The Press. — London, England, 1858-04-17 00:00:00

and the punishment unnecessarily severe, it cannot with any justice be entitled a massacre. Under these circumstances it was totally im possible for the King to have detained the Dutch without involving a declaration of war: an obstacle to his own views, the force of which Mr. Irving will perhaps acknowledge when he has paid a little more attention to the study of polities. And after all, what was the amount of compensation obtained by "the energetic Cromwell "? As Mr. Irving has omitted to state it, we may as well inform him—" 3,6151. to be paid to the heirs or ex ecutors of the sufferers." Of the India Bills of Fox and Pitt Mr. Irving says but little. They relate less to the commercial than to the political position of the Company, and five or six years ago might naturally have been passed over with little comment. But we should have expea4ed some remarks on the actual state of Indian commerce at the present day, the absence of which sufficiently proclaims that the author is rather a college amateur than a practical au thority on the subject. To supply this vacuum readers will do well to consult the fourth chapter of the valuable little work recently published by Colonel Briggs, called " India and Europe Compared." Perhaps we may add that Mr. Irving would do well to consult it himself. He would then correct in another edition such careless statements as the follow ing : Hence, whenever she has come into competition with Western nations, even in those manufactureawhich are . . peculiarly her own, she has been supplanted. India is the native country of the cotton plant, yet of the 600,000,0001b5. imported into this country she furnishes not more than 430,000,00011 m., and this of the most inferior quality. Now, it appears from the authority we have quoted that in 1850 the amount of cotton sent home was 110,690,357 lbs.; and that it has trebled in amount since 1834, when the im port only amounted to 38,268,402 lbs. Mr. Irving devotes a few pages to a sketch of the parts taken at different times by the French, Danes, Swedes, and Prussiaas iu the India trade. But, as none of their companies survive now, we need not dotain our readers on the subject. Mr. Irving has given us a useful and interesting book. He writes like a scholar, if not like a merchant; and perhaps it is scarcely any detraction from his merits to say that he has a somewhat extravagant scnse of the dignity of his subject. He is never weary of repeating the old complaint that his torians confine their attention too much to kings and courtiers, wars and intrigues, and neglect the progress of commerce and the arts of peace. Old as the complaint is, it is totally unfounded. The reason that history deals with war and government, rather than with commerce, is, that commerce can take care of itself. The development of trado may safely be left to the selfieh instincts of mankind, but the preservation of good government demands both from rulers and subjects the exercise of great virtues—self-denial, patience, and fore. sight. The results of political virtue are re mote, and but for the care of the historian would frequently be missed. On the other hand, the results of political misconduct are frequently dazzling for the moment, and we must apply the test of experience, as recorded in history, to determine their true character. But the laws of commerce are simple, and even when violated it is not because they are misunderstood. They are the same in all ages, and are changed neither by religion, by race, nor by climate. But their operation is affected deeply by forms of government, and thus even from the mercantile point of view government becomes of primary importance in history. Had Mr. Irving given as much time to reflection as to research, he would not have been betrayed into the repetition of this fallacy. Memoirs of the Early Italian Painters, and of the Progress of Painting in Italy. By Mrs. Jameson. New Edition. London : Murray. is the second edition of a charming work which _ received wide appreciation, and yet it is not quite as well known as it deserves to be. A quantity of Ltter, with carefully-drawn illustrations , is pilled thin the moderate compass of a pocket volume. ere is much fine criticism scattered through its and the !summaries of the fins of the rufous painters are executed with taste and judgment. It is not a mere collection of rapid sketches, but a series of well-weighed decisions upon the Italian artists. Summaries are apt to be dry, but Mrs. Jameson in her characterisation knows how to pre- serve both colour and design. As an elementary handbook of Italian art this volume has great value, and it is one of the best books that could be given to oue in the early stages of esthetic culture. Although encomiastic in her tone, Mrs. Jameson is not extra vagant in her estimate of the marvellous genius of Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, and Raphael. She does not succeed so well in pr oducing a por traiture of Titian's mind, but nearly every sketch shows thorough familiarity with her subject. Writing of