International studio (25.1905)

but making no break m the smooth surface. The
effect is that of an unbroken leather side, until one
looks closely and sees that the grain changes as well
as the colour. Though Mr. Adams's bindings in
this process have not undergone the test of long
wear and tear which was the undoing of work in the
old mosaic process, he has subjected specimens to
the most vigorous tests, such as scrubbing with a
stiS brush, soaking in a pail of water, baking for
hours in an oven, etc., things that spell the ruin of
the best morocco. The result of these tests is that
though the binding is of course ruined, the mosaic
is not. The leather is crumbled least of all at the
joints, where in the earlier method lay the principal
weakness. From the warped and worthless boards
little walls of cement holding together some speci-
mens of the leather still arise, forming a network
that shows the original design.

CHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS.
THE announcement of the appointment
of Sir C. Purdon Clarke to succeed the
late General di Cesnola as Director of the
Metropolitan Museum is of widespread interest.
Sir Purdon in taking up his new appointment re-
signs from the directorship of the South Kensing-
ton Museum, of London—which has been one of
the most influential educational art museums dur-
ing the last fifty years. Numerous successful
artists, now located all over theworld,have received,
at any rate, a part of their training at that admir-
able institution. Many candidates were con-
sidered by the trustees, and it was on the personal
recommendation of Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan that
the committee finally decided upon their present
selection. Mr. Morgan endorses well-informed
opinion when he says that Sir Purdon has no equal
in the technical management of museums. The
new director is especially interested in the various
arts and crafts, and will probably adopt the policy
of making the collections of some practical value
by arranging the articles in the order of the de-
velopment of the arts. The appointment is un-
doubtedly a most judicious and happy one, and
will be welcomed by all who, putting aside national
prejudice in the appointment of an Englishman to
such an honorable position and having first at heart
the interest of American Art Institutions, look for
the development of the Metropolitan Museum along
the most thorough and best established lines.

WE HAVE received a brochure from F. W.
Blanchard, of Los Angeles, Cal., describing the

new Blanchard Hall Building. The hall has a
seating capacity of eight hundred and is fitted with
auditorium and meeting rooms, studios and art
galleries. The ventilation of the hall has been
secured by the system of fans and ducts extending
through the entire length of the side coves. The
Society Hall is especially constructed for chamber
music recitals and has a seating capacity of five
hundred; the Assembly Hall, one hundred and
fifty; the Banquet Hall, three hundred. The upper
floors of the building have been arranged for
music and art students. There is also a specially-
constructed kiln room where the keramic worker
may have the best appliances for firing china. The
Assembly Hall occupies the fifth floor. An addition
is being made to the building in which the Fran-
cisco Academy of Drawing and Painting will have
its quarters. Mr. Blanchard has given direction
and supervision for the past five years to most of
the exhibitions of note which have been given in
Southern California.
THE PRIZE of ten dollars offered for the best
drawing of a figure from life in the Whipple School
of Art, has been divided between Asas Habu and
Mr. Andrew A. Walsh. Miss Mildred Seely re-
ceived first mention, and Mr. Walter DeLacy,
second mention. Charles A. F. Whipple, director,
is a pupil of Bouguereau, of the Julian Academy.
He retains the supervision of the painting and life
classes himself. The illustration and water-colour
classes are under the direction of Howard Chandler
Christy. Mr. Whipple's studio in the "Sherwood"
contains an interesting collection of antique furni-
ture and Flemish tapestries. Among his recent
portraits are those of Henry Dexter, now exhibited
at the Schaus Gallery, and Major-General Gran-
ville M. Dodge, which is hung in the billiard room
of the Waldorf-Astoria. He has also painted por-
traits of the late President McKinley and Lieuten-
ant-General Nelson A. Miles.
AN EXHIBITION of Arts and Crafts similar to an
extensive one held there two years ago is projected
by the Rochester Mechanics Institute for the last
week of April. This Art School now numbers
three hundred students. Although a department
of the Mechanics Institute, the school is now on a
separate financial basis with a management of its
own. Mr. Theodore Hanford Pond, who is well
known for his successful work as director of the
Rhode Island School of Design, is its superinten-
dent. The endowment of the school comes from a
bequest of Mrs. Bevier, a former resident of

XIII