ademic merits,
has no rival here, and some enlightened enthusiasts say, none among
modern paintings in the world. The picture appeals at once to popular
sympathy, by the interest of its subject, the simplicity of its
treatment, and by the striking reality and strong individual character
of its figures. We gave, in the December number of this Magazine, a
notice of this great picture, from a German paper, which renders any
further description of it here unnecessary.

A very interesting series of etchings from the pencil of Mr. J. W.
EHNINGER, a young New York artist, has just appeared. They illustrate
IRVING'S _Dolph Heyliger_, and are full of the humor of that charming
Dutch story. Mr. EHNINGER is a pupil of the Duesseldorf school, and has
but just left its severe training. His style shows the conscientious
faithfulness which is inculcated there, as one of the first requisites
of a true artist; he has very happy conceptions of character, and seems
to be thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the Knickerbocker times. In
illustrating them he can not but achieve desirable reputation.

An informal meeting of a large number of the members and associates of
the Academy of Design took place early in the last month. Its object was
to devise measures to make the Academy a more efficient means of
advancing the Art. It was determined, among other things, that lectures
should be delivered upon Painting, and the various subjects connected
with it. We have heard the Rev. Dr. BETHUNE named as likely to be the
first lecturer. He could hardly fail to interest and instruct both the
Members of the Academy, and the public generally, upon the subjects
naturally falling within the scope of the first of such a series of
lectures. It is gratifying to see that the members of the Academy are at
last beginning to awake to the consciousness of its inefficiency, and we
trust that some benefit may accrue to Art from their action.

LEUTZE'S great picture of _Washington Crossing the Delaware_, a grand
subject on which he had been engaged nearly three years, has been
destroyed by fire, or rather in consequence of fire, as we learn by a
letter from the artist himself, dated Duesseldorf, Nov. 10th. It is
gratifying, for the artist's sake, to know that the picture was fully
insured; but Insurance Companies, although very good protectors against
pecuniary loss, can not reproduce works of genius or make up for their
loss.

Mr. HAWTHORNE, whose _Scarlet Let