful 

 than in simple questions of properly, and yet the injury done to the suf- 

 fej'ers is far greater where professional reputation as well as fortune is in- 

 volved. A\"hy should not artists, whose fame and means of existence are 

 at stake, have as good protection from a committee of taste, as persons in 

 trade are sure to find in a court of justice? Why are not committees, like 

 judges and juries, responsible fer their proceedings, either to a higher tri- 

 bunal or to public opinion ? Why are they not, in like manner, obliged to 

 examine and consider both sides of ihe question ? Our juries are selected 

 fiw their impartiality, and every accident in that respect is rectified, by 

 allowing each contesting party to challenge the jurors ; no false delicacy 

 towards jurymen is allowed to Keigh against the welfare of the parties be- 

 fore the court and the strict ruli-s of justice. To see that they attend to 

 their prescribed duties, and that the evidence is fairly placed before them, 

 and not to interfere with the verdict, a judge presides who, after a long 

 career of study and experience, is placed above ordinary rivalry and cou- 

 teulion. in circumstances that render character, especially for impartiality 

 and judgment, to him, all-important. Should he, forgetful of his high re- 

 sponsibility, lean unduly to one side and misdirect the jury, an appeal lies 

 to a higher Court, where his error or misinterpretation is sure to be severely 

 discussed, and, if a case is made out, the trial is set aside or the verdict is 

 reversed, without the least complacency fur his authority and feelings. 

 Thus is the property of the humblest trader protected ; thus the life or 

 liberty of the poorest wretch accused of crime, is held paramount to all 

 considerations of rank and station. In questions of property, every possi- 

 ble discussion has long been afforded; witnesses are examined, cross-ex- 

 amined, and re-exaniined, by contending advocates. The same protection 

 has of late years been granted to persons criminally iudictetl. — And why 

 should this wholesome respect for mutual rights, be denied to men of iutel. 

 lectual pursuits — authors or artists, who embark fame and fortune on the 

 tide of public competition ? W by should those to whom they cutruat all 

 that is precious in their estimation, think lightly of their responsibility. 

 Something like the system of judge and jury, or an assimilation to the best 

 of our prerogative Courts can alone render competitions among artists fair, 

 honourable, and efficient, and give to the emanations of genius their proper 

 value among us. 



In the case immediately before us, it is proposed that a prize of l,00fl/t 

 be given to the artist who, in general competition, shall |)roduce the bea 

 painting 12 or \.i feet one way, and 10 or 12 the oiher ; the subject is de- 

 fined, and, in several points, the precise mode af treating it. With so 

 great a templaticm, it is reasonable to suppose that many will overlook 

 the expense, trouble, disappointment, and serious inconveniences that 

 await all but the one fortunate candidate ; it is reasonable to suppose that 

 fifty artists may risk comfort and reputation in the attempt. VV e feel as- 

 sured that the gentlemen who propose this competition, besides the desire 

 10 obtain as fine a picture as possible, are anxious to make it worth while 

 to men of talent and character to vie with each other iu honourable emu- 

 lation. They would evince generous delicacy towards the less successful 

 artists who gave proof of lii^'b talent in ihe contest ; for their object is not 

 to encourage speculators to make a heedless dash at the 1,000/ , nor can 

 they wisii for a gantly meiilricious picture, but one wherein the subject 

 is fully considered, the character of each figure is faithfully studied and 

 pathelically delineated; — where the action of all is in due relation one 

 wiUi the other, and the whole is combined into a rational and picturesque 

 coinpo>ition. Such are the essentials of high art ; they are best attended 

 to in the simplest and least expensive inaierials, such as involve a larger 

 outlay of mind in proportion to that of numey. Thus may the best results 

 be obtained with as little injury as possible to the candidates, as all vir- 

 tuous and religious men must wish to do. 



We now proceed to state the artist's case in two ways: — first, as it 

 will stand if the advertised regulations are carried out; and next, as it 

 would be, if our suggestions were adopted, suppo.-ing iu either case the 

 number of candidates to be fifty. 



Fifty finished paintings, varying from 12 feet by 13 to 15 feet by 12, 

 would involve the artists in expenses (actual outlay) from 30/. to 40/. 

 each ; average, 30/. ; total in money, 1.800/. 



In time expended, average 7 months; total 29 years; which, at the 

 low estimate of 150/. a-year amounts to 4,350/., making the whole out- 

 lay equivalent to G. 150/. ; a positive loss in the aggregate of 5,150/. be- 

 yond the prize of 1.000/. 



As pictures so large, all of a given subject, peculiarly treated, and 

 blighted by Ihe vulgar stigma of defeat, stand no chance for sale, but 

 really become a trouble and a nuisance to the artists, we may fairly say 

 that in the aggregate this loss is wholly unmitigated, and that ten such 

 speculative competitions would be equivalent tu a loss among them of 

 50,000/. or l.OUU/. each, or in other words, a toial loss of two hundred 

 and ninety years of human life, and 8,000/. of the artiste' money. 



