daguerreotypes taken here may be compared with
the best of Voightlaender of Vienna and Williams of Liverpool. The
talbotypes of this country are better than all others. Lithographing is
done mostly by French and Germans; wood-cutting and steel-engraving by
Englishmen and Americans. The products of the latter two resemble
perfectly those of the same arts in England. Dramatic and musical art
are in a feeble condition. The theaters in the great cities have been
visited by the writer, and nothing admirable found in them. They are all
private enterprises, and no great things are to be expected in that line
without the aid of a government. The theaters are built and furnished in
the most elegant and even luxurious style. The Italian Opera in New York
is supplied by European artists whose best days are over. The actors
never rise to any commendable excellence, and the pieces they perform are
well adapted to their talents. Hardly ever is anything classical produced
upon the stage.

The German drama in the United States is spoken of as being in a
condition of even more desperate degradation. The writer's remarks on
that subject will not specially interest our readers; but we trust that
what we have given above from his strictures will be edifying to all whom
it may concern.

* * * * *

FROM ROME we hear of an extensive undertaking about to be commenced in
the way of Catholic Art. The plan is this: Overbeck, whose designs from
Scripture history are familiar to all lovers of Art who have not
overlooked one of the most remarkable geniuses of the times, is now
employed upon fourteen compositions representing the fourteen Stations or
pauses of the Lord on his way to the cross. Part of them are already
done, and to judge from them the series will surpass all previous works
of this great master. These designs are to be multiplied to the greatest
extent and put within the means of churches, convents and even the
poorest classes of the people. They will appear of the size of the
original in colored lithography, which will probably be executed in
Germany. Engravings of half size on copper are to be executed by the
eminent engraver Bartoccini, who is familiar with Overbeck's manner, and
who has worked under him in Germany. Indeed Bartoccini is already best
known from the engravings of Overbeck's designs to the New Testament, the
best of which were from his burin. In addition there are to be editions
of the