The National Register. — London, England, 1818-01-05 00:00:00

PINE ARTS. Mr, WAISTS WAISTS PICTURE of DEATH os the PALE HORSE. l'r has 'elders if ever fallen to this lot of the critic, the amateur, or the simple gazer, to contemplate a performance of Art on various accounts so interesting, as this picture : A subject at once so grand, so terrific ; so wild, so mystical, so chimerical; a representation to which, of all that ever came from the bands of an artist, a key, is perhaps the most iodise peusible. A thorough knowledge of the scriptural test from which it is taken can afford but a very faint idea of the pic ture by which its illustration is intended. Such indeed is the obstruseness of this part of sacred writ, that it seems rather adapted to afford the artist who should be hold enough to venture upon it, scope fur the exercise of' the most unbounded talents, than any usitted purpose of instruction or edification iti a religious puiut of view. Sonic will be ready to condemn the choice of uur venerable President, who after having in. (bilged in themost benign and interesting representations which the inspired writings afford, could at length fix un a portiou of Scripture, so poi lemons, so apocartyptieal ; while others will applaud the boldness of an imagination, which after hav ing accomplished all that could be done in the historic de partment of the art, has dared to soar beyond the ordinary sphere of human conceptions, and grasp a subject intirely allegorical, in the delineation of which the most fervid ener. Ries of his capacious wind have been called into action. Of this latter opinion we are persuaded will be by far the greater , pit of those who visit the painting of 'Mr. West ; nor will it be forgotten that it is the work of a veteran, in whom the order of nature seems to be invested, who rises in excellence, in proportion to his advance in years, and whose late produc tions have been the astonishment ohmic country, as they here* after will be of the civilized world. Some yeais have elapsed since the original sketch of this picture was pi-minced, and ouch was the admiration in which it was held on the Conti nent where it was exhibited to the cognoscenti by Mr. West, that lie could have disposed of it at almost any sum nhieli he chose to fix as its price ; but he as as unwilling that his coun try should be deprived of this favourite effort of his genius, and formed the resolution of painting the subject on a large scale with a view to the present public exhibition. Were it not a Waal ions filet, it would 11.11ily appear credible, that our worthy Professor painted this picture when verging towards bus tioth y ear ! --a time when among the generality of those who advance so tar in life, many arc scarceiy alde to Wield even a spoon for the taking their daily sustenance : but the pencil is still firm in his hand, his fancy is vet vivacious and fertile, the powers of his mind have nut suffered the least di minution. This gigantic production of transcendant genins is taken from the sixth chapter of the Book of the Revelation, where the opening of the seven seals is described in the vision of the Apostle John. The results of the opening of the first five only, is depicted in the painting, one of which lids been added since the production of the miginal sketch. These form so many distinct parts of the snb,jvet, but they are all so har monionsly blended by the skill of the artist, that almost every fiptre which he has intriulneed scums necessary to the form ing of one grand representation. The most prominent cha racter is, of course, the mighty King of Terrors, seated on a fiery steed, terrible in aspect and impetuous in his course, dealing destruction round, and boding death and devastation in " mom beating the tot ch of discord, with a monstrous progeny " of the reptile world," " All 11'1)(14601u things Abeminable, unititerahk, and worse Than fables yet have feign'd or fear conceiv'd, Gorgon, and Hydras and Chimeras' dire." the Ministers of Mil, who had " power given to '• them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword "and with hungcr and with disease, and with the beasts of 66 the earth." A secondary character in the picture is mounted on a White horse, and appears to represent the Messiah, but not es its the last pictorial work of our artist, " the meek and lowly Jesus," nearing with resignation the acorn and hatred of the scoffing multitude ; but this King of Kings going forth " Competing and to Cowper " to bruise the head of th e fterpeait, cud finally to put all things nnder his feet. This figure, and the horse on which he is seated, are painted in the finest style, with exquisite taste and harmony of colour. The horse is of walk %bite, to distinguish it limn the pale and' more fishd coloured animal which bears the lignre or Death. It may he observed of these figures, that however necessary to the making out the subject, they have rather thin sheet ofillivpriiiist Cis eye from * imittemplat 000 (tithe principal elm. teeter, cud the intoresting groups towards the centre of the piettite. The character next in iinportatiee, is the man on the Red horse, who is represented as a warrior armed with " the great sword."