By the mode we would suggest, the loss on Ihe present occasion may 

 be reduced to about 300/. in money and 17 years of liiiie ; that is, com- 

 pared with the above, a saving of .025/. in money, and of nearly 12 

 years of time and exertion, whilst four or five paintings and twice that 

 number of artists would be held up to distinction, instead of one, who in 

 the ordinary way, engrosses admiration. 



On a plan somewhat similar to the double competiton trial, adopted by 

 the French institute at the election for students for residence at lionie, 

 w would have two exhibitions; thus, supposing ihe number of compe- 

 titors to be as above, fifty. The first exhibithm would be of 50 car- 

 toons, half life size, and 50 studies, of hall figures, life size.' From 

 these, eight or ten should be rewarded with preliminary prizes. To each 

 the sum of 40/. or 50/. should be paid, i. e. an equal portion of 40(1/. 

 These distinguished candidates are then entitled and invited to compeie 

 with each other for the ultimate object. Thus the final great slrugiile 

 would be between these eight or ten, and the second exhibition woiTid 

 consist of their eight or ten cartoons and studies from their first exhibi- 

 tion, and eight or ten finished pictures full size. 



Four or five prizes should be awarded iu this competition according lo 

 the number of good productions, i. e. 200/. among them. Thus four or five 

 would receive 40/. or 50/. each, and as many would have ^iO/. or 100/. 



Of these twice rewarded four or five, by the final decision, one would 

 receive the great prize of the remaining 400/. in addition to his previous 

 rewards, amounting together to 4bU/. or 500/. Surely the honour and ad- 

 vantages of such a victory, if properly awarded, would satisfy an ambi- 

 tious enthusiastic artist. Could any one, amidst the honours and comfort 

 of the glorious harvest, envy his less successful rivals the small reluru 

 their gleanings had procured them ? 



Uy this arrangement the outlay of money and time of the competitors 

 would be, 



For 50 cartoons, average 13/. and 3 months each Total £G50and 12J years. 



50 studies, average 8/. and 14 days 4oO — 2 



8 or to (sav 9) paintings, at 25/., and 5 



mouths' average 225 2J 



General Total £1,275 — 17J yei>rs. 



Let us now consider the best mode of awarding the prizes, and the 

 way to secure a competent tribunal, without which uo good result can be 

 depouded ou. Much of the difficulty come* from the uncertainly of what 

 is considered excellence in art; some adjudging by the diclates of com- 

 mon sense, untutored to the technical rules of art. others guided almost 

 entirely by conveutiuual techuicalites. Again, personal or professional 

 prejudices have nut been sufficiently controlled by principles or by res- 

 ponsibility. 



The following regulations appear to us entitled to consideration and 

 adoption, viz. the judges should consist of three, elected by the parlies 

 interested in the purchase; and three elected by the artist competiiors ; iu 

 all six persons. They should be elecled by ballot after nomination : at 

 least, this rule shouhl be strictly observed in respect lo those who repre- 

 sent Ihe artists. 



Each of the judges should separately, from others, examine and criti- 

 cise the performances, and wrile his opinion of each, and of every work, 

 of art; and, naming those which he considers entitled to distinction, give 

 his reasons for that opinion. 



These written opinions to be given in previous to the opening of the ex- 

 hibition to the public ; but the result not to be confirmed until a cerlaiu 

 number of days after its closing. Then the judges should, lor the first 

 tim^, meet and discuss each other's opinions, and the merits of the compe- 

 titors ; and, recording their matured judgments, decide by Ihe majorily ; 

 the contrary opinions being also recorded, in order ihat public opiniuu be 

 not smothered, as it now usually is, under respect for a supposed unani- 

 mous decision. 



Gentlemen — Your committee beg to observe that, in this inquiry, they 

 have considered it of the utmost importance to discuss both sides of every 

 question, and on several occasions, its members have abandoned old fa- 

 vourite views, when the evidence or the argument outweighed a favour- 

 ite prejudice ; they are therefore the more confident in their anticipation 

 of this report meeting wilh favourable attention, and serious consideraiiuu 

 at your hands, and they sincerely hope it may eventually lead to changes 

 equally advantageous to artists, and lo Ihe public ; to the establishment of 

 regulations more consistent with the immutable principles of equity and 

 good sense, than those which have too often rendered competitions illu- 

 sive and hurlful ; and they trust that apparent difficulties in the opera- 

 tion of a wholesome system, will not weigh against the best inttrcsls of 

 humanity, and the progress of the Fine Arts. 



French Railways. — The Journal rles C/iemins de Fer publishes the 

 receipts of the French railroad companies for the year 1845, by which it ap- 

 pears that the railroads have produced sufficient to pay a dividend of 6 per 

 cent, on the amount of capital subscribed, besides a prospect of a consider- 

 able increase in fuluie years. " This result," observes the journal, " without 

 being extremely brilliant, is sufficiently favourable to encourage inve^tments 

 in railroad speculations ; for not only is the increase of the receipts certain 

 but a reduction iu the expense of working them may be expected." 



6* 