Giorgione, Mrs. Jameson observes : This painter was another great inventor; one of those who stamped his own individuality on his art. He was essentially a poet, and a subjective poet, who fused his own being with all he performed and created :—if Raphael be the Shakespeare, then Giorgione may be styled the Byron, of painting. Giorgione appears to have been endowed by nature with an intense love of beauty and • sense of harmonj which per. vaded his whole being. He was famous as a player and composer on the lute, to which he sung his own verses. In his works two characteristics prevail, sentiment and oolour ; both tinged by the peculiar temperament of the man : the sentiment is noble, but melancholy, and the colour decided, intense, and glowing. His execution had a freedom, a careless mastery of hand, or, to borrow the - Italian word, a spreszalurs, unknown before his time. With similar ease Mrs. Jameson discusses the chief characteristics of the various painters of whom she has treated. Some of the drawings in this volume are executed with much boldness and simple force of style. Giotto's portrait of Dante, and " The Angel and the Youth," from the Campo Santo, by Andrea Orcagna, are rendered with great vigour of touch and an absence of cloudiness. Raphael's group from the Heliodorus is extremely spirited, and of such a glo rious original it is extremely difficult to give by a small drawing a correct idea of its force and energy. " The Death of Ananias," from the cartoon by Ra phael, is another capital illustration. On the other hand, Giorgione's " Fete Champetre," and similar subjects, are not so successfully rendered ; but the great mass of the illustrations are executed with much force and spirit, and impart great value to this most attractive work. It is well suited for a present to the young, and is both readable for its biogra phical notices and instructive for its deeply informed comments. It is likely to pass through many editions. PUBLICATIONS RECE BOOKS. Cathedra Petri. A Political History of the Great Latin Patriarchate. Thomas Greenwood. Stewart. Martin/ and the Moderns. Andrew Amos. Bell and Duddy. A Biographical Sketch of Sir H. Havelock, K.C.B. The Rev. Wm. Brock. Nisbett and Co. The Struggles of a Young Artist. Being a Memoir of David C. Gibson. By a Brother Artist. Ditto. The Life of Percy Byuhe Shelley. T. Jefferson Hogg. Two Vols. Moxon. Yarns Yana. Kinnaban Cornwallis. Ward and Lock. Buchanasia Christian Researches in India. Edited by the Rev. M. H. Fox, B.A. Rantledge. The Countess de Bonneval : her Life and Letters. Lady Georgians Fullerton. Two Vols. Hurst and Blackett. Elementary History of the Progresso' the Art of War. Lieut.. Colonel J. J. Graham. Bentley. History of the War in Afghanistan. John William Kaye. In Three Vols. Vol. S. Ditto. The Seaside and Aquarium. Jobn Harper. Nimmo. Sir Guy D'Esterre. Selina Banbury. Two Vols. Correspondence Relating to the Establishment of an Oriental College in London. Williams and Norgate—Our Banking Liability. By John Young Caw, F.R.S.L. E. Wilson—Letter to the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart., M.P., on the Endowed Schools ( Ireland) Commission. By Archibald J. Stephens. Eyre and Spottiswoode—Tales from "Blaclncood." Blackwood—Wealth Without Money. Thacker and Co.—Correspondence Relating to the Establish ment of on Oriental College in London. Williams and Nor gate—The Debtor's Guide. H. F. Richardson—Flagrant Injustice. Chapman and Hall—Reasons for Supporting the Construction of Two Intercept:my Tunnel Sewers. Stanford. —Settlement and Trade with Central Asia. Ridgway—The Quarterly Journal of Dental Science. Walton and Moberly. A Voice from England. By an Englishman out of Office. Chapman and Hall—What is the Position of Foreigners under our Law ? Stevens—Eternal Union ; or, Grace Rela tionship. Wileockson—A Royal Marriage. Collingridge— Further Letters on Currency. Ridgway. TILE LEEDS MUSICAL FESTIVAL ARRANGEMENTS are now complete. The festival will be held in Sep tember next ; and we have great pleasure in learning that the nomination of the conductor has been most judiciously wade by the unsolicited and unanimous appointment of Dr. Sterndals Bennett, the Cambridge Professor of Music, littsir. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. - - --- Tug opening night of the Opera has this year bee n deprived of that sensation of novelty which formerly made it an event of much importance. Despite the thickly-glazed paper upon which the Director an. nonnces his season to the subscribers particularly, there was not on Tuesday night last that freshness which used to belong to the occasion. In fact, lik e a dissolving view, when no one seems to b e a bl e to appreciate where one picture ends or the other be. gins —so with Operatic performances at Her Majesty's Theatre. Extra nights have melted into " subscrip. tion"; and though there . are changes of scene, yet a continuous representation-winter or " Season " is the effect left upon the mind. Whether this is judicious management, the exchequer in the Hay market alone can tell. On Tuesday, however, the