—•• Hs is advancing in the same direction as the 6 . the, eby intimatiog that those wars which have " 4CC(11111.4111eil the progress of the Christian Religion, mod of " which lie is the type and emblem, are a part of the Divine "scheme for effje wally diffusing it throughout the whole " earth. The horse in this instance is caparisoned as a was " horse, but those of Death and the !Messiah, ate withiont reins, " being guided only by the will of their riders. A prophetic " vista beyond this character, slims in one division the Ro " mans, under Titus, returning with the spoils of Jerusalem, " and in the other, Crusaders contending with Saracens."— The rider on the black horse is a subordinate character, and is thrown more into the back ground. lie is represented as pushing fors. at il, bearing in his baud a pair of balances, and possesses a most energetic and expressive countenance. A donu stie gionti in the lideground exhibits sonic line slid de. hcate touches of the pencil. ((Ink the situation in w hick t i ny are Oared, (iVetWltililiCil by the destructive career of the grim t) tam, powerfully escites the feelings, by the reflection VW neither youth, branty, wealth, nor talent can esi ape the rases's nettle fell destroyer, who, by his mr!rcile.s shafts, 1•• r et. all ranks, and who entertains neither pity nor coinims elan for any of the children of met,. 'flue action of the father in this group will call to toe mind of the spectator, N gale's Nlmituiient, the celebrated work of Rotibilliar, in %Vest mitister . His attitude bears a close resemblance to flat of the iiititre of King Lear in a former composition of Mr. IV.PNI.N. Aini,kt a intuition:ins as , emblaze of figures, for the most ptt t rzgri.itely painted, ate two persons representing; re /UMW and tle ,, snr. Thee ate Inzbi) rhAracteristie, and but too fort ib'v trntiud for , periat,ti of the numerous objects of ink t • r y a nll sf re lc lit dni we sit in the habit W . seeing. ( ihaiik• in the vigilance of wit psikli officers) in our walk. threttOi the of the metropolis. A 1111111 at one end of the picuie, who t. ere sealed iting his jave lin at a li-:lB,:tri , earril to n tort of these remarks, to hear am' trrtta blance to thi or N4puleon ; but 4 COLII- bitiffliONAL REG/911E61 tenance among the demons iu the train of Death has been said to resemble still more (astil souse will think from its situation more appropriately,) the futures of the Atlantic exile. Among so much real excellence as is displayed in the composition, colouring, and grouping of tltu picture, it will not be surprising that some faults should he found ; but these are of minor importance.—The bores of the bull who Is toss ing* youth over his head, are by no means calculated for such an operation, and the dogs who are tearing him, are as unlike bull dogs as they are to any other that we have hitherto seen of the canine species. Other things equally unimportant might be pointed out, but in the contemplation of a subject so stt ikingly grand, it were unworthy the critic or the amateur to indulge In such trifling aad peurile objec tions. Every person who views this masterly production of our venerable artist, together with his picture of " CNRIAT RE.; serEn," which is exhibited in the saute room, cannot fail of receiving the highest mental gratification ; and we have no doubt that all will join with us in wishing our worthy Pre sident an addition of yet many years to his already protracted life ; adorning as lie does nut only the circle of the arts, but human nature and society at large by his very many amiable and benevolent qualities. SIIAIESPEARR.—The following letter concerning s poor descendant of our great hard is from the Ildih Herald, to the Editor of whirls it is addressed " Having lately seen yenr account of the family of Shake pear, I cannot forbear troubling you with a line relative . to the same subj ect. Soon atter I came to reside in Leaning ton, I was struck with the attentive deportineut ot a little girl at Mr. Itisset's news-room, who appeared to be employed in handing about the papers. Upon my accidentally notic ing the good beliavioar of the child, Mr. Bisset ex cited my interest still more, by informing me that lie had discovered, by a very singular occurrence, that site was the last scion of the immortal Shakespeare. 