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. The Man About Town. I

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The Man About Town. Walking, as I had occasion to point out some time ago, is in Summer months a Fine Art. It is in Winter a Science. In neither case is' it a matter for the Amateur, a mere trifle for the 'Prentice foot. But while the clean pavement and the languid air tempts forth the graces of the artist, there is need in these wet months for skill and wisdom in walking which is worthy the study of the philosopher himself. If that man is a social trifler who would engage in a parade of the streets without taking thought, when there is no obstacle, but a stage laid out and prepared for the pretty exercises of a tasteful management, rash indeed he who stumps through gutter and muddy road in Autumn's decline, with nothing in his mind but a slovenly resolve to reach the point proposed, and with never a moment's deliberation on the made of getting there. He will surely plunge and totter like a vessel in a gale. He will proceed dimly visi- ble in cascades of water,—gleaming feebly through an avalanche of mud. He will succeed in his venture, but he will tug him- self into port-a wreck No, through the streets of Newport and Cardiff you can proceed only by xule, by laws nicely laid down and strictly observed. The feet may caper to their heart's content on a broad clear surface—but in Winter they must observe nice precision and most accurate discrimination. A mistake of a hair's breadth will bring disaster. There must be the subtlest skill in skirting this puddle without plunging into that. No magnificent manoeuvre of a Marlborough ever equalled that with which an accomplished walker will circumvent his obstacles, will make a bold advance here, a clever feint there will draw his forces to the right with rapidity and yet bear off to the left in a flash. It is necessary to be a versatile walker-ready and apt in diiffculties, with a mind soon resolved, an eye quick to observe, and a resolution that cannot be daunted. One cannot pause to map out the country, to inspect the way. The glance must take in at once puddle, gutter, and mud-heap, and all the forces of genius must be ready to divine the tortuous path and guide the rapid feet to a haven of re- fuge. I have seen as much stratagem expended over an uneven pavement as that of a general upon opposing battalions. It demands a mind not to be deluded by specious cleanliness, nor depressed by a too apparent disorder. The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill; all these are needed! Irresolution will bring disaster to the most seasonable gar- ment, whilst cowardice will ruin a suit for ever But the greatest skill will naught avail if there be not added to quick perception a II consummate genius in the disposition of the forces. The feet have to.. be managed. If they are allowed to come to earth hap- hazard, it will be profitless. They must be under strict surveillance. There must not be undue haste in descent, nor lack of de- cision in movement. If the foot fall in full force it will rouse to arms a legion of hidden puddles or if it amble along will trail after it torrents of distracting mud. There is in- finite skill in its management it has to be delicately insinuated upon the ground, feeling its way tenderly through lurking pools to the inch of friendly ground. A trifling wildness of the heel, or the slightest obtrusiveness of the toe will work havoc. A sudden shock will awake all the sleeping forces of earth, will rouse from placid rest the grimy puddle, will bring storms unheard of on the unruffled streams. 'Tis best to proceed impartial to heel or toe—on the foot as a whole, with a fair and even tread, gently, but decisively, falling, so that the showers of mud may scatter laterally—upon others A mind of ready resource will not neglect the immediate in the general comprehension of a campaign. Otherwise, when the path be found and all is rosy bright, rebels will spring in our very ranks, and turn a victory almost within our grasp into a horrible defeat To-day opens another pitched battle between the South Wales Art Society and the public. The struggle has been a long one, and the issue has been doubtful. At first it seemed as if Art would be van- quished by Philistinism but the Society possessed guile. They lured the public on by tableaux vivants and other tasty morsels and drew them into the trap. And as time went on the public found that it was good to be there if not to see the pictures, at least to meet their friends. And thus did the battle commence to incline to the side of the Society. There is something pathetic, certainly some- thing highly commendable, in the efforts of any body of men to check the spread of vulgarity and raise the banner of taste. The rapid growth of business encroaches on the domains of art, crowds it into a corner. Men merely glance at pictures where they used to examine. Paintings are prepared to catch the popular eye with broad effects and deep colouring. Seldom, perhaps, has the artistic sense been so little developed in the public than in the present day. They will laugh hugely at a comic sketch of a pig, but will scarcely be impressed by Dicksee's Passing of Arthur." It would be too much to say that such an Exhibition as that opened at Cardiff to-day will do won- ders in this direction, but at least it may rouse a curiosity or awaken an interest which will lead to better conceptions of the nature and duty of art. And while it will thus be useful as an educative institution, it is producing remarkable results in the amateur work of South Wales. It is a melancholy attribute of man that he can do little well unless stirred by emulation or ambition. It is these incentives which the Society affords; and the barest inspection of the walls will show the very striking pro- gress that has been made. There is very little interest taken at Newport in the lighting of the river. It really involves some very important issues but the public has become so used to excuses and delays that they will not respond when they hear the cry of Wolf." Apathy is the atmosphere of municipal life and it is not remarkable that habit should produce indifference, even where the question is a pressing one. There are two ways by which the new light may be placed- at the mouth of the river it may be erected by the Com- missioners or by Trinity House. Of course the contention of the local body is that it will practically be a Channel light, and should not be a matter of expense to New- port and if this view be taken Trinity House will have to build a lighthouse them- selves. On the other hand, it will require a power of argument unusually subtle, and a rhetoric of vehement expansion to prove that the light is not solely intended for, or will not be solely used by, Newport ship- ping. But this shifting of responsibilities is a practice which commends itself because it saves money. Here, however, is the crucial question. If Trinity House erect the lighthouse, it will undoubtedly demand a toll of all the ship- ping that passes it. Is it wise, then, in the present state of trade, when Newport is suffering heavily from a momentary slack- ness, to invite another and a heavy tax upon trade 1 On the one hand the Commissioners with their large investments, their splendid balance at the Bank, will be spared the ex- penditure of £ 1,600 on the other, every ship that enters the river will be subjected to a new impost, which will aggravate exist- ing grievances and probably prove in many cases a last straw." There may be other considerations which the Harbour authority is keeping to itself, but it certainly appears to be nothing but a method of saving money at the expense of the trade of the port. -x- In reference to my observations of Mon- day last with regard to the Sunday opening of Museums, a correspondent sends me the following clipping from an American paper:— A trustee of the Metropolitan Museum was waiting in one of the outer vestibules of Paradise. His post mortem reflections were gladdened by the assuring- memories of an exemplary life, as he gazed with pity upon the trembling souls around him. In his turn he stood before the recording angel. A momentary anxiety was easily dispelled by the recollection of a pious life, and his liberal dona- tions to worthy charities. Said the radiant fi gure, Six days of every seven you shall have the free- dom of these celestial gardens. The seventh you will pass in the lower reg,ons: But why?" exclaimed the trustee in amazement. What have I done to merit such punishment?" "It is not a punishment," answered the angel, with a heavenly smile, "but a reward. As custodian of objects of beauty upon earth, you shut them from the gaze of your fellow-creatures every Sunday. These celestial rea-lins are even more beautiful, and it is from deference to your convictions that this special rule is made in your behalf." There is certainly a significant moral in this celestial anecdote. My correspondent, who signs himself Conger," is anxious that the matter should be thoroughly well ventilated. If," he says, "as I believe to be the case, the columns of the Echo are open for the discussion of this question, let us hope to see some practical good result now that it has been put in motion. Let us not be satisfied with 4 words, words, words, nothing but words' upon the subj ect. I quite agree with him, and trust that others will take the matter up and endeavour by force of public opinion to draw the attention of the committee to the matter.

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