subscription•season commenced. The Haymarket having got the lead of Covent-garden, trusting to its hand being strong, has led trumps; and played out bne of the happiest turn-up cards that could fall to the hand of a dealer in Operatic entertainment. _ __ The Direction of Her Majesty's Theatre seem to think a flourish of trumpets indispensable in herald ing the persons who are to do the leading business! Accordingly, the thickly-glazed managerial paper is profusely decorated with such notes as " con tinued confidence," " auspicious occasion," " his torical distinction," "munificent encouragement," " discriminating taste," and the like. This is flourishing with a vengeance ; and if we might be permitted to express the opinion, we should say that such confectionary sugaring disguises rather than discloses the quality of the cake of which the guests are to partake. Not being able to ruminate such richness of expression, it slightly disagreed with us ; and with a somewhat vitiated palate we came to Mr. Lumley's announcement of Mlle. Titiens; as follows : It is seldom that nature lavishes on one person all the varied gdta which are needed to form a great Soprano. A voice whose register entitles it to claim this rank is of the rarest order. The melodious quality and power, which are not less essential than an extended register, are scarcely more common. Musical knowledge, executive finish, and perfect intonation are indispensable ; and to these the prima (Iona& should add dramatic force and adaptability, and a large measure of personal grace. Even these rare endowments will not suffice unless they are illumined by the fire of genius. How nearly the high ideal is approached by Mlle. Titiens, and how much more nearly it.may here. after be reached, &c. &c. &c. After reading the above we made up our minds for a disappointment, and considered this as exaggerated eulogy. Whether Mlle. Titiens fulfils all these requirements the season will show ; but that she possesses many of the talents thus spoken of there cannot be a doubt. On Tuesday night she achieved a most decided success ; and her talents received a very warm and enthusiastic recognition. By which we mean to convey what is commonly denoted by paragraphs of adjectives and superlatives. The new Prima Donna is tall, with an excellent stage figure, and commanding manner. The face is an improved edition of Viardot ; which was remarked by many persons in the house on Tuesday. It is therefore not handsome, but intellectual, and capable of great expression —in which art the upper features have been well trained to produce effect, but the lower are frequently strained into exaggerations which become almost contortions. However, it must be allowed that Mlle. Titiens, while she can lay small claims to beauty, does possess very great recommendations far the stage, in a full and well-knit figure, com manding carriage, and power of facial expres sion. These are great possessions for an actress, and give her particular advantages at the present period, when so many public singers want figure and dramatic art, combining to heighten their vocal excellence. Tuesday being her first appearance, we have thought it proper to give this description of the person of the latest arrival. In her art, Mr. Lumley has found a singer who is certain to maintain the ground which she has already won. The Huguenots is an opera which challenges . all the powers of an artiste, and which is so indelibly stamped in the mind of the present generation with traditions of Grisi that none but a person confident in herself would have ventured a debut in London in the character of Valentine. Wrong as we often be lieve it to be to draw comparisons between artistes, we found it impossible to help watching for points, recalling Grisi, and wondering how they would on this occasion be rendered. We shall not, however, indulge this feeling upon paper ; and therefore let us say that, in rendering the part of Valentine, both for register of voice, execution, and dramauc fire Mlle. Titiens deserves the admiration she created In quality, we could not help feeling at times that the voice had been strained, sad that the demand! or peace. via as tne complaint is, it is totally Wm. Brock. Nisbett and Co. a most decided success ; and her talents received a unfounded. The reason that history deals The Struggles of a Yuung Artist. Being a Memoir of David very warm and enthusiastic recognition. By which with war and government, rather than with C. Gibson. By a Brother Artist. Ditto. we mean to convey w h at i s common ly d eno ted by The L(fe of Percy Bysshe Shelley. T. Jefferson Hogg. Tworahs of adjectives and superlatives. The new i commerce, is, that commerce can take pg p of Vols. Moxon. itself. The development of trade may safely Yana Farm Kinnaban Cornwallis. Ward and Lock. Prima Donna is tall, with an excellent stage figure, and commanding manner. The face is an improved be left to the selfil.h instincts of mankind, but Buthanan's Christian Researches in India. Edited by t h e , the preservation of good government demands Rev. M. H. Fox, B.A. R.,,,fied.e. edi