'ibis little girl, it appears, Mr. Bisset met with in the street about five or six years ago, in the most distressing condition, alinost naked, and with only the scantiest means of subsistence. Being taken with the ingenious countenance of the little pitiable obje ct, . Mr. B. made inquiries, and found she was the daughter of a pauper in the village, whose husband had enlisted for a soldier. In the fullness of benevolence, lie took the child tinder his pro• tection, provided her with decent (loathing, and employed m her in little errands in the eum er, and sent her to school in the winter. She was about 7 yea's of age when first noticed by Mr. B. ; and I 'understand that during the 5 subsequent sears she has endeared herself to her generous patron by a willing promptuess and a faithful integrity in his service.— Her sprightly obliging manners has also, I and told, attracted the notice ofseveral persons of distinction visiting the hudori cal picture gallery and public uews_roniti. It the! pieced. Mg brief notice of this Shakespearean scion be acceptable, I shall be satisfied; and will, with pleasure, if agreeable, en deavour to collect further particulars for your future notice. The little gill's name is Betsey little. " I. PHIPPS." "Montpelier-Academy, Leamington." Eve-4.nm To sVELLERS.—'f he last mail from Malta brought accounts from several travellers, persons of the first distinc tion, through Syria, Egypt, and the Grecian Islands, some of which have reached our hands. Lady Hester Stanhope has taken up her residence at the convent of Mar Elias, near Ba.yi colts. oil the coast of Syria. Her Jadysiiip's influence is considerable throughout the conntry, and her patronage a certain security. She does honour to English hospitality by her manner of living, and many of our scannas have, within the last year, left her simile witls sentiments of gratitude soul admiration. The Lail and Countess of Itelmore, and the u hole of their party, were at Cyprus, during the latter end of the summer. They then proceeded in his Lordship's yacht, to Sable, the ancient Sidon. tin the cuast of Syria. There, on their arrival, they found the Dragoman of Lady Hester /Stanhope waiting to conduct them to her Itlysliip's place of residence, whither Lord and Lady Behnore, and the oaths, their sons, (w ho accompanied them throughout their extensiv e and varied jouriley), the private tutor, physician, and others of their party proceeded. To visit Jerusalem was the great object with which our travellers reached the port ot Sidon; but it was discovered that there was no harbour in the entire coast of Syria, sufficiently secure to protect a vessel from casualties which might occur during the time necessarily spent in a journey from the coast to the Hely City, and the design Was given up in consequeuee. During their stay in Syria, the unable travellers employed themselves in geographical inq • • o ; and we understaud, they 'misted themselves that the Bible contains a better history of the country, with more distinctness and precision, than is to be found in any other book, descriptive of the Pagan countries of antiquity. From Sidon, Lord Belmere and his suite pro ceeded to Acre, not renowned for a,71 thing su much as for the noble defence of it by Sir Sidney Smith. From the Sy riac coast his lordship set sail for Alexandria, where the travellers remained for a fortujght ; Anil from thence they all proceeded to Grand Cairo, in Egypt, where they were on the Bth of October last. JR this place they were wailed for by a few persons well known for scientific researches, who were ready to proceed on a mission set on foot by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, to compare the accounts given by the French *caries of the course of the Nile, with the real state of things. Hire the two parties having united, preparetions were made to ascend the Nile tor the purpose of scientific exploration, which was expected to be greatly fa cilitated by the mathematical apparatois which Lortfltelmore hail with him, more particularly tOr ascertaining the exact latincie of places The expedition, it was calculated, would conclude about Match ; after which Lord Bellmore and his party were understood by our I , terary correspondents, who had Intl his lordship in lags to intend trast fling by land across the lull sof Sue/. to Casa : front thence to go to Jerusalem, aad passing by the lake of Genesseratto to Kaza n th, to proceed to Sidon, to rejoin lady H. Stanhope. A very serious accident happened on Sunday morning mar the workhouse in Black friars-road. E. Brodie, an appren Tice to a compositor employed on a newspaper, came from his lather's house, till, St. John's Street, Clerkenwell, to use lON (Mil phrase," to fly his pigeon in the New Cut." We ap prellenel he intently d to shoot at pigeons, as it appears he was provided with a pistol, which, having been trice tried, missed hie each tome, when he placed it in the sleeve of his coat, u here it had not Ion? remained before it exploded, leeerating every muscle of the upper part of the arm, so us to expose the whale surface of the lonic up to the shoulder joint. In this dreadAsi situation, he was taken to Mr. Gilliam, the slur. wow, in Gt. Sony-street, %lure every attention. was paid him, end the principal blood vesst Is being secured, be us as c 0..