The National Register. — London, England, 1812-03-22 00:00:00

err" MARCH 22 . . FINE ARTS. BRITISH INSTITUTION. No. 21. the Welch Harper. By L. Cosse.--11 has been judicionsly remarked that all objects in nature' participated snore or kis, the acci dental tinge of the clouds or mists, through which the Father of light darts his enlivening rays; and that from hence proceeds that delightful harmony, the effect of which is pleasing to the eyes of all sensible ob -rvcrs, and even of those who cannot easily guess at the natural cause. It is jest so with literature,and the liberal arts. If a poet strike the lyre in a certain mood and prove. successful in his atttntpt, soon the whole brotherhood of poetasters croak their aspiring lays in the same measure. The whole parnassils ran mad with blank verse and would-be epic licerns, as soon as the Paradise Lost *all properly known. The Spectator of Addison begat several works of the same kind; and the vogue rules irn reriously even at this moment in all sorts of productions, from the high est style of poetry and painting down to the Scotch plaid and the mock- India-shawl. But it is no where so furiously raging as in the Chro matic muse. No sooner had the late ingenious Mr. Girtin tried the boldness of his hand on the uneven and sinking surface of Cartridge paper, than every draughtsman caught the infection and daubed all sorts of subjects in the same *ay without mercy, and with little success. The manner of Mr. Turner was also imitated by several artists ; I" : very few, although they were sporting in the same groves, had the good fortune to cull wreaths of glory out of the same laurels. This imitation may be of use for amateurs or those whose minds may be confined to copy, and lack that boldness of spirit which soars to the !rights of invention ; but it implies a sort of unmanly Servility which ge nius should spurn with merited contempt. 0 imitatores servant peens ! IA us break our ' , elf-imposed fetters. We have recovered life ; we only eoint, like the reviving Lazarus, a friendly hand to remove our bonds. '1 he originality of an liogarth or a Callot will atone for a thousand defects, while the tameness .of imitation cannot be expiated by the highli pr 'iced merit of patience-wrought similitude. These general reflecsions, which are grounded upon the double basis or experience and truth, have been suggested to us by the periormance a'eAte nii , etioneil. The attitude of the old man striking the responsive UhreF. of the harmonious instrument is good—the expression which is ci;picted on the countenance of the hearers is good--.the executive put t and finishing are also very good—but yet, although it is not a copy, althout,h no part of it crimes back to our recollection as having been borrowed, yet, when we look at this picture, the 14 Blind Fiddler" plays a tune to our memory and we forget the Harp and the Harp;r—and wlly? because the first is original, and the other a sort of hilitatimi. Nos. 77. and Fn. Landscapes painted in Vie British Gallery/. By C. Ilori.axU. Thezrs two performances would he enough to give an id. .a of :that i.. generally called a composition, in which several parts of na ture are iediciously s , .lected and tastefully arranged to constitute a pitasing scene. The manner of Mr. Hon./w. h: san agreeable turn, and he seems to have received from Providence, a mind well-formed to conceive original ideas, and to imitate the beauties of nature. NO. 118. 774 e race of Hippomene and Atalanta. By G. G ItATTA N.— W: do not wiAt to sitle with those who are incessantly groaning, and err*.kinT, and sa , 7ing that we are much worse than our ancestors. We have our good share of corruption : nobody either doubts or denies it; all the fables about the immaculate Greeks and Romans may b.! be lieved, and for all their nonsense, do some good on the benches of a school ; but we know, and lament to know, that as to faithfulness, dis interestedness, purity of morals, and other points conducive to happi ness and social order, they were not better than we are. Love, for ir.- stance, was, at their time, as great a slave to Plutus, and the fair as dazzled by the bright lustre of gold, as they ate in ours. The „ tbl e of Hippom , ..ne and Atalanta is a plain allegory of this meta:who'' , fact, and shows clearly, that in those heroic times the bo;ont of beauty W. not pr6of againit pecuniary temptation. A young princes:, the Lieghter of a king, running a race in the presence of an immense con clurse of people, with a young man whose future happiness depends up r:^ the swifret agility of his legs, is the subject which Mr. GRATTAx has chosen to exercise lth-talents. It is with heartfelt satisfaction that 7:e see a young artist attempting such a theme; for were he to fail and Le disappointed!, yet the very.attempt does hint honour, Est