ti on of Viar• dot ; which was remarked by many untess d e onneval h L i f e an d L : le er etters. La dy both from rulers and subjects the exercise of The Coß persons in the house on Tuesday. It is therefore great virtues—self-denial, patience, and fore- G 'Hurt Fullerton. Two Vol.. Vols. Hut and Blackett not handsome, but intellectual, and capable of great Elementary History of the Progress of the Art of War. Lieut.. expression —in which art the upper features have sight. The results of political virtue are re- Colonel J.J. Gramm. Bentley. been well trained to produce effect, but the lower are • mote, and but for the care of the historian History of the War in Afghanistan. John William Kaye. frequently strained into exaggerations which become i would frequently be missed. On the other In Three Vols. Vol. 3. Ditto. almost contortions. However, it must be allowed hand, the results of political misconduct are The Seaside and Aquarium. John Harper. Nimule• that Mlle. Titiens, while she can lay small claims frequently dazzling for the moment, and we Sir Guy D'Esterre. Selina Banbury. Two Vole, uued to beauty, does possess very great recommendations must apply the test of experience, as recorded PAMPHLET s . g e. for the stage, in a full and well-knit figure, com- ' in history, to determine their true character. mending carriage, and power of facial express But the laws of commerce are simple, and even Correspondence Relating to the Establi s h men t o f an Oriental College in London. Williams a n d Norgste—Our lion. These are great possessions for an actress , when violated it is not because the and give her particular advantages at the presen t y are Banking Liability. By John Young Caw, F.R.S.L E. atisunderstood. They are the same in all Wil son —L e tt er t o t h e Ri g h t H on. Si r G eorge G rey, Bart., when so manyt heir period, public singers h want figure dramatic art, combining to bell; ten ages, and are changed neither by religion, by M.P., on the Endowed Schools ( Ireland) Commission. By Archibald dJ. Stephens : Eyre and v Spottirroode—Tales excellence. race, nor by climate . But their operation is B ackwood—l eatth Without Money. affected deeply by forms of government, and fl‘ Thacker andeo. B lac k wood" I orrespondence Relating to the Establish- thought Tue4ia i y t properbeing to her gir fi e rst thi a e pp d e es aran erip c t e i , ou we of h t a h v e e thus even from the mercantile point of view neent of an Oriental College in London. Williams and Nor- person of the latest arrival. In her art, Mr. Lumley government becomes of primary importance in gate—The Debtor's Guide. H. F. Richardson—Flagrant has found a singer who is certain to maintain the history. Had Mr. Irving given as much time Injustice. Chapman and Hall—Reasons for Supporting the ground which she has already won. to reflection as to research, he would not have Construction of Tutu Intercipt:mg Tunnel Sewers. Stanford. The Huguenots is an opera which challenges all been betrayed into the repetition of this —Settlement and Trade with Central Asia. Rid gwa y —Th e Quarterly Journal of Dental Science. Walton and Moberly.on with fallacy. Memoirs of the Early Italian Painters, and of the I Progress of Painting in Italy. By Mrs. Jameson. New Edition. London : Murray. A Voice from England. By an Englishman out of Office. u C n ha de p r ms o n and s Hall— . . . What _is the P ?sit ion of Foreigners siouhip ur La w r i . I, S 2 l. 4; evena--Eternal Union ; or, Grace . liela- Further Letters on Cur n— ren A cy ß° . lfai ßi M dgwa arnalle y. . C°llulgridge— stamped in the mind of the present generation the powers of an artiste, and which is so indelibly traditions of Grisi that none but a person confident in b lf would have ventured a debut in London in the character of Valentine. Wrong as we often be- lieve it to be to draw comparisons between artibtes, we found it impossible to help watching for points , recalling Grisi, and wondering how they would on Tins is the second edition of a charming work which THE LE EDS M USICAL FESTIVAL ARILLNOEMENTS this occasion ins rendered. We shall not, however, bas received wide appreciation, and yet it is not quite are now complet e . The festival will be held in Sep- indulge this feeling upon paper ; and therefore let as well known as it deserves to be. A quantity of tember next ; and we h ave great p l easure i n learning us say that, in rendering the part of Valentine , both matter, with carefully-drawn illustrations, is pilled that the nomination of the condu ctor h as b een most f or reg i ster o f vo i ce , execution, and dramatic fire., .. , within the moderate compass of a pocket volume. judiciously wade by t h e unso li c i te d and unanimous Mlle. Titiens deserves the adm i rat i on s h e cre ated. t There is much fine c ri ticism natured through its appointment of D r . Sterndale Bennett, the Cambridge In quality, we could not help feeling at times tha t pages, and the summaries qf the lino of the various Professor of Music. this vo i ce h a d b een stra i ne d, slid that the degnanu. _ VI 370 THL PRESS, APRIL 17, 1858.