- veyed ,to GIIYA Hi spite!, where amputation would' take place. - 7. 3lr.Gilllcion, we understand, w as of op i n i on that his lite might be saved, but that it frond be putt:bury to NO the arm out of the sot kt t at the shoelder, lAN. N. THE FORTUNATE YOUTH. Many additional particulars of this extraordinary personage have been published in the course of the last week ; front the statements which are unnecessarily long, we have extracted all that apv= new and important, rejecting such matter as the public area acquainted with. The story. however, of his first meeting with the mysterious old man being more circumstantial than what has before appeared, we extract it : About three months slam a report prevailed that the young C. bail some into possession of an immenee fortune under must extraordi nary circumstances. The father first mentioned the general fact, and the son soon afterwards authenticated the statement, and gave the following detail of the adventure, which rendered him so fortutiously owe of the richest subjects in the world:_ About 18 months previously he had been on his return to school. A school-fellow who was to have accompanied him had, by some mistake, preceded him the day before. mid he was left to go :donee" the stage. On arrival at Birmingham, he was shewn into an ins parlour, where an old gentleman was sitting, and who became his companion for the rest of the journey to Shrewsbury. In the course of it the old gentleman and himself entered into a warm altercation on the subject of the South American sontest. The dispute conti nued to the jouraey's end, and they parted as aver/arks ! The next morning. to his great surprise. the old man sent for hint, and on his coming into the room said, " Young man, you were right in your argument yesterday. I admire your spirit, candour, and bold maintenance of your opinions. You shall find in me front henceforth a friend." From that time he lavished many . favours ea ; money to the amount which attracted Dr. B's nonce and dis pleasure, and the envy of all his comrades, who. nevertheless. paid homage to the superiority which ho acquired by the power of con ferring favours ; and thus in his boyhood he proved the irresiatible influence of gold, and found that the wordperminia should have been substituted fondles ofpredentia, in the ethical maxim of the ancients. Some months afterwanh, the old man, who had hitherto promised only a considerable establishment in the Church, sent for him, and declaring, that he felt his life was ebbing fast away, announced his intention to make over to him immediately, by a deed of gift, the whole of his immense property. " If (added he) I should live, con s trary to my expectations, I 'hall then be a dependant on your gra. titude and bounty." From that moment the old man intimated hint in all his secrets directed him how to conduct his extensive pecuniary transactions, gave him a lire of the various names he was obliged to assume to conceal his property in foreign countries. and related all the adventures of his extraordinary, and in sonic respects, criminal life. Many of these secrets he had sworn never to divulge. and others he should only unfold as the developcment became necessary for the execution of his trust and management of his for tune. Six weeks afterwards the old man died at a nameless village near Shrewsbury, and in conformity with his last commands, a lawyer of great eminence and respectability at Liverpool (Mr. S.) was sent for, and who took back with bins all the Parchments. papers, &c. belonging to the old man, except the dad of gift, which young C. would never put with out of his own possession. At the expiration of six months, the lawyer (Mr. S.) returned and gave him up all the title deeds, papers, & c., and at the same time communicated to hire that he had almost boundless wealth, but the preservation of the greater part depended on ,his prudence, secrecy. and conformity tq the injunctions and proceedings of the old man, his deceased belle. factor. The title deeds were immediately buried in a garden of one of the estates, and the only person (except vice of his school fellows of 1 I years old. who sap the interment of the strong bin) to whom he cet,flded any put of the moi,eentous story of his fortune, was his mother, and