teatasse 21-leC.ut However, the painter of this picture, although be has not yet Tved at that . degree of perfection to which b 4. RCM' , earnestly to as evinces a considerable knowledge of all 47! ss is requisie Co•coma-'' . - 183 tote an historical composition. The anatomy of the two etttagonisti is, we doubt not, very correct, but they exhibit too leech Of tisti myology of the human frame—his architecture is noble, and tastes of Ponessw and Ls Baur', but the colouring of the whole is too pimple, and; though not unharmonious, does not please the eye. Let not, however. our 0b... servations discourage him; he is himself, like many others, in the Stadium, running a noble race with tho Muse of painting; let him 'thins with all his might to overtake her, sad if, by chance, Liberality drops a few golden Lpples in his way, let them not retard his flight, but, on . the contrary, let the present assurance of merited reward accelerate his pace. No. 114. 4 Study from Nature. By A. W. CALCOTT, R. A.—llia Academician has made astonishing proficiency in his ark and his veracity in personating nature is really admirable; a few trees,' a cottage, the grey fumes of a brick -kiln, two or three broken stones, or a stump lying by the road side, these simple objects, treated by him become a pleasing scene, and offer so much truth to the eye of the beholder, that he fancies himself sauntering in the romantic glade, or mUsing on the sedgy bank. of the winding brook. His " Travelling Tinkers," (No. 95.) ' and the " Study from Nature," (No. 193.) are fully entitled to the same praise. THE COURT AND WORLD OF FASHION. PRINCE REGENT'S COURT. On Friday, soon after one o'clock, his Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT held a Court at Oarlton House, which was attended by the Loan PRESIDENT of the CouNcn, the LORD CHANCELLOR, the PRIVY SEAL, the MASTFRaCrENE•• RA L of the ORDNANCE, and the three SECRETARIES of STATE, when the Marquis of WINCHESTER, as Groom of the Stole, the Earl of YARMOUTH, as Vice-Chamberlain, and Jorix M'MAIION, Esq. as Keeper of the Privy Purse and Private Secretary, were introduced to the Privy Council, and sworn in of his MAJESTY'S Most Hon. Privy Council, and took their places at the Board accordingly. His ROYAL HIGHNESS gave audiences to Earl CArdnet, the LORD CHANCELLOR, and the Earl of LIVERPOOL. The Lord and_ Groom in Waiting in attendance upon the PiiixcE REGENT were, Lord BOSTON, and the Hon. Mr. HERBERT. MRS. TILNEY LONG POLE WELLESLEY. The ceremonial of the Wellesley marriage was as private as possible Marquis 'Wellesley acted as Master of the Ceremonies, and conducted the Bride through Dr. Andrews's house to the altar. Miss Diana and . Miss I".mma Long followed as Bride maids. During the service, tears were plentifully shed by Lidy Catherine, who wa , , present, and all the d.:trakters; it is t., be hoped that they may prove the last on this trying occasion ! The ceremony over, a new equipage was at the eaurch-door •. in Jermyn-street to receive the happy pair; it was a singu;arty chant chariot, painted a bright yellow, and highly emblazo• drutvii fit f.ntr beautiail Arabian grey horses, attend. d by two instiliors :a brows jackets, with superbly ernhroider• d badges in itold, c;nbleal,:tic f the u-ited arms the Wellesley and T"lney tantilien. Tile new inatriedl drive oil with great speed for Blackheath, intenclit:e to pass the ii;:dir. at tthat.tztstoftil chateau, heloni,;ing to the bridegroom's father, ;nd „ therc-2 proceed to W.,..iistead House, in, Essex, on the fqllowing,day, to pats ifeJ hon-y moon. I'he dress of the Bride consisted of real Brussels point lai;e ; the de- Vic simpte ;prig ;it was placed over white satin.. ';'he - head was ornaaien:el with a cottage bonnet, of the tame meterial, viz. Brussels lace, with t"o ostrich feathers. She likewise wore a :►r p lace veil, inhl a w!:ire satin pelisc,e, trimmed with swinalsdowa. 1;11. cr.ss cost 7(A) Ei i :ht hundred wedding favours were distributed. worth a I . uitrea ant a half each, besides iitiniCrOus others of inferior quality and price. Every domestic in toe family of Lady Catharine Long 1) . :s beet) liberally pt.). yided for : they all have annuities settled :loon them f r tile : Tylney Pole Wellesley's ov n wattirg-vvornan, %vim veLs • - .7.1 - :e to her in r infancy, has been- consi.ler , :d. to 1•; •r• -,.7r..tin ing to '."s. Tylney Long Pole Wellesley, Cc.7lsfi , ta. Me slims Given as an additional portion to ea. 1) of th • ' , .; • g, and an, annuity to Lady Catharine Long) is eight', . rinn. -A singular circumstance is said to have et ••1.1 .• ••• • .t• e arrival of the happy rat.. at: the 1-iyi, , en, , 1. •.• applied to by Or. • •4:::.se fo r the ring ; , • , •.in this necessiry te-timoitial. A nt• ss l., to Mr: Ilrbsitn, a jeweller, in Pic. •., A ~• THE NATIONAL. REGISTER.