Lynchburg Virginian

THE MODEL ARTISTES.

The readers of the journals of the Northern cities, for some months past, cannot fail to have observed advertisements of the exhibition of the MODEL ARTISTES, with frequent editorial notices, or communicated articles, calling attention to and commending the same. He may possibly have had but a vague idea of what the exhibition consisted, and been surprised when he learned that the Model Artistes were about half a dozen women, selected on account of their beauty and fine forms, imported by a Dr. Collyer, and exhibited in a state of virtual nudity. The pretext is the representation of the most celebrated groups of statuary. At first, a thin elastic dress, fitting the shape as tightly as the skin, and only to give the limbs more the appearance of marble, was used; but we learn, from the Baltimore Sun, that this has now been abandoned—the naked body having been found a more attractive than the painted covering, and that licentious feeling draws better houses than love of the fine arts. To this exhibition, multitudes of people flocked—men of standing and of character, and in numerous instances carrying their wives and daughters with them.—Representation of statuary could not be effected by the female form alone. Men, therefore, in a similar state of nudity bore their part. Dr. Collyer and his imported Cyprians have been, for some time past, inspiring and gratifying a classic taste for the fine arts, among the members of Congress and the citizens of Washington.—Richmond being the next point on the southern route, they proposed to edify its citizens. But, thanks to the correct moral sense of the Metropolis of Virginia, the design was frustrated. Gen. Lambert, the Mayor, obedient to public sentiment, prevented the outrage upon public decency by prohibiting the exhibition. Richmond has thus, through her chief Magistrate, done herself the highest credit. We hope the example will be followed by other functionaries in the South.