whit avowed she had been in possession of the secret tif his affluence without ever having betrayed the confidence. The moment was now arrival when he might extend that con& dente, but not yet give full publicity to the amount of wealth he possessed. Indeed some of his property was derived from source* which affected the most serious interests of the highest personage, is every country. The great object of the old man, his benefactqr. had been to ae. quire secret influence, by getting u many people as possible into his trammels, nay, the desire of this mysterious dominion had been he hint a stronger passion even than avarice. Most of the foreign Sovereigns, therefore owed him money. The Empress of Russia was a debtor to the amount of 100,000 L, but she regularly rid 6,0001. per annum interest. Prince Eugene was also in his list for a large Alm, and on the King of Spain he had immense claims. His principal estate lay, indeed, in that country. hut he had also large getates in Germany, Italy, Sicily, and in England; many great mortgages and reversions unknown to the presumed successors, and amongst die latter he cited the manful case of his being one day obliged to dispossess his dearest friend of an inheritance on which he relied, or make him dependent on his generosity for the restitution. To frustrate inquiry, he had forbidden all his agents, bankers, &e. to acknowledge any transaction with hint; but still he eves in conti nual anxiety on that subject. and had reason to apprehend that at.. tempts had alrealy been made to intercept and peruse his papers and correspondence. The want of ready money was, no doubt. fur some time a subject of much solicitude to the CI-emus of 11,19 • but his tale hail acquired so much confidence, that a relative, to ;hum he said ao , ),0001. had. been promisee! on the great pay d ay, entreated him to neeke use of I,2(sd. lying idle in Oaks's hank at Bury. Tile viler was accepted, and so eager was young C. to grasp the prize, that his servant arrive;) with the check at the bank bedsore the doors were opened. This circunisutece, and the employment of a coininon groom as the receiver of such c large sum, excited sonic se.spieion, and die elert was sent over to yours C. with the money. Young C. gave hint 11. for his trouble, put 9jl. in his purse, which was soon carelessly left about to be seen full of Rank -notes. and 1,1001, were placed in the bank of Messrs. Hammond and Eden, at Newmarket, who after wards Jpened a credit of 1,0001. in favour of youn.• C. with their correspondent. Messrs. Cox and Bid et lph, Charing Cross. As the ist ofJanuary approached, his character seemed to change; instead of usual gentleness. he displayed great violence of temper, and an irritation on the most trifling subjects, that erready alarmed all about him fur the state of his mind. A t length his language was so extravagant, that it was feared the acquisition offortmic had over powered his faculties, and his pliyeicians were cousultel, but they contradicted the Opinion, and vouched for his sanity of mind. It was nevertheless resolved, on the Seth of November, to remove him, and terminate an intereourse which could no longer exist with any pros. pert of happines.., whatever might be the wealth at his command, and Mr. ‘l. the solicitor, wa.s sent for, that a painful personal explae nation with young Cawston might be avoided. Before, however, this el:termination had been carried into exesu. lion, young C. had sent for the lawyer of the family. Mr. E. of Gray's Inn, and, after making him execute another will, gave him various instructions, amongst which was that of advertising for all claims on the estate of Gasper Qiuntella 111, as the old man, his benefactor, hail possessed an estate in that name, and, from hie books, appeared owed to some creditors about 6,0n01. which he, young C. WAS anxious to pay immediately. This trait of lionenty, and imagined proof of redundant money at command, added to the cir cumstance of the solicitor being sent for to the house of the family by whom he was regularly employed on their own important affairs. stifled every doubt of hi s mind, and he proceeded accordingly to exe cute the directions he had received. ...... ..... Young C. foreseeing the hour of detection must arrive, had always indsted on the necessity of a journey to Spain, that he might enter into possession of his property in that country ; am'. in his interview with Mr. had requested him to procure passports, not only for that country, but aisofor Gerisny, Switzerland, France, Italy, &e. which Mr. K. declined. as not being in his province, but he indkated the regular modz, to obtain them. A day or two afteiwanis the foreign secretary evnic •o the family, and anneunced iie departure the taxis night ou